In a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, Suge Knight addressed a long-standing rumor that Michael Jackson once physically assaulted Tupac Shakur. Knight firmly denied the claim, stating that such an incident never occurred.

He emphasized that while Tupac had immense respect for Jackson, they did not have a personal relationship that would have led to any altercation. Knight attributed the rumor to misinformation and the tendency for sensational stories to spread over time.

He would also speak on the industry needing to change due to things that go behind the scenes allegedly.

THE HISTORY BETWEEN TUPAC AND MICHAEL JACKSON

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was rooted in pop, soul, and R&B, while Tupac was a socially conscious and often politically charged voice in West Coast hip-hop. Though both were global icons, they represented different musical lanes and target audiences. Industry insiders often noted that their teams and philosophies didn’t overlap much.

Tupac’s Frustration with Michael Jackson

There are long-standing rumors—some confirmed by people close to Tupac—that he was upset after a failed attempt to collaborate with Michael Jackson. Producer QDIII (Quincy Jones III), who worked with both artists, once stated in an interview that Tupac was slated to appear on a Michael Jackson track, but when they arrived at the studio, Jackson didn’t show up.

According to QDIII from a VLADTV interview:

“So we were working on the track, Tupac came in, got ready to do his verse. Then somebody from Michael Jackson’s team told us, ‘Oh, Michael won’t be coming.’ Tupac was mad, stormed out of the studio, and said he would never work with him again.”

QDIII is the son of Quincy Jones, who produced some of Michael Jackson’s biggest albums (Thriller, Bad). He also worked closely with Tupac on tracks like To Live and Die in L.A., giving his comments substantial credibility.

Napoleon responds to claims made by QD3 that Michael Jackson turned down a Tupac feature. He stated that Michael Jackson made Tupac mad over not wanting to make an in studio appearance for their collaboration.

No Real Personal Relationship

Despite being two of the most iconic Black artists of the ’90s, there is little evidence to suggest Tupac and Michael Jackson had a personal relationship. Unlike Tupac’s well-documented friendships with other artists like Snoop Dogg, Janet Jackson (whom he worked with on Poetic Justice), and Biggie Smalls (before their fallout), there is no footage, photos, or public appearances linking Pac directly to Michael.