British singer Sam Smith learned a valuable lesson over the weekend: Don’t ever come for Michael Jackson. During a boat trip with fellow singer Adam Lambert and pals, Smith was caught on camera saying, “I don’t like Michael Jackson, but this is a good song.”
Adam Lambert accidentally posts a video of Sam Smith saying:
‘I don’t like Michael Jackson, but this is a good song’ pic.twitter.com/Rhw1lnA5O0
— Music News Facts (@musicnewsfact) August 10, 2018
Music fans were understandably miffed by Smith’s off-the-cuff revelation , especially since his sound is obviously influenced by Black artists like Jackson, but R&B legend Stephanie Mills went all the way off on the Grammy-winner.
“Don’t come for MICHAEL JACKSON when you wish you have sold as many records and you wish you were the King of Pop like he was,” Mills wrote on Instagram, launching into a scathing attack on Smith that he likely wasn’t expecting. I’m so tired of you people studying our music, and studying our artist and claiming that you don’t like our music,” Mills continued. “Go sit your 1 HIT WONDER ass down and learn how to finish a tour. When you can sell as many records as the king of Pop, Michael Jackson then maybe you can say something.”
Anyone can like ANYONE they want. What bothers me is SS is a popular SOUL artist. So when he looks into ANY camera there is a good chance what is said will become public 1day. And for HIM to disrespect ANY classic soul Motown/Stax/etc artist publicly is arrogant. Period. #respect
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) August 13, 2018
Sam Smith is over. What self respecting musician says they don’t like Michael Jackson? Honey..
— bratty daddy (@Guido_Conz) August 10, 2018
So I looked on iTunes to see if I knew any of @samsmithworld songs other than “Stay With Me”. I can’t. But I bet, no I KNOW if I looked up @michaeljackson discography it would be ENDLESS. Please #StayInYourLane #EndRant
— Alicia Bradford (@AlTarianosgirl) August 13, 2018
