Michael and it's not even close.

Hard to tell first hand, since nobody here was alive or really sentient during their peaks to understand their impact first hand. Unless this board has a few oldies lol.

But I'm thinking MJ based on the stats

Madonna

The industry used to be very hard for female artists to get sucessful as male back then.

7 years into her career, Madonna got the biggest peak for a female artist ever had in 1989-90 that´s incredible.

MJ started his solo career since 1972 but he only touched his biggest peak until more than 10 year later with Thriller by the growth of MTV period

Michael Jackson.

Well said.

MJ.

Michael but Madonna had the longevity so that >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Female or not, Michael Jackson had a much much much much bigger peak than Madonna. He literally sold over double the amount of her best selling album with Thriller. It's around 70 million now and it's sold over 100 million records.

And i'm glad you brought up MTV, because without MJ pressing them to play his videos (MTV only played rock music played by mostly white artists), MTV would have died out, because they weren't that popular, which means Madonna's earlier videos wouldn't have been seen. MJ was directly reponsible for MTV's relevance and success and for turning Madonna into an icon.

The receipts for without MJ MTV would have died out ? How could MTV die out without a black artist ? That´s absolute reach

Female or male that´s an important factor (back then)dont miss that point. As a female she was a game changer. Before Madonna all mega stars are male artists, rockers, bands after Madonna they are women.

MJ

mj tbh.

MJ, obviously. Thriller is still the standard to which all pop albums are held, and which none have surpassed.

MJ without a doubt

That Landslide Victory though....

Slay King MJ!

MJ I guess whatever because of Thriller, but at least Madonna never inflated sales of an album by 60 million She's also had more longevity and will be getting gold-certified albums and selling out stadiums well into her 60's.

I snorted omfg.

The poll having tick boxes.

Michael