Undeniably, Michael Jackson and Eminem stand as two musical titans, captivating audiences with vastly different genres. While they may not appeal to everyone’s taste, both have garnered legions of devoted fans. However, a surprising feud simmered between them, culminating in an act of financial power by the King of Pop.

The source of the tension? Eminem’s 2004 single “Just Lose It.” The song generated significant controversy due to its apparent mockery of Jackson. Lyrics referenced Jackson’s child molestation trial, plastic surgery, and a notorious incident where his hair caught fire during a Pepsi commercial in 1984. Eminem pulled no punches.

Just a week after the song’s release, a visibly upset Jackson called into Steve Harvey’s radio show, deeming the song “disrespectful.” He expressed outrage and disappointment, stating, “I’ve admired Eminem as an artist, and was shocked by this. The video was inappropriate and disrespectful to me, my children, my family and the community at large.”

Jackson’s response wasn’t limited to words. In a surprising turn of events, Jackson’s partnership company, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, acquired the rights to Eminem’s entire music catalog in 2007. This staggering $370 million purchase meant Jackson’s company now owned the rights to Eminem’s music, alongside the catalogs of artists like Bjork, Shakira, and Beck.

Interestingly, this wasn’t Jackson’s first foray into music rights acquisition. In 1985, he shocked fans by outbidding former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney for the rights to The Beatles’ collection.

Despite publicly condemning “Just Lose It,” Jackson never altered the song’s lyrics after acquiring Eminem’s music rights. He continued to own the rights until his death in 2009. According to Boss Hunting, Eminem was finally able to buy back the publishing rights to his music in 2016.

The Eminem-Michael Jackson feud serves as a unique chapter in music history. While their musical styles diverged, their paths unexpectedly crossed through a controversial song and a shrewd business move. Though Jackson never directly retaliated against the content of “Just Lose It,” the acquisition of Eminem’s music catalog stands as a testament to the financial power wielded by the King of Pop.