YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the newest Complex cover star, isn’t on board with anyone comparing him to the late Michael Jackson.
In an interview with Jordan Rose, available in full here, the Slime Cry artist was asked about those billing him as the MJ of this generation, specifically in reference to a previous Complex video with the RIAA-decorated rapper.
“You gotta think about my age, bro,” YoungBoy said before being reminded that he and Jordan are the same age.
“I don't know anything about no Michael Jackson,” he added.
From there, YoungBoy’s 2019 track “Dirty Iyanna,” which samples the King of Pop’s “Dirty Diana,” was brought up. Still, YoungBoy pushed back against any talks of him being MJ-like in his own stardom.
“I know, but I don’t understand the stardom,” he said. “I don’t understand the power.”
Ultimately, he chalked up such talk as an example of over-exaggeration.
“That’s going too far,” he added.
Read the full interview here, then shop the just-launched BAPE x YoungBoy collection on Complex.
YoungBoy’s busy start to the new year comes after a similarly busy 2025, which ultimately netted him the title of Best Rapper Alive from Complex. The distinction places YoungBoy among the company of Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Drake, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, and other prior Best Rapper Alive honorees.
Slime Cry, released Friday (Jan. 16), counts just two features—Burna Boy and Jelly Roll, respectively—among its 30-song tracklist. Listen to the new album here.
As for MJ, this year will see the release of Michael, a new biopic on the unparalleled superstar from Training Day and The Equalizer director Antoine Fuqua. MJ’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, takes the title role in the Lionsgate-distributed film and is joined by Colman Domingo and Nia Long, among others.