“But did Jackson and Prince really dislike each other? The evidence
suggests that the rivalry was for real, if not a bit one-sided. On his
2004 album Musicology, Prince had a lyric that went, “My voice is
getting higher/And Eye ain’t never had my nose done/That’s the other
guy.” He also ducked out of the Jackson-helmed “We Are The World”
sessions (though he did end up donating a song to the benefit album).
However, recent interviews with former Prince band members reveal a
more genial side. “They’d shoot hoops at Paisley Park,” longtime
Prince drummer Bobby Z told the Star-Tribune. Prince had a deep-seeded
competitive nature, so it’s easy to see where he would measure himself
against Jackson’s success. Engineer David Z told a story about
Prince’s attempt to play ping-pong with Jackson. “Michael drops his
paddle and holds his hands up in front of his face so the ball won’t
hit him. Michael walks out with his bodyguard, and Prince starts
strutting around like a rooster. ‘Did you see that? He played like
Helen Keller.’”