It remains one of the greatest “what if” moments in music history: a blockbuster duet between the two undisputed Kings of Pop, Michael Jackson and Prince. The collaboration was not just a fan fantasy; it was actively planned for Jackson’s 1987 album, Bad.

Yet, the duet famously collapsed. Despite multiple attempts to bring them together, Prince reportedly refused to collaborate—not over a clash of styles, but over a single “creative control issue” centered on just five words.

The Song and the Standoff

The song intended to be the groundbreaking duet was the album’s aggressive title track, “Bad.” Producer Quincy Jones, the man behind Thriller, brokered a meeting between the two superstars, hoping to create a cinematic and musical clash.

The plan failed. Prince rejected the opportunity, reportedly three times, because he took issue with the song’s opening lyric:

“Your butt is mine.”

The “Creative Control Issue”

For Prince, this single line was a creative deal-breaker. His refusal was not just ego; it was about the fundamental dynamic of the song. In a later interview, Prince famously articulated the stalemate:

“I just said, ‘Who is going to sing that to who? ‘Cause you sure aren’t singing that to me, and I sure ain’t singing it to you.’”

This quote perfectly encapsulates the problem. A collaboration between two kings had to be a partnership of equals. Prince believed that lyric, written for Jackson’s solo persona, created an adversarial and subservient dynamic. To sing it would “tarnish the magic” of a true, balanced partnership.

Notable Event: The “Bad” Short Film

The failed duet had a direct impact on one of the most famous music videos ever made.

The Original Concept: The legendary 18-minute Martin Scorsese-directed short film was originally envisioned as the vehicle for the duet, a cinematic battle between the “good” Jackson and the “bad” Prince, ending in their reconciliation.
The “What If”: With Prince out, the role of the rival was recast.
The Data: The antagonistic role of “Mini Max” was ultimately filled by a pre-fame actor named Wesley Snipes, who cemented his own place in music history as the man who went head-to-head with Michael Jackson.

The song, of course, became a monumental solo hit for Michael Jackson. But the failed collaboration remains the ultimate pop music “what if,” a testament to two giants for whom creative control and artistic integrity were the ultimate currency, outweighing even the immense appeal of a joint record.