More than 15 years after his death, Michael Jackson continues to redefine the limits of pop music immortality. The King of Pop has become the first artist in history to score Top 10 singles in six consecutive decades, as “Thriller” re-entered the Billboard Hot 100, climbing to No. 9 following a surge in global streams tied to the Halloween season and the viral “#ThrillerChallenge” on TikTok.

The milestone cements Jackson’s unparalleled influence across generations, from vinyl to streaming, and underscores how his catalog remains one of the most powerful forces in modern music economics.

“There’s never been another career quite like his,” said Billboard senior analyst Keith Caulfield. “To span six decades of the Top 10 - that’s not just longevity, that’s cultural permanence.”

Six Decades of Chart Dominance

Jackson’s Top 10 legacy stretches across a timeline that mirrors the evolution of pop itself:

• 1970s: With The Jackson 5, songs like “I Want You Back” and “ABC” defined Motown’s golden era.

• 1980s: The release of Thriller (1982) set an all-time benchmark — “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, and “Thriller” itself all hit No. 1.

• 1990s: Tracks like “Black or White” and “You Are Not Alone” dominated a changing MTV generation.

• 2000s: Collaborations such as “You Rock My World” kept Jackson relevant amid the digital shift.

• 2010s: Posthumous remixes like “Love Never Felt So Good” featuring Justin Timberlake extended his reach.

• 2020s: The Thriller resurgence — powered by streaming, viral dance videos, and a 40th-anniversary reissue — completes the record-breaking run.

The Economics of a Legacy

The renewed success comes amid a major global reissue campaign by Sony Music and Jackson’s estate, including Dolby Atmos remasters, AI-enhanced video restorations, and a new documentary Thriller: The Making of a Myth, set for release next month on Netflix.

Streaming data shows “Thriller” logged more than 78 million plays worldwide in a single week, according to Spotify Charts, marking one of the highest surges ever for a song released before 1990.

“Michael’s impact isn’t just nostalgic — it’s algorithmic,” said music industry strategist Tatiana Cirisano of MIDiA Research. “Every October, the internet resurrects him in real time.”

Influence That Refuses to Fade

Beyond sales and streams, Jackson’s work continues to define visual storytelling in music. From his pioneering of the short-film music video format to his choreography — the moonwalk, the lean, the cinematic spectacle — modern pop still borrows his grammar.

Artists like The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, and Bruno Mars have cited Jackson as a direct influence on their sound and stagecraft. His presence continues to shape award-show performances, fashion, and digital aesthetics.

Even AI recreation efforts of his vocal style have sparked debate over creative ethics, underscoring how his influence remains both timeless and technologically relevant.

The Takeaway

Michael Jackson’s sixth-decade Top 10 milestone is less a comeback than a confirmation — proof that his music has transcended eras, platforms, and mortality itself. In a pop landscape driven by fleeting trends, Jackson’s catalog remains the ultimate constant.

“Artists chase moments,” Caulfield said. “Michael created eras. And they’re still not over.”