The late Michael Jackson is still at the top of his game.

Jackson’s influence on music began in his childhood as a member of the iconic sibling group The Jackson 5, formed in Gary, Indiana. The group produced classics such as “I Want You Back,” which sold over six million copies worldwide and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, according to Jackson Dynasty, along with hits like “ABC,” “I’ll Be There,” “Blame It on the Boogie,” and more.

Jackson’s track record as a solo artist cemented his status as a legend, with albums that have stood the test of time and changed the trajectory of the music industry. His albums include “Thriller,” which followed the success of “Off the Wall” and was the brainchild of both Jackson and Producer Quincy Jones. “Thriller” sold over 70 million copies worldwide, The Root reports. It is regarded as one of the best-selling albums of all time and led Jackson to earn eight Grammys in one night.

The King of Pop continues to dominate, even years after his 2009 passing. Forbes reports that Jackson’s estate has earned $3.5 billion since his death, including an estimated $105 million in the past year alone.

The payouts are attributed to several strategic moves Jackson made before his passing, such as having ownership of his publishing rights and master recordings. He also owned thousands of songs written by The Beatles members, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, through his ownership of what became Sony/ATV, according to Billboard. The estate earned $750 million in 2016 after selling half its stake in Sony/ATV, followed by an additional estimated $600 million in 2024 after selling half of Jackson’s publishing and masters catalog to Sony Music Group, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.

“When it comes to estate earnings, it’s MJ, then an enormous canyon, then everybody else,” an estate lawyer told Forbes.

The outlet also states that while it began tracking celebrity estates in 2001, Jackson’s estate has remained the highest-earning.

Beyond the work of the estate, Jackson’s name continues to remain in circulation through various adaptations of his life, including Broadway’s “MJ The Musical” and the Cirque du Soleil show “Michael Jackson ONE,” which has been extended through 2030, per Billboard.

Additionally, his biopic, set for release in 2026 by Lionsgate, is generating a lot of buzz, with his nephew Jaafar portraying Jackson’s role.

“Jaafar embodies my son. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers,” Katherine, the mother of Jackson, said, according to Variety.