Amaarae has declared Janet Jackson the “real King of Pop,” placing her above her late brother, Michael Jackson.

Speaking about the impact of Janet Jackson’s 1997 album The Velvet Rope with Pitchfork.com, Amaarae praised the project’s emotional depth and experimental sound.

“Every Janet Jackson album is fantastic. But ‘The Velvet Rope’ is the best. If I was conscious in 1997 when the album dropped, I would have played it nonstop. It’s so vulnerable, sexy, aggressive and experimental,” she said.

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The singer added that she personally regards Janet as the true “King of Pop,” while clarifying that the statement was not intended as disrespect toward Michael Jackson.

“Janet, to me, is the real king of pop. No shade to Michael Jackson,” Amaarae stated.