Don't know how you can even compare the two. I mean Prince wrote, produced, engireered and played practically all of his stuff himself. What did MJ write? his own vocal melodies?
The two most popular songs from the biggest album ever (Beat It and Billie Jean), one of which is arguably the most popular and loved song of modern culture.
Alright, I stand corrected.
HOLD ON...not EXACTLY.
MJ did indeed write Beat It and Billie Jean...sort of. Beat It was produced by and credit given to Quincy Jones. Also, Eddie Van Halen wrote the solo; the intro is taken note for note from a demo LP released the year before, called "The Incredible Sounds of Synclavier II" by Denny Jaeger; and Jeff Porcaro wrote the drum parts. As for Billie Jean...again it was produced by Quincy Jones. In fact he has said he changed the tempo and structure of the song. And MJ admitted to Daryl Hall that he lifted the entire bass line from the song, "I Cant Go For That". Even "Thriller' was written by Rod Temperton, the white boy from Heatwave.
MJ had never written much of anything until that album came along. Interestingly enough after he left Quincy and started writing with Teddy Riley, he passes out song writing credits like breath mints again. So...you have to think that he fell into the same type Avril Lavigne school of song writing credit which apparently states in part, "...if the artist is in the same room when the song is being written, they shall get credit."
Prince wrote, produced, performed every note, of every song on his first five albums, with the exception of "Computer Blue" which he co-wrote off of Purple Rain. Not trying to take anything away from MJ. He was incredible. A force that will never be duplicated.
But in my opinion....he couldn't hold a candle to the sheer talent of Prince.
I mean in addition to all of that music, he found band members that fit a certain look first; then taught them the songs, how to dress, move, and act on stage. He created and orchestrated it all.