Full Breakdown
Michael Jackson's *The Essential* Reclaims UK No. 1 Spot After 17 Years
5/9/2026, 5:31:03 AM
Chart-Topping Return of Michael Jackson
On the Official Albums Chart dated 8 May 2024, the career-spanning compilation *The Essential Michael Jackson* reached No. 1, marking the first UK chart-topping album for the late pop star since his death in 2009. The album’s ascent displaced Northern Ireland rap trio Kneecap and former Spice Girl Melanie C, who placed at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.
Biopic Release and Streaming Surge
The rise coincided with the theatrical debut of the biopic *Michael*, described in industry reports as a record-breaking opening in UK cinemas. Streaming data released alongside the chart show a measurable increase in plays of Jackson’s catalogue during the film’s opening period, linking the film’s exposure to the album’s chart performance.
Historical Chart Context
The compilation *The Essential Michael Jackson* previously reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom for seven consecutive weeks following Jackson’s death in 2009, marking its last chart-topping run before the 2024 resurgence. The compilation had not held the No. 1 position since that 2009 run.
Key Figures & Groups
The principal artists involved are Michael Jackson, the pop icon whose catalogue has been re-issued in the *The Essential Michael Jackson* compilation; Kneecap, a Northern Ireland rap trio comprising Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí; and Melanie C, a Spice Girl releasing solo material. All three acts appear in the week’s top-ten, reflecting the diverse range of performers influencing the chart.
Detailed Chart Positions
The week’s top-ten also featured a resurgence for Jackson’s 1982 album *Thriller*, which moved to No. 6, and his 1987 album *Bad*, which climbed to No. 8—its first top-10 appearance in 14 years. Kneecap’s second studio album *Fenian* secured a career-best No. 2, while the group simultaneously topped the Official Vinyl Albums Chart by selling the most vinyl copies. Melanie C’s ninth studio effort *Sweat* entered at No. 3, the highest solo peak for any Spice Girls member; Geri Halliwell’s *Schizophonic* and Emma Bunton’s *A Girl Like Me* each reached No. 4. Additional entries included Noah Kahan’s *The Great Divide* at No. 4, Olivia Dean’s *The Art of Loving* at No. 5, Kacey Musgraves’ *Middle of Nowhere* at No. 7, Tori Amos’s *In Times of Dragons* at No. 13, Asake’s *M$ney* at No. 27, The Black Keys’ cover project *Peaches!* at No. 33, and Zara Larsson’s *Midnight Sun* at No. 26.
Impact on Posthumous Catalogs
The chart movement underscores a broader pattern of catalog streams rising in response to biographical releases. *The Essential* achieved its first No. 1 placement since its original seven-week run following Jackson’s death in 2009, highlighting the impact of the biopic on the late artist’s sales.
