Michael Jackson's secret rants about Prince: He's 'mean, nasty, rude'

Michael claimed Prince was ­"starstruck" when the two first met but that quickly changed as he became a star on his own. Photo / Getty Images

In a series of tapes secretly recorded 30 years ago, Michael Jackson ranted about his rival Prince, who he said would die prematurely.

Jackson said he was worried that Prince may kill himself, according to The Mirror, which revealed for the first time the contents of the recordings.

The tapes were recorded for Jackson's autobiography Moonwalker in 1998.

Jackson said Prince had been mean, nasty and rude, not only to him but also toward his family and that he didn't like being "compared to Prince at all".

"I have proven myself since I was real little. It's not fair. He feels like I'm his opponent. I hope he changes because boy, he's gonna get hurt. He's the type that might commit suicide or something."

Jackson called Prince, who died from a painkiller overdose in April, "very competitive".

"He was so rude, one of rudest people I have ever met. He has been very mean and nasty to my family."

The King of Pop also mocked Prince's appearance at a James Brown tribute show in 1983 in Los Angeles, according to the Mirror.

Pop star Prince performs during a tour stop in Denver at McNichols Arena July, 3, 1986. Photo / Getty Images

Prince fell into the crowd after mistaking a paper mache stage lamppost for a real one.

Jackson said: "He made a fool of himself. He was a joke."

He claimed Prince was ­"starstruck" when the two first met but that quickly changed as he became a star on his own.

Jackson also talked about his brothers, calling Randy "hardheaded", Jackie "negative" and Jermaine "talented but lacking self-confidence", according to the Mirror.

He added that his sister LaToya's behaviour was weird and that Janet was a tomboy.

Jackson also made it clear that he loathed his dad Joe.