MJ was a product of the system, especially once he left the family and their "protection" as much as that was. The industry used him, society used him, he was and still is an icon. MM has been much less of a pariah given the time he has been in and the type of music, I mean come on... their first two albums alone. I grew up with MJ and then in the Air Force I would put all 5 MM albums (1999) on my 5 disc changer and play it over night as I slept. I can't say much on RK as I never followed hip hop though I saw the scandal. I don't think anyone isn't negatively affected by being involved in the industry as an artist, it has seemed part and parcel.