Quincy Jones produced Michael Jackson's mega-hits "Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Beat it" and more, but his latest "hit" with the late superstar is of a very different nature.
"Michael stole a lot of stuff. He stole a lot of songs. [Donna Summer's] 'State of Independence' and 'Billie Jean.' The notes don't lie, man. He was as Machiavellian as they come. … Greedy, man. Greedy," Quincy said during an interview with Vulture.com.
The Jackson family definitely does not approve of the music mogul's comments.
"He must have the first stages of dementia," a Jackson family member said of the 84-year-old's words, according to Page Six.
Joe Jackson, Michael's father, told Page Six that he thinks Quincy is "quite jealous of Michael because he's never worked with someone with all of that talent."
To date, Quincy has worked with and produced the likes of Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin and more.
Joe added that if anyone hears any similarities between Michael's music and songs by other artists, Quincy is to blame, as he was the producer.
"He says my son stole it, but he was the producer on both ['Billie Jean' and 'State of Independence'], so if anybody is wrong it would be Quincy," the Jackson family patriarch concluded.
Another Jackson relative poses that Quincy has "quietly carried a vendetta" against Michael, who died in 2009.
"It goes way back, and [Quincy] recently got money from Michael's estate," the relative told Page Six, referring to Quincy's recent $9.4 million court victory against Michael's estate over past unpaid royalties.
The relative added to Page Six that it all began more than 30 years ago, when the musical duo disagreed on whether or not Quincy should get a shot at a Grammy for having produced the 1982 hit album "Thriller."
"Michael did all of the work. It's his music and everyone knows Michael's sound — and 'Thriller' was all Michael Jackson," the source explained.
Even though Quincy is credited in the liner notes, Michael allegedly went to Grammy officials and asked that any producer award go directly to him.
Quincy ultimately received the award, but he and Michael were never the same, having "fell out for good," according to the relative.
Asked if the Jackson clan could forgive Quincy for the comments about Michael, the family source told Page Six, "Forgive? [Expletive]. Michael is not here to defend himself. The world knows that Michael was the No. 1 artist in the world, and he didn't need to steal from anyone."