You’ve seen it everywhere. The grainy image of a teary-eyed legend, usually paired with a caption that hits right in the feels: mj i used to pray for times like this. It's the kind of content that stops your thumb mid-scroll. But if you actually stop to think about it, something feels... off. Did Michael Jackson ever actually say those words? Or are we all just collectively hallucinating a crossover between the King of Pop and 2010s street rap?
The short answer is no. Michael Jackson never sang or spoke those words. Honestly, the "MJ" in this specific internet phenomenon is a bit of a moving target, and the lyrics belong to a completely different era of music history.
Where the Words Actually Come From
The phrase "I used to pray for times like this, to rhyme like this" is arguably one of the most iconic opening lines in the history of hip-hop. It belongs to Meek Mill. Specifically, it's the start of his 2012 masterpiece, "Dreams and Nightmares (Intro)."
When that beat switches halfway through the song, it’s like a shot of pure adrenaline. It became the unofficial anthem for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl LII run. It’s a song about the "grind," the struggle, and the eventual payoff.
So how did Michael Jackson get dragged into it?
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Basically, the internet loves a good mashup. The meme culture took the raw, emotional energy of Meek Mill’s lyrics and paired them with images of Michael Jackson in his most triumphant—or sometimes most vulnerable—moments.
The "MJ" Confusion: Michael Jackson vs. Michael Jordan
To make matters even more confusing, the "MJ" in this meme often refers to Michael Jordan, not Jackson.
The famous "Crying Jordan" face, which originated from his 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech, is frequently the visual paired with these lyrics. People use it to mock someone who finally got a "win" after a long period of losing, or to express genuine, overwhelming relief.
However, the Michael Jackson version of the meme is its own beast. Fans of the King of Pop often use the "i used to pray for times like this" caption over clips of MJ:
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- Winning a record-breaking eight Grammys in one night.
- Performing the Motown 25 moonwalk.
- Standing in front of thousands of screaming fans during the Dangerous Tour.
In these cases, the meme isn't a joke; it’s a tribute. It’s fans projecting the idea of MJ’s hard-earned success onto Meek Mill’s lyrics about the struggle to reach the top.
Why This Specific Pairing Sticks
There is a psychological reason why we keep seeing mj i used to pray for times like this on our feeds. It’s the juxtaposition of high-stakes emotion.
Think about it. Michael Jackson’s life was a series of impossible highs and devastating lows. Meek Mill’s song is about the exact same thing—the "dreams" and the "nightmares." When you see a video of MJ holding a trophy while Meek Mill’s voice rasps about "having to grind like that to shine like this," it feels authentic. It feels like the two artists are talking about the same universal experience of the underdog finally winning.
Common Misconceptions
- Fact Check: Michael Jackson has a song called "Earth Song" and "Heal the World," both of which involve prayer-like themes, but "I used to pray for times like this" is nowhere in his discography.
- The Timeline: Meek Mill released "Dreams and Nightmares" in 2012, three years after Michael Jackson passed away. There was never a collaboration.
- The GIF: Most of the GIFs you find on platforms like Tenor or Giphy under this search term are actually of Michael Jordan holding the Larry O'Brien trophy, not Michael Jackson.
The Cultural Impact in 2026
Even now, years after the song and the original memes debuted, the phrase has become shorthand for "we finally made it." It's used by gamers who finally beat a hard boss, sports fans whose team finally won a title, and even students graduating after a long slog.
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It’s a "vibe" more than a literal reference. You don't need to know the history of the 1990s pop scene or 2010s Philly rap to feel the weight of those words.
How to Use the MJ Meme Correctly
If you’re looking to join the trend or use the mj i used to pray for times like this aesthetic for your own content, keep these tips in mind to stay "human-quality" and avoid looking like a bot:
- Match the Energy: Use the Michael Jackson version for moments of pure, ethereal success. Use the Michael Jordan version for "ugly-crying" relief or funny wins.
- Credit the Source: If you’re making a video, keep the "Dreams and Nightmares" beat switch in mind. That’s where the real power of the meme lives.
- Check Your MJ: Ensure your audience knows which MJ you’re talking about. If it's Jackson, the vibe is usually "Legendary." If it's Jordan, the vibe is usually "Competitive Greatness."
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check out the original "Dreams and Nightmares" intro by Meek Mill to understand the cadence and emotion behind the line.
- If you're creating a post, use a high-quality clip of MJ’s 1984 Grammy wins—it’s the ultimate visual representation of "praying for times like this."
- Search for "Crying Jordan" history if you want to see how the other "MJ" dominated the meme landscape first.