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Did you hear Billie Jean? Beat it? Black or white? Dirty Diana? or Smooth Criminal? You know the name behind it! Michael Jackson.
'MJ' is a singer, songwriter, dancer and, above all, a legendary Global superstar beyond his time.
Remembering Michael Jackson as today is the day when this star was born. We cannot cover even a cent of his stardom and what he achieved; however, we can love him more. So, let's move!
MJ, the world's biggest star, was called the King of Pop. He got his name and fame for his innovative dance moves, unparalleled vocal talents, and boundless creativity, which captivated audiences worldwide.
A career spanning several decades, Jackson's contributions to music, fashion, and philanthropy left an indelible mark on popular culture, making him one of the most influential and beloved artists of all time.
Starting from his early life
He had actually a disturbed childhood, which pushed him to do something significant in life. Interesting to know his first public performance was at the age of 5, singing 'Climb Every Mountain.' on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1971.
Later, we know he made his public debut in 1964 in the Jackson 5 band with his brother. Later, he started his solo career in 1971 when he recorded multiple successful singles.
Even if there was no easy option for social media at that time, he was the one who influenced the whole world with his songs, vibes, lyrics, dance moves and, above all, statements about racial barriers. Thank god social media was not even a thing at that time.
Starting from the album "Off the Wall" to "Bad" (which album produced five US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles), all hit songs were already spread among people.
Albums and works
Michael Jackson's first major hit came at the tender age of 11 with the song "I Want You Back" in 1969. This song, along with its B-side, "ABC," topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and solidified Jackson's position as a child prodigy.
Then, in 1982, the world music industry had a storm. It was The 'Thriller.' MJ's Thriller is considered one of the best-selling albums of all time, featuring hits like "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Thriller."
In 1983, his album Thriller proved to be a worldwide hit, selling around 65 million copies. His song "Billie Jean" has earned the tag of being the first song by a black artist to be aired on MTV.
Bad (1987)
This album included hits like "Bad," "I Want to Be a Part of It," and "Smooth Criminal."
Dangerous (1991)
This album featured hits like "Black or White," "Remember the Time," and "Heal the World."
HIStory (1995)
This album included hits like "You Are Not Alone," "Earth Song," and "HIStory." He had 23 Guinness World Records, 40 Billboard Awards, 13 Grammys, and 26 American Music Awards to his name.
MJ's statements and vibe
Michael Jackson was known for so many things. He was a strong advocate for racial equality. He often used his platform to speak out against racism and promote unity.
His music videos often featured messages of racial harmony, such as "Black or White" and "Heal the World." He was known for his energetic and elaborate stage shows.
He had a deep connection with his fans and often interacted with them during concerts. MJ popularized the iconic dance move known as the moonwalk during his performance of "Billie Jean" on the Motown 25 television special in 1983.
He donated over $500 million to charity throughout his life, at one time being recognized in Guinness World Records for the breadth of his philanthropic work. Even if there was no social platform like nowadays, he was loved from all over the world for his work.
Illness and demise
MJ suffered from vitiligo, a skin condition that caused loss of pigment in 1993. This condition led to changes in his skin tone, which often fueled rumours and speculation.
Also, After signing a $5 million deal with Pepsi-Cola, he got severely injured while filming a commercial for them. It caused burns on his face and scalp. When his injuries were getting addressed, he began experimenting with plastic surgery.
He also struggled with addiction to prescription painkillers as he had mental trauma from controversies. Several controversies, including allegations of child sexual abuse, marked Jackson's life.
These allegations led to a high-profile trial in 2005, which resulted in his acquittal. However, the accusations continued to follow him throughout his life.
Michael Jackson tragically passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. His death sent shockwaves around the world, and millions of fans mourned him.
Recent case verdict
In 2022, a jury found Jackson not guilty of sexually abusing a young boy in the 1990s. This verdict provided some closure for Jackson's estate and his supporters.
And just a few days back, a California appeals court issued a final ruling that Michael Jackson's estate can proceed with a $600 million sale of the singer's catalogue to Sony Music, rejecting objections from his mother that aimed to block the deal.
Who was Michael Jackson?
Who was Michael Jackson? Was he the guy born on 29th August 1958 in Gary, Indiana, in a working-class African-American family who shook the world with his talent? But talent is not a rare thing, right? Maybe he was the most hardworking one. Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Beethoven also had talent and worked hard to achieve their goals. Then what is exceptional about MJ? Why is he immortal? Maybe he never had a goal. Maybe he was alone like most of us, in his words:
"That you are not alone
I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
But you are not alone
I am here with you."