TheChosenOne
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I've been thinking alot about Xscape and the press coverage and success it has received. And that I got me thinking about the brand that is Michael Jackson.
I have been a fan a long time and I remember the times (no pun intended) when whoever was 'hot and happening' at that time had advice about how Michael could be 'hot and happening' again. Oh, he just needs to dress normal, talk normal, not hang out with children, stop being so weird. Everybody and their grandma had a solution for Michael 'hot and happening' problem!
What always amused me about those entertainers was that they had never achieved half of what Michael achieved in his life. And their brand could not bring in the kind of money that Michael’s did and does.
Let us call a spade a spade!
Michael created an image and a brand that is instantly recognisable around the world (except perhaps for North Korea). His dress, his moves, his voice, his style were iconic. He moved through each phase of his career with a frightening sense of purpose, strengthening the iconography of his work and his brand in the process. He had a sense of self-belief that must have annoying to alot of people. But that is a different essay for a different time.
Back to my point ...
Michael Jackson started out as a teen heartthrob. Much like Donny Osmond.
But Donny Osmond has not been able to have a top ten single in each of the last five decades.
Michael Jackson was a part of a glorious triumvirate in the 80s that included Prince and Madonna.
The latter two have never been accused of child molestation, gone on trial and then four years later sell out the O2 arena FIFTY times. If I remember correctly, I was at a Girls Aloud concert at the O2 and the banner ads advertised for tickets for Madonna’s tour while for Michael it was about congratulating on already selling out his shows!
None of the entertainers that the media have touted as heirs to the throne – Usher, JT, CB or JB – have created a video or live performance that is iconic, instantly recognizable all around the world. They have never had that moment when the whole world was in awe of what they could do and breathlessly waiting to find out what they will do next. Yes, they were/are popular. But there is no sense of wonder about they can do.
And I do laugh at the rappers who want to throw shade at Michael. I laugh at them because a show in tribute to Michael outsold their tours!
Even in death, people still want what Michael Jackson had to offer. And that is because people know that Michael was exceptionally talented. Exceptionally. And that he did bind his soul to his work, because there is an authenticity there that cannot be faked. Michael was the real deal.The general public knows that Michael shared a very special communion with them and they are willing to spend money to continue to share in that communion.
To that I say “who’s bad?”
I have been a fan a long time and I remember the times (no pun intended) when whoever was 'hot and happening' at that time had advice about how Michael could be 'hot and happening' again. Oh, he just needs to dress normal, talk normal, not hang out with children, stop being so weird. Everybody and their grandma had a solution for Michael 'hot and happening' problem!
What always amused me about those entertainers was that they had never achieved half of what Michael achieved in his life. And their brand could not bring in the kind of money that Michael’s did and does.
Let us call a spade a spade!
Michael created an image and a brand that is instantly recognisable around the world (except perhaps for North Korea). His dress, his moves, his voice, his style were iconic. He moved through each phase of his career with a frightening sense of purpose, strengthening the iconography of his work and his brand in the process. He had a sense of self-belief that must have annoying to alot of people. But that is a different essay for a different time.
Back to my point ...
Michael Jackson started out as a teen heartthrob. Much like Donny Osmond.
But Donny Osmond has not been able to have a top ten single in each of the last five decades.
Michael Jackson was a part of a glorious triumvirate in the 80s that included Prince and Madonna.
The latter two have never been accused of child molestation, gone on trial and then four years later sell out the O2 arena FIFTY times. If I remember correctly, I was at a Girls Aloud concert at the O2 and the banner ads advertised for tickets for Madonna’s tour while for Michael it was about congratulating on already selling out his shows!
None of the entertainers that the media have touted as heirs to the throne – Usher, JT, CB or JB – have created a video or live performance that is iconic, instantly recognizable all around the world. They have never had that moment when the whole world was in awe of what they could do and breathlessly waiting to find out what they will do next. Yes, they were/are popular. But there is no sense of wonder about they can do.
And I do laugh at the rappers who want to throw shade at Michael. I laugh at them because a show in tribute to Michael outsold their tours!
Even in death, people still want what Michael Jackson had to offer. And that is because people know that Michael was exceptionally talented. Exceptionally. And that he did bind his soul to his work, because there is an authenticity there that cannot be faked. Michael was the real deal.The general public knows that Michael shared a very special communion with them and they are willing to spend money to continue to share in that communion.
To that I say “who’s bad?”
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