A Tribute to the King of Pop

By Monique Reuben

His music videos were “Off the Wall,” in their innovation, showmanship, complexity and creativity, changing the scope of music videos from simple supplements to an artist’s repertoire of songs into elaborate visual art forms that are today unmatched by any other artist. To this day, his signature “Moon Walk,” anti-gravity lean and intricate, pop-locking dance choreography has many imitating, yet never duplicating. Yes, he was indeed a “Dancing Machine” and had everyone wanting to “Get On the Floor.” From his chart-topping Jackson 5 days to his massive solo career, which boasted 19 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles and 750 million records sold worldwide, Michael Jackson wasn’t just an American pop artist; he was a legendary international pop icon whose music will live on forever. Here at Island Vibes Magazine (IVM) we pay homage to “The King of Pop,” who died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009, just weeks before he was to begin a series of 50 comeback concerts. The exact cause of death has yet to be confirmed, although insiders claim he succumbed to cardiac arrest as a result of his abuse of prescription medications.

A Star is Born

Born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, Michael Jackson was the seventh of nine children in the talented Jackson clan. He was the youngest member of The Jackson 5, which included older brothers Tito, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon. After performing at nightclubs and talent competitions across the U.S., the group got their big break in 1967 when they won the Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, catching the eye of Motown Records artist Gladys Night. Knight told Motown chief Berry Gordy to consider signing the boys to his label, which already had emerging stars on the roster, such as the young Stevie Wonder. After a Motown audition in 1968, the Jackson 5 won over Berry and he signed them to Motown. The group’s blend of R&B, pop, disco and soul sounds fused with teenage-appropriate lyrics catapulted them to instant fame. They were the first act in the recording industry to have their first four major label singles (“I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There”) top the American charts. Other popular songs like “Never Can Say Goodbye” became number one hits on the R&B singles chart. The group became the first black teen idols to appeal to white audiences, despite the racialized American landscape. Hints of their colorblind appeal were easily seen in The Jackson 5ive, a Saturday morning cartoon that debuted in 1971 and had a successful two-year stint on ABC. Young Michael soon became the centerpiece of the group with his high-pitched voice, dance moves and boyish charisma--setting the stage for his future solo career.

The Making of a Pop Icon

After years of singing alongside his brothers, it was time for Jackson to break out on his own accord. In 1979, backed by Quincy Jones, he released his debut solo album, Off the Wall. The album was the first to garner four U.S. top 10 hits (including “Rock With You”) and sold 20 million copies worldwide. An even bigger success was his sophomore album, Thriller. Today it is still the best-selling original album ever. Major hits on the album included the title track “Thriller,” which led to the memorable mini-movie music video full of special effects, elaborate make-up and costumes and choreography, “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).” In all, the album boasted seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, rare for an artist, especially one so early in his career.

Breaking Down Barriers

The success of Thriller dispelled the myth that artists could only produce albums with a couple of hit singles. Thriller was an exception and made for a great listening experience from start to finish. I can’t recall ever skipping over a song on the album. Thriller and a slew of his follow-up albums such as Bad and Dangerous made him an international star, helping him break down racial and cultural barriers, especially in the U.S. For example, when MTV emerged in America in the early 80s, the music station didn’t play music by African-American artists. However, Jackson’s versatile music which drew from R&B, rock, disco, pop, new jack swing and funk helped change all that. He became the first black artist to appear on MTV. People all over the world, from the U.S. to the Caribbean to Africa to Asia know the words to his hits. In many respects he has transcended culture.

Musical Genius

Take a look at today’s musicians on the R&B, pop, and even sometimes reggae scene. They’ve clearly borrowed Jackson’s eclectic style, ranging from the resurgence of motorcycle jackets and military-style clothing to intense choreography. Talk about jacking somebody’s swagger! Jackson’s ability to cross not only different genres of music, but also different themes lyrically set him apart from other artists. He penned or co-wrote the majority of his songs over his long-spanning career. And while many remember him for his electrifying dance moves, his talent for songwriting was evident in the versatility of themes he visited in his songs. “Billie Jean,” told the story of a neurotic, yet seductive lady who alleges Jackson is the father of her child. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin” cleverly attacks the media’s obsession with spreading gossip. “Beat It” tackles gang violence. “Man In the Mirror” focuses on self-evaluation. Songs like “Can’t Help It,” “Butterflies” and “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” explore love in its purest form, while “Dirty Diana” and “In the Closet” emphasize raw passion, desire, destruction, obsession and repression in love. Jackson also brought attention to world problems like war, AIDS and poverty with tracks such as “We Are the World,” “Gone Too Soon” and “Earth Song.” Despite the controversies and criticism that shaped his personal life during the latter years of his career, fans will always remember Jackson for his contributions to the music industry and his humanitarian efforts. His legacy will continue to pave the way for the next generation of artists. We’re still rockin’ with you, MJ.

Top 10 Michael Jackson Joints

It was certainly hard to do, but IVM came up with our top 10 favorite Michael Jackson songs. See if any of your favorites topped our list!

1) “Billie Jean”
2) “Rock With You”
3) “Thriller”
4) “Beat It”
5) “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
6) “Can’t Help It”
7) “Bad”
8) “Smooth Criminal”
9) “The Way You Make Me Feel”
10) “PYT (Pretty Young Thing)”

(Monique Reuben is a contributor to Island Vibes Magazine and writes about Caribbean culture, entertainment, and social issues. For comments, please feel free to contact her at monique@islandvibesmag.com.)