It’s not easy to put together something that can really do justice to Mike’s legacy. I couldn’t really think of a better person for the job of directing his final video though. Juxtaposing classic images of Michael’s career with images of his fans works nicely here, capturing the impact he had on his audience. Just a reminder of how powerful pop culture is, and how inspiring a single person can be for millions of others. Props to Spike for bringing this one to life.
You’d think by now it would have stopped. That maybe we’d just run out of dope shit to post and close up shop. But the reality is that there are way too many talented and ingenious folks out there creating for this to stop. For the most part, we have those inspiring folks to thank for the Bowties. To illustrate my point, photographer Ren Rox put this whole collection together using 35mm film from old VHS tapes. The single and double exposures capture some of the most memorable moments of Michael Jackson’s career, composing a gorgeous visual retrospective of pop’s most iconic figure. Don’t thank me, thank Ren. More from her soon.
How can something be so clean and corny at the same time? To me, it looks like Pepsi just hopped on MJ’s swag to sell their product. That’s weak. I wonder how much they paid MJ to do a Billie Jean Pepsi remix? Like damn, this is a hella classic song. I know he wouldn’t do that shit for free. Regardless, a tribute to MJ. Sometimes you really don’t know what you got til it’s gone.
I predict we’ll be seeing a lot more from Jay in the next few weeks as we lead up to the release of BP3. Below is Jay’s Michael Jackson tribute that he performed just over a week ago at the All Points West Festival. Starting with “H to the Izzo”, the concert then goes into a Michael Jackson photo montage, then Jay realtalks for a minute, and wraps it up with “Can I Live”. If you haven’t seen it, the live Jay performance will change your life. It sure did change mine.
Tonight we celebrate. Sounds strange, I know, but bear with me. Tonight we celebrate the life and the work of perhaps the greatest entertainer of our era. A man who irreparably changed the face of popular music and entertainment. Forget the controversy. Forget the complex and troubling questions of race and gender. Tonight, we remember the songs that made us move and the voice that made them come alive. We remember an icon, a figure so ingrained in our culture that many in the generations above us considered him something like a family member.
I remember being eight years old and rockin to a cassette tape of Thriller every damn day. I let my tape rock ’til the tape popped. Literally. Michael’s music is special because it is truly transcendent. The feeling it contains is powerful enough to reach through the speakers and touch people of all ages and of any color. And though nothing I could say could truly do the man justice, I feel this song speaks volumes. Tonight, I say we give thanks for Michael, and for the opportunity we’ve had to listen and watch for all these years. Tonight we celebrate Michael Jackson. Rest in Peace.
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Download: Michael Jackson – “Human Nature”
Originally published June 25, 2009
This is lightweight fascinating. Michael Jackson, arguably at the pinnacle of his career, speaks with the 80’s television series Celebrity Showcase about his life, his friends and his rise to fame. This is so interesting not only for the answers he gives, but to think of these answers in hindsight some 20 years later. Like, “Oh maybe this is why he turned out like this..” This is an important and interesting interview to see for anyone ever interested or a fan of MJ.
“I don’t need no dreams when I’m by your side
Every moment takes me to paradise
Darlin’, let me hold you
Warm you in my arms and melt your fears away
Show you all the magic that a perfect love can make
I need you night and day”
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Download: Michael Jackson – “Baby Be Mine”
