Michael Jackson‘s “Billie Jean” deeply impressed an important R&b musician. He said that the track could have been transformed into 12 different hit songs if Jackson had divided it up in a certain way. The R&b icon discussed how he tries to find songs similar to “Billie Jean” every day.
An R&b maetro explained why ‘Billie Jean’ is Michael Jackson’s masterpiece
Antonio “L.A.” Reid is a major pop/R&b producer. He has worked with stars like Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and Toni Braxton. In a 2011 essay he wrote for Rolling Stone, he said the King of Pop was the best entertainer of all time, comparing him to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. Reid recalled seeing The Jackson 5 at a state fair when he was young. Reid recalled Jackson’s voice resonating throughout the fairground.
“‘Billie Jean’ is the most important record he made,...
An R&b maetro explained why ‘Billie Jean’ is Michael Jackson’s masterpiece
Antonio “L.A.” Reid is a major pop/R&b producer. He has worked with stars like Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and Toni Braxton. In a 2011 essay he wrote for Rolling Stone, he said the King of Pop was the best entertainer of all time, comparing him to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. Reid recalled seeing The Jackson 5 at a state fair when he was young. Reid recalled Jackson’s voice resonating throughout the fairground.
“‘Billie Jean’ is the most important record he made,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Michael Jackson‘s “Blood on the Dance Floor” is one of the most underrated songs of the “Thriller” singer‘s career. While the song’s funky instrumental is fascinatingly dark, the song’s backstory is even darker. The song’s producer revealed that the King of Pop wasn’t even aware of the creepy coincidence behind “Blood on the Dance Floor.”
The connection between Michael Jackson’s ‘Blood on the Dance Floor’ and a shooting
In the 1990s, the “Man in the Mirror” star started experimenting with the R&b subgenre known as new jack swing. Who better to help him than Teddy Riley, the lead singer of the band Blackstreet? Riley worked with Jackson on the final three studio albums the King of Pop released in his lifetime — Dangerous, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, and Invincible — as well as the remix album Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix.
The connection between Michael Jackson’s ‘Blood on the Dance Floor’ and a shooting
In the 1990s, the “Man in the Mirror” star started experimenting with the R&b subgenre known as new jack swing. Who better to help him than Teddy Riley, the lead singer of the band Blackstreet? Riley worked with Jackson on the final three studio albums the King of Pop released in his lifetime — Dangerous, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, and Invincible — as well as the remix album Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix.
- 4/26/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Pet Shop Boys vocalist Neil Tennant has questioned whether Taylor Swift has a song as “famous” as Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
During a conversation with The Guardian’s head rock and pop critic Alexis Petridisi livestreamed earlier this week, the topic turned to the ubiquitous pop star. While Tennant admitted Swift is a compelling figure, the singer said he finds her actual music “disappointing.”
Get Taylor Swift Tickets Here
“Taylor Swift sort of fascinates me as a phenomenon because she’s so popular and I sort of quite like the whole thing,” Tennant said. “But then when I listen to the records — we both have the same feeling actually — for a phenomenon as big [as she is]… where are the famous songs? What is Taylor Swift’s ‘Billie Jean’?”
After an audience member brought up “Shake It Off,” Tennant responded: “Is it though? No, ’cause I actually even know that that’s the answer,...
During a conversation with The Guardian’s head rock and pop critic Alexis Petridisi livestreamed earlier this week, the topic turned to the ubiquitous pop star. While Tennant admitted Swift is a compelling figure, the singer said he finds her actual music “disappointing.”
Get Taylor Swift Tickets Here
“Taylor Swift sort of fascinates me as a phenomenon because she’s so popular and I sort of quite like the whole thing,” Tennant said. “But then when I listen to the records — we both have the same feeling actually — for a phenomenon as big [as she is]… where are the famous songs? What is Taylor Swift’s ‘Billie Jean’?”
After an audience member brought up “Shake It Off,” Tennant responded: “Is it though? No, ’cause I actually even know that that’s the answer,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Michael Jackson‘s “Billie Jean” is a song about a man who may or may not have fathered a child with a woman he doesn’t like. One of Jackson’s brothers explained the song’s connection to Motown founder Berry Gordy. Gordy is a musical legend, but his label’s music faced some criticism from one of The Beatles.
‘Billie Jean’ was 1 of several Michael Jackson songs inspired by Motown’s Berry Gordy
Jermaine Jackson was a member of The Jackson 5. In his 2011 book You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother’s Eyes, Jermaine discussed the Motown formula. “If Americans’ brains went to Harvard, America’s talent went to Motown — and artists graduated with a lifetime’s knowledge,” he said. “‘You’re entering the finest finishing school in the business,’ Mr. Gordy told us.
“Our education was fast-track: every song should be a three-minute story with a beginning,...
‘Billie Jean’ was 1 of several Michael Jackson songs inspired by Motown’s Berry Gordy
Jermaine Jackson was a member of The Jackson 5. In his 2011 book You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother’s Eyes, Jermaine discussed the Motown formula. “If Americans’ brains went to Harvard, America’s talent went to Motown — and artists graduated with a lifetime’s knowledge,” he said. “‘You’re entering the finest finishing school in the business,’ Mr. Gordy told us.
“Our education was fast-track: every song should be a three-minute story with a beginning,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Michael Jackson wasn’t just a global icon, he also spoke up for what’s real. In 2002, he courageously exposed the unsettling reality that his friend Mariah Carey faced.
Known as the ‘Songbird Supreme’ by Guinness World Records, Carey is considered one of the best singers globally. Throughout her career, she and Jackson were close friends.
Michael Jackson in a still from his music video of Smooth Criminal
Carey, with her heavenly voice, found herself in a tangled relationship with Tommy Mottola, which was more about control than love. Amidst his own tumultuous relationship with the industry, Mj shed light on the darker aspects of the songstress’ life with Mottola.
Suggested“My brother would never do something like that”: Janet Jackson Refused to Believe Disturbing Allegations Against Michael Jackson Michael Jackson’s Revealing Speech Exposed Sony’s ex-ceo
On June 15, 2002, Michael Jackson publicly criticized Sony and the music industry.
Known as the ‘Songbird Supreme’ by Guinness World Records, Carey is considered one of the best singers globally. Throughout her career, she and Jackson were close friends.
Michael Jackson in a still from his music video of Smooth Criminal
Carey, with her heavenly voice, found herself in a tangled relationship with Tommy Mottola, which was more about control than love. Amidst his own tumultuous relationship with the industry, Mj shed light on the darker aspects of the songstress’ life with Mottola.
Suggested“My brother would never do something like that”: Janet Jackson Refused to Believe Disturbing Allegations Against Michael Jackson Michael Jackson’s Revealing Speech Exposed Sony’s ex-ceo
On June 15, 2002, Michael Jackson publicly criticized Sony and the music industry.
- 3/5/2024
- by Shreya Jha
- FandomWire
If all you knew about Francis Ford Coppola’s epic-scale 1982 musical “One from the Heart” was that it’s reportedly “brain food” for the “Joker” sequel “Folie à Deux”, you might think it was more successful. Coppola’s first film after a decade-long run that included two “Godfathers,” “Apocalypse Now,” and “The Conversation” is a nostalgic musical about two ordinary people trying to rekindle their romance on the outskirts of Las Vegas.
A kitsch throwback in the vein of “New York, New York,” it was an even bigger disaster, and ultimately more ruinous for its director. Costing nearly twice its initial $15 million budget (admittedly not a terrible ratio for Coppola), it grossed only $8 million. Within 18 months, Coppola’s studio was bankrupt and, by 1992, he’d filed for a third time.
A new “refined” cut and 4K-scanned restoration, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, is a reminder of the technical...
A kitsch throwback in the vein of “New York, New York,” it was an even bigger disaster, and ultimately more ruinous for its director. Costing nearly twice its initial $15 million budget (admittedly not a terrible ratio for Coppola), it grossed only $8 million. Within 18 months, Coppola’s studio was bankrupt and, by 1992, he’d filed for a third time.
A new “refined” cut and 4K-scanned restoration, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, is a reminder of the technical...
- 9/1/2023
- by Adam Solomons
- Indiewire
You’d think an artist as influential and groundbreaking as Prince would have been showered in Grammys, but that’s far from the truth. Throughout his career, Prince was only awarded seven times. Indeed, while the Grammys certainly weren’t dismissive of him, you would probably expect him to have won more than that, or at least to have won in a major category. Throughout his career, the eclectic musician only got three general field nominations: Album of the Year for “Purple Rain” and “Sign O’ the Times,” both of which he infamously lost, and Song of the Year for penning Sinéad O’Connor’s smash hit “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Still, there’s a lot to unpack from Prince’s wild Grammy history, including wins that you might not expect and losses that leave us wondering what exactly voters were on.
SEEGrammys flashback: How did Bruno Mars beat Justin Timberlake and...
SEEGrammys flashback: How did Bruno Mars beat Justin Timberlake and...
- 7/30/2023
- by Jaime Rodriguez
- Gold Derby
BTS member Jimin took to the late night stage on Friday to perform his track “Like Crazy” from his newly released debut solo album Face on Fallon.
Draped in a glittering black jacket and white shirt — echoing Michael Jackson’ iconic look from “Billie Jean” — the BTS member was flanked by swaying backup dancers and moody lights. “I’d rather be lost in the lights, lost in the lights/I’m outta my mind/Can you help me numb the pain?/Each night, you spin me up high/Emotions on ice,...
Draped in a glittering black jacket and white shirt — echoing Michael Jackson’ iconic look from “Billie Jean” — the BTS member was flanked by swaying backup dancers and moody lights. “I’d rather be lost in the lights, lost in the lights/I’m outta my mind/Can you help me numb the pain?/Each night, you spin me up high/Emotions on ice,...
- 3/25/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Like the music industry, it takes a lot for an American Idol contestant to truly impress me. Had Nigel Lythgoe tapped me as a judge, there would be far fewer unanimous standing ovations (although my girl Nicki Minaj has been keeping it real this season). Don't get me wrong, an ear-delicious vocal performance sets my hair on end, but serve something original if you want to see me rise.
Related - Who Are The Highest Earning Idol Alums?
Well, Candice Glover did just last night that when she delivered a sultry, bluesy and phenomenal reworking of Paula Abdul's 1988 hit, Straight Up [Watch]. Candice not only blew past season nine's Andrew Garcia's Hollywood Week version with her ovation-worthy rendition, but is now forever my girl!
Video - Kelly Clarkson's Idol Comeback
Candice joins a (not as long as you'd think) list of Idol alums who have flipped the script, reworked the track...
Related - Who Are The Highest Earning Idol Alums?
Well, Candice Glover did just last night that when she delivered a sultry, bluesy and phenomenal reworking of Paula Abdul's 1988 hit, Straight Up [Watch]. Candice not only blew past season nine's Andrew Garcia's Hollywood Week version with her ovation-worthy rendition, but is now forever my girl!
Video - Kelly Clarkson's Idol Comeback
Candice joins a (not as long as you'd think) list of Idol alums who have flipped the script, reworked the track...
- 4/18/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
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