The Music of Michael Jackson - Essay Example

The Music of Michael Jackson The Music of Michael Jackson Michael Jacksons’s Contribution to America Popular Music It is undeniable that Michael Jackson (1958-2009) immensely contributed to popular American music. Indeed, Jackson’s conspicuous contribution to the pop music culture is what earned him the title “the King of Pop.” Jackson was a popular figure among pop music fans all over the world and his legacies live on even after his death. But how exactly did Michael Jackson contribute to American popular music? Jackson’s significant contribution to American pop music, dance as well as fashion created his own world above other musicians of his time in which existed as world’s most celebrated popular music songster. Jackson had become a celebrity in popular music by early phases of 1980s. Most of Jackson’s songs, for example, “Thriller”, "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" were particularly fundamental for his success in popular music. The video of these songs melted away racial barriers in the media industry, particularly music television. The album “Thriller,” 1982, remains Jackson’s all time best-selling album, not only in the United States, but also in the entire world. Even though Jackson had become noticeable in the world of popular music, his fame would rise higher in 1982 following the release of “Thriller”, which added seven more Grammy Awards to his already existing pool of awards. “Thriller” stayed on top of the chart, Billboard 200, for thirty-seven weeks. The album appeared in the top 10 of the 200 chart for eighty continuous weeks. The “Thriller” album created a historic moment by featuring for the first time seven top ten singles in Billboard Hot 100. By March 2009, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) had certified 29 million shipment of “Thriller”, which accorded the album the United States’ Double Diamond status. The 1983 release of “Thriller”, a video that takes approximately fourteen minutes, marked the turn of events in the music industry as concerns racial barriers, particularly of the most popular television entertainment channel, Music Television Channel (MTV). “Jackson continued as a pioneer in the black culture when he broke barriers by appearing on MTV and by breaking sales records with the 1982 album, "Thriller."” (Alban, 2009, Para 4). “Thriller” video would later define the path for music videos of other musicians in the later periods. The important contribution of Jackson’s “Thriller” is further noticed when the Library of Congress chose the music video as a representative of American culture that needs preservation in 2009. According to Mitchell and Newman (2009), "Thriller" was a unique release that lived up to its expectations. It redefined and shaped the anticipations for best-seller releases. "Thriller" was released at a time when the music industry was facing difficult economic times and was a huge boost to the industry from its exemplary performance. “Billie Jean”, a hit single written, composed and produced by the legendary Michael Jackson. The song was featured the “Thriller” album was almost scrapped off the album by Quincy Jones, who was no fan of the song when it was released. However, the song would later become a huge success especially form its unique bassline. "Billie Jean" emerged among 1983 blockbusters and topped in the UK as well as the US charts at the same time. The song achieved platinum status in 1989 when the RIAA acknowledged its global success. "Billie Jean" exemplifies Jackson’s contribution to the American popular music industry by demonstrating that popular music could effectively be used for television commercials besides entertaining popular music fans. The song was featured in Pepsi commercials. “Billie Jean”, "Beat It" and “Thriller” have been the foundation upon which current posters derive their songs, including dancing styles. The legacy of Michael Jackson’s songs still lives on six years after his death and is bound to continue ruling the music world for years to come. Michael Jackson’s Place in a Musical Pantheon with Classical Music Legends In the contemporary world, the use of the term “genius” has become a common practice and expanded from talent recognition to praise term. In the ancient music world, the term “genius” was used to refer to a person with distinctive skills as an artist and song composer, for example, Michael Jackson. The term is now used basically as a compliment in the music industry. Like the early geniuses in the music industry, Michael Jackson grew to establish himself as a genius in the music world, commanding respect and recognition from all corners of the world. Jackson arguably appears on the same rank in the musical pantheon of music geniuses like Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, while he arguably ranks above john Lennon and Paul McCarteney. In a Musical Pantheon that not only includes Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, but also includes john Lennon and Paul McCarteney, Michael Jackson appears as the most suitable link of 1970s classical music legends and the modern music. His inspiration for success in the world of popular music seems to have rooted from ancient classical music of legendary musicians of that time, including Mozart and Beethoven. Jackson exhibited quite a number of similarities with Mozart and Beethoven, who both hailed from Austria. Michael Jackson links the ancient world classical music with the music in modern world. He used some of the music from the collections of the archaic classic music legends. In 1992, Michael Jackson used Beethoven’s music in his album dubbed “Dangerous.” In the opening stages of “Will you be there,” Jackson utilized Beethoven’s ninth symphony and also proceeded to use Beethoven’s pieces in his concerts in successive performances in later years. Critically assessing the music career of Mozart and Beethoven, their music career began to blossom at an early stage just like Michael Jackson. Just like Mozart and Beethoven, Michael Jackson had a successful early career and was as great an entertainer as his predecessors, who dominated classical music world. However, Michael Jackson appears to have gone a notch higher than Mozart, who quit as a popular entertainer as opted to become a renowned composer. Jackson was an entertainer and a composer at the same time, achieving the greatest height of success in both fields. Like Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, who ruled the music industry during their time, Michael Jackson also, grew to become world famous popular music genius, whose music hugely impacted and transformed the music industry, not just in America, but in the whole world. The success of Michael Jackson places him in the same level with the greatest symphonists, Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Just like the tow commanded recognition during their time, Jackson’s abilities and skills have also afforded him the same level of global recognition as an icon in the music industry. However, Michael Jackson’s success and global popularity outshines the likes of John Lennon and Paul McCarteney by far. John Lennon and Paul McCarteney are some of the most successful music icons of 1960s. Through “The Beatles” the two songsters recorded several songs with McCarteney’s yesterday spelling his most successful moment in history. Michael Jackson later made a move to purchase rights to “The Beatles”, which would later render McCarteney without rights to the company. Despite the fact Lennon and Paul McCarteney were some of the most outstanding personalities in the music industry during their time, Jackson’s fame and contribution to the music industry still surpass their fame. As such, Michael Jackson can be ranked equally with Mozart and Beethoven, while he appears above Lennon and Paul McCarteney in terms of his abilities and skills, which catapulted him to global fame. Just like the greatest symphonists of all time, Mozart and Beethoven, ruled the music world during their era, Jackson also stamped equal if not more authority in the music industry during his reign. Even though Jackson is gone, his music still lives and continue shaping the music world today. Michael Jackson’s Possible Career Trajectory Had He Lived On Michael Jackson had built himself a brand that would take time to overtake by any upcoming musician. Even though people had different opinions about him, Jackson would surely still remain top on the game if he had lived on. Jackson was a great entertainer from his childhood. He sang from his childhood into adulthood and the change in his vocal style could be noticed as time elapsed. Jackson’s voice had graduated to high tenor from boy soprano between 1971 and 1975. Boy bands like the teen idols of 1970s had and still rule the music world. Amongst the most popular boy bands was “The Jackson 5.” Even though many other boy bands were responsible for the current teen pop culture explosion, “The Jackson 5” was particularly responsible for the popularity of teen pop that has grown into the present world. Bubble gum was basically a trendy pop music of late 1960s and 1970s that was an important commercial thrust. As the lead singer of the boy band, "The Jackson 5,” Michael Jackson was already in the spotlights earning the title “style icon”. In the band, Jackson who played the genius won the hearts of many in the audience by his smooth and unique vocals, bright smile and his conspicuous afro. Jackson was undoubtedly the bubblegum idol. Even though preteen bubble fans grew up and became less associated with bubblegum music, Jackson never lost his fans. He grew up with them. His abilities and superb vocals enabled him to naturally impose his presence in the world of pop music. This is evident when Jackson would later be branded with the most iconic name in the music industry, “The King of Pop.” Assessing his career path, Jackson had been steadily moving up the success ladder from his childhood. Despite having a difficult time in his childhood, he successfully integrated into the music and entertainment world and never looked back. Jackson’s popularity reflects his progressive rise in his career. During his time, he won several awards recognizing him as one of the most successful musicians in the world. After releasing the album “Thriller”, Jackson’s fame was all time high, drawing admiration from many places around the world. Arguably, Jackson would still be riding on his strong-built fame today if he would still be alive. However, someone can also argue that the trajectory of Michael Jackson would be fast moving down the slope had he lived on. Like many musicians, there is usually the period during which one ascends and then reaches his peak moments. The peak moment of a career, especially as a celebrity is usually followed by a decline period. Jackson had clearly hit the peak of his career and a possible decline period was evidently in waiting. As such, he was poised to be on fast decline after experiencing a successful career path, which saw him claim the most prestigious title, “The King of Pop,” which any musician in the ancient or modern world would dream of. Nonetheless, Jackson had a unique ability, which might as well have afforded him some more time as the ruler of the pop music world. References Alban, D. (2009).Michael Jackson broke down racial barriers. Retrieved May 4, 2014 from http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/28/michael.jackson.black.community/ Mitchell, G. & Newman, M. (2009).How Michael Jacksons "Thriller" changed music business. Reuters. Retrieved May 4, 2014 http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/06/us-jackson-thriller-idUSTRE56300320090706 Read More