The news came filtering in through different media - phone calls, SMS, instant messages, e-mail - but the message was the same - Michael Jackson is dead! This was 365 days ago but the message is still processing in some minds.
History
The King of Pop had put in over four decades of hard work, as debatably, the world's greatest entertainer ever. From humble beginnings in little Gary, Indiana, USA, the young man born Michael Joseph Jackson on August 29, 1958, the eighth of his parents' 10 children, would conquer the world.
His story has been told endlessly. We all have our versions. There have been countless newspaper headlines, numerous magazine articles, several TV specials and more. Whatever the case, MJ is, for all intents and purposes, a phenomenon. With all the extensive coverage on his life - professional and amateur - we each have more than enough to go on to claim a personal bond with the larger than life super-duper-star, even referring to him on first name basis.
When the world practically stopped on June 25, 2009 at the shocking news of his passing, it just went to show the profound effect he had on several generations. Yet, even in death, the legend continues and there is no stopping Michael. According to a Billboard report (see chart), Jackson has made approximately $1 billion (approx. N149 billion) since his death. Modern technology, primarily the internet, will also make it hard to forget Michael, or easy to remember him, depending on how you choose to look at it.
During his storied career, Wacko Jacko, as he was cruelly or comically christened (depending on who you ask), suffered public scrutiny regarding allegations of inappropriate relations with minors; his sexual orientation; perceived arranged marriages; his Neverland Valley Ranch home; the paternity of his three children; his claimed vitilago and many other unflattering positions. Some chose to focus on these darker patches of his lifetime in the aftermath of his untimely demise but for the most part, the reason the world embraced and elevated him is what keeps us and his memory going - his music.
Keeping the thrill alive
In the clubs today, in the midst of the Souljah Boy Tellems, Terry Gs and Jay Seans, an MJ classic is usually only a few spins away. The Hip-Hop generation, many of who were either unborn or attempting to walk (he was already moonwalking) at the height of his star in the Thriller era, has embraced this fallen star with open arms. Even disaster, in the form of the devastating Haiti earthquakes, led to the stars of today - misguided or otherwise - congregating to regurgitate Michael's love offering alongside Lionel Richie, "We Are the World," towards relief efforts for the displaced Haitians. The power of music seems to know no bounds and few, if any, managed to masterfully wield its magic wand with such magnificent ministration as Michael Jackson. As comedian Martin Lawrence once joked, "Who else could say ‘I'm jamming in Bucharest?'" Such was the power and reach of Michael.
He harmonised with family (the Jackson 5, Janet, 3T), jammed with rock icons (Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Slash), wrote history with legends (Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie), bounced with Hip-Hop heads (The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Heavy D), laughed with comedians (Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker), parleyed with sex symbols (Brooke Shields, Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Iman), hung with hoops stars (Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal), inspired a generation (Usher, Justin, Britney, Chris Brown), was loved by queens (Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Princess Di) and befriended a chimp (Bubbles). Such was the diverse demeanor of MJ that he transcended gender, genre and genotype.
Thankfully, he has left us with a robust body of work to last a lifetime. Ask five people their favourite Jackson album and possibly get five different answers. Ask me and I'll say Bad. Ask fifteen their favourite song and expect a similar outcome. For me, it's "Human Nature," and it is this same human nature that made us judge and mourn the man in equal measure. He was, after all, human, although the extent of his talent, naturally, made us revere him, often to the point of worship. A year on from his physical passing, not much has changed.
‘If they say why, why?'
Love him, hate him or misunderstand him, you cannot deny or even ignore his genius and sheer brilliance. He lived many of his last years in seclusion, so it's like he's just gone out of sight again. Unfortunately for the three children he loved so much, the sad truth is, his body of work is what will ultimately be taken as his lasting legacy on this unforgiving planet. Many of us loved him too and are just selfish like that. Regardless, our hearts must go out to them as they continue to live life under the public microscope, the unfortunate cross their father tried so hard to ensure they wouldn't have to bear. His song "Leave Me Alone," on behalf of his kids, comes to mind but we won't because we can't! It is not in our human nature to do so.
What is, though, is our penchant to mourn the passing of a loved one, even though we know that day must come, carrying with it the promise of a better life ahead for the dearly departed. Many said he was gone too soon like his 1991 song title but I prefer to alter the Motown 25 tag line and say, "Michael Jackson... yesterday, today and forever.".
Walk the moon...
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