ALBUM REVIEW: Michael Jackson – Michael

One can only hope that this is the first and last posthumous Michael Jackson album release. One of the key components of Michael Jackson’s career that made him the most iconic man to record music in the modern era has extremely little to do with his dancing or falsetto. It’s in his development of an album as a body of work, a likely very personal journey in which he wished to, in choosing certain producers, collaborators, engineers and mixers to create a sound and advance messages that he felt were necessary, timely and important. This album, in featuring none of that is not a true Michael Jackson release. Don’t get me wrong. It’s great as a compilation piece. There’s some work that doesn’t aspire to the level of MJ’s best, but it’s absolutely not his worst. If wanting to purchase this album to have a feeling of some of the tracks that he had beating around in his basement waiting to be compiled for two, three or four releases down the road, it’s a great compendium for any Jackson collector. But as an album, it’s a slap dash Christmas marketing ploy to fill Epic’s corporate coffers. Prostituting THE man’s legacy is a terrible error, but not a surprising fact. Divorce business from pleasure, Michael Jackson will rest in peace, and does so on this release.

http://www.youtube.com/v/-oCCnxBos10?fs=1&hl=en_US

The name of the game on this album is to cast Michael Jackson vocals against the canvas of familiar sounding productions. 1994’s “In the Closet from Dangerous was the first time Jackson worked with Teddy Riley, so, on “Hollywood Tonight,” Jackson scats over a muted kickdrum yet again to success. “Monster,” the track most expected by Jackson purists to be a sonic slap in the face due to the involvement of hip pop gangsta 50 Cent? Produced by Riley into a toothless “Scream” recalling angst anthem with fifteen bars from the noted 21st century top selling rapper. The-Dream collaborator Tricky Stewart goes after “Heal the World” on “Keep Your Head Up,” and on a simplistic sounding keyboard driven track, Jackson sings yet another solid plaintive ballad.

Ne Yo collaborator and two-time Grammy award winner Neff-U contributes edits of previous Jackson release “The Way That You Love Me,” as he uses a clip of Jackson explaining the drum line of the track to intro the track originally on 2004’s Ultimate Collection. It’s little studio effects like this, alongside familiar styles and typical Jackson themes of love, peace, kindness and paranoia that make this album fall flat, as nothing can compare to the late era Jackson originals largely but forgivably plagiarized. Lenny Kravitz’s addition, “(I Can’t Make) Another Day” starts off with an epic sample of Moby’s “Porcelain” with a gong that recalls “Classic Queen,” but dissolves into tepid guitar stadium rock. Tepid is the call as well on Akon single “Hold My Hand” and leaked first single “Breaking News” which was a lot more fresh when it was tracks “They Don’t Care About Us” and “Leave Me Alone,” the tracks it so slavishly mirrors.

On an album release that involves solid and expected work from one of the most iconic voices in the history of the universe, a group of producers afraid of attempting to denigrate the legend of the “King of Pop” do their best interpretations of his greatest moments. On a certain level, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with leaving well enough alone. That being said, this is an ersatz and schmaltzy Michael Jackson celebration. You’re likely better off listening to Off the Wall and checking out Youtube. On this album, it feels like everyone else did too.

Personal reflections on Motown, bass, the Funk Brothers and tomorrow night.

I became a bass freak because of James Jamerson’s bassline on The Temptations’ “My Girl.” The first time I really learned to appreciate the glory of the joy of an amazing bassline had absolutely nothing to do with hip hop, dubstep or disco. Sure, my abiding love of Ludacris as a DJ fresh out of college, by present worship of Rusko, and the fact that I listen to A Taste of Honey’s “Boogie Oogie Oogie” on a weekly basis notwithstanding, it all boils down to dropping the needle on a 45 on my grandmother’s record player, and hearing the lone bassline of The Temptations’ massive 1964 hit. I didn’t have a clue of who James Jamerson was and just how amazingly talented he was for about another ten years, but I became a pretty major fan of Motown just based off of basslines alone. That love then extended to legendary songs, singers, songwriters, arrangers and producers, but it all really started with one bassline.

The first time I heard someone really drop a bassline heavy track at U Street Music Hall, I really felt bass again, and it felt just like the first time I heard “My Girl.” Indeed, music can make you go home again. At that point, it became pretty much a life imperative that there be a Motown based Happy Hour there. Of course, this was before the night in May that we proclaimed Michael Jackson is Still Alive, so, after that we can’t forget that the King of Pop turns 52 tomorrow, but this is as much a celebration of Michael as a celebration of Motown.

In 2002, a brilliant documentary was released entitled Standing in the Shadows of Motown. It discusses the legacy of the Funk Brothers, the Motown studio musicians we’re who played on literally every hit the label had until their LA move in 1972. That’s roughly 94 #1 singles alone. NINETY FOUR. And let’s not forget that the Funk Brothers never played on Jackson Five releases. If they had, the Jackson Five had seven #1’s at Motown, which would have taken the Funk Brothers output to over 100 hit singles. 100 hit singles over a 20 year period. That’s unbelievable, and truly shows the importance of Motown upon the fabric of society and the fabric of life itself, and ultimately the fabric of the universe. Much of what we know as modern music is intrinsically tied to Motown. Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound was cool. I can listen to Fontella Bass and Ronettes records all day and all night. Willie Mitchell’s house band at Hi Records holds a place in my heart for Al Green’s entire career. Booker T and the MGs had hits as well, and when I discovered “Green Onions” and “Hip Hug Her” they became two favorite songs of 1993, even above Wu-Tang’s “C.R.E.A.M.” and Lords of the Underground’s “Funky Child.” But nothing, and I mean NOTHING really compares to Motown.

So, tomorrow night, let’s celebrate MJ’s birthday. Let’s also celebrate his first label, the label so deeply tied to expressing the very nature of our existence, Motown Records. Let’s celebrate ourselves, and let’s celebrate the wonder of life. Let’s celebrate love the way Stevie Wonder sang about it. Let’s celebrate beauty and joy with the Supremes, the Temptations and the Four Tops. Hell, let’s dance in the streets like Martha and the Vandellas wanted us to.And more importantly, let’s all remember, that sometimes, if it’s something as simple as Diana Ross’ coo, the shotgun blast that kicks of “Shotgun,” Marvin and Tammi telling us “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing,” the voice of David Ruffin doing pretty much anything, or, simply, just a bassline drop that can indeed bring you happiness, and also take you home again.

http://d.yimg.com/static.video.yahoo.com/yep/YV_YEP.swf?ver=2.2.46
The Temptations – My Girl @ Yahoo! Video

MICHAEL JACKSON IS STILL ALIVE: Epilogue and thoughts…

   Michael Jackson is Alive (DJ BIS UHALL Set Opener) by djbis

On Friday evening, we all went to church. I say all because U Street Music Hall was jam packed with what looked like people of every size, shape, color, and walk of life. I say church because the sound system at U Street Music Hall lifts the most fantastic of sounds to the level of the phenomenal, and yes, it takes the typical to the level of the seemingly religious. If music is your religion, then Michael Jackson is a patron saint, a deity par excellence, the most beloved of men.

This exceeded all expectations. Michael’s music elevates the spirit. Proof of this being during the set of Baltimore’s James Nasty, when the sound inexplicably cut out on “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough,” and the entire room kept singing. Not only did they keep singing, but they sang loud and long and proud, perfectly content to let their voices serve, even if briefly, as an appropriate memory of the King of Pop.

The event was a success in the media as well. The Washington Post and a plethora of other print, web and television media were in attendance, not even so much for the event, but for the celebratory nature, the wild time, the Thriller dance-off, the ballet like and delicate partner dancing (yes, partner dancing) to MJ, Harry Hotter’s set which was largely comprised of reggae and dancehall covers of Michael Jackson hits, and oh so much more. The event was indeed so successful that plans are already in the early stages for MICHAEL JACKSON FOREVER to coincide with his date of birth of August 29th. More info is forthcoming on that event.

HipsterOverkill.com’s D Painter, one of the five turntablists that spun at the event, hit upon one of the highlights of the event with his BRAND NEW mashup of Major Lazer’s “Pon De Floor” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Mama Se, Mama Sa,” which proves that Michael Jackson is one of the few artists that when added to something amazing, makes it incredible. Take a listen to this, and please enjoy!

  3 Michael Jackson vs. Major Lazer – Mama Say Mama Sa (D Painter Mash-Up) (130bpm) by D. Painter

A special thanks to DJ Bis, James Nasty, D Painter, Harry Hotter, Chris Nitti, U Street Music Hall, and everyone in attendance. Michael Jackson is absolutely still alive, and furthermore, will live in our hearts forever!

IN MEMORIAM: MICHAEL JACKSON – TGRIOnline.com’s 2009 Artist of the Year

Reprinted from TGRIOnline.com, October 28, 2009.

2009 ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL JACKSON

Other Nominees: Lady Gaga, Drake, David Guetta

When you really sit down and think about it, anyone who records music after Michael Jackson died is going to encounter having to be a cheap facsimile of the King of Pop. In dying, Michael Jackson gave music so much life. By opening eyes again to the wonder of his creative and performing genius, I tend to believe the whole world improved. The sad fact of 2009 is that it was the saddest year in the history of music. It wasn’t all about the day the music died, it was about the days that music KEPT dying. Whether it be DJ AM, Mr. Magic, the Death Set’s Beau Velasco, Les Paul, DJ Roc Raida, and so, so, so, so, so many more, these have been trying times. However, when Michael Jackson passed on June 25th, it was easily one of the darkest moments in the history of the universe.

It was a big year for a lot of people. Lady Gaga has captured the universe’s imagination in a manner not seen since Madonna, as her obtuse fashion sense, lurid public displays and home run hitter of a debut album have turned the world on its ear. Canadian Drake went from being a popular supporting actor on “Degrassi High,” to being the lead act as a lovestruck, passionate rhyming lothario whose “Best I Ever Had” may have been the best we heard all year. David Guetta? Well, he provided a great synthesis of popular dance music as the soundtrack of 2009, be it the Black Eyed Peas coronation as middle America’s favorite faux hipsters “I Gotta Feeling,” or pretty much anything from his One Love mainstream electro masterpiece.

But let’s be honest. In the week after Michael Jackson died, his entire musical catalog occupied the top list of iTunes top downloads. His albums sales spiked in a generation where people are more concerned with buying produce than recorded productions on CD. His music videos played on MTV for an entire week, in a time where MTV eschews any knowledge of the “music television” moniker, and instead is a slickly produced lifestyle brand. Most recently, his “This is It” concert biopic has become easily what will be the top grossing film of the decade, even in an economic recession.

Michael Jackson was the soundtrack of a universe for literally seven days. And nobody bitched, moaned, whined or caterwauled. We stopped, dutifully noted the genius of a man, and genuflected. In a time where the universe happens in nanoseconds, everyone slowed down and paid respect or hours and days, feeling no issue with remaining unmoved. Michael Jackson literally stopped the world. When BILLIONS of people all attest to not just being your fan, but regarding what you did through your artistry making you a familiar and beloved voice, a friend, even, you’re the best to ever do it.

“They Don’t Really Care About Us” has the hottest drums I’ve heard anywhere all year. “Butterflies” is the best ballad I heard in this calendar year. “Beat It” is the best rock song. “Dancing Machine” is still one of the hottest breaks ever, and I want to meet someone that can doubt the hip hop authenticity of MJ doing the robot. Michael Jackson singing “Ben,” “Got to Be There,” “Rockin’ Robin,” or any Jackson 5 number makes him the most irrepressible teen pop icon of all time, as I don’t care how hard Miley Cyrus “Parties in the USA,” she’s still a pubescent hot mess when compared to the king.

Michael Jackson is 2009’s Artist of the Year. In all reality, that’s a slap in the face to the man, and he’s the greatest to ever record music. In final, something to ponder. Kanye West, in the face of mounting public questioning and angst over his behavior, has completely imploded. At every turn, Michael Jackson, when faced with increased public scrutiny and ire, succeeded, and succeeded mightily. It’s a nod to the talent, strength, dignity and unerring vision of a better universe through music that Michael Jackson adhered, that makes him truly THE. BEST. EVER.

We will always miss you.

IN MEMORIAM: MICHAEL JACKSON

 Reprinted from TGRIOnline.com, June 26, 2009

I’ve always had the feeling that Michael Jackson had no other option in life but to be Michael Jackson. That’s a lot of why he was the best to ever do this. I’d say he was Jackie Wilson meets James Brown and a whole slew of other artists, but that’d be so trite and unfair. Fuck. Michael Jackson is dead. And with that, a part of our collective musical consciousness is a memory. There’s a vitality inherent in the presumption of immortality. In death, we lose that, and we find the human. My greatest wish is that in remembering the human, we don’t lose the nature of just how amazing the man was. His dream in youth to be the greatest singer and dancer that ever lived, and to positively touch the lives of every single person that ever heard his music, is just like any other child’s dream, to be President, or, as our parents all teach us, to dream big, dream impossible, and make those dreams come true. But Mike had these dreams at three and four, and by by five he was already doing it, already attempting to make dreams realities. There’s something full of naivete there, something so human there, something so accessible there, something for us ALL to love there as well, and we did.

Michael gave his life to music, and in devoting the entirety of his being to being the ULTIMATE, lies a tragic flaw. We all get a bit older, get a bit slower, get a bit worn, but that was not supposed to be Michael. Michael, through his aspiration, became timeless, became an epic representation of something meant to create emotion: music. Michael Jackson died while once again, at the age of 50, preparing to make time stand still, doing it harder and better than anyone, a 50 show concert tour, which at any age is daunting, but at 50, given his particular expectation, would have been simply incredible. His motivation, be it financial salvation or a youthful pondering of whether he still had “it” be damned, we ALL hoped that these concerts would go off okay. Even if not for the advancement of his greatness, but just to make sure that the best we ever had was still in good health and good spirits after an amazingly tumultuous number of years.

We have never and will never see another Michael Jackson because, when the man is at the height of his ability, and can be produced and recorded by those at the heights of their abilities, the results are timeless. I can list the songs, but I’d miss one and the universe would be angry. I’m sure we’ve all heard every song Michael ever performed over the last 12 hours. Five number one albums and thirteen number one singles. And the B sides and hidden album cuts we all know and love and hold dear. The man lived a life where he worked with Gamble and Huff, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Teddy Riley. He’s sang on stage with Pavarotti and had Jay-Z lay down 16 bars on “You Rock My World.” And, amazingly, after discussing ALL of that, I’ve touched a tenth of his career. In working and learning from and emulating ALL of the greats, Micael Jackson existed as a sheer musical marvel. Michael Jackson is a standard and brand of excellence that in aiming for, artists of the present and future can achieve greatness just in the attempt to mirror him.

Through the music, Michael Jackson made a difference. In his youthful demeanor, and sheer hope upon all hopes in the world, Michael created change. He was a life changer. A WORLD changer. He single handedly changed the face of pop radio and MTV by being black and having widespread appeal and undeniable talent. By merely being better than everyone else, he knocked a hole in the terrifying edifice of racism that so so so many have walked through in so many walks of life. He had the power, through his career to do daily what people hope to do once in a lifetime. He’s shaken hands and had conversations with so many people of power, so many people of influence who were likely prouder to meet him than he was to meet them. When your goal is to be the best, you go into life fully expecting this to be the nature of what you do. And he did this all dutifully, as if with each legendary tune, at a certain point, knowing that he was solidifying his ability to literally be a world beater.

And there’s his final tragic flaws. Life and love. Michael Jackson lived on the same planet with us, but due to the intense stress of literally being the greatest and most influential man to ever create sound, he mortgaged his life, and mortgaged the ability to learn how to love himself and love others. You can’t love yourself when you become the forefront of public opinion at eight years old. Eight! We all know how damaging it is as a child to be told you’re ugly and are no good. Now imagine likely hearing this from not your child peers, but from adults! Many humans are cynical, jealous and hateful people. The pain and stigma from that certainly seems tremendous. Now extrapolate that over forty-two years of striving and winning despite that, and as the woes increase, still attempting to just do what you know, and in the process grow, mature, and learn, having never been adequately provided the tools to do. His legendary odd behavior (we all know all the stories and cases, no need to rehash them in this space), well, if not a reaction in attempting to fight his own life and gain the ability to love, to create something “normal,” to have an other from his very public, full time persona, well that makes sense. It may sound crazy, but in holding Michael Jackson to the same rules, laws and regulations as say, Marcus Dowling, well, that’s just a recipe for danger. Nobody has ever lived this life and existed in this manner before. There are no rules for this. Crazy, but upon further review, true.

Michael Jackson is no longer amongst us in the living. But remember his exalted life. Remember his sheer mastery of music. Remember his hopes and dreams. No matter how you feel, the man had an impact and made an ultimate sacrifice and difference. Long live the King.

Final Info and Thoughts: MICHAEL JACKSON IS STILL ALIVE – 6/25 – U STREET MUSIC HALL – FREE

Hopefully, even if you live under a rock in the DC area, you’re likely aware that this site you are reading, True Genius Requires Insanity, with the assistance of the fastest rising dance music venue on the East coast, DC’s own U Street Music Hall, is hosting Michael Jackson Is Still Alive, a FREE five hour happy hour celebration of the everlasting life in music of the King of Pop, on the anniversary of his death one year ago.

I’ve had the opportunity to speak at length with all five DJs set for the event, and they expect to do nothing less than tear the house down in MJ’s memory. With that in mind, here are the set times:

5:00 – 6:00 Chris Nitti
6:00 – 7:00 Harry Hotter
7:00 – 8:00 D Painter
8:00 – 9:00 James Nasty
9:00 – 10:00 DJ Bis

http://www.youtube.com/v/0LnzKWXz0zE&hl=en_US&fs=1&

I can remember when I first had the idea for this event. I was at the Electric Zoo dance festival last Labor Day weekend, watching David Guetta’s closing set, where he ascended to the throne of being one of the top pop producers of the moment. It was a two hour set that swayed and parried its way through a multitude of genres, turning the entirety of Randall’s Island into a unified sea of undulating bodies. And then, it happened…Guetta played a drop that simply stated, “Michael Jackson is still alive.” It was a magical moment, and the whole crowd burst into a cheer, a teeming mass unified by the belief that if we live and believe in the messages contained in Michael Jackson’s music, he’ll never die.

As a solo artist and member of both the Jackson 5 and Jacksons, Michael Jackson (after my Wikipedia research) released or was credited with 147 singles. In various corners of the world, 44 of those reached #1, and inclusive of those 44, 92 total songs were Top Ten hits. He released 49 music videos, iconic moments each and every time that altered fashion, music, vernacular and the very state of what exactly constituted dance. At many points during his time as a prolific mainstream artist, the fashion and production sound that he embraced at that moment at every turn became the industry standard for a large portion of R & B and pop music.

Michael Jackson is more than a man, he is an ideal. It would stand to reason that this was the issue with a large percentage of his failings later in life, as generations that had grown up believing this precocious child, this shy teen, this dynamic adult, to be the embodied expression of love, joy and peace, upon realizing that he was human like all of us, saw his frailty and reality as an avenue to attack. In fact, Michael Jackson, in being able to exist so long without scrutiny from a press that cannibalizes and destroys pop stars before they’re even finished being made, is the last of a breed that ceases to exist. In remembering him, let’s all revel in the joy and innocence of the Robot, the Moonwalk, the entire Smooth Criminal video, and all of the other bursts of wonder that defined this man’s truly legendary career, and ultimately his existence.

On Friday evening, let’s all join together and remember Michael Jackson. Let’s remember the joy, happiness, and yes, magic he brought into all of our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/v/ATo833rP6OU&hl=en_US&fs=1&

http://www.youtube.com/v/c-WVpQ0ZG8Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&

TGRIOnline.com x U Street Music Hall present MICHAEL JACKSON IS STILL ALIVE – 6/25, 5-10 PM

A generation ago, Don McLean sang in “American Pie” about February 3, 1959, the fateful day that budding rock and roll icons Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa as “The Day the Music Died.” For this generation, there have yet to be any songs, but if you look at no other day than June 25, 2009, the day that Michael Jackson passed away as the day our music died, then you’re sadly mistaken. With the exception of Prince, Janis Joplin and the Beatles, no one artist has had a more significant impact on my life than Michael Jackson. Easily one of the most prolific artists of any era, Michael sang songs that became cultural touchstones and true expressions of the joy, strength and frailty of the human soul. For every “Lady in My Life” there’s a “Ben,” a “They Don’t Care About Us” for every “Beat It,” an “I’ll Be There” for every “Butterflies.” The man in living a life devoted to the musical service of humanity did suffer many slings, arrows and slights, but in regarding him in memory, if one reflects on the multitude of positives of his existence, there may even be the feeling that through his legacy, one will always find him living, breathing and affecting each and every one of us.

On Friday, June 25th, come join True Genius Requires Insanity as we join alongside Delaware’s DJ Bis, Baltimore’s James Nasty, and DC’s Harry Hotter, D Painter and Chris Nitti in paying tribute to a man who made life through music. We will celebrate Michael Jackson from 5-10 PM at the only place we know truly capable of presenting the voluminous beauty and everlasting soul of his music in the best light, U Street Music Hall. The event will be free, and we welcome literally everyone to come and enjoy music by, regarding, inspired by or sampling the King of Pop, and maybe even with his music making him an everlasting presence of supreme musicality, the King of Music itself.

If you don’t believe it now, come out on June 25th and realize that indeed MICHAEL JACKSON IS STILL ALIVE!

DJ COLD CASE PRESENTS…."GO DJ…THAT’S MY DJ," a rundown of only the most killing sounds of EDM

There’s something about Halloween on a Saturday night in the city that just feels right. Possibly because this Halloween, this year, this night falls on daylight savings time meaning you get an extra hour of party for your money. Insanity! From Thursday to Sunday there’ll be a slew of events filling you event invite box but when choosing the venue to display your outrageous and inappropriate clothing, ‘do not go gentle into that good night…rage, rage against the dying of the light’ (I think Lil’ Wayne said that).

This week’s edition of Go DJ is all about vampire bats and floor bangers. I’m goin in!

Michael Jackson – ‘Thriller’

What else do I need to say? It’s a CLASSIC! And no Halloween playlist would be complete without this.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN KIDS!!!!!!

MARCUS DOWLING’S YEAR END AWARDS – ARTIST OF THE YEAR

2009 ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL JACKSON

Other Nominees: Lady Gaga, Drake, David Guetta

When you really sit down and think about it, anyone who records music after Michael Jackson died is going to encounter having to be a cheap facsimile of the King of Pop. In dying, Michael Jackson gave music so much life. By opening eyes again to the wonder of his creative and performing genius, I tend to believe the whole world improved. The sad fact of 2009 is that it was the saddest year in the history of music. It wasn’t all about the day the music died, it was about the days that music KEPT dying. Whether it be DJ AM, Mr. Magic, the Death Set’s Beau Velasco, Les Paul, DJ Roc Raida, and so, so, so, so, so many more, these have been trying times. However, when Michael Jackson passed on June 25th, it was easily one of the darkest moments in the history of the universe.

It was a big year for a lot of people. Lady Gaga has captured the universe’s imagination in a manner not seen since Madonna, as her obtuse fashion sense, lurid public displays and home run hitter of a debut album have turned the world on its ear. Canadian Drake went from being a popular supporting actor on “Degrassi High,” to being the lead act as a lovestruck, passionate rhyming lothario whose “Best I Ever Had” may have been the best we heard all year. David Guetta? Well, he provided a great synthesis of popular dance music as the soundtrack of 2009, be it the Black Eyed Peas coronation as middle America’s favorite faux hipsters “I Gotta Feeling,” or pretty much anything from his One Love mainstream electro masterpiece.

But let’s be honest. In the week after Michael Jackson died, his entire musical catalog occupied the top list of iTunes top downloads. His albums sales spiked in a generation where people are more concerned with buying produce than recorded productions on CD. His music videos played on MTV for an entire week, in a time where MTV eschews any knowledge of the “music television” moniker, and instead is a slickly produced lifestyle brand. Most recently, his “This is It” concert biopic has become easily what will be the top grossing film of the decade, even in an economic recession.

Michael Jackson was the soundtrack of a universe for literally seven days. And nobody bitched, moaned, whined or caterwauled. We stopped, dutifully noted the genius of a man, and genuflected. In a time where the universe happens in nanoseconds, everyone slowed down and paid respect or hours and days, feeling no issue with remaining unmoved. Michael Jackson literally stopped the world. When BILLIONS of people all attest to not just being your fan, but regarding what you did through your artistry making you a familiar and beloved voice, a friend, even, you’re the best to ever do it.

“They Don’t Really Care About Us” has the hottest drums I’ve heard anywhere all year. “Butterflies” is the best ballad I heard in this calendar year. “Beat It” is the best rock song. “Dancing Machine” is still one of the hottest breaks ever, and I want to meet someone that can doubt the hip hop authenticity of MJ doing the robot. Michael Jackson singing “Ben,” “Got to Be There,” “Rockin’ Robin,” or any Jackson 5 number makes him the most irrepressible teen pop icon of all time, as I don’t care how hard Miley Cyrus “Parties in the USA,” she’s still a pubescent hot mess when compared to the king.

Michael Jackson is 2009’s Artist of the Year. In all reality, that’s a slap in the face to the man, and he’s the greatest to ever record music. In final, something to ponder. Kanye West, in the face of mounting public questioning and angst over his behavior, has completely imploded. At every turn, Michael Jackson, when faced with increased public scrutiny and ire, succeeded, and succeeded mightily. It’s a nod to the talent, strength, dignity and unerring vision of a better universe through music that Michael Jackson adhered, that makes him truly THE. BEST. EVER.

We will always miss you.

http://www.youtube.com/v/lD2OsUcgb00&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01