Doza said...: The Icon, The Legend, The King...

...of ~~Pop~~ Music are just some of the terms that people will to use to try to describe a man who is simply...indescribable.

Michael Jackson is the most influential artist to ever walk the face of this earth. Point. Blank. Period.

Michael Jackson changed music...it's as simple as that. His influence can be heard in every genre of music and in every corner of the world. Along with one of the most talented producers in music, Quincy Jones, Michael redefined and symbolized pop(ular) music in the late 70's, throughout the 80's and the early 90's. Michael Jackson was a star from his days as the energetic and charismatic lead singer of the family band, The Jackson 5, but he found his own cult-like following when he decided to pursue a career as a solo artist. While he was successful as solo artist, it wasn't until the release of his 6th album Thriller that Michael rose to intergalactic superstar status.

I was a damn toddler, but I remember the first time I saw the video for Thriller...

Despite the fact that the ending scared the living' shit out of me, I thought the video was nothing short of phenomenal. As we got older, me and my brother would watch that video over and over tryin' to learn the dance routine. While growing up we loved to perform as different artist (MC Hammer, Bobby Brown, Milli Vanilli and LL Cool J) for family members and our parent's friends...but nothing beat performing as Michael Jackson.

Why? It's because Michael was more than just a talented singer, he was the complete package. So many artist try to be everything but always come up short in some way. Michael didn't have to try because the image, the music, the moves....the magic, came to him so effortlessly...

While I've never had the pleasure of seeing Michael perform in person, I don't think it was necessary for me or anybody else to recognize that he was the epitome of an entertainer. As if the music wasn't enough, Michael put on some of the most entertaining and imaginative performances ever. His groundbreaking videos set the foundation for the mini movie concepts that, to this day, directors try so hard to emulate.

While he gave his all on the stage and the screen, Michael was a very private person and to say that there wasn't much known about his personal life would be an understatement. The small part of Michael's personal life that was revealed, voluntarily and involuntarily, was often scrutinized intensely by the media and the general public. Everything from the plastic surgeries, purchasing of the Elephant Man's remains to his uncanny admiration for children and overall youthfulness was highly criticized. But in all honesty I never thought Michael Jackson was a child molester. I do believe that he did things that as a grown man were inappropriate (i.e. having children sleep in his bed). But I don't think Michael ever touched a child in a any way that was inappropriate. Now, would I let my child (if I had one) spend the night at Neverland? No, but I wouldn't let my child spend the night over most people's house, including some of my own family members so that's not saying much.

To me Michael Jackson was the real life Benjamin Button...the older he got in age, the younger he appeared to become. From the age of 7 he was thrown into the spotlight and forced to live a very hectic life, one that most adults would find unbearable. As a child Michael endured the abuse of his father, Joe "I'm gonna capitalize on my son's death and use this as an opportunity to promote my new record label" Jackson, and sacrificed his entire childhood for music. Then later on when he tried to live out those precious childhood moments as an adult, the world didn't quite understand it. To be honest I don't even think he quite understood it himself. But the fact that he was able to create some of the most profound and inspirational music the world has ever heard, in the mist of what was probably a very painful lifetime struggle to figure out his own identity, is a true testament to his spirit and talent. In a way I feel as though life here on earth was very difficult for Michael, and the world that he gave so much to didn't make it any easier for him. I can't even fathom what it was like to be him, because despite all the money and the fame I really don't think he was ever really happy.

In the end, I don't think there are enough words that can express the influence he's had on music, people and the world. His music speaks for itself, it says more about him and his life than any journalist could ever write...

(Note: I'll upload the rest of albums and provide their links by tomorrow)