
Michael Jackson’s massive influence on pop-culture can’t be denied. Contemporary pop artists try to emulate him and those who will eventually emerge, will do the same. One of the most important contributions from MJ (of a sky high list of many) is that he is the reason why pop-culture has embraced Black music. Black artists have been stolen from for years, without being given the recognition they deserved and when MTV was a fledgeling network in the early 80s (when they actually did play music videos) they drove the point home by blatantly snubbing Black artists. However, Michael Jackson’s Quincy Jones-produced Thriller (1982) couldn’t be ignored.
Michael Jackson was hurt by the fact that MTV was so blatant with their discrimination and urged Columbia Records to do something about it. The label threatened to pull all of its other videos if they did not place MJ’s “Billie Jean” into rotation. That act allowed other African-American artists, including Prince, to finally get the respect they deserved.
“Thriller” spent 37 weeks at number one and sold 104 million copies worldwide. Seven of its 9 songs were in the top 10 and at the time, he began treating his music videos like mini-movies, some of which still can’t be topped. Do you watch BET’s annual year-end video count down? I’m still waiting for another music video to trump “Thriller.”
I’ve taken this moment to highlight MJ’s most creative videos. It’s cliche, but I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t. Rest in peace King of Pop, the one and only who ever lived and ever will be.
1. “Thriller” (Of course!) – I may have been a baby when this came out, but I’m still fascinated and terrified by this video. And yes, I know the dance. Who doesn’t?
2. “Billie Jean” – This video worked because it was overstated simplicity. I love the city theme and how he was being followed by the spy. Best of all is when things he touched would light up (FTW!).
3. “Remember the Time” – It’s like Coming to America, the musical.
4. “Beat It” – It was like an updated version of West Side Story. Who could be mad at that? By the way, I had that jacket. Oh yes!
5. “The Way You Make Me Feel” -Another example of overstated simplicity. MJ was trying to get with the fly girl, in what became the cutest guy-girl dance duet in pop music history. As corny as men may have thought it was, I’m sure there were thoughts of trying this at home. Omarion paid homage with the video for his 2005 single, “Touch.”
6. “Black or White” – It was cool to see him traveling around he world dancing with Earth’s different people in accordance with their culture, but with a pop twist. Plus, the morphing montage at the end was visually amazing.
7. “Bad” – Michael Jackson was never hardcore but he always got a pass when he did stuff like this. Dancing in the train station equals epic win!
8. “Smooth Criminal” – We still don’t know who Annie is, but the 1940s gangster theme is cool enough to distract us.
9. “Liberian Girl” – The video was totally off topic, but Michael rallied all of his celebrity friends and associates to make it seem like they had shown up to a video shoot but didn’t know who was directing. At the end, it turns out the “director” was MJ. Now, that’s creative!
10. Is up to you! What are some of the MJ videos that you think are most creative? “Leave Me Alone,” anyone?