Cultural impact of Michael Jackson
American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson (1958–2009) is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th and 21st century and one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time.[1][2] Often referred as the "King of Pop",[3] his achievements helped to complete the desegregation of popular music in the United States and introduced an era of multiculturalism and integration that future generations of artists followed.[4] His influence extended to inspiring fashion trends and raising awareness for social causes around the world.[5]
Jackson became a child star in 1969 as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, a band formed with his older brothers.[6] The group were recognized by US Congress for their contribution to American youth culture, and Jackson was embraced by the American public to a degree not afforded a child star since Shirley Temple in the 1930s.[7] In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular culture and the first African-American entertainer to have a strong crossover fan base on music television.[8][9] His music videos, including those for "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller" from his 1982 album Thriller, are credited with breaking racial barriers and transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool.[10] The popularity of these videos helped bring the television channel MTV to fame.[11] Jackson's success at this time was credited with rescuing the music industry from its late-1970s recession, and revolutionizing it by initiating a marketing focus on blockbuster albums and video presentation.
Through his videos and live performances, Jackson popularized street dances, particularly his signature move the moonwalk, and attracted a cult of impersonators throughout the world. He is credited with helping to spread dance to a global audience and having an influence comparable to dance icons such as to Fred Astaire and Sammy Davis Jr. With an aesthetic borrowed from the musical film tradition, the Thriller videos created a subindustry of choreographers as other pop artists sought to produce sophisticated dance-oriented promotional films. In the 1980s, Jackson's personal idiosyncrasies and changing appearance became the source of fascination for the tabloid media, a phenomenon furthered by the child abuse accusations leveled against him in 1993. These eccentricities and controversies inspired a wealth of pictures and other artworks exploring his public image, which were presented in the 2018 exhibition Michael Jackson: On the Wall at London's National Portrait Gallery.
Jackson influenced a wide range of subjects, from celebrity studies to visual culture to gender and sexuality studies, and many more including ones not directly related to his profession.[12][13] According to a study published in The Journal of Pan African Studies in 2010, his influence extended to academia, with references to the singer in literature concerning mass communications, psychology, medicine, engineering and chemistry.[14][15][16] The British Council named Jackson on their list of "80 Moments that Shaped the World" with regard to international cultural relations.[17]
Race politics[edit]
Early in his career, Jackson and his family were often portrayed in the press as having risen out of black ghetto culture. This stereotype reinforced their standing as role models for American youth but, as a fabrication by Motown's publicity department, it displeased the family.[99] To many African-Americans, his youth and energy were a source of inspiration in the aftermath to Martin Luther King's 1968 assassination, at a time when the country's black-power and civil rights movements were in disarray.[100] Jackson became a notable figure in the desegregation of US popular culture and music.[101][4] Off the Wall succeeded at a time when disco was perceived as inferior to rock by critics.[102][103] According to Vogel, one of the album's significant achievements was to integrate a diverse collection of talents from different races, cultures, and countries, and to coalesce them seamlessly into the record.[104]
"Billie Jean" was one of the first music videos by a black artist to be shown on MTV, which hitherto had been a channel directed toward a white, rock-oriented audience.[105] Although the song was already a number one hit on the Billboard charts,[106] MTV initially refused to play the video because of the network's commitment to rock music.[105] When CBS Records executive Walter Yetnikoff threatened to remove all of their products off MTV and expose its discriminatory policies, the network gave in.[105] According to Edmondson, "The video [for 'Thriller'] is often cited as the musical phenomenon that completed the racial integration of popular music begun in the rock 'n' roll era."[53]
The success of Thriller not only broke down racial barriers in music but also in other areas of contemporary society. Critic Greg Tate said, "Black people cherished Thriller's breakthrough as if it were their own battering ram [against] apartheid."[107] Civil rights activist Al Sharpton commented, "Way before Tiger Woods or Barack Obama, Michael made black people go pop-culture global." He also attributed Obama's presidential win to "a process that Michael helped America graduate to" as crossover fans and imitators grew up to become voters.[100] To some commentators in the 1980s, however, Jackson had betrayed his African-American roots, especially in his musical collaborations with former Beatle Paul McCartney—a point of criticism that Stanley says Jackson sought to address with his 1987 album Bad.[28]
The video for "Black or White" showed Jackson dancing with dancers of various ethnic groups and traditions, and the lyrics plead for racial tolerance and understanding.[108] In early 1993, he launched a $1.25 million program to assist children affected by the 1992 Los Angeles riots and, in a TV interview conducted by Oprah Winfrey, discussed issues related to his African-American heritage and the abuse he suffered under his father. The viewer ratings for the show were among the highest in the history of US television.[109][nb 4]
In 1995 "They Don't Care About Us" was released as one of the singles from HIStory. In the mid-2010s, the track was used as an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement.[110] The song, originally recorded as part of the Dangerous sessions, was inspired by the Rodney King beating, which had led to the 1992 LA riots. The lyrics became more personal after Jackson felt dehumanized by the Santa Barbara County police's behavior during the investigation into the child sexual abuse accusations brought against him in 1993.[111]
"They Don't Care About Us" attracted controversy over its supposedly antisemitic lyrics. Bernard Weinraub of The New York Times cited the lines "Jew me, sue me / Everybody do me / Kick me, kike me / Don’t you black or white me" as "pointedly critical of Jews".[112] Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center described the lyrics as "deeply disturbing" and potentially harmful to young people.[113] Jackson issued statements saying that his lyrics were about "the pain of prejudice and hate" and that the song was "a way to draw attention to social and political problems". He described himself as "the voice of the accused and the attacked".[114] The lyrics were eventually edited out with muffles.[115]
Influence on other performers[edit]
Beyoncé said Jackson was beyond her major musical influence. Aged five, she went to see Jackson in concert for the first time, and claims to have realized her sole purpose. When she presented him with a tribute award at the World Music Awards in 2006, she said, "If it wasn't for Michael Jackson, I would never ever have performed." During her performance at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show, she paid tribute to Jackson in an outfit similar to the one Jackson wore during his 1993 Super Bowl halftime performance.[153][154][155]
His sister Janet Jackson has credited Jackson as one of her musical influences. Having stated, "When Thriller came, I was so envious. It was so incredible. I was so happy for him but it was like, 'Why can't that be me? That's what I want to do.' That's what inspired me to do Control."[156][157]
Lady Gaga has named Jackson as a source of her influence, both musically and fashionably.[158] She owns around 400 pieces from his personal collection. In 2016, she wore Jackson's jacket from his 1990 visit to the White House at Hillary Clinton's final campaign rally, during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[159]
Chris Brown has cited Michael Jackson as his biggest inspiration of all time,[160] stating "Michael Jackson is the reason why I do music and the reason I am an entertainer." Furthermore, Brown has stated, "Being able to see Michael Jackson's success, to be able to inspire the world as well as his talent and musical ability, his eye for detail – automatically inspires me to try to be better and try to be great. He was great, so I always want to make him proud".[161][162]
Britney Spears has cited Jackson as one of her inspirations, declaring “Michael Jackson is someone who has inspired me and just about everybody in this room, and the world. I consider him the artist of the millennium. He is a true innovator, who pioneered the art of music video, broke down countless barriers, and sold more records than any other artists along the way.” Spears performed live together with Jackson on the song "The Way You Make Me Feel" during the television special "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration." [163]
Justin Timberlake named Jackson as an influence for multiple generations including himself,[164] saying that "To create the things he created with his music is untouchable. He opened the mind of the world to be able to do that through music... It's a feat not accomplished by many people, maybe only a handful of people. I don't think anyone ever did it like him".[165]
Usher has on many occasions named Jackson as his biggest influence. Usher once told MTV, "He influenced me in so many ways, more than music . ... as a humanitarian, as a philanthropist, as an artist, as an individual who transcended culture. I wouldn't be who I am today without Michael Jackson." On another occasion, Usher said "Mike is the truth and you can never deny the truth. That great choreography and great energy that Michael puts behind it [entertainers] try to re-create that feeling. I try to take different kinds of dance and apply it in the same way Michael did in 'Thriller,' 'Beat It' and 'Off the Wall.'" Additionally, he stated, "You can't say you are an artist in this century and wasn't inspired by Michael ... and I'm always gonna remember. I'll be a fan for life." During a television special 'Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special', Usher was able to dance with Jackson while performing "You Rock My World".[166]
Celine Dion cited Jackson as a major motivation for her to learn English as early as the 1980s. After seeing Jackson and being inspired by his performance when she was still just 18, Celine announced to her manager that she wanted to be a megastar like Michael Jackson.[167]
Christina Aguilera has expressed admiration for Jackson, having said that “We have all had moments in time where we wanted to dance like Michael, and we were just infatuated and in awe of his talent.”[168]
Amy Winehouse, who passed in 2011, is quoted in a 2004 interview talking about the type of house she grew up in, "For me it was Michael Jackson. I could never decide whether I wanted to be Michael Jackson or marry him. I don't care what people say about him now because he's a fucking genius."[169]
Kanye West has praised Jackson multiple times in interviews and name dropping him in multiple songs for his influence on music and pop culture. West credited Jackson for his inspiration to make his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak as he mentioned that when the pair met in New York City a year prior, West had played him "Good Life" and said Jackson loved his singing voice. In 2016, Jackson’s daughter Paris stated that her father loved the album and that her introduction to West was because of Jackson playing it for when she was younger.[170][171]
Alicia Keys names Jackson as her huge inspiration as a performer, stating “I think Michael Jackson has influenced every performer on the face of the earth. What he really inspired me to do and influenced me to do is my best, and I feel like what he represented is quality and craftsmanship with his performance.” Additionally, she says “He was one of the best performers of all time and it was because he put in work, he put in time, he was creative, and he wanted to be the best. When I go up [on stage] and when I arrange my shows, that’s exactly the mind state that I have.”[172]
In 2012, Justin Bieber said, "music is music, and I'm definitely influenced by Michael Jackson and Boyz II Men and people who were black artists - that's what I like." Bieber has also cited Jackson as his biggest musical influence. In an interview, Bieber also said "he's an icon" and said "Every time I go out and perform, I'm always trying to be the best and that's what he always did... And there's never gonna be another Michael Jackson as long as anyone lives. I think that he's just incredible and it's an honor to be here."[173]
Bruno Mars explained, "Because the details, the attention to detail he did on everything he was a part of, you can look at what made him so iconic, the glove, the hat, the dancing, the music videos, the way he sang when he sang, everything he did was Michael Jackson and just kind of stamped that on the world."[174]
The Weeknd cited Jackson as an influence on his artistry "I found my falsetto, because of Off The Wall [and] "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"...I always use Michael [Jackson] as, first and foremost, a vocal inspiration, and Off the Wall was definitely the one that made me feel like I could sing."[175]
Sufjan Stevens expressed admiration for Michael Jackson in a 2011 interview by stating "I watched the Michael Jackson documentary This Is It and was really surprised at how inspired I was by it-- just the work that goes into that kind of production and how invested the dancers were and also how hands-on Michael Jackson was. He was there directing everything. He had real vision for the show, and all the decisions he was making were based on the body and movement. I realized for the first time that all of his music is based on physical ideas. They'd be working through something, and he would explain a musical gesture with his body. That was really educational."[176]
Pharrell Williams has expressed admiration for Jackson, having once said “I met Michael at his video shoot in California. I told him from the age of 6 I would burn holes in my socks moonwalking in the bathroom.” Williams stated in a 2013 interview that he wrote songs for Jackson that would later end up on Justin Timberlake's album "Justified."[177][178]
Kevin Parker of Tame Impala talked about his love for Jackson in a 2013 interview, stating when he was a kid: "My brother Steve, who was a few years older than me, had Bad on tape and I remember listening to Smooth Criminal and just thinking it was the coolest thing ever. I must have been five or six at the time and I remember walking around school by myself thinking I was Michael Jackson. I wasn't dancing, exactly – more like walking musically. It seemed like a good idea at the time."[179]
Nigerian Duo P-Square has named Jackson as their major music inspiration. In the late 1990s, the dancing group they belonged to majorly mimed and choreographed MJ's songs and dance routines. And that was when they realized their purpose as entertainers. They were also not only influenced by Jackson’s music but also Fashion. The costumes for their Invasion Album Cover was inspired by MJ’s Fashion Style.[180]
South Korean band BTS has cited Jackson as a major influence. They were praised by Jackson's son, Prince Michael, who said: "Obviously, they've taken huge influence from your dad like 'Dynamite', the choreography was very MJ influenced and... one of the latest songs 'Butter' started with 'smooth like butter, like a criminal undercover.' already getting that 'Smooth Criminal' reference in there."[181]
Jason Derulo's music mostly consists of pop, but incorporates R&B and hip-hop influences. He predominantly names Michael Jackson as his inspiration. Derulo states, "He is the reason I am who I am today. When I was four years old, I saw him for the first time. I saw how he moved the crowd and how people were just so touched."[182]
"Euphoria" star, actress, and singer Zendaya says she has always looked up to Michael Jackson: "I’ve loved Michael Jackson since the minute I was born. He’s probably the most talented person ever. He was able to create such an amazing career and be probably the biggest star we’ve ever had. But also, never did he cuss in his songs. He always had a positive way of doing what he did. He had such a love for the art of music and tried to make people feel better through that."[183]
Chris Cornell, the member of bands Soundgarden and Audioslave talked about Jackson after his death in 2009, stating, "The next thing that had a clear impact was when I was already a musician, probably about 18 years old, and was working in restaurants but was also starting different bands at the time, and was obviously watching MTV all the time, just to see what was on it. I wasn’t a fan of most of it. Then, “Thriller” happened, and to see that shift from pretty much an entirely white audience watching an entirely white music channel change because of this one guy — he didn’t just get some videos sent there, like me and my friends did on 120 Minutes at 1 a.m. on a Sunday — he took over. His videos were played the same amount Madonna videos were played. I remember the first two, especially, had an amazing energy. “Beat It” was an incredible video."[184]
Ciara has cited Michael Jackson as one of her biggest influences. Ciara spoke of Michael Jackson's legacy, "Whenever someone asks me who inspires me to do what I do, I always say Michael. That's it for me. He's everything to me. He's really a part of the reason why. He's going to be remembered in so many ways for me. I feel it's important for me to continue to let my generation know how important he was to music."[185][186]
Ne-Yo has said Michael Jackson is one of his main inspirations. "Michael Jackson is one of the reasons why I sing. When we met he was really cool people. He was really regular people."[187]