mjscarousal said:

godyssey said:

Since this thread was recently restarted, I can't be quite sure if the post that I am writing is in response to a post from this thread, or the Lauryn Hill thread, in which Michael's name was brought up.

The poster stated that the success of Thriller was a fluke and that after that success, Michael wanted to be worshipped and looked upon as a savior of the planet (I'm paraphrasing) or something to the like. When in all actually, all he did was create a fluke hit record.

It took me a while to gather my thoughts, which is why I'm only responding now.

Yes, although I don't like to admit it, Thriller was a fluke. Not that it wasn't great, it's just that the musical climate was different then and he could reach more people. Although, from what I understand, Adele (of whom I really have no knowledge of) seems to be experiencing a similar amount of success. I actually don't care enough to think about how that could happen again, in this time, but I digress.

I'll concede that after Thriller, Michael changed. However, I don't look upon his transformation into this megastar with hopes to use his wide success as an opportunity to be an ambassador for peace in a negative way. Especially when so many other artists at the height of their careers love to say that "they aren't role models", and couldn't care less about how their music and their image negatively affects their young listeners.

Michael who of course wasn't a messiah or without flaws, but he really cared about the earth and the people who inhabit it. He was in a position to where people, some people, regarded what he said quite highly and he took advantage of that. To me, I see nothing wrong.

I can attest that Michael has been a positive role model for me growing up, even though he was as some like to say, "just a singer."

The world can be a nasty place and if Michael could in any way try to change that, he did. Not many artists can say that.

Michael will always have a special place in my heart because he served as proof that there are positive people in this world, regardless of how much money and fame they have.

His music, image, what have you, was a most welcomed escape from the grimier and intensely crude acts of his day and even now. I'm more grateful for him than words can express. With so much adoration for him, who knows what paths I may have chosen during my formative years if he (his image) wasn't so pure and positive. He made me feel that it was okay to be so as well. Believe me. Michaels infulence kept me out of a lot of trouble.

Yes, artists in the industry are technically just musically talented entertainers, but their influence can go a long way. Especially with youngsters. It's good that we had one entertainer that cared enough to want to save the children and protect our innocence.

At the BET awards, his sister Janet said that "to us, he was an icon", but to her, he was family. I have to be honest. That really insulted me. He was so much more that that to me, to a lot of us. I'd never met him, but he was more than just an icon to me. For me he was hope for a better future of the world, he was a happy ending to a miserable day. He was my inspiration.

IMO, SHE was the lucky one, because she knew him. She hung out with him, had conversations with him. She was fotunate enough to often be the recipient of his smile.

Us "fans" (most of us) will never have that experience or the personal, intimate memories that his family has to live on. To us, it was like losing a family member. A family member who we loved but unfortunately, always from a far. To not even experience being in his presence! However, I thank the heavens for him and will continue to miss him every day.

That was so beautiful...

Michael meant so much more to me as well and I hate how people always try to tell you how you should feel about someone else. When Michael passed, thats all people told me.. He was just a singer.. he was just an entertainer.. no.. Michael was much more than that..

Though people were asking me if I was okay and supportive, and I surrounded myself with fans, some people who were supposed to be close friends were so insensitive from day one and didn't even know why I sounded upset on the phone trying to hide it, but denied it, and then they say he died, and I'm like, obviously!

alphastreet said:

mjscarousal said:

That was so beautiful...

Michael meant so much more to me as well and I hate how people always try to tell you how you should feel about someone else. When Michael passed, thats all people told me.. He was just a singer.. he was just an entertainer.. no.. Michael was much more than that..

Though people were asking me if I was okay and supportive, and I surrounded myself with fans, some people who were supposed to be close friends were so insensitive from day one and didn't even know why I sounded upset on the phone trying to hide it, but denied it, and then they say he died, and I'm like, obviously!

I know my mom was like that to saying that I didnt even know him and all that mess. NOBODY wants to hear that when someone close to their heart passes away. Its so rude and insensitive definitly!

mjscarousal said:

alphastreet said:

Though people were asking me if I was okay and supportive, and I surrounded myself with fans, some people who were supposed to be close friends were so insensitive from day one and didn't even know why I sounded upset on the phone trying to hide it, but denied it, and then they say he died, and I'm like, obviously!

I know my mom was like that to saying that I didnt even know him and all that mess. NOBODY wants to hear that when someone close to their heart passes away. Its so rude and insensitive definitly!

I did have a few friends who told me they thought of me and messaged me immediately to see if I'm ok, even if they weren't fans but appreciated him from afar and knew I was fond of him. I wish I could focus on them more instead of the negative people, but I was really hurt. I had facebook back then too and blocked people who were making rude statuses though the majority of people seemed positive, some I knew meant it even if they loved him casually and others were kissing his ass cause I remember exactly what they said in the past.

Speaking of mom, she was showing emotions and crying (she liked him years ago and thought it was nice I did too, but still put him down when an opportunity came, though I think she did it to bug me, my dad is the mean one when it comes to mj) and all over my dvd's inviting her friends over to watch and invite them after the memorial, I was fucking pissed after not being able to cry all day from the shock and lightheadedness, and ended up leaving home cause I was going to snap if I didn't, and mj was still everywhere. Coverage was on screens instead of sports, and I wore an mj shirt and my hair was a mess with no makeup and my stupid bitch friend who was insensitive on the phone didn't even say anything to me, not even when the waiter started talking to me about mj after seeing my shirt....though I don't know if I wanted sympathy or not, I think saying something would have been nice. She was a douche and instigator anyways for many reasons and I cut her off last year. She would even tell me she didn't get why her coworkers played mj often over and over a year after his death, and because most of them are black, I felt that I would have to explain to her that it goes deeper than just good music, but knew her vanilla ass would not get it.

[Edited 6/14/12 7:08am]

Does anyone know if an actual track exists of the funky synth track at the beginning of the full The Way you make me feel video?

it sounds like a prince track with the guitar and synths.

funky as hell.

do you think he actually made a song over that beat?

i wonder if he did, cos its fucking awesome

dirtyman2005 said:

Does anyone know if an actual track exists of the funky synth track at the beginning of the full The Way you make me feel video?

it sounds like a prince track with the guitar and synths.

funky as hell.

do you think he actually made a song over that beat?

i wonder if he did, cos its fucking awesome

Roy Ayers - Hot

Spike Lee saying the obvious in a recent interview:

Nobody's Martyr: A GQ&A with Spike Lee

[img:$uid]http://www.gq.com/entertainment/tv/blogs/the-stream/spike-lee-635.jpg[/img:$uid]

Over the past few years, Spike Lee joints have been a rarity—a documentary here, an HBO special there. But the remaining half of 2012 promises to make this year one of Spike's best. Between work on this August's upcoming drama, Red Hook Summer, a documentary of Michael Jackson's Bad album, and directing Mike Tyson's one-man Broadway play (yes, you read that correctly), the Brooklyn native has been pretty damn busy. We interrupted his intense schedule to get the double-truth from one of the most intrepid filmmakers of all time.

(...)

GQ: Is Spike Lee a martyr?
Spike Lee: A martyr?

GQ: A martyr.
Spike Lee: For whom?

GQ: For the people you make films for. There seems to be a lot of self-sacrifice behind your films.
Spike Lee:. Here's the thing, though: I got my money back already from Red Hook Summer, and then some. All before the film has even opened. Now, there have been a lot of films I was going to do that never happened for whatever reason. The interim between Miracle at St. Anna and Red Hook Summer is like four or five years. I was going to do the biography of James Brown, and Brooklyn loves Michael Jackson...

GQ: You're working on a MJ doc now though, right?
Spike Lee: What I'm doing now is a documentary on the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Bad album. I'm also doing another documentary on Brazil called Go Brazil Go. I'm going to be directing Mike Tyson on Broadway later, it's a one man show. And then we got, God willing, Oldboy [an American remake of the popular 2003 South Korean manga film of the same name] coming up in the fall...

(...)

GQ: Details magazine just labeled Adam Levine from Maroon 5 the "new king of pop" on their cover.
Spike Lee: The king of pop?

GQ: The new king of pop.
Spike Lee: Look, I have nothing personal against my man [Adam Levine] and I don't think that he called Details up to tell him to do that, but a lot of the time magazines will get you in trouble with titles like that. I remember M. Night Shyamalan was on the cover of Newsweek and it said he was the next Spielberg. Now I'm not trying to be disrespectful to M. Night, he didn't tell Newsweek to do that. When people see that cover they're going to be like, alright, this movie better be good. Just look at Spielberg's filmography...Signs was no Close Encounter.

GQ: Who would you say is the closest to what Mike [Jackson] was?
Spike Lee: That's a very interesting question. I don't think it's anybody, I mean there are some people who could dance, look at Chris Brown—the way he dances. Usher...

GQ: Maybe a younger sensation, like Justin Bieber?
Spike Lee: Justin Bieber is the new Michael Jackson? Interesting thing is that we interviewed Justin Bieber for this documentary, and you know he idolizes Michael. And I love Kanye and Jay and everybody else, but there's only one Michael Jackson. So if there's only one Michael Jackson, how can anybody be the new king of pop?

Timmy84 said:

Spike Lee saying the obvious in a recent interview:

Nobody's Martyr: A GQ&A with Spike Lee

[img:$uid]http://www.gq.com/entertainment/tv/blogs/the-stream/spike-lee-635.jpg[/img:$uid]

Over the past few years, Spike Lee joints have been a rarity—a documentary here, an HBO special there. But the remaining half of 2012 promises to make this year one of Spike's best. Between work on this August's upcoming drama, Red Hook Summer, a documentary of Michael Jackson's Bad album, and directing Mike Tyson's one-man Broadway play (yes, you read that correctly), the Brooklyn native has been pretty damn busy. We interrupted his intense schedule to get the double-truth from one of the most intrepid filmmakers of all time.

(...)

GQ: Is Spike Lee a martyr?
Spike Lee: A martyr?

GQ: A martyr.
Spike Lee: For whom?

GQ: For the people you make films for. There seems to be a lot of self-sacrifice behind your films.
Spike Lee:. Here's the thing, though: I got my money back already from Red Hook Summer, and then some. All before the film has even opened. Now, there have been a lot of films I was going to do that never happened for whatever reason. The interim between Miracle at St. Anna and Red Hook Summer is like four or five years. I was going to do the biography of James Brown, and Brooklyn loves Michael Jackson...

GQ: You're working on a MJ doc now though, right?
Spike Lee: What I'm doing now is a documentary on the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Bad album. I'm also doing another documentary on Brazil called Go Brazil Go. I'm going to be directing Mike Tyson on Broadway later, it's a one man show. And then we got, God willing, Oldboy [an American remake of the popular 2003 South Korean manga film of the same name] coming up in the fall...

(...)

GQ: Details magazine just labeled Adam Levine from Maroon 5 the "new king of pop" on their cover.
Spike Lee: The king of pop?

GQ: The new king of pop.
Spike Lee: Look, I have nothing personal against my man [Adam Levine] and I don't think that he called Details up to tell him to do that, but a lot of the time magazines will get you in trouble with titles like that. I remember M. Night Shyamalan was on the cover of Newsweek and it said he was the next Spielberg. Now I'm not trying to be disrespectful to M. Night, he didn't tell Newsweek to do that. When people see that cover they're going to be like, alright, this movie better be good. Just look at Spielberg's filmography...Signs was no Close Encounter.

GQ: Who would you say is the closest to what Mike [Jackson] was?
Spike Lee: That's a very interesting question. I don't think it's anybody, I mean there are some people who could dance, look at Chris Brown—the way he dances. Usher...

GQ: Maybe a younger sensation, like Justin Bieber?
Spike Lee: Justin Bieber is the new Michael Jackson? Interesting thing is that we interviewed Justin Bieber for this documentary, and you know he idolizes Michael. And I love Kanye and Jay and everybody else, but there's only one Michael Jackson. So if there's only one Michael Jackson, how can anybody be the new king of pop?

Ive always loved Spike Lee. His one of the very celebrities in hollywood who exactly speaks his mind and not on some bullshit.

^

Lots of respect for Spike Lee. I agree with him that there is only one Mike Jack.

godyssey said:

Since this thread was recently restarted, I can't be quite sure if the post that I am writing is in response to a post from this thread, or the Lauryn Hill thread, in which Michael's name was brought up.

The poster stated that the success of Thriller was a fluke and that after that success, Michael wanted to be worshipped and looked upon as a savior of the planet (I'm paraphrasing) or something to the like. When in all actually, all he did was create a fluke hit record.

It took me a while to gather my thoughts, which is why I'm only responding now.

Yes, although I don't like to admit it, Thriller was a fluke. Not that it wasn't great, it's just that the musical climate was different then and he could reach more people. Although, from what I understand, Adele (of whom I really have no knowledge of) seems to be experiencing a similar amount of success. I actually don't care enough to think about how that could happen again, in this time, but I digress.

I'll concede that after Thriller, Michael changed. However, I don't look upon his transformation into this megastar with hopes to use his wide success as an opportunity to be an ambassador for peace in a negative way. Especially when so many other artists at the height of their careers love to say that "they aren't role models", and couldn't care less about how their music and their image negatively affects their young listeners.

Michael who of course wasn't a messiah or without flaws, but he really cared about the earth and the people who inhabit it. He was in a position to where people, some people, regarded what he said quite highly and he took advantage of that. To me, I see nothing wrong.

I can attest that Michael has been a positive role model for me growing up, even though he was as some like to say, "just a singer."

The world can be a nasty place and if Michael could in any way try to change that, he did. Not many artists can say that.

Michael will always have a special place in my heart because he served as proof that there are positive people in this world, regardless of how much money and fame they have.

His music, image, what have you, was a most welcomed escape from the grimier and intensely crude acts of his day and even now. I'm more grateful for him than words can express. With so much adoration for him, who knows what paths I may have chosen during my formative years if he (his image) wasn't so pure and positive. He made me feel that it was okay to be so as well. Believe me. Michaels infulence kept me out of a lot of trouble.

Yes, artists in the industry are technically just musically talented entertainers, but their influence can go a long way. Especially with youngsters. It's good that we had one entertainer that cared enough to want to save the children and protect our innocence.

At the BET awards, his sister Janet said that "to us, he was an icon", but to her, he was family. I have to be honest. That really insulted me. He was so much more that that to me, to a lot of us. I'd never met him, but he was more than just an icon to me. For me he was hope for a better future of the world, he was a happy ending to a miserable day. He was my inspiration.

IMO, SHE was the lucky one, because she knew him. She hung out with him, had conversations with him. She was fotunate enough to often be the recipient of his smile.

Us "fans" (most of us) will never have that experience or the personal, intimate memories that his family has to live on. To us, it was like losing a family member. A family member who we loved but unfortunately, always from a far. To not even experience being in his presence! However, I thank the heavens for him and will continue to miss him every day.

I really think you can't compare losing your own brother to losing a 'family-member' who you don't even know. It's actually pretty insulting you think Janet's comment was insulting. Michael was her brother, the one she grew up with. People only knew Michael's image. I can totally understand what she was saying.

robertlove said:

godyssey said:

Since this thread was recently restarted, I can't be quite sure if the post that I am writing is in response to a post from this thread, or the Lauryn Hill thread, in which Michael's name was brought up.

The poster stated that the success of Thriller was a fluke and that after that success, Michael wanted to be worshipped and looked upon as a savior of the planet (I'm paraphrasing) or something to the like. When in all actually, all he did was create a fluke hit record.

It took me a while to gather my thoughts, which is why I'm only responding now.

Yes, although I don't like to admit it, Thriller was a fluke. Not that it wasn't great, it's just that the musical climate was different then and he could reach more people. Although, from what I understand, Adele (of whom I really have no knowledge of) seems to be experiencing a similar amount of success. I actually don't care enough to think about how that could happen again, in this time, but I digress.

I'll concede that after Thriller, Michael changed. However, I don't look upon his transformation into this megastar with hopes to use his wide success as an opportunity to be an ambassador for peace in a negative way. Especially when so many other artists at the height of their careers love to say that "they aren't role models", and couldn't care less about how their music and their image negatively affects their young listeners.

Michael who of course wasn't a messiah or without flaws, but he really cared about the earth and the people who inhabit it. He was in a position to where people, some people, regarded what he said quite highly and he took advantage of that. To me, I see nothing wrong.

I can attest that Michael has been a positive role model for me growing up, even though he was as some like to say, "just a singer."

The world can be a nasty place and if Michael could in any way try to change that, he did. Not many artists can say that.

Michael will always have a special place in my heart because he served as proof that there are positive people in this world, regardless of how much money and fame they have.

His music, image, what have you, was a most welcomed escape from the grimier and intensely crude acts of his day and even now. I'm more grateful for him than words can express. With so much adoration for him, who knows what paths I may have chosen during my formative years if he (his image) wasn't so pure and positive. He made me feel that it was okay to be so as well. Believe me. Michaels infulence kept me out of a lot of trouble.

Yes, artists in the industry are technically just musically talented entertainers, but their influence can go a long way. Especially with youngsters. It's good that we had one entertainer that cared enough to want to save the children and protect our innocence.

At the BET awards, his sister Janet said that "to us, he was an icon", but to her, he was family. I have to be honest. That really insulted me. He was so much more that that to me, to a lot of us. I'd never met him, but he was more than just an icon to me. For me he was hope for a better future of the world, he was a happy ending to a miserable day. He was my inspiration.

IMO, SHE was the lucky one, because she knew him. She hung out with him, had conversations with him. She was fotunate enough to often be the recipient of his smile.

Us "fans" (most of us) will never have that experience or the personal, intimate memories that his family has to live on. To us, it was like losing a family member. A family member who we loved but unfortunately, always from a far. To not even experience being in his presence! However, I thank the heavens for him and will continue to miss him every day.

I really think you can't compare losing your own brother to losing a 'family-member' who you don't even know. It's actually pretty insulting you think Janet's comment was insulting. Michael was her brother, the one she grew up with. People only knew Michael's image. I can totally understand what she was saying.

I agree with Robert. You have to seperate your connection with the "icon" or "artist" from one's own personal deep connection with a "brother," "sister," "son," or "daughter." I think that is the damaging part of being a fan. We try to believe that we know someone personally by just what they have accomplished in their lives and it doesn't fully work that way. Michael was an icon, immensely talented individual who gave fulfillment and hope to many, but that doesn't overshadow family and history. I'm sorry, it just doesn't. So, Janet's statement was on point in my eyes.

[Edited 6/17/12 10:41am]

^^Hmm, I don't know! Obviously Michael is a part of their family and their connection to him is more profound than it ever could be to a fan and obviously their loss is much greater, as they could just pick up a phone and call him or meet him. But still, to some fans, despite not knowing him personally or only knowing him through interviews and short meetings, he still became as much "family" and important as someone could ever get. We suffered with him through all his ordeals. We pretty much stood by helpless, watching him being torn to shreds by a relentless media and public and be betrayed time and time again, wishing we could help in some kind of way.

[Edited 6/17/12 12:40pm]

PatrickS77 said:

^^Hmm, I don't know! Obviously Michael is a part of their family and their connection to him is more profound than it ever could be to a fan and obviously their loss is much greater, as they could just pick up a phone and call him or meet him. But still, to some fans, despite not knowing him personally or only knowing him through interviews and short meetings, he still became as much "family" and important as someone could ever get. We suffered with him through all his ordeals. We pretty much stood by helpless, watching him being torn to shreds by a relentless media and public and be betrayed time and time again, wishing we could help in some kind of way.

[Edited 6/17/12 12:40pm]

We "suffered with him," in the sense that it was difficult seeing him as a public caricature after his glorious years. But, still I don't see where we were "family" in that sense. We were just the supporters and fans really. Sometimes I even question if we were part of the problem with Michael and how he lived his life, or was it only his repuation as a celebrity and superstar talent that became a fixture of the public's disdain. It's a very hard pill to swallow I know, but I think back to what Marlon said at his memorial in July 2009.

silverchild said:

PatrickS77 said:

^^Hmm, I don't know! Obviously Michael is a part of their family and their connection to him is more profound than it ever could be to a fan and obviously their loss is much greater, as they could just pick up a phone and call him or meet him. But still, to some fans, despite not knowing him personally or only knowing him through interviews and short meetings, he still became as much "family" and important as someone could ever get. We suffered with him through all his ordeals. We pretty much stood by helpless, watching him being torn to shreds by a relentless media and public and be betrayed time and time again, wishing we could help in some kind of way.

[Edited 6/17/12 12:40pm]

We "suffered with him," in the sense that it was difficult seeing him as a public caricature after his glorious years. But, still I don't see where we were "family" in that sense. We were just the supporters and fans really. Sometimes I even question if we were part of the problem with Michael and how he lived his life, or was it only his repuation as a celebrity and superstar talent that became a fixture of the public's disdain. It's a very hard pill to swallow I know, but I think back to what Marlon said at his memorial in July 2009.

I think its disrespectful to tell someone what they should or should not feel about someone. It doesnt matter if Michaels fans didnt know him personally. People have a right to feel how they feel and shouldnt be labeled crazy or a fanatic. The strong connection goes beyond just him as a musician. Now if you personally dont feel that strongly for him, so be it thats you but you dont have a right to tell someone else how they should or should not feel just like I dont have a right to tell you how you should or should not feel.

[Edited 6/17/12 14:41pm]

mjscarousal said:

silverchild said:

We "suffered with him," in the sense that it was difficult seeing him as a public caricature after his glorious years. But, still I don't see where we were "family" in that sense. We were just the supporters and fans really. Sometimes I even question if we were part of the problem with Michael and how he lived his life, or was it only his repuation as a celebrity and superstar talent that became a fixture of the public's disdain. It's a very hard pill to swallow I know, but I think back to what Marlon said at his memorial in July 2009.

I think its disrespectful to tell someone what they should or should not feel about someone. It doesnt matter if Michaels fans didnt know him personally. People have a right to feel how they feel and shouldnt be labeled crazy or a fanatic. The strong connection goes beyond just him as a musician. Now if you personally dont feel that strongly for him, so be it thats you but you dont have a right to tell someone else how they should or should not feel just like I dont have a right to tell you how you should or should not feel.

[Edited 6/17/12 14:41pm]

I definitely understand that Michael had a strong relationship with his admirers, as I was one of them. I was damaged when he passed away that day. I still get sadden by the fact that Michael had to go through so many ordeals throughout his life, including the trial, legal battles, and other crazy stuff that further brought on his decline. I also understand the many people who protested relentlessly for Michael's justice, and rightfully so. I respect that highly. However, just going off from my role as a hardcore admirer of Michael Jackson (the man and artist), some people come off as if they really understood the pressure Michael and his family were going through at the time, but they really don't in reality. Some were disrespectful and took advantage of Michael, leaving him to become further isolated. Michael could be heavily generous a lot of times, when I feel like people didn't give him a true props until the end of his life. I just get sadden by that notion.

As far as me labeling someone "crazy" or "fanatic," I would never go toward that extreme or even come off as that. That's just not my character, but I'm honest. I stand by the fact that I can only speak for myself, but also I fully understand the deeper issues of how Michael had a deep connection with so many people. I know I had a deep connection with him, but maybe from a different level. I apologize if I came off as too assertive or "insensitive." I'm just speaking off the fact that I have moved on and I will always love him as the musical genius he was, father, son, and sibling. That's how I will always remember and love him by.

[Edited 6/17/12 17:34pm]

silverchild said:

mjscarousal said:

I think its disrespectful to tell someone what they should or should not feel about someone. It doesnt matter if Michaels fans didnt know him personally. People have a right to feel how they feel and shouldnt be labeled crazy or a fanatic. The strong connection goes beyond just him as a musician. Now if you personally dont feel that strongly for him, so be it thats you but you dont have a right to tell someone else how they should or should not feel just like I dont have a right to tell you how you should or should not feel.

[Edited 6/17/12 14:41pm]

I definitely understand that Michael had a strong relationship with his admirers, as I was one of them. I was damaged when he passed away that day. I still get sadden by the fact that Michael had to go through so many ordeals throughout his life, including the trial, legal battles, and other crazy stuff that further brought on his decline. I also understand the many people who protested relentlessly for Michael's justice, and rightfully so. I respect that highly. However, just going off from my role as a hardcore admirer of Michael Jackson (the man and artist), some people come off as if they really understood the pressure Michael and his family were going through at the time, but they really don't in reality. Some were disrespectful and took advantage of Michael, leaving him to become further isolated. Michael could be heavily generous a lot of times, when I feel like people didn't give him a true props until the end of his life. I just get sadden by that notion.

As far as me labeling someone "crazy" or "fanatic," I would never go toward that extreme or even come off as that. That's just not my character, but I'm honest. I stand by the fact that I can only speak for myself, but also I fully understand the deeper issues of how Michael had a deep connection with so many people. I know I had a deep connection with him, but maybe from a different level. I apologize if I came off as too assertive or "insensitive." I'm just speaking off the fact that I have moved on and I will always love him as the musical genius he was, father, son, and sibling. That's how I will always remember and love him by.

[Edited 6/17/12 17:34pm]

No one will fully understand how it was to be Michael Jackson, thats a given but Michael shared similiar qualities that alot of people identified with, vulnerability, loneliness, generosity, etc which made his connection stronger with people not necessarily fans of his music. With that being said, you dont necessarily have to be Michael Jackson to at least have an idea of the kinds of things he had to ordeal and deal with. I personally feel to an extent his fans knew more about him than his own family leading up to his pasting because it was clear they werent close and was out to use him for money. Not saying they didnt love him but it just made the whole picture clearer in how Michael turned out to be... its just really really sad. I really miss Michael

mjscarousal said:

silverchild said:

I definitely understand that Michael had a strong relationship with his admirers, as I was one of them. I was damaged when he passed away that day. I still get sadden by the fact that Michael had to go through so many ordeals throughout his life, including the trial, legal battles, and other crazy stuff that further brought on his decline. I also understand the many people who protested relentlessly for Michael's justice, and rightfully so. I respect that highly. However, just going off from my role as a hardcore admirer of Michael Jackson (the man and artist), some people come off as if they really understood the pressure Michael and his family were going through at the time, but they really don't in reality. Some were disrespectful and took advantage of Michael, leaving him to become further isolated. Michael could be heavily generous a lot of times, when I feel like people didn't give him a true props until the end of his life. I just get sadden by that notion.

As far as me labeling someone "crazy" or "fanatic," I would never go toward that extreme or even come off as that. That's just not my character, but I'm honest. I stand by the fact that I can only speak for myself, but also I fully understand the deeper issues of how Michael had a deep connection with so many people. I know I had a deep connection with him, but maybe from a different level. I apologize if I came off as too assertive or "insensitive." I'm just speaking off the fact that I have moved on and I will always love him as the musical genius he was, father, son, and sibling. That's how I will always remember and love him by.

[Edited 6/17/12 17:34pm]

No one will fully understand how it was to be Michael Jackson, thats a given but Michael shared similiar qualities that alot of people identified with, vulnerability, loneliness, generosity, etc which made his connection stronger with people not necessarily fans of his music. With that being said, you dont necessarily have to be Michael Jackson to at least have an idea of the kinds of things he had to ordeal and deal with. I personally feel to an extent his fans knew more about him than his own family leading up to his pasting because it was clear they werent close and was out to use him for money. Not saying they didnt love him but it just made the whole picture clearer in how Michael turned out to be... its just really really sad. I really miss Michael

That is so true. No one will ever fully understand how it was to be Michael Joseph Jackson. I understood MJ's pain, demons and emotions because outside of being a child prodigy, celebrity and musical icon, he was a human. I'm upset with the fact that Michael just never got a moment of fulfilling transcendance in his life, while he was here on Earth. That is the sad part about the life and longing of Michael Jackson. Money, excess, and the pressures of fame took him out in the end. I really feel your pain mjcarousal because people were truly taking a piece out of Michael and he didn't even see it alot. No matter what Michael did or who people claimed him to be, he was a gift for all of us. I will miss him so much.

silverchild said:

mjscarousal said:

No one will fully understand how it was to be Michael Jackson, thats a given but Michael shared similiar qualities that alot of people identified with, vulnerability, loneliness, generosity, etc which made his connection stronger with people not necessarily fans of his music. With that being said, you dont necessarily have to be Michael Jackson to at least have an idea of the kinds of things he had to ordeal and deal with. I personally feel to an extent his fans knew more about him than his own family leading up to his pasting because it was clear they werent close and was out to use him for money. Not saying they didnt love him but it just made the whole picture clearer in how Michael turned out to be... its just really really sad. I really miss Michael

That is so true. No one will ever fully understand how it was to be Michael Joseph Jackson. I understood MJ's pain, demons and emotions because outside of being a child prodigy, celebrity and musical icon, he was a human. I'm upset with the fact that Michael just never got a moment of fulfilling transcendance in his life, while he was here on Earth. That is the sad part about the life and longing of Michael Jackson. Money, excess, and the pressures of fame took him out in the end. I really feel your pain mjcarousal because people were truly taking a piece out of Michael and he didn't even see it alot. No matter what Michael did or who people claimed him to be, he was a gift for all of us. I will miss him so much.

nicely said

mjscarousal said:

silverchild said:

We "suffered with him," in the sense that it was difficult seeing him as a public caricature after his glorious years. But, still I don't see where we were "family" in that sense. We were just the supporters and fans really. Sometimes I even question if we were part of the problem with Michael and how he lived his life, or was it only his repuation as a celebrity and superstar talent that became a fixture of the public's disdain. It's a very hard pill to swallow I know, but I think back to what Marlon said at his memorial in July 2009.

I think its disrespectful to tell someone what they should or should not feel about someone. It doesnt matter if Michaels fans didnt know him personally. People have a right to feel how they feel and shouldnt be labeled crazy or a fanatic. The strong connection goes beyond just him as a musician. Now if you personally dont feel that strongly for him, so be it thats you but you dont have a right to tell someone else how they should or should not feel just like I dont have a right to tell you how you should or should not feel.

[Edited 6/17/12 14:41pm]

I agree.

Michael's former chef Kai Chase is working on a book titled "MJ Fit for a King"

Free2BMe said:

mjscarousal said:

I think its disrespectful to tell someone what they should or should not feel about someone. It doesnt matter if Michaels fans didnt know him personally. People have a right to feel how they feel and shouldnt be labeled crazy or a fanatic. The strong connection goes beyond just him as a musician. Now if you personally dont feel that strongly for him, so be it thats you but you dont have a right to tell someone else how they should or should not feel just like I dont have a right to tell you how you should or should not feel.

[Edited 6/17/12 14:41pm]

I agree.

i agree 1000%.

Michael is so much more than just an artist to me.. I honestly (dont bash) feel for michael like a brother,a bestfriend, maybe even a father.. as Michael has tought me so much.. Im a boy in highschool, and im teased constantly, about my interest and passions (Music,Art,Theatre, etc.) about my taste in clothing, taste in anything for that matter.. (im not saying this as a sob story, just sharing) my first 2 years of highschool where hell, i had tobacco spit on me at a friday night football game in front of everybody with many rude and loud names called at me afterwards,people were constantly bashing and embarassing me, my "friends" all of a sudden wanted nothing to do with me.things got so bad that i eventually had to be taken out of public school.. I dont know what i would have done without Michael.. Through his music, his performances, his books, his interviews, his message, and seeing what he was put through helped me overcome alot. He was no longer Michael Jackson my hero, but now Michael Jackson My hero and my friend.. Michael has inspired me in so many ways, Musically, Artistically, as a Performer, and as an all aroung good and giving person.. Someone who has had this big of an impact on my life is so much more than just an artist to me, he's a freind..a brother.

(once again wasnt looking for a sympathy card. lol. i just wanted to show that michael is FAR more important to some people than just his music.)

Hey yall here is an original song I wrote for MJ for all fans....cuz of the upcoming days

http://www.youtube.com/wa...EtOZj-ABo0

enjoy

-orignally NMuzakNSoul

dm3857 said:

Free2BMe said:

I agree.

i agree 1000%.

Michael is so much more than just an artist to me.. I honestly (dont bash) feel for michael like a brother,a bestfriend, maybe even a father.. as Michael has tought me so much.. Im a boy in highschool, and im teased constantly, about my interest and passions (Music,Art,Theatre, etc.) about my taste in clothing, taste in anything for that matter.. (im not saying this as a sob story, just sharing) my first 2 years of highschool where hell, i had tobacco spit on me at a friday night football game in front of everybody with many rude and loud names called at me afterwards,people were constantly bashing and embarassing me, my "friends" all of a sudden wanted nothing to do with me.things got so bad that i eventually had to be taken out of public school.. I dont know what i would have done without Michael.. Through his music, his performances, his books, his interviews, his message, and seeing what he was put through helped me overcome alot. He was no longer Michael Jackson my hero, but now Michael Jackson My hero and my friend.. Michael has inspired me in so many ways, Musically, Artistically, as a Performer, and as an all aroung good and giving person.. Someone who has had this big of an impact on my life is so much more than just an artist to me, he's a freind..a brother.

(once again wasnt looking for a sympathy card. lol. i just wanted to show that michael is FAR more important to some people than just his music.)

I agree too! Thankfully my family loved Mike just as much as I did because they knew what he did for humanity and what he's done for music. For months we would talk about Michael, because he's one of those people who inspired everyone, he's ethic of work, his love for humanity, for life, for music is just inspiring to listen to. It's been almost 3 years since his death and even my father will just mention how sucky it is that Michael isnt alive anymore. I think most people who say he was just an artist, say this because they dont know anything besides "Thriller". When you sit down and actually watch Michael sing, dance or talk in interviews your opinion changes drastically. Very few artists have touched me the way Michael has. Inspirational and just a great person, I'll always love you Mike and I dont know many artists that connect SO many different people.

mjscarousal said:

BAD photos for my ladies

One of my all time favorites from BAD, my favorite MJ album. This is probably my favorite song off the album. BAD25 coming up we have to gear up and celebrate the right way!

[Edited 6/12/12 8:30am]

Liberian Girl, is one of my all time fav songs by Mike. The composition and arrangements! OMG! The song is like a movie for your ears!

The discussion kinda dried up so ill try to start something , who started to apreciate invincible more now mike is dead and after the release of 'michael ?

motownlover said:

The discussion kinda dried up so ill try to start something , who started to apreciate invincible more now mike is dead and after the release of 'michael ?

I actuallly began to appreciate Invincible more way before Michael's passing. I remember when it was first released in October of 2001, I was highly disappointed. I felt that it was heavily pedestrian and safe, coming off of the heels of the HIStory period, which hadn't really hit me fully until I got into Invincible more and more. Even though it's unfortunate that Mike never put out another studio album, I felt that Invincible was a great career finale in more ways than one.

motownlover said:

MJ Databank did an interview with Frank Cascio. Interesting that the last few posts discussed Invincible, Frank talks about Michael working on the Invincible project and says that Michael believed that Invincible was ahead of its time.

What I find remarkable about Invincible 11 years after its release is that it has been coined as 'the most expensive album ever made,' yet it doesn't sound ahead of its time. For one, it broke MJ into the new millennium perfectly, just as Dangerous did 10 years before. It will forever be my wish that MJ took a liking to guys like Jay Kay to take his sound to a whole 'nother level artistically. HIStory was such a bold act to follow and it seemed with Invincible, he was just treading into familiar territory to bring him back into the musical realm after a hiatus.

I don't, however, understand why critics and public dismissed it as a 'failure' though. It was a great record that had so much merit and for a man of his stature to record something like it, it was a brave record to return with.

[Edited 6/18/12 17:20pm]

motownlover said:

The discussion kinda dried up so ill try to start something , who started to apreciate invincible more now mike is dead and after the release of 'michael ?

Ive always loved Invincible but lately I have been listening to Break of Dawn and Heaven Can Wait. Invinciblle was definitly an underrated album with quite a few gems. Invincible was Michaels break out album into the new decade and boy was he busting out I think some of the songs on Invincible was ahead of its time. The only reason why people labeled it a failure was because it sold 2 million initially but eventually went on to sale 9/10 milliin copies world wide and this was BEFORE MJ passed. I feel their should have been more singles. I dont re call if Break of Dawn was a single but I know radio stations were playing it the same with Heaven Can Wait. I LOVE Invincible and I enjoyed You Rock My World video.. fuck the bullshit. Michael showed the illest swag ever in that video and that sexy walk down the stairs..... lawddd

I was like 8 years old when Invincible came out