If Michael Jackson came to ME for career advice,this is what I would tell him...


***Drop the "King Of Pop" moniker---One of my favorite artists,Marc Anthony,recently said in an interview that he doesn't want to be the "King" of anything."When you're the king,there's nothing else to strive for",he said.So,why would MJ wanna be the "King Of Pop"? And,when you think about it,that's actually a restricting title.It limits him to being ONLY a "pop" artist,with no chance to ever branch out and try something new.Surely MJ wants more than that?

***No more "big name" producers---Michaels' career strategy these days is really simple.He takes a few years off,then looks at the Billboard charts,and calls up all the "hot" producers to begin work on a new album.He spends a few more years (and several millions) working with all these high-priced producers,then finally releases the album.This strategy is tired and ineffective.STOP IT NOW,Mike!!!

***Work with an "unknown" producer---I hate to keep using her as an example...lol...but Madonna is doing things the right way.On her last CD,she worked with the unknown Mirwais,and created a stunning album.Before that,she worked with William Orbit (who wasn't exactly known as a "hot" hitmaking producer) and created the 'Ray Of Light' CD.Mike should travel the world,listen to different types of music,hang out in European nightclubs,meet different collaborators and musicians.Find *ONE* unknown producer,lock himself into a studio with him for a few months (notice I said "months" and not years...lol...),and pretend the two of you are scientists in a lab.Experiment,try new stuff,STOP playing it safe all the time.Make an album that is truly "dangerous" for once!

***Write the lyrics yourself!!---Mike is a great songwriter,but lately,he's become lazy.I want an album that *DEFINES* who he really is as a person.I want personal,introspective,soul-baring lyrics for once.Even though Mike has been around since the early 70s,the world STILL doesn't know who and what he is.He's like an alien.Change this perception with a strong album that answers all those lagging questions.

***Be Realistic---Face the music.1983 is over.You will NEVER sell records like in the 'Thriller' days.Stop obsessing about huge record sales.DO NOT spend $30 Million making an album.That is a dumb career move.Get a grip on reality.You do NOT have to "top" yourself".You did the impossible,you sold 26 million copies of 'Thriller' in the US (50 million total worldwide).You can relax and be proud of that amazing achievement.But,it won't happen again so just accept and move on.


***After Sony??---Mike's deal with Sony is just about over.He can move on and go elsewhere.He will have to decide what to do.I suggest he record a new album first (in the manner which I decribed above...lol)and use that album as a "bargaining tool" when discussing a new deal with another label.Let these record execs know where you are headed musically.Tell them that,if they're expecting a repeat of the Sony years,they can forget it.Show them that you wanna be taken seriously as an artist (it's obvious that,after the success of "Thriller",Sony looked at MJ as a hit-making machine and nothing more).Or,he could start an independent label (rumors suggest that he may do this).Either way,after the 'Invincible' debacle,he should feel more MOTIVATED and excited about where he's headed next.When your back is up against the wall,you should kick ass and do some real damage (I'm sure Prince would agree with that statement...lol..).
[This message was edited Thu Apr 25 6:39:06 PDT 2002 by DavidEye]

if hearing a song in a TV commercial ruined a song for you then I think you should turn off the TV because it has WAY too much influence over your perception of the world. Plus you are putting way too much importance on a song.

I would hope Jackson doesn't lose control of the music publishing. He was the highest bidder -plain & simple. McCartney couldn't get Yoko on his side & he lost out. Tough - thats life. McCartney screams he lost The Beatles catalog while he buys other songwriters catalogs.
Jackson has sold Beatles songs to be used in commercials but these are high quality commercials. Paperback Writer is not turning up as a song for a used bookstore - Jackson does keep a quality control on the use of these songs. When was the last time you heard a Beatles song used for a Target commercial?

Fans of Michael Jackson are planning a protest against Sony Records because Sony has discontinued promotion for Invincible, Jacksons latest CD.

Invincible is Michael's best since Thriller,

Prince's last decent album was The Truth (5 yrs ago)

Go Figure!

If Prince spent more time putting all his good songs on one album he'd probably still have a chart career.

Stop hating on Mike just b'cos he can still sell.

Jealousy, eh?
[This message was edited Thu Apr 25 14:13:33 PDT 2002 by Cloudbuster]

ALSO HOW ABOUT A MJ UNPLUGGED ALBUM!!!

You would be surprised how this could work. As a matter of fact Mike could come up with some nice strip down arrangements of some of his best songs and maybe a new song or two and just get on stage in front of a small audience(No ladies passing out screaming. No MEN passing out screaming). Just a small audience in an intimate environment. Can you imagine him dusting off a gem like "Push Me Away"from the Tha Jacksons album "Destiny"and peforming a nice acoustic piece of this song with Carlos Santanta playing the acoustic pieces on his acoutic guitar, THIS COULD WORK .As I've stated before, Mike's reputation as a DANCE ARTIST has concealed a secret weapon in his artistry...his vocal skills on a ballad. Then he could take that creativity and attitude to the lab and make that great artistic,introspective album that David was talking about. He can do it he just got to get to it and stop focusing on sales. That's all he seems to care about. Everybody from Quincy Jones to Stevie Wonder have been trying to state to Mike that this is a detriment to his artistry. If he'd only listen

* Brother 9/15 aka CR3

Cloudbuster said:

if u feel that way about prince then y r u on Prince.org?

ALSO HOW ABOUT A MJ UNPLUGGED ALBUM!!!

Mike can't do un unplugged no more.. why? two words:

HIS FACE.

he can't have a camera constantly pointed at his face. if you saw his 30th anniversary show last september you'd know why. i've wanted him to do that for a long time, but it's too late now.. he should have done it in '95 after releasing 'history'. too bad.

..he's due to be in the "Men In Black" sequel later this year.

but don't get all excited; the role ain't all that promising and not to be takin' seriously is what i heard.

Invincible is far away his best Album ever..

Actually,the role will be more involved than what was originally believed."We shot five hours of material",director Barry Sonnefeld says."Michael is extremely funny in this film.He's gonna surprise alot of people".

Why promote a shitty album?

btw,

MJ

I agree.Mike needs to take a whole new approach to making albums.He's had the same,tired strategy for years.He takes three years off,then looks at the Billboard charts,calls up all the "hot" producers of the moment,and then spends another two years recording new songs.I enjoy his albums regardless,but I feel it's time for him to go in another,bold direction for once.