Throwback Thursdays: Michael Jackson – Who Is It
This short film, directed by David Fincher, for Michael Jackson’s dark single “Who Is It” is one of two video versions released in 1993 as part of a promotion for the single. This version never aired in the U.S.
The story goes that Michael wasn’t happy with the finished product, because the video made him out to be ‘normal’ with emotions and everything. So he banned the video from airing in the U.S. A Michael Jackson impersonator played most of his parts because Michael was touring during the filming (that’s the impersonator sleeping on the private jet).
The video is about a millionaire who learns his girlfriend leads a double life as a high-priced call girl. The directing is visceral and sensual. It has everything a Michael Jackson fan wants: excitement, beauty, intrigue, mystery, suspense and a little sex.
PICS: Janet Jackson and Family Arrive at Court
Superstar Janet Jackson, 44, her sister LaToya, 54, brother Randy, 49, and mother Kathleen Jackson, arrived at a Los Angeles Courthouse for a preliminary hearing regarding the death of Michael Jackson earlier today.
Conrad Murray’s pretrial hearing resumed today. He is accused of causing the death of pop icon Michael jackson who died of a Propofol-induced cardiac and respiratory arrest on June 25, 2009.
According to paramedics, Jackson was dead even before his body left his rented mansion. But Murray refused to pronounce him dead at the scene. He insisted that the paramedics continue to resuscitate the 50-year-old singer.
Murray’s defense attorneys claim Jackson took his own life, but Jackson’s bodyguard testified last week that Murray ordered him to hide bottles of Propofol (an anesthetic/sedative used during surgery).
Additionally, the receiving doctor at the emergency room testified that Murray was not forthcoming about the Propofol. The doctor said Murray admitted to giving Jackson only Ativan, a sedative to help him sleep.
A judge will determine if Murray should stand trial on the involuntary manslaughter charge.
Photos: Splash News Online
Quincy Jones: ‘Don’t compare Kanye West to me’
Industry icons from Rolling Stone to Russell Simmons has heaped praise on Kanye West during his dramatic comeback. But not everyone is impressed with the emotionally disturbed rapper.
One of those people who isn’t impressed, the legendary producer Quincy Jones, was rightfully insulted when US magazine tried to compare him — a gifted musician and symphony orchestra conductor — with Kanye West who plays on a drum machine all day.
Us: Kanye West is similar to you in that he’s the producer everybody wants to work with in the last decade….
QJ: How man? No way. Did he write for a symphony orchestra? Does he write for a jazz orchestra? Come on, man. He’s just a rapper. There’s no comparison. I’m not putting him down or making a judgement or anything, but we come from two different sides of the planet. I spent 28 years learning my first skill. I don’t rap. It’s not the same thing. A producer has to have some sort of skills that enable him to be a producer. It’s totally different to know what to do with 16 woodwinds you know from piccolos down to bass clarinet. It’s a whole different mindset. No comparison. None.
When asked what he thought of Kanye, the 77-year-old producer of Michael Jackson’s Epic album Thriller, said, “I don’t think about him much. He’s a great rapper, but there are a lot of good rappers.”
New Music: Michael Jackson ft. Akon – Hold My Hand
Singer/producer Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas joins the chorus of outraged Michael Jackson family and fans protesting Sony’s decision to release an album of unfinished songs by Michael.
Will.i.am recently spoke out against the release by saying, “Whoever put it out and is profiting off of it, I want to see how cold they are,” he said. “He just wasn’t any ordinary artist. He was a hands-on person. To me, it’s disrespectful. There’s no honoring. Michael Jackson songs are finished when Michael says they’re finished. Maybe if I never worked with him I wouldn’t have this perspective. He was very particular about how he wanted his vocals, the reverb he used … he was that hands-on.”
The album, entitled Michael, consists of tracks featuring Lenny Kravitz, 50 Cent and Akon. It will be released on December 14, just in time for Christmas.
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Katherine Jackson On Oprah (Full Interview)
Talk Diva Oprah Winfrey’s exclusive interview with Katherine Jackson aired yesterday after weeks of hype and build up.
The interview drops a few gems, such as clips from private home movies, Katherine’s recollection of the day Michael decided to get a nose job, and when she forces Joe Jackson to admit he whipped Michael with a belt.
Michael Jackson’s adopted children, Prince Michael I, Paris Katherine and Prince Michael II (Blanket), joined Katherine and Oprah later on in the segment (Part 3). Oprah even interviews Jermaine’s baby mama and their 3 offspring.
I was hoping Paris and Prince would mention how Michael dyed their hair blond when they were younger to make them appear more Aryan. Or whether they thought he was really their biological father. But I guess that would have been too much to ask.
The interview was pre-recorded at the beautiful, sprawling Encino family compound where young Michael and his brothers and sisters grew up after the family moved to the west coast from Gary, Indiana.
The mansion is now home to Michael’s adopted children and Jermaine Jackson’s baby mama and 3 sons. I remember when Michael paid the mansion off for Katherine after Joe Jackson left his mother for another woman. Joe and Katherine eventually reunited.
Critics say Michael would have strenuously objected to his children’s appearance on Oprah — especially since she practically labeled him a child molester while he was still alive.
Click link for parts 2 and 3
New Music: Michael Jackson – “Breaking News”
New music from the late pop icon Michael Jackson. No, this isn’t the track that was supposedly released by Katherine Jackson to counteract Sony’s upcoming MJ release.
According to Roger Friedman’s Showbiz 411, “Breaking News” is a track that was written by Michael about himself.
“Who is that boogeyman you’re thinking of?/Why is it strange that I would fall in love?,” Michael sings.
“Breaking News” was produced by Teddy Riley. It was recorded in August 2007.
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Michael Jackson’s ‘Love Child’ Surfaces: Can you see the striking resemblance?
Ever since pop icon Michael Jackson died of heart and respiratory failure last year, a number of opportunists, con artists and just plain weirdos have piled out of the woodwork laying a claim to his fortune.
According to TMZ, the latest nut job to surface is a woman named Mocienne Petit Jackson, who claims she was conceived by Michael while he was still a minor. Normally I wouldn’t waste any computer pixels on this type of nonsense, but her claims were at least partially legitimized by a California judge who gave the go ahead for a DNA test to confirm the paternity!
I can see why the judge would order a DNA test: < SARCASM>doesn’t Mocienne bare a striking resemblance to Michael?< /SARCASM>
