TwoCents | Michael Jackson Wasn't A Real Person

"THRILLER" , a four decade old music video that was released before YouTube was even thought just surpassed I billion views on the 18/09 , his legacy is insane . Four decades after its release , THRILLER  continues to captivate audiences , maintaining its cultural relevance and proving its ability to withstand the test of time . This is a legacy to MJ's creative genius and its profound impact on popular culture.  This album which remains the best-selling album of all time, is a testament to his genius in fusing genres. Thriller wasn’t just a pop album—it was a genre-bending collection that incorporated rock, funk, R&B, and even elements of classical music This man has 4 music videos that have surpassed a billion views and will soon have 5. Even more than many modern artists. This is what happens when you make timeless videos and have an unmatched legacy . Mind you , they reuploaded his videos a decade ago and lost 100m+ views. I have seen people  try to compare him to Beyoncé and  Taylor Swift. Lol !  I can't remember the last time I randomly heard someone playing a Beyoncé song . I've never heard anyone playing a Taylor Swift song. Everyday I hear people blasting Michael Jackson while doing their Saturday chores. In Cameroon we have playlist of Oldies  belonging to the music genre like Makossa and Bikutsi , and then Michael Jackson is the only non-Makossa , non-Bikutsi artist that features in Saturday cleaning playlist of the oldies. It is no news that MJ as he is fondly called obtained peak stardom from age 5-50. Nobody is ever touching that. MJ was not a real person, he was a concept.. There is no way you can come in contact with MJ and not be completely blown away and utterly impressed. And his videos , his videos were like movies . Not like they were movies. Look at "Thriller", "Smooth Criminal"... In fact, if you watch the whole "Smooth Criminal" video, it's a proper short film with some music . The music is an exquisite piece of art and the visual is an exquisite piece of art in its own category. Beyond the realm of music and film, Jackson's approach to live performance was another hallmark of his genius. His concerts were not mere musical events but full-fledged theatrical productions, incorporating cutting-edge technology, choreography, and visual effects to create immersive experiences. Perhaps one of the most profound aspects of Michael Jackson’s genius was his ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level. His music often carried themes of love, unity, and social justice, resonating with millions of people across cultural and national divides. Songs like “Man in the Mirror,” “Heal the World,” and “Earth Song” showcased Jackson’s commitment to using his platform for social change.  He didn’t just respond to the trends of his time; he created new ones, influencing the course of the entertainment industry for decades to come.  There is no 20th century artist that will ever beat this record. Tony Elumelu ; a Husband, Father , Mentor, Entrepreneur , Investor , Africapitalist , Chairman @ UBA Group, TOE Foundation, HeirsHoldings, and Transcorp Group was once asked  by Richard Attias at Future Investment Initiative Conference in Saudi Arabia who his role models were  and he mentioned  two : MJ and Steve Jobs .   He said, MJ epitomized hardwork,  and excellence and  further cited his 'This Is It'' videos that displayed how much hard work put in it and I couldn't agree moreThe world will never have someone like like Michael Jackson again. oh!  and thank you for coming to my TED Talk :)

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