I was shocked when legendary producers Gamble & Huff told the story of major retailers who during the 1960s refused to carry music by recording artists who featured African American faces on their album covers. I was equally shocked by Michael Jackson’s death yesterday. Jackson’s death came as a complete surprise to many, including those whom he inspired to become singers, if not stars of some sort. His talent was redolent of James Brown and the countless other bluesmen of whom Gamble and Huff spoke. His success was a result of extreme personal and professional sacrifice. Scandal notwithstanding, Michael’s embodiment of talent, sacrifice and musical achievement define his legacy.
There’s an account of a frustrated MJ, shaken but not deterred by one very popular magazine’s initial decision not to make him their cover story. His response to said magazine, "I've been told over and over that black people on the cover of magazines doesn't sell copies ... Just wait. Someday those magazines are going to be begging me for an interview. Maybe I'll give them one. And maybe I won't." Then came Thriller, the Michael Jackson album that proved his point and eventually shaped and defined the market possibilities of Black music, entertainment and wealth.
Michael’s success catapulted an entire recording industry that was only a few years removed from the collapse of disco music. This success created a symbiotic relationship that transformed a new cable network into a household name. He was the first black artist to gain constant airplay on MTV. From Hip Hop to Rock, Yo MTV Raps to The Real World, Jackson and his parade of hit songs and videos would eventually give rise to an increase in the variety of faces seen on this and other networks. MJ kicked down the door. The delivery of his talent to the world stage ultimately influenced the extent to which media outlets provided a platform for acts like Run DMC who gave birth to scores of future rappers, who gave birth to scores of future producers, who gave music to scores of future artists, who loaned credibility to scores of future brands and modified several industries that exist today. His talent was the supply that fueled market demand.
From MTV to Apple and a thousand points in between, Michael Jackson’s success has given voice to the muted ambitions of those who came before him and anchored the dreams, hopes, profits and realities of throngs who had talent, even those who could not sing. Remaining are those who are thankful for his many contributions. May he rest in paradise – R.I.P.
-K
© 2009 Kobie Brown. All rights reserved.
