Michael Jackson's estate has inked a $200 million deal with Sony Music Entertainment to produce ten project over the next seven years, ventures that may include new album releases, a video game, DVD's and more.
Just nine months after Jackson's death, is it possible that Sony Music will turn the "King of Pop" into a post-death Tupac Shakur--an artist whose reputation continues to be milked for profit long after his untimely demise?
Similar in vein to Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur died suddenly, albeit violently, when he was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996. Since then, Interscope Records, in conjunction with Amaru Entertainment (founded by Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur), have continued to release posthumous albums by the beloved rapper.
In fact, in the past ten years, Interscope has given rap fans four posthumous Tupac albums, all met with mixed reviews: Until the End of Time (2001), Better Dayz (2002), Loyal to the Game (2004), Pac's Life (2006). This doesn't include other albums such as The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (released a month after Tupac's death in 1996), R U Still Down? (Remember Me) (1997) and the soundtrack to Tupac Resurrection (2003), as well as a bevy of documentaries, books, and other merchandise.
Despite this truth, there is little doubt that a huge demand for Michael Jackson--especially overseas--exists. The Walt Disney Co. recently unearthed the 17-minute Jackson movie-attraction "Captain EO" at Disneyland. The Hong Kong based collectible production company Hot Toys will release yet another high-end Michael Jackson figure this year, and the 2009 film "This Is It" grossed more than $260 million worldwide.
Due to his posthumous success, it looks like Michael Jackson will walk the same path as Tupac Shakur in death--a larger-than-life celebrity whose rabid fan desires and consumes new music, products, and information regarding their beloved, fallen star.
You can follow the AFRICAN-AMERICAN ENTERTAINMENT EXAMINER on Twitter and Facebook! Also, be sure to “Subscribe” to this column to receive up to the minute updates on black news and commentary.
Michael Langston Moore also writes for the BOSTON TV EXAMINER column, as well as the SURVIVOR EXAMINER page on Examiner.com.
OTHER STORIES:
Al Sharpton, Peter King, and the Michael Jackson hypocrisy
Cicely Tyson and Dr. Arnold Klein on CNN: Michael Jackson had vitiligo disease (videos inside)
Bill O'Reilly on FOX News: Michael Jackson is not a black icon
Spike Lee Discusses Michael Jackson & Race with Katie Couric on 48 Hours
Al Sharpton, Peter King, and the Michael Jackson hypocrisy
Comments
I'll be honest--I think they're pimping out Michael Jackson for millions of dollars. At least Tupac had, what...like 200 unreleased songs. I don't think Michael has that.
Shaun,
Michael is known for being a perfectionist, who had an extremely high standard for himself. He wrote about 30 songs for BAD album, about 70 songs for Dangerous album and over 100 songs for Invincible albums. He chose the best to be included in each album. Some of the tracks are cut, not because they are not great, but becasue the outtakes may not flow with the tone of the albums. Yes, Michael did have hundreds of unreleased songs. Do I expect songs as great as Billie Jean or Beat It to be unreleased? No. But, I do expect quality music from Michael Jackson. Seriously, his worst stuff is probably better than many of the music we have these days.
I agree with you, but don't you think this is all wrong? I'm not opposed to people making money, but come on. A deal that brings MJ stuff to the public for 7 straight years? Video games and more music?
I just think it's disturbing to see how MUCH money is being made off the guy.
Also, if Michael didn't release those songs originally, being the perfectionist that he was, why would he want those songs to be released to the public? I don't think that what he'd want!
Shaun,
I agree with you that Michael, being the perfectionist he was, would not like the idea of releasing materials that he considered sub-par. He would not have approved the release of This Is It, the movie, and This Is It, the song.
But, being a fan myself, I'm happy to see the release of "new" materials. I have some of Michael's unreleased songs, such as No Fried of Mine and Hold My Hand... Those are not great songs, but not bad songs neither. Those songs would be considered great if released by some other artists. Even the song This Is It grows on me...
Michael Jackson is a legend. It's inevitable that his music will be released posthumously, just like Elvis and the Beatles. There are people, such as younger generaton and people in emerging countries, who are just discovering Michael, so there are market demands.
I consider this deal a win-win situation. Sony makes money and Michael's legacy continues.
Annie--good points, and I will agree with you on the music. If Michael had that much of an unreleased back catalog, then I'm fine with it all coming out. But video games and movies and DVD's--at what point does the satisfaction of the fans end and the milking of a great artist begin?
I look at it like movie sequels. The first movie is often good, and, depending how it ends, can warrant a sequel. Then the second comes out, and you enjoy it. But by the third or fourth movie, you feel like it's just being bled dry solely for money purposes. The creative integrity is gone, and everyone is just out to make a buck. Sort of what--oddly enough--Sony is doing (and has done) with the Spider-Man movie franchise.
Cindy, I agree with you. I don't quite like the idea of video games. By over-exposing Michael, Sony is destroying the mystique surrouning Michael. But, unfortunately, the music business is declining, Sony cannot just rely on album sales. Revenue is coming from other avenues, such as video games, cell phone ring tunes... I believe there won't be another Michael Jackson in the future becasue the era of mega-star and big budget music video is gone.
I just hope that Sony can be thoughtful in releasing Michael's material. Don't just repackaging the same familiar songs over and over. Make sure there is value in each release. Actually, I do hope they release the footage from the Victory Tour and BAD Tour. Michael was sensational in thouse tours!
Fair points, ladies. I've always had good debate when I've come here.
I agree about the Victory and Bad tours!
Yes, this is one of the most pleasant conversations I have on Michael. No name calling. No hateful comments. Just music. I hope more people can talk about Michael Jackson this way.
i love to hear michael jackson music and i hope that sony did fine music of michaels that never was put out there to buy they did say the frist one should be out in november of this year i hope there right about it i will buy it if its michael singing it. 6/28th/10.
i was reading that michael jackson x wife has been seeing her and michaels children i thought that she gave up the kids when there marriage endedshe told michael that the children was a gift for him so now cuz he's gone shes visiting with them now that every one knowns there dad left them a lot of money is that way shes around them i hope michaels mother is carefull on what she is doing a jackson should take care of the kid
Who is Tupac Shakur??? the Unites States are NOT the whole world!
We in Europe dont exactly know who Tupac Shakur was, except some news that he was a gangster or dealer or whoever who was shot....
@Taylor - we in Europe EXACTLY know who Tupac Shakur was. Great rapper, producer, actor and poet. Wikipedia says: Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Rolling Stone Magazine named him the 86th Greatest Artist of All Time.
So be quiet if you're not smart enough.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!