So… what happens now?
Without doubt, Michael Jackson memorabilia and merchandise is about to skyrocket, both in popularity and (unfortunately) price. I just bypassed a DVD of The Jacksons: An American Dream at Wal-Mart on Thursday afternoon, about four hours before the news broke. I bought some other DVD’s instead and figured I’d get that one next time. There’s not a chance I get it for $7.50 now, IF it’s even there anymore. I’m waiting for the MJ shirts to show up (which I might fuck around and buy a bunch of), and hopefully, we can get to hear the newer material he was working on.
Speaking of new music, I’d like to see Michael’s influence shine through even more from here on out. I’d like to see homage paid to him and his work, not only by the artists who idolize him but in their music. I have a feeling that it will be, just as it has in previous decades. Wait… I just had another one of my BRILLIANT ideas! (shoutout to whomever knows where that’s from)
In the ’90s, a number of MJ’s best songs were sampled and reborn by newer hip-hop artists, who were likely huge MJ fans themselves. Let’s do it:
Naughty By Nature “O.P.P.” sampled The Jackson 5 “ABC”: Despite having to give up all kinda publishing rights for the sample (according to group member KayGee), NBN’s first-ever hit was largely based on pieces of The J5‘s 1970 hit, “ABC”. I bet a 12-year-old Mike didn’t think that in 21 years, his voice would be heard on a song about smashin’ somebody else’s piece.
Ghostface Killah featuring Mary J. Blige “All That I Got Is You” sampled The Jackson 5 “Maybe Tomorrow”: Ghostface, member of the Wu-Tang Clan and fan of classic soul records, samples J5 for a tribute to his mother from his ’96 debut solo joint, Ironman. Still one of Ghost’s most memorable, and one of MJB‘s best cameos.
Heavy D & The Boyz “Peaceful Journey” sampled The Jacksons “This Place Hotel”: Also known as “Heartbreak Hotel”, the Jacksons’ big 1980 hit has been sampled a few times. My favorite usage of the song was by Heavy D, who dedicated “Peaceful Journey” to lost loved ones (along with a then-unknown Jodeci on the hook).
De La Soul’s “Breakadawn” sampled Michael’s “I Can’t Help It”: In ’93, a popular album cut from Off The Wall became a popular single by Amityville, Long Island‘s own De La Soul. A loop of the first two bars from “I Can’t Help It” was all it took for the Plugs to kick off their album Buhloone Mind State and drop one of the best singles of that year.
MC Lyte featuring XScape “Keep On Keepin’ On” sampled Michael’s “Liberian Girl”: In ’87, MC Lyte and Jermaine Dupri were both 15 years old, and probably enjoyed MJ’s Bad album. Nine years later, JD uses “Liberian Girl” to give Lyte another hit for her resume. The power of music…
Nas “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” sampled Michael’s “Human Nature”: One of the best tracks from Thriller meets one of the best from Illmatic. This song almost didn’t happen- after Nas and his producer Large Professor were beaten to the punch by SWV’s “Right Here” a few months earlier, they considered shelving it. After further consideration, they went ahead and made it happen anyway, to classic results.
I used to occasionally have debates with older people about sampling. They often saw it as stealing, but I felt like it was the utilization of great old music to help create great new music. Besides, if it weren’t for new artists using the work of those who came before them, this audition would’ve never happened before Berry Gordy‘s eyes:
Good shit homie. I’m definately trin to get the rip tee wit the michael sillouhete for the I
i might wear MJ shirts for the rest of the summer in protest of him being gone… haha
MJ was amazing.. my fav artist! Many are surprised I like him so much because I’m 17. It’s so cool to see how many people appreciated his music enough to sample it! I wish I lived through the 70s, 80s and early 90s!!