This week in 1983, 47 million television viewers got to see Michael Jackson’s signature moonwalk for the first time during Michael’s performance of “Billie Jean” on the Motown 25th anniversary special.
Michael and Kanye had several moments of musical connection.
"Through the Wire":
"They thought I was burnt up like Pepsi did Michael".
"Slow Jamz":
"She got a light skinned friend look like Michael Jackson / Got a dark skinned friend look like Michael Jackson".
"The New Workout Plan":
"It's like that old Michael Jackson shit".
"Gold Digger":
"She walkin' around lookin' like Michael with your money"
"Don’t Like":
"They wanna find me not breathin’ like they found Mike"
"I Am a God":
"The only rapper compared to Michael"
"Good Life":
direct sample of Michael Jackson's voice in the track "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)".
"Billie Jean 2008":
Kanye officially collaborated with Jackson's estate to remix this classic for the 25th anniversary re release of the album Thriller.
while listening to "Good Life," Michael Jackson asked, "Who's singing there? I liked that voice." Kanye replied that it was him, so Michael complimented him, saying he had a good voice.
Kanye claims that this comment put the "load on his shoulders" to make the album 808s & Heartbreak, which focused entirely on singing and autotune.
he even stated in interviews: "Michael Jackson told me I can sing, so fuck what you all think."
Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris, publicly confirmed the mutual respect between the two:
Paris revealed that the first time she heard the album 808s & Heartbreak was because her father would play it "all the time" for her and her siblings when they were children.
in 2016, when Kanye surpassed Michael Jackson in the number of Top 40 Billboard hits, Paris defended Ye against angry fans, stating that her father was a fan and never saw music as a competition.
“true art”
and it’s literally just the same sentimental millennial indie pop with weak singing and “hey hey” group vocals
a beirut flying club cup song engineered to appeal to imagine dragons fans lol
grow up
I know it takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends
I take full responsibility for what’s mine but I don’t want to put my fans in the middle of it
My fans are everything to me
Looking forward to the next shows
See you at the top of the globe 🌏