Wednesday, May 28, 2014

The Michael Jackson Estate remembers Maya Angelou:

Maya angelou, the poet, author and civil activist has died at aged 86. Angelou’s legacy is twofold. She leaves behind a body of important artistic work that influenced several generations. She was praised by those who knew her as a good person, a woman who pushed for justice and education and equality. Im deeply saddened to learn of her passing but her voice, her words will be heard for all time. ~ Qbee




Here is a message from Michael Jackson's Estate on the loss Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was a hero to the millions of people whose lives she enriched with her extraordinary wisdom, powerful words, eternal message of hope as well as her commitment to teaching others and sharing her gifts. Upon Michael’s passing, Dr. Angelou wrote “We Had Him,” a poetic tribute to Michael in which she poignantly captured the world’s aching feeling of loss with its joy at having known Michael.

“He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style.
We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.
We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.
His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.
And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.
We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.”

As we mourn the loss of Dr. Angelou, we honor her for having given us all she had been given.



Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Artist and Inspiration Behind the Cover of Michael Jackson's Xscape



The Artist Behind Michael Jackson's Xscape
 Anders Christian Madsen i-d.vice.com

Mat Maitland is the visual artist and Michael Jackson super fan chosen to create the cover art for his idol’s second posthumous album, Xscape. A part of Big Active, the art direction and illustration agency, Mat worked on the UK campaign for Michael’s Number Ones album in 2003, and designed a UK sleeve for the single Cheater off his 2004 compilation, The Ultimate Collection, before J.P. Robinson of Epic Records asked him to dream up an image for Xscape. Based only a stone’s throw away from i-D, in the Tea Building in Shoreditch, we spoke to Mat about creating the cover of a lifetime.

Cover image by Mat Maitland at Big Active,
 featuring an original photograph by Bill Nation

When did you first become a Michael Jackson fan?
I became a fan when I was about 13 years old, around the time of Thriller. His impact on me still echoes in my life because he captured something inimitable and enigmatic, a quality which has made him a legend and one of the world’s greatest cultural assets. Nobody has achieved what he has. I went to see him on the Bad Tour in 88 and again for Dangerous, both at Wembley Stadium. I have all the books, biographies, vintage tour shirts and even placed a bid to win one of his hats at a fan club convention in London, but got outbid just before he made a surprise appearance with Uri Geller and put a halt to the auction.

How did you approach the cover art?
The principal theme is the eyes and I guess the key inspiration is the Dangerous cover, which I absolutely love. The challenge was to create something that would look contemporary and simple. I wanted the established and the fresh to exist together and I also discussed the music and how it represents a celebration of Michael’s musical heritage and its future. This was also one of the main driving factors for the artwork.

Where did the different elements of the cover come from?
My imagination.

When was the original picture taken?
The cover is based on a photograph by Bill Nation, I think from the late 90s or early 00s.

What does the cover represent?
I wanted to create an image that would be all-encompassing, something that would trigger thoughts of Michael Jackson being omnipresent and with no limitations. I was drawing parallels between his new music being released now, but also hopefully inviting the viewer to think about his universal legacy.

When you look at this cover, what emotions do you get from him? Michael’s eyes were extremely expressive yet hard to read.
Yes, it’s true. It’s a truly enigmatic look. I find strength and vulnerability in equal measures. 

Did you consult any old quotes of Michael’s about his taste and aesthetic before designing the cover?
After more than two decades reading everything Michael Jackson related, listening to his music and watching his videos, I didn't feel the need to revisit old quotes. He’s already ensconced in my head!

What would Michael have thought about the cover?
Well, we’ll never know that, it’s not for me to say. I hope he would have loved it.

Which MJ cover is your favourite and why?
Dangerous is my favourite cover. Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad were great but those were using quite straightforward images of him. Dangerous was far more personal and drew on the mythology of his world. The image literally depicts a fantasy ‘Michael Jackson’ circus ride, where you are almost being invited to buy a ticket, jump on board and explore his world – and the album. It’s as though the surface of the image acts as a mask to the thrill ride behind, which is more gothic and scary. The image was painted by Mark Ryden, with art direction by Nancy Donald. It came out in the age of compact discs, which makes it a refreshingly ornate cover for its time.

What aspect of Michael’s character and universe fascinates you most?
To me, Michael Jackson is a master of imagination, who drew a veil of dreams over reality. The weird and wonderful world he immersed himself into, combined with the amazing music he created, all contributed in making him compelling and the ultimate entertainer. 

Visually, what was so unique and captivating about Michael’s aesthetic?
Visually, Michael Jackson was exhilarating. He was wondrously expressive through clothes, dance and videos. It was all about dramatic power and creating narrative impressions. He also projected an otherworldly and mysterious presence, which made him extremely fascinating. He left a style legacy which continues to influence people today – the single white glove, armbands, sequins, red leather jacket, military style outfits, slim-line silhouettes, fedora hats, white socks and loafers. He was really clever in using things from the past and making them his own, often drawing on Old Hollywood icons and films, something no one else did at the time. 

Do you have any favourite MJ looks?
There are so many iconic looks. I thought he looked amazing in This Is It, the film, where he explored the Balmain vision with all the super sharp shoulder jackets. His other outfits in the film were also super contemporary: the Tom Ford tuxedo, skinny orange Dior Homme jeans, and gold sequinned Alessandro Dell’Acqua trousers. The costumes planned for that tour looked incredible, particularly the Billie Jean look, which consisted of a jacket, tuxedo trousers, ankle socks and a single glove, which were supposed to light up using a new kind of LED technology, or the white crystal outfit with skyscraper shoulders. He was bringing a new aesthetic to life. 

What about his off-duty looks?
I love his everyday look around the time of Bad. There’s a photo of him in Westlake Studios where Bad was recorded: he’s looking casual and really cool in a black fedora, Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a red velvet shirt, black trousers, a gold belt buckle, and black loafers. 

In your opinion, what’s the best Michael Jackson short film?
Leave Me Alone is definitely one of my favourite Michael Jackson videos! It has so much to say about celebrity culture and directly tackles tabloid reports on his supposedly bizarre personal life. It is littered with references to the wild rumours that dogged his life, but he makes fun of them with great wit. I guess the amusement park ride is emblematic of the machinations behind the star system. It shows us how threatening it can be. The video is a collage like animation, which is one of the main reasons I love it as it echoes certain elements of my own illustration work. I often think about the link between this video, which was the last song on Bad, and the Dangerous cover image, both depicting a surreal fairground ride.



bigactive.com  matmaitland.com

Source: Anders Christian Madsen i-d.vice.com

Monday, May 26, 2014

Michael Jackson's Resting Place will be covered in a Sea Of Roses, June 25th 2014

On June 25,  A sea of Roses will be delivered to Forest Lawn to commemorate the anniversary of Michael Jackson's passing.  They are a gift from his loyal fans from all over the world. 'One Rose For Michael J. Jackson' is a project that is very dear to my heart, because  it give fans from all over the world a chance to express their deep love and affection for Michael to the  world in a very beautiful, significant and public way.




This will be the 5th Anniversary of Michael's passing and once again fans will be showing their love and respect by sending a roses to forest lawn for Michael. Many fans are unable to visit Forest lawn to pay their respect. So  In this way we  can be there  via our roses. We are showing the world that Michael is still loved very dearly by his fans around the world and will never be forgotten. This is a grand statement  of how much Michael Jackson means to us and always will.




The Roses are ordered from Passion growers in the  LA area and carefully handled and delivered to the fans (event organizers) at Forest Lawn, who place them around Michael's resting place. It is a beautiful sight to behold. The walk way all the way up to and around Holly Terrace is literally covered in a sea of Roses for Michael.


(2013) MJ fans sent over 13 Thousand Roses to honor their beloved Michael Jackson

To continue Michael's charitable legacy, the One Rose website also promotes,  Unicef and St Judes Charities for Children. The MJ fanbase worldwide donates to many various charities in Michael's name. and has even built a childrens home in Liberia and one in Haiti, funded by the fans. The 'One Rose For Michael J, Jackson' project was created specifically for fans to send flowers to Michael's final resting place. So the MJ fan base has all bases covered, when it comes to honoring their beloved Michael Jackson.

After the event the flowers are then delivered by the fans to hospitals nursing homes, shelters and also Lullabye Land (childrens section) at Forest lawn so others can be touched by their beauty and enjoy the Love gift of  Michael's Roses.


Make sure your Rose for Michael is there?


The cut off date to order your rose(s) is June 18th



Paypal accounts send to: OneRose4MJJ@gmail.com
Send $3.00 per Long stem freedom Rose
Only $21.00 for 7 roses ( Michael's favorite number)


For more information and details in how to purchase your rose
via credit or debit card, visit OneRose4MJJ official site at
http://onerose4mjj.blogspot.com



"May each petal on every rose we send be a kiss floating into eternity for Michael" ~ Qbee



Friday, May 23, 2014

High Schooler's Dance to ‘Billie Jean’ Gets The Attention of Michael Jackson's Estate

A video that has been circulating the last week has become a fan favorite showing High school student Brett Nichols, Dancing to Michael Jackson's Billie Jean in a H.S talent show blowing every one away and won the Trophy.  Apparently it has come to the attention of the Michael Jackson estate who just extending an Invitation to Bret and his family. That is something Michael would do himself. BRAVO  MJ Estate. ~ Qbee


Student Dances to Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ w/ Perfect Moonwalk

Pitman High School Students in California put on a talent show for the end of the school year. There were many acts, but none even came close to one teen’s perfect impression of Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’, Motown 25th anniversary performance.  Brett clearly spent a lot of time studying MJ’s every move – including the moonwalk!




Brett W. Nichols has never had any formal training. Over the years, through YouTube, he spent months just watching Michael Jackson videos again and again… he studied each part and taught himself. Brett won first place at the talent show and is now enjoying his celebrity status at school. No doubt the King of Pop would be proud.

But The 17-year-old Michael Jackson fan  didn't just win his school's talent show with his MJ routine ... he caught the eye of MJ's estate ... who have invited Bret and his family  to Las Vegas for a show

A rep for the Jackson estate says  the  the executors saw Nichols' impressive performance and were blown away ... so they put together a package to send to Nichols to show how much they liked his act.

The rep says they sent Nichols some Michael Jackson  CDs and an invitation for Brett and his family (mom, dad and sister) to all attend a performance of Michael Jackson ONE in Las Vegas.

They  contacted Nichols' principal, who in turn told Nichols and his family this afternoon ... who were predictably beyond excited.



Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Michael Jackson Makes Billboard Chart History With 29th U.S. Top 10 Hit


Michael Jackson has made pop chart history in America
from beyond the grave by becoming the only solo artist to score top 10 hits in five successive decades.





The King of Pop's Love Never Felt So Good duet with Justin Timberlake rockets into the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 at number nine, giving Jackson an unmatched feat.

The new hit is the late superstar's 29th top 10 - he scored his first in November, 1971, when Got to Be There landed at number nine on the countdown. In total, he has spent a record-breaking 42 weeks in the Hot 100 top 10.


His latest chart feat comes just days after Jackson appeared in hologram form for a show-stopping spectacle at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday May 18, 2014



Source: Wenn.com

Message from Michael Jackson Estate: Michael's Artistry, Xscape Album and MJ Magical Illusion.

Below is a message sent from the Estate of Michael Jackson to addresses, Michael's artistry, the success of the Xscape album and the MJ Magical Illusion presented at the Billboard Awards. ~ Qbee

Message From the Estate of Michael Jackson
May 20, 2014


Hello:

As with so many times before, Michael Jackson’s artistry and genius is again at center stage.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of promotion for Michael’s new album, XSCAPE – starting with the premiere of the album’s first single “Love Never Felt So Good” on the iHeart Music Awards, and continuing to the performance on the Billboard Awards Sunday night. These performances were the highlights of both shows and netted Michael the #1 album on the planet, the #1 spot on iTunes and Spotify and the #1 single/video on iTunes!

Michael’s music is also part of two worldwide advertising campaigns - Sony Mobile using “Slave To The Rhythm” and Jeep using “Love Never Felt So Good.” This is an incredible testament to the King of Pop! Our goal is to reach as many people as possible and to expand the community to include as many new fans as possible. Given all that has happened in these last few weeks, that goal has been accomplished. Everyone around the world is talking about Michael’s music and his achievements!

Our other goal is to use new and innovative ways to create entertainment on a grand scale that allows the world to experience Michael’s magic – something that reflects Michael’s love of spectacle and grandeur and his own desire to be a step ahead of others. The best entertainment is that which evokes “suspended disbelief”; it’s about entertainment, not reality. When David Copperfield makes an airplane disappear, the illusion is no less compelling because it is not real. No one will ever replace Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. And certainly no one can dance like the greatest entertainer who ever lived – not even an illusion. Michael’s music and spirit are immortal, and that has been proven again these last few weeks. In bringing Michael’s spirit to the stage, the entire world was reminded of Michael’s genius as a singer, a dancer, and an innovator who pushed the envelope.

We want to thank the MJ fan community for their continued support for Michael and wanted to take this opportunity to share some of the things that we are seeing and reading. The incredible visibility over the last few weeks as the world has celebrated the release of XSCAPE is amazing. We hope the fans are as thrilled as we are to see all of this promotion call attention to Michael’s music. Here are some of the highlights of the reaction to the Billboard performance. You will soon see the reaction to the first week sales of XSCAPE.


Jackie Jackson said "It was like he was right here with us. I got teary eyed to see my brother up there. I thought he was there for real." Ludacris chimed in: "It sent chills down my spine." Watch here: http://gma.yahoo.com/video/michael-jackson-takes-center-stage-123231754.html

This was the biggest audience that the Billboard Music Awards has enjoyed in 13 years. ABC, the network that carried the broadcast, won the night for most viewers.

The highest viewership occurred between 9-10 p.m. - when Michael's segment occurred.http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/bbma-2014/6092128/tv-ratings-billboard-music-awards-abc?utm_source=twitter


LA Times says "Michael Jackson Thrills In Hologram Performance": http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-billboard-music-awards-20140519-story.html


E! Online thought it was "Incredible": http://www.eonline.com/news/542973/michael-jackson-s-hologram-takes-the-2014-billboard-music-awards-stage-see-the-pic?cmpid=tweol-manual
Euro Weekly News says "Jackson Thrills At Music Awards": https://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/world-news/item/120630-michael-jackson-thrills-at-billboard-music-awards


German report describes the illusion like a "mirror of the real thing:" http://www.rtl.de/cms/news/rtl-aktuell.html


Robin Roberts of Good Morning America Tweeted:

Diddy loved the experience:




Tyler from Florida Georgia Line was impressed with the performance:



Fox News says the performance "Stole The Show:"


Robin Leach "dares" you to tell him it didn't look real:




Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and host of Shark Tank posted on Instagram "He's BAAAACK":





Floyd Maywether dug it:

...and from Fans:
YouTube star Trevor Moran:












And all of this is in addition to the fact that Xscape is #1 in 50 countries; "Slave To The Rhythm" shot from #311 to #39 on the iTunes charts, and the album is currently #1 worldwide on Spotify as well.

Here is just a small taste of the worldwide press:

Xscape is #1: http://teleobs.nouvelobs.com/actualites/20140519.OBS7681/le-nouvel-album-de-michael-jackson-n-1-des-ventes-sur-itunes-france.html

Xscape debuts #1: http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/michael-jacksons-posthumous-album-xscape-set-to-debut-at-number-1-3011/


http://www.elremix.com/2014/05/michael-jackson-primer-1-postumo-en-el-reino-unido.html


India gives Xscape The Bombay Flip Project Treatment: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-jacksons-love-never-felt-705543


Xscape in Italy: http://www.sorrisi.com/2014/05/15/michael-jackson-xscape/


Xscape in Macedonia: http://www.antenna5.com.mk/Charts/TopListi.aspx?mp2=9&lm=4&vt=f&mp=1


Belgium: http://www.lalibre.be/culture/musique/michael-jackson-eternel-revenant-536ce5f03570102383c31d66

http://nl.ptg.be/statics/michael_jackson_Xscape

http://www.skynet.be/muziek/nieuws/artikel/44141/win-xscape-van-michael-jackson-een-sony-xperia-m2-of-een-authentieke-platinum-award

http://focus.levif.be/culture/musique/michael-jackson-presque-ressuscite-a-la-gare-bruxelles-midi/article-normal-14169.html

http://www.rtbf.be/classic21/article_un-labyrinthe-surprise-a-bruxelles?id=8264391

http://blog.lesoir.be/frontstage/2014/05/09/remportez-votre-exemplaire-de-xscape-le-nouveau-michael-jackson/

http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/3844/Belgique/video/detail/1881845/Xscape-fait-revivre-le-roi-de-la-pop.dhtml

http://www.cinetelerevue.be/fr/rencontrez-michael-jackson-le-10-mai-a-bruxelles.html?cmp_id=7&news_id=27676


Switzerland: http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/pop-und-jazz/Jackson-wuerde-nicht-so-klingen/story/16816726


Netherlands: http://www.3fm.nl/nieuws/detail/358822/Michael-Jacksons-Xscape-nu-te-beluisteren

http://www.nrc.nl/muziek/2014/05/09/xscape-het-nieuwe-album-van-michael-jackson-is-nu-te-beluisteren/

http://www.jackson-source.com/news/1559-dutch-fans-michael-jackson-kritisch-over-xscape

http://www.radio6.nl/nieuws/detail/2787/Win-deze-week-Xscape%3B-het-nieuwe-album-van-Michael-Jackson

http://www.radio6.nl/nieuws/detail/2765/nieuwe-track-michael-jackson

http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/23/MUZIEK/article/detail/3651739/2014/05/08/Fans-Michael-Jackson-kritisch-over-Xscape.dhtml

http://nl.tilllate.com/nl/news/michael-jackson-album-mit-acht-neuen-songs-erscheint-am-13-mai

http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/5602/Muziek/article/detail/3651739/2014/05/08/Fans-Michael-Jackson-kritisch-over-Xscape.dhtml 





The press was delighted with Usher's performance to "Love Never Felt So Good" at the iHeartMusic Awards at the beginning of the month:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/iheartradio-music-awards-top-6-3486308

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6077181/iheartradio-music-awards-michael-jackson-love-never-felt-so-good-usher

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/01/new-michael-jackson-song_n_5250500.html

http://www.justjared.com/2014/05/01/michael-jacksons-new-song-gets-premiere-at-iheartradio-music-awards-2014-video/


The Jeep Commercial featuring "Love Never Felt So Good" is set to be the song of the summer:

“This is a unique collaboration with Epic Records and L.A. Reid, and the USA Basketball Team — together we are creating a new definition of summer,” said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group LLC. “‘Love Never Felt So Good’ makes you want to dance, to move, to play, to get up off the couch...” - See more at: http://madamenoire.com/429656/jeeps-jackson-michael-jacksons-new-music-1-50-countries-new-car-campaign/#sthash.NdO9cm7D.dpuf


"Jeep Ads Bop To Michael Jackson Track": http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/05/11/michael-jackson-jeep/8969697/

"Michael Jackson Unreleased Song in Jeep Ads": http://money.cnn.com/2014/05/08/autos/michael-jackson-jeep/

SiriusXM debuted an all-Michael Jackson channel: http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140512-910108.html


And of course, you are all familiar with the worldwide campaign with Sony Mobile that launched promotions for the album:

http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2014/05/08/sony-xperia-z2-india-launch-includes-free-michael-jackson-album/

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1405/S00156/auckland-michael-jackson-tribute-event-before-xscape-release.htm

http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/05/sony-xperia-z2-launches-uae-saudi/

http://www.t-online.de/unterhaltung/musik/id_69286134/-xscape-von-michael-jackson-bei-der-telekom-vorab-hoeren.html


And, then there have been, of course, the incredible events produced by you, the fan clubs. Those celebrations have been invaluable, and we love seeing reports, photos, videos, and updates from those activities.


Let's continue to celebrate Michael's music.


MJOnline
The Official Online Team of The Michael Jackson Estate™


Source: Official Email sent from the Michael Jackson Estate

Monday, May 19, 2014

Behind the Scenes: Michael Jackson Hologram Rocks Billboard Music Awards

Here is some behind the scenes information from Billboard about the Virtual Michael. We learn  how recent it came about, who produced the feature and who choreographed the moves for the dance etc. ~ Qbee 


Michael Jackson Hologram Rocks Billboard Music Awards
 Go Behind the Scenes

The Michael Jackson performance on the 2014 Billboard Music Awards was the result of nearly half a year of planning, choreography and filming, not to mention the development of new technology. Producers of the Billboard Music Awards did not see even a portion of the film until eight days before the broadcast.

"We've been talking about it for the last five months and while we were talking about it they were still inventing the process," says BBMA director and producer Larry Klein. "It was really strange talking about something that did not exist."


Jackson, in hologram form, performed "Slave to the Rhythm" midway through Sunday night's show with a five-piece band and 16 dancers live onstage. Jackson appeared in gold jacket, white T-shirt and brick red trousers on a set modeled on the art work for the album "Dangerous," an appropriate choice as the track was recorded in 1991 with L.A. Reid and Babyface during the sessions for that album. Released this week on "XSCAPE," which is neck-and-neck with the new Black Keys album for No. 1 on the Billboard 200 next week, the track was produced by Timbaland.

BBMA producers Dick Clark Productions built a special stage at the rear of the MGM Grand Arena that was used only for the Jackson performance. Dancers moved through aisles as Jackson was seen rising from a throne, walking down steps before going into several trademark routines, a moonwalk being one of the them. Lasers, streams of flames and dancers in ancient costumes were part of the film.

Klein shot it to give the presentation the feel of a live performance. "You were watching the magic of Michael Jackson just like you would have when he was performing," says Klein.

The selection of "Slave to the Rhythm" for the hologram performance was made late last year; Jackson associates the Talauega brothers and Jamie King were brought in to choreograph and direct the video, which was produced by Pulse Evolution and Tricycle Logic.

"At the time we made the decision," says Jackson's lawyer and adviser John Branca, "'Slave to the Rhythm' felt like a song was something people could dance to, a potential club song. We talked to Jamie King, who directed the Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil shows and we all felt the song was very likeable."

The Talauega brothers, Rich and Tone, were brought on right after the new year and they started to draw up dance moves for Jackson and the other dancers in the film. Their involvement with Jackson dates back to the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards; they also choreographed the HIStory tour in 1997 and if one had to guess, the image of Michael used in the performance appears to be from that era based on his hair and clothing.

"We knew we didn't need to go so far left field with his dance moves -- we just kept it within his world," Rich Talauega says. "Its just the way you reconfigure his steps so it looks different. You're still speaking the same language, it's just a different dialect."

Tone Talauega, who was still in high school when he started working with Jackson, says they studied the singer's moves and had small things adjusted - the angle of a hand, the tilt of his head. The performance is "classic Michael, but we put our spice on it," he says.

Demand for the Jackson hologram was considerable, but in the end Branca and the estate felt it needed to be shown with a live audience.

"It's so important to experience Michael Jackson in a live setting," Branca says. "This is something where we wanted a live performance in front of a live audience and nothing speaks to that more than an awards show."


Source: http://www.billboard.com/

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Billboard Awards preview: Michael Jackson imagery is ‘as if he’s still alive’

Here are some highlights from Robin Leaches article on Lasvegassun, discussing more details of the Virtual Michael who will appear at the Billboard Awards show, Sunday on  ABC 8 PM EST. I hope it lives up to all the hype ~ Qbee





Billboard Awards preview: 
Michael Jackson imagery is ‘as if he’s still alive’
By Robin Leach  / Saturday, May 17, 2014 | 12:32 p.m.

Highlights. 

  • A “real-life” Michael Jackson will appear halfway through the 2014 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday at MGM Grand Garden Arena despite last-minute lawsuits and court filings to block the spectacle.
  • “It’s as if he’s still alive. He’s totally real. It’s absolutely uncanny. People who have seen just a little of it have become so emotional, they have tears running down their face. They are sobbing because it’s as if he didn’t die,” I was told
  • A veil of secrecy has been lowered over the Billboard extravaganza. The only official word from ABC and Dick Clark Productions is that “it will be a history-making performance.”
  • But I learned exclusively Friday night that Michael’s image to be unveiled about halfway in the three-hour ABC telecast is brand new technology.
  • “It was two years in development and took an additional six months to create for this network premiere,”
  • “This is way, way beyond a hologram. It is way, way beyond what you know as 3D. This isn’t even digital. It is far more advanced and a totally new process.
  • Michael will be seen dancing with a cast of dancers. He will be seen moonwalking back and forth the entire MGM Grand Garden Arena stage. He also will be seen dancing up and down stairs
  • “This is the most emotional piece of television we have ever produced in our 40-year TV careers,” two Dick Clark Productions execs told me. “A few people have seen it, a tiny portion of it, already in the arena and have been crying — it’s that powerful. Incredibly, it plays even better on the TV screen, so imagine how viewers will react at home.
  • “They will be in a state of disbelief. It’s as if he’s still alive at the height of his career.”
  • I learned that Michael’s estate trustees came across undiscovered L.A. Reid recorded footage of Michael that they didn’t know existed. The lawsuit says the music will be a new song, “Slave to the Rhythm.”
  • “They didn’t know what they originally wanted to do with it or make with it except just wanting to capture him alive forever. That became the background format for this new technology.
  • “This has never been done before. It is 100 steps beyond anything anybody has ever thought you’d experienced as a hologram. It is so real, it is so lifelike, there is no way an audience would know the artist is not there in front of them.
  • “That will be proven Sunday night with Michael Jackson, just like he’s done before time and time again as a pioneer with music-technology breakthroughs.”
  • A few key major city radio DJs were given a 30-second sneak preview of the spectacle after signing secrecy agreements. Under strict promises of remaining anonymous, I was told: “Within 10 seconds, I was shaking. Then I started sobbing. Michael was alive. I had goose bumps. He was as real as the day I last saw him alive.
  • “I cannot tell you what he does, but his fans from this point on will never believe that he died. It will be four minutes they will remember forever.”
  • No plans for its future use have yet been revealed, but I am told that plans will be forthcoming and will be expanded to include other song material later.

Jackie Jackson Loves the New Michael Jackson Xscape Album



JACKIE JACKSON - I'M IN TEARS OVER MJ'S NEW ALBUM


Jermaine said he was against it, but brother Jackie says he's so excited about the new cd, it made him cry. Jackie says he's listened to the entire Xscape cd and thinks producer L.A. Reid "hit it right on the head," adding, "It brought tears to my eyes to see that they felt Michael was in the room when they made the record."

Jackie says he loves "Xscape" so much, he went out and bought copies for himself and friends.

Think he'll give one to Jermaine?


Source : tmz

Friday, May 16, 2014

Michael Jackson Appearance at Billboard Awards Makes the infamous 2pac hologram look like a 1980's video game

Billboard Music Awards Planning "Spectacular" Michael Jackson Moment That Will "Make TV History"



The Estate of Michael Jackson was present at a closed dress rehearsal for the "moment" at 6:30pm on Thursday in Las Vegas -- and we're told everyone watching had to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to keep the specifics under wraps.

Here's what we do know ...
- Insiders describe the spot as "a world on stage that captures the essence of Michael, all the excitement and magic that is MJ."

We're told it'll make stunts like 2Pac's now infamous hologram performance at Coachella look "like a 1980s video game."


Read More :  http://www.toofab.com/2014/05/15/michael-jackson-billboard-music-awards/

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Miko Brando: “my father Marlon Brando died a broken man”

I have a lot of respect and love for Miko. He also had a lot of loss in his life. So sad to hear what his father Marlon Brando went though, Im glad he had Michael as a friend and Miko to help him. Reading this actually made me tear up. ~ Qbee


Ten years after MARLON BRANDO’s death, his oldest living son MIKO reveals how the Hollywood legend suffered a devastating breakdown in the 1990s and other intimate secrets about the troubled Brando family!



In an exclusive interview with The ENQUIRER, Miko Brando, 53, told how the screen superstar’s spirit was broken when his son Christian killed his daughter Cheyenne’s boyfriend Dag Drollet in 1990 at Marlon’s Mulholland Drive house in Los Angeles. “My dad was in bad shape,” said Miko. “It was the first time that I really had to take care of him. He always took care of me.”




The “Godfather” Oscar winner – who battled diabetes and once weighed more than 300 pounds – also broke down in court on the witness stand before Christian pleaded guilty to voluntary man*slaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. “What happened not only took Dag’s life but also wrecked Christian’s life and shattered my dad,” said Miko. “I was there for my dad because he needed me to be strong when he couldn’t.”




Miko is Brando’s son with his second wife, Mexican-American actress Movita Castaneda, now 97. He’s one of the late star’s 11 children, a brood that has endured a series of other heartbreaking tragedies, including his sister Cheyenne’s suicide in 1995. Miko also lost his first wife Jiselle in a car accident, and he was shattered by the death of his good friend Michael Jackson.
“He’s still here,” Miko said of Michael’s spirit. “And my dad is, too. He lives on. It’s amazing – two the icons of the 20th century are my closest intimates. And they them*selves were best friends.”

Now, Miko is busy with a project that is a tribute to his father. In July, he’s opening The Brando, a resort on Tetiaroa, the stunning Polynesian island Marlon bought more than 50 years ago after starring in “Mutiny on the Bounty.” He not only fell in love with the South Pacific but also with his beautiful co-star Tarita, who became his third wife.

“This project has been in the works for a long time,” said Miko. “We’re going to have the opening on July 1. Tetiaroa is still in the family, but now we’ve created a hotel so others can come here.”
Managed by his dad’s friend Richard Bailey, the resort is solar-powered and green-certified.

“This makes a lot of sense, since it’s hard to get utilities in the middle of the Pacific Ocean,” said Miko. “Guests can fly right onto the island. My dad built an airstrip on Tetiaroa long ago because, growing up, we always used to go over by boat. But the seas could be brutal, and the waves so huge you would get sick. The Brando resort is 12 islands in a lagoon surrounded by a coral reef. The hotel consists of about 35 bungalows on one island, all on the beach. It’s breath*taking. There’s no place like it on earth. And the resort doesn’t interfere with any of our private family places on the island. We still retain all of that. We all have a lot of good memories from there.”

But Miko is also plagued by bad memories, like the tragic day in 1995 when he got word that young mom Cheyenne had hanged herself in Tahiti.

“I was on a boat in Hawaii in the middle of the ocean when I heard. I didn’t believe it,” he said. “Tarita raised Cheyenne’s baby son Tuki and did a good job. He’s in France right now, studying to be a doctor. He’s a model, too. I’m very proud of him.”
And he has bittersweet feelings about his father’s death on July 1, 2004.

“When my dad died, it really brought us all closer together,” he said. “Without him, we hold each other even tighter. “But hard things continued. My brother Christian died in 2008 at age 49. He was fragile and I guess he just couldn’t make it. I miss him.”

Then, on June 25, 2009, 50-year-old Jackson died.

“Michael’s death was a terrible personal loss for me,” said Miko, who was not only a close friend but also served as the King of Pop’s bodyguard. “We were in the middle of getting ready to go on tour. I was at all the rehearsals and was with him that last day. When we were both leaving, we hugged, and he said, ‘Love you, see you tomorrow.’ Those were the last words he said to me.

“When I heard the news the next day, I went numb. I’m still numb. I think I’ll be numb forever about that.”

Miko also endured the agony of losing his wife Jiselle when their son Shane was a baby. But he found love again with his childhood sweetheart Karen and married her at Neverland ranch, with Michael serving as their best man.




AND Shane, now grown, is following in the footsteps of his grandfather. ess she appeared in “Shane chose to go into acting and he loves it,” said Miko. “He’s doing great work on stage. We’re proud of him.”

Miko also raves about his and florist Karen’s daughter Prudence, who’s “a special girl, a leader” and now in college.

Despite Miko’s parents splitting when he was just a baby, he said: “My father loved to have fun, loved to laugh, loved to tell jokes. He never said a bad thing about anyone, and that’s how we were taught and raised. He wanted us happy and healthy, and he gave us a lot of love. It’s how I live now with my own family.”



Source: National Enquirer

Michael Jackson's 'Xscape' feels shockingly vital

This is one of the best reviews I've read yet. Im so  happy that Randall Roberts  " Gets it"  both the music and how wonderful this album really is. You can tell he is excited about it as well, with his beautiful words describing the songs and the concept.  Please email to thank him, as there are no comments. ~ Qbee

Michael Jackson's 'Xscape' feels shockingly vital
Randall Roberts LOS ANGELES TIMES
randall.roberts@latimes.com

  • How good is 'Xscape'? Michael Jackson's 'A Horse With No Name' re-imagining makes the band America sound funky
  • Michael Jackson's 'Blue Gangsta' on 'Xscape' is toe-curlingly gorgeous with a 'Smooth Criminal' vibe
  • Put on 'Xscape' and dance

Even as a tyke he captivated with tonal purity, and in the intervening four decades and 10 studio solo albums that voice was a unifier, one nestled not just within universal playlists but our very neurons — as anyone who's ever awakened with the bass line to "Billie Jean" or the chorus to "Rock With You" out-of-the-blue rolling through their heads can attest. "You've got to feel that heat" indeed.

Nearly five years after his death, that voice remains, and is at its most powerful on the new album "Xscape." Eight songs that use Jackson demos as blueprints to construct modern, vibrant tracks, the artist's second posthumous album of studio recordings feels shockingly vital, as though the producers charged with re-imagining this work had harnessed dance floor defibrillators.




Equally alive are the eight demos of these songs included with the deluxe package, resulting in a strong addition to the King of Pop conversation. At nearly every turn, "Xscape" succeeds in its intended goal of "finding new and compelling ways to capture the essence, the excitement and the magic that is Michael Jackson," as stated in the liner notes.

Considering one of those eight is a riff on soft rock band America's "A Horse With No Name," that's no small feat. (The deluxe package's final track pairs inheritor Justin Timberlake with Jackson for a fake duet of "Love Never Felt So Good." It's superfluous.)

Equally alive are the eight demos of these songs included with the deluxe package, resulting in a strong addition to the King of Pop conversation. At nearly every turn, "Xscape" succeeds in its intended goal of "finding new and compelling ways to capture the essence, the excitement and the magic that is Michael Jackson," as stated in the liner notes.

Considering one of those eight is a riff on soft rock band America's "A Horse With No Name," that's no small feat. (The deluxe package's final track pairs inheritor Justin Timberlake with Jackson for a fake duet of "Love Never Felt So Good." It's superfluous.)

From the first lines of the first song, the Paul Anka-penned, "Love Never Felt So Good," "Xscape" confirms that hearing Michael sing "new" material can still be a mystical experience, and throughout the freshly produced recordings the sound of a still-vital spirit rushes into the present with revived energy.

You can hear his breath in the slow-burning "Chicago," about an innocent tryst gone wrong, can nearly touch the quiver in his falsetto during "Loving You." "Blue Gangsta" is pure funk, with a vocal take that's toe-curlingly gorgeous and a conceit that ups the "Smooth Criminal" vibe. That crack of emotion, heard in headphones, races to the pleasure center, while the track's producers, including Dr. Freeze, Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, build a sonic Robocop to support it.

n fact, "Xscape" often passes the skeptic's test.
 Does it swing? Yes
 Does it feel like a contractual obligation album? No.
 Does it honor Jackson's legacy? Yes.
 Can you dance to it? God yes.
 Can you mash to it? Certainly.

continue at  > http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music













Michael Jackson Documentary Acquired at Cannes Film Festival

Finally we get some good news about this film.I. was wondering what ever happened with it and if it would ever be released. This is from the Ebony and Vogue Photo shoots in 2007 ~ Qbee



‘Michael: The Last Photo Shoots’

A documentary chronicling Michael Jackson in his last years has been acquired at the Cannes Film Festival.




‘Michael: The Last Photo Shoots’ follows the late superstar as he prepared for his ill-fated comeback. It features interviews with the photographers as well as his stylists and friends.

Renowned photographer Bruce Weber photographed Jackson in 2007 for the re-release of ‘Thriller’ on its 25th anniversary, and celebrity photographer Matthew Rolston shot him the same year for Ebony magazine, his first U.S. magazine interview in years.

Lightning Entertainment has acquired the international sale rights. Its executive vice president, Ken Dubow, said in a statement Thursday that the documentary will provide fans with ‘a rare behind-the-scenes look into his life.’

Jackson died shortly before his London comeback concerts in 2009. "Xscape," a second posthumous album, was released this week.






About The film:

"Michael: The Last Photo Shoots" is a fascinating behind the scenes look at Michael Jackson’s last magazine cover photo shoots and the struggle to make them happen. It is a unique story told through the eyes of several of Michael's closest friends, photographers and stylists that had helped Michael prepare for his planned comeback in 2007.

In 2007, after several years of living over-seas in seclusion, Michael returned to the United States wanting to make a comeback onto the music scene. Taking the cover of L’UOMO Vogue for its October 2007 issue was Michael's first step. On September 14, 2007 in New York, Photographer Bruce Weber and Vogue Fashion Editor / Michael Jackson's personal stylist Rushka Bergman captured the magic of the King of Pop for the 25th Anniversary of the release of Thriller.

On September 24, 2007 in Brooklyn, NY, Michael Jackson did an interview and another photo shoot for Ebony Magazine for its December 2007 issue. This was Michael’s first United States interview and magazine story in a decade.

Michael had a love for art and being an artist himself, Michael had said that he had wanted to be photographed in a space “where art lives on forever.” Ebony selected the Brooklyn Museum of Art as the location. While many magazine covers were done throughout Michael's career, the Vogue and Ebony shoots were very important to Michael as these were for his comeback. Through these photos, Michael's image as art lives on forever.

Along with never before seen footage of Michael, "Michael: The Last Photo Shoots" contains engaging interviews with Rushka Bergman (Contributing Fashion Editor of L'Uomo Vogue, Vogue Italia and Michael Jackson's personal stylist), Phillip Bloch (widely considered to be one of Hollywood's premier fashion stylists), Bruce Weber (famed photographer and filmmaker) and Kabuki (legendary make-up artist from Northern England known for his unique flair and artistry with make-up and imagery and one of the most exciting talents in fashion today).

There are captivating interviews with Bryan Monroe (an award winning journalist, CNN Politics editor, team leader of the winner of the Pulitzer Price Gold Medal, former Vice President and Editorial Director of Ebony and Jet Magazines and the journalist who conducted the last major interview with the King of Pop - Michael Jackson), Harriett Cole (Life stylist author, nationally syndicated advice columnist, former Editor in Chief of Ebony Magazine and Creative director for Michael Jackson's last cover photo shoot)


Source:  Vimeo: Noval Williams Films and  Michael The Last Photo Shoots

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Michael Jackson's 'Xscape': Track-By-Track Review

Here is a track by track review by Joe Levey - Billboard. It gives a little history of the producers and more details of the tracks. Like the rest of the Xscape reviews it is very positive. ~ Qbee


Michael Jackson's 'Xscape': Track-By-Track Review



To answer your first question: Yes, it is good. And about your second: Better than you think.

To be sure, it's a strange project: a Michael Jackson record of vocals out of the vault and all-new music from Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, Stargate, Rodney Jerkins and John McClain. L.A. Reid — who oversaw "Xscape" as the chairman and CEO of Epic Records — calls it "contemporizing" Jackson's archival material, which in this case was recorded between 1983 and 1999, or from the time just after "Thriller" to the time just before "Invincible." For the most part, the producers chose to work with a cappella vocals, in an effort not to be overly influenced by the original tracks. The result is an album that puts Jackson's vocal abilities — his smooth ecstasy and pained grit; his swoops, pops, shouts and grunts; those moments when he's overcome by emotion, or breaking free of all restraint and gravity — front and center.

It's the central reason why "Xscape" works as well it does, and to be sure, it works very well. Though these tracks build in complexity, they're never complicated. The focus throughout remains Jackson's voice, and there's none of the overworked and undercooked feeling that sank the previous posthumous Jackson album, 2010's "Michael." If "Xscape" sounds fresh, that's because it is. Once he was the world's biggest pop star, Jackson might spend years working on individual songs, cutting up to 50 tracks for a single album. But Timbaland completed his tracks for "Xscape" at pace of about one a day, once he got past the difficulty of listening to Jackson's vocals in the studio and not being able to talk back to him. Stargate took longer -- about a week -- for one of "Xscape's" standouts, "Place With No Name."

The songs on "Xscape" are split between joy and desperation. There are two pure love songs, two tracks about trying to find a world where the pain drops away ("A Place With No Name" and the title track), and four songs about being trapped (by bad relationships or sexual abuse). From almost the very start, when he was singing about burning the disco down on "Off The Wall," Jackson's music mixed celebration and terror, as if he was unable to find, or maintain, the division between the two. His music offered a place to both explore and escape those tensions. On this album, it does again.


Here is our track-by-track breakdown of the new Michael Jackson album, "Xscape":


1. "Love Never Felt So Good"
After a sweep of strings that invoke American pop classics — "Georgia on My Mind," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" — the drums kick in and the bass pops. This is disco throwback, a sound that Pharrell and Bruno Mars have taken to the top of the charts in the last year. Produced by John McClain (co-executor of the Jackson estate) from a 1983 demo recorded with Paul Anka, "Love Never Felt So Good" is the sort of Jackson song you thought you'd never hear again: soaring, simple and direct.


2. "Chicago"

Timbaland and J-Roc's first entry is a dark funk tale of an affair with a married woman, with trap snares and washes of keyboard drama. Out front, Jackson's tenor voice lays out the promise of a love ("This woman had to be an angel from heaven sent just for me"), while his backing vocal screams of the consequences ("She tried to lead a double life, loving me while she was still your wife"). At the 3:20 mark, the drums drop out, and the vocals and fingersnaps take over. Timbaland sometimes felt he was hearing Jackson's spirit speak to him in the studio. This is one of those moments.


3. "Loving You"
Another straightforward love song, led by piano and hard-hitting drums from Timbaland and J-Roc. Originally recorded during the "Bad" sessions, this was a throwback to simpler times even then.


4. "A Place With No Name"
The centerpiece of "Xscape" is a remake of America's "Horse With No Name," which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, when Jackson was 14 and just releasing his first solo album for Motown. The America song is the best and worst the '70s had to offer, with an indelible melody and lyrics about a mystical desert journey so meaningless that Randy Newman once described it as "this song about a kid who thinks he taken acid." Reworking it during the "Invincible" sessions in 1998 with producer Dr. Freeze, Jackson completely changed the lyrics, and the new song tells a story about a guy whose Jeep blows a flat on the highway, where he meets a woman who takes him to a utopia where "no people have pain." But in classic Jackson fashion, there's still tension — the woman who takes him there offers sexual fulfillment ("She showed me places I've never seen and things I've never done"), but he ends the song by pulling out his wallet and looking at pictures of his family, who aren't with him. Stargate delivers a keyboard-first track with a sound that recalls Stevie Wonder and a melody that invokes "Remember the Time."


5. "Slave to the Rhythm"
The original was produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface in 1991, during the "Dangerous" sessions, and was revised for "Xscape" by Timbaland and J-Roc. They've toughened up the R&B soap opera about a woman who's trapped by the rhythms of her life — dancing as fast as she can for the men in her life, both at home and at work — adding a spider web of keyboards and drums that capture the maddening pace the lyrics describe.


6. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"
First recorded during the sessions for "Bad," then revived for "Dangerous," this is one of the message songs that Jackson liked so much. It tells the story of girl running away from sexual abuse and landing on the streets of L.A., where she turns tricks. Jackson was a victim of abuse, and accused of it; few will listen to this song without remembering that, and for some, his troubling life will overtake this track completely. Almost as if in anticipation of that, Timbaland and J-Roc use their most hypnotic keyboard riff as the central motif here, and the climbing synths in the bridge will have the listener thinking of Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond."


7. "Blue Gangsta"
The vocal tracks "Xscape's" producers worked with were in a finished and sometimes perfected state — complete with backing vocals, fingersnaps, and handclaps. And on an album of great vocals, this is one of the standouts, moving from breathy restraint to screaming soul. Timbaland and J-Roc deploy a devilish synth-bass part and trap drums, but pull almost everything back to let a chorus of Jackson's backing vocals take over at the end.


8. "Xscape"
Rodney Jerkins produced both the original, during the "Invincible" sessions, and the remake of the title track. The deluxe edition of "Xscape" includes the original, and the side-by-side comparison shows how the aggressive, angular rhythms Jackson loved so much after "Thriller" have been softened on "Xscape." The aggression now comes principally from vocals. Jerkins goes for a deeper bottom, using 808 drums, while Jackson sings about wanting getting away from the system, from bad relationships, from everything that holds him back. And for four minutes here, he does.


Source: Billboard.com

By Joe Levy | May 13, 2014 1:29 PM EDT

Monday, May 12, 2014

Michael Jackson Channel to Launch Exclusively on SiriusXM

This is great news. A Michael Jackson Channel will  Launch Exclusively on SiriusXM - About: Sirius XM  is the world's largest radio broadcaster measured by revenue and has 25.8 million subscribers. SiriusXM creates and broadcasts commercial-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; exclusive talk and entertainment; and the most comprehensive Latin music, sports and talk programming in radio. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company in the U.S. and from retailers nationwide . Read the Press release below  ~ Qbee



The Michael Jackson Channel to coincide with the release of the new Michael Jackson album, "XSCAPE"


NEW YORK, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- SiriusXM announced today that it will launch The Michael Jackson Channel, an exclusive, limited-run channel dedicated to the King of Pop's extensive solo musical career.

The Michael Jackson Channel will feature Michael's music beginning with the breakout success of his 1979 Off the Wall album through the present. SiriusXM listeners will also hear music from the new album XSCAPE, which features eight new recordings. XSCAPE is scheduled to be released tomorrow, May 13. The channel will also feature reflections and stories from the producers who worked on the new album.

"The new recordings being unearthed and part of this new release reinforce Michael Jackson's legacy as the King of Pop," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "These are musical treasures that span decades, and the high production quality and updates make them even more enjoyable for a world of listeners hungry for Michael Jackson's music. Our channel will play all the cuts from the new album along with music from his entire body of solo work, giving our listeners the special listening experience they expect from SiriusXM."

The Michael Jackson Channel will launch today, May 12 at 5:00 pm ET and will run through Monday, May 26, via satellite on channel 50. The Michael Jackson Channel will also be available through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.

The Michael Jackson Channel is an example of SiriusXM channels created with iconic and prominent artists, including Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville, Willie Nelson's Willie's Roadhouse, The Pink Floyd Channel, B.B. King's Bluesville, Elvis Radio, Siriusly Sinatra, Ozzy Osbourne's Ozzy's Boneyard, Pearl Jam Radio, Eminem's Shade 45,Tiesto's Club Life Radio and Neil Diamond Radio.


For more information, please visit www.siriusxm.com

SOURCE Sirius XM Holdings Inc.

/Web site: http://www.siriusxm.com



Thursday, May 08, 2014

Michael Jackson will create another slice of history at this year’s Billboard Music Awards.

Michael Jackson To Unleash World Premiere Experience At Billboard Music Awards

The Estate of Michael Jackson created the spot, which will present the superstar “like you’ve never seen him before.”




Michael Jackson will create another slice of history at this year’s Billboard Music Awards.

On what already promises to be one of the year’s stand-out music events, the 2014 BBMAs raise the bar even higher with a world premiere experience featuring the late King of Pop.

The Estate of Michael Jackson created the spot, which will present the superstar “like you’ve never seen him before.”

It’s sure to be a thriller, but the finer details remains under lock-and-key.

This year's ceremony will be held Sunday, May 18 in Las Vegas. ABC will broadcast the show live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena and Yahoo will be streaming the red carpet show.

Performers on the night include Miley Cyrus, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, 5 Seconds of Summer, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Derulo, Imagine Dragons, Luke Bryan, John Legend, OneRepublic, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Presenters for the event include Jordin Sparks, Kelly Rowland, Pete Wentz and Wiz Khalifa, among others.

The BBMAs provide a high-profile launch pad for MJ’s posthumous album “Xscape,” which comes out May 13.

“Xscape” is eight tracks of Jackson vocals set to new music from Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, John McClain, J-Roc and Timbaland who is executive producer of the album. The originals they worked with were recorded from 1983 to 1999.

The first single from the album, “Love Never Felt So Good,” produced by MJ, John McClain, Giorgio Tuinfort and Paul Anka, was released last week. A duet version of “Love Never Felt So Good,” with Michael Jacksonand Justin Timberlake, produced by Timberlake, Timbaland and Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon, appeared soon after.

A second track, “Chicago,” hit the web earlier this week. “Chicago” is one of five tracks Timbaland oversaw on the album with his collaborator J-Roc.


For additional information on the 2014 Billboard Music Awards visit us at billboardmusicawards.com or the Billboard hub at billboard.com/bbma.

New Michael Jackson Song 'Love Never Felt So Good' To Back Jeep Summer TV Campaign | Billboard


Today Epic Records and Jeep launched a global brand campaign for the car company’s Altitude Edition in which Michael Jackson’s new single “Love Never Felt So Good” is featured in four 30-second TV commercials. The campaign will air from today (May 8) and run through summer.

New Michael Jackson Song Backs Jeep Summer TV Campaign (Watch)


The track is from Jackson's second posthumous release “Xscape” (out May 13, Epic) and was co-written in 1983 by Michael Jackson in a session with Paul Anka (who played piano on the track) and Kathy Wakefield. Two new versions of the song were recorded: the one in the ad was produced by John McClain, co-executor of the Jackson estate with John Branca; and another helmed by the trio of Timbaland, J-Roc and Justin Timberlake in which JT duets with Michael debuted this week at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The campaign's origin came in late-March when Epic chairman and CEO Antonio “LA” Reid played the album for Chrysler CMO Olivier Francois. “I played him almost every song,” Reid says. “When we played 'Love Never Felt So Good' he made the connection and went ‘Bingo! This was what I was looking for!'" Francois, for his part, says that when he first heard the track he got up off the couch in the Epic offices and started dancing and hopes the ad will have the same impact on consumers.

A former music producer and publisher, Francois is credited with rejuvenating Chrysler's music branding strategy with an impressive string of ads featuring major music placements. This includes Eminem’s two-minute Super Bowl ad for Chrysler; the new Fiat spot with Sean “Ciroc" Combs at a desert party while Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” blares; and a previous ad for Jeep with Lenny Kravitz. Jackson, however, provides Francois a greater opportunity to take his work global.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyZFfRbIpI


When asked how big the spend would be on the new campaign Francois wouldn’t give an exact figure but said it would be bigger than the Diddy Fiat spot. According to Kantar Media, Fiat spent $17 million on measured U.S. media in the first three months of 2014, when the still-active Diddy campaign was just starting to roll out....

Jeep also hired multicultural ad agency GlobalHue for the creative who gave the commercial a summer-y outdoor feel. One ad is shot primarily at the beach, another is more World-Cup-friendly and shows celebratory Latin American soccer fans while another focuses on basketball and features Cleveland Cavalier point guard Kyrie Irving. That campaign was co-sponsored by USA Basketball, which holds global b-ball tournaments throughout summer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0wbgM4yP9A

Nearly five years since Michael Jackson's unexpected passing, his brand shows little sign of flagging. Since his death on June 25, 2009, Jackson's albums have sold 12.8 million in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. His “This Is It” concert film grossed $261 million worldwide while "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour," a partnership between the Jackson estate and Cirque du Soleil, last year became the ninth-top-grossing tour of all time with earnings of $325.1 million from 407 shows drawing nearly 3 million concertgoers. A second Cirque du Soleil show, "One," began a residency at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas last year.

Music from "Xscape," according to Reid, will also be featured in ads by Xperia, a line smartphones and tablets by Sony, Epic’s parent company. The label chair said the ads will air outside of the U.S. He also confirmed that Pepsi, which has had a long-standing relationship with Jackson, has no immediate plans for a tie-in with this album. A video currently being filmed for the Timberlake version of “Love,” however, will feature one rather large product placement: a Jeep Altitude.


Source Billboard New Michael Jackson Song 'Love Never Felt So Good' To Back Jeep Summer TV Campaign Billboard