Grammys don't need Michael Jackson

There is one question that will dominate the pre-Grammy discussion over the next week-and-a- half:

Will Michael Jackson appear on the telecast, or won't he?

Two days after the Feb. 10 awards, Sony's Legacy Recordings will release the 25th anniversary of "Thriller."

You can bet the mystery surrounding Jacko's rumored appearance will drum up more hype for the release (witness this posting), which will certainly boost CBS ratings thanks to those curious to see what state Jackson is in. That's why I'm not expecting a firm answer anytime soon.

But here's hoping he's not in the Staples Center next weekend. For one, if he is, every other artist and performance will be overshadowed by talk of what Jackson will/or won't do, and what he will look like. And besides, the Grammys should honor the past year in music, not help sell a re-issue for Sony.

But more important, Jackson has already received a better tribute than the Grammys can provide. It came by way of Chicago rapper Rhymefest, who, along with Grammy-nominated producer Mark Ronson (Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse), has crafted a Jackson "dedication album," which takes inspiration from Jackson's work to create compelling new songs. I first learned about the project, dubbed "Man in the Mirror," via the blog of the Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot, and I haven't been able to stop listening since I downloaded it on Friday.

And speaking of downloading, one should head to the official Web site of Ronson's Allido Recordings (a label affiliated with Sony) or Rhymefest's MySpace page to download the project now. It's free, and these kind of unlicensed remixes have a tendency to disappear  suddenly.

But Rhmyefest is able to do what major label marketing firms have failed at doing, and that's trim Jackson of the tabloid drama and bring the focus back to his music. Rhymefest sets out right away to humanize Jackson, and bring him down to earth, portraying him as a simple man from Gary, Ind., one who still has the power to unite a desperate community (see "Mike the Mentor"). He also inter-splices the album with brief, but always humorous, "conversations" with Jackson, in which Rhymefest's inserts himself into dialogue from Jackson interviews.

It's a tribute to a hero, but also a call to action. The 25th anniversary of "Thriller" comes bloated with extra tracks and remixes from will.i.am., Kanye West, Akon and Fergie, a disjointed smattering of superstars rather than a cohesive collection (as Rhymefest writes on his MySpace page, "As a fan, I expected a bit more"). By contrast, Rhymefest and Ronson have created a seamless offering, in which the rapper and the King of Pop play give-and-take with Jackson's songs of yore.

"Can't Make It" opens with a sample of "You Can't Win," and swipes and spices funk sounds over bombastic beats, mixing hip-hop dreams with a working-class reality. Rhymefest re-imagines "Dancing Machine" as a sparse club tune, and Rhymefest dramatically dances around a young Jackson covering "Ain't No Sunshine," re-crafting it as a song about tortured aspirations.

Rhymefest has more fun with Jackson's "Break of Dawn," turning it into the sly and soulful "Breakadawn," in which he wonders what Jackson's share of the Beatles catalog is worth. "Don't Let Your Baby Catch You" becomes the playful "Foolin' Around," and the title track brings it to a show-stopping close, with Rhymefest asking what he's done to lose the trust of his own mother.

After listening to "Man in the Mirror," it's clear there's only one Jackson Grammy pairing worth hearing: Jackson & Rhymefest, a duo that would probably make CBS suits cringe.

(Photo courtesy rhymefest.com)

Comments

[the one]

I think he should make a come back! It has never been proven that he's done something wrong to children or anyone for that matter. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar. Guilt is a matter of fact and not oppinion and in a court of laws he was more proven to be innocent rather than guilty. So go Michael and do your thing. It is none of these peoples business what you do. They don't pay for the grammy's. You can go perform where ever you want, everybody else will have to grin and bear it!!!

[juan]

mj is the most influential pop act ever and everyone today sees him as a mentor.having him appear may actually make the grammy's watchable again and is a dream for les moonves. but mj should dance if he wants to get back the good headlines and not just wave and accept honors....

[Jacksonaction.com]

aaaaaaaaaaaaa-- he shows up he he wants to.

[Ryan]

The only time the grammy's have ever been worth watching is when Michael Jackson performs. I'm tired of seeing all of these wanna be MJ SINGERS -TRY to copy his performences. It will be refreshing to see MJ back on stage doing what no one else can do.
Anyone not objective enough to see his talent should go by a Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, Ne-yo, Usher....Should I keep going cd and pretend that those wanna be clones could come close to someone who has been crafting his talent since he was born.

[LoveZilla]

The Grammys?
Mr. Jackson?
Both, relicts of a once vibrant industry, and
both, major contributors
to its demise.

[MJJ]

Michael is the best entertainer the world has ever seen. His music is timeless. We really need to see him at the Grammys. None of us saw him molesting anyone. I trust the jury and the justice system. Michael is innocent until proven guilty. So stop defaming him and stop treating him like a criminal.

[MeYou]

Anyone who actually believes that Michael Jackson and his music are things of the past, clearly does not pay attention to ALL of the popular artists of today who continue to sample, cover, and mimic Michael Jackson's mannerisms and music. Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Usher, Beyonce, Ne-Yo, none of these people would be who they are today were it not for their admitted influence by Michael. The only time award shows are worth watching is when Michael Jackson is at them. The music industry is in a slump, they NEED Michael Jackson to bring back the timeless classics. He is the most influential and creative genius of our time... A living legend who's about to take over 2008.

[joel]

Michael Jackson is still the King and that is why the best in music have participated in tributes to him in the past and also why his remixed singles are featuring kanye, fergie, and akon.

[Tom]

HELLOOOOOO people!!!!!!!!!!!
What is this "he bleached his skin" thing???????????
Jesus..... I will never understand how is it that so many people seem to be so illiterate! We are in the year 2008 so u should have acces to something called ... INTERNET. So u really don't have to study medicine (but u can sure ask any dermatologist student or doctor) to know that THERE IS NO SUCH MEDICAL INTERVENTION (SURGERY OR BY MEDICATION) FOR A BLACK MAN TO TURN WHITE INVENTED YET!!! Translation: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THAT. That is now, in the year 2008. There are only some british researchers who no more than 2 years ago thought (unconfirmed yet scientifical) that there is a possibility that they found a possible way ONLY for some sort of pigmentatin (not depigmentation) treatment, in order to help vittiligo patiences. It is still unconfirmed, and untested on humans. So, more than 20 yrs ago, when Michael started became white, it sure was impossible also. That is, of course, unless u think that he had some kind of an Einstein doctor that invented that thing more than 20 yrs ago just for MJ and he kept it secret, refusing a posible Nobel prise for medicine and world fame and richness, also just for Michael. Yeah, right, probably aliens kidnapped that doctor, sure. The only possibility for a black person to become white completely and for ever is to have vittiligo on large scale, and then have all sorts of treatments for the small black parts left to depigment. But he can't have that disease, because he's Michael Jackson, right? No, for him is more credible that alien story.... Jesus, guys, start reading at least one book a year, would u?

[MP]

Michael is the greatest artist alive and thats a fact, now to the haters I'll give you an advice, THE MJ FANS are ALL OVER THE PLANET; EVERYONE KNOWS MICHAEL; blame that to his trademarks, and his tremendous talernt, so hateres relax, YOU WONT BECAUSE YOU CANT BRING MICHAEL JACKSON DOWN, HE IS more than just a human, HE'S a GENIUS

[Taryn]

Mike is still the greatest...

[Judith]

Can't wait for the new single and the Thriller 25 album. I only got into MJ music last year - and I'm in my 40s. I can't believe I wasn't a huge fan before. His music is amazing - energising; uplifting; angry; powerful...his dance moves are breathtaking and overall, his artistry is awesome.
HIs personal life from 1993 - 2005 has been messy to say the least but having read the interview with him in Ebony (Dec 07) he sounded pretty okay to me.
Rediscovering and discvering his music has given me the boost I needed. Learning about Michael Jackson's past, his influences etc has led me to return to uni (part-time) to study Black American showmen. It's true. He's a genius.

[BobbyClark]

Hi,
I'm quite disappointed about what I'm hearing and listen from this New Thriller Mix tape...Mike should do better..That's why wee've decided to dedicated our own song influenced by him. visit our website or on youtube. http://youtube.com/bantunani

If there's any Producer there or a Free Label..

[Spamacus]

As if the Grammy's weren't bad enough, now they're thinking about bringing back disco? Wacko, like the Village People, is a chapter of music better left in the distant past. The really sad part is that the Grammy's, which are ostensibly about music, has gotten so far off track that they feel they have to put on a freak show to get ratings. Maybe if they tried focusing on music and laid off showcasing schmaltzy 'pop' stars, ratings would increase. Here's to hoping the Grammy's, much like Michael jackson's nose, go the way of the buffalo and are replaced with something akin to a genuine reward for quality music.

[Ben]

Michael Jackson should stop lying about those sperm bank kids. If he thinks people are THAT stupid then he is more stupid then we think.

[Tamara]

It,s articles like this that tries to bring MJ down.If You dont like MJ then you ignore him that dosnt mean everone else has to.He was never proven guilty in an obvious extortrion attempts,who cares what he looks like its about the music. Britney is the true freak show.

[vince]

wow..nice to see fans outnumber haters in the comment section for a change. go MJ! and as for the imbesil who said that MJ contributes to the music industry's demise....you're right. the regular music industry has fallen short of MJ's abilities, and is falling apart as a result. however, the new music industry, whose name is Michael Jackson, is thriving like nothing before it, in history.

[BREANNE]

MICHAEL JACKSON IS FOREVER.

MUSIC WILL ALWAYS NEED MICHAEL

END.

[anna]

MJ is innocent and was acquitted for all the charges. People cannot bleach skin; it is not physically and chemically possible. MJ has vitiligo and puts on make up so that he doesn't resemble a calico cat. Regardless, MJ IS THE KING OF POP! Now, everyone just copies his dance moves, pop voice, stage presence, etc. People seem to forget that MJ changed the course of music.

[BoShango]

The poster who questioned why the Grammy's are trying to re-introduce disco hit it right on the head. When Quincy Jones put together the Thriller album 25 years ago, and gave it to Michael jackson to make mouth noises over, it was actually something that would sell. That was 25 years ago, and bubble-gum doesn't stay fresh nearly that long. Now the televised portion of the Grammy's have sunk so low they may air rehashed Jackson tunes for shock value. The fact is, even if his music shows up, Jackson won't, he did his best to bow out of the WMA's, and when he was pushed into it, the (small) audience saw just what a sad spectacle Jackson is these days. Sure, once upon a time he could dance. So could M. C. Hammer. Maybe if Hammer had repeatedly been associated with child molestation, drug abuse, and the rest of the package that is Jackson, we'd be hearing 'Too Legit to Quit' at this year's Grammy's. Here's a clue for the Grammy producers: Televise the part of the Grammy's you currently don't show, and cut out all the rap and bubble-gum. The Grammy's are basically unwatchable in their current form, which is why you have to go for shock value. Showcasing someone just because they are controversial seems more appropriate for Enterainment Tonight or the Weekly World Star. The motive here is transparent. Jackson's albums don't sell, he can't get the insurance to back a tour(even if he could physically withstand one), and an entire generation now knows him only for his bizarre antics. Associating your product with someone like Jackson could only be a PR nightmare. Or maybe Jackson can perform his 9/11 or Katrina charity songs, the ones he promised several times....oh wait, that's right, just like all his other charity organizations that never saw the light of day, neither did those songs. So what's left: 25 year old diso. Is this really what you want to put on the air? Unless Jackson shows up on the TV himself so people can point and laugh, that's going to go over like a lead balloon. And if he *does* show up, I bet the negative feedback will come on like a tidal wave. Disco is dead. Let it Rest In Peace.

[daz]

michael is tha king of music, hes simply tha best and after thriller 25 he is bringin his new album out which he has been workin on for a few years nw.. ment to b tha best! cant wait! and any awards show would be a million times better with jackson ther..

[Connely]

Jackson will not show up unless he is being paid. That is unlikely due to nervous sponsors. If he does show, he will of course be wearing sunglasses to hide his eyes. He does not want people looking into his eyes because he is too embarassed about his past and fears others will see his obvious guilt.
His last hope is to come clean about his past and to risk that people are willing to forgive him. But that is one very risky gamble because most adults find the crime(s)which he was accused, totally abhorrent.

[FrankieR.]

I think you all need to read Grammy Producer Ken Ehrlich's book AND THE GRAMMY GOES TO.. to get a slight glimpse of MIchael's eccentricities...not all very flattering really...If Michael does show up for the Grammys then let him be a presenter or just sit there and look like an oddity/museum piece...It's the 50th anniversary and he should be a part of it..even though he's not musically all that thrilling anymore...face it people Michael is old!...

[Z_tahir1]

Who cares about his personal life, tons of your favorite hip hop songs wouldn't be around today if it wasn't for this mans influence. Michael Jackson is still alive, has a record coming out, and is the BEST musician. He's better than Elvis, James Brown, Usher, you name it. In his 25 years since Thriller, NO artist has outdone what he has, so much good music in just one album, so many good songs in one life time! The dances, etc., The Grammy could use Michael Jackson, he's quite the entertainer and performer. He's aged but he's still the best around.

Michael should show up. It would make the show even better.

[Terence+]

Well if Michael can still overshadow other performers after not having new material out in awhile then what does that tell you? It`s evidence that he`s still the biggest entertainer bar none. Just think about it he hasn`t made a comittment one way or the other, yet a week and a half before the awards he`s utterly dominating the show without having sang a single note. Talk about star power. Frankly I don`t think he will perform and may not even appear. If that turns out to be the case then all the other performers can breath a sigh of relief. Relief indeed because if he does perform it will no doubt be the highlight of the show, because last I checked no one can compete with him when it comes to performing. He`s the greatest showman alive. Wouldn`t you just feel sorry for the poor soul who would have the great honor of following his performance should he perform? Let`s face it, everything after would never match his performance. Ah they`re shaking in their boots.

P.S. To FrankieR: Michael doesn`t present awards, and second don`t we all want to live to get old? By the way last I checked 49 isn`t old..