michael jackson’s new music controversy

i’m not even going to pretend i was michael jackson‘s biggest fan. but i can’t deny that it feels really great to hear his voice again!

he’s just so iconic!

press play above to hear hold my hand, a duet sung with rapper/producer akon. the new single will be featured on MJ’s upcoming posthumous album, michael, to be released on december 14th.

“this life don’t last forever, so tell me what we’re waiting for,” jackson sings. “we’re better off being together, than being miserable alone.”

black-eyed peas frontman will.i.am recently spoke up about the release of MJ’s tracks, saying “michael jackson songs are finished when michael says they’re finished.” to go public with them now, he says, is “disrespectful.”

i’m inclined to agree. as much as we want more of MJ, history would tell us he wouldn’t have been too happy about this.

graceland of the west?

neverland

since the passing of music legend michael jackson, what to do with his theme park of a home has been up for discussion. although mj had to sell the estate last year due to financial problems, neverland – as he named it – will always belong to him in America’s eyes.

but it isn’t quite the same neverland that mj and his fam populated. the ferris wheel is gone, as are the many zoo animals that jackson featured on the property. despite how weird it is that jackson’s adult home was a big playplace, it is no secret that the estate draws attention from fans & curious folks across the world. the neverland ranch has very obvious similarities to elvis’ home in tennesee, graceland. that begs the question – will the owners revamp the place and hold it open to the public?

a source close to the owners, the holding company colony capital llc, says that absolutely no decision has been made and there is not a reason to rush into anything. they did mention however that making neverland a tourist attraction is certainly not off the table.

while the prospect of visiting neverland may make mj fans giddy with excitement, santa barbara locals and neighbors are less than enthused. the holding company source says execs will heed the community’s concerns, but that they would not pass up the opportunity to make money off of mj’s legacy. my guess is that the company will focus on rehabilitating the property & eventually make it some sort of a museum. let’s face it – it’s a big, weird goldmine!

how NOT to

perhaps OK magazine should re-think what it means to ‘pay tribute.’ their latest edition, slated to hit newsstands thursday of this week, features an incredibly offensive last pic of michael jackson. (if you really wanna see it, click here) the magazine reportedly spent close to $500,000 to obtain their cover pic of the legendary mj on a stretcher being carried out by paramedics. what kind of tribute is that?

next to the close-up of jackson’s lifeless face are the words ”in loving memory.” i think it goes without saying that cataloging the chaotic and tragic last moments of someone’s unexpected death is hardly a “loving memory.”

peoplecovermj

OK!’s editorial director sarah ivens defended the cover: “it’s a photo that captures the surprise and the upset and the moment of this breaking news story . . . i hope the cover will provoke readers. it celebrated the man, but it also does expose that he was an eccentric character who lived a very controversial life.”

so far, the reaction has been 100% negative. people are obviously outraged. a petition has even been started to stop the presses on the issue. what’s weird is that ok mag owner richard desmond purchased the pic as an attempt to bolster sales. i think this move has done exactly the opposite, and will receive more and more criticism as the hours pass. in the meantime, enjoy a classy tribute cover of mj, by people magazine.