Reportedly, $310 million was collected in shape of revenues, by Michael Jackson’s state, from the sale of products, albums, a film, and other goods between MJ’s death in June 2009 and December 2010.
More than half of the revenue generated used to pay-off the debts of Michael Jackson. According to his state’s administrators $159 million of debts were cleared against the revenue collected up to December 2010. Reportedly, the music legend was indebted by more than $400 million at the time of his death in 2009; apparently from an over dosage of drugs.
The estate’s beneficiaries include Jackson’s children, mother, and various charities.
It's a quick roundup today, because D'luv's got some last-minute holiday shopping to do down at Hooker Central. And speaking of which, by now you've probably seen Enrique's Iglesias' raunchy video for "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)"? If not, watch here (and wear protection). The song itself climbs to #13 on this week's Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Just underneath Enrique in the video is a pile of strippers. But beneath Enrique on the chart, at #16, is Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina's "Stereo Love." At first I kind of dismissed this single as a useless trash, but I have to admit that it's hypnotized me at this point and made me love it. Well, okay—like it. When I decipher whatever the hell it is that broad is saying in the lyrics, then maybe I'll love it.
With "Hold My Hand" now up to #39, Michael Jackson lands his first Top 40 hit this week since "Butterflies" reached #14 in 2002. Over in the UK, EEEEEEEEEE-Heeeeeee!!!! fares even better, as "Hold My Hand" is currently at #10. I'm currently obsessed with "Monster" off Michael (which debuts at #3 on the Top 200 album chart) myself. It's pretty much my jam du jour.
Two notable debuts: Pink's Max Martin/Shellback-produced "Fuckin' Perfect" goes in at #86, making it the third song on the chart with the ultimate four-letter word in the title (after the naughty version of Enrique's "Tonight" and Cee Lo Green's Grammy nominated "Fuck You"). Meanwhile Mariah Carey's "Oh Santa!" finally crawls into the chart, at #100.
The U.S. Top 10:
1. "Firework" - Katy Perry*3 weeks* 2. "Grenade" - Bruno Mars 3. "What's My Name" - Rihanna feat. Drake 4. "Raise Your Glass" - Pink 5. "We R Who We R" - Ke$ha 6. "Just The Way You Are" - Bruno Mars 7. "Only Girl (In The World)"- Rihanna 8. "The Time (The Dirty Bit)" - The Black Eyed Peas 9. "6 Foot 7 Foot" - Lil Wayne feat. Cory Gunz*new* 10. "Just A Dream" - Nelly
No surprise here: Matt Cardle, winner of The X Factor 2010, has debuted at #1 in the UK with his elevator-friendly "When We Collide." Where's a good ol' Rage Against The Machine-like Facebook upset campaign when you need one, you ask? Oh, right—that would be The Trashmen's 1963 jam "Surfin' Bird", which sadly only managed to scrape in at #3. Better luck next year, kids. Likewise, Biffy Clyro's original version of "When We Collide", "Many Of Horror", re-enters the chart at #8.
Michael Jackson and Akon's "Hold My Hand" climbs to #10, giving the Gloved Corpse his first new Top 10 hit in the UK since "One More Chance" went to #5 in December 2003.
Meanwhile, over on the album chart, MJ's Michael debuts at #4. Here in the States, the posthumous collection of Jacko jams (that surprisingly doesn't suck) is going toe-to-toe with Susan Boyle's The Gift in the final countdown to next week's #1 on the Top 200.
And while we do seem to love our SuBo over here—the enchanting Vocal Sex Queen Of Scotland's The Gift has been #1 for four non-consecutive weeks now—it's Take That's Progress that truly rules the man band's home country. The album is #1 for a fifth week, and thus becomes the last chart-topping LP of 2010 across the pond.
The U.K. Top 10:
1. "When We Collide" - Matt Cardle *new* *1 week* 2. "What's My Name" - Rihanna feat. Drake 3. "Surfin' Bird" - The Trashmen *new* 4. "The Time (Dirty Bit)" - The Black Eyed Peas 5. "Your Song" - Ellie Goulding 6. "The Flood" - Take That 7. "Only Girl (In The World)" - Rihanna 8. "Many Of Horror" - Biffy Clyro 9. "Whip My Hair" - Willow 10. "Hold My Hand" - Michael Jackson feat. Akon
Remember, chyldryn, only here in Chart Rigger's investigative series The EEEEEEE-Heeeeee Files will you find the most in-depth, probing coverage of the late Michael Jackson and his upcoming album of unreleased material Michael (out December 14). (Pulitzer, I'm available.)
Today we turn our detective lens to the music video for Michael and amazingly soulful vocalist Akon's "Hold My Hand" (a jam I previously labeled "effective pop"), the lead single off the "new" LP.
Now, I'm not really sure who this Persian woman is who's impersonating Michael all through this video in various faked scenes of concert footage, etc., but I think the whole thing is perverse. Let the dead lie. What a con!
In fact, only at the end of the clip do we see the real Michael Jackson—at the 3:29 mark, where he's standing on the ground waving at the cheap heart-shaped box of Hallmark Valentine's Day chocolates.
That's the Micheal we all know and love. Unfortunately, "Hold My Hand" has dropped this week on the Hot 100 from its peak of #50 to #66.
I'm immensely happy to see Pink's "Raise Your Glass" make its way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. Who knew that this broad would still be around all these years later, while the rest of her fellow "Lady Marmalade" singers would fall over into the dumpster, one-by-one?
And, yes—I usually try to avoid mention "Lady Marmalade" in relation to Pink's chart achievements, but in this case I'm doin' it, since it was her first of three #1 singles over the past nine years (the second being "So What" in 2008).
Over on the Top 200 chart, Pink's Greatest Hits...So Far!!! falls from #14 to #29. (Though that's not as disastrous as Nelly's drop from #10 to #39 with 5.0.)
Also loving the rapid succession of #1 singles on the Hot 100 lately. It's especially gratifying, since when I started this blog, it was in the days of some rap song topping the chart for six-to-10 week stretches at a time.
Anyway, Enrique Iglesias' trashy new club jam "Tonight (I'm Fuckin' You)" debuts at #18 this week (albeit in it's clean "I'm Lovin' You" form). It's a real Renaissance for the hottest piece of tail in pop, considering he now has two Top 20 singles under his naughty belt in 2010. Previously, his last Top 20 hit was "Escape," which reached #12 in 2002.
Meanwhile, just as "We No Speak Americano" slides out of the Top 40, another dance jam from overseas—Edward Maya's "Stereo Love"—continues to make gains. The tune previously reached #4 on the UK chart back in May, and this week climbs to #26 here in the States.
Other trash: Michael Jackson and Akon's "Hold My Hand" jumps from #84 to #50, Christina Aguilera's "Show Me How You Burlesque" debuts at #70 and David Guetta and Rihanna's "Who's That Chick" enters at #73.
The U.S. Top 10:
1. "Raise Your Glass" - Pink *1 week* 2. "Firework" - Katy Perry 3. "Only Girl (In The World)"- Rihanna 4. "Just The Way You Are" - Bruno Mars 5. "What's My Name" - Rihanna feat. Drake 6. "We R Who We R" - Ke$ha 7. "Like A G6" - Far*East Movement 8. "Just A Dream" - Nelly 9. "The Time (The Dirty Bit)" - The Black Eyed Peas 10. "Grenade" - Bruno Mars
This week Rihanna not only becomes the first female singer to nab four #1 singles within one year on the Billboard Hot 100, she's also the first artist ever to have the first single from an album top the chart after the second single did.
Yes, RiRi's "Only Girl (In The World)" has finally inched its way to the top spot, two weeks after her second Loud single "What's My Name" was #1. Earlier this year she ruled with both her hooker jam "Rude Boy" and Eminem's "Love The Way You Lie."
Meanwhile, over on the Top 200, Rihanna settles for a #3 debut with Loud, behind Susan Boyle's The Gift (#1 for a second week) and 10-year-old Pittsburgh native/America's Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho's O Holy Night (#2). That's right—bow to SuBo's powerful thong, you amateurs!
Back on the Hot 100, just behind Rihanna is Pink's "Raise Your Glass" at #2. Her only other single to chart higher (not counting collaborative cover "Lady Marmalade" or shit "We Are The World 25") is "So What", which reached #1 two years ago.
It's annoying to think of that time period in the early '00s where labels by and large weren't offering CD singles in the U.S., and the iTunes store wasn't around yet. Because surely "Get The Party Started" would have been a #1 hit, rather than peaking at #4 on airplay alone? At any rate, Pink's Greatest Hits...So Far!!! debuts at #14 this week over on the Top 200.
Cee Lo Green's "Fuck You" finally cracks the Top 10 (#9), likely thanks to last week's episode of Glee. Gwyneth Paltrow's own tame version of "Forget You" from the episode debuts at #11.
And, hey—maybe this will pave a highly fuckable path for Enrique Iglesias' new single, "Tonight (I'm Fuckin' You)"?
On a final single note, Michael Jackson and Akon's duet "Hold My Hand" debuts at #84. Currently it's up to #30 at the iTunes store. Will this will become MJ's first Top 40 hit in nearly 10 years, Jacko fans? Eeeeeeeeeeee-Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
And on a final album note, 2010 American Idol winner Lee DeWyze appears to be dead on arrival. His debut LP Live It Up pretty much kicked the bucket with its #19 debut.
The U.S. Top 10:
1. "Only Girl (In The World)" - Rihanna*1 week* 2. "Raise Your Glass" - Pink 3. "Like A G6" - Far*East Movement 4. "We R Who We R" - Ke$ha 5. "Just A Dream" - Nelly 6. "Firework" - Katy Perry 7. "Just The Way You Are" - Bruno Mars 8. "What's My Name" - Rihanna feat. Drake 9. "Fuck You" - Cee Lo Green 10. "Bottoms Up" - Trey Songz feat. Nicki Minaj
Unlike "Breaking News," the Michael Jackson song (yeah, right) that surfaced last week, "Hold My Hand" actually sounds like the King Of Pop is crooning the main vocals. Produced by and featuring Akon, a rough version of "Hold My Hand" was originally recorded two years ago. Now this polished rendition is the first single off the upcoming Michael (out December 14).
We all know Michael was a massive perfectionist, but "Hold My Hand" proves that sometimes going the simple route can produce spectacular results. I'm not saying this stands up to classic MJ hits like "Billie Jean" or "Man In The Mirror." But after one listen, the chorus is ringing through your head, and that's just effective pop.
Still feeling a bit dubious about this whole Michael project, because "Breaking News" was a real rocky start to the campaign. But at the very least, "Hold My Hand" should fare well as a surprisingly solid single.
Welcome to The EEEEEEE-Heeeeee Files, where investigative journalism is will be taken to new levels as here on Chart Rigger with regards to upcoming Michael Jackson's upcoming posthumous album Michael. So, first of all, anyone else thinking this is so not MJ singing "new" song "Breaking News"?
Here—what this guy says:
And even if it was the onetime King Of Pop on the recording, instead of Jason Malachi, as the above dude alleges, the song sucks. Hence it being unreleased.
This afternoon Sony announced the release of Michael Jackson's posthumous studio album Michael. It's his first since 2001 LP Invincible. Jesus—why do I have a feeling MJ is suddenly going to become more prolific than Tupac was after he died?
Anyway, some info about Michael:
* It's out December 14. * New song "Breaking News" hits the Internet November 8. * That tune was recorded in 2007. * The cover was painted by Kadir Nelson last year.
The creative process never stopped for the King of Pop who was always planning for his next album; unbeknownst to many fans around the world Michael Jackson was writing and recording songs continuously everywhere from a friend’s home in New Jersey to studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with a small group of handpicked collaborators. Now, through the unique stories that will be told about the songs that comprise MICHAEL, fans will get mind-blowing insight into how this artist worked and a chance to hear the songs he most recently created along with tracks that Michael had a desire to bring to fruition.
“Breaking News,” a never heard before song by Michael that appears on the new album was recorded in New Jersey in 2007 and recently brought to completion. Fans can begin pre-ordering the album on www.michaeljackson.com in the next 24 hours.
"They Don't Care About Us" is the fourth single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory. The song remains one of the most controversial pieces Jackson ever composed. In the US, media scrutiny surrounding alleged antisemitic lyrics were the catalyst for Jackson issuing multiple apologies and re-recording the album–altering the lyrics for that particular track. The singer countered allegations of antisemitism, arguing that reviews had misinterpreted the context of the song, either unintentionally or deliberately. Musically, it is an aggressive hip-hop production about social ills.
The song was accompanied by two music videos directed by Spike Lee. The first was shot in Brazil, in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. The second video was shot in a prison and contained video footage of multiple references to human rights abuses.
Commercially, the song became a top ten hit in all European countries. In the US, radio stations were reluctant to play the controversial composition; it, however, managed to peak at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is a song by American R&B musician Michael Jackson, featured on his 1982 sixth studio album Thriller. Released as the fourth single from the album on May 8, 1983, the song peaked at number five on the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, topped the American Hot Black Singles and Hot Dance Club Songs charts and reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was re-recorded with hip hop artist Akon for the 2008 reissue album Thriller 25 under the title "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" and was released as a single, charting at number 48 in the United States. One of the songs released as a single without an accompanying video, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" nonetheless has attained a popularity rivaling its sister compositions on the album, and had become Jackson's song of choice for opening live concerts, partly due to "startin' something" such as the concert. Not being as strictly associated with a specific dance routine as those others has arguably allowed for more flexibility in performances and staging. Two notable occurrences that happened during live performances were the physically complicated "stop/start" dance technique that brought Jackson and his dancers to a frozen stop several times, and the sing-along between performer and audience during the bridge. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was also used on every set list of Jackson's tours, from the Victory Tour in 1984, right the way through to the HIStory Tour in 1997.
"Gone Too Soon" is a song originally performed by Michael Jackson. It is the ninth single taken from the album Dangerous. It peaked at #33 on the UK Singles Chart in December 1993. The song is dedicated to Ryan White, a young victim of AIDS whom Jackson befriended prior to his death. Michael performed this song at the ball for former President Bill Clinton's first inauguration on January 20, 1993, where he highlighted the importance of supporting research for a cure to this disease. The music video was featured on the home video "Dangerous - The Short Films". The track was included on the compilation album, Diana Princess of Wales Tribute, released by Sony in December 1997, shortly after the death of Princess Diana. The song was further covered by Babyface, as a duet with Stevie Wonder, during his MTV Unplugged session. Usher performed the song at Jackson's memorial service on July 7th, 2009.
"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written by Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones for the singer's sixth studio album, Thriller (1982). Originally disliked by Jones, the track was almost removed from the album after he and Jackson had numerous disagreements (see below: Recording). The song's lyrics refer to a real-life experience, in which a mentally ill female fan claimed that Jackson fathered one of her twins. The song is well known for its distinctive bass line and Jackson's vocal hiccups. The song was mixed 91 times by Bruce Swedien before it was finalized.
Following the successful chart performances of Thriller and "The Girl Is Mine", "Billie Jean" was released on January 2, 1983, as the album's second single. "Billie Jean" was a worldwide commercial and critical success; it became one of the best-selling singles of 1983, and topped both the US and UK charts simultaneously. Considered one of the most revolutionary songs in history, "Billie Jean" was certified platinum in 1989.
Honoured numerous times—including two Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and an induction into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame—the song and corresponding music video propelled Thriller into the best-selling album of all time. The song was promoted with a short film that broke down MTV's racial barrier as the first video by a black artist to be aired by the channel, and an Emmy-nominated performance on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, in which Jackson premiered "the moonwalk." The song was also promoted through Jackson's Pepsi commercials; during the filming of one commercial, Jackson's scalp was severely burned. Covered and sampled by modern artists, "Billie Jean" sealed Jackson's status as an international pop icon. wikipedia.org
Michael Jackson - Torture (Lyrics and Music Video) It was on the street so evil, so bad that even hell disowned it. Every single step was trouble for the fool who stumbled on it. Eyes within the dark were watchin' I felt that sudden chill of danger. Something told me to keep on walkin' told me I should not have gone there.
Baby, because you cut me like a knife without your love in my life. I'm out, I'm walkin' the night 'cause I just canmt stop this feelin'. It's torture, it's torture, it's torture.
She was up a stair to nowhere. A room forever I'll remember. She said as though I should have known her, Tell me, what's your pain or pleasure? Every little thing you find here is simply for the thrill you're after. Loneliness or hearts on fire. I am here to serve all masters.
She said Reality is a knife when there's no love in your life. Unmerciful is the night when you just can't stop this feelin'. It's torture, it's torture, it's torture.
And I still can't find the meaning of the face I keep on seeing. Was she real or am I dreaming? Did the sound of your name turn a wheel, strike a flame in me?
Baby, because you cut me like a knife without your love in my life. I'm out, I'm walkin' the night and I just can't stop this feeling. It's torture, it's torture, it's torture.
She said Reality is a knife when there's no love in your life. Unmerciful is the night when you just can't stop this feelin'. It's torture, it's torture, it's torture.
"Dirty Diana" is a hit song by singer Michael Jackson, released in April 1988. The song presented a harder rock sound similar to that of "Beat It" from the album Thriller. It was the fifth and final number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 from the album Bad. This song is from his 1987 album Bad.
The accompanying video was shot in early 1988 in front of a live audience. The video starts with a low guitar note. Then it shows Michael performing in front of an audience. In between shots of him performing there are shots of a woman (Tatiana Thumbtzen)[1] walking down a dark alley. Michael finishes his by ripping his shirt, ad-libbing, grabbing his crotch. After the concert, he races down the stairs toward his limo. He opens the door, only to find Diana waiting for him and the video ends on the same note it started on.
"What More Can I Give" (also "Todo Para Ti" in Spanish) is a song recorded as a charity single by Michael Jackson and more than 35 other artists, with the goal of raising $50 million for numerous charities in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. A Spanish version was also recorded. Jackson was originally inspired to write the song after meeting with former South African president Nelson Mandela in 1999, and commented that the song was intended to "find solace in the wake of the attack on America and to create a sense of global unity in the face of mindless violence and mass murder."
The single was never released due to a conflict between Jackson and Sony Music. Sony believed the release would create a marketing conflict with Invincible, his then-new album. However, even months after Invincible's release, Sony still refused to release the single. This was one of several factors in Jackson's labelling Sony chief Tommy Mottola a "racist" who he believed had sabotaged the marketing of his new material, and thus announcing his withdrawal from Epic Records. While the song never saw proper retail release, a pay download was eventually made available via whatmorecanigive.com, the (now defunct) official site.
Sony, however, claimed that it was Jackson's own people that pulled the single from release because it was learned that the song's executive producer, Marc Schaffel, was a former director of gay pornography, and, thus, they did not want him to be associated with Michael Jackson or a charity-benefit single.
On October 21, 2001, the song was performed at a 9/11 benefit concert called United We Stand: What More Can I Give?.
In October 2003, The making of the song was shown at the 2003 Radio City Music Awards, where Jackson was presented with a humanitarian award.
"We Are the World" is a 1985 song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced and conducted by Quincy Jones and recorded by a supergroup of 45 popular musicians billed as USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa). The charity single was intended to raise funds to help famine-relief efforts in Ethiopia, which had experienced unusual drought and political instability in 1984 and 1985. Sales from the single and accompanying album and video ultimately raised over $63 million for the famine relief.
History The song was inspired by the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which had been released a few months prior in November 1984. After that performance, which mostly included British musicians, Band Aid organizer Bob Geldof attempted to contact American musicians for an American Christmas charity single, but he had little luck in getting the musicians to reorganize their schedules for recording. Harry Belafonte, who had not been contacted by Geldof, contacted music manager Ken Kragen about putting together a concert to help raise money for African causes.
A temporary but severe drought in Ethiopia during 1984/1985 had decimated local food supplies, and famine relief was still needed for 6 countries, noted by the United Nations (UN): Ethiopia (commonly in news reports), Chad, Mali, Niger, Sudan and Mozambique. Kragen, the manager of Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers, didn't believe that a concert would make enough of a difference and suggested a charity single instead, including about a dozen artists. However, response from musicians was overwhelming, and Kragen turned down about 50 artists who wished to appear on the song.
Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the song for the group, knowing there were people dying in Africa. Quincy Jones agreed to produce and sent a demo to all the participating artists, along with a note to "check their egos at the door".
The song was performed as the finale of Michael Jackson's July 7, 2009 memorial service at Staples Centre in Los Angeles after the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009. The song featured religous symbols and portraits by photographer Steve McCurry.
"Rock with You" was released on November 3, 1979, as the second single from Michael Jackson's fifth solo LP and breakthrough album, Off the Wall. Written by Heatwave group member and songwriter Rod Temperton, the song helped Jackson score one of the first Billboard number-one singles in the 1980s, as well as one of the last big hits of the disco era. It reached number one on both the pop and R&B singles chart and became one of Jackson's most-loved songs. A video for the song shows a smiling Jackson dancing in a sequined suit against a background laser. According to Billboard, the song was the fourth biggest single of 1980. It was re-released as a single on February 27, 2006, as part of the Visionary: The Video Singles box set. The song was later covered by singer Brandy in 1995 for Quincy Jones' album, Q's Jook Joint. It was also covered by Ashanti in 2003 as a remix to her single "Rock With Me (Aww Baby)" and performed at the BET Awards. In 2008, Michael's sister, Janet, released "Rock with U" (a house / club number), from her Discipline album. Although similar in name, the songs are completely different in lyrics and music. Chris Brown performed it on the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. The song was covered by the company Wavegroup for the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol. en.wikipedia.org
