Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson (1958–2009) remains popular music's most scrutinised figure, a child prodigy turned global phenomenon whose artistry and personal mythology became inseparable. Beginning with The Jackson 5 in 1964, he mastered soul's cadences before Off the Wall (1979) established him as a solo force, blending disco, funk, and pop with Quincy Jones' production finesse. Thriller (1982) sold over 70 million copies worldwide, its title track's Vincent Price cameo and John Landis-directed video transforming MTV into a vehicle for Black artists previously excluded from rotation.

Jackson's vocal timbre, oscillating between breathy vulnerability and percussive yelps, paired with meticulous choreography to create a template for modern pop spectacle. Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991) incorporated rock guitar and new jack swing, reflecting hip hop's ascendance. His moonwalk, sequined glove, and military jackets became global shorthand for 1980s excess and ambition.

Allegations of child sexual abuse, multiple trials, and visible physical transformation complicated his legacy irrevocably. Yet his influence persists across R&B, pop, and dance music, proof that cultural impact survives moral scrutiny.