View source for Michael Jackson

{{Short description|American singer (1958–2009)}}
{{Redirect|King of Pop||King of Pop (disambiguation)|and|Michael Jackson (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
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{{Infobox person
| name               = Michael Jackson
| image              = Michael Jackson 1983 (3x4 cropped) (contrast).jpg<!--DO NOT CHANGE THE IMAGE WITHOUT CONSENSUS ON THE TALK PAGE.-->
| alt                = Black-and-white photo of Jackson posing for a photo
| caption            = Jackson in 1983
| birth_name         = Michael Joseph Jackson
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1958|8|29}}
| birth_place        = [[Gary, Indiana]], US<!-- Per MOS:U.S., "the use or non-use of periods (full stops) should also be consistent with other country abbreviations in the same article (thus 'the US, UK, and USSR', not 'the U.S., UK, and USSR')." -->
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2009|6|25|1958|8|29}}
| death_place        = Los Angeles, California,<!--Links not needed per MOS:OVERLINK--> US
| death_cause        = [[Cardiac arrest]] caused by acute [[propofol]] intoxication
| burial_place       = [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California]], US
| alias              = Michael Joe Jackson<!--Legal aliases only. This is not a field for nicknames.-->
| occupation         = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|dancer|philanthropist|record producer}}<!--Please do not add anymore occupations to the list, it is long enough already-->
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|[[Lisa Marie Presley]]|1994|1996|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Debbie Rowe]]|1996|2000|end=divorced}}}}
| children           = 3
| parents            = {{ubl|[[Joe Jackson (manager)|Joe Jackson]]|[[Katherine Jackson]]}}
| family             = [[Jackson family]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Jackson|Full list]]
| website            = {{URL|michaeljackson.com}}
| signature          = Michael Jackson signature.svg
| signature_size     = 100px
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
 | instrument      = Vocals<!--If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first-->
 | genre           = <!--Sourced under the section #Musical themes and genres-->{{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[R&B]]|[[funk]]|[[Rock music|rock]]|[[disco]]|[[post-disco]]|[[dance-pop]]|[[new jack swing]]}}
 | works           = {{hlist|[[Michael Jackson albums discography|Albums]]|[[Michael Jackson singles discography|singles]]|[[List of songs recorded by Michael Jackson|songs]] ([[List of unreleased songs recorded by Michael Jackson|unreleased]])|[[Michael Jackson videography|videography]]|[[List of Michael Jackson concerts|concerts]]}}
 | years_active    = 1964–2009
 | label           = {{hlist|[[Steeltown Records|Steeltown]]|[[Motown]]|[[Epic Records|Epic]]|[[Legacy Recordings|Legacy]]|[[Sony Music|Sony]]|MJJ Productions}}
 | publishers     = [[Sony Music Publishing]]
 | past_member_of = [[The Jackson 5]]
}}
}}

'''Michael Joseph Jackson''' (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist.<!--DO NOT add more occupations per [[Talk:Michael Jackson/Archive 31#Lead sentence format]].--> Dubbed the "'''King of Pop'''", he is regarded as [[Cultural impact of Michael Jackson|one of the most culturally significant figures of the 20th century]]. Over a four-decade career, [[List of Michael Jackson records and achievements|his music achievements]] broke [[Timeline of African-American firsts|racial barriers in America]] and made him a dominant figure across the world. Through songs, stages, and fashion, he proliferated visual performance for artists in [[popular music]]; popularizing street dance moves including the [[Moonwalk (dance)|moonwalk]], the [[Robot (dance)|robot]], and the [[anti-gravity lean]]. Jackson is often deemed the greatest entertainer of all time based on his acclaim and records.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Villarreal |first=Yvonne |date=June 29, 2009 |title=Remembering Michael Jackson: 'The Greatest Entertainer of All Time' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-29-et-jackson-tribute29-story.html |access-date=January 16, 2025 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}

{{Cite magazine |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Michael Jackson Was The Most Influential Entertainer Of The 20th Century & Shaped The Future Of Music, Dance & Film |url=https://okmagazine.com/p/michael-jackson-influential-entertainer-20th-century/ |access-date=December 24, 2024 |magazine=[[OK!]]}}

{{Cite news |last=Satariano |first=Adam |date=July 8, 2009 |title=Family, Fans Mourn Jackson at Site of Final Rehearsal |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-07-08/family-fans-mourn-jackson-at-site-of-final-rehearsal |access-date=January 16, 2025 |agency=[[Bloomberg News]] |quote="the greatest entertainer that ever lived."}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Bennett |first=Jessica |date=December 31, 2024 |title=The Greatest Live Performer Of Every Decade, 1950-Present |url=https://www.vibe.com/lists/greatest-live-performer-every-decade-1950-present/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |quote=Widely considered the greatest performer of all time, Michael Jackson}}

{{Cite news |last=Ratliff |first=Michaela |date=August 29, 2024 |title='The greatest artist who ever lived': Michael Jackson leaves impact 15 years after death |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/greatest-artist-ever-lived-michael-195539668.html |access-date=January 16, 2025 |agency=[[Yahoo! News]]}}

{{Cite magazine |date=June 5, 2010 |title=Michael Jackson Immortalized |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-michael-jackson-songs-22188/ |access-date=December 25, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |quote=Michael Jackson, the greatest pop artist that ever lived}}</ref>

The eighth child of the [[Jackson family]], Michael made his public debut in 1964 at age six, as a member of [[the Jackson 5]] (later known as the Jacksons). After signing with [[Motown]] in 1968, the band achieved worldwide success with him as its lead singer. Jackson achieved solo stardom with the release of his fifth album ''[[Off the Wall]]'' (1979). He followed it up with ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'' (1982), the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling album of all time]], which catapulted him to a rare level of fame,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1uUyAAAAIBAJ&dq=Michael+Jackson+most+recognizable+person&pg=PA20&article_id=6851,5208830 |title=Michael Jackson Is Los Olivos Most Famous, Reclusive Resident. |date=February 27, 1993 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |quote=The Most Recognizable Person in the World}}

{{Cite news |date=May 30, 1988 |title=Weird Al Couldn't resist Fat Parody |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4uBRAAAAIBAJ&dq=Michael+Jackson+most+recognizable+person&pg=PA7&article_id=770,5591192 |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |quote=Michael Jackson is probably the most famous and popular person in the world}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Handelman |first=Michael Goldberg,David |date=September 24, 1987 |title=Is Michael Jackson For Real? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/is-michael-jackson-for-real-102872/ |access-date=May 28, 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone |quote=The World's Biggest Celebrity}}

{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Claude |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CppMAAAAIBAJ&dq=Michael+Jackson+&pg=PA3 |title=Michael: Neither man nor woman, black nor white, when he sings 'I'm Bad' |date=December 30, 1993 |newspaper=[[Rome News-Tribune]] |quote=Jackson is perhaps the most spellbinding performer ever, few cultures have been able to escape the Michael Jackson mystique, he's been able to transcend all standard barometers and escape any description that might categorize him. Teenagers swoon over the singer in every single language, he's just as popular in  Liechtenstein as he is in London.}}

{{Cite news |date=November 27, 2003 |title=Jackson Reaps Global Support As Fans Rally Around The Star |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h7dIAAAAIBAJ&dq=michael+jackson+burkina+faso&pg=PA8&article_id=2197,1315961 |newspaper=[[The Vindicator (Ohio newspaper)|The Vindicator]] |quote="Brice Gansore, a law student from impoverished Burkina Faso who calls himself 'Michael' in homage to Jackson, said the singer 'made me understand that in life there's always someone, somewhere thinking of you.' 'In even the remotest villages of Africa, where there are no televisions or radios, little Africans know Michael Jackson,' the 21-year-old said}}

{{Cite book |last=Glenday |first=Craig |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GJ-Lts1QgrkC&dq=guinness+world+records+2011+jackson&pg=PA350 |title=Guinness World Records 2011 |date=2011 |publisher=Sterling Pub. |isbn=978-0-440-42310-2 |quote=Before his death, Michael Jackson was the most famous living human being in the world.}}</ref> whilst aiding in the popularization of [[MTV]] and revolutionizing the music video medium with the videos for [[Thriller (song)|its title track]] along with "[[Beat It]]" and "[[Billie Jean]]". Jackson furthered his position as a global superstar with ''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' (1987), the world's best-selling album of both 1987 and 1988, as well as the first album to produce five US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] number-one singles: "[[I Just Can't Stop Loving You]]", "[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]", "[[The Way You Make Me Feel]]", "[[Man in the Mirror]]", and "[[Dirty Diana]]". ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]'' (1991) marked a new era for Jackson, lauded as his most artistic and socially conscious album. ''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I|HIStory]]'' (1995) produced "[[You Are Not Alone]]", the first song to debut at number one on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. His final album, [[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|''Invincible'']], was released in 2001.

From the late 1980s, Jackson became a figure of controversy and speculation due to [[Health and appearance of Michael Jackson|his changing appearance]], [[Personal relationships of Michael Jackson|relationships]], behavior, and lifestyle. He was [[1993 Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations|accused of sexually abusing]] the child of a family friend in 1993. In 2005, Jackson [[Trial of Michael Jackson|was tried and acquitted]] of further child sexual abuse allegations and all other charges. While preparing for [[This Is It (concert residency)|This Is It]] (a series of comeback concerts), [[Death of Michael Jackson|Jackson died]] in 2009 from an overdose of [[propofol]] administered by his personal physician [[Conrad Murray]], who was [[People v. Murray|convicted in 2011]] of [[involuntary manslaughter]]. Jackson's death triggered reactions around the world, creating unprecedented surges of internet traffic and a spike in sales of his music. [[Michael Jackson memorial service|His televised memorial service]], held at the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles, was estimated to have been viewed by more than 2.5&nbsp;billion people.

Jackson is one of the [[List of best-selling music artists#|best-selling music artists of all time]], with estimated sales of over 500 million records worldwide.{{refn|group=nb|The estimates of Michael Jackson's record sales vary up to 1{{nbsp}}billion records worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billboard Music Awards 2014: Michael Jackson hologram steals the show |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=May 19, 2014 |access-date=June 30, 2024 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/10840106/Billboard-Music-Awards-2014-Michael-Jackson-hologram-steals-the-show.html |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606193639/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/10840106/Billboard-Music-Awards-2014-Michael-Jackson-hologram-steals-the-show.html |url-status=dead }} {{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-michael-jackson-song_n_5250500 |title=New Michael Jackson Song, 'Love Never Felt So Good,' Features Justin Timberlake |newspaper=[[HuffPost]] |agency=Reuters |date=May 1, 2014 |access-date=June 30, 2024 |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915165131/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-michael-jackson-song_n_5250500 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} He had 13 ''Billboard'' Hot 100 number-one singles ([[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones#Artist achievements|the fifth-highest in Hot 100 history]]) and is the first artist to have a top-ten single on the chart in five different decades. Jackson was inducted into the [[List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees|Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] (twice), the [[National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame]], the [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]], the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]] and the [[National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame|Dance Hall of Fame]] (the only recording artist to be inducted). One of the most-awarded artists in popular music, [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Jackson|his accolades]] include 13 [[Grammy Awards]], the [[Grammy Legend Award]], and the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]]; 26 [[American Music Awards]], including Artist of the Century; 12 [[World Music Awards]]; six [[Brit Awards]]; the [[Bambi Award|Bambi]] Pop Artist of the Millennium Award; and three [[President of the United States|presidential honors]]. In 1992, Jackson founded [[Heal the World Foundation]], donating an estimated $500 million to charity [[Philanthropy of Michael Jackson|throughout his lifetime]]. In 2024, half of [[Mijac Music|his music catalogue]] sold to Sony for $600 million, the [[List of largest music deals#Largest music acquisition|largest music acquisition]] for a single artist in history.
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== Life and career ==
=== Early life and the Jackson 5 (1958–1975) ===
[[File:2300 Jackson Street Yuksel.jpg|thumb|alt=The single-story house has white walls, two windows, a central white door with a black door frame, and a black roof. In front of the house there is a walkway and multiple colored flowers and memorabilia.|Jackson's childhood home in [[Gary, Indiana]], pictured in July 2009|left]]
{{Michael Jackson series}}
Michael Joseph Jackson<ref name="certificate">[[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services|County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services]] (2009). [[:File:Michael Jackson death certificate.jpg|Michael Jackson death certificate]].</ref><ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |first=Steve |last=Huey |title=Michael Jackson – Artist Biography |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/michael-jackson-mn0000467203/biography |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150507080746/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/michael-jackson-mn0000467203/biography |archive-date= May 7, 2015}}</ref> was born in [[Gary, Indiana]], on August 29, 1958.<ref name="Barnes">{{cite news |first=Brokes |last=Barnes |title=A Star Idolized and Haunted, Michael Jackson Dies at 50 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date=July 12, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/arts/music/26jackson.html |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194246/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/arts/music/26jackson.html?ref=obituaries&_r=0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson: 10 Achievements That Made Him The King of Pop |publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences |date=June 24, 2014 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |url=https://www.grammy.com/blogs/michael-jackson-10-achievements-that-made-him-the-king-of-pop |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215072653/https://www.grammy.com/blogs/michael-jackson-10-achievements-that-made-him-the-king-of-pop |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the eighth of ten children in the [[Jackson family]], a working-class [[African Americans|African-American]] family living in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street.{{sfn|Jackson|2009|p=26}}{{sfn|Young|2009|p=18}} His mother, [[Katherine Jackson|Katherine Esther Jackson]] (''née'' Scruse), played clarinet, cello, and piano, had aspired to be a [[Country music|country-and-western]] performer, and worked part-time at [[Sears]].{{sfn|Young|2009|pp=17, 19}} She was a [[Jehovah's Witness]].<ref name="monstrous">{{cite news |first=Alexis |last=Petridis |title=Joe Jackson was one of the most monstrous fathers in pop |newspaper=The Guardian |date=June 27, 2018 |access-date=April 18, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/27/joe-jackson-one-of-the-most-monstrous-fathers-in-pop |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194300/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/27/joe-jackson-one-of-the-most-monstrous-fathers-in-pop |url-status=live }}</ref> His father, [[Joe Jackson (manager)|Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson]], was a former boxer, crane operator at [[US Steel]], and guitarist for local [[rhythm and blues]] band the Falcons.<ref name="Obit Guardian">{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Sweeting |title=Joe Jackson obituary |newspaper=The Guardian |date=June 27, 2018 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/27/joe-jackson-obituary |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194246/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/27/joe-jackson-obituary |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Young|2009|pp=18–19}} Joe's great-grandfather, July "Jack" Gale, was a US Army [[Cavalry scout|scout]]; family lore held that he was also a Native American [[medicine man]].{{sfn|Knopper|2016|p=6. Note: No tribal affiliation named in source}} Michael grew up with three sisters ([[Rebbie Jackson|Rebbie]], [[La Toya Jackson|La Toya]], and [[Janet Jackson|Janet]]) and five brothers ([[Jackie Jackson|Jackie]], [[Tito Jackson|Tito]], [[Jermaine Jackson|Jermaine]], [[Marlon Jackson|Marlon]], and [[Randy Jackson (Jacksons singer)|Randy]]).<ref name="Obit Guardian"/> A sixth brother, Marlon's twin Brandon, died shortly after his birth.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Morris |title=Joe Jackson, Jackson Family Patriarch, Dies at 89 |magazine=Variety |date=June 27, 2018 |access-date=April 27, 2019 |url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/joe-jackson-dead-dies-89-1202859242/ |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108051352/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/joe-jackson-dead-dies-89-1202859242/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1964, Michael and Marlon joined the Jackson Brothers—a band formed by their father which included Jackie, Tito and Jermaine—as backup musicians playing [[conga]]s and [[tambourine]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson: a life of highs and lows |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= November 28, 2019 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5642588/Michael-Jackson-a-life-of-highs-and-lows.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5642588/Michael-Jackson-a-life-of-highs-and-lows.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Jermaine |last=Jackson |year=2011 |title=You Are Not Alone: Michael: Through a Brother's Eyes |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |page=41 |isbn=978-1-4516-5156-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tk0zQIaFrccC&pg=PA41 |access-date=November 28, 2019 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728015107/https://books.google.com/books?id=tk0zQIaFrccC&pg=PA41 |url-status=live }}</ref> Michael said his father told him he had a "fat nose",<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news |title=Jackson interview seen by 14&nbsp;m |agency=BBC News |date=February 4, 2003 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2719763.stm |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194247/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2719763.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and physically and emotionally abused him during rehearsals. He recalled that Joe often sat in a chair with a belt in his hand as he and his siblings rehearsed, ready to punish any mistakes.<ref name="monstrous"/>{{sfn|Lewis Jones|2005|pp=165–168}} Joe acknowledged that he regularly whipped Michael.<ref>{{cite news |title=Can Michael Jackson's demons be explained? |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8121599.stm |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=June 27, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928143342/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8121599.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Katherine said that although whipping came to be considered abuse, it was a common way to discipline children when Michael was growing up.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Katherine Jackson: Michael's strict upbringing not abuse |publisher=CNN |format=video |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldyRUqGN3XA |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/ldyRUqGN3XA |archive-date= November 14, 2021 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Duke |title=Joe Jackson denies abusing Michael |publisher=CNN |date=July 21, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/21/joe.jackson/index.html |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612222819/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/21/joe.jackson/index.html?iref=24hours |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon denied that their father was abusive and said that the whippings, which had a deeper impact on Michael because he was younger, kept them disciplined and out of trouble.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jackson Brothers: Was Joe Jackson Abusive? |url=https://celebrity.yahoo.com/video/jackson-brothers-joe-jackson-abusive-170000051.html |publisher=[[Yahoo! Celebrity]] |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522073344/https://celebrity.yahoo.com/video/jackson-brothers-joe-jackson-abusive-170000051.html |archive-date=May 22, 2015}}</ref> Michael said that during his youth he was lonely and isolated.{{sfn|Young|2009|p=24}}

Later in 1965, Michael began sharing lead vocals with Jermaine, and the group's name was changed to [[the Jackson 5]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Charlie |last=Burton |title=Inside the Jackson machine |magazine=[[GQ]] |date=February 7, 2018 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/jacksons-legacy-jackson-5 |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007005527/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/jacksons-legacy-jackson-5 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1965, the group won a talent show; Michael performed the dance to [[Robert Parker (singer)|Robert Parker]]'s 1965 song "[[Barefootin' (song)|Barefootin']]" and sang [[the Temptations]]' "[[My Girl (The Temptations song)|My Girl]]".{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=13–14}} From 1966 to 1968, the Jacksons 5 toured the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]]; they frequently played at a string of black clubs known as the [[Chitlin' Circuit]] as the opening act for artists such as [[Sam & Dave]], [[the O'Jays]], [[Gladys Knight]] and [[Etta James]]. The Jackson 5 also performed at clubs and cocktail lounges, where [[striptease]] shows were featured, and at local auditoriums and high school dances.{{sfn|Young|2009|pp=21–22}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Triumph & Tragedy: The Life of Michael Jackson |magazine=Rolling Stone India |date=August 25, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/triumph-tragedy-the-life-of-michael-jackson/ |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208201712/https://rollingstoneindia.com/triumph-tragedy-the-life-of-michael-jackson/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 1967, while touring the [[Eastern United States|East Coast]], they won a weekly amateur night concert at the [[Apollo Theater]] in [[Harlem]].{{sfn|Young|2009|p=22}}

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}}
The Jackson 5 recorded several songs for a Gary record label, [[Steeltown Records]]; their first single, "[[Big Boy (song)|Big Boy]]", was released in 1968.{{sfn|Young|2009|p=21}} Bobby Taylor of [[Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers]] brought the Jackson 5 to [[Motown]] after they opened for Taylor at Chicago's [[Regal Theater, Chicago|Regal Theater]] in 1968. Taylor produced some of their early Motown recordings, including a version of "[[Who's Lovin' You]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |first=Steve |last=Knopper |title=Bobby Taylor, Motown Singer Who Discovered Jackson 5, Dead at 83 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 23, 2017 |access-date=July 1, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bobby-taylor-motown-singer-who-discovered-jackson-5-dead-at-83-202100/ |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208202025/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bobby-taylor-motown-singer-who-discovered-jackson-5-dead-at-83-202100/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After signing with Motown, the Jackson family relocated to Los Angeles.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=59–69}} In 1969, Motown executives decided [[Diana Ross]] should introduce the Jackson 5 to the public — partly to bolster her career in television — sending off what was considered Motown's last product of its "production line".<ref>{{cite journal |first=Phillip Brian |last=Harper |date=Winter 1989 |title=Synesthesia, "Crossover," and Blacks in Popular Music |journal=[[Social Text]] |issue=23 |page=110 |doi=10.2307/466423 |jstor=466423| issn = 0164-2472 }}</ref> The Jackson 5 made their first television appearance in 1969 in the [[Miss Black America]] pageant, performing a cover of "[[It's Your Thing]]".<ref>{{cite book |first=Daryl |last=Easlea |year=2016 |title=Michael Jackson: Rewind: The Life and Legacy of Pop Music's King |publisher=Race Point Publishing |page=178 |isbn=978-1-63106-253-7}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' later described the young Michael as "a prodigy" with "overwhelming musical gifts" who "quickly emerged as the main draw and lead singer".<ref name="Bio">{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson – Biography |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/biography |archive-date= April 2, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080402062429/https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/biography}}</ref>

[[File:The Jackson 5 1972.JPG|thumb|left|Michael Jackson (center) as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1972. The group were among the first [[African Americans|African American]] performers to attain a large following.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Vince |last=Aletti |title=Jackson Five: The Biggest Thing Since the Stones |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 26, 1970 |access-date=March 27, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jackson-five-the-biggest-thing-since-the-stones-233775/ |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105171204/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jackson-five-the-biggest-thing-since-the-stones-233775/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
In January 1970, "[[I Want You Back]]" became the first Jackson 5 song to reach number one on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]; it stayed there for four weeks. Three more singles with Motown topped the chart: "[[ABC (The Jackson 5 song)|ABC]]", "[[The Love You Save]]", and "[[I'll Be There (The Jackson 5 song)|I'll Be There]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Fred |last=Bronson |title=48 Years Ago Today, 'I Want You Back' Kicked It All Off for the Jackson 5 |magazine=Billboard |date=November 15, 2017 |access-date=April 6, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8038339/48-years-ago-today-i-want-you-back-debut-jackson-5 |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410223332/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8038339/48-years-ago-today-i-want-you-back-debut-jackson-5 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 1971, the Jackson family moved into a large house at [[Hayvenhurst]], a {{convert|2|acre|adj=on}} estate in [[Encino, Los Angeles|Encino, California]].{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=81–82}} During this period, Michael developed from a child performer into a [[teen idol]].{{sfn|Young|2009|p=25}} Between 1972 and 1975, he released four solo studio albums with Motown: ''[[Got to Be There]]'' (1972), ''[[Ben (Michael Jackson album)|Ben]]'' (1972), ''[[Music & Me]]'' (1973) and ''[[Forever, Michael]]'' (1975).<ref name="McNulty">{{cite news |first=Bernadette |last=McNulty |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson's music: the solo albums |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5652389/Michael-Jacksons-music-the-solo-albums.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5652389/Michael-Jacksons-music-the-solo-albums.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> "[[Got to Be There (song)|Got to Be There]]" and "[[Ben (song)|Ben]]", the title tracks from his first two solo albums, sold well as singles, as did a cover of [[Bobby Day]]'s "[[Rockin' Robin (song)|Rockin' Robin]]".{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=98–99}}

Michael maintained ties to the Jackson 5.<ref name="McNulty"/> The Jackson 5 were later described as "a cutting-edge example of black [[Crossover music|crossover artists]]".<ref>{{cite press release |first=Debra |last=Alban |title=Michael Jackson broke down racial barriers |publisher=CNN |date=June 28, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/28/michael.jackson.black.community/ |archive-date=December 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221075015/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/28/michael.jackson.black.community/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They were frustrated by Motown's refusal to allow them creative input.<ref>{{cite news |first=Helen |last=Brown |title=Michael Jackson and Motown: the boy behind the marketing |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5651468/Michael-Jackson-and-Motown-the-man-behind-the-marketing.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5651468/Michael-Jackson-and-Motown-the-man-behind-the-marketing.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> Jackson's performance of their top five single "[[Dancing Machine]]" on ''[[Soul Train]]'' popularized the [[Robot (dance)|robot dance]].{{sfn|St John|2004|p=51}}{{sfn|Mansour|2005|p=403|ps=: 'The Robot was a mimelike dance, popularized by The Jackson 5 and their Top Ten hit "Dancing Machine"'}}

=== Move to Epic and ''Off the Wall'' (1975–1981) ===
[[File:Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, "Diana" (1981 CBS press photo).jpg|thumb|Jackson (left) and [[Quincy Jones]] (right) appear with [[Diana Ross]] on her upcoming special, ''Diana'', in March 1981. ]]
The Jackson 5 left Motown in 1975, signing with [[Epic Records]] and renaming themselves the Jacksons.<ref>{{cite web |first=Steve |last=Huey |title=The Jackson 5 – Artist Biography |work=AllMusic |access-date=April 8, 2019 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-jackson-5-mn0000083013/biography |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614154543/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-jackson-5-mn0000083013/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> Their younger brother Randy joined the band around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=138–144}} The Jacksons continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984. Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "[[Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)]]" (1978), "[[This Place Hotel]]" (1980), and "[[Can You Feel It (The Jacksons song)|Can You Feel It]]" (1980).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jackson 5 Biography |work=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |publisher=[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |archive-date= March 31, 2019 |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/the-jackson-five/bio/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190331180213/https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/the-jackson-five/bio}}</ref>

In 1977, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the [[Scarecrow (Oz)|Scarecrow]] in ''[[The Wiz (film)|The Wiz]]'', a musical film directed by [[Sidney Lumet]], alongside [[Diana Ross]], [[Nipsey Russell]], and Ted Ross.<ref>{{cite web |first=Bill |last=Gibron |title=You Can't Win Michael Jackson and 'The Wiz' |website=[[PopMatters]] |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=May 10, 2017 |url=https://www.popmatters.com/feature/107586-you-cant-win-michael-jackson-and-the-wiz/ |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730230644/http://www.popmatters.com/feature/107586-you-cant-win-michael-jackson-and-the-wiz/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a box-office failure.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=178–179}} Its score was arranged by [[Quincy Jones]],{{sfn|Bronson|2003|p=207}} who later produced three of Jackson's solo albums.<ref name="Who's Bad">{{cite news |title=Who's bad? Michael Jackson's estate owes Quincy Jones $9.4m in royalties, jury decides |newspaper=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press |date=July 27, 2017 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/27/michael-jacksons-estate-owes-quincy-jones-9m-royalties-jury-decides |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414001040/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/27/michael-jacksons-estate-owes-quincy-jones-9m-royalties-jury-decides |url-status=live }}</ref> During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the [[Studio 54]] nightclub, where he heard early [[hip hop music|hip hop]]; this influenced his [[beatboxing]] on future tracks such as "[[Working Day and Night]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Elias |last=Leight |title=10 Things We Learned from Spike Lee's Michael Jackson Doc |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 5, 2015 |access-date=January 27, 2017 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/10-things-we-learned-from-spike-lees-new-michael-jackson-doc-20160205 |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205203736/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/10-things-we-learned-from-spike-lees-new-michael-jackson-doc-20160205 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1978, Jackson felt unsatisfied with his nose, and decided to have a [[rhinoplasty]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson 'was addicted to surgery', mother claims |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/8117889/Michael-Jackson-was-addicted-to-surgery-mother-claims.html |date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=June 18, 2024}}</ref> He was referred to [[Steven Hoefflin]], who performed his operations.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=205–210}}

Jackson's fifth solo album and first album as an adult, ''[[Off the Wall]]'' (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped him move from the [[bubblegum music|bubblegum]] pop of his youth to more complex sounds.{{sfn|Young|2009|p=25}} It produced four top 10 entries in the US: "[[Off the Wall (Michael Jackson song)|Off the Wall]]", "[[She's Out of My Life]]", and the chart-topping singles "[[Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough]]" and "[[Rock with You]]".<ref name="FourUSTop10s">{{cite magazine |first=Gary |last=Trust |title=Ask Billboard: Remembering the Time When Michael Jackson Kept Hitting the Hot 100's Top 10, From 'Thriller' to 'Dangerous' |magazine=Billboard |date=January 21, 2018 |access-date=April 7, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8095269/michael-jackson-bruno-mars-ed-sheeran-ask-billboard |archive-date=May 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510101751/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8095269/michael-jackson-bruno-mars-ed-sheeran-ask-billboard |url-status=live }}</ref> The album reached number three on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and sold over 20{{nbsp}}million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson: Off The Wall |publisher=[[Virgin Media]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.virginmedia.com/music/classicalbums/michaeljackson-offthewall.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701200501/https://www.virginmedia.com/music/classicalbums/michaeljackson-offthewall.php |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1980, Jackson won three [[American Music Award]]s for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".<ref>{{cite news |title=Donna Summer and Michael Jackson sweep Annual American Music Awards |date=January 20, 1980 |newspaper=[[The Ledger]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wYEsAAAAIBAJ&pg=6776,1201107 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061154/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wYEsAAAAIBAJ&pg=6776,1201107 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ida |last=Peters |title=Donna No. 1, Pop and Soul; Michael Jackson King of Soul |newspaper=[[Baltimore Afro-American|The Afro-American]] |date=February 2, 1980 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EaMkAAAAIBAJ&pg=3100,419518 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061153/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EaMkAAAAIBAJ&pg=3100,419518 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".<ref name="grammy mj">{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson |publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences |date=February 15, 2019 |access-date=April 7, 2019 |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/michael-jackson |archive-date=November 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117085231/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/michael-jackson |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1981, Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.<ref>{{cite news |title=Few Surprises in Music Awards |newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]] |agency=Associated Press |date=February 1, 1981 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sPIcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6226,95260 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061150/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sPIcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6226,95260 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jackson felt ''Off the Wall'' should have made a bigger impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|p=188}} In 1980, he secured the highest [[Royalties|royalty]] rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|p=191}}

=== ''Thriller'', ''Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever'' and Pepsi incident (1982–1984) ===
Jackson recorded with [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s lead singer [[Freddie Mercury]] from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of "[[State of Shock (song)|State of Shock]]", "Victory" and "[[There Must Be More to Life Than This]]". The recordings were intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager [[Jim Beach]], the relationship soured when Jackson brought a [[llama]] into the recording studio,<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Melissa |last=Locker |title=Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury: Three Duets Coming Out This Fall |magazine=Time |date=July 29, 2013 |access-date=June 26, 2015 |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2013/07/29/michael-jackson-and-freddie-mercury-three-duets-coming-out-this-fall/ |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627002534/http://entertainment.time.com/2013/07/29/michael-jackson-and-freddie-mercury-three-duets-coming-out-this-fall/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Jackson was upset by Mercury's drug use.<ref>{{cite news |title=The real Freddie Mercury: why the Queen biopic only tells part of the story |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=October 19, 2018 |access-date=October 30, 2018 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/the-real-freddie-mercury-why-the-queen-biopic-only-tells-part-of-the-story-5ql37vgll |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807011534/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-real-freddie-mercury-why-the-queen-biopic-only-tells-part-of-the-story-5ql37vgll |url-status=live }}</ref> "There Must Be More to Life Than This" was released in 2014.<ref name="Greene">{{cite magazine |first=Andy |last=Greene |title=Hear Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury's Long-Lost Duet |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 19, 2014 |access-date= April 26, 2016 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-freddie-mercury-duet-20140919 |archive-date= March 16, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180316175142/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-freddie-mercury-duet-20140919 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Jackson went on to record "State of Shock" with [[Mick Jagger]] for the Jacksons' album ''[[Victory (The Jacksons album)|Victory]]'' (1984).<ref>{{cite magazine |first=John |last=Earls |title=Producer of new Queen album featuring Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson vocals is revealed |magazine=NME |date=August 2, 2014 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/queen-32-1228446 |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115192047/http://www.nme.com/news/music/queen-32-1228446 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1982, Jackson contributed "Someone in the Dark" to the [[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (album)|audiobook for the film ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'']]. Jackson's sixth album, ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'', was released in late 1982. It was the bestselling album worldwide in 1983,<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael: He's Not Just the Rock Star of the Year, He's the Rock Star of the '80s |date=December 20, 1983 |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |access-date=July 5, 2010 |url=https://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB296D5B072064E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=September 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904180807/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB296D5B072064E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cash register's ring sweet music to record industry |newspaper=[[The Gadsden Times]] |agency=Associated Press |date=March 26, 1984 |access-date=July 5, 2010 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d9EfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1419,4981079 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061150/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d9EfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1419,4981079 |url-status=live }}</ref> and became the bestselling album of all time in the US<ref>{{cite web |title=Diamond Awards |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=T1A#search_section |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216154105/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=DA#search_section |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling album of all time worldwide]], selling an estimated {{Nowrap|70 million}} copies.<ref>{{cite web |first=Del |last=Crookes |title=Adele's 21 overtakes sales of Thriller in UK album list |website=[[Newsbeat]] |date=May 4, 2012 |access-date=July 2, 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-17935650 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611174537/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-17935650 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=[[Asian News International]] (ANI) |title=MJ nearly scrapped 'Thriller' release |publisher=[[Zee News]] |date=September 27, 2009 |access-date= July 2, 2021 |url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/musicworld/mj-nearly-scrapped-thriller-release_42076.html |archive-date= September 26, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200926073042/https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/musicworld/mj-nearly-scrapped-thriller-release_42076.html}}</ref> It topped the ''Billboard'' 200 chart for 37 weeks and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce seven ''Billboard'' Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "[[Billie Jean]]", "[[Beat It]]", and "[[Wanna Be Startin' Somethin']]".{{sfn|Lewis Jones|2005|p=47}}[[File:Michael Jackson's Glove and Cardigan.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A sparkly jacket and gloves, displayed inside a transparent vertical tube.|The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at ''[[Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever]]'' ]]On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for ''[[Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever]]'', an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of {{Nowrap|47 million}}, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.<ref>{{cite news |first=Janette |last=Williams |title=Michael Jackson left indelible mark on Pasadena |newspaper=[[Whittier Daily News]] |date=June 24, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.whittierdailynews.com/general-news/20090625/michael-jackson-left-indelible-mark-on-pasadena |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701174937/http://www.whittierdailynews.com/general-news/20090625/michael-jackson-left-indelible-mark-on-pasadena |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson's solo performance of "Billie Jean" earned him his first [[Emmy Award]] nomination.<ref name="emmys.tv">{{cite news |title=Fatal Cardiac Arrest Strikes Michael Jackson |publisher=[[Emmy Award|Emmys.com]] |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://m.emmys.com/news/fatal-cardiac-arrest-strikes-michael-jackson |archive-date=February 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227174948/http://m.emmys.com/news/fatal-cardiac-arrest-strikes-michael-jackson |url-status=live }}</ref> Wearing a glove decorated with [[rhinestone]]s,<ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson glove sells for $350,000 |agency=BBC News |date=November 22, 2009 |access-date=April 19, 2019 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8372773.stm |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305111949/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8372773.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> he debuted his [[Moonwalk (dance)|moonwalk dance]], which [[Jeffrey Daniel]] had taught him three years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire.<ref name="Daniel">{{cite magazine |first=Jeffrey |last=Daniel |title=Michael Jackson 1958–2009 |magazine=Time |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=April 19, 2019 |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1907409_1907413_1907560,00.html |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419141659/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1907409_1907413_1907560,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson had originally turned down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the request of Motown founder [[Berry Gordy]], he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a solo performance.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=234–237}} ''Rolling Stone'' reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".{{sfn|Young|2009|p=25}} Jackson's performance drew comparisons to [[Elvis Presley]]'s and [[the Beatles]]' appearances on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]''.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=238–241}} [[Anna Kisselgoff]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised the perfect timing and technique involved in the dance.<ref>{{cite news |first=Anna |last=Kisselgoff |author-link=Anna Kisselgoff |title=Stage: The Dancing Feet of Michael Jackson |date=March 6, 1988 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/06/arts/stage-the-dancing-feet-of-michael-jackson.html |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525082206/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/06/arts/stage-the-dancing-feet-of-michael-jackson.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Berry Gordy Addresses Michael Jackson Memorial Service |publisher=Hark |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.hark.com/clips/lxbvwzgnms-berry-gordy-addresses-michael-jackson-memorial-service |archive-date= May 9, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130509134117/https://www.hark.com/clips/lxbvwzgnms-berry-gordy-addresses-michael-jackson-memorial-service}}</ref> ''[[British Vogue]]'' called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to [[moonwalk (dance)|moonwalking]], immortalised solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Neel |first=Julia |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson – A Tribute |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/michael-jacksons-style-26062009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930212703/https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/michael-jacksons-style-26062009 |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2020 |magazine=[[British Vogue]]}}</ref>
At the [[26th Annual Grammy Awards]], ''Thriller'' won eight awards, and Jackson won an award for the ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a record he holds with the band [[Santana (band)|Santana]].<ref name="grammy mj"/> Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical). ''Thriller'' won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with Jackson as songwriter and singer, respectively.<ref name="grammy mj"/>

''Thriller'' won the Grammy for Best Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging [[Bruce Swedien]] for his work on the album.<ref name="Bruce">{{cite web |title=Past Winners Search: Bruce Swedien |publisher=The Recording Academy |access-date=February 14, 2008 |url=https://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=Bruce+Swedien&title=&year=All&genre=All |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718113434/http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=Bruce+Swedien&title=&year=All&genre=All |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[American Music Awards of 1984|11th Annual American Music Awards]], Jackson won another eight awards and became the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.<ref name="Awards 1984">{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson sweeps American Music Awards |newspaper=[[The Daily News (Kentucky)|Daily News]] |agency=Associated Press |date=January 17, 1984 |access-date=June 16, 2010 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eQUbAAAAIBAJ&pg=5127,2841948 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061150/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eQUbAAAAIBAJ&pg=5127,2841948 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album won Favorite Soul/R&B Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.<ref name="Awards 1984"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Winners Database: Search Results for "Michael Jackson" |newspaper=American Music Awards |publisher=[[American Music Award]] |access-date=July 18, 2018 |url=https://www.theamas.com/winners-database/?winnerKeyword=Michael+Jackson&winnerYear=&winnerCategory= |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116095030/https://www.theamas.com/winners-database/?winnerKeyword=michael+jackson&winnerYear=&winnerCategory= |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Thriller''{{'}}s sales doubled after the release of an extended music video, [[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|''Michael Jackson's Thriller'']], which sees Jackson dancing with a horde of zombies.<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=Hebblethwaite |title=How Michael Jackson's Thriller changed music videos for ever |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=November 21, 2013 |access-date=November 28, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/21/michael-jackson-thriller-changed-music-videos |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218125357/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/21/michael-jackson-thriller-changed-music-videos |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Griffin">{{cite magazine |first=Nancy |last=Griffin |title=The "Thriller" Diaries |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=June 24, 2010 |access-date=November 28, 2019 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/07/michael-jackson-thriller-201007?printable=true&currentPage=2 |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030215556/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/07/michael-jackson-thriller-201007?printable=true&currentPage=2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The success transformed Jackson into a dominant force in global pop culture,<ref name="Griffin"/> and the album "conquered racial divides".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Greenberg |first=Steve |date=November 30, 2012 |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' at 30: How One Album Changed the World |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jacksons-thriller-at-30-how-one-album-changed-the-world-473949/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every album sold ({{Inflation|US|2|1984|r=0|fmt=eq|cursign=$}}), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each.<ref name="Time">{{cite magazine |first=Jay |last=Cocks |title=Why He's a Thriller |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=March 19, 1984 |access-date=April 25, 2010 |url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950053,00.html |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103064912/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950053,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the same year, ''The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller'', a documentary about the music video, won a Grammy for Best Music Video (Longform).<ref name="grammy mj"/> ''Time'' described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style and color too."<ref name="Time"/> ''The New York Times'' wrote "in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else".<ref>{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Pareles |author-link=Jon Pareles |title=Michael Jackson at 25: A Musical Phenomenon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 14, 1984 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/14/arts/michael-jackson-at-25-a-musical-phenomenon.html |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525140015/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/14/arts/michael-jackson-at-25-a-musical-phenomenon.html |url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:The Jacksons, Victory Tour, Arrowhead Stadium, 1984.jpg|thumb|276x276px|The Jacksons performing during their [[Victory Tour (The Jacksons)|Victory Tour]] at the [[Arrowhead Stadium]] in 1984|left]]In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with [[PepsiCo]] in a $5{{nbsp}}million promotional deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|5000000|1983|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}). The first Pepsi campaign, which ran in the US from 1983 to 1984 and launched its "New Generation" theme, included tour sponsorship, public relations events, and in-store displays. Jackson helped to create the advertisement, and suggested using his song "Billie Jean", with revised lyrics, as its [[jingle]].<ref name="Herrera2">{{cite magazine |first=Monica |last=Herrera |title=Michael Jackson, Pepsi Made Marketing History |magazine=Billboard |date=July 3, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268213/michael-jackson-pepsi-made-marketing-history |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011095514/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268213/michael-jackson-pepsi-made-marketing-history |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 27, 1984, Michael and other members of the Jacksons filmed a Pepsi commercial overseen by [[Phil Dusenberry]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Louise |last=Story |title=Philip B. Dusenberry, 71, Adman, Dies |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 31, 2007 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/business/media/31dusenberry.html |archive-date=June 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605105452/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/business/media/31dusenberry.html |url-status=live}}</ref> a [[BBDO]] ad agency executive, and [[Alan Pottasch]], Pepsi's Worldwide Creative Director, at the [[Shrine Auditorium]] in Los Angeles. During a simulated concert before a full house of fans, pyrotechnics accidentally set Jackson's hair on fire, causing [[Burn|second-degree burns]] to his scalp. Jackson underwent treatment to hide the scars and had his third rhinoplasty shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite press release |first=Sindhu |last=Shivaprasad |title=Reliving the icon who defined music history: The eternal moonwalker, King of Pop – Michael Jackson |work=Big News Network |date=August 30, 2016 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |url=https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/247179399/reliving-the-icon-who-defined-music-history-the-eternal-moonwalker-king-of-pop---michael-jackson |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107111421/https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/247179399/reliving-the-icon-who-defined-music-history-the-eternal-moonwalker-king-of-pop---michael-jackson |url-status=live }}</ref> Pepsi settled out of court, and Jackson donated the $1.5{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|1500000|1984|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) settlement to the [[Southern California Hospital at Culver City|Brotman Medical Center]] in [[Culver City, California]]; its now-closed Michael Jackson Burn Center was named in his honor.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=279–287}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson Burn Center Closes |publisher=Associated Press |date=August 28, 1987 |url=https://apnews.com/article/07fd5f477d6551db862e18a0e27eed37 |url-status= live |archive-date= February 28, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210228044639/https://apnews.com/article/07fd5f477d6551db862e18a0e27eed37}}</ref> Jackson signed a second agreement with Pepsi in the late 1980s for $10{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|10000000|1987|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}). The second campaign covered 20 countries and provided financial support for Jackson's ''Bad'' album and 1987–1988 world tour. Jackson had endorsements and advertising deals with other companies, such as [[LA Gear]], [[Suzuki]], and [[Sony]], but none were as significant as his deals with Pepsi.<ref name="Herrera2"/>

The [[Victory Tour (The Jacksons)|Victory Tour]] of 1984 headlined the Jacksons and showcased Jackson's new solo material to more than two million Americans. It was the last tour he did with his brothers.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=1984 Michael Jackson Tour |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |date=July 15, 1984 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/1984-michael-jackson-tour-207028 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205230250/https://www.newsweek.com/1984-michael-jackson-tour-207028 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following [[Victory Tour (The Jacksons tour)#Ticket controversy and other business issues|controversy over the concert's ticket sales]], Jackson donated his share of the proceeds, an estimated {{Nowrap|$3 to 5 million}}, to charity.<ref>{{cite web |first=Joseph |last=Vogel |author-link=Joseph Vogel (author) |title=Michael Jackson's Forgotten Humanitarian Legacy |website=[[HuffPost]] |date=September 24, 2017 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-jacksons-forgotten-humanitarian-legacy_b_59c7c8d3e4b08d661550436a |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108075919/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-jacksons-forgotten-humanitarian-legacy_b_59c7c8d3e4b08d661550436a |url-status=live }}</ref> During the last concert of the Victory Tour at the [[Dodger Stadium]] in Los Angeles, Jackson announced his split from the Jacksons during "Shake Your Body".<ref>{{cite book |first1=Richard |last1=Lecocq |first2=François |last2=Allard |year=2018 |title=Michael Jackson All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track |location=London, England |publisher=[[Cassell (publisher)|Cassell]] |isbn=978-1-78840-057-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4qJfDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT384 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305111942/https://books.google.com/books?id=4qJfDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT384 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== "We Are the World" and other commercial activities (1985) ===
[[File:USA For Africa 1985 (US Press Kit 001).jpg|thumb|left|Jackson (second from bottom left) with [[USA for Africa]] in 1985]]
With [[Lionel Richie]], Jackson co-wrote the charity single "[[We Are the World]]" (1985), which raised money for the poor in the US and Africa.<ref name="WATW">{{cite web |title=Past Winners Search: "We Are the World" |url=https://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&field_nominee_work_value=%22We+Are+The+World%22&year=All&genre=All |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416205907/http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&field_nominee_work_value=%22We+Are+The+World%22&year=All&genre=All |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=The Recording Academy}}</ref><ref name="jdoyle">{{cite web |first=Jack |last=Doyle |title="Michael & McCartney": 1980s–2009 |work=The Pop History Dig |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.pophistorydig.com/topics/michael-mccartney-1980s-2009/ |archive-date=June 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613002206/http://www.pophistorydig.com/topics/michael-mccartney-1980s-2009/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It earned $63{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|63000000|1985|r=-6}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}),<ref name="jdoyle"/> and became one of the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling singles of all time]], with 20{{nbsp}}million copies sold.<ref>{{cite news |first=Anthony |last=Breznican |date=June 30, 2009 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=June 11, 2015 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-26-jackson-faces_N.htm |title=The many faces of Michael Jackson |archive-date=December 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205223244/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-26-jackson-faces_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It won four Grammy Awards in 1985, including Song of the Year for Jackson and Richie.<ref name="WATW"/> Jackson, Jones, and the promoter Ken Kragen received special awards for their roles in the song's creation.<ref name="WATW"/><ref name="AMAs 1986">{{cite news |title=Bruce shows who's Boss |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|Montreal Gazette]] |agency=Associated Press |date=January 28, 1986 |access-date=June 16, 2010 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MRgiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1658,3425033 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061151/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MRgiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1658,3425033 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Campbell|1993|p=114}}{{sfn|Young|2009|pp=340–344}}
[[File:Michael Jackson autographing 'We Are The World' posters 1985.jpg|thumb|upright|Jackson signing a "[[We Are the World]]" poster in 1985]]
Jackson collaborated with [[Paul McCartney]] in the early 1980s, and learned that McCartney was making $40{{nbsp}}million a year from owning the rights to other artists' songs.<ref name="jdoyle"/> By 1983, Jackson had begun buying publishing rights to others' songs, but he was careful with his acquisitions, only bidding on a few of the dozens that were offered to him. Jackson's early acquisitions of [[music catalog]]s and song copyrights such as the [[Sly Stone]] collection included "Everyday People" (1968), [[Len Barry]]'s "[[1-2-3 (Len Barry song)|1-2-3]]" (1965), and [[Dion DiMucci]]'s "[[The Wanderer (Dion song)|The Wanderer]]" (1961) and "[[Runaround Sue]]" (1961). In 1984, [[Robert Holmes à Court]] announced he was selling the [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing#Acquisition|ATV Music Publishing]] catalog comprising the publishing rights to nearly 4,000 songs, including most of the Beatles' material.<ref name="hilburn">{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Hilburn |title=The long and winding road |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 22, 1985 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.latimes.com/la-et-hilburn-michael-jackson-sep22-story.html |archive-date=April 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407043521/https://www.latimes.com/la-et-hilburn-michael-jackson-sep22-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1981, McCartney had been offered the catalog for £20{{nbsp}}million ($40{{nbsp}}million) (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|40000000|1981|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name="jdoyle"/><ref name="mcca atv">{{cite web |title=Paul McCartney refused an offer to buy the ATV Catalog for £20 million ($40 million) |website=Mjjinfo.blogspot.fr |date=November 13, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://mjjinfo.blogspot.fr/2010/11/paul-mccartney-refused-to-buy-atv.html |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529221446/http://mjjinfo.blogspot.fr/2010/11/paul-mccartney-refused-to-buy-atv.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson submitted a bid of $46{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|46000000|1984|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) on November 20, 1984.<ref name="hilburn"/> When Jackson and McCartney were unable to make a joint purchase, McCartney did not want to be the sole owner of the Beatles' songs, and did not pursue an offer on his own.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=333–338}}<ref name="mcca atv"/> Jackson's agents were unable to come to a deal, and in May 1985 left talks after having spent more than $1{{nbsp}}million and four months of [[due diligence]] work on the negotiations.<ref name="hilburn"/>

In June 1985, Jackson and Branca learned that [[Charles Koppelman]]'s and [[Martin Bandier|Marty Bandier]]'s The Entertainment Company had made a tentative offer to buy ATV Music for $50{{nbsp}}million; in early August, Holmes à Court contacted Jackson and talks resumed. Jackson's increased bid of $47.5{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|47500000|1985|r=-6}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) was accepted because he could close the deal more quickly, having already completed due diligence.<ref name="hilburn"/> Jackson agreed to visit Holmes à Court in Australia, where he would appear on the [[Channel Seven Perth Telethon]].<ref name="ch7news">{{cite episode |title=Michael Jackson 1958–2009 |series=[[Today Tonight]] |minutes=Coverage of the sale of ATV Music at 2:36 |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date= January 12, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3htpIVyUtec |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120531223849/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3htpIVyUtec |archive-date= May 31, 2012}}</ref> His purchase of ATV Music was finalized on August 10, 1985.<ref name="jdoyle"/><ref name="hilburn"/>

=== Increased tabloid speculation (1986–1987) ===
{{See also|Health and appearance of Michael Jackson}}
Jackson's skin had been medium-brown during his youth, but from the mid-1980s gradually grew paler. The change drew widespread media coverage, including speculation that he had been [[Skin whitening|bleaching his skin]].{{sfn|Campbell|1995|pp=14–16}}{{sfn|Parameswaran|2011|pp=75–77}}{{sfn|DeMello|2012|p=152}} His dermatologist, [[Arnold Klein]], said he observed in 1983 that Jackson had [[vitiligo]],<!-- NOTE: With respect to the RfC on using Taraborrelli (check the archives), the "Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo in 1984" aspect is only supported by Taraborrelli. Other sources cite Taraborrelli when stating this with regard to 1984. So we either leave the Taraborrelli/"1984" piece out and instead cite an Arnold Klein aspect in its place, like the text currently does, or we retain the Taraborrelli piece. --><ref name="Rosenberg">{{cite news |first=Alyssa |last=Rosenberg |title=To understand Michael Jackson and his skin, you have to go beyond race |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 2, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2016/02/02/to-understand-michael-jackson-and-his-skin-you-have-to-go-beyond-race |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613065219/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2016/02/02/to-understand-michael-jackson-and-his-skin-you-have-to-go-beyond-race/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. He also identified [[discoid lupus erythematosus]] in Jackson. He diagnosed Jackson with lupus that year,<ref name="Rosenberg"/> and with vitiligo in 1986.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Wilson |title=The Aftermath of Michael Jackson and Oprah: What About His Face? |publisher=Associated Press |date=February 12, 1993 |access-date=September 17, 2019 |url=https://www.apnews.com/420d71be3ec15171644bfbceb41da62f |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803223252/https://apnews.com/420d71be3ec15171644bfbceb41da62f |url-status=dead }}</ref> Vitiligo's drastic effects on the body can cause psychological distress. Jackson used fair-colored makeup,<ref>{{cite news |first=Gina |last=Kolata |title=Doctor Says Michael Jackson Has a Skin Disease |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 13, 1993 |access-date=September 17, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/13/us/doctor-says-michael-jackson-has-a-skin-disease.html |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508142233/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/13/us/doctor-says-michael-jackson-has-a-skin-disease.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and possibly skin-bleaching prescription creams,<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |title=Search of Michael Jackson's Home Revealed Skin-Whitening Creams |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 29, 2010 |access-date=September 17, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/search-of-michael-jacksons-home-revealed-skin-whitening-creams-65450/ |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726181245/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/search-of-michael-jacksons-home-revealed-skin-whitening-creams-65450/ |url-status=live }}</ref> to cover up the uneven blotches of color caused by the illness. The creams would depigment the blotches, and, with the application of makeup, he could appear very pale.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=434–436}} Jackson said he had not purposely bleached his skin and could not control his vitiligo, adding, "When people make up stories that I don't want to be who I am, it hurts me."<ref name="Oprah-Jackson">{{cite news |title=The Michael Jackson Interview: Oprah Reflects |newspaper=Oprah.com |publisher=[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]] |page=3 |date=September 16, 2009 |access-date=April 24, 2017 |url=https://www.oprah.com/entertainment/oprah-reflects-on-her-interview-with-michael-jackson/3 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427103353/https://www.oprah.com/entertainment/oprah-reflects-on-her-interview-with-michael-jackson/3 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became friends with Klein and Klein's assistant, [[Debbie Rowe]]. Rowe later became Jackson's second wife and the mother of his first two children.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arnold Klein, Dermatologist Who Smoothed Stars' Wrinkles, Dies at 70 |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=October 10, 2015 |access-date=July 18, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/24/us/arnold-klein-dermatologist-who-smoothed-stars-wrinkles-dies-at-70.html |archive-date=July 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718195246/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/24/us/arnold-klein-dermatologist-who-smoothed-stars-wrinkles-dies-at-70.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In his 1988 autobiography and a 1993 interview, Jackson said he had had two [[rhinoplasty]] surgeries and a [[cleft chin]] surgery but no more than that. He said he lost weight in the early 1980s because of a change in diet to achieve a dancer's body.{{sfn|Jackson|2009|pp=229–230}} Witnesses reported that he was often dizzy, and speculated he was suffering from [[anorexia nervosa]]. Periods of weight loss became a recurring problem later in his life.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=312–313}} After his death, Jackson's mother said that he first turned to [[Plastic surgery#Cosmetic surgery procedures|cosmetic procedure]]s to remedy his vitiligo, because he did not want to look like a "spotted cow". She said he had received more than the two cosmetic surgeries he claimed and speculated that he had become addicted to them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson was addicted to plastic surgery, his mother says |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=November 10, 2010 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/michael-jackson-was-addicted-to-plastic-surgery-his-mother-says-20101110-17mg1.html |archive-date=July 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718195246/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/michael-jackson-was-addicted-to-plastic-surgery-his-mother-says-20101110-17mg1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1986, it was reported that Jackson slept in a [[hyperbaric medicine|hyperbaric oxygen chamber]] to slow aging. He denied the story,<ref name="Image">{{cite news |title=Music's misunderstood superstar |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=June 13, 2005 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4584367.stm |archive-date=July 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716021655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4584367.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> although it was alleged that Jackson leaked an image of him sleeping in a glass chamber (according to Jackson, this was a promotional shot from an [[Captain EO|upcoming space opera featuring himself]]) to ''[[The National Enquirer]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Taylor |first1=Trey |title=Hollyweird: Michael Jackson and the Making of Disney's 'Captain EO' |url=https://www.papermag.com/hollyweird-captain-eo |access-date=October 1, 2023 |magazine=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]] |date=September 27, 2018 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007022441/https://www.papermag.com/hollyweird-captain-eo |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also reported that Jackson took female hormone shots to keep his voice high and facial hair wispy, proposed to [[Elizabeth Taylor]] and possibly had a shrine of her, and had cosmetic surgery on his eyes. Jackson's manager [[Frank DiLeo]] denied all of them, except for Jackson having a chamber. DiLeo added "I don't know if he sleeps in it. I'm not for it. But Michael thinks it's something that's probably healthy for him. He's a bit of a health fanatic."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Cutler |last=Durkee |title=Unlike Anyone, Even Himself |magazine=People |volume=28 |issue=11 |date=September 14, 1987 |access-date=June 29, 2019 |url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-unlike-anyone-even-himself-vol-28-no-11/ |archive-date=June 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629202953/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-unlike-anyone-even-himself-vol-28-no-11/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

When Jackson took his pet chimpanzee [[Bubbles (chimpanzee)|Bubbles]] to tour in Japan, the media portrayed Jackson as an aspiring [[Disney]] cartoon character who befriended animals.<ref>{{cite magazine |first1=Michael |last1=Goldberg |first2=David |last2=Handelman |title=Is Michael Jackson for Real? |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 24, 1987 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/is-michael-jackson-for-real-19870924 |access-date= September 4, 2017 |archive-date= May 9, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160509044804/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/is-michael-jackson-for-real-19870924 |url-status= dead}}</ref> It was also reported that Jackson had offered to buy the bones of [[Joseph Merrick]] (the "Elephant Man").{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=355–361}} In June 1987, the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' reported Jackson's publicist bidding $1{{nbsp}}million for the skeleton to the [[London Hospital Medical College]] on his behalf. The college maintained the skeleton was not for sale. DiLeo said Jackson had an "absorbing interest" in Merrick, "purely based on his awareness of the ethical, medical and historical significance".<ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson Ups Bid for Skeleton of 'Elephant Man' |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |agency=United Press International |date=June 17, 1987 |access-date=June 20, 2019 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-06-17-8702140689-story.html |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621090736/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-06-17-8702140689-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 1986, using the oxygen chamber story, the British tabloid ''The Sun'' branded Jackson "Wacko Jacko", a name Jackson came to despise.<ref name="allmusic"/><ref>{{cite interview |last=Jackson |first=Michael |interviewer=Barbara Walters |title=Jackson interview with Barbara Walters |work=20/20 |publisher=ABC |date=September 12, 1997}}</ref> ''[[The Atlantic]]'' noted that the name "Jacko" has racist connotations, as it originates from [[Jacco Macacco|Jacko Macacco]], a monkey used in [[monkey-baiting]] matches at the [[Westminster Pit]] in the early 1820s, and "Jacko" was used in [[Cockney slang]] to refer to monkeys in general.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vogel |first=Joseph |date=September 9, 2012 |title=How Michael Jackson Made 'Bad' |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/09/how-michael-jackson-made-bad/262162/ |magazine=[[The Atlantic]] |access-date=July 20, 2019 |ref=none |archive-date=December 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218073140/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/09/how-michael-jackson-made-bad/262162/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jackson worked with [[George Lucas]] and [[Francis Ford Coppola]] on the 17-minute $30{{nbsp}}million [[3D film]] ''[[Captain EO]]'', which ran from 1986 at [[Disneyland]] and [[Epcot]], and later at [[Tokyo Disneyland]] and [[Disneyland Park (Paris)|Euro Disneyland]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Dewayne |last=Bevil |title=What's old is new again as 'Captain EO' returns to Epcot |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |date=June 30, 2010 |access-date=April 6, 2019 |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-xpm-2010-06-30-os-tdd-tips-captain-eo-returns-063010-story.html |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920142825/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-xpm-2010-06-30-os-tdd-tips-captain-eo-returns-063010-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After having been removed in the late 1990s, it returned to the theme park for several years after Jackson's death.<ref>{{cite web |title=Captain EO is Back to Change the World |publisher=IGN |date=February 23, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/23/captain-eo-is-back-to-change-the-world |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917171107/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/23/captain-eo-is-back-to-change-the-world |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1987, ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' reported that Jackson had disassociated himself from the Jehovah's Witnesses.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Robert E. |last=Johnson |title=Michael Jackson Comes Back! |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |volume=42 |issue=11 |date=September 1987 |pages=143, 148–9 |issn=0012-9011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Li0JBWU6E0C&pg=PA143}}</ref> Katherine Jackson said this might have been because some Witnesses strongly opposed the ''Thriller'' video,<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Katherine |last=Jackson |title=Mother of Jackson Family Tells All |magazine=Ebony |volume=45 |issue=12 |date=October 1990 |page=66 |issn=0012-9011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v9MDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66 |quote=In 1987, he left the Jehovah's Witnesses. There was strong opposition to his "Thriller" video on the part of some Witnesses. Perhaps the controversy figured into his decision to leave. But I don't know that for a fact because I didn't talk to him about what he'd done. I couldn't. Witnesses do not discuss spiritual matters with a person who has disassociated himself from the Witnesses, including family members. But I want to stress that, contrary to published reports, I was not required to "shun" my son. Our relationship is as loving today as it was when he was a Witness. I just can't ask him, "Why, Michael?"}}</ref> which Michael denounced in a Witness publication in 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=I Would Never Do It Again! |magazine=Awake |publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses |page=20 |date=May 22, 1984 |access-date=September 11, 2018 |url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101984368#h=18-20 |archive-date=September 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911191406/https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101984368#h=18-20 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2001, Jackson told an interviewer he was still a Jehovah's Witness.<ref name="tvg">{{cite magazine |date=November 10–16, 2001 |title=The Man in the Mirror |url= |magazine=[[TV Guide (magazine)|TV Guide]] |page=20 |quote=TVG: How did you avoid self-destruction? MJ [Michael Jackson]: I think religion entered in? TVG: Are you still a Jehovah's Witness? MJ: Yeah.}}</ref>

=== ''Bad'', autobiography, and Neverland (1987–1990) ===
[[File:Michael Jackson in 1988.jpg|thumb|upright|Jackson performing in [[Vienna]], Austria, 1988]]
Jackson's first album in five years, ''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' (1987), was highly anticipated, with the industry expecting another major success.<ref name="Time2">{{cite magazine |first=Jay |last=Cocks |title=Music: The Badder They Come |magazine=Time |date=September 14, 1987 |access-date=April 25, 2010 |url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965452,00.html |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109094122/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965452,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It became the first album to produce five US number-one singles: "[[I Just Can't Stop Loving You]]", "[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]", "[[The Way You Make Me Feel]]", "[[Man in the Mirror]]", and "[[Dirty Diana]]". Another song, "[[Smooth Criminal]]", peaked at number seven.<ref name="FourUSTop10s"/> ''Bad'' won the 1988 Grammy for Best Engineered Recording – Non Classical and the 1990 [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video]], Short Form for "[[Leave Me Alone (Michael Jackson song)|Leave Me Alone]]".<ref name="grammy mj"/><ref name="Bruce"/> Jackson won an Award of Achievement at the American Music Awards in 1989 after ''Bad'' generated five number-one singles, became the first album to top the charts in 25 countries and the best-selling album worldwide in 1987 and 1988.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael, Travis top Music Award winners |newspaper=[[Lodi News-Sentinel]] |agency=United Press International |date=January 30, 1989 |access-date=June 16, 2010 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lZozAAAAIBAJ&pg=4477,3617735 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061151/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lZozAAAAIBAJ&pg=4477,3617735 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson tour on its way to u.s. |newspaper=[[Mercury News]] |date=January 12, 1988 |access-date=July 5, 2010 |url=https://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB72CE855E5ADB3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=August 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812063453/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB72CE855E5ADB3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Bad (tour)|Bad]] tour ran from September 12, 1987, to January 27, 1989.{{sfn|Lewis Jones|2005|pp=95–96}} In Japan, the tour had 14 sellouts and drew 570,000 people, nearly tripling the previous record for a single tour.<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Harrington |title=Jackson to Make First Solo U.S. Tour |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=January 12, 1988 |access-date= March 16, 2013 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/306975947 |archive-date= February 23, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180223110845/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/doc/306975947.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan%2012,%201988&author=Richard%20Harrington&pub=The%20Washington%20Post%20%28pre-1997%20Fulltext%29&edition=&startpage=b.03&desc=Jackson%20to%20Make%20First%20Solo%20U.S.%20Tour |id={{ProQuest|306975947}} |url-status= live}}</ref> The 504,000 people who attended seven sold-out shows at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] set a new ''[[Guinness World Record]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=16 of Michael Jackson's Greatest Non-Musical Achievements |website=Brainz.org |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://brainz.org/16-michael-jacksons-greatest-non-musical-achievements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626164913/https://brainz.org/16-michael-jacksons-greatest-non-musical-achievements/ |archive-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> ''Bad'' cemented Jackson's status as a dominant music force;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harrington |first=Richard |date=October 8, 1988 |title=PRINCE MICHAEL JACKSON TWO PATHS TO THE TOP OF POP |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1988/10/09/prince-michael-jackson-two-paths-to-the-top-of-pop/4ff69a1b-e67c-4f54-8d98-58be1453867f/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> the album has sold over 35 million copies worldwide, which ranks it amongst the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling albums ever]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 4, 2018 |title=Michael Jackson tribute show set to mark 30th anniversary of Bad |url=https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/leisure/16205573.michael-jackson-tribute-show-set-mark-30th-anniversary-bad/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |newspaper=South Wales Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Maloney |first=Devon |date=February 22, 2012 |title=Michael Jackson's 'Bad' Will Turn 25 With Elaborate Box Set |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/05/michael-jacksons-bad-will-turn-25-elaborate-box-set/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |magazine=Spin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Spike Lee to direct Michael Jackson 'Bad' documentary |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2012/07/11/spike-lee-to-direct-michael-jackson-bad-documentary/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=10 Things About Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' 30 Years After Its Release |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/10-things-michael-jacksons-thriller-30-years-release/story?id=17827505 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |agency=ABC News }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McGovern |first=Kyle |date=October 18, 2012 |title=Spike Lee's 'Bad 25' Trailer Touts Michael Jackson's Greatest Accomplishments |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/10/michael-jackson-bad-25-trailer/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |magazine=Spin}}</ref>

In 1988, Jackson released his autobiography, ''[[Moonwalk (book)|Moonwalk]]'', with input from Stephen Davis and [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Alice |last=Vincent |title=When Michael Jackson (almost) told all: the story of his bizarre autobiography Moonwalk |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=March 11, 2019 |access-date= April 8, 2019 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/michael-jackson-almost-told-story-bizarre-autobiography-moonwalk/ |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/michael-jackson-almost-told-story-bizarre-autobiography-moonwalk/ |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> It sold 200,000 copies,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Mark |last1=Shanahan |first2=Meredith |last2=Golstein |title=Remembering Michael |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=June 27, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2009/06/27/writer_stephen_davis_remembers_michael_jackson |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702164216/http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2009/06/27/writer_stephen_davis_remembers_michael_jackson/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and reached the top of ''The New York Times'' bestsellers list.<ref>{{cite news |title=Best Seller List a Cakewalk for Moonwalk |publisher=Associated Press |date=May 6, 1988 |access-date=April 8, 2019 |url=https://apnews.com/0afe7934cb1ac583fe267fb993947a24 |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818132056/https://apnews.com/0afe7934cb1ac583fe267fb993947a24 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson discussed his childhood, the Jackson 5, and the abuse from his father.{{sfn|Jackson|2009|pp=29–31}} He attributed his changing facial appearance to three plastic surgeries, puberty, weight loss, a strict vegetarian diet, a change in hairstyle, and stage lighting.<ref>{{cite web |first=Eric |last=Ditzian |title=Michael Jackson's Memoir, 'Moonwalk': Read Excerpts Here! |publisher=MTV News |date=October 12, 2009 |access-date=June 20, 2019 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1623608/michael-jacksons-memoir-moonwalk-read-excerpts-here/ |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621025802/http://www.mtv.com/news/1623608/michael-jacksons-memoir-moonwalk-read-excerpts-here/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{sfn|Jackson|2009|pp=229–230}} In June, Jackson was honored with the Grand Vermeil [[Medal of the City of Paris]] by the then Mayor of Paris [[Jacques Chirac]] during his stay in the city as part of the Bad tour.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael's Last Tour |magazine=Ebony |date=April 1989 |volume=44 |issue=6 |page=148 |issn=0012-9011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FtUDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA148 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305111940/https://books.google.com/books?id=FtUDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA148#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson et ses amis |magazine=[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]] |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |url=https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Michael-Jackson-et-ses-amis |language=fr |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507185226/https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Michael-Jackson-et-ses-amis |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 20, he became the first [[commoner]] in history to enter London's [[Guildhall, London|Guildhall]] through the building's Royal Entrance.<ref name="untouch">{{cite book |last=Sullivan |first=Randall |author-link=Randall Sullivan |title=[[Untouchable: The Strange Life and Tragic Death of Michael Jackson]] |publisher=[[Grove Press]] |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-8021-4582-6 |chapter=South |access-date=September 25, 2024 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LUq1EO5e3S0C |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015101931/https://books.google.com/books?id=LUq1EO5e3S0C |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> In October, Jackson released a film, ''[[Moonwalker]]'', which featured live footage and short films starring Jackson and [[Joe Pesci]]. In the US it was released [[direct-to-video]] and became the bestselling video cassette in the country.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson's Moonwalker at 25 |magazine=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]] |date=November 7, 2013 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/michael-jacksons-moonwalker-at-25 |archive-date=April 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407111130/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/michael-jacksons-moonwalker-at-25 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Entertainment Notes: Moonwalker Tops Thriller |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |date=February 6, 1989 |access-date= April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/33490/ENTERTAINMENT-NOTES-MOONWALKER-TOPS-THRILLER.html |archive-date= April 7, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190407112354/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/33490/ENTERTAINMENT-NOTES-MOONWALKER-TOPS-THRILLER.html |url-status= dead}}</ref> The [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) certified it as eight times Platinum in the US.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=MICHAEL+JACKSON&ti=MOONWALKER |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803214618/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=MICHAEL+JACKSON&ti=MOONWALKER |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 1988, Jackson purchased {{convert|2700|acre|km2}} of land near [[Santa Ynez, California]], to build a new home, [[Neverland Ranch]], at a cost of $17{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|17000000|1988|r=-6}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name="Malta">{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's Neverland on sale |newspaper=[[The Times (Malta)|The Times]] |agency=Reuters |date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=June 11, 2015 |url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150601/world/Michael-Jackson-s-Neverland-on-sale.570574 |archive-date=June 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613052252/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150601/world/Michael-Jackson-s-Neverland-on-sale.570574 |url-status=live }}</ref> He installed a [[Ferris wheel]], a [[carousel]], a movie theater and a zoo.<ref name="Malta"/><ref name="Bio2">{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson – Biography |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/biography |archive-date= June 20, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080620063744/https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/biography}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Hannah |last=Ellis-Petersen |title=Michael Jackson Neverland Ranch expected to fetch up to $85m |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 1, 2014 |access-date=June 11, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/01/michael-jackson-neverland-ranch-sell-50-million |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614191347/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/01/michael-jackson-neverland-ranch-sell-50-million |url-status=live }}</ref> A security staff of 40 patrolled the grounds.<ref name="Bio2"/> Shortly afterwards, he appeared in the first Western television advertisement in the [[Soviet Union]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Marison |last=Mull |title=Pepsi Ads to Run on Soviet TV |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=May 6, 1988 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-06-ca-2868-story.html |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406163419/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-06-ca-2868-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jackson became known as the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|King of Pop]]", a nickname that Jackson's publicists embraced.{{sfn|Lewis Jones|2005|pp=165–168}}{{sfn|Tannenbaum|Marks|2011|loc=Chapter 41, "I Want to Have a Nickname"}}<ref name="ew1991">{{cite magazine |first=David |last=Browne |title=Michael Jackson's Black or White |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date= April 14, 2019 |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/06/25/michael-jacksons-black-or-white/ |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090425084625/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,316363,00.html |archive-date= April 25, 2009}}</ref> When [[Elizabeth Taylor]] presented him with the Soul Train Heritage Award in 1989, she called him "the true king of pop, rock and soul."{{sfn|Campbell|1993|pp=260–263}} President [[George H. W. Bush]] designated him the White House's "Artist of the Decade".<ref>{{cite web |title=Remarks on the Upcoming Summit with President Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union |publisher=The American Presidency Project |date=April 5, 1990 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=18331 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402184921/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=18331 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the 38th [[BMI Film & TV Awards|BMI Awards]] in 1990, Jackson was the first person to be honored with an award named after its recipient.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Taylor Swift to receive first-ever Taylor Swift Award|url=https://www.wftv.com/news/trending-now/taylor-swift-to-receive-firstever-taylor-swift-award/198482313/|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2024|work=[[WFTV]]|agency=[[Cox Media Group]] National Content Desk|archive-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421040518/https://www.wftv.com/news/trending-now/taylor-swift-to-receive-firstever-taylor-swift-award/198482313/|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1985 to 1990, Jackson donated $455,000 to the [[United Negro College Fund]],<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Blacks Who Give Something Back |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |date=March 1990 |volume=45 |issue=3 |page=68 |issn=0012-9011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oswDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA68 |access-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305111945/https://books.google.com/books?id=oswDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA68#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> and all profits from his single "Man in the Mirror" went to charity.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|p=382}} His rendition of "You Were There" at [[Sammy Davis Jr.]]'s 60th birthday celebration won Jackson a second Emmy nomination.<ref name="emmys.tv"/> Jackson was the bestselling artist of the 1980s.<ref name="Brooks">{{cite news |title=Garth Brooks ropes in most Billboard awards |newspaper=[[The Beaver County Times]] |agency=Associated Press |date=December 10, 1992 |access-date=July 4, 2010 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w7QiAAAAIBAJ&pg=3124,2012493 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061152/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w7QiAAAAIBAJ&pg=3124,2012493 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''Dangerous'' and public social work (1991–1993) ===
{{multiple image
| perrow            = 2
| total_width       = 400
| image1            = Michael Jackson (21023177638).jpg
| footer            = Jackson during the [[Dangerous World Tour]] in [[Monza]], Italy in 1992
| image2            = Michael Jackson (21022972230).jpg
| image3            = Michael Jackson (20589963363).jpg
| image4            = "Will You Be There" performance at Monza (July 6, 1992).jpg
}}
In March 1991, Jackson renewed his contract with Sony for $65{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|65000000|1991|r=-6}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), a [[List of largest music deals|record-breaking deal]],<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Montgomery |title=Michael Jackson's Life & Legacy: The Eccentric King Of Pop (1986–1999) |publisher=MTV |date=July 6, 2009 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615214/michael-jacksons-life-amp-legacy-1986-1999.jhtml |access-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-date=October 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024095208/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615214/michael-jacksons-life-amp-legacy-1986-1999.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> beating [[Neil Diamond]]'s renewal contract with [[Columbia Records]].<ref>{{cite news |first1=Chris |last1=Gray |first2=Saeed |last2=Shah |title=Robbie swings historic record deal with EMI |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=October 3, 2002 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/robbie-swings--historic-record-deal-with-emi-138739.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/robbie-swings--historic-record-deal-with-emi-138739.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, he released his eighth album, ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]'', co-produced with [[Teddy Riley]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Willman |title=Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 24, 1991 |access-date=June 11, 2015 |url=https://www.latimes.com/la-archive-dangerous-review-nov24-story.html |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116024630/https://www.latimes.com/la-archive-dangerous-review-nov24-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was certified eight times platinum in the US, and by 2018 had sold 32{{nbsp}}million copies worldwide.<ref name="Certifications">{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – Jackson, Michael |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=michael+jackson#search_section |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075507/http://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Michael+Jackson#search_section |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's best selling studio albums |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= September 20, 2021 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5648176/Michael-Jacksons-best-selling-studio-albums.html |url-status= live |archive-date= October 17, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191017165055/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5648176/Michael-Jacksons-best-selling-studio-albums.html}}</ref> In the US, the first single, "[[Black or White]]", was the album's highest-charting song; it was number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for seven weeks and achieved similar chart performances worldwide.<ref name="Achievements">{{cite web |title=The return of the King of Pop |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=November 2, 2006 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.today.com/id/15529981 |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927195945/http://www.today.com/id/15529981 |url-status=live }}</ref> The second single, "[[Remember the Time]]" peaked at number three on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 singles chart.<ref name="billboard mj"/> At the end of 1992, ''Dangerous'' was the bestselling album of the year worldwide and "Black or White" the bestselling single of the year worldwide at the [[Billboard Music Award|''Billboard'' Music Awards]].<ref name="Brooks"/> In 1993, he performed "Remember the Time" at the [[Soul Train Music Awards]] in a chair, saying he twisted his ankle during dance rehearsals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson Shows Up to Gather Awards, Despite Ankle Injury |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 11, 1993 |access-date=July 16, 2019 |issn=0458-3035 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-11-ca-1327-story.html |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716024429/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-11-ca-1327-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the UK, "[[Heal the World]]" made No. 2 on the charts in 1992.<ref name="OC"/>[[File:Postal Cover of Romania - Michael Jackson (1992) 02.jpg|left|thumb|A 1992 Romanian postal cover honoring Jackson's 1992 concert in Bucharest]]Jackson founded the [[Heal the World Foundation]] in 1992. The charity brought underprivileged children to Jackson's ranch to use the theme park rides, and sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war, poverty, and disease. That July, Jackson published his second book, ''[[Dancing the Dream]],'' a collection of poetry. The [[Dangerous World Tour]] ran between June 1992 and November 1993 and grossed {{Nowrap|$100 million}} (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|100000000|1993|r=-7}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}); Jackson performed for over 3.5 million people in 70 concerts, all of which were outside the US.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MJ's 'Dangerous' World Tour Raised Millions To Aid Children & Environment |url=https://www.michaeljackson.com/en-ca/news/mjs-dangerous-world-tour-raised-millions-to-aid-children-environment/ |access-date=August 14, 2024 |publisher=Michael Jackson Official Site}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Harrington |title=Jackson to Tour Overseas |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 5, 1992 |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-989047.html |archive-date= September 24, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202213/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-989047.html}}</ref> Part of the proceeds went to Heal the World Foundation.<ref>{{cite news |first=Martie |last=Zad |title=Michael Jackson Concert from Bucharest on HBO Saturday |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 4, 1992 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1992/10/04/michael-jackson-concert-from-bucharest-on-hbo-saturday/24de977e-f8be-4ea1-a7a1-07e766653202/ |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122083245/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1992/10/04/michael-jackson-concert-from-bucharest-on-hbo-saturday/24de977e-f8be-4ea1-a7a1-07e766653202/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson sold the broadcast rights of the tour to [[HBO]] for $20{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|20000000|1992|r=-6}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), a record-breaking deal that still stands.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=452–454}}

Following the death of [[HIV/AIDS]] spokesperson and friend [[Ryan White]], Jackson pleaded with the Clinton administration at [[First inauguration of Bill Clinton|Bill Clinton's inaugural gala]] to give more money to HIV/AIDS charities and research<ref>{{cite news |title=Stars line up for Clinton celebration |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=January 19, 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Patricia |last=Smith |author-link= Patricia Smith (poet) |title=Facing the music and the masses at the presidential gala |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=January 20, 1992}}</ref> and performed "[[Gone Too Soon]]", a song dedicated to White, and "Heal the World" at the gala.<ref>{{cite magazine |first1=Tessa |last1=Stuart |first2=Brittany |last2=Spanos |first3=Kory |last3=Grow |title=From Dylan to Beyonce: Most Legendary Inauguration Performances |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 19, 2017 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/from-dylan-to-beyonce-most-legendary-inauguration-performances-123294/ |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120130122/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/from-dylan-to-beyonce-most-legendary-inauguration-performances-123294/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson visited Africa in early 1992; on his first stop in Gabon he was greeted by more than 100,000 people, some of them carrying signs that read "Welcome Home Michael",<ref name="Ebony">{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson: Crowned in Africa, Pop Music King Tells Real Story Of Controversial Trip |magazine=Ebony |date=May 1992 |volume=47 |issue=5 |pages=34–43 |issn=0012-9011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tMwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34}}</ref> and was awarded an Officer of the [[National Order of Merit (Gabon)|National Order of Merit]] from President [[Omar Bongo]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Vincent |last=Hugeux |title=Michael Jackson l'Africain |magazine=[[L'Express]] |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date= October 19, 2021 |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/musique/michael-jackson-l-africain_783922.html |language=fr |archive-date= October 19, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211019005121/https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/musique/michael-jackson-l-africain_783922.html |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hommage à Michael Jackson: deux ans déjà |publisher=[[China Internet Information Center]] |date=June 25, 2011 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://french.china.org.cn/culture/txt/2011-06/25/content_22858621_26.htm |language=fr |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019005126/http://french.china.org.cn/culture/txt/2011-06/25/content_22858621_26.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> During his trip to Ivory Coast, Jackson drew larger crowds than [[Pope John Paul II]] on his previous visits.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zfxhf |title=Michael Jackson: The Thrill Of Thriller |access-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218070931/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zfxhf|publisher=[[BBC World Service]] |url-status=live}}</ref> He was crowned "King Sani" by a tribal chief in the Ivorian village of [[Krindjabo]], where he thanked the dignitaries in French and English, signed documents formalizing his kingship, and sat on a golden throne while presiding over ceremonial dances.<ref name="Ebony" />

In January 1993, Jackson performed at the [[Super Bowl XXVII halftime show]] in Pasadena, California. The [[National Football League|NFL]] sought a big-name artist to keep ratings high during halftime following dwindling audience figures.<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Sandomir |title=How Jackson Redefined the Super Bowl |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 29, 2009 |access-date=June 8, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/sports/football/30sandomir.html |archive-date=December 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229091203/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/sports/football/30sandomir.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=Rosenthal |title=Goal of spectacle colors NFL's thinking about Super Bowl halftime show |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=February 6, 2011 |access-date=January 20, 2017 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/02/06/goal-of-spectacle-colors-nfls-thinking-about-super-bowl-halftime-show/ |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312153733/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-02-06/business/ct-biz-0206-rosenthal--20110206_1_super-halftime-party-doritos-zaptime-halftime-show |url-status=live }}</ref> With 133.4 million viewers, it was the first Super Bowl whose halftime show drew greater audience figures than the game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/02/from-elvis-presto-to-michael-jackson-how-the-super-bowl-halftime-show-found-its-groove/|title=From Elvis Presto to Michael Jackson: How the Super Bowl halftime show found its groove|first=Travis M.|last=Andrews|date=February 2, 2018|publisher=|access-date=August 15, 2024|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Jackson played "[[Jam (Michael Jackson song)|Jam]]", "Billie Jean", "Black or White", and "Heal the World". ''Dangerous'' rose 90 places in the US albums chart after the performance.{{sfn|Campbell|1995|pp=14–16}}

Jackson gave [[Michael Jackson Talks ... to Oprah|a 90-minute interview]] with [[Oprah Winfrey]] on February 10, 1993. He spoke of his childhood abuse at the hands of his father; he believed he had missed out on much of his childhood, and said that he often cried from loneliness. He denied tabloid rumors that he had bought the bones of the Elephant Man, slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, or bleached his skin, and stated for the first time that he had vitiligo. After the interview, ''Dangerous'' re-entered the US albums chart in the top 10, more than a year after its release.{{sfn|Lewis Jones|2005|pp=165–168}}{{sfn|Campbell|1995|pp=14–16}} The interview itself became [[List of most-watched television broadcasts#Most-watched television interviews|the most-watched television interview in United States history]] to date, with more than 90 million viewers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Margulies |first=Lee |date=February 12, 1993 |title=Jackson Interview Seen by 90 Million, ABC Says |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-12-ca-1379-story.html |access-date=August 14, 2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

In January 1993, Jackson won three [[American Music Awards]]: Favorite Pop/Rock Album (''Dangerous''), Favorite Soul/R&B Single ("Remember the Time"), and was the first to win the International Artist Award of Excellence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cyrus, Bolton please the fans |newspaper=[[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)|Toledo Blade]] |agency=Associated Press |date=January 27, 1993 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |url=https://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=mBIVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TQMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811,6756235 |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303210646/https://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=mBIVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TQMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811,6756235 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Craig |last=Rosen |title=Michael Jackson Cops 3 Top Prizes |magazine=Billboard |date=February 6, 1993 |volume=105 |issue=6 |page=12 |issn=0006-2510 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jw8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12}}</ref> In February, he won the "Living Legend Award" at the [[35th Annual Grammy Awards]] in Los Angeles.<ref name="grammy mj" /> He attended the award ceremony with [[Brooke Shields]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Larry |last=McShane |title=Grammy moments – memorable and forgettable |newspaper=Deseret News |page=C3 |date=February 25, 1983 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z04pAAAAIBAJ&pg=3702,4129430 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061151/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z04pAAAAIBAJ&pg=3702,4129430 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Dangerous'' was nominated for Best Vocal Performance (for "Black or White"), Best R&B Vocal Performance ("Jam") and Best R&B Song ("Jam"), and Bruce Swedien and Teddy Riley won the Grammy for Best Engineered – Non Classical.<ref name="Bruce" />

=== First child sexual abuse accusations and first marriage (1993–1995) ===
{{Main|1993 Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations}}

In early 1993, Michael Jackson befriended 13-year-old Jordan Chandler through Jordan's stepfather who became acquainted after Jackson had rented a vehicle.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=496–498}} On July 8, 1993, Evan Chandler, Jordan's father and a Los Angeles dentist, was recorded threatening to "destroy" Jackson's career with a "carefully planned plot, with people in place ready to set it in motion" if Jackson did not meet his demands, revealing clear financial motives: "If I go through with this, I win big-time. There’s no way I lose".<ref name="Philips & Ferrell">{{cite news |last1=Philips |first1=Chuck |author-link1=Chuck Philips |last2=Ferrell |first2=David |title=Tapes Used to Allege Plot to Extort Jackson Released : Inquiry: Singer's aides provide purported comments by boy's father, who has told friends allegations are untrue. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-31-mn-39718-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225001642/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-31-mn-39718-story.html |archive-date=February 25, 2025 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |publication-date=August 31, 1993}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Sullivan|2012|pp=256–257}}</ref> On July 9, Jackson's investigator, Anthony Pellicano, met Jordan, who denied any abuse or inappropriate touching by Jackson.<ref>[[1993 Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations#CITEREFSullivan2012|Sullivan 2012]], p. 254–255</ref> Evan Chandler's lawyer would later call Beverly Hills psychiatrist Dr. Mathis Abrams and present him with a hypothetical situation. In reply and without having met either Jordan Chandler or his parents, Abrams sent Rothman a two-page letter in which he states that "reasonable suspicion would exist that sexual abuse may have occurred".<ref name=":0">[[1993 Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations#CITEREFSullivan2012|Sullivan 2012]], p. 258</ref> After receiving the letter from Dr. Abrams, Evan Chandler allegedly received a confession from his son Jordan,<ref name=":0" /> and demanded $20{{nbsp}}million from Jackson on August 4, 1993, without going to law enforcement regarding the reports of the abuse that was claimed to have taken place, but Jackson refused and sued Chandler for extortion.<ref name="Philips & Ferrell" /> From August 9–13, 1993, Evan Chandler and his legal team made various counter-offers to secure a settlement from Jackson, escalating their financial demands after his refusal to pay the initial $20{{nbsp}}million, with Evan later filing a civil suit in September demanding $30{{nbsp}}million for alleged damages<ref>[[1993 Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations#CITEREFSullivan2012|Sullivan 2012]], p. 261</ref> which were all denied by Jackson, prompting Chandler to go public with the claims of child molestation.<ref>[[1993 Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations#CITEREFSullivan2012|Sullivan 2012]], p. 259</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |agency=Associated Press |title=Jackson reps claim tape supports singer |url=https://variety.com/1993/biz/news/jackson-reps-claim-tape-supports-singer-110221/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225010541/https://variety.com/1993/biz/news/jackson-reps-claim-tape-supports-singer-110221/ |archive-date=February 25, 2025 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publication-date=September 2, 1993}}</ref><ref>[[1993 Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations#CITEREFCampbell1994|Campbell 1994]], p. 47–49</ref> Jackson's older sister La Toya accused him of being a pedophile;{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=534–540}} she later retracted this, saying she had been forced into it by her abusive husband.{{sfn|Campbell|1995|pp=28–29}}

Prosecutors raided Neverland Ranch and other places of residency while Jackson was on tour in August, but no leads were found as the investigators ruled that there was no medical evidence or physical evidence. Additionally hundreds of children were investigated but all of them stated no abuse or improper behavior had taken place.<ref name="Newton & Nazario">{{cite news |last1=Newton |first1=Jim |last2=Nazario |first2=Sonia |author-link2=Sonia Nazario |title=Police Say Seized Tapes Do Not Incriminate Jackson : Investigation: Officials continue to interview children in connection with molestation allegations. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-27-mn-28516-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225031941/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-27-mn-28516-story.html |archive-date=February 25, 2025 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |publication-date=August 27, 1993}}</ref> Attention was later brought to two legal art books depicting featuring young boys playing, running, and swimming in various states of undress, however Jackson denied knowing of the books' content and claimed if they were there, someone had to have sent them to him and he did not open them. No child pornography or other incriminating evidence was found.<ref>{{cite interview |first=Michael |last=Jackson |first2=Lisa Marie |last2=Presley |subject-link2= Lisa Marie Presley |interviewer=[[Diane Sawyer]] |title=Interview |work=[[Primetime (American TV program)|ABC Primetime]] |date=June 19, 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Broder |first=John M. |date=April 30, 2005 |title=Jackson's Books About Boys Are Allowed as Evidence in Trial |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/30/national/30jackson.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707202809/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/30/national/30jackson.html |archive-date=July 7, 2014 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In December 1993, Prosecutor [[Thomas W. Sneddon Jr.]] filed a strip search on Jackson based on the drawing obtained by Jordan Chandler which had been sent to the authorities, however the drawing did not match and prosecutors sought out Jackson's doctors and family inquiring about the possibility the singer had altered his genitals as to explain the mismatch.<ref>{{cite news |title=Photos May Contradict Michael's Accuser |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=May 2, 1994 |access-date= April 21, 2019 |url=https://site2.mjeol.com/important-article/jackson-grand-jury-disbanded-1994.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150428133350/https://site2.mjeol.com/important-article/jackson-grand-jury-disbanded-1994.html |archive-date= April 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Ian |last=Halperin |year=2009 |title=Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |isbn=978-1-4391-7719-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wyaFQdNxU7sC&pg=PT84 |access-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305111949/https://books.google.com/books?id=wyaFQdNxU7sC&pg=PT84#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=John David |last=Ebert |year=2010 |title=Dead Celebrities, Living Icons: Tragedy and Fame in the Age of the Multimedia Superstar |publisher=Praeger |page=201 |isbn=978-0-313-37764-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6TitThCzkkC&pg=PA201 |access-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305111952/https://books.google.com/books?id=g6TitThCzkkC&pg=PA201 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 1993, Jackson requested that the civil trial be postponed until after the criminal hearing was completed due to a violation of his [[Civil and political rights|civil rights]], under the circumstances of having to defend himself under [[double jeopardy]]. This motion was denied and in January 1994, the civil lawsuit was settled for $15,331,250, with separate payments of $1.5{{nbsp}}million for Evan and June Chandler coming out to a total of $18.3{{nbsp}}million allocated to the Chandler family, lower than the initial demand of $20–30{{nbsp}}million requested by Evan Chandler.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 25, 2025 |title=Michael Jackson Paid $15.3 M to Boy in '90s |agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90037 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225152937/https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90037 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 25, 2025 |access-date=May 3, 2025 |quote=Jackson agreed to set up a trust fund of $15,331,250 for the boy, Court TV reported, citing the document. The singer also agreed to pay $1.5 million to each of the boy's parents. (18.3 Million total paid to the Chandler family)}}</ref><ref name="Weinraub">{{cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |author-link=Bernard Weinraub |title=Michael Jackson Settles Suit For Sum Said to Be in Millions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/26/us/michael-jackson-settles-suit-for-sum-said-to-be-in-millions.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209133457/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/26/us/michael-jackson-settles-suit-for-sum-said-to-be-in-millions.html |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=1 |publication-date=January 26, 1994}}</ref> The document shows that the Chandlers dropped the child molestation allegations from their complaint with Jackson's settlement being filed over claims of negligence. It was later revealed that this settlement did not prevent the Chandlers from testifying in the criminal case<ref>{{cite news |first=Rochelle |last=Steinhaus |title=Jackson settlement from 1993 allegations topped $20{{nbsp}}million |publisher=CNN |date=June 16, 2004 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/16/michael.jackson/ |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915010118/http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/16/michael.jackson/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The police never pressed criminal charges.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson's 'past' allowed in court |agency=BBC News |date=March 29, 2005 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4387247.stm |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224133721/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4387247.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The prosecution continued to investigate Jackson from January to June 1994 with Jordan Chandler continuing to co-operate with investigators.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=January 26, 1994 |title=Michael Jackson Settles Suit For Sum Said to Be in Millions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/26/us/michael-jackson-settles-suit-for-sum-said-to-be-in-millions.html |access-date=May 3, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By July 1994 multiple grand juries had been called; jurors remarked that no damaging evidence was heard against Jackson. "The [Santa Barbara] grand jury in Michael Jackson's case was dismissed and one juror said he heard no evidence against [Jackson]... Another juror told CNN that he heard no evidence against him [Jackson] during the hearing."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meyer |first=Josh |date=July 7, 1994 |title=Jackson and Arson Cases in Limbo : Investigations: Grand jury disbanded without bringing indictments against either the pop superstar or two firefighters suspected of setting Calabasas/Malibu blaze. Lawyers urge resolution of both issues. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-07-me-12852-story.html |access-date=May 3, 2025 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> On September 21, 1994, after 400 witnesses had been investigated with another 30 called in front of the grand juries, the investigation was closed. A few potential leads had been found but all of them turned out to be false.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Spolar |first1=Christine |last2=Wexler |first2=Kathryn |date=September 22, 1994 |title=JACKSON CASE DROPPED |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/09/22/jackson-case-dropped/274acda8-2da6-48e8-9c98-01cc259095bf/ |access-date=May 3, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |quote="430 witnesses had been interviewed in both counties and several leads were explored "which later turned out to be false."}}</ref>

Jackson had been taking [[painkiller]]s for his reconstructive scalp surgeries, administered due to the Pepsi commercial accident in 1984, and became dependent on them to cope with the stress of the sexual abuse allegations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Warrant Allows a Strip Search of Jackson |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |agency=Associated Press |date=November 16, 1993 |access-date= July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/321101/WARRANT-ALLOWS-A-STRIP-SEARCH-OF-JACKSON.html |archive-date= July 16, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190716033938/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/321101/WARRANT-ALLOWS-A-STRIP-SEARCH-OF-JACKSON.html |url-status= dead}}</ref> On November 12, 1993, Jackson canceled the remainder of the Dangerous World Tour due to health problems, stress from the allegations and painkiller addiction. He thanked his close friend [[Elizabeth Taylor]] for support, encouragement and counsel. The end of the tour concluded his sponsorship deal with Pepsi.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Chuck |last1=Philips |first2=Jim |last2=Newton |title=Jackson Ends World Tour, Cites Painkiller Addiction |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 13, 1993 |access-date= July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.latimes.com/la-me-jacksontimeline-jackson-cancels-world-tour-story.html |archive-date= April 18, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190418234039/https://www.latimes.com/la-me-jacksontimeline-jackson-cancels-world-tour-story.html}}</ref>

In late 1993, Jackson proposed to [[Lisa Marie Presley]], the daughter of Elvis Presley, over the phone.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=518–520}} They were married in [[La Vega, Dominican Republic]], in May 1994 by civil judge Hugo Francisco Álvarez Pérez.<ref name="Wed">{{cite magazine |first=Matthew McCann |last=Fenton |title=Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley wed |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 30, 2001 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/05/30/michael-jackson-and-lisa-marie-presley-wed/ |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716033949/https://ew.com//article/2001/05/30/michael-jackson-and-lisa-marie-presley-wed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The tabloid media speculated that the wedding was a publicity stunt to deflect away from Jackson's sexual abuse allegations and jump-start Presley's career as a singer.<ref name="Wed" /><ref name="Divorce">{{cite press release |title=She's out of his life |publisher=CNN |date=January 18, 1996 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.cnn.com/US/9601/jacko_presley/ |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509135242/http://www.cnn.com/US/9601/jacko_presley/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Their marriage ended little more than a year later, and they separated in December 1995.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=580–581}} Presley cited "irreconcilable differences" when filing for divorce the next month and only sought to reclaim her maiden name as her settlement.<ref name="Divorce" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Vincent J. |last=Schodolski |title=After 20 Months, Jackson and Presley Agree to Divorce |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=January 19, 1996 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-01-19-9601190213-story.html |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716070505/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-01-19-9601190213-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After the divorce, Judge Pérez said, "They lasted longer than I thought they would. I gave them a year. They lasted a year and a half."<ref name="Wed" /> Presley later said she and Jackson had attempted to reconcile intermittently for four years following their divorce, and that she had traveled the world to be with him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2011 |title=Lisa Marie Presley Opens Up About Michael Jackson |url=http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Lisa-Marie-Presley-Opens-Up-About-Michael-Jackson/print/1 |access-date=May 19, 2022 |website=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120062601/http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Lisa-Marie-Presley-Opens-Up-About-Michael-Jackson/print/1 |archive-date=January 20, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jackson composed music for the [[Sega Genesis]] video game ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' (1994), but left the project around the time the sexual abuse allegations surfaced and went uncredited. Jackson's involvement was the subject of fan speculation for decades until ''Sonic'' co-creator [[Yuji Naka]] confirmed it in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ken |last=Horowitz |title=Sega Legends: Michael Jackson & Sonic 3 |work=Sega-16 |date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=March 13, 2021 |url=https://www.sega-16.com/2009/05/sega-legends-michael-jackson-sonic-3/ |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411090027/https://www.sega-16.com/2009/05/sega-legends-michael-jackson-sonic-3/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |date=June 23, 2022 |title=Yuji Naka confirms Michael Jackson wrote music for Sonic 3 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/yuji-naka-confirms-michael-jackson-wrote-music-for-sonic-3 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623131035/https://www.eurogamer.net/yuji-naka-confirms-michael-jackson-wrote-music-for-sonic-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sega Technical Institute]] director Roger Hector and ''Sonic'' co-creator [[Naoto Ohshima]] said that Jackson was terminated and his music reworked following the allegations.<ref name="untoldvol3">{{cite book |last=Szczepaniak |first=John |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers: Volume 3 |publisher=S.M.G Szczepaniak |year=2018 |isbn=978-0-9929260-8-3 |page=292}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Simon |last=Carless |title=Michael Jackson's Secret Sonic 3 Shame |website=[[Game Developer (website)#GameSetWatch|GameSetWatch]] |date=March 27, 2006 |access-date= March 13, 2021 |url=https://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/03/michael_jacksons_secret_sonic.php |archive-date= May 16, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210516130836/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/03/michael_jacksons_secret_sonic.php |url-status= dead}}</ref> However, Jackson's musical director [[Brad Buxer]] and other members of Jackson's team said he went uncredited because he was unhappy with how the Genesis replicated his music.<ref>{{cite news |first=Todd |last=Van Luling |title=The Michael Jackson Video Game Conspiracy |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=January 25, 2016 |access-date=March 13, 2021 |url=https://testkitchen.huffingtonpost.com/michaeljacksonsonic/#2/ |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314075858/https://testkitchen.huffingtonpost.com/michaeljacksonsonic/#2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game's credits theme served as the basis for Jackson's 1996 song "[[Stranger in Moscow]]".<ref name="Montgomery, James">{{cite web |publisher=MTV.com |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627664/20091204/jackson_michael.jhtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091207090103/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627664/20091204/jackson_michael.jhtml |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 7, 2009 |title=Did Michael Jackson Compose 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3' Soundtrack? |date=December 4, 2009 |author=Montgomery, James |access-date=December 5, 2009}}</ref>

=== ''HIStory'', second marriage, fatherhood and ''Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix'' (1995–1997) ===
[[File:Michael Jackson Cannes.jpg|alt=Close-up of a pale skinned Jackson with black hair. He is wearing a black jacket with white designs on it.|thumb|upright|Jackson at the [[1997 Cannes Film Festival]] for the premiere of ''[[Michael Jackson's Ghosts]]'']]
In June 1995, Jackson released the double album ''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I]]''. The first disc, ''HIStory Begins'', is a [[greatest hits album]] (reissued in 2001 as ''Greatest Hits: HIStory, Volume I''). The second disc, ''HIStory Continues'', contains 13 original songs and two cover versions. The album debuted at number one on the charts and has been certified for eight million shipments in the US.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 100 Albums |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=T1A&col=certified_units&ord=desc#search_section |archive-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913200358/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=T1A&col=certified_units&ord=desc#search_section |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the bestselling multi-disc album of all time, with 20{{nbsp}}million copies (40{{nbsp}}million units) sold worldwide.<ref name="Achievements" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's best selling studio albums |date=June 26, 2009 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=June 11, 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5648176/Michael-Jacksons-best-selling-studio-albums.html |archive-date=October 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017165055/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5648176/Michael-Jacksons-best-selling-studio-albums.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''HIStory'' received a Grammy nomination for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref name="grammy mj" /> The ''New York Times'' reviewed it as "the testimony of a musician whose self-pity now equals his talent".<ref>{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Pareles |title=Pop View; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand? |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 18, 1995 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/18/arts/pop-view-michael-jackson-is-angry-understand.html |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624042053/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/18/arts/pop-view-michael-jackson-is-angry-understand.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first single from ''HIStory'' was "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]/[[Childhood (Michael Jackson song)|Childhood]]". "Scream", a duet with Jackson's youngest sister Janet, protests the media's treatment of Jackson during the 1993 child abuse allegations against him. The single reached number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref name="billboard mj">{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson Chart History |magazine=Billboard |date=September 12, 2008 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/michael-jackson/chart-history/hsi/ |access-date=November 29, 2021 |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008004113/https://www.billboard.com/music/Michael-Jackson/chart-history/HSI |url-status=live }}</ref> and received a Grammy nomination for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".<ref name="grammy mj" /> The second single, "[[You Are Not Alone]]", holds the Guinness world record for the first song to debut at number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart.<ref name="World Records" /> It received a Grammy nomination for "Best Pop Vocal Performance" in 1995.<ref name="grammy mj" />

In 1995 the [[Anti-Defamation League]] and other groups complained that "Jew me, sue me, everybody do me/ Kick me, [[kike]] me, don't you black or white me", the original lyrics of "[[They Don't Care About Us]]", were [[Antisemitism in the United States|antisemitic]]. Jackson released a revised version of the song.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harrington |first=Richard |date=June 23, 1995 |title=Michael Jackson changes his tune on lyrics |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/06/23/michael-jackson-changes-his-tune-on-lyrics/bd138b88-c73c-4e4d-9bd2-5c1d3bf82952/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210044819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/06/23/michael-jackson-changes-his-tune-on-lyrics/bd138b88-c73c-4e4d-9bd2-5c1d3bf82952/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In late 1995, Jackson was admitted to a hospital after collapsing during rehearsals for a televised performance, caused by a stress-related [[panic attack]].{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=576–577}} In November, Jackson merged his ATV Music catalog with Sony's music publishing division, creating [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]]. He retained ownership of half the company, earning $95{{nbsp}}million up front (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|95000000|1995|r=-6}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) as well as the [[List of Sony/ATV Music Publishing artists|rights to more songs]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Company News; Michael Jackson sells rights to Beatles songs to Sony |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=November 8, 1995 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/08/business/company-news-michael-jackson-sells-rights-to-beatles-songs-to-sony.html |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526142420/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/08/business/company-news-michael-jackson-sells-rights-to-beatles-songs-to-sony.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sonydeal">{{cite news |first1=Jeff |last1=Leeds |first2=Andrew Ross |last2=Sorkin |title=Michael Jackson Bailout Said to Be Close |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 13, 2006 |access-date=July 23, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/13/business/media/13music.html |archive-date=September 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918161053/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/13/business/media/13music.html?ex=1302580800&en=45bff2f7a4da68fe&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |url-status=live }}</ref>

"[[Earth Song]]" was the third single released from ''HIStory'', and topped the [[UK Singles Chart]] for six weeks over Christmas 1995.<ref name="OC">{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=April 7, 2019 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16519/michael-jackson/ |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617220110/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16519/michael-jackson/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It became the 87th-bestselling single in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Myers |title=The best-selling singles of all time on the Official UK Chart |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=December 14, 2018 |access-date=April 7, 2019 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-best-selling-singles-of-all-time-on-the-official-uk-chart__21298/ |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044249/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-best-selling-singles-of-all-time-on-the-official-uk-chart__21298/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[1996 Brit Awards]], Jackson's performance of "Earth Song" was disrupted by [[Pulp (band)|Pulp]] singer [[Jarvis Cocker]], who was protesting what Cocker saw as Jackson's "Christ-like" persona. Jackson said the stage invasion was "disgusting and cowardly".<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=McKie |title=Brits brawl as Cocker 'pulps' Jackson chorus |newspaper=The Independent |date=February 21, 1996 |access-date= April 6, 2019 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/brits-brawl-as-cocker-pulps-jackson-chorus-1320077.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/brits-brawl-as-cocker-pulps-jackson-chorus-1320077.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Brit Awards: Brits behaving badly |work=BBC News |date=March 4, 2000 |access-date=April 6, 2019 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/entertainment/2000/brit_awards/665776.stm |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127142947/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/entertainment/2000/brit_awards/665776.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1996, Jackson won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form, for "Scream" and an American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist.<ref name="grammy mj" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Thor |last=Christensen |title=Brooks turns down award for favorite artist of the year |newspaper=[[Rome News-Tribune]] |date=January 30, 1996 |access-date=June 16, 2010 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LWUwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5552,8128572 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061154/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LWUwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5552,8128572 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 1996, Jackson performed for [[Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah]]'s fiftieth birthday at [[Jerudong Park Amphitheater]], which was specifically built for that birthday concert.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/cb80a6f812829ff0295165fcae707c6c |title=60,000 Attend Free Michael Jackson Concert |work=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205124418/https://apnews.com/article/cb80a6f812829ff0295165fcae707c6c |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson was reportedly paid $17&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|17000000|1996|r=-6}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/beyonce-michael-jackson-how-much-stars-earn-private-gigs/ |title=Inside the Middle East's private gig gravy train for musicians, from Beyoncé to Michael Jackson |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=January 24, 2023 |last1=Hall |first1=James |access-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205124410/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/beyonce-michael-jackson-how-much-stars-earn-private-gigs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson promoted ''HIStory'' with the [[HIStory World Tour]], from September 7, 1996, to October 15, 1997. He performed 82 concerts in five continents, 35 countries and 58 cities to over 4.5{{nbsp}}million fans, his most attended tour. It grossed {{Nowrap|$165 million}} (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|165000000|1997|r=-6}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).{{sfn|Lewis Jones|2005|pp=95–96}} During the tour, in Sydney, Australia, Jackson married [[Debbie Rowe]], a dermatology assistant, who was six months pregnant with his first child.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=570–586}}

Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (commonly known as Prince) was born on February 13, 1997. His sister [[Paris Jackson|Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson]] was born on April 3, 1998.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=580–581, 597}} Jackson and Rowe divorced in 2000, Rowe conceded custody of the children, with an $8{{nbsp}}million settlement (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|8000000|1999|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{cite news |title=Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson's ex-wife and kids' mom, to testify |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=August 14, 2013 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-xpm-2013-aug-14-la-me-ln-debbie-rowe-testify-20130814-story.html |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010034828/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-xpm-2013-aug-14-la-me-ln-debbie-rowe-testify-20130814-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, after the [[Trial of Michael Jackson|second child abuse allegations against Jackson]], she returned to court to reclaim custody. The suit was settled in 2006.<ref name="Ex wife">{{cite news |title=Jackson child custody fight ends |work=BBC News |date=September 30, 2006 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5394792.stm |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731005315/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5394792.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1997, Jackson released ''[[Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix]]'', which contained remixes of singles from ''HIStory'' and five new songs. Worldwide sales stand at {{Nowrap|6 million}} copies, making it the [[List of best-selling remix albums|bestselling remix album]]. It reached number one in the UK, as did the single "[[Blood on the Dance Floor (song)|Blood on the Dance Floor]]".{{sfn|Rojek|2007|p=74}} In the US, the album reached number 24 and was certified platinum.<ref name="Certifications" />

=== Label dispute and ''Invincible'' (1997–2002) ===
From October 1997 to September 2001, Jackson worked on his tenth solo album, ''[[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible]]'', which cost {{Nowrap|$30 million}} (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|30000000|2001|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) to record, making it the [[List of most expensive albums|most expensive album]] of all time.<ref name="Burkeman">{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Burkeman |title=Jacko gets tough: but is he a race crusader or just a falling star? |newspaper=The Guardian |date=July 7, 2002 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/08/oliverburkeman |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702105224/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/08/oliverburkeman |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 1999, Jackson joined [[Luciano Pavarotti]] for a [[War Child (charity)|War Child]] benefit concert in [[Modena, Italy]]. The show raised a million dollars for refugees of the [[Kosovo War]], and additional funds for the children of [[Guatemala]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Others to Join Pavarotti for Benefit |publisher=[[VH1]] |date=May 5, 1999 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1426933/19990505/carey_mariah.jhtml |archive-date= October 18, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111018125558/https://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1426933/19990505/carey_mariah.jhtml}}</ref> Later that month, Jackson organized a series of "[[MJ & Friends|Michael Jackson & Friends]]" benefit concerts in Germany and [[Korea]]. Other artists involved included [[Slash (musician)|Slash]], [[Scorpions (band)|The Scorpions]], [[Boyz II Men]], [[Luther Vandross]], [[Mariah Carey]], [[A. R. Rahman]], [[Prabhu Deva]] Sundaram, [[Shobana]], [[Andrea Bocelli]] and Luciano Pavarotti. The proceeds went to the [[Nelson Mandela Children's Fund]], the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]] and [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Slash, Scorpions, Others Scheduled for "Michael Jackson & Friends" |publisher=VH1 |date=May 27, 1999 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1429785/19990527/guns_n_roses.jhtml |archive-date= February 21, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100221074225/https://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1429785/19990527/guns_n_roses.jhtml}}</ref> In 1999, Jackson was presented with the "Outstanding Humanitarian Award" at [[Bollywood Movie Awards]] in New York City where he noted [[Mahatma Gandhi]] to have been an inspiration for him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fisher |first=Mark |title=The Resistible Demise of Michael Jackson |publisher=[[John Hunt Publishing]] |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-84694-348-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mBRjfsqXvbsC&pg=PA154 |page=154 |access-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311050428/https://books.google.com/books?id=mBRjfsqXvbsC&pg=PA154 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Solihun |first=Soleh |title=The King is Dead |publisher=PT Mizan Publika |isbn=978-602-8579-13-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q-IWaOxAFlUC |page=157 |access-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311050424/https://books.google.com/books?id=q-IWaOxAFlUC |url-status=live }}</ref> From August 1999 to 2000, he lived in New York City at 4 [[74th Street (Manhattan)|East 74th Street]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Tracie |last=Rozhon |title=Big Deal; An Old Chagall Haunt, Repainted |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 16, 2000 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/16/garden/big-deal-an-old-chagall-haunt-repainted.html |archive-date=June 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604022016/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/16/garden/big-deal-an-old-chagall-haunt-repainted.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the turn of the century, Jackson was awarded with the Artist of the 1980s Decade Award at the [[American Music Awards of 2000|27th American Music Awards]],<ref name="MTV">{{cite news |first=David |last=Basham |date=January 18, 2000 |title=Lauryn Hill, Backstreet Boys, DMX Honored With American Music Awards |publisher=MTV |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425174/.jhtml |archive-date=September 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925171014/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425174/.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Best-Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium Award at the 12nd [[World Music Awards]].<ref name="CIIC">{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 to rock the planet |publisher=[[China Internet Information Center]] |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://french.china.org.cn/culture/txt/2011-06/25/content_22858621_26.htm }}</ref> In 2000, ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' recognized him for supporting 39 charities, more than any other entertainer.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Maureen |last=Orth |title=Losing His Grip |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=April 2003 |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2003/04/orth200304 |archive-date= March 6, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080306064036/https://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2003/04/orth200304}}</ref>
In September 2001, [[Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special|two concerts]] were held at Madison Square Garden to mark Jackson's 30th year as a solo artist. Jackson performed with his brothers for the first time since 1984. The show also featured [[Mýa]], [[Usher (singer)|Usher]], [[Whitney Houston]], [[Destiny's Child]], [[Monica (singer)|Monica]], [[Liza Minnelli]] and Slash. The first show was marred by technical lapses, and the crowd booed a speech by [[Marlon Brando]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Eric |last=Aiese |title=Billboard: Michael Jackson Concert Review |publisher=Classic Whitney |access-date= April 7, 2019 |url=https://www.classicwhitney.com/review/music/live/mjconcert_07sep2001.html |archive-date= June 20, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190620031227/http://www.classicwhitney.com/review/music/live/mjconcert_07sep2001.html |url-status= dead}}</ref> 45{{nbsp}}million people watched the television broadcast of the shows in November according to [[Nielsen Media Research]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 15, 2001 |title=Jackson's CBS Special Moonwalks Over Rivals |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jacksons-cbs-special-moonwalks-over-rivals-77730/ |access-date=August 14, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> After the [[September 11 attacks]] (in which Jackson narrowly avoided death by oversleeping and missing a scheduled meeting at the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Was Michael Jackson almost in WTC on 9/11? |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/was-michael-jackson-almost-wtc-9-11-2D80555837 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=September 14, 2011 |access-date=May 11, 2018 |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622183610/http://www.today.com/popculture/was-michael-jackson-almost-wtc-9-11-2D80555837 |url-status=live }}</ref>), Jackson helped organize the [[United We Stand: What More Can I Give]] benefit concert at [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium]] in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 2001. Jackson performed "[[What More Can I Give]]" as the finale.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=614–617}}

The release of ''Invincible'' was preceded by a dispute between Jackson and his record label, Sony Music Entertainment. Jackson had expected the licenses to the masters of his albums to revert to him in the early 2000s, after which he would be able to promote the material however he pleased and keep the profits, but clauses in the contract set the revert date years into the future. Jackson sought an early exit from his contract.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=610–611}} ''Invincible'' was released on October 30, 2001. It was Jackson's first full-length album in six years, and the last album of original material he released in his lifetime.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=610–611}} It debuted at number one in 13 countries, and went on to sell eight{{nbsp}}million copies worldwide, receiving double-platinum certification in the US.<ref name="Certifications" /><ref>{{cite press release |first=Devin |last=Leonard |title=Michael Jackson Is Worth More Than Ever, and the IRS Wants Its Cut |agency=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=January 2, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2021 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-02-01/michael-jackson-is-worth-more-than-ever-and-the-irs-wants-a-piece-of-it |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208103025/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-02-01/michael-jackson-is-worth-more-than-ever-and-the-irs-wants-a-piece-of-it |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Sheila |last1=Marikar |first2=Emily |last2=Friedman |title=Michael Jackson, King of Pop, Dead at 50 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=June 29, 2009 |access-date=September 20, 2021 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/MichaelJackson/story?id=7932509&page=1 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126112748/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/MichaelJackson/story?id=7932509&page=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{anchor|Blanket}}On January 9, 2002, Jackson won his 22nd American Music Award for Artist of the Century.<ref>{{cite news |title=Keys, Destiny's Child, McGraw win at American Music Awards |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |date=January 10, 2002 |access-date=June 16, 2010 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Oc40AAAAIBAJ&pg=5669,889435 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225211311/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Oc40AAAAIBAJ&pg=5669,889435 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Neva |last=Chonin |title=Awards recognize popular success / Keys, Destiny's win as expected |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=January 11, 2002 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Awards-recognize-popular-success-Keys-2885603.php |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308124047/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Awards-recognize-popular-success-Keys-2885603.php |url-status=live }}</ref> {{Anchor|PrinceII}}Later that year, an anonymous [[surrogacy|surrogate mother]] gave birth to his third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (nicknamed "Blanket"{{refn|Blanket changed his name to "Bigi" in 2015.|group=nb}}), who had been conceived by [[artificial insemination]].{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=599–600}} On November 20, Jackson briefly held Blanket over the railing of his Berlin hotel room, four stories above ground level, prompting widespread criticism in the media. Jackson apologized for the incident, calling it "a terrible mistake".<ref name="Vineyard" /> On January 22, promoter Marcel Avram filed a breach of contract complaint against Jackson for failing to perform two planned 1999 concerts.<ref>{{cite news |first=Joe |last=D'Angelo |title=Jackson sued by promoter for attempting world tour without him |publisher=MTV |date=February 4, 2002 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1452133/michael-jackson-sued-by-promoter-for-attempting-world-tour-without-him/ |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626180833/http://www.mtv.com/news/1452133/michael-jackson-sued-by-promoter-for-attempting-world-tour-without-him/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March, a Santa Maria jury ordered Jackson to pay Avram $5.3{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|5300000|2002|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{cite news |first=William |last=Overend |title=Officials Revisit Tax Break for Jackson's Neverland as Cattle Ranch |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 21, 2003 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-21-me-jackson21-story.html |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414141532/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-21-me-jackson21-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson's Legal Troubles |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 13, 2005 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB111783026976850589 |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817101829/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB111783026976850589 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 18, 2003, Jackson's attorneys dropped all appeals on the verdict and settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Stephen M. |last=Silverman |title=Jackson Settles Old Lawsuit Against Him |magazine=People |date=May 10, 2004 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |url=https://people.com/celebrity/jackson-settles-old-lawsuit-against-him/ |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815175041/https://people.com/celebrity/jackson-settles-old-lawsuit-against-him/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 24, 2002, Jackson performed at [[Apollo Theater]]. The concert was a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee and former President Bill Clinton.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson fans celebrate at Apollo |work=BBC News |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8127971.stm |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804023733/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8127971.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The money collected would be used to encourage citizens to vote. It raised $2.5{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|2200000|2002|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{cite news |first=Christine |last=Haughney |title=For the DNC, It's Showtime at the Apollo |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 25, 2002 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/04/25/for-the-dnc-its-showtime-at-the-apollo/af00ce7a-e0fd-452d-8e58-5bed3cdffd26/ |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121233944/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/04/25/for-the-dnc-its-showtime-at-the-apollo/af00ce7a-e0fd-452d-8e58-5bed3cdffd26/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The concert was called [[Michael Jackson: Live at the Apollo 2002|Michael Jackson: Live at the Apollo]] and was one of Jackson's final on-stage performances.<ref>{{cite news |first=André |last=Wheeler |title=HBO's The Apollo: 'The story of how black America lifted itself through music' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=November 2, 2019 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/02/apollo-theater-documentary-hbo-roger-ross-williams |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321103647/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/02/apollo-theater-documentary-hbo-roger-ross-williams |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2002, at [[Al Sharpton]]'s [[National Action Network]] in Harlem, Jackson called the Sony Music chairman [[Tommy Mottola]] "a racist, and very, very, very devilish", and accused him of exploiting black artists for his own gain. The accusation prompted Sharpton to form a coalition investigating whether Mottola exploited black artists.<ref name="Mottola">{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson Brands Recording Industry as Racist |magazine=Billboard |date=July 8, 2002 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/75178/michael-jackson-brands-recording-industry-as-racist |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110131219/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/75178/michael-jackson-brands-recording-industry-as-racist |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson charged that Mottola had called his colleague [[Irv Gotti]] a "fat [[nigger]]".<ref>{{cite interview |first=Jermaine |last=Jackson |subject-link=Jermaine Jackson |interviewer=[[Connie Chung]] |title=Interview with Jermaine Jackson |work=[[Connie Chung Tonight]] |publisher=CNN |date=December 31, 2002 |access-date=July 2, 2008 |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/31/cct.00.html |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207131359/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/31/cct.00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sony issued a statement calling the accusations "ludicrous, spiteful, and hurtful" and said Mottola had championed Jackson's career for years.<ref name="Mottola" /> Sony refused to renew Jackson's contract and said that a {{Nowrap|$25 million}} (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|25000000|2002|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) promotional campaign had failed because Jackson refused to tour in the US for ''Invincible''.<ref name="Burkeman" />

=== Documentary, ''Number Ones'', second child abuse allegations and acquittal (2002–2005) ===
{{Further|Trial of Michael Jackson|3=}}
[[File:Michael Jackson in Vegas cropped-2.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Jackson in Las Vegas, 2003]]
Beginning in May 2002, a documentary film crew led by [[Martin Bashir]] followed Jackson for several months.<ref name="Vineyard">{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |title=Michael Jackson Calls Baby-Dangling Incident A 'Terrible Mistake' |publisher=MTV |date=November 20, 2002 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458799/20021120/jackson_michael.jhtml |archive-date=November 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120224336/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458799/20021120/jackson_michael.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> The documentary, broadcast in February 2003 as ''[[Living with Michael Jackson]]'', showed Jackson holding hands and discussing sleeping arrangements with a twelve-year-old boy.<ref name="bbcnews" />{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|p=640}} He said that he saw nothing wrong with having sleepovers with minors and sharing his bed and bedroom with various people, which aroused controversy. He insisted that the sleepovers were not sexual and that his words had been misunderstood.<ref>{{cite news |first=Hugh |last=Davies |title=Jackson has children in his room for 'sleep-overs' |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=February 4, 2003 |access-date= July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1421082/Jackson-has-children-in-his-room-for-sleep-overs.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1421082/Jackson-has-children-in-his-room-for-sleep-overs.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Living with Michael Jackson |medium=television |date=February 6, 2003 |time=0:51 |publisher=ITV |quote="Who's the criminal? Who's the jack-the-ripper in the room?... I'm sleeping on a sleeping bag on the floor. I give him the bed, 'cause he has a brother named Star. So him and Star took the bed. And I'm on the floor on the sleeping bag."}}</ref>

In October 2003, Jackson received the [[Freedom of the City#Key to the City|Key to the City]] of [[Las Vegas]] from Mayor [[Oscar Goodman]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/michael-jacksons-relationship-with-las-vegas-started-at-young-age/ |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |first=Corey |last=Levitan |title=Michael Jackson's relationship with Las Vegas started at young age |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411045720/https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/michael-jacksons-relationship-with-las-vegas-started-at-young-age/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 18, 2003, Sony released ''[[Number Ones (Michael Jackson album)|Number Ones]]'', a [[greatest hits album]]. It was certified five times platinum by the RIAA, and ten times platinum in the UK, for shipments of at least 3{{nbsp}}million units.<ref name="Certifications" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson – Number Ones |publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry]] |access-date=August 29, 2021 |url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/4779-168-2 |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522115839/https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/4779-168-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Michaeljacksonmug1.jpg|thumb|Michael Jackson's [[mug shot]] in 2003]]
On December 18, 2003, Santa Barbara authorities charged Jackson with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of intoxicating a minor with [[alcoholic drink]]s.<ref>{{cite news |first=John M. |last=Broder |title=Jackson Is Formally Charged with Child Molesting |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 19, 2003 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/us/jackson-is-formally-charged-with-child-molesting.html |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228193443/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/us/jackson-is-formally-charged-with-child-molesting.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Nick |last1=Madigan |first2=Terence |last2=Neilan |title=Michael Jackson Pleads Not Guilty to Molestation Charges |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 16, 2004 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/16/national/michael-jackson-pleads-not-guilty-to-molestation-charges.html |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708054810/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/16/national/michael-jackson-pleads-not-guilty-to-molestation-charges.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''[[Trial of Michael Jackson|People v. Jackson]]'' trial began on January 31, 2005, in [[Santa Maria, California]], and lasted until the end of May. Jackson found the experience stressful and it affected his health. If convicted, he would have faced up to twenty years in prison.<ref name="BBC health">{{cite news |first=Matthews |last=Davis |title=Trial health problems for Jackson |work=BBC News |date=June 6, 2005 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4612897.stm |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105121612/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4612897.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 13, 2005, Jackson was acquitted on all counts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson cleared of child molestation |newspaper=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press |date=June 13, 2005 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/jackson/story/0,15819,1505806,00.html |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028191053/https://sourcepoint.theguardian.com/mms/get_site_data?requestUUID=dad43829-9532-4e82-9ce0-93c5004d7fc7&account_id=1257&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fmusic%2F2005%2Fjun%2F13%2Fmichaeljackson.michaeljacksontrial |url-status=live }}</ref> [[FBI files on Michael Jackson|FBI files on Jackson]], released in 2009, revealed the FBI's role in the 2005 trial and the 1993 allegations, and showed that the FBI found no evidence of criminal conduct on Jackson's behalf.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 23, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson's FBI Files Released |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266333/michael-jacksons-fbi-files-released |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=December 1, 2021 |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |last1=Associated Press |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104235149/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266333/michael-jacksons-fbi-files-released |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vogel |first=Joe |date=January 29, 2019 |title=What You Should Know About the New Michael Jackson Documentary |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joevogel/2019/01/29/what-you-should-know-about-the-new-michael-jackson-documentary/ |magazine=Forbes |access-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315231015/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joevogel/2019/01/29/what-you-should-know-about-the-new-michael-jackson-documentary/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Final years, financial problems, ''Thriller 25'' and This Is It (2005–2009) ===
[[File:Michael Jackson 2006.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Jackson is wearing an overcoat and walking from left to right. His face is obscured by his hair. His son is wearing a mask and a baseball cap. Two men are with them; a third person is holding an umbrella over the Jacksons.|Jackson and his son Blanket in [[Disneyland Paris]], 2006]]
After the trial, Jackson became reclusive.<ref name="indie-auction">{{cite news |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson: The fantastic possessions revealed |newspaper=The Independent |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/michael-jackson-the-fantastic-possessions-revealed-1668969.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/michael-jackson-the-fantastic-possessions-revealed-1668969.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022}}</ref> In June 2005, he moved to [[Bahrain]] as a guest of [[Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa|Sheikh Abdullah]].<ref name="Bishara-2021">{{Cite news |last=Bishara |first=Motez |date=October 4, 2021 |title='We wanted to make history': Michael Jackson's bizarre year in Bahrain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/04/michael-jackson-bizarre-year-in-bahrain |access-date=January 20, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120143104/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/04/michael-jackson-bizarre-year-in-bahrain |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 2006, it was announced that Jackson had signed a contract with a Bahrain startup, Two Seas Records. Nothing came of the deal, and the Two Seas CEO, [[Gut Records|Guy Holmes]], later said it was never finalized.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 18, 2006 |title=Michael Jackson Sails with Two Seas |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58713/michael-jackson-sails-with-two-seas |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606195810/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58713/michael-jackson-sails-with-two-seas |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bahrain">{{cite news |date=September 26, 2006 |title=Jackson parts with Bahrain label |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5380654.stm |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105121925/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5380654.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Holmes also found that Jackson was on the verge of bankruptcy and was involved in 47 ongoing lawsuits.<ref name="Bishara-2021" /> By September 2006, Jackson was no longer affiliated with Two Seas.<ref name="Bahrain" />

In April 2006, Jackson agreed to use a piece of his ATV catalog stake, then worth about $1{{nbsp}}billion, as [[Collateral (finance)|collateral]] against his $270{{nbsp}}million worth of loans from [[Bank of America]]. Bank of America had sold the loans to [[Fortress Investment Group|Fortress Investments]], an investment company that buys distressed loans, the year before. As part of the agreement, Fortress Investments provided Jackson a new loan of $300{{nbsp}}million with reduced interest payments (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|300000000|2006|r=-7}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}). Sony Music would have the option to buy half of his stake, or about 25% of the catalog, at a set price. Jackson's financial managers had urged him to shed part of his stake to avoid bankruptcy.<ref name="sonydeal" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson strikes deal over loans |work=BBC News |date=April 14, 2006 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4909412.stm |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105121924/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4909412.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The main house at Neverland Ranch was closed as a cost-cutting measure, while Jackson lived in Bahrain at the hospitality of Abdullah.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson Closes Neverland House |publisher=CBS News |date=July 6, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jackson-closes-neverland-house/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152037/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/jackson-closes-neverland-house/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At least thirty of Jackson's employees had not been paid on time and were owed $306,000 in back wages. Jackson was ordered to pay $100,000 in penalties.<ref name="sonydeal" /> Jackson never returned to Neverland after his acquittal.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jacksons-neverland-ranch-selling-for-67-million-w469968 |title=Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch Devalued in Real Estate Market |last=Blistein |first=Jon |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630000339/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jacksons-neverland-ranch-selling-for-67-million-w469968 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In mid-2006, Jackson moved to [[Grouse Lodge]], a residential recording studio near [[Rosemount, County Westmeath]], Ireland. There, he began work on a new album with the American producers [[will.i.am]] and [[Rodney Jerkins|Rodney Jenkins]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bainbridge |first=Luke |date=August 14, 2010 |title=Michael Jackson's Irish hideaway |url=http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2010/aug/15/michael-jackson-ireland-secret-retreat |access-date=January 21, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121135802/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2010/aug/15/michael-jackson-ireland-secret-retreat |url-status=live }}</ref> That November, Jackson invited an ''[[Access Hollywood]]'' camera crew into the studio in Westmeath.<ref name="Achievements" /> On November 15, Jackson briefly joined in on a performance of "We Are the World" at the [[2006 World Music Awards|World Music Awards]] in London, his last public performance, and accepted the Diamond Award for sales of {{Nowrap|100 million}} records.<ref name="Achievements" /><ref>{{cite web |title=2006 World Music Awards |work=Chiff |url=https://www.chiff.com/pop-culture/world-music-awards.htm |archive-date= February 4, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080204051554/https://www.chiff.com/pop-culture/world-music-awards.htm}}</ref> He returned to the US in December, settling in Las Vegas. That month, he attended [[James Brown]]'s funeral in [[Augusta, Georgia]], where he gave a eulogy calling Brown his greatest inspiration.<ref>{{cite news |first=Shaheem |last=Reid |title=James Brown Saluted by Michael Jackson at Public Funeral Service |publisher=MTV |date=December 30, 2006 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1549061/20061230/brown_james.jhtml |archive-date=April 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426200442/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1549061/20061230/brown_james.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:NeverlandRides.jpg|thumb|alt=A view from above of a large property in a semi-desert. The landscape is pale with clumps of vegetation. The property shows circular structures between the buildings.|An aerial view of part of Jackson's 2,800-acre (11&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) Neverland Valley Ranch near Los Olivos, California, showing the rides]]In 2007, Jackson and Sony bought another music publishing company, [[Famous Music]] LLC, formerly owned by [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]]. The deal gave Jackson the rights to songs by [[Eminem]] and [[Beck]], among others.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Police Plan MTV Unplugged Performance, Michael Jackson Buys Rights to Eminem Tunes, and More |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 31, 2007 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/05/31/the-police-plan-mtv-unplugged-performance-michael-jackson-buys-rights-to-eminem-tunes-and-more/ |archive-date= June 2, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070602144131/https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/05/31/the-police-plan-mtv-unplugged-performance-michael-jackson-buys-rights-to-eminem-tunes-and-more/}}</ref><ref>{{cite interview |last=[[RedOne]] |interviewer=Jan Blumentrath |title=Interview with RedOne, producer and songwriter for Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Akon, Kat DeLuna and Darin |publisher=[[HitQuarters]] |date=March 23, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.hitquarters.com/dev/index.php3?page=intrview/2009/March23_1_12_9.html |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612201856/http://www.hitquarters.com/dev/index.php3?page=intrview/2009/March23_1_12_9.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a brief interview, Jackson said he had no regrets about his career despite his problems and "deliberate attempts to hurt [him]".<ref>{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Talmadge |title=Michael Jackson 'wouldn't change' career |newspaper=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=March 8, 2007 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-03-08-2208485574_x.htm |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105122059/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-03-08-2208485574_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> That March, Jackson visited a US Army post in Japan, [[Camp Zama]], to greet more than 3,000 troops and their families.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson Greets Troops in Japan |publisher=CBS News |date=March 10, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2019 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-jackson-greets-troops-in-japan/ |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173452/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-jackson-greets-troops-in-japan/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson wows US troops during lavish Japan stint |website=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=March 11, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2019 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-03-11/michael-jackson-wows-us-troops-during-lavish-japan/2213766 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626180840/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-03-11/michael-jackson-wows-us-troops-during-lavish-japan/2213766 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of September, Jackson was still working on his next album, which he never completed.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Elizabeth |last=Goodman |title=Will.i.am on Working with Michael Jackson |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 24, 2007 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/will-i-am-on-working-with-michael-jackson-were-taking-it-day-by-day-20070924 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030554/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/will-i-am-on-working-with-michael-jackson-were-taking-it-day-by-day-20070924 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, for the 25th anniversary of ''Thriller'', Jackson and Sony released ''[[Thriller 25]]'', with two remixes released as singles: "[[The Girl Is Mine 2008]]" and "[[Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008]]".<ref>{{cite news |first=Roger |last=Friedman |title=Jacko: Neverland East in Upstate New York |publisher=Fox News |date=May 16, 2008 |access-date= May 22, 2008 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356282,00.html#3 |archive-date= May 19, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080519112250/https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356282,00.html#3}}</ref> ''Thriller 25'' was the last recorded work released during his life which he was extensively involved with, with Jackson co-producing the album's remix tracks. For his 50th birthday, Sony BMG released a series of greatest hits albums, ''[[King of Pop (album)|King of Pop]],'' with different tracklists for different regions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Choose the Tracks on Michael Jackson's 50th Birthday Album! |publisher=[[Sony BMG]] |date=June 20, 2008 |archive-date= June 28, 2008 |url=https://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do;.tomcat2?newsId=20030829005656 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080628015938/https://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do%3B.tomcat2?newsId=20030829005656}}</ref> That July, Fortress Investments threatened to [[Foreclosure|foreclose]] on Neverland Ranch, which he had used as collateral for his loans. Fortress sold Jackson's debts to [[Colony Capital]] LLC.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neverland escapes foreclosure hook |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=May 12, 2008 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/neverland-escapes-foreclosure-hook-1.729307 |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001120610/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/neverland-escapes-foreclosure-hook-1.729307 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November, Jackson transferred Neverland Ranch's title to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC, a joint venture between Jackson and Colony Capital LLC. The deal earned him {{Nowrap|$35 million}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=Neverland peters out for pop's Peter Pan |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |agency=[[Press Association]] |date=November 13, 2008 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/people/neverland-peters-out-for-pops-peter-pan/2008/11/13/1226318822205.html |archive-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630052917/https://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/people/neverland-peters-out-for-pops-peter-pan/2008/11/13/1226318822205.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, Jackson arranged to sell a collection of his memorabilia of more than 1,000 items through [[Julien's Auctions|Julien's Auction House]], but canceled the auction in April.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=April 15, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson memorabilia sale cancelled |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/apr/15/michael-jackson-sale-cancelled |access-date=January 20, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120152436/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/apr/15/michael-jackson-sale-cancelled |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2009, amid speculation about his finances and health, Jackson announced a series of comeback concerts, [[This Is It (concert residency)|This Is It]], at a press conference at [[the O2 Arena]].<ref name="Adams-2009">{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Guy |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson: The final decline of a pop legend |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/michael-jackson-the-final-decline-of-a-pop-legend-1720267.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/michael-jackson-the-final-decline-of-a-pop-legend-1720267.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022}}</ref> The shows were to be his first major concerts since the HIStory World Tour in 1997. Jackson suggested he would retire after the shows. The initial plan was for ten concerts in London, followed by shows in Paris, New York City and Mumbai. Randy Phillips, the president and chief executive of [[Anschutz Entertainment Group|AEG Live]], predicted the first ten dates would earn Jackson £50{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite news |first=Patrick |last=Foster |title=Michael Jackson grand finale curtain-raiser |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=March 6, 2009 |url=https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5854735.ece |archive-date= July 18, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110718131618/https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5854735.ece}}</ref>

The London residency was increased to fifty dates after record-breaking ticket sales; more than one million were sold in less than two hours.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |title=Michael Jackson's "This Is It!" Tour Balloons to 50-Show Run Stretching Into 2010 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 12, 2009 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jacksons-this-is-it-tour-balloons-to-50-show-run-stretching-into-2010-20090312 |access-date= September 4, 2017 |archive-date= June 16, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180616001859/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jacksons-this-is-it-tour-balloons-to-50-show-run-stretching-into-2010-20090312 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The concerts were to run from July 13, 2009, to March 6, 2010. Jackson moved to Los Angeles, where he rehearsed in the weeks leading up to the tour under the direction of the choreographer [[Kenny Ortega]], whom he had worked with during his previous tours. Rehearsals took place at [[Kia Forum|the Forum]] and the [[Staples Center]] owned by AEG.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson: The Last Rehearsal |magazine=[[Life (magazine)|Life]] |date=June 29, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.life.com/image/88744450/in-gallery/29532/michael-jackson-the-last-rehearsal |archive-date= July 4, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090704103521/https://www.life.com/image/88744450/in-gallery/29532/michael-jackson-the-last-rehearsal}}</ref> By this point, Jackson's debt had grown to almost $500 million. By the time of his death, he was three or four months behind payments on his home in San Fernando Valley.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-michael-jackson-debt-20130812-story.html |title=Michael Jackson trial: Pop star was 'tapped out,' millions in debt |last=Gottlieb |first=Jeff |date=August 12, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111032045/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-michael-jackson-debt-20130812-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2012/11/21/michael-jacksons-personal-debts-paid-off-just-in-time-for-bad-25/ |title=Michael Jackson's Personal Debts Paid Off, Just In Time For Bad 25 |first=Zack O'Malley |last=Greenburg |website=Forbes |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111033635/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2012/11/21/michael-jacksons-personal-debts-paid-off-just-in-time-for-bad-25/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' reported that Jackson planned a string of further ventures designed to recoup his debts, including a world tour, a new album, films, a museum and a casino.<ref name="Adams-2009" />

== Death ==
{{Main|Death of Michael Jackson}}

[[File:Michael Jackson Star.JPG|thumb|alt=Jackson's Star with flowers and notes on it|Fans placed flowers and notes on Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the day of his death.]]
On June 25, 2009, less than three weeks before his concert residency was due to begin in London, with all concerts sold out, Jackson died from cardiac arrest, caused by a [[propofol]] and [[benzodiazepine]] overdose.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Michael Jackson dead at 50 after cardiac arrest |publisher=CNN |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date=August 31, 2009 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/25/michael.jackson/index.html |archive-date=August 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827130840/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/25/michael.jackson/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite press release |first=Alan |last=Duke |title=Coroner releases new details about Michael Jackson's death |publisher=CNN |date=February 10, 2010 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/09/michael.jackson.autopsy/index.html |archive-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315022015/http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/09/michael.jackson.autopsy/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Conrad Murray]], his personal physician, had given Jackson various medications to help him sleep at his rented mansion in [[Holmby Hills, Los Angeles]]. Paramedics received a [[9-1-1|911]] call at 12:21&nbsp;pm [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific time]] (19:21 UTC) and arrived at the property four minutes later.<ref name="Rayner">Rayner, Gordon and Singh, Anita. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5653140/Michael-Jackson-the-final-days-and-how-TMZ.com-scooped-the-world.html Michael Jackson: the final days and how TMZ.com scooped the world] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710183746/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5653140/Michael-Jackson-the-final-days-and-how-TMZ.com-scooped-the-world.html |date=July 10, 2022 }}, ''The Daily Telegraph'', June 26, 2009.</ref> Jackson was not breathing and [[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation|CPR]] was performed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's life cut shockingly short |agency=Associated Press |date=June 26, 2009 |url=https://www.today.com/id/31552029 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-date=November 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119030910/http://www.today.com/id/31552029 |url-status=live }}</ref> Resuscitation efforts continued en route to [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center]], and for more than an hour after Jackson's arrival there, but were unsuccessful,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Teri |last1=Whitcraft |first2=Kristin |last2=Pisarcik |first3=Kimberly |last3=Brown |title=Timeline: Michael Jackson's Final Days |work=ABC News |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2017 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MichaelJackson/michael-jackson-final-days-timeline-year-death-king/story?id=10974394 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123034921/https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MichaelJackson/michael-jackson-final-days-timeline-year-death-king/story?id=10974394 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Times">{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Harvey |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Fans mourn artist for whom it didn't matter if you were black or white |newspaper=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6580897.ece |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110920052143/https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6580897.ece |archive-date= September 20, 2011}}</ref> and Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26&nbsp;pm Pacific time (21:26 UTC).<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Moore |title=Michael Jackson, King of Pop, dies of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=June 26, 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5643916/Michael-Jackson-King-of-Pop-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-in-Los-Angeles.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5643916/Michael-Jackson-King-of-Pop-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-in-Los-Angeles.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Dan |last1=Whitcomb |first2=Laura |last2=Isensee |title=Michael Jackson death still unsolved after autopsy |publisher=Reuters |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-idUSTRE55O6AK20090626 |archive-date=July 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707125050/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/26/us-jackson-idUSTRE55O6AK20090626 |url-status=live }}</ref> Murray had administered propofol, [[lorazepam]], and [[midazolam]];<ref>{{cite news |first=Kathleen |last=Doheny |title=Propofol Linked to Michael Jackson's Death |date=August 24, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |publisher=[[WebMD]] |url=https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20090824/propofol-linked-to-michael-jacksons-death |archive-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824180146/http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20090824/propofol-linked-to-michael-jacksons-death |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson's death was caused by a propofol overdose.<ref name="CNN" /><ref name="Times" />

News of his death spread quickly online, causing websites to slow down and [[crash (computing)|crash]] from user overload,<ref>{{cite press release |first1=Linnie |last1=Rawlinson |first2=Nick |last2=Hunt |title=Jackson dies, almost takes Internet with him |publisher=CNN |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/ |archive-date=May 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520175409/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and it put unprecedented strain<ref name="Wood">{{cite news |first=Daniel B. |last=Wood |title=Outpouring over Michael Jackson unlike anything since Princess Di |newspaper=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] |date=June 27, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html |archive-date=August 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813104839/http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html? |url-status=live }}</ref> on many services and websites including [[Google Search|Google]],<ref name="Shiels" /> [[AOL Instant Messenger]],<ref name="Wood" /> Twitter and Wikipedia.<ref name="Shiels">{{cite news |first=Maggie |last=Shiels |title=Web slows after Jackson's death |work=BBC News |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8120324.stm |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511202318/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8120324.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, [[web traffic]] rose by between 11% and 20%.<ref name="crash">{{cite news |first=David |last=Skok |title=Internet stretched to limit as fans flock for Michael Jackson news |newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date=June 26, 2009 |url=https://vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Internet+stretched+limit+fans+flock+Michael+Jackson+news/1736311/story.html |archive-date= July 3, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090703075357/https://www.vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Internet+stretched+limit+fans+flock+Michael+Jackson+news/1736311/story.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Tom |last1=Krazit |first2=Declan |last2=McCullagh |title=Debate: Can the Internet handle big breaking news |publisher=[[CNET]] |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10273854-93.html |archive-date= October 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195451/http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10273854-93.html |url-status= dead}}</ref> MTV and [[BET]] aired [[Marathon (media)|marathons]] of Jackson's music videos,<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Dtelter |title=MTV's Jackson Marathon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/the-michael-jackson-channel/?scp=2&sq=MTV&st=cse |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105122648/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/the-michael-jackson-channel/?scp=2&sq=MTV&st=cse |url-status=live }}</ref> and Jackson specials aired on television stations around the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jacko news spreads to Eastenders |newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://metro.co.uk/2009/06/26/jacko-news-spreads-to-eastenders-228251/ |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630013457/http://metro.co.uk/2009/06/26/jacko-news-spreads-to-eastenders-228251/ |url-status=live }}</ref> MTV briefly returned to its original music video format,<ref name="Barnes" /> and they aired hours of Jackson's music videos, with live news specials featuring reactions from MTV personalities and other celebrities.<ref name="Tylerc">{{cite web |title=More adds, loose ends, and lament |work=The 120 Minutes Archive |date=July 25, 2009 |access-date= February 15, 2014 |url=https://tylerc.com/2009/08/more-adds-loose-ends-lament/ |archive-date= May 14, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140514003810/http://tylerc.com/2009/08/more-adds-loose-ends-lament/ |url-status= dead}}</ref>

=== Memorial service ===
{{Main|Michael Jackson memorial service}}

{{multiple image
| align             = right
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| image1            = Michael Jackson Grave.jpg
| alt1              = A large pink/cream-colored box in front of a stained glass window.
| caption1          = Jackson's unmarked crypt at the end of the Sanctuary of Ascension in the Holly Terrace of the [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Great Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Glendale]]
| image2            = Neverland-ranch-memorial.jpg
| alt2              = A group of people standing outside a gated area. There are trees, bushes, and grassed areas. A majority of the area the people and in are shadowed by the trees by the gate.
| caption2          = Fans visiting the makeshift memorial set up outside the Neverland Ranch entrance shortly after Jackson's death
| direction         = vertical
}}

Jackson's memorial was held on July 7, 2009, at the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles, preceded by a private family service at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills#Court of Liberty|Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty]]. Over 1.6{{nbsp}}million fans applied for tickets to the memorial; the 8,750 recipients were drawn at random, and each received two tickets.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Over 1.6M apply for Jackson memorial tickets |date=July 4, 2009 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.today.com/id/31710570/ns/today-entertainment/t/over-m-apply-jackson-memorial-tickets |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426215751/http://www.today.com/id/31710570/ns/today-entertainment/t/over-m-apply-jackson-memorial-tickets |url-status=live }}</ref> The memorial service was one of the most watched events in [[Streaming media|streaming]] history,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Michael Jackson memorial draws crowds online |publisher=CNN |date=July 8, 2009 |access-date=June 11, 2012 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/07/michael.jackson.web.traffic/ |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818192649/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/07/michael.jackson.web.traffic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with an estimated US audience of 31.1{{nbsp}}million<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Scott |title=Michael Jackson Memorial Earns 31 Million Viewers & More TV News |publisher=[[AOL TV]] |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.aoltv.com/insidetv/2009/07/09/michael-jackson-memorial-earns-31-million-viewers/ |archive-date= July 23, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150723074833/https://www.aoltv.com/insidetv/2009/07/09/michael-jackson-memorial-earns-31-million-viewers/}}</ref> and a worldwide audience of an estimated 2.5 to 3 billion.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 8, 2009 |title=Hazarika'{{'}}s funeral creates world record |publisher=MSN |url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807110046/http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621 |archive-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Paul |last=Hanley |year=2014 |title=Eleven |publisher=[[Friesen Press]] |page=73 |isbn=978-1-4602-5047-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P9GZBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA73 |access-date=July 23, 2021 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305112925/https://books.google.com/books?id=P9GZBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA73#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Mariah Carey]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Lionel Richie]], [[Jennifer Hudson]], and [[Shaheen Jafargholi]] performed at the memorial, and [[Smokey Robinson]] and [[Queen Latifah]] gave eulogies.<ref>{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Allen |title=Michael Jackson memorial service: the biggest celebrity send-off of all time |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5771156/Michael-Jackson-memorial-service-the-biggest-celebrity-send-off-of-all-time.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5771156/Michael-Jackson-memorial-service-the-biggest-celebrity-send-off-of-all-time.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> [[Al Sharpton]] received a standing ovation with cheers when he told Jackson's children: "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with. But he dealt with it anyway."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Andrew |last=Potter |title=There was nothing strange about your daddy |magazine=[[Maclean's]] |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url=https://www.macleans.ca/general/there-was-nothing-strange-about-your-daddy/ |archive-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409063726/http://www.macleans.ca/general/there-was-nothing-strange-about-your-daddy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson's 11-year-old daughter [[Paris Jackson|Paris Katherine]], speaking publicly for the first time, wept as she addressed the crowd.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tania |last=Branigan |title=Jackson spends £20m to be Invincible |newspaper=The Guardian |date=September 8, 2001 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/sep/08/taniabranigan |access-date=December 12, 2016 |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116044622/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/sep/08/taniabranigan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Moments: Michael Jackson Memorial |magazine=TV Guide |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Jackson-Memorial-Moments-1007748.aspx |archive-date=July 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711071430/https://www.tvguide.com/News/Jackson-Memorial-Moments-1007748.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucious Smith provided a closing prayer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rev Lucious Smith on conducting the memorial service for Michael Jackson |publisher=[[Radio Live]] |date=June 28, 2010 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url=https://www.radiolive.co.nz/Rev-Lucious-Smith-on-conducting-the-memorial-service-for-Michael-Jackson/tabid/506/articleID/14351/Default.aspx |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190850/http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Rev-Lucious-Smith-on-conducting-the-memorial-service-for-Michael-Jackson/tabid/506/articleID/14351/Default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 3, 2009, the body of Jackson was entombed at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in [[Glendale, California]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Coleman |title=Michael Jackson finally laid to rest in Los Angeles |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=September 4, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/6136376/Michael-Jackson-finally-laid-to-rest-in-Los-Angeles.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/6136376/Michael-Jackson-finally-laid-to-rest-in-Los-Angeles.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Criminal investigation and prosecution of Conrad Murray ===
{{Main|People v. Murray}}

In August 2009, the [[Los Angeles County Coroner]] ruled that Jackson's death was a [[homicide]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Reid |title=LA coroner to treat Michael Jackson's death as a homicide |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=August 25, 2009 |url=https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6808546.ece |access-date= February 24, 2022 |archive-date= September 24, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110924151131/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6808546.ece |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson 'had lethal drug levels' |work=BBC News |date=August 25, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8219362.stm |archive-date=July 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723063720/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8219362.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Law enforcement officials [[People v. Murray|charged Murray]] with [[involuntary manslaughter]] on February 8, 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's doctor denies manslaughter charge |work=[[BBC News]] |date=February 9, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8499143.stm |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612150646/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8499143.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In late 2011, he was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter<ref>{{cite web |title=Conrad Murray guilty of Michael Jackson manslaughter |work=BBC News |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-15624869 |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125082101/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-15624869 |url-status=live }}</ref> and held without bail to await sentencing.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jack |last1=Leonard |first2=Andrew |last2=Blankstein |first3=Richard |last3=Winton |title=Conrad Murray could face significant prison time |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/conrad-murray-sentence-prison-term.html |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125073412/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/conrad-murray-sentence-prison-term.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Murray was sentenced to four years in prison, but was released after one year and eleven months.<ref>{{cite news |first=Martin |last=Kasindorf |title=Conrad Murray sentenced to four years in Jackson death |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=November 29, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-29/michael-jackson-doctor-murray-sentencing/51469570/1?csp=34news |archive-date=May 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507142932/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-29/michael-jackson-doctor-murray-sentencing/51469570/1?csp=34news |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Posthumous sales ===
At the [[American Music Awards of 2009|2009 American Music Awards]], Jackson won four posthumous awards, including two for his compilation album ''[[Number Ones (Michael Jackson album)|Number Ones]]'', bringing his total American Music Awards to 26.<ref>{{cite news |first=Todd |last=Martens |title=Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson dominate American Music Awards nominations [Updated] |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 13, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/taylor-swift-michael-jackson-dominate-american-music-awards-nominations.html |archive-date=October 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015215823/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/taylor-swift-michael-jackson-dominate-american-music-awards-nominations.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2009 American Music Awards: Scorecard |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=November 22, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/2009-american-music-awards-scorecard.html |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721075648/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/2009-american-music-awards-scorecard.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the year after his death, more than 16.1{{nbsp}}million copies of Jackson's albums were sold in the US alone, and 35{{nbsp}}million copies were sold worldwide, more than any other artist in 2009.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Trevor |last=Anderson |title=Michael Jackson's Posthumous Career: 10 Numbers That Tell The Tale |magazine=Billboard |date=June 25, 2019 |access-date=August 22, 2021 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8517573/michael-jackson-10th-anniversary-death-by-the-numbers |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818162856/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8517573/michael-jackson-10th-anniversary-death-by-the-numbers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson sells 35 million albums since death |work=Today |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.today.com/id/37957972/ns/today-entertainment/ |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426221901/http://www.today.com/id/37957972/ns/today-entertainment/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He became the first artist to sell one million [[music download]]s in a week, with 2.6{{nbsp}}million song downloads. ''Thriller'', ''Number Ones'' and ''[[The Essential Michael Jackson]]'' became the first catalog albums to outsell any new album.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Eliot |last=Van Buskirk |title=Michael Jackson First Artist to Sell Over 1 Million Downloads in a Single Week |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/07/michael-jackson-first-to-sell-over-1-million-downloads-in-a-single-week/ |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004214341/http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/07/michael-jackson-first-to-sell-over-1-million-downloads-in-a-single-week/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson also became the first artist to have four of the top-20 bestselling albums in a single year in the US.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Keith |last=Caulfield |title=Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle for 2009's Top-Selling Album |magazine=Billboard |date=January 6, 2010 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/960801/taylor-swift-edges-susan-boyle-for-2009s-top-selling-album |archive-date=April 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427000452/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/960801/taylor-swift-edges-susan-boyle-for-2009s-top-selling-album |url-status=live }}</ref> Within the year following his death, Jackson sold over 75 million records worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The late Michael Jackson a billion-dollar man |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/late-michael-jackson-billion-dollar-man-wbna37816847 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=June 21, 2010 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921002024/https://www.today.com/popculture/late-michael-jackson-billion-dollar-man-wbna37816847 |url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of 2013, Jackson had sold over 50 million albums worldwide since his death.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=November 8, 2013 |title=Michael Jackson's Touring Life After Death: The Billboard Cover Story |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jacksons-touring-life-after-death-the-billboard-cover-story-5785656/ |access-date=August 25, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |quote=50 million albums sold worldwide after his death}}</ref>

Following the surge in sales, in March 2010, Sony Music signed a $250{{nbsp}}million deal (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|250000000|2010|r=-7}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) with the [[Jackson estate]] to extend their distribution rights to Jackson's back catalog until at least 2017; it had been due to expire in 2015. It was the [[List of largest music deals|most expensive music contract]] for a single artist in history.<ref name="Sony" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson in 'record' $200m music deal |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=March 16, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2010/03/100316_jackson_biz_music_deal.shtml |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105123016/http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2010/03/100316_jackson_biz_music_deal.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> They agreed to release ten albums of previously unreleased material and new collections of released work.<ref name="Sony">{{cite news |first=Ethan |last=Smith |date=March 16, 2010 |title=Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King' |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864 |archive-date=February 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224205802/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |title=Michael Jackson Estate, Sony Strike Massive $250 Million Deal to Release King of Pop's Music |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 16, 2010 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-estate-sony-strike-massive-250-million-deal-to-release-king-of-pops-music-20100316 |access-date= September 4, 2017 |archive-date= November 7, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025248/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-estate-sony-strike-massive-250-million-deal-to-release-king-of-pops-music-20100316 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The deal was extended in 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ed |last=Christman |title=Michael Jackson Estate, Sony Music Extend Partnership for Recordings |magazine=Billboard |date=December 14, 2017 |access-date=February 11, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8070535/michael-jackson-sony-music-partnership-future-releases-recordings |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404084122/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8070535/michael-jackson-sony-music-partnership-future-releases-recordings |url-status=live }}</ref> That July, a Los Angeles court awarded [[Quincy Jones]] $9.4{{nbsp}}million of disputed royalty payments for ''Off the Wall'', ''Thriller'', and ''Bad''.<ref name="Who's Bad" /> In July 2018, Sony/ATV bought the estate's stake in EMI for $287.5{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ed |last=Christman |title=Sony Completes Acquisition of Michael Jackson Estate's Share of EMI Music Publishing |magazine=Billboard |date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8467902/sony-completes-acquisition-michael-jackson-estates-share-emi-music-publishing |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731193138/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8467902/sony-completes-acquisition-michael-jackson-estates-share-emi-music-publishing |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014, Jackson became the first artist to have a top-ten single in the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in five different decades.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Gary |last=Trust |title=Michael Jackson, Coldplay Hit Hot 100's Top 10; John Legend Still No. 1 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=May 21, 2014 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708170544/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, ''Thriller'' became the first album to be certified for 30{{nbsp}}million shipments by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' First Ever 30X Multi-Platinum RIAA Certification |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2021 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |url=https://www.riaa.com/michael-jacksons-thriller-first-ever-30x-multi-platinum-riaa-certification/ |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128023221/http://www.riaa.com/michael-jacksons-thriller-first-ever-30x-multi-platinum-riaa-certification/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A year later, it was certified 33× platinum after [[Soundscan]] added streams and audio downloads to album certifications.<ref name="Certified">{{cite magazine |first=Hugh |last=McIntyre |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Has Now Been Certified 33-Times Platinum |magazine=Forbes |date=February 16, 2017 |access-date=July 9, 2017 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/02/16/michael-jacksons-thriller-has-now-been-certified-33-times-platinum/ |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217064839/http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/02/16/michael-jacksons-thriller-has-now-been-certified-33-times-platinum/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{refn|In 2018, its US sales record was overtaken by [[Eagles (band)|the Eagles]]' album ''[[Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)|Greatest Hits 1971–75]],'' with 38× platinum.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Rhian |last=Daly |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' is no longer the best-selling album of all time in the US |magazine=NME |date=August 20, 2018 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/michael-jackson-thriller-best-selling-album-2368877 |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923201517/https://www.nme.com/news/music/michael-jackson-thriller-best-selling-album-2368877 |url-status=live }}</ref>|group=nb}}

In February 2024, Sony Music acquired half of Jackson's publishing rights and recording masters for an estimated $600{{nbsp}}million. The deal includes assets from Jackson's Mijac publishing catalog, but excludes royalties from several Jackson-related productions, including the ''MJ'' Broadway musical and the ''Michael'' biopic. The deal is possibly the largest transaction ever for a single musician's work.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Christman |first=Ed |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Sony Music Buys Stake in Michael Jackson Catalog, Valuing Rights at Over $1.2B |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/michael-jackson-estate-sells-music-rights-sony-valuation-1235604155/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211042139/https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/michael-jackson-estate-sells-music-rights-sony-valuation-1235604155/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/arts/music/michael-jackson-catalog-sale-sony.html |title=Sony Reaches Blockbuster Deal for Michael Jackson's Catalog |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |last=Sisario |first=Ben |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211025007/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/arts/music/michael-jackson-catalog-sale-sony.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Posthumous releases and productions ===
Jackson's posthumous releases and productions are administered by the [[estate of Michael Jackson]], which owns Jackson's trademarks and rights to his name, image and likeness.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/michael-jackson-estate-responds-sale-early-jackson-5-recording-1235546705/ |title=Michael Jackson Estate Says Digital Sale Of Early Jackson Recording Violates Estate Rights |date=December 8, 2023 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |last1=Bain |first1=Katie |last2=Donahue |first2=Bill |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218135456/https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/michael-jackson-estate-responds-sale-early-jackson-5-recording-1235546705/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first posthumous Jackson song, "[[This Is It (Michael Jackson song)|This Is It]]", co-written in the 1980s with [[Paul Anka]], was released in October 2009. The surviving Jackson brothers reunited to record backing vocals.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dean |last=Goodman |title='New' Michael Jackson Single Written in 1983 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=October 13, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267087/new-michael-jackson-single-written-in-1983 |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705011143/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267087/new-michael-jackson-single-written-in-1983 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was followed by a documentary film about the rehearsals for the canceled This Is It tour, ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]],''<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Joyce |last=Eng |title=Judge Approves Michael Jackson Film |magazine=[[TV Guide]] |date=August 10, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/michael-jackson-film-1008827/ |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002191636/https://www.tvguide.com/news/michael-jackson-film-1008827/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Michael Jackson's This Is It (album)|a compilation album]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Monica |last=Herrera |title=New Michael Jackson Song, Album Due in October |magazine=Billboard |date=September 23, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267308/new-michael-jackson-song-album-due-in-october |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704080939/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/new-michael-jackson-song-album-due-in-october-267308/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite a limited two-week engagement, the film became the highest-grossing documentary or concert film ever, with earnings of more than {{Nowrap|$260 million}} worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson's This Is It |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=michaeljacksonthisisit.htm}}</ref> Jackson's estate received 90% of the profits.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Judge OKs Jackson performance film deal |agency=Associated Press |date=August 10, 2010 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.today.com/id/32360110}}</ref> In late 2010, Sony released the first posthumous album, ''[[Michael (Michael Jackson album)|Michael]]'', and the lead single "[[Hold My Hand (Michael Jackson and Akon song)|Hold My Hand]]", a duet with [[Akon]]. The Jackson collaborator will.i.am expressed disgust, saying that Jackson would not have approved the release.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Exclusive: Will.i.am Explains His 'Disgust' for New Michael Jackson Album |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 13, 2010 |access-date= March 23, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-will-i-am-explains-his-disgust-for-new-michael-jackson-album-20101213 |archive-date= September 19, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110919065010/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-will-i-am-explains-his-disgust-for-new-michael-jackson-album-20101213 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

The video game developer [[Ubisoft]] released a [[music video game|music game]] featuring Jackson for the 2010 holiday season, ''[[Michael Jackson: The Experience]]''. It was among the first games to use [[Kinect]] and [[PlayStation Move]], the motion-detecting camera systems for [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson Fans Will Moonwalk in Motion-Sensing Game |magazine=Billboard |agency=Associated Press |date=June 15, 2010 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957768/michael-jackson-fans-will-moonwalk-in-motion-sensing-game}}</ref> In April 2011, [[Mohamed Al-Fayed]], the chairman of [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham Football Club]], unveiled a [[Fulham statue of Michael Jackson|statue of Jackson]] outside the club stadium, [[Craven Cottage]].<ref name="Fulham">{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson Fulham FC statue defended by Al Fayed |work=BBC News |date=April 3, 2011 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12950708 |archive-date=December 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211121020/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12950708 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was moved to the [[National Football Museum]] in Manchester in May 2014,<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson statue moves to National Football Museum |work=BBC News |date=May 6, 2014 |access-date= February 13, 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27302594 |archive-date=December 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210074004/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27302594 |url-status=live }}</ref> and removed from display in March 2019 following renewed sexual assault allegations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Jackson statue: National Football Museum removes artwork|work=BBC News|date=March 6, 2019|access-date= March 8, 2019|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-47468074|archive-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507034822/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-47468074|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2011, the theater company [[Cirque du Soleil]] launched ''[[Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour]],'' a $57-million production,<ref>{{cite news |title=Cirque plans $57M touring Jackson show |publisher=CBC News |date=November 3, 2010 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/cirque-plans-57m-touring-jackson-show-1.881804 |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516093722/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/cirque-plans-57m-touring-jackson-show-1.881804 |url-status=live }}</ref> in Montreal, with a permanent show [[Residency show|resident]] in Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tony |last=Hicks |title=People: Cirque du Soleil mounting Michael Jackson tour |newspaper=Mercury News |date=November 3, 2010 |access-date= November 7, 2010 |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment-headlines/ci_16517946 |archive-date=October 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006210012/https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/11/03/people-cirque-du-soleil-mounting-michael-jackson-tour/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A larger and more theatrical Cirque show, ''[[Michael Jackson: One]],'' designed for residency at the [[Mandalay Bay]] resort in Las Vegas, opened on May 23, 2013, in a renovated theater.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Jones |title='Michael Jackson One' in Las Vegas: Cirque du Soleil refinds its way |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=July 13, 2013 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/07/13/michael-jackson-one-in-las-vegas-cirque-du-soleil-refinds-its-way/ |archive-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930082032/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-xpm-2013-07-13-ct-ae-0714-jones-20130713-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Zack |last=O'Malley Greenburg |title=Michael Jackson's New Vegas Show 'One' Will Double The Fun |magazine=Forbes |date=February 2, 2013 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/02/22/michael-jacksons-new-vegas-show-one-will-double-the-fun/ |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528073433/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/02/22/michael-jacksons-new-vegas-show-one-will-double-the-fun/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, in an attempt to end a family dispute, Jackson's brother Jermaine retracted his signature on a public letter criticizing executors of Jackson's estate and his mother's advisors over the legitimacy of his brother's will.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jermaine calls for an end to Jackson family feud|work=BBC News|date=August 2, 2012|access-date=May 31, 2015|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19091521|archive-date=October 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027094305/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19091521|url-status=live}}</ref> T.J. Jackson, the son of Tito Jackson, was given co-guardianship of Michael Jackson's children after false reports of Katherine Jackson going missing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Jackson nephew made co-guardian of children|work=BBC News|date=August 23, 2012|access-date=May 31, 2015|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19353588|archive-date=October 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001100438/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19353588|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Xscape (album)|Xscape]]'', an album of unreleased material, was released on May 13, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Michael Jackson album to be released in May|work=BBC News|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=May 31, 2015|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26824983|archive-date=July 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703023317/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26824983|url-status=live}}</ref> The lead single, a duet between Jackson and [[Justin Timberlake]], "[[Love Never Felt So Good]]", reached number 9 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, making Jackson the first artist to have a top-10 single on the chart in five different decades.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Gary|last=Trust|title=Michael Jackson, Coldplay Hit Hot 100's Top 10; John Legend Still No. 1|magazine=Billboard|date=May 21, 2014|access-date=May 1, 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426134426/https://www.billboard.com/pro/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Later in 2014, [[Queen (band)|Queen]] released a duet recorded with Jackson in the 1980s.<ref name="Greene" /> A compilation album, ''[[Scream (Michael Jackson album)|Scream]]'', was released on September 29, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Elias|last=Leight|title=Michael Jackson's Estate Details 'Scream' Compilation|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 6, 2017|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jacksons-estate-details-scream-compilation-w501394|archive-date= September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906181442/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jacksons-estate-details-scream-compilation-w501394|url-status=dead}}</ref> A [[jukebox musical]], ''[[MJ the Musical]]'', premiered on Broadway in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|author=BWW News Desk|title=MJ the Musical on Broadway Postponed to September 2021|website=[[BroadwayWorld]]|date=October 9, 2020|access-date=April 4, 2021|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/MJ-THE-MUSICAL-Announces-New-Broadway-Dates-20201009|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029042306/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/MJ-THE-MUSICAL-Announces-New-Broadway-Dates-20201009|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Myles Frost]] won the 2022 [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical]] for his portrayal of Jackson.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jun/13/tony-awards-2022-the-full-list-of-winners|title=Tony awards 2022: the full list of winners |date=June 13, 2022|access-date=June 22, 2022|work=The Guardian|archive-date=July 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731232626/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jun/13/tony-awards-2022-the-full-list-of-winners|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 18, 2022, Epic released a [[Thriller 40|40th-anniversary edition reissue of ''Thriller'']].<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Gail Mitchell |date=May 16, 2022 |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Double-CD Set |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/michael-jackson-thriller-40th-anniversary-double-cd-1235071667/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222181513/https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/michael-jackson-thriller-40th-anniversary-double-cd-1235071667/ |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |access-date=May 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Thriller 40 – A Double CD Set Of Michael Jackson's Original Masterpiece Thriller & Bonus Disc Out Now |url=https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2022/11/18/thriller-40-a-double-cd-set-of-michael-jacksons-original-masterpiece-thriller-bonus-disc-out-now/|access-date=November 19, 2022|publisher=Legacy Recordings|quote=Immersive audio mixes of Thriller are now available at various DSPs, including 360 Reality Audio on Amazon, Spatial Audio on Apple Music, mixed by Serban Ghenea from the original masters for immersive audio, with the immersive mixes by John Hanes.}}</ref> A biographical film based on Jackson's life, ''[[Michael (2025 film)|Michael]]'', directed by [[Antoine Fuqua]], is scheduled for October 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=France |first1=Lisa Respers |title='Michael' movie: Why the Michael Jackson biopic may require reshoots |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/27/entertainment/michael-movie-what-to-know/index.html |agency=CNN |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=January 27, 2025}}</ref> Jackson is played by his nephew [[Jaafar Jackson]]. ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' reported that the film "will not shy away from the controversies of Jackson's life".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Michael Jackson Nephew Jaafar Jackson To Play King Of Pop In Antoine Fuqua-Directed Biopic |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/michael-jackson-nephew-jaafar-jackson-portray-king-of-pop-in-antoine-fuqua-directed-movie-lionsgate-1235244128/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324155436/https://deadline.com/2023/01/michael-jackson-nephew-jaafar-jackson-portray-king-of-pop-in-antoine-fuqua-directed-movie-lionsgate-1235244128/ |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Since Jackson's death, his estate has grossed $2 billion in ticket revenue from ''MJ the Musical'', ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]]'' and two [[Cirque du Soleil]] productions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Stacy M. |date=September 9, 2024 |title=John Branca's Masterstroke: How Michael Jackson's Estate Surged Passed $2 Billion in Ticket Sales |url=https://thetimesweekly.com/2024/09/john-brancas-masterstroke-how-michael-jacksons-estate-surged-passed-2-billion-in-ticket-sales/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=The Times Weekly}}</ref>

=== Posthumous child sexual abuse allegations ===
In 2013, choreographer [[Wade Robson]] filed a lawsuit alleging that Jackson had sexually abused him for seven years, beginning when he was seven years old (1989–1996).<ref>{{cite news |title=Choreographer: Michael Jackson 'sexually abused me' |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=May 16, 2013 |access-date=October 21, 2017 |url=https://www.today.com/video/choreographer-michael-jackson-sexually-abused-me-30450243877}}</ref> In 2014, a case was filed by James Safechuck, alleging similar sexual abuse over a four-year period starting when Safechuck was ten (1988–1992).<ref>{{cite news |first=Alroy |last=Menezes |title=James Safechuck Alleges Sexual Abuse By Michael Jackson, Sues Singer's Estate |work=[[International Business Times]] |date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=May 30, 2019 |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/james-safechuck-alleges-sexual-abuse-michael-jackson-sues-singers-estate-1650260}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Stone |title=Sex abuse by long-dead Michael Jackson? Judge rejects lawsuit |website=MyNewsLA.com |date=July 7, 2017 |access-date=March 15, 2019 |url=https://mynewsla.com/crime/2017/07/07/sex-abuse-by-long-dead-michael-jackson-judge-rejects-lawsuit/}}</ref><ref name="indie abuse">{{cite news |first=Jenn |last=Selby |title=Michael Jackson hit with new child sex abuse claims more than five years after his death |newspaper=The Independent |date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=March 15, 2019 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/michael-jackson-hit-with-new-sex-abuse-claims-five-years-after-his-death-9650832.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/michael-jackson-hit-with-new-sex-abuse-claims-five-years-after-his-death-9650832.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> Both had previously testified in Jackson's defense during the 1993 allegations; Robson did so again in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |first=John M. |last=Broder |title=2 Witnesses Say They Shared Jackson's Bed and Were Never Molested |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 6, 2005 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/06/us/2-witnesses-say-they-shared-jacksons-bed-and-were-never-molested.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Nicole |last=Sperling |title='Michael Is Everywhere': Two Michael Jackson Accusers Explain Why They're Speaking Out in HBO's ''Leaving Neverland'' |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=March 15, 2019 |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/02/michael-jackson-accusers-explain-speaking-out-hbo-leaving-neverland}}</ref> In 2015, Robson's case against Jackson's estate was dismissed as it had been filed too late. Safechuck's claim was also time-barred.<ref>{{cite web |title=Safechuck Ruling Demurrer Dismissal |via=[[Scribd]] |date=June 28, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2019 |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/353219745/Safechuck-Ruling-Demurrer-Dismissal}}</ref>

In 2017, it was ruled that Jackson's corporations could not be held accountable for his alleged past actions.<ref>{{cite press release |first=Andrew |last=Dalton |title=APNewsBreak: Michael Jackson Sex Abuse Lawsuit Dismissed |agency=Associated Press |date=December 20, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017 |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2017-12-19/apnewsbreak-michael-jackson-sex-abuse-lawsuit-dismissed}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson sex abuse lawsuit dismissed |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/michael-jackson-molestation-lawsuit-dismissed-1.4457632}}</ref> The rulings were appealed. On October 20, 2020, Safechuck's lawsuit against Jackson's corporations was again dismissed. The judge ruled that there was no evidence that Safechuck had had a relationship with Jackson's corporation, nor was it proven that there was a special relationship between the two.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/10/21/michael-jackson-judge-dismisses-leaving-neverland-accusers-lawsuit/3722576001/ |title='Leaving Neverland' accuser James Safechuck's lawsuit against Michael Jackson's companies dismissed |first=Andrea |last=Mandel |newspaper=USA Today |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lawsuit of Michael Jackson sexual abuse accuser dismissed |publisher=Associated Press |date=October 23, 2020 |access-date=October 26, 2020 |url=https://www.apnews.com/article/los-angeles-lawsuits-james-safechuck-michael-jackson-california-4cd85607e8dc1366f09ae51a8af6d1d2 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912032214/https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-lawsuits-james-safechuck-michael-jackson-california-4cd85607e8dc1366f09ae51a8af6d1d2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Kate |last=Feldman |title=Michael Jackson estate tries to block documentarian from filming 'Leaving Neverland' sequel: report |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |location=New York |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2020 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-finding-neverland-michael-jackson-20201021-7dvxdgtqibbpvgkq2lcbg5srca-story.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jake |last=Kanter |title='Leaving Neverland' Director Dan Reed Fights Subpoenas as He Shoots Sequel to Channel 4/HBO's Michael Jackson Film |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2020 |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/leaving-neverland-director-dan-reed-shooting-follow-up-film-1234599714/}}</ref> On April 26, 2021, Robson's case was dismissed because of a lack of supporting evidence that the defendants exercised control over Jackson.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Dalton |title=Judge tosses lawsuit of man who alleged Jackson molestation |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |date=April 27, 2021 |access-date=April 28, 2021 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/judge-tosses-lawsuit-man-alleged-jackson-molestation-77329272}}</ref>

Robson and Safechuck's allegations were the subject of the documentary film ''[[Leaving Neverland]]'', released in March 2019.<ref>{{cite news |first=Charlie |last=Haynes |title=Michael Jackson 'abused us hundreds of times' |date=February 28, 2019 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47403951}}</ref> Radio stations in New Zealand, Canada, the UK and the Netherlands removed Jackson's music from their playlists.<ref name="PR blitz">{{cite news |first=Lanre |last=Bakare |title=Michael Jackson estate launches PR blitz as documentary airs in UK |newspaper=The Guardian |date=March 7, 2019 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/07/michael-jackson-estate-adverts-lawsuits-interviews-leaving-neverland-airs |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926012746/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/07/michael-jackson-estate-adverts-lawsuits-interviews-leaving-neverland-airs |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Eleanor Ainge |last=Roy |title=Michael Jackson songs pulled from radio stations in New Zealand and Canada |newspaper=The Guardian |date=March 6, 2019 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/05/michael-jackson-abuse-allegations-canada-radio-stations-ban-music}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Janene |last=Pieters |title=First Dutch radio station boycotts Michael Jackson music |work=NL Times |date=March 6, 2019 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://nltimes.nl/2019/03/06/first-dutch-radio-station-boycotts-michael-jackson-music}}</ref> Jackson's family condemned the film as a "public lynching",<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson's Family Calls 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary a 'Public Lynching' |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=January 28, 2019 |access-date=January 29, 2019 |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/michael-jackson-family-leaving-neverland-public-lynching-1203120387/}}</ref> and the Jackson estate released a statement calling the film a "tabloid character assassination [Jackson] endured in life, and now in death".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |title=Michael Jackson Estate Slams 'Leaving Neverland': 'Tabloid Character Assassination' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 26, 2019 |access-date= July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-estate-leaving-neverland-tabloid-character-assassination-784968/}}</ref> Close associates of Jackson, such as [[Corey Feldman]], [[Aaron Carter]], Brett Barnes, and [[Macaulay Culkin]], defended Jackson in the wake of the documentary's release, saying that Jackson had never molested them.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Corey Feldman Guards Michael Jackson After 'Leaving Neverland' Airs |magazine=Vibe |date=March 4, 2019 |access-date= September 21, 2019 |url=https://www.vibe.com/2019/03/corey-feldman-michael-jackson-leaving-neverland}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Maeve |last=McDermott |title=Aaron Carter defends Michael Jackson after saying the star did one 'inappropriate' thing |newspaper=USA Today |date=May 22, 2019 |access-date= September 21, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2019/05/22/aaron-carter-defends-michael-jackson-after-comment-makes-waves/3765213002/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leaving Neverland: who is Brett Barnes, Michael Jackson's 'other boy'? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=March 8, 2019 |access-date= September 21, 2019 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/leaving-neverland-brett-barnes-jacksons-boy/ |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/leaving-neverland-brett-barnes-jacksons-boy/ |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref>

Documentaries such as ''[[Square One: Michael Jackson]]'', ''[[Neverland Firsthand: Investigating the Michael Jackson Documentary]]'' and ''[[Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth]]'', presented information countering the claims suggested by ''Leaving Neverland''.<ref>{{cite news |title='Square One', el documental que "desmonta" las acusaciones de pederastia sobre Michael Jackson |date=October 16, 2019 |url=https://www.abc.es/play/cine/noticias/abci-square-documental-desmonta-acusaciones-pederastia-sobre-michael-jackson-201910161743_noticia.html |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Wallis |title=Jackson family responds to 'Leaving Neverland' in 30-minute YouTube documentary |publisher=[[Global News]] |date=April 8, 2019 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5141785/neverland-firsthand/}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Andrew |last=Trendell |title=New documentary 'Chase the Truth' defending Michael Jackson is released |magazine=[[NME]] |date=August 15, 2019 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/new-documentary-chase-truth-defending-michael-jackson-released-2538518}}</ref> Jackson's album sales increased following the documentary screenings.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Shepherd |title=Michael Jackson albums climb the charts following Leaving Neverland broadcast |newspaper=The Independent |date=March 9, 2019 |access-date= July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/michael-jackson-album-charts-leaving-neverland-child-sex-allegations-a8815081.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/michael-jackson-album-charts-leaving-neverland-child-sex-allegations-a8815081.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Billboard'' senior editor Gail Mitchell said she and a colleague interviewed about thirty music executives who believed Jackson's legacy could withstand the controversy.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan Jr. |last=Landrum |title=Michael Jackson's popularity endures, even after new scandal |newspaper=[[The Japan Times]] |date=June 24, 2019 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2019/06/24/entertainment-news/michael-jacksons-popularity-endures-even-new-scandal/ |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721070116/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2019/06/24/entertainment-news/michael-jacksons-popularity-endures-even-new-scandal/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In late 2019, some New Zealand and Canadian radio stations re-added Jackson's music to their playlists, citing "positive listener survey results".<ref>{{cite web |first=Teresa |last=Ramsey |title=Michael Jackson songs back on New Zealand radio airwaves |website=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]] |date=November 14, 2019 |access-date= November 29, 2019 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/117143093/michael-jackson-songs-back-on-new-zealand-radio-airwaves}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Marc-André |last=Lemieux |title=Fin du boycottage de Michael Jackson |newspaper=[[Le Journal de Montréal]] |date=October 29, 2019 |access-date= December 30, 2019 |url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/10/29/fin-du-boycott-de-michael-jackson |language=fr}}</ref>

On February 21, 2019, the Jackson estate sued HBO for breaching a non-disparagement clause from a 1992 contract. The suit sought to compel HBO to participate in a non-confidential arbitration that could result in $100{{nbsp}}million or more in damages awarded to the estate.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Eriq |last=Gardner |title=Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO Over 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date= September 21, 2019 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/michael-jackson-estate-sues-hbo-violating-disparagement-deal-1188759}}</ref> HBO said they did not breach a contract and filed an anti-[[Strategic lawsuit against public participation|SLAPP]] motion against the estate. In September 2019, Judge [[George H. Wu]] denied HBO's motion to dismiss the case, allowing the Jackson estate to arbitrate.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Claudia |last=Rosenbaum |title='Leaving Neverland' Judge Sides with Michael Jackson Estate, Compelling HBO to Arbitration |magazine=Billboard |date=September 20, 2019 |access-date= May 6, 2021 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/legal-and-management/8530658/leaving-neverland-ruling-michael-jackson-hbo-arbitration/}}</ref> HBO appealed, but in December 2020 the appeals court affirmed Wu's ruling.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ashley |last=Cullins |title=HBO Loses Appellate Bid to Avoid Arbitration with Michael Jackson Estate in 'Leaving Neverland' Dispute |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 14, 2020 |access-date= April 11, 2021 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hbo-loses-appellate-bid-to-avoid-arbitration-with-michael-jackson-estate-in-leaving-neverland-dispute}}</ref>

In 2020, a state law passed in California which granted plaintiffs in child sex abuse cases an additional period to file lawsuits. In October 2020 and again in April 2021, the [[Los Angeles County Superior Court]] ruled that MJJ Productions Inc. and MJJ Ventures Inc. employees were not legally obligated to protect the two men from Jackson. In August 2023, California's Second District Court of Appeal overturned the ruling, and the case was approved to move forward to [[trial court]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/arts/music/michael-jackson-sexual-abuse-lawsuits.html |title=Sexual Abuse Suits Against Michael Jackson's Companies Are Revived |first1=Christopher |last1=Kuo |date=August 18, 2023 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
{{Main|Cultural impact of Michael Jackson}}

{{See also|List of Michael Jackson records and achievements}}
[[File:President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan with Michael Jackson (cropped).jpg|thumb|277x277px|Jackson at the [[White House]] in 1984. [[President of the United States|President]] [[Ronald Reagan]] described him as "one of the most talented, most popular and most exciting superstars"<ref>{{Cite news |first=Frank T. |last=Csongos |title=Michael Jackson draws a White House crowd |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/05/15/Michael-Jackson-draws-a-White-House-crowd/9115453441600/ |access-date=March 13, 2025 |work=United Press International}}</ref>]]
Jackson has been referred to as the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|King of Pop]]" for having transformed the art of music videos and paving the way for modern pop music. For much of Jackson's career, he had an unparalleled worldwide influence over the younger generation.<ref name="ADL">{{cite web |date=June 22, 1995 |title=ADL Welcomes Michael Jackson's Decision to Remove Anti-Semitic Lyrics from Song |url=https://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/2471_12.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001053852/https://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/2471_12.asp |archive-date=October 1, 2012 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]]}}</ref> His influence extended beyond the music industry; he impacted dance, led fashion trends, and raised awareness for global affairs.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Michael Jackson's music had impact around the globe |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=July 4, 2009 |access-date= March 27, 2020 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-global-sb-idUSTRE5624OT20090704}}</ref> Jackson's music and videos fostered racial diversity in MTV's roster and steered its focus from rock to pop music and R&B, leading to the discontinuation of the [[album-oriented rock]] format previously dominant on the channel.{{sfn|Young|2009|p=25}}<ref>{{cite press release |first=David |last=Vigilante |title=Commentary: Jackson was the Jackie Robinson of MTV |publisher=CNN |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= July 4, 2020 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/26/vigilante.jackson/index.html}}</ref> In songs such as "[[Black or White]]", "[[Heal the World]]", "[[Earth Song]]" and "[[They Don't Care About Us]]", Jackson's music emphasized [[racial integration]] and environmentalism and protested injustice.<ref>{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Vogel |title=Black and White: how Dangerous kicked off Michael Jackson's race paradox |newspaper=The Guardian |date=March 17, 2018 |access-date= January 13, 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/mar/17/black-and-white-how-dangerous-kicked-off-michael-jacksons-race-paradox}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Why Michael Jackson's songs on climate change and racial inequality need to be youth anthems now |work=[[India Today (TV channel)|India Today]] |date=August 29, 2018 |access-date= January 13, 2020 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/why-michael-jackson-s-songs-on-climate-change-and-racial-inequality-need-to-be-youth-anthems-now-1326217-2018-08-29}}</ref> He is considered one of the most significant figures of the 20th century,<ref>{{cite web |first=Howard |last=Dodson |title=Michael Jackson: Icon |publisher=[[New York Public Library]] |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date= November 26, 2018 |url=https://www.nypl.org/blog/2009/07/07/michael-jackson-icon}}</ref> and his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kasmin |last=Fernandes |title=Why Michael Jackson was a style icon |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=June 25, 2014 |access-date= March 11, 2016 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/style-guide/Why-Michael-Jackson-was-a-style-icon/articleshow/37175580.cms?from=mdr}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |first=Don |last=Lemon |title=Michael Jackson's style influence lives on |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date= March 11, 2016 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/06/23/michael.jackson.fashion/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jocelyn |last=Vena |title=Michael Jackson's Style Legacy, From Military Jackets to One Glove |publisher=MTV News |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= March 11, 2016 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1614819/michael-jacksons-style-legacy-from-military-jackets-to-one-glove/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021085825/http://www.mtv.com/news/1614819/michael-jacksons-style-legacy-from-military-jackets-to-one-glove/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rosen |first=Jill |date=June 28, 2009 |title=7 Ways Michael Jackson Changed the World |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2009/06/28/7-ways-michael-jackson-changed-the-world/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502182350/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2009-06-28/news/0906260178_1_michael-jackson-jackson-changed-jackson-five |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |access-date=April 24, 2016 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref>

Jackson's meteoric rise in the 1980s catapulted him to global stardom, and his influence transcended borders. In Africa, his influence was compared to Nelson Mandela for his ability to inspire and unite diverse audiences through his music.<ref name="ReutersImpact">{{Cite web |date=July 4, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson's music had impact around the globe |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-global-sb/michael-jacksons-music-had-impact-around-the-globe-idUSTRE5624OT20090704 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007063232/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-global-sb/michael-jacksons-music-had-impact-around-the-globe-idUSTRE5624OT20090704 |archive-date=October 7, 2019 |access-date=January 6, 2020 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite periodical |last=Johnson |first=Robert E. |date=May 1992 |title=Michael Jackson: Crowned in Africa, pop music king tells real story of controversial trip |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tMwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34 |magazine=Ebony |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |pages=34–36, 40, 42–43 |volume=47 |number=7}}</ref> Similarly, in India, Jackson was likened to [[Mahatma Gandhi]], with his art championing themes of social justice and humanitarianism,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Tim |date=May 3, 1996 |title=NEWS FEATURE: In India, Gandhi is out, Michael Jackson is in |url=https://religionnews.com/1996/05/03/news-feature-in-india-gandhi-is-out-michael-jackson-is-in/ |access-date=January 1, 2025 |publisher=[[Religion News Service]]}}</ref> and his influence extending to [[Bollywood]] where it was said that anyone who danced well was compared to Jackson.<ref name="ReutersImpact" /> In Europe, Jackson's impact was compared to that of the [[Pope]], drawing huge crowds of people who gathered to see the singer in public and even more to his concerts, which spread messages of love and healing during rough economic and political times.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wAwzAAAAIBAJ&dq=pope+prague&pg=PA2&article_id=2276,681181 |title=Michael Jackson outdraws the Pope |date=September 4, 1996 |newspaper=Star-News |quote=Michael Jackson is bigger than the Pope here, thousands of screeching fans welcomed the King of Pop at the Airport Tuesday as he arrived to kick off his History World Tour. The Crowd was far bigger than the one received by the Pope during his recent visit according to locals.}}</ref> His presence in the Middle East was considered as widespread as [[Coca-Cola]], symbolizing a shared global culture through his music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbas |first=Nosheen |date=August 2, 2009 |title=Pakistan Mourns Michael Jackson |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pakistan-mourns-michael-j_b_224790 |access-date=December 30, 2024 |website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> Additionally, Jackson is considered the backbone of the [[K-pop]] industry in South Korea, influencing countless artists and shaping the genre's development.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date=December 31, 2012 |title=Psy on Pressure, the Universal Language of Michael Jackson and Ushering in 2013 'Gangnam Style' (Q&A) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/psy-new-years-eve-gangnam-style-407152/ |access-date=January 1, 2025 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 3, 2023 |title='Thriller 40' reveals Michael Jackson is the King of Pop for K-pop icons like BTS |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/k-pop/music/news/thriller-40-reveals-michael-jackson-is-the-king-of-pop-for-k-pop-icons-like-bts/articleshow/105695431.cms |access-date=January 1, 2025 |newspaper=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>{{blockquote|Trying to trace Michael Jackson's influence on the pop stars that followed him is like trying to trace the influence of oxygen and gravity. So vast, far-reaching and was his impact—particularly in the wake of ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]''{{'}}s colossal and heretofore unmatched commercial success—that there weren't a whole lot of artists who ''weren't'' trying to mimic some of the Jackson formula.|J. Edward Keyes of ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<ref>{{cite magazine |first=J. Edward |last=Keyes |title=Michael Jackson's, Indelible Pop Legacy |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date= July 5, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/michael-jacksons-indelible-pop-legacy-105243/}}</ref>}}[[Danyel Smith]], chief content officer of Vibe Media Group and the editor-in-chief of ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]],'' described Jackson as "the greatest star".<ref>{{cite press release |first=Danyel |last=Smith |title=Commentary: Michael Jackson, the greatest star |publisher=CNN |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= July 4, 2020 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/26/smith.jackson.appreciation/}}</ref> Steve Huey of AllMusic called him "an unstoppable juggernaut, possessed of all the skills to dominate the charts seemingly at will: an instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility and loads of sheer star power".<ref name="allmusic" /> BET said Jackson was "quite simply the greatest entertainer of all time" whose "sound, style, movement and legacy continues to inspire artists of all genres".<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson |publisher=[[BET]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.bet.com/tag/omffdm/michael-jackson}}</ref> In 1984, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' pop critic [[Jay Cocks]] wrote that "Jackson is the biggest thing since the Beatles. He is the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley. He just may be the most popular black singer ever." He described Jackson as a "star of records, radio, rock video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style, and color too."<ref name="Time" /> In 2003, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' writer [[Tom Utley]] described Jackson as "extremely important" and a "genius".<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Utley |author-link= Tom Utley |title=Of course Jackson's odd—but his genius is what matters |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=February 7, 2003 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/3587259/Of-course-Jackson%27s-odd---but-his-genius-is-what-matters.html |archive-date= January 26, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090126081344/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/3587259/Of-course-Jackson%27s-odd---but-his-genius-is-what-matters.html}}</ref> At Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009, Motown founder Berry Gordy called Jackson "the greatest entertainer that ever lived".<ref>{{cite web |title=Gordy Brings Mourners to Their Feet with Jackson Tribute |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.contactmusic.com/news/gordy-brings-mourners-to-their-feet-with-jackson-tribute_1108973}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |first=Bob |last=Tourtellotte |title=Michael Jackson hailed as greatest entertainer, best dad |agency=Reuters UK |date=July 8, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-idUKTRE5615KN20090708|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122182734/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-idUKTRE5615KN20090708|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2016}}</ref> Jackson is recognized as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time by ''[[Guinness World Records]]''.<ref name="CityNews">{{cite news |date=November 15, 2006 |title=Michael Jackson Named Most Successful Entertainer Of All Time |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2006/11/15/michael-jackson-named-most-successful-entertainer-of-all-time/ |access-date=May 31, 2015 |work=[[CityNews]]}}</ref><ref name="Ditzian">{{cite news |last=Ditzian |first=Eric |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson's Groundbreaking Career, by the Numbers |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1614815/michael-jacksons-groundbreaking-career-by-the-numbers/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716091850/http://www.mtv.com/news/1614815/michael-jacksons-groundbreaking-career-by-the-numbers/ |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |publisher=MTV}}</ref> He has also appeared on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s lists of the Greatest Singers of All Time.<ref name="100 Greatest">{{cite magazine |date=December 3, 2010 |title=100 Greatest Singers of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-147019/michael-jackson-18-223970/ |access-date=April 14, 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1, 2023 |title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/michael-jackson-21-1234643068/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>
Craig Glenday, the Editor-in-Chief of ''[[Guinness World Records]]'', called Jackson the most famous person in the world in 2006. Following Jackson's death, Glenday wrote in an obituary that Jackson had maintained this status up until his death,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Glenday |first=Craig |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GJ-Lts1QgrkC&dq=guinness+world+records+2011+jackson&pg=PA350 |title=Guinness World Records 2011 |date=2011 |publisher=Sterling Pub. |isbn=978-0-440-42310-2}}</ref> later remarking that his fame had exceeded that of Confucius.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Glenday |first=Craig |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N2ExOXxw6cAC&dq=guinness+world+records+most+famous+person+jackson+2006&pg=PA408 |title=Guinness World Records 2013 |date=2013 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-345-54711-8 |quote="The Five leading names are Jesus, Muhammad, Isaac Newton, Buddha and Confucius, clearly significant figures. However who among us could quote more lines from Confucius than a Michael Jackson song, the man Guinness named the most famous person on earth in 2006" |quote-page=408}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote that he was in a league of his own in terms of fame, noting that Jackson had become so famous that the number of people who might not know who he was had become statistically insignificant.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sparber |first=Max |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Meeting a supernova |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/jun/26/michael-jackson-fame-death |access-date=December 7, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Due to his unprecedented influence, Jackson is recognized today as one of the most globally renowned figures in history. Reports of his fame extend from the Middle East,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghazal |first=Rym |title='He meant so much to Arabs' |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/he-meant-so-much-to-arabs-1.541703 |access-date=December 7, 2024 |newspaper=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |quote=I don't think MJ knew just how much his music shaped a whole generation of Arabs, just how many fans he had here and just how devoted they remained throughout his ordeals. We might not have heard of the Beatles or Elvis Presley, but we sure knew Michael Jackson. There were fears among the religious police about his "influence" on the young mind, he was a symbol of America as a land of opportunity, especially for a generation of Arabs that had grown up in conflict. People named their cars after him, not to mention their pets - my own white-and-black cat is called MJ, I cannot think of another foreign artist who has infiltrated our culture so much as him.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grundey |first=Adam |date=June 29, 2019 |title=Wanted dead or alive: Despite 'Leaving Neverland,' Michael Jackson's star seems undiminished in the Middle East |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1517811/lifestyle |access-date=December 7, 2024 |newspaper=Arab News |quote=As a performer and musician, Jackson was idolized around the world. He became an enormous part of people's lives — and arguably the most recognizable person in history, despite the surgery.}}</ref> Africa,<ref name="ReutersImpact" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Irish |first=John |date=September 21, 2016 |title=Ghana leader tells U.N. to dance to tune of Michael Jackson |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-assembly-ghana-idUSKCN11R2X6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003233058/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-assembly-ghana-idUSKCN11R2X6 |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |access-date=October 3, 2019 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> India,<ref name="web.archive.org">{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2016 |title=Michael Jackson's music had impact around the globe |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-global-sb-idUSTRE5624OT20090704/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129082809/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-global-sb-idUSTRE5624OT20090704/ |archive-date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=May 23, 2024 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 20, 2009 |title=We live in Michael Jackson's world: SRK |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/we-live-in-michael-jacksons-world-srk/articleshow/4913517.cms |access-date=May 23, 2024 |newspaper=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and China<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Dinah |date=October 28, 2009 |title=Why the Chinese are obsessed with the late Michael Jackson |url=https://www.minnpost.com/global-post/2009/10/why-chinese-are-obsessed-late-michael-jackson/ |access-date=December 7, 2024 |newspaper=MinnPost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2024 |title=Ethiopian envoy confers with UNESCO Peace Medal winner "MJ Resurrector" of China |url=https://www.fanabc.com/english/ethiopian-envoy-confers-with-unesco-peace-medal-winner-mj-resurrector-of-china/ |access-date=December 8, 2024 |publisher=[[Fana Broadcasting Corporate]] |quote=The world's most Michael Jackson-like Chinese "MJ Resurrector", winner of the UNESCO Peace Medal}}</ref> to tribes in the Amazon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Montenegro |first=Manuel |date=December 7, 2016 |title=See The Reaction Of An Amazon Tribe To Modern War Footage, The Moon Landing And More |url=https://kami.com.ph/59550-see-the-reaction-of-an-amazon-tribe-to-modern-war-footage-the-moon-landing-a.html |access-date=December 7, 2024 |publisher=KAMI |quote=A French movie crew visited a remote tribe in the Amazon rainforest to show them video clips encasing modern society}}</ref> His influence even reaches remote corners of the world such as [[São Tomé and Príncipe]], or [[Tristan da Cunha]], where tribute artists keep his legacy alive by celebrating his music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Jackson continua vivo em São Tomé e Príncipe |url=https://www.uol.com.br/carnaval/videos/?id=michael-jackson-continua-vivo-em-sao-tome-e-principe-0402CC1C3764C8892326 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |publisher=[[Universo Online]] |language=pt-br |quote=The 'King of Pop' is still alive in a remote and unknown location on the planet: on the small African islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. Damião Mendes Marques is known only as 'Michael' and became a local celebrity. Always dressed as his idol, he attracts crowds with his performance and dreams one day of being able to meet the Jackson family.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kerr |first1=Jim |last2=Squibb |first2=Shirley |title=Tristen De Cunha Performing Arts Show |url=https://www.tristandc.com/newsschool2014artsshow.php |access-date=December 7, 2024 |publisher=Tristan da Cunha Government |quote=The show started with a dance to Thriller, zombies appeared from all directions and danced with Nathan Swain, the island's Michael Jackson lookalike.}}</ref>
[[File:U-Bahn Kettenbrueckengasse Graffito Michael Jackson (big) (cropped).jpg|thumb|A mural of Jackson in [[Vienna]]]]
In 2018, the [[National Portrait Gallery, London|National Portrait Gallery]] named Jackson the most depicted cultural figure of the century,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Haider |first=Arwa |date=June 29, 2018 |title=The Complex and Celebrated Image of Michael Jackson |url=https://elephant.art/on-the-wall-michael-jackson/ |access-date=November 8, 2024 |magazine=Elephant}}</ref> later stating that Jackson's influence on art rivaled that of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stansfield |first=Ted |date=June 28, 2018 |title=How Michael Jackson Impacted the World of Art |url=https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10396/how-michael-jackson-impacted-the-world-of-art |access-date=November 8, 2024 |magazine=[[Another Man]] |quote=Few have permeated the realm of art like Michael Jackson. Aside from Jesus Christ, there aren't many people who have inspired creative practitioners to the degree that the MJ has.}}</ref> [[Nicholas Cullinan]], director of the National Portrait Gallery and curator of the [[Michael Jackson: On the Wall|Michael Jackson: On the Wall exhibition]], described Jackson's impact on art as unprecedented and claimed in 2018 that Jackson was the most depicted figure in the history of [[contemporary art]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finch |first=Mariko |date=July 23, 2018 |title=Celebrating Michael Jackson at the National Portrait Gallery |url=https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/celebrating-michael-jackson-at-the-national-portrait-gallery |access-date=November 8, 2024 |publisher=[[Sotheby's]]}}</ref> In 2014, a comprehensive study conducted by researcher Young-Ho Eom at the [[University of Toulouse]] identified Jackson as one of the most influential people of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Rose |date=June 10, 2014 |title=Wikipedia's most influential people: Carl Linnaeus, Jesus, Hitler, Michael Jackson |url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/wikipedias-most-influential-people-carl-linnaeus-jesus-hitler-michael-jackson-20140611-zs39r.html |access-date=November 8, 2024 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> The study utilized advanced ranking methods, including 2D Rank and PageRank algorithms, to analyze the impact of historical figures. Jackson was prominently placed on the list of top influencers, alongside Swedish botanist [[Carl Linnaeus]], [[Adolf Hitler]], and [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]. An additional study conducted in 2013 also identified Jackson as one of the most influential people of all time. This study ranked Jackson at the top of the list, alongside [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], highlighting the extraordinary influence and global recognition that Jackson achieved throughout his career.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eom |first1=Young-Ho |last2=Shepelyansky |first2=Dima L. |date=2013 |title=Highlighting entanglement of cultures via ranking of multilingual Wikipedia articles |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=8 |issue=10 |pages=e74554 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0074554 |doi-access=free |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=3789750 |pmid=24098338|arxiv=1306.6259 |bibcode=2013PLoSO...874554E }}</ref> Additionally, numerous publications and academic studies <ref>[[Cultural impact of Michael Jackson#Academia|Major Academic Fields influenced by Michael Jackson]]

[[Economics]], [[Zoology]], [[Dermatology]], [[Music]], [[Kinesiology]], [[Semiotics]], [[Ethics]], [[Anthropology]], [[Medicine]], [[Law]], [[Criminology]], [[Philosophy]], [[Religious studies|Religious Studies]], [[Cultural psychology|Cultural Psychology]], [[Audiometry]], [[Media studies|Media]], [[Accounting]], [[Language]], [[Neuropsychology]], [[Psychology]], [[Film studies|Film Studies]], [[Dance]], [[Rhetoric]], [[Cultural studies|Cultural Studies]], [[Linguistics]], [[Humanism]], [[Ethnology]], [[Film studies|Film Studies]], [[Jewish studies|Jewish Studies]], [[Divinity]], [[Peace and conflict studies|Peace and Conflict Studies]], [[Environmental studies|Environmental Studies]], [[Communication studies|Communication Studies]], [[Marketing]], [[Theatre|Theater]], [[Visual arts|Visual Arts]], [[Library and information science|Library Studies]], [[Fashion]], [[Political science|Political Science]], [[Computer science|Computer Science]], [[Physics]], [[Neuroscience]], [[History]], [[Forensic science|Forensic Science]], [[Engineering]], [[Geography]], [[International relations|International Relations]], [[Education]], [[Complex system|Complex Systems]], [[Black studies|African American Studies]], [[Hermeneutics]], [[Cross-cultural communication|Cross-Culture Communication]], [[Sociology of race and ethnic relations|Race Studies]], [[Pragmatics]], [[Gender studies|Gender Studies]], [[Biomechanics]], [[Complex system|Complex Systems]], [[Critical theory|Critical Theory]]</ref> have recognized Michael Jackson as one of the most influential figures in history, noting his impact beyond music in fields such as psychology, law, chemistry, and engineering''.'' <ref>{{Cite web |title=Pop Culture Expert Can Speak About Michael Jackson's Academic Legacy |via=Newswise |url=https://www.newswise.com/articles/pop-culture-expert-can-speak-about-michael-jackson-s-academic-legacy |access-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Texas Tech University]] |quote=The list of scholarly papers and peer-reviewed articles, culled from more than 100 databases, found the King of Pop referenced in psychology, medical, chemistry, mass communications and even engineering journals.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stevens |first=Hampton |date=June 24, 2010 |title=Michael Jackson's Unparalleled Influence |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/06/michael-jacksons-unparalleled-influence/58616/ |access-date=March 10, 2025 |magazine=The Atlantic |quote=Jackson was the single most influential artist of the 20th century}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=June 25, 2014 |title=Michael Jackson: Five years after his death, how his influence lives on |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jun/25/five-ways-michael-jackson-influence-lives-on |access-date=March 10, 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |quote=The panopticon of the internet means that today it should technically be easy to get as famous as Jackson – you can be adored from the Mongolian steppes to the Madagascan rainforest, all via YouTube. But in reality, fame is diluted by the internet as everyone makes their own collaged personal vision of global culture, and so that Jackson-level fame, an omnipresence mediated via the restricted channels of radio, TV and recorded sound, is unlikely ever to be repeated.}}</ref>

== Philanthropy and humanitarian work ==
{{Main|Philanthropy of Michael Jackson}}
[[File:President_Ronald_Reagan_Hosts_Michael_Jackson_at_the_White_House.ogv|thumb|President [[Ronald Reagan]] rewarding Jackson in 1984 for his support of alcohol and drug abuse charities]]
Jackson is widely regarded as having been a prolific philanthropist and humanitarian.<ref name="Daunt">{{cite news|first=Tina |last=Daunt |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jul-08-et-cause8-story.html |title=Giving in spirit and deed |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=July 8, 2009 |access-date=January 1, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Jackson Lee">{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/600/text |title=H. RES. 600: Honoring an American legend and musical icon |first=Sheila |last=Jackson-Lee |date=June 26, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Cafarelli">Brad Cafarelli, "Superstar's musical career had the classic humble start", ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' (November 7, 1988), Section VIII, p. 1, 5.</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Joseph |last=Vogel |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-jacksons-forgotten-humanitarian-legacy_b_59c7c8d3e4b08d661550436a |title=Michael Jackson's Forgotten Humanitarian Legacy |website=HuffPost |date=September 24, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2025}}</ref> Jackson's early charitable work has been described by ''[[The Chronicle of Philanthropy]]'' as having "paved the way for the current surge in celebrity philanthropy",<ref name="Philanthropy">{{cite web |url=https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Michael-Jackson-and/193257 |title=Michael Jackson and Philanthropy |first=Ian |last=Wilhelm |publisher=[[The Chronicle of Philanthropy]] |date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> and by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' as having "set the standard for generosity for other entertainers".<ref name="Daunt"/>

By some estimates, he donated over $500&nbsp;million, not accounting for inflation, to various charities over the course of his life.<ref name="Daunt"/> In 1992, Jackson established his [[Heal the World Foundation]], to which he donated several million dollars in revenue from his [[Dangerous World Tour]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/jacksons-foundation-now-virtually-defunct-wbna4601265 |title=Jackson's foundation now virtually defunct |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=March 25, 2004 |access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref>

Jackson's philanthropic activities went beyond just monetary donations. He also performed at [[benefit concert]]s, some of which he arranged.<ref name="y154">{{cite web | title=Songs Of Tears, Hope And Defiance | publisher=[[CBS News]] | date=October 21, 2001 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/songs-of-tears-hope-and-defiance/ | access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref> He gifted tickets for his regular concert performances to groups that assist underprivileged children.<ref>{{cite book|title=
Michael Jackson the Solo Years|first1=Craig|last1=Halstead|first2=Chris|last2=Cadman|year=2003|isbn=9780755200917|publisher=Authors Online|page=79}}</ref> He visited sick children in hospitals around the world.<ref name="h284">{{cite magazine | last=Zafar | first=Aylin | title=Court Recording: Michael Jackson Dreamed of Building a Children's Hospital | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=October 6, 2011 | url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/10/06/court-recording-michael-jackson-dreamed-of-building-a-childrens-hospital/ | access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref>

Jackson donated valuable, personal and professional paraphernalia for numerous charity auctions. He received various awards and accolades for his philanthropic work, including two bestowed by [[President of the United States|presidents of the United States]]. The vast breadth of Jackson's philanthropic work has earned recognition in the ''[[Guinness World Records]]''.<ref name="Daunt"/><ref name="Telegraph-2001">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399932/He-wont-stop-til-they-get-enough.html |title=He won't stop 'til they get enough |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=January 1, 2001}}</ref><ref name="Guinness">{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/105188-most-charities-supported-by-a-pop-star/ |title=Most charities supported by a pop star |publisher=Guinness World Records |year=2000}}</ref>

On May 14, 1984, President [[Ronald Reagan]] gave Jackson an award recognizing his support of alcohol and drug abuse charities,{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=304–307}} and in recognition of his support for the [[Ad Council]]'s and the [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]]'s Drunk Driving Prevention campaign. Jackson allowed the campaign to use "Beat It" for its public service announcements.<ref>{{cite web |year=2003 |title=Drunk Driving Prevention (1983–Present) |url=https://www.aef.com/exhibits/social_responsibility/ad_council/2399/:pf_printable |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509144426/https://www.aef.com/exhibits/social_responsibility/ad_council/2399/%3Apf_printable |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |publisher=Advertising Education Foundation}}</ref>

== Artistry ==

=== Vocal style ===
{{multiple image
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|image1= Michael Jackson Live in Bucharest 1992 Toni Salabasev (cropped).jpg
|footer =Jackson performing during the [[Dangerous World Tour]] in [[Bucharest]] in 1992
|image2 = Michael Jackson 1992.jpg
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Jackson was known as an expressive vocalist with [[absolute pitch]].<ref name="classicfm.com2">{{Cite web |title=What actually is perfect pitch – and how do I get it? |url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/music-theory/what-is-perfect-pitch-which-singers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002330/https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/music-theory/what-is-perfect-pitch-which-singers/ |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=November 28, 2020 |publisher=Classic FM}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Geoff |title=The complete guide to the music of Michael Jackson and The Jackson family |date=1996 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=978-0-7119-5303-1 |location=London |pages=164}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Jones |first=Lucy |date=August 29, 2018 |title=The Incredible Way Michael Jackson Wrote Music |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-incredible-way-michael-jackson-wrote-music-16799 |access-date=November 30, 2024 |magazine=NME}}</ref> Critics describe his vocal theatricality having a range from clear and soft to harsh and aggressive,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hoffman |first=Claire |date=August 6, 2009 |title=The Last Days of Michael Jackson |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-last-days-of-michael-jackson-68590/ |access-date=November 30, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Light |first=Alan |date=January 1, 1992 |title=Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/dangerous-251372/ |access-date=November 30, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stone |first=Rolling |date=June 23, 2014 |title=50 Best Michael Jackson Songs |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-michael-jackson-songs-22188/ |access-date=November 30, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Stegner-Petitjean |first=Isabelle |date=December 15, 2011 |title='The Voice in the Mirror'. Michael Jackson: From a Vocal Identity to its Double in Sound |url=https://journals.openedition.org/volume/3851 |journal=Volume! La revue des musiques populaires |volume=8 : 2 |issue=8 : 2 |pages=222–253 |doi=10.4000/volume.3851 |issn=1634-5495}}</ref> depending on the genre sung. Principally in history, Jackson is the sole recipient to receive [[Grammy Awards]] for three different genres of vocal performance (as a soloist), winning [[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance|Pop Vocal]] for "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]", [[Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance|Rock Vocal]] for "[[Beat It]]", and [[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance|Rhythm and Blues Vocal]] with both "[[Billie Jean]]" and "[[Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough]]". [[Bruce Swedien]], his long-time sound engineer, emphasized that a critical element of their vocal recordings are of him and Jackson trying numerous approaches to rhythmic, emotional and technical distinctions to consummate a "sonic character".<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Swedien |first1=Bruce |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/316825874 |title=In the studio with Michael Jackson |last2=Jackson |first2=Michael |date=2009 |publisher=Hal Leonard Books |isbn=978-1-4234-6495-2 |location=New York |pages=8–10, 119–126 |oclc=316825874}}</ref> His stylings, such as common use of [[staccato]], [[legato]], [[falsetto]] as well as [[Hiccup|vocal hiccups]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Rich |date=November 26, 2023 |title=Review: Simply said, 'MJ' was a thriller |url=https://dallasvoice.com/review-simply-said-mj-was-a-thriller/ |access-date=November 30, 2024 |newspaper=Dallas Voice}}</ref> adlibs, wailings and growls are all signature to his sound.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ewing |first=Tom |date=June 10, 2011 |title=Michael Jackson starts work on Off the Wall |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/11/michael-jackson-off-the-wall |access-date=November 30, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple Music: Michael Jackson Love Songs |url=https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/michael-jackson-love-songs/pl.8058d87c60b647a7bc81185b9f59e4c2 |access-date=November 30, 2024 |publisher=Apple Music}}</ref>

Jackson sang from childhood, and over time his voice and vocal style changed. Between 1971 and 1975, his voice descended from boy [[soprano]] to lyric [[tenor]].{{sfn|Brackett|Hoard|2004|p=414}} He was known for his intonation and vocal range.<ref name="100 Greatest"/> Through each music release, his vocal development and changes were positively narrated by music journalists. With the arrival of ''Off the Wall'' in the late 1970s, Jackson's  abilities in his [[Coming of age|coming-of-age]] period had ''Rolling Stone'' comparing his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder, and wrote that "Jackson's feathery-timbred tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling [[falsetto]] that's used very daringly."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Holden |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Holden |date=November 1, 1979 |title=Michael Jackson: Off The Wall |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/off-the-wall-19791101 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107042734/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/off-the-wall-19791101 |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> By the time of 1982's ''Thriller'', ''Rolling Stone'' wrote that Jackson was singing in a "fully adult voice" that was "tinged by sadness".<ref name="Thriller"/> The turn of the 1990s saw the release of the introspective album ''Dangerous''. ''The New York Times'' noted that on some tracks, "he gulps for breath, his voice quivers with anxiety or drops to a desperate whisper, hissing through clenched teeth" and he had a "wretched tone". When singing of brotherhood or self-esteem the musician would return to "smooth" vocals.<ref name="NYT Dangerous"/> Of ''Invincible'', ''Rolling Stone'' wrote that, at 43, Jackson still performed "exquisitely voiced rhythm tracks and vibrating vocal harmonies".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hunter |first=James |date=December 6, 2001 |title=Michael Jackson: Invincible |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/invincible-20011206 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001125527/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/invincible-20011206 |archive-date=October 1, 2017 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> [[Joseph Vogel (author)|Joseph Vogel]] notes Jackson's ability to use non-verbal sounds to express emotion.{{sfn|Vogel|2012|p=9}} [[Neil McCormick]] wrote that Jackson's unorthodox singing style "was original and utterly distinctive".<ref>{{cite news |last=McCormick |first=Neil |author-link=Neil McCormick |date=June 30, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen & Bono |url=https://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/neilmccormick/100000966/michael-jackson-bruce-springsteen-bono-great-singing-is-about-more-than-the-notes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703051404/https://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/neilmccormick/100000966/michael-jackson-bruce-springsteen-bono-great-singing-is-about-more-than-the-notes/ |archive-date=July 3, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2016 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

=== Influences ===
Jackson was influenced by musicians including [[James Brown]], [[Little Richard]], [[Jackie Wilson]], [[Diana Ross]], [[Fred Astaire]], [[Sammy Davis Jr]]., [[Gene Kelly]],<ref name="Tucker">{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Tucker |title=Summer Reading; Firing Your Father Isn't Easy |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=751 |date=June 5, 1988 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/05/books/summer-reading-firing-your-father-isn-t-easy.html}}</ref> and [[David Ruffin]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=100 Greatest Singers: 65 – David Ruffin |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 27, 2008 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/david-ruffin-20101202}}</ref> Little Richard had a substantial influence on Jackson,<ref>{{cite news |first=Martin |last=Herron |title=Michael Jackson saved my life |newspaper=[[The Scarborough News|Scarborough Evening News]] |date=June 27, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/39Michael-Jackson-saved-my-life39.5407768.jp |archive-date= June 28, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090628193111/https://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/39Michael-Jackson-saved-my-life39.5407768.jp}}</ref> but Brown was his greatest inspiration. When Jackson was a small child, his mother would wake him whenever Brown appeared on television. Jackson described being "mesmerized".<ref>{{cite web |title=Jackson Attends Brown's Public Funeral |publisher=[[Contactmusic.com]] |date=January 2, 2007 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.contactmusic.com/james-brown/news/jackson-attends-browns-public-funeral_1017673}}</ref>

Jackson's vocal technique was influenced by Diana Ross; his use of the ''oooh'' interjection from a young age was something Ross had used on many of her songs with [[the Supremes]].{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|p=64}} She was a mother figure to him, and he often watched her rehearse.<ref>{{cite press release |first=Mallory |last=Simon |title=Jackson shared bond with 'very dear friend Diana Ross' |publisher=CNN |date=July 3, 2009 |access-date= December 1, 2016 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/03/michael.jackson.diana.ross/index.html}}</ref> He said he had learned a lot from watching how she moved and sang, and that she had encouraged him to have confidence in himself.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|p=60}}

Choreographer [[David Winters (choreographer)|David Winters]], who met Jackson while choreographing the 1971 Diana Ross TV special ''[[Diana!]]'', said that Jackson watched the musical ''[[West Side Story (1961 film)|West Side Story]]'' almost every week, and it was his favorite film; he paid tribute to it in "Beat It" and the "Bad" video.{{sfn|Lewis Jones|2005|pages=6, 54}}<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Winters |date=June 26, 2009 |title=David Winters remembers Michael Jackson |website=Magick Papers |url=https://www.magickpapers.com/blog/?p=400 |archive-date= July 2, 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150702033511/https://www.magickpapers.com/blog/?p=400}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Eugene |last=Hernandez |title=Remembering Michael Jackson, on Screen |publisher=[[IndieWire]] |date=June 27, 2009 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/article/michael_jackson_on_screen |archive-date= June 27, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090627205050/https://www.indiewire.com/article/michael_jackson_on_screen}}</ref>

=== Musicianship ===
Jackson had no formal music training and could not read or write [[Musical notation|music notation]]. He is credited for playing guitar, keyboard, and drums, but was not proficient in them.<ref name="NME">{{cite magazine |first=Lucy |last=Jones |title=The Incredible Way Michael Jackson Wrote Music |magazine=[[NME]] |date=April 2, 2014 |access-date= April 26, 2016 |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-incredible-way-michael-jackson-wrote-music/}}</ref> When composing, he recorded ideas by [[beatboxing]] and imitating instruments vocally.<ref name="NME"/> Describing the process, he said: "I'll just sing the bass part into the [[tape recorder]]. I'll take that bass lick and put the chords of the melody over the bass lick and that's what inspires the melody." These were shown in his demos for "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" where he vocalized the melody, bass instrumentals as well as lead and backing vocals by overlaying each component. The engineer Robert Hoffman recalled that after Jackson came in with a song he had written overnight, Jackson sang every note of every chord to a guitar player. Hoffman also remembered Jackson singing string arrangements part by part into a cassette recorder.<ref name="NME"/>

{{anchor|Crotch grab}}
=== Dance ===
Jackson danced from a young age as part of the Jackson 5,<ref name="Sanjoy">{{cite news |first=Sanjoy |last=Roy |title=What Michael Jackson did for dance |newspaper=The Guardian |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= February 18, 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/26/dancing-michael-jackson-moves}}</ref> and incorporated dance extensively in his performances and music videos.<ref name="Sanjoy"/> According to Sanjoy Roy of ''[[The Guardian]]'', Jackson would "flick and retract his limbs like switchblades, or snap out of a tornado spin into a perfectly poised toe-stand".<ref name="Sanjoy"/> The [[Moonwalk (dance)|moonwalk]], taught to him by [[Jeffrey Daniel]],<ref name="Daniel"/> was Jackson's signature dance move and one of the most famous of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Rolling Stone Readers Pick Their 10 Favorite Dancing Musicians |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 14, 2011 |access-date= January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/rolling-stone-readers-pick-their-10-favorite-dancing-musicians-18885/}}</ref> Jackson is credited for coining the name "moonwalk" for this street dance move, previously known as the "backslide".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Claire |last=Suddath |title=How to Moonwalk like Michael |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=June 25, 2009 |url=https://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1907320,00.html |archive-date= May 15, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110515094558/https://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1907320,00.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Pia |last=Catton |title=How Michael Jackson Changed Dance History |work=[[Biography (TV program)|Biography]] |date=June 20, 2018 |access-date= February 18, 2020 |url=https://www.biography.com/news/how-michael-jackson-changed-dance-history}}</ref> His other moves included the [[Robot (dance)|robot]],{{sfn|Mansour|2005|p=403|ps=: 'The Robot was a mimelike dance, popularized by The Jackson 5 and their Top Ten hit "Dancing Machine"'}}{{sfn|Lehman|2008|p=84}} crotch grab, and the "anti-gravity" lean of the "Smooth Criminal" video.<ref name="Sanjoy"/>

=== Themes and genres ===
[[File:Michael Jackson1 1988.jpg|thumb|alt=Black and white photo of Jackson holding a microphone and singing.|Jackson during his Bad tour in Vienna, June 1988]]
Jackson explored genres including pop,<ref name="allmusic"/><ref name="Jet">{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson Turns 30! |magazine=Jet |volume=74 |issue=35 |date=August 29, 1988 |page=58 |issn=0021-5996 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L70DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58}}</ref> [[Soul music|soul]],<ref name="allmusic"/><ref name="Bio2"/> [[rhythm and blues]],<ref name="Jet"/> [[funk]],<ref name="Help">{{cite web |first=M. |last=Heyliger |title=A State-of-the-Art Pop Album: Thriller by Michael |website=Consumerhelpweb.com |quote=Not many artists could pull off such a variety of styles (funk, post-disco, rock, easy listening, ballads)... |url=https://music.consumerhelpweb.com/artists/jackson/thriller.htm |archive-date= December 4, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081204150926/https://music.consumerhelpweb.com/artists/jackson/thriller.htm}}</ref> rock,<ref name="Jet"/><ref name="Help"/> [[disco]],<ref name="AMOFW">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |author-link= Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Michael Jackson – Off the Wall – Overview |work=AllMusic |access-date= June 15, 2008 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/off-the-wall-mw0000190332}}</ref> [[post-disco]],<ref name="Help"/> [[dance-pop]],{{sfn|Palmer|1995|p=285}} and [[new jack swing]].<ref name="allmusic"/> Steve Huey of [[AllMusic]] wrote that ''Thriller'' refined the strengths of ''Off the Wall''; the dance and rock tracks were more aggressive, while the pop tunes and ballads were softer and more soulful.<ref name="allmusic"/> Its tracks included the ballads "The Lady in My Life", "[[Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)|Human Nature]]", and "[[The Girl Is Mine]]",<ref name="Thriller">{{cite magazine |first=Christopher |last=Connelly |title=Michael Jackson: Thriller |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 28, 1983 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/thriller-19830128 |access-date= September 4, 2017 |archive-date= July 2, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150702093257/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/thriller-19830128 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name="AMThriller">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |title=Michael Jackson – Thriller – Overview |work=AllMusic |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/thriller-mw0000056882}}</ref><ref name="Slant">{{cite web |first=Eric |last=Henderson |title=Michael Jackson – Thriller |work=[[Slant Magazine]] |date=October 18, 2003 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/michael-jackson-thriller}}</ref> the funk pieces "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'",<ref name="Thriller"/><ref name="AMThriller"/> and the disco set "[[Baby Be Mine (Michael Jackson song)|Baby Be Mine]]" and "[[P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)]]".<ref name="Slant"/>

With ''Off the Wall'', Jackson's "vocabulary of grunts, squeals, hiccups, moans, and asides" vividly showed his maturation into an adult, [[Robert Christgau]] wrote in ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]'' (1981). The album's title track suggested to the critic a parallel between Jackson and [[Stevie Wonder]]'s "oddball" music personas: "Since childhood his main contact with the real world has been on stage and in bed."{{sfn|Christgau|1981|loc=Consumer Guide '70s: J}} With ''Thriller'', Christopher Connelly of ''Rolling Stone'' commented that Jackson developed his long association with the subliminal theme of [[paranoia]] and darker imagery.<ref name="Thriller"/> AllMusic's [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] noted this on the songs "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".<ref name="AMThriller"/> In "Billie Jean", Jackson depicts an obsessive fan who alleges he has fathered her child,<ref name="allmusic"/> and in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against gossip and the media.<ref name="Thriller"/> "Beat It" decried gang violence in a homage to ''[[West Side Story]]'', and was Jackson's first successful rock cross-over piece, according to Huey.<ref name="allmusic"/><ref name="Bio"/> He observed that "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]" began Jackson's interest with the theme of the [[supernatural]], a topic he revisited in subsequent years. In 1985, Jackson co-wrote the charity anthem "We Are the World"; humanitarian themes later became a recurring theme in his lyrics and public persona.<ref name="allmusic"/>[[File:Michael Jackson's "Bad" Jacket and Belt.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A black jacket with five round golden medals on its left and right shoulders, a gold band on its left arm sleeve, and two belt straps on the right bottom sleeve. Underneath the jacket is a golden belt, with a round ornament in its center.|Jackson's ''Bad''-era jacket on display at the [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] [[Guinness World Records#Museums|''Guinness World Records'' Museum]]|193x193px]]In ''Bad'', Jackson's concept of the predatory lover is seen on the rock song "Dirty Diana".<ref>{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Pareles |title=Critic's Notebook; How Good Is Jackson's 'Bad'? |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date= May 31, 2015 |date=September 3, 1987 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/03/arts/critic-s-notebook-how-good-is-jackson-s-bad.html}}</ref> The lead single "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" is a traditional love ballad, and "Man in the Mirror" is a ballad of confession and resolution. "[[Smooth Criminal]]" is an evocation of bloody assault, rape and likely murder.<ref name="Time2"/> AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine states that ''Dangerous'' presents Jackson as a paradoxical person.<ref name="Dangerous">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |title=Michael Jackson – Dangerous – Overview |work=AllMusic |access-date= June 15, 2008 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/dangerous-mw0000674875}}</ref> The first half of the record is dedicated to new jack swing, including songs like "Jam" and "Remember the Time". It was the first Jackson album in which social ills became a primary theme; "Why You Wanna Trip on Me", for example, protests world hunger, AIDS, homelessness and drugs. ''Dangerous'' contains sexually charged songs such as "[[In the Closet]]". The title track continues the theme of the predatory lover and compulsive desire. The second half includes introspective, pop-gospel anthems such as "[[Will You Be There]]", "Heal the World", and "Keep the Faith".<ref name="NYT Dangerous">{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Pareles |title=Recordings View; Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 24, 1991 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/24/arts/recordings-view-michael-jackson-in-the-electronic-wilderness.html}}</ref> In the ballad "[[Gone Too Soon]]", Jackson gives tribute to Ryan White and the plight of those with AIDS.<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Harrington |title=Jackson's 'Dangerous' Departures; Stylistic Shifts Mar His First Album in 4 Years |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 24, 1991 |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1096962.html |archive-date= November 3, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121103024117/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1096962.html}}</ref>

''HIStory'' creates an atmosphere of paranoia.<ref name="AMHIStory">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |title=Michael Jackson – HIStory – Overview |work=AllMusic |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/history-past-present-and-future-book-i-mw0000123992}}</ref> In the new jack swing-funk rock tracks "Scream" and "Tabloid Junkie", and the R&B ballad "[[You Are Not Alone]]", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and directs his anger at the media.<ref name="RSHIStory">{{cite magazine |first=James |last=Hunter |title=Michael Jackson: HIStory: Past, Present, Future, Book I |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 10, 1995 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/history-past-present-future-book-i-19950810 |access-date= September 4, 2017 |archive-date= August 18, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160818143623/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/history-past-present-future-book-i-19950810 |url-status= dead}}</ref> In the introspective ballad "[[Stranger in Moscow]]", Jackson laments his "fall from grace"; "Earth Song", "Childhood", "Little Susie", and "Smile" are operatic pop songs.<ref name="AMHIStory"/><ref name="RSHIStory"/> In "[[D.S. (song)|D.S.]]", Jackson attacks lawyer [[Thomas W. Sneddon Jr.]], who had prosecuted him in both child sexual abuse cases; he describes Sneddon as a white supremacist who wanted to "get my ass, dead or alive".<ref>{{cite web |title=Thomas W. (Tom) Sneddon Jr. |publisher=[[National Defense Authorization Act]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.ndaa.org/ndaa/profile/tom_sneddon_jan_feb_2003.html |archive-date= June 27, 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060627020903/https://www.ndaa.org/ndaa/profile/tom_sneddon_jan_feb_2003.html}}</ref> ''Invincible'' includes urban soul tracks such as "[[Cry (Michael Jackson song)|Cry]]" and "The Lost Children", ballads such as "[[Speechless (Michael Jackson song)|Speechless]]", "Break of Dawn", and "Butterflies", and mixes hip hop, pop, and R&B in "2000 Watts", "Heartbreaker", and "Invincible".<ref>{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |title=Michael Jackson – Invincible – Overview |publisher=AllMusic |access-date= September 9, 2007 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/invincible-mw0000011263}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Mark |last=Beaumont |title=Michael Jackson: Invincible |magazine=[[NME]] |date=November 30, 2001 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/michael-jackson/5780}}</ref>

=== Music videos and choreography ===
[[File:Thriller Live 2017.jpg|thumb|left|upright|''Thriller: Live'' show poster]]
Jackson released "[[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|Thriller]]", a 14-minute music video directed by [[John Landis]], in 1983.<ref name="Registry">{{cite press release |first=Alex |last=Dobuzinskis |title=Jackson "Thriller" film picked for U.S. registry |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=December 30, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thriller-idUSTRE5BT43W20091230?type=musicNews}}</ref> The [[zombie]]-themed video "defined music videos and broke racial barriers" on [[MTV]], which had launched two years earlier.{{sfn|Young|2009|p=25}} Before ''Thriller'', Jackson struggled to receive coverage on MTV, allegedly because he was African American.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean," directed by Steve Barron, produced by Simon Fields & Paul Flattery |date=October 2005 |magazine=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]}}</ref> Pressure from CBS Records persuaded MTV to start showing "Billie Jean" and later "Beat It", which led to a lengthy partnership with Jackson, and helped other black music artists gain recognition.<ref name="Video">{{cite news |first=Edna |last=Gundersen |title=Music videos changing places |newspaper=USA Today |date=August 25, 2005 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-08-25-mtv_x.htm}}</ref> The popularity of his videos on MTV helped the relatively new channel's viewing figures, and MTV's focus shifted toward pop and R&B.<ref name="Video"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Bryan |last=Robinson |title=Why Are Michael Jackson's Fans So Devoted? |agency=ABC News |date=February 23, 2005 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/LegalCenter/story?id=464753&page=1}}</ref> His performance on ''Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever'' changed the scope of live stage shows, making it acceptable for artists to lip-sync to music video on stage.{{sfn|Inglis|2006|pp=119, 127|ps=: "That Jackson lip-synced 'Billie Jean' is, in itself, not extraordinary, but the fact that it did not change the impact of the performance is extraordinary; whether the performance was live or lip-synced made no difference to the audience."}} The choreography in ''Thriller'' has been copied in [[Cinema of India|Indian films]] and [[Thriller (viral video)|prisons in the Philippines]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Philippine jailhouse rocks to Thriller |agency=BBC News |date=July 26, 2007 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6917318.stm}}</ref> ''Thriller'' marked an increase in scale for music videos, and was named the most successful music video ever by the ''Guinness World Records''.<ref name="World Records"/>

In "Bad"'s 19-minute video—directed by [[Martin Scorsese]]—Jackson used sexual imagery and choreography, and touched his chest, torso and crotch. When asked by Winfrey in the 1993 interview about why he grabbed his crotch, he said it was spontaneously compelled by the music. ''Time'' magazine described the "Bad" video as "infamous". It featured [[Wesley Snipes]]; Jackson's later videos often featured famous cameo roles.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=370–373}}<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Richard |last=Corliss |author-link= Richard Corliss |title=Michael Jackson: Who's Bad? |magazine=Time |date=September 6, 1993 |access-date= April 23, 2008 |url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,979177,00.html}}</ref> For the "Smooth Criminal" video, Jackson experimented with leaning forward at a 45-degree angle, beyond the performer's center of gravity. To accomplish this live, Jackson and designers developed a special shoe to lock the performer's feet to the stage, allowing them to lean forward. They were granted {{US patent|src=uspto|5255452}} for the device.<ref>{{cite patent |country=US |number=5255452 |invent1=Michael J. Jackson |invent2=Michael L. Bush |invent3=Dennis Tompkins |title=Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion |fdate=June 29, 1992 |gdate=October 26, 1993}}</ref> The video for "Leave Me Alone" was not officially released in the US, but in 1989 was nominated for three ''Billboard'' Music Video Awards{{sfn|Campbell|1993|p=273}} and won a Golden Lion Award for its special effects. It won a Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video, Short Form]].<ref name="grammy mj"/>

[[File:Michaeljacksonphoto drewcohen.JPG|thumb|upright|alt=A man is singing into a microphone under a spotlight. He wears a blue open-neck shirt over a white T-shirt, and dark pants. There are two colorfully-dressed men on either side of him.|Jackson (center) performing a dance sequence of "[[The Way You Make Me Feel]]" at the Bad World Tour in 1988]]
He received the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|MTV Video Vanguard Award]] in 1988; in 2001 the award was renamed in his honor.<ref name="MTV2">{{cite news |first=Kyle |last=Anderson |title=Michael Jackson's Video Vanguard Award, in MJ's Top MTV Moments |publisher=MTV News |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1614838/michael-jacksons-video-vanguard-award-in-mjs-top-mtv-moments/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429133450/http://www.mtv.com/news/1614838/michael-jacksons-video-vanguard-award-in-mjs-top-mtv-moments/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 29, 2014}}</ref> The "Black or White" video simultaneously premiered on November 14, 1991, in 27 countries with an estimated audience of 500{{nbsp}}million people, the largest audience ever for a music video at the time.<ref name="Achievements"/> Along with Jackson, it featured [[Macaulay Culkin]], [[Peggy Lipton]], and [[George Wendt]]. It helped introduce [[morphing]] to music videos.{{sfn|Campbell|1993|p=303}} It was controversial for scenes in which Jackson rubs his crotch, vandalizes cars, and throws a garbage can through a storefront. He apologized and removed the final scene of the video.<ref name="ew1991"/>

"In the Closet" featured [[Naomi Campbell]] in a courtship dance with Jackson.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson Co-Directs Music Film, 'In the Closet' |magazine=Jet |page=56 |date=April 27, 1992 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wbkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56}}</ref> "Remember the Time" was set in [[ancient Egypt]], and featured [[Eddie Murphy]], [[Iman (model)|Iman]], and [[Magic Johnson]].{{sfn|Campbell|1993|pp=313–314}} The video for "Scream", directed by [[Mark Romanek]] and production designer Tom Foden, gained a record 11 [[MTV Video Music Award]] Nominations, and won "Best Dance Video", "Best Choreography", and "Best Art Direction".{{sfn|Boepple|1995|p=52}} The song and its video are Jackson's response to being accused of child molestation in 1993.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Bark |title=Michael Jackson Interview Raises Questions, Answers |newspaper=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |page=06E |date=June 26, 1995}}</ref> A year later, it won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form. It has been reported as the [[List of most expensive music videos|most expensive music video ever made]], at $7{{nbsp}}million;<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Hugh |last=McIntyre |title=The 5 Most Expensive Music Videos of All Time |magazine=Forbes |date=August 24, 2014 |access-date= March 23, 2019 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2014/08/24/the-top-5-most-expensive-music-videos-of-all-time/}}</ref> Romanek has contradicted this.<ref>{{cite web |first=Steven |last=Gottlieb |title="Scream" Gets Named Most Expensive Video Ever; Director Mark Romanek Disagrees |website=VideoStatic |date=August 28, 2014 |access-date= March 23, 2019 |url=https://www.videostatic.com/blog/2014/08/28/scream-gets-named-most-expensive-video-ever-director-mark-romanek-disagrees}}</ref> The "Earth Song" video was nominated for the 1997 Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form.<ref>{{cite news |first=Greg |last=Kot |title=Pumpkins a Smash Hit with 7 Grammy Nominations |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=January 8, 1997 |access-date= April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-01-08-9701080229-story.html}}</ref>

''[[Michael Jackson's Ghosts]],'' a short film written by Jackson and [[Stephen King]] and directed by [[Stan Winston]], premiered at the 1996 [[Cannes Film Festival]]. At over 38 minutes long, it held the Guinness world record for the longest music video until 2013, when it was eclipsed by the video for the [[Pharrell Williams]] song "[[Happy (Pharrell Williams song)|Happy]]".<ref>{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Ashley |title=Twenty One Pilots Wins Guinness World Record for Longest Music Video |url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2020/12/23/twenty-one-pilots-guinness-world-record/ |website=Digital Music News |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=December 24, 2020}}</ref> The 2001 video for "[[You Rock My World]]" lasts over 13 minutes, was directed by [[Paul Hunter (director)|Paul Hunter]], and features [[Chris Tucker]] and [[Marlon Brando]].<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Montgomery |title=Michael Jackson's Video Co-Stars: From Eddie Murphy to Marlon Brando |publisher=MTV |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= March 22, 2010 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1614795/20090626/jackson_michael.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628084330/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1614795/20090626/jackson_michael.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2009}}</ref> It won an [[NAACP Image Award]] for Outstanding Music Video in 2002.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=NAACP Image Award Spotlight Black' Achievements |magazine=Jet |volume=101 |issue=13 |date=March 18, 2002 |page=36 |issn=0021-5996 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L70DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58}}</ref>

In December 2009, the [[Library of Congress]] selected "Thriller" as the only music video to be preserved in the [[National Film Registry]], as a work of "enduring importance to American culture".<ref>{{cite web |title=Zorro, Nemo, Muppets & More: Wide Variety Tapped for 2009 Film Registry |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/10012/films.html}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Itzkoff |title='Thriller' Video Added to U.S. Film Registry |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 30, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/arts/music/31arts-THRILLERVIDE_BRF.html}}</ref> Huey wrote that Jackson transformed the music video into an artform and a promotional tool through complex story lines, dance routines, special effects and famous cameos, while breaking down racial barriers.<ref name="allmusic"/>

== Honors and awards ==
{{See also|List of awards and nominations received by Michael Jackson}}[[File:George H. W. Bush with Michael Jackson.png|thumb|upright|Jackson and [[President George H. W. Bush]] at the White House on April 5, 1990. It was the second time that Jackson had been honored by a president of the United States.]]Jackson is one of the [[List of best-selling music artists|best selling music artists]] in history,<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Hinckley |title=Michael Jackson remembered 5 years later: How the Daily News covered the tragic story of icon's death |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |date=June 25, 2014 |access-date= September 9, 2015 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/daily-news-covered-michael-jackson-tragic-death-article-1.1842401}}</ref> with sales estimated of over 500 million records worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gold |first1=Scott |last2=Lee |first2=Chris |last3=Harriet |first3=Ryan |date=June 26, 2009 |title=King of Pop is dead at 50 |url=https://www.latimes.com/la-me-michael-jackson-dead26-2009jun26-story.html |access-date=November 4, 2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |quote=Sold more than half a billion copies.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frazza |first=Luke |date=June 25, 2024 |title=Il y a 15 ans, Michael Jackson nous quittait |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/info/breve/9861/michael-jackson-anniversaire-mort-roi-pop |access-date=November 1, 2024 |publisher=Radio-Canada |language=fr-ca |quote=500 millions - C’est le nombre de disques vendus dans le monde par Michael Jackson, qui se classe parmi les trois plus gros vendeurs |trans-quote=500 million - This is the number of records sold worldwide by Michael Jackson who ranks among the three best selling artists of all time}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Wyman |first=Bill |date=January 4, 2013 |title=Did "Thriller" Really Sell a Hundred Million Copies |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/did-thriller-really-sell-a-hundred-million-copies |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |access-date=March 19, 2024}}</ref>{{ref label|Note 2|Note 2}} He had 13 [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States#J|number-one singles in the US]] in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era at the time of his death.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Hot 100 Anniversary: Most No. 1s by Artist |magazine=Billboard |date=August 6, 2008 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044523/hot-100-anniversary-most-no-1s-by-artist}}</ref> He was invited and honored by a president of the United States at the [[White House]] three times. In 1984, he was honored with a "Presidential Public Safety Commendation" award by [[Ronald Reagan]] for his humanitarian endeavors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Remarks at a White House Ceremony Marking Progress Made in the Campaign Against Drunk Driving |publisher=[[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum]]. [[University of Texas at Austin]] |date=May 14, 1984 |access-date= May 28, 2020 |url=https://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/51484a.htm |archive-date= May 24, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110524122929/https://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/51484a.htm}}</ref> In 1990, he was honored as the "Artist of the Decade", which was awarded by the [[National Children's Museum]], by [[George H. W. Bush]].{{sfn|George|2004|pp=44–45}} In 1992, he was honored as a "Point of Light Ambassador" by Bush for inviting disadvantaged children to his [[Neverland Ranch]].{{sfn|Campbell|1993|p=321}}

Jackson won [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Jackson|hundreds of awards]], making him one of the most-awarded artists in popular music.<ref>{{cite news |first=Monica |last=Lewis |title=20 People Who Changed Black Music: Michael Jackson, the Child Star-Turned-Adult Enigma |newspaper=[[The Miami Herald]] |date=June 14, 2007 |access-date= March 16, 2013 |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/2007/06/14/139458/20-people-who-changed-black-music.html}}</ref> His awards include 39 Guinness World Records, including the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time,<ref name="CityNews"/><ref name="Ditzian"/> 13 [[Grammy Award]]s,<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Collett-White |title=Michael Jackson to add concerts after sellout |publisher=Reuters |date=March 11, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE52A44W20090311}}</ref> as well as the [[Grammy Legend Award]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Grammy Legend Award |publisher=Grammy Awards |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/legends |archive-date= January 22, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110122042621/https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/legends}}</ref> and the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Lifetime Achievement Award |publisher=Grammy Awards |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/lifetime-awards |archive-date= July 2, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150702064838/http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/lifetime-awards |url-status= dead}}</ref> and 26 American Music Awards, including the Artist of the Century and Artist of the 1980s.<ref name="MTV"/> He also received the [[World Music Awards]]' Best-Selling Male Artist of the Millennium and the [[Bambi Award|Bambi]] Pop Artist of the Millennium Award.<ref name="CIIC"/><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xcMDAAAAMBAJ&dq=world+music+awards+2000+michael+jackson&pg=PA24 |title=Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey named the Best Selling Artists of the Millennium |date=May 29, 2000 |publisher=[[Jet Magazine]] / [[World Music Awards]] |quote=And at the close of the century he has sold more records around the world than any single artist in the history of the medium particularly at the end of the 20th century - His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Monaco (World Music Awards 2000)}}</ref> Jackson was inducted onto the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 1980 as a member of the Jacksons, and in 1984 as a solo artist. He was [[List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees#Performers|inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] and [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]] as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1997 and 1999,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Vocal Group Hall of Fame: Album Categories 1999 Inductee |publisher=The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation |url=https://vocalgroup.org/album_category/1999-inductee/?events=next |archive-date= October 15, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171015150126/https://vocalgroup.org/album_category/1999-inductee/?events=next}}</ref> respectively, and again as a solo artist in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Masley |title=Stevie Nicks is about to join these 22 men as a two-time Rock and Rock Hall of Fame inductee |newspaper=[[The Arizona Republic]] |date=March 28, 2019 |access-date= April 7, 2019 |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/03/28/stevie-nicks-musicians-in-rock-roll-hall-fame-twice/3279589002/}}</ref> In 2002, he was added to the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Kelefa |last=Sanneh |title=Hall of Fame Inducts Songwriters |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 15, 2002 |access-date= April 11, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/15/arts/hall-of-fame-inducts-songwriters.html}}</ref> In 2010, he was the first recording artist to be inducted into the [[National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame|Dance Hall of Fame]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Keiser |title=Photos: Michael Jackson induction ceremony |newspaper=[[The News-Times]] |date=August 15, 2010 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Photos-Michael-Jackson-induction-ceremony-617034.php}}</ref> and in 2014, he was posthumously inducted into the [[Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Chuck |last=Yarborough |title=R&B Music Hall of Fame sets big weekend to induct sophomore class featuring Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, Norm N. Nite and more |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/08/rb_hall_of_fame_sets_big_weeke.html}}</ref> In 2021, he was among the inaugural inductees into the [[Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Melissa |last=Ruggieri |title=Black Music Walk of Fame to honor James Brown, OutKast, Usher and others in Atlanta |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |date=May 5, 2021 |access-date= October 22, 2021 |url=https://www.ajc.com/life/music-blog/black-music-walk-of-fame-to-honor-james-brown-outkast-usher-and-others-in-atlanta/WREMMPXURZBXZI2VUM4P4NWOHA/}}</ref>

In 1988, [[Fisk University]] honored him with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Doctorates of Rock |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 19, 2011 |access-date= April 12, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/doctorates-of-rock-21401/michael-jackson-19-240445/}}</ref> In 1992, he was invested as a [[Title of honour|titular king]] of [[Kingdom of Sanwi|Sanwi]], a traditional kingdom located in the south-east of [[Republic of Ivory Coast|Ivory Coast]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sanwi kingdom mourns passing of a prince |publisher=[[France 24]] |date=June 29, 2009 |access-date= November 28, 2019 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20090629-sanwi-kingdom-mourns-passing-prince-}}</ref> In July 2009, the Lunar Republic Society named a crater on the Moon after Jackson.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Leach |title=Moon crater named after Michael Jackson |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date= June 26, 2016 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5784734/Moon-crater-named-after-Michael-Jackson.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5784734/Moon-crater-named-after-Michael-Jackson.html |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> In August, for what would have been Jackson's 51st birthday, Google dedicated their [[Google Doodle]] to him.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Chivers |title=Google's Doodles: 10 of the best including UFOs and Google |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=September 28, 2009 |access-date= June 26, 2016 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/6239929/Googles-Doodles-10-of-the-best-including-UFOs-and-Googlle.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/6239929/Googles-Doodles-10-of-the-best-including-UFOs-and-Googlle.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> In 2012, the extinct hermit crab ''[[Mesoparapylocheles michaeljacksoni]]'' was named in his honor.<ref>{{cite news |author=Kent State University |title=Mesoparapylocheles michaeljacksoni: Fossil hermit crab named after Michael Jackson |url=https://phys.org/news/2012-01-mesoparapylocheles-michaeljacksoni-fossil-hermit-crab.html |date=January 19, 2012 |work=[[Phys.org]]|access-date=August 4, 2022|author-link=Kent State University}}</ref> In 2014, the [[British Council]] of Cultural Relations deemed Jackson's life one of the 80 most important cultural moments of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=80 Moments That Shaped the World |publisher=[[British Council]] |year=2014 |access-date= November 26, 2017 |url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/80-moments-report.pdf}}</ref> [[World Vitiligo Day]] has been celebrated on June 25, the anniversary of Jackson's death, to raise awareness of the auto-immune disorder that Jackson suffered from.<ref>{{cite web |first=John E. |last=Harris |title=Speaking of Vitiligo... |publisher=Vitiligo Clinic & Research Center |date=June 24, 2014 |access-date= November 24, 2019 |url=https://www.umassmed.edu/vitiligo/blog/blog-posts1/2014/06/world-vitiligo-day/}}</ref>

== Earnings ==
{{Main|Estate of Michael Jackson}}
In 1989, Jackson's annual earnings from album sales, endorsements, and concerts were estimated at $125{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="World Records">{{cite news |title=News – Jackson receives his World Records |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=November 14, 2006 |url=https://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/14112006/344/jackson-receives-world-records.html&e=l_news_dm |archive-date= September 27, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110927165143/https://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=%2F14112006%2F344%2Fjackson-receives-world-records.html&e=l_news_dm}}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' placed Jackson's annual income at $35{{nbsp}}million in 1996 and $20{{nbsp}}million in 1997.<ref name="Finances">{{cite news |first=Edna |last=Gundersen |title=For Jackson, scandal could spell financial ruin |newspaper=USA Today |date=November 24, 2003 |access-date= March 14, 2010 |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/2003-11-24-jackson-finances_x.htm}}</ref> Jackson has been one of the wealthiest [[List of celebrities by net worth|celebrities]] and [[List of music artists by net worth|musical artists]]; estimates of Jackson's net worth during his life range from negative $285{{nbsp}}million to positive $350{{nbsp}}million for 2002, 2003 and 2007.<ref>{{cite news |first=Linda |last=Deutsch |author-link=Linda Deutsch |title=Forensic accountant tells court Jackson is in financial straits |newspaper=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |date=May 4, 2005 |access-date= March 25, 2017 |url=https://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20050504/news_1n4jackson.html |archive-date= March 26, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170326051412/https://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20050504/news_1n4jackson.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Brett |last=Pulley |title=Michael Jackson's Ups And Downs |magazine=Forbes |date=November 21, 2003 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.forbes.com/2003/11/21/cz_1121jackson.html}}</ref> ''Forbes'' reported in August 2018 that Jackson's total career pretax earnings in life and death were $4.2{{nbsp}}billion.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Zack O'Malley |last=Greenburg |title=Michael Jackson at 60: The King of Pop by the Numbers |magazine=Forbes |date=August 29, 2018 |access-date= November 14, 2018 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2018/08/29/michael-jackson-at-60-the-king-of-pop-by-the-numbers/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stress killed MJ, says ex-publicist |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=June 27, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Stress-killed-MJ-says-ex-publicist/articleshow/4709371.cms?referral=PM}}</ref> Sales of his recordings through Sony's music unit earned him an estimated $300{{nbsp}}million in royalties. He may have earned another $400{{nbsp}}million from concerts, music publishing (including his share of the Beatles catalog), endorsements, merchandising and music videos.<ref>{{cite news |first=Timothy L |last=O'Brien |title=What Happened to the Fortune Michael Jackson Made? |newspaper=The New York Times |page=1 |date=May 14, 2006 |access-date= March 16, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/business/yourmoney/14michael.html}}</ref>

In 2013, the executors of Jackson's estate filed a petition in the [[United States Tax Court]] as a result of a dispute with the [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS) over [[Estate tax in the United States|estate taxes]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Estate of Michael J. Jackson, Deceased, John G. Branca, Co-Executor and John McClain, Co-Executor |date=August 19, 2016 |url=https://www.ustaxcourt.gov/UstcDockInq/DocketDisplay.aspx?DocketNo=13017152 |access-date= August 19, 2016 |archive-date= November 6, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181106143242/https://www.ustaxcourt.gov/UstcDockInq/DocketDisplay.aspx?DocketNo=13017152 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The executors claimed that it was worth about $7{{nbsp}}million, while the IRS that it was worth over $1.1{{nbsp}}billion. In February 2014, the IRS reported that Jackson's estate owed $702{{nbsp}}million; $505{{nbsp}}million in taxes, and $197{{nbsp}}million in penalties.<ref name="Gottlieb">{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Gottlieb |title=Michael Jackson estate embroiled in tax fight with IRS |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 7, 2014 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-jackson-taxes-20140208,0,3089248.story}}</ref> In 2021, the Tax Court issued a ruling in favor of the estate, ruling that the estate's total combined value of the estate was $111.5 million and that the value of Jackson's name and likeness was $4 million.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Sisario |author-link= Ben Sisario |title=Michael Jackson's Estate Is Winner in Tax Judge's Ruling |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 3, 2021 |access-date= November 11, 2021 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/arts/music/michael-jacksons-estate.html |archive-date= December 28, 2021 |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/arts/music/michael-jacksons-estate.html |url-access= limited}} {{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2016, ''Forbes'' estimated annual gross earnings by the Jackson Estate at $825{{nbsp}}million, the largest ever recorded for a celebrity, mostly due to the sale of the Sony/ATV catalog.<ref name="Forbes2016">{{cite magazine |first=Zack O'Malley |last=Greenburg |title=Michael Jackson's Earnings: $825 Million In 2016 |magazine=Forbes |date=October 14, 2016 |access-date= December 11, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2016/10/14/michael-jacksons-earnings-825-million-in-2016/}}</ref> In 2018, the figure was $400{{nbsp}}million,<ref name="Forbes2018">{{cite magazine |first1=Zack O'Malley |last1=Greenburg |first2=Natalie |last2=Robehmed |title=The Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities of 2018 |magazine=Forbes |date=October 31, 2017 |access-date= October 31, 2018 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2018/10/31/the-highest-paid-dead-celebrities-of-2018/}}</ref> and by 2024, it rose to $600 million,<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2024/10/29/the-highest-paid-dead-celebrities-of-2024/ | title=Forbes Top-Earning Dead Celebrities 2024 List - Posthumous Success Stories | magazine=[[Forbes]] }}</ref> bringing Jackson's postmortem total to $3.3{{nbsp}}billion.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2024/10/29/the-highest-paid-dead-celebrities-of-2024/ | title=Forbes Top-Earning Dead Celebrities 2024 List - Posthumous Success Stories | magazine=[[Forbes]] }}</ref> ''Forbes'' has consistently recognized Jackson as one of the [[Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid dead celebrity|top-earning dead celebrities]], and placed him at the top spot from 2010 to 2024, except for 2012, 2021, and 2022.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Freeman |first1=Abigail |title=The Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities 2021 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abigailfreeman/2021/10/30/the-highest-paid-dead-celebrities-2021/?sh=36478cab3839 |magazine=Forbes |access-date=October 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dellatto |first=Marisa |date=October 31, 2023 |title=The Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities Of 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/10/30/highest-paid-dead-celebrities-2023-michael-jackson-elvis-presley-whitney-houston/ |access-date=June 7, 2025 |magazine=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|Michael Jackson albums discography|Michael Jackson singles discography|List of songs recorded by Michael Jackson}}
{{See also|The Jackson 5 discography}}
*''[[Got to Be There]]'' (1972)
*''[[Ben (Michael Jackson album)|Ben]]'' (1972)
*''[[Music & Me]]'' (1973)
*''[[Forever, Michael]]'' (1975)
*''[[Off the Wall]]'' (1979)
*''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'' (1982)
*''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' (1987)
*''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]'' (1991)
*''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I]]'' (1995)
*''[[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible]]'' (2001)
<!--Please do not add anymore albums to this section. "Invincible" was Jackson's final studio album. Per [[WP:WikiProject Musicians/Article guidelines#Discography section]], only add STUDIO ALBUMS to this section. No EP's, live albums, compilation albums, etc. "Michael" and "Xscape" are NOT studio albums per consensus on their talk pages and should be excluded from this list.-->

== Filmography ==
{{See also|Michael Jackson videography}}
*''[[The Wiz (film)|The Wiz]]'' (1978)
*''[[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|Michael Jackson's Thriller]]'' (1983)
*''[[Captain EO]]'' (1986)
*''[[Moonwalker]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues]]'' (1989)
*''[[Michael Jackson's Ghosts]]'' (1997)
*''[[Men in Black II]]'' (2002)
*''[[Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls]]'' (2004)
*''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]]'' (2009)
*''[[Bad 25 (film)|Bad 25]]'' (2012)
*''[[Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall]]'' (2016)
*''[[Thriller 40 (film)|Thriller 40]]'' (2023)

== Tours ==
{{Main|List of Michael Jackson concerts}}
*[[Bad (tour)|Bad World Tour]] (1987–1989)
*[[Dangerous World Tour]] (1992–1993)
*[[HIStory World Tour]] (1996–1997)

== See also ==
* [[List of dancers]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=nb}}
{{notelist}}

== References ==

=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Print sources ===
{{div col}}
*{{cite journal |first=Leanne |last=Boepple |year=1995 |title=Scream: Space Odyssey, Jackson-Style. (video production; Michael and Janet Jackson video) |journal=TCI: Theatre Crafts International |volume=29 |publisher=Theatre Crafts International |issn=1063-9497}}
*{{cite book |first1=Nathan |last1=Brackett |first2=Christian |last2=Hoard |year=2004 |title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide|title-link=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |publisher=[[Fireside Books|Fireside]] |isbn=978-0-7432-0169-8}}
*{{cite book |first=Fred |last=Bronson |year=2003 |title=Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits |edition=3rd |publisher=Billboard Books |isbn=978-0-8230-7738-0}}
*{{cite book |first=Lisa D |last=Campbell |year=1993 |title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pop |publisher=Branden |isbn=978-0-8283-1957-7}}
*{{cite book |first=Lisa D |last=Campbell |year=1995 |title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour |publisher=Branden |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BVC9zltjf-EC&pg=PP1 |isbn=978-0-8283-2003-0}}
*{{cite book |first=Robert |last=Christgau|author-link=Robert Christgau |year=1981 |title=Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|title-link=Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies |publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]] |isbn=0-89919-026-X |chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: J|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=J&bk=70|access-date=February 27, 2019}}
*{{cite book |first=Margo |last=DeMello |year=2012 |title=Faces Around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia of the Human Face |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |isbn=978-1-59884-618-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=39B8fpdg_NwC&pg=PA152}}
*{{cite AV media notes |first=Nelson |last=George|author-link=Nelson George |year=2004 |title=[[Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection]] |type=booklet |publisher=[[Sony BMG]]}}
*{{cite book |first=Ian |last=Inglis |year=2006 |title=Performance and Popular Music: History, Place and Time |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7546-4057-8}}
*{{cite book |first=Michael |last=Jackson |year=2009 |title=Moonwalk|title-link=Moonwalk (book)|orig-year=First published 1988 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-307-71698-9}}
*{{cite book |first=Steve |last=Knopper |year=2016 |title=MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson |publisher=[[Charles Scribner's Sons|Scribner]] |isbn=978-1-4767-3037-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=60p5DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA6}}
*{{cite book |first=Christopher P. |last=Lehman |year=2008 |title= A Critical History of Soul Train on Television |publisher=McFarland |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=XlWQBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA84 |isbn=978-0-7864-3669-9}}
*{{cite book |first=Jel D. |last=Lewis Jones |year=2005 |title=Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews: an Anthology |publisher=Amber Books Publishing |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LuEPnk7irOMC |isbn=978-0-9749779-0-4}}
*{{cite book |first=David |last=Mansour |year=2005 |title=From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century |publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing]] |isbn=0-7407-5118-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hK0rPUF85loC&pg=PA403}}
*{{cite book |first=Robert |last=Palmer|author-link=Robert Palmer (American writer) |year=1995 |title=Rock & Roll: An Unruly History |publisher=[[Harmony Books]] |isbn=978-0-517-70050-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/rockrollunrulyh00palm}}
*{{cite book |first=Radhika |last=Parameswaran |year=2011 |title=Circuits of Visibility: Gender and Transnational Media Cultures |chapter=E-Race-ing Color: Gender and Transnational Visual Economies of Beauty in India|editor-last=Sarma Hegde|editor-first=Radha |publisher=[[NYU Press]] |isbn=978-0-8147-9060-1|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dXaPIHee5GkC&pg=PA75}}
*{{cite book |first1=John D. |last1=Ramage |first2=John C. |last2=Bean |first3=June |last3=Johnson |year=2001 |title=Writing arguments: a rhetoric with readings |publisher=Allyn and Bacon |isbn=978-0-205-31745-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nDnUQkn28lUC}}
*{{cite book |first=Chris |last=Rojek |year=2007 |title=Cultural Studies |publisher=[[Polity (publisher)|Polity]] |isbn=978-0-7456-3683-2}}
*{{cite book |first=Graham |last=St John |year=2004 |title=Rave Culture and Religion |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-31449-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ze2MCltwfigC&pg=PA51}}
*{{cite book |first1=Rob |last1=Tannenbaum |first2=Craig |last2=Marks |year=2011 |title=I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |isbn=978-1-101-52641-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrBolXPYq40C&pg=RA4-PT175}}
*{{cite book |first=J. Randy |last=Taraborrelli|author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli |year=2009 |title=Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story, 1958–2009 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing, 2009 |isbn=978-0-446-56474-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/michaeljacksonma0000tara}}
*{{cite book |first=Joseph |last=Vogel|author-link=Joseph Vogel (author) |year=2012 |title=Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson |url=https://archive.org/details/maninmusiccreati0000voge|url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=[[Sterling Publishing|Sterling]] |isbn=978-1-4027-7938-1}}
*{{cite journal |first=Julie |last=Young |date=Fall 2009 |title=A Hoosier Thriller: Gary, Indiana's Michael Jackson |journal=Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History |volume=21 |issue=4 |publisher=Indiana Historical Society |location=Indianapolis|access-date=April 14, 2014 |url=https://www.indianahistory.org/our-services/books-publications/magazines/michaeljackson|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415035650/https://www.indianahistory.org/our-services/books-publications/magazines/michaeljackson}}
{{div col end}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite journal |first1=Susan |last1=Hidalgo |first2=Robert G. |last2=Weiner |year=2010 |title=Wanna Be Startin' Somethin': MJ in the Scholarly Literature: A Selected Bibliographic Guide |journal=[[The Journal of Pan African Studies]] |volume=3 |issue=7 |url=https://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol3no7/3.7MJ-Wanna-3.pdf |ref=none}}
* [https://www.biography.com/news/how-michael-jackson-changed-dance-history#:~:text=When%20the%20world%20saw%20Michael,style%20of%20movement%20called%20popping. How Michael Jackson Changed Dance History] – ''biography.com''

== External links ==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Michael Jackson-article.ogg|date=February 22, 2019}}
{{Sister project links|d=Q2831|n=Category:Michael Jackson|commons=Category:Michael Jackson|wikt=no|v=no|b=no|s=no|voy=no|collapsible=collapsed}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{Amazon Music artist|B000QJK2YE}}
*[https://vault.fbi.gov/Michael%20Jackson Michael Jackson] at the [[FBI]]'s website
*{{IMDb name|0001391}}

{{Michael Jackson}}
{{Michael Jackson songs}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Jackson|Awards for Michael Jackson]]
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Song}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Song}}
{{American Music Award of Merit}}
{{Billboard Year-End number one albums}}
{{Billboard Year-End Top Artists}}
{{Brit British Album}}
{{Brit International Male}}
{{Brit International Artist}}
{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Children's Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Music Film}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Music Video}}
{{Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}
{{Grammy Legend Award}}
{{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Male}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography}}
{{MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video}}
{{1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
{{2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Navboxes
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|list1=
{{The Jackson 5}}
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}}
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