Spike Lee's fascination with Michael Jackson

[@drillosophy1012]

I’m not a shameless Michael Jackson fan. I’m an aggressive Michael Jackson fan. Yeah, I love Michael Jackson. FIGHT ME.

[@CommandanteMarco]

MrMcCoGo What about hammering the proofs with a fist into your head? Because obviously it’s to difficult to do your research idiot, so you have to learn it the hard way...

[@jenjoseph9394]

L M A I ..YEAH YOU GO MAN ..!!!!.

[@ShrimpZoo]

Drillosophy 101 when he died tons of child pond was found in his house. You have great idols

[@craigmoreland9569]

@MrMcCoGo Let him who is without sin first cast a stone at her, SAID, JESUS THE LORD.

[@faridahumar4907]

Am team you, I love MJ whole heartedly

[@2dasimmons]

Michael Jackson had the biggest international fan base of any entertainer EVER.

[@sisis-qt4oc]

and still do, period!’

[@isabelalzateestrada]

Shakira is like the 2nd because incorporates many aspects that MJ pioneered into her music and performances

[@angielala9453]

Agreed.... there is a reason

[@claricelyles8398]

@@isabelalzateestrada Beyonce is more famous than her, and Justin Bieber and Adele.

[@isabelalzateestrada]

@@claricelyles8398 yeah but Shakirs also does fusions of genres just like Michael did. Beyoncé is a great talent too

[@xabun]

7:19 he is basically saying that it was racist to focus on negativity concerning michael jackson - which is true - If michael was white, he wouldve easily replaced elvis presly even officially. but since he was black the white supremacy never really accepted MJ breaking records left and right basically becoming the most succecsful entertainer EVER, even surpassing beatles, elvis etc whe he was in his mid 20ies ... thats why when he started becoming bigger than anybody, they started to turn the public against him.

[@gerrilanter1965]

Media racism. No racism in regular people. Media serves the government.

[@elijahjacob4505]

Yeah, you know, as weird as it sounds, I think some people truly don't understand how huge and influential Michael truly was. Especially after he bought the Beatles' catalog. No artist or music act has truly ever been even remotely close to Michael in terms of global demographic.

[@EastCoastGal66]

Michael was the Greatest entertainer in the 20th Century! I’ve loved him since I was a teen girl in the 70’s. The Jackson 5 changed the culture in the US and around the world. The powers that be knew he was the greatest because so many people of color were put down but we know who are the greatest in this life mostly because they aren’t forgotten and because they are loved by the entire world!

[@mahabubble4795]

I wouldn't say he fell off after bad...Dangerous is actually my favourite album!! HIStory and Invincible are great too:)

[@ThahitmanTyrie]

+Maha bubble that's in our opinion but in reality he didn't get much credit after bad

[@MINK2393]

+tyrie clark False Dangerous Era he was still making timeless music and his Dangerous Tour in Bucharest isbarguably his best ever

[@reinemazidath5466]

That's because the industry snubbed him , not because of the quality . Dangerous sold 35 million , just as much as Bad , people ignore this fact .

[@reinj1575]

He was still the biggest selling artist in the 90s with Dangerous, History and Blood on the Dance Floor. Dangerous is Michaels #2 biggest selling album and it is the #2 biggest album in the world after Thriller. So he only '' fell off '' in the 2000s. Where he yet sold 13 million copies of Invincible and that was considered a floop for Mike, but for all the other artists in the world, that would be amazing. So he was #1 til' the end and still is.

[@reinj1575]

It has sold 32 million though.

[@MrJacksonvill]

its so funny to hear them say MJ getting back to his roots. He never left his roots..he only evolved..Music should evolve..thas all he did..When Michael Performed it was obvious that this was a Black man tearing up the stage.His movement his feeling,his vibe and aura exude his roots.Look at the short film "Bad" at the end he's preaching from the pulpit in the New York subway. I never thought he left his roots. Michael was not about a community he was about the Global Community.

[@katjajentsch4276]

Great comment!!! 😍😎 Tell them!!!

[@abrahambowen696]

I agree royal george

[@diazgonzalez4754]

This was the perception at the time

[@AC-mp7cx]

he trancended race

[@nicoleleecaudil4047]

BAD = one of the most underrated and unappreciated albums ever:( It deserved so much more. I LOVE that album.

[@annlanders978]

It generated FIVE Number One hits and if "Streetwalker" had been on there it would have been SIX. Must have been something good about that album!!!

[@jamsng]

+ann landers LOL

[@omarscruggs7471]

Facts!! my fav MJ album to be honest

[@sventrogrlic6370]

Nicole I agree 100%! And I guess 1987, 1988 was the time when it all started....I mean there were more and more haters and enviers as Michael Jackson became bigger and greater THAN ANYBODY ELSE!!

[@nathanbradley8522]

I think Dangerous is his most underrated album. And personally I think it's a lot better than Bad. At one time Bad was the second biggest selling album of all time. It had 5 #1 singles which is record that has not been broken. It had the biggest concert tour of all time. I wouldn't say Bad was underrated because it was a massive success.

[@Captainbeoz]

People who claim that Michael did’t make good music after Bad are deaf. Get your ears checked. Dangerous is his BEST album ever.

[@SeldomPooper]

+J Crash your taste in music. go cry to momma. nobody listens to prince. except few million muricans. even metal music has larger fan base.

[@CJTranceAddiction]

@J Crash Who Is It, Remember The Time, Give In To Me, In The Closet, Black or White.....yeah Dangerous really sucked all right LOLOLOLOL.

[@rgeezee]

Dangerous is brilliant. HiStory... is my personal favourite

[@diannecorreia2512]

I liked dangerous All his songs were great to me

[@ethanallen2889]

Moonwalkr ...😂 Nope. After Thriller it was crap. As kids in the 80s we anxiously waited each year for Michael to put out the next album. 4 or 5 years went by....we all grew up a bit....and then finally Bad came out. It was such a let down to any real Mike fan. He got stuck in the drugs and it watered down his songs and ability. After Thriller it was crap.

[@debraknight7952]

THE BAD ERA IS WHEN THEY REALLY GOT JEALOUS OF MICHAEL

[@onesong2001]

oh yeah. "they" are so jealous of crap music.

[@Dhdbd554]

@@onesong2001slow down purple rain

[@onesong2001]

@@Dhdbd554 Fancy some education/comedy? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV6Ug5WMYtJ0qtk

[@terryzt1164]

The Bad album is a genius album. From Bad to Leave Me Alone, Bad is a great album. Even his image for 87 was genius. EVERYBODY at the time was talking about it a lot...I like the aggression in his vocals, the infectious melody, the funky arrangements mixed with the classical arrangements...oh and the unique quality and sound...oh and the short films from the album...he even improved on his dancing. The Bad Tour 87-89 was the best entertaining force in the 80s..and part of that success goes to the Bad album. rather you like pop, rock, r&b. .. 30 million so far?

[@Shortana]

I love love looooove the Bad album. More than I do the Thriller album. Because of all the reasons you mentioned. I can listen to it any time of the day. Leave me Alone was my favourite song as I was going through a very tough time when people wouldn't leave me the fuck alone. That song till this day means so much to me.

[@martinaancillai9117]

Till 1997 with Dangerous and history he sold album of any other artists .

[@AC-mp7cx]

Bad is the 11th best selling album of all time

[@shamartucker317]

@@AC-mp7cx nope the second, look up the worldwide sales

[@shamartucker317]

@@AC-mp7cx Bad has 65 mill copies sold while thriller has 120+ mill (mind you this is worldwide)

[@nathanbradley8522]

Bad 25 was amazing. Spike Lee did a fantastic job. I wish he would do this for every Michael Jackson album.

[@video2000_TV]

yeah thought it was weird he left Thriller out

[@mrexecutive]

@@video2000_TV Thriller is getting a documentary

[@Flicchik]

@@video2000_TV you mean dangerous ? Thriller gets all the love and updates

[@video2000_TV]

@@Flicchik sure, but no documentary by Spike Lee. the best thing about Off The Wall and Bad 25 were the DVDs where you could catch the vibe of the era. but as being stated in the meantime, the Thriller one is in the works - not by Spike Lee though which is a bit disappointing

[@surrinderkaur9111]

A sad day today it's been 13 years without Michael Jackson. Commemorating by watching wall to wall Michael and can't get enough... Michael was a anomaly and more we talk about him the less we know him. He was magic and will never be forgotten no matter what.

[@spnn4s106]

I was watching "This is it" a few weeks ago and I could not get through it. Those shows would have been E P I C! But I also watched the new Elvis movie too with Tom Hanks and I was struck by the similarities - those doctors gave Elvis a shot and a pill and out him on stage to perform. Then gave him a shot and a pill (or several) to come down. I was shooketh!

[@beulahokonkwo]

​@@spnn4s106Who says that the same thing was going on with Michael?!

[@TheColorOfCaramel]

When an interviewer constantly wants to rehash the negative stuff in a person's life, they really don't have any good questions to ask.

[@ladyserotonin79]

TheColorOfCaramel right I so dislike people who are like that.. Always looking for the negative 👎🏾

[@onesong2001]

@@ladyserotonin79 I dislike people who refuse to acknowledge the negative even though it's in their face. They are idiots.

[@everything483]

Bad sold 45 million album as of 2012 it is one of the most successful album if all time. Michael jackson is the only solo artist to have 5 albums to sell atleast 30 million albums. It is impossible for any present solo artist to match his career.

[@onesong2001]

He spent far more on marketing than anyone in music history. You got tricked into buying crap music by an expert salesman. :)

[@Caribbean_Kid]

​@@onesong2001crap music? wtf you think you are ?

[@MrJacksonvill]

Absolutely..MJ had an amazing track record after Thriller and Bad..they tried to write him off..but his authentic fans were aware of his infectious song writing talent.

[@chrislacy1990]

Over three decades have passed, and ‘Bad’ is all the more impressive in hindsight. It’s the first and only album to have five consecutive #1 pop singles by a male artist. MJ wrote nine of the album’s 11 songs and co-produced the entire project. On top of all that, he cemented his legacy as an entertainment pioneer winning the 1988 MTV Video Vanguard Award. Comparisons with ‘Off the Wall’ and ‘Thriller’ don’t matter, except for this one: ‘Bad’ is a pure pop classic with more hits than most artists have in their “Best Of” collection.

[@jjones317]

I too love Michael as well as Prince. The difference for me is I love Michael’s whole family while with Prince I wasn’t familiar with his family. Spike is right about the media saying shameful things about a man that gave the world such beauty.

[@AC-mp7cx]

MJ is a million times more famous and better

[@onesong2001]

@@AC-mp7cx You are a million times more stupid than the fool who destroyed his face with plastic surgery.

[@terryzt1164]

Michael Jackson post Bad career is more interesting to me. He deals with flash accusation and he deals with the price he paid for fame, not only regular fame, but MJ fame. his music became edgier, funkier than his 80s albums. love it! 1 billion copies sold and counting.

[@locknn911]

I never thought of it like that..respect.

[@jamsng]

MICHAEL NEVER LEFT HIS BLACK ROOTS!!

[@independentfreepress-ifp236]

who said he did??

[@leekeeboo]

+Andrew Lopez Literally everyone but his fans.

[@jamsng]

Leekee-Duh-Boo exactly

[@srushtimishra111]

He knew he was black. He was very very proud of his black origins. And his fans account to almost near a billion. So nearly a billion people believe him.

[@Neen88]

yeah I've just been speaking to some clown on instagram who told me that black people wanted to be white and Michael made it worse. Implying that people might be ashamed to be black because of Michael. I'm white so he kept saying i was wrong and that I wouldn't understand but I thought that was kinda crazy of him? Lol, I feel like he's been a more positive influence than anything

[@manziliuduak9319]

finally someone gets that you can love BOTH Mike and Prince

[@onesong2001]

of course you can, but Mikes music was crap.

[@onesong2001]

@Jack park It was. I'm not.

[@marshacooper7096]

@Jack park DON'T ANSWER THAT TROLL @onesong2001 it's on DIFFERENT MJ SITES BASHING & SPEWING HATE

[@Elena-er7zp]

They were so different! Of course, you can love both of them.

[@jennielavina9575]

@@onesong2001 to me prince music is crap you dammnn dammnn! i get bored on prince music not mj..you must be white and racist!!! Hello:)

[@terryzt1164]

the way Spike Lee feels about creative people is how I feel about Michael Jackson. How? what? inspiration is a beautiful and mystery thing.

[@dianamari8332]

MJ was absolutely mind blowing amazingly talented!!! His art and craftsmanship was exceptional ♥️😍 He made history and changed lives! Michael will forever be loved and missed 😢 R.I.P. sweet sweet man you are loved ♥️👑🎤🎶🌹

[@onesong2001]

Weak minds blow easy.

[@proud_moonwalker]

​@@onesong2001 you stupid

[@morinengirl]

I hate how everybody tries to drag controversy into it. The film's about Michael Jackson's essence - his art. Is it so hard to get?

[@jameshughes7947]

I agree that it is nearly impossible to talk about MJ without talking about the contradictions and controversies in his life, and it's naive for the fans to complain when these issues are raised...But - there was nothing seedy about him. Sad beyond most peoples ability to understand, but not seedy.

[@MoonwalkerWorshiper]

@@jameshughes7947 If you think it's "nearly impossible" to talk about controversies, you have a problem.

[@_swesters_]

@@jameshughes7947 There are so many spaces where only Michael's musical and artistic endeavors are spoken about and nobody seems to have a problem with it. Michael's music and his "controversies" are not one in the same and don't have to be. You don't need to but some feel like they have to. Really though, you don't have to talk about that bs when you talk about his legacy. Point blank.

[@Beautiful_Sacred_Land]

i think "spike lee's validation of michael jackson" would be more an appropriate title. thanks spike for being real.

[@onesong2001]

Spike is tone deaf

[@finderkeeperrrs]

​@@onesong2001and you're obsessed with Mike. Seek mental help please for your sake 🙏🏽❤️

[@onesong2001]

@@finderkeeperrrs Spike made a movie called Girl 6. He wanted Prince to do a song for the movie. They were good friends. Prince gave Spike the money to make "Malcom X." Spike made a remark about how easy it is to write a tune so Prince let his keyboard player write the music. I recall the first time I heard the song. I thought Prince had lost it. I read the notes on the CD and sighed with relief when I saw Prince didn't write it. Spike, on the other hand, was happy with the song. He has no ear for music. The Auditory Cortex is a part of the human brain which appreciates music. Mine is quite well developed because I've been playing musical instruments since I was 5 years old. Spikes' is severely is underdeveloped which is why he can't differentiate between Michael Jackson's music and good music. You should concern yourself with the many millions of people who rely on MJs epic marketing campaigns (the most expensive in music history and they are still at work today brainwashing weak minds) to convince them that his music was something more than mediocre. People like yourself. I'm fascinated by the number of people with weak minds and disgusted at the way MJ took advantage of weak young minds. Hee Hee!

[@shenyaet3350]

Mike was soo incredible that he doesn’t even seem real to me ❤️

[@onesong2001]

The image you saw was not real. He spent many millions creating a fake persona for you.

[@jubai12345]

Thank You Spike for your loyalty and sincerity and Love for M.J.

[@annlanders978]

Notice how this guy zoomed right past Spike Lee's comments about how shameful the "wacko jacko" label was? Whenever I see it in print or hear it I get so upset. It is more than shameful. I don't have the words. It started the entire media's assault on Michael's reputation and eventually led to his death, in my humble opinion.

[@ruthnice6941]

I feel the same way ppl put mj down i get mad when they do cause he was a great person all he wanted to do was help ppl i felt bad for mj and no matter what he always forgave the ppl that talked bad about him i would of loved to have met him and to learn more about him as a person not cause he was so famous either

[@oneroad2935]

Didn’t that host get kicked off the air for sexual assault...good if he did!...It pisses me right off too!

[@jameskennedy552]

Spike said it was Criminal. I hate that anyone who was supposed to be a journalist would ever use that to refer to him,. It is rude and disrespectful. He deserves much more than that.

[@jennyk9748]

I agree

[@--simple-cs2]

Michael's skin started showing signs of vitiligo, as people like Cicely Tyson has stated, back in the early 80s, a disease that affects the pigment of skin. He would wear makeup to cover up the visible spots, until it became too challenging, and his dermatologist began to treat his skin by making the shade balanced all over his body.

[@nomibe2911]

Lea Jones Preach.

[@gertrudeowusu-agyei5300]

Mj only got better with every phase of his career to me...every song was an upgrade...mj never fell off!! He amazed and amused the world since day one to death and still is doing so...mj forever

[@DavidRichardson95]

I saw the full unedited version of _Bad 25_ a few weeks prior. The unedited version should have aired back on ABC for Thanksgiving four years ago. I'm saddened that I was not born to experience Michael in his prime worldwide. Michael _earned_ his fame and success. It was well deserved. Unfortunately I came up in an era where both Michael Jckson and Whitney Houston were scrutinized by the media for their "mishaps" and drama. Sadly both of them are no longer here on this earth but the work they've done for the music industry and the entertainment industry as a whole will never ever go unnoticed. Michael had the fire with the albums he created with Quincy. _Off the Wall_ showcased how big he can be on his own without the backing of his brothers. _Thriller_ was unexpectedly a fascination and globally a major deal when MTV still wasn't playing black artists in their rotation, that is until Michael blasted three videos that would change their mind and music as a whole. _Bad_ showcased more of his freedom and he launched a stateside and worldwide tour. All songs, videos and live performances from these albums still _knock_. Michael was a once in a lifetime phoneomenon. We can also say the same thing about the Beatles, Elvis, Sinatra, Whitney Houston, and other pop musical icons that transcended the game of music. Whether we were major fans of them or not. The _music_ mattered and that's all it counts.

[@jordanrivers5825]

+David Richardson amen I couldn't have said it better myself

[@Kareen1303]

+David Richardson Thank you for your wonderful comment, I couldn't agree more! Would you happen to have the link to the unedited version of Bad 25? I couldn't find it. Thank you!

[@DavidRichardson95]

Kareen1303 it's on popcorntime. Just download it to your phone. Type in Bad 25. It'll come up.

[@DavidRichardson95]

The Voice of One I agree exactly. By the time I was born some of the black community had turned their backs on him.

[@ThahitmanTyrie]

+The Voice of One he didn't change his self

[@blameitoncapitalism]

what is this "trying to get back to his black roots" all about?? it was 1987, when did MJ walk away from his black roots???? wasnt Beat it the first anti gang violence video in history of popular music??? I didnt see no white woman playing his romantic pair in Thriller (or in any other video from mj besides his then wife once and a girl Pepsi chose in a commercial), and wasnt We are the world a song for getting attention and money to Africans in need???? Also pay attention to Wanna be startin' somthing and see if its not an shout out to black people, and he chose to open Thriller with that mama coo sah thing. so what the fuck is this 'getting back' shit all about??? he never turn off his blackness, thats bs.

[@angel127_]

GO OFF LIZ YES

[@derricknregina]

Well he did lighten skin n he also took Brooke shields to the Grammies.

[@eyelandgal]

@@derricknregina He had vitiligo, he NEVER bleached his skin.

[@leonm3961]

Kiko Bang he bleached his skin BECAUSE of vitiligo

[@jojosaylor8996]

Well he always dated white women and would wear white wigs. He stopped being afrocentric in the 90s

[@aishanicole3447]

He spoked like that because he didn’t want young fans and kids to be scared of his speaking voice. It also helped keep his high singing range.

[@ronisahilliard1458]

I`m a shameless Michael Jackson. fan so what?

[@annlanders978]

So are MILLIONS of other the world over!!!

[@reinemazidath5466]

I have never ever been ashamed of mj fandom even during his darkest days , the years when it was not cool to like him . I stuck to him .

[@himawari5844]

Why shud anyone be shame to be a fan of such angel and genius? He is shame to think that!

[@alprince1999]

@@reinemazidath5466 same

[@EchoWaveSound]

@@reinemazidath5466 yes I remember wearing a MJ shirt to Disney back in 2006 and people where looking at me weird.

[@dazv555]

He should do to a doc for "dangerous", "history" and "invincible"...

[@Chuckson56]

BAD is my favourite album of all time. I love it. The songs are still sound modern nearly 30 years on.

[@BigBoss7777777]

I dont know about that, it does sound quite 80s

[@MoonwalkerWorshiper]

@@BigBoss7777777 Yes... but in a way that is hard to compare to any other music.

[@onesong2001]

It's funny that many MJ fans can't type a simple sentence. I guess you read too many crappy MJ lyrics.

[@finderkeeperrrs]

​@@onesong2001are you alright? Seriously do you need help?

[@loridenham1808]

Right there with you Spike.This family has given their all to make wonderful music from Jermaine with his sons and their Christmas concerts to Titos new album to the brothers singing together and the beauty of watching Micheal perform and go thru all he did.They deserve more than they got.The Best musical family Ever.

[@rasmakonnen3477]

"He's trying to come to his black roots"... he never left them

[@taffysaur]

I love both Prince and Jackson.

[@reinemazidath5466]

cool

[@supremeasiaticallah2303]

I wish they could've worked 2gether.... I'm sure we ALL did

[@onesong2001]

@@supremeasiaticallah2303 Prince turned MJ down at least three times. I respect Prince for that.

[@supremeasiaticallah2303]

@@onesong2001 yeah, that's all U can do, but the 2 of them on a song would've been epic

[@onesong2001]

@@supremeasiaticallah2303 What do you think of this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpingHSsjZKSgtE

[@EDINTOWN]

MJ VS PRINCE? Both of them brought some special to music.

[@ashleywhite9858]

You tell them Spike! You can be a fan of BOTH Prince and Michael, you don’t have to choose one or the other. I’ll always love both of them, I’ll never choose!

[@onesong2001]

Sure you can. You can enjoy Salvador Dali and comic books but Dali was a master artist like Prince and MJ, a comic book.

[@finderkeeperrrs]

​@@onesong2001I'm actually so worried for your well being. Is everything alright?

[@onesong2001]

@@finderkeeperrrs explain what's wrong with my comment

[@taniajones]

Micheal Jackson was a very intelligent man, a amazing humanitarian, true his music he want to spread a message. It sad the way they treated him the way they did. It’s a shame, he was to good for this world. But we still have his music that is timeless 🙏🏻❤️🇧🇪

[@Bwiaria]

It amaze me how people like Spike who worked with MJ, even the interviewer ask a question about the pitch of MJ's voice, their answer is to mock him or mimic him, when MJ said, that industry wanted him to stay young or childish, Imagine asking him when he was a child, what would he do when his voice change.. He is a child, singing as a child, how would he know what would happen?? His answer.." Nothing.. It would just change".. Barry Gibbs said he could use a heavier voice.. you want to be unique and stand out. Why did they put that pressure on him. Just follow his work and see what happened. If one look at singers from Motown, around the time The Jackson Five came in, the men artist even sound higher, sweeter than the women.. You had to see the artist to know it was a man! What is it with MJ that got the powers that be so ANTI Mike..WHAT?? He still Beat them all..! LOVE the man, that star artist forever and he will be on these people's lips forever!

[@himawari5844]

Shame on interviewer to mock the man's voice who is loved by the whole world unless jealous, dumb. You are right. He has the most beautiful voice i ever heard and he has wide range. He has manly voice too albeit sweet and that is so sweet that you can't bear it. Even Sonu Nigam don't have it. I think that face and voice was told to remain young. His brother said he was snatched of his freedom from being more creative else he had more ideas.

[@michelefarmer3140]

That's why envy

[@AC-mp7cx]

bro who cares how high his voice was

[@laralaatikainen9197]

I thought history had some amazing songs on that album. They don't care about us, stranger in Moscow, earth song. Yeah it's not thriller but I feel history had some amazing moments on there. I really feel michaels soul on that album. Xoxoxox

[@alprince1999]

That album felt very personal and it seemed like Michael shared his pain and struggles in those songs. Very important album. I remember when it came out, my dad first got me the cassette and I later got the dubble CD. My friends and I loved the videos, or short films, and would watch them on MTV and try to imitate dance moves or cry to the slower songs :) A favorite was the They don't care about us-video in Brazil, by Spike of course, and still remains a favourite. Funny thing is my friends and I loved Michael and never really questioned his skin tone even after seeing his childhood photos, we heard he had a skin condition and just accepted it. It wasn't until I got older that I wanted to research it but without judgement. However, it kind of shows how kids probably wouldn't question and ridicule Michael the way adults did... Funny also how it later would be mainly white people trying to discredit Michael. He was phenomenal and talented like no other. He deserves every award, every title and all the praise because he worked damn hard for it all. Lol, sorry about long post :p

[@globalcitizenn]

It’s a lot of people’s favourite album

[@juniormjj9351]

why feel ashamed to be a fan of the most legendary ever lived...who is kind,loving,caring,giving and above all one of the most intellectual personality which ever lived...I am a proud proud proud MJ fan so what.

[@NicolaPanzer]

you can hear that "real" MJ voice in "Money" song from History album.

[@SimplyBeingTT]

2000 Watts also.

[@globalcitizenn]

Listen to him speaking his lines in the "in the closet" live performance, HIStory tour, Copenhagen..my god, his voice is so low and deep, it's like the low growl of a tiger.. I can understand why he felt people might find it intimidating.. I mean if you heard it in a dark forest, it will stop you in your tracks..like how spike lee's reaction was when he heard it. He used to speak in a high voice to appear non-threatening and child like, hoping people would find him more approachable, given how colossal his talent, success and looks already were.

[@KinkssNCoilss]

+globalcitizenn "Like the low growl of a tiger" LMAO. Come on, now. You're reaching. His voice was no deeper than the average man. He was out of breath speaking on those parts of In The Closet live so, of course his voice sounded even deeper. Michael allegedly didn't like the sound of his real voice so, he chose to disguise it. However, he used his real voice in his later years. It doesn't sound "intimidating" at all.

[@globalcitizenn]

@@KinkssNCoilss I didn’t say his voice was intimidating, I said his achievements & power was intimidating. Believe me, black masculinity is threatening to a certain section of people. Also his voice was pretty deep, listen to his son Blanket.. it was like that. That’s deeper than his son Prince.. deeper than average. MJ had great range.

[@McQueenPress]

Many people love the music of BOTH Prince and MJ. Like me!

[@yjdaniel8237]

I wish I could bring myself to give Prince another chance...I just hear noise when I listen. Its just too much going on...uggghhh I'll try

[@sardaracampa1733]

I worked with The Jackson 5 on tours when I began in show business, and the reason that Michael Jackson spoke with the high pitch voice is because, Berry Gordy came back to the dressing rooms once and told us, white Americans are afraid of black masculinity! So, never speak in a baritone or deep voice! Berry told us, always soften your voice because it keeps you sounding peaceful, non threatening and safe! That is why to this day, Jermaine Jackson and all of the rest of the boys, do interviews with a soft, semi-feminine voice.

[@muiresuilgorm3452]

Thank you. Interesting insights.

[@a2Lugo]

Michael was surrounded by black excellence in the beginnings of his career. Good advice.

[@elizabethsestina7828]

If you're watching Michael's short film Bad, you will understand that Michael is not really bad. You will understand the label of the story. Michael is genius, no wonder why he is the greatest entertainer of all time, and nobody can replace his legacy. There will be no other Michael Jackson. Shame to those people calling him Wacko Jacko, he is a human being, it's a crime. I miss him so much, may you rest in peace.

[@NC-ck5oj]

Child molestation is a bigger crime

[@rdanielr93]

I love Thriller, it's beyond great, and "Lady in my life" and "Baby be mine" are two of my favorite songs, but "Bad" and the whole Michael Jackson Bad era, late 80s, the Wembley shows are the greatest to me, personally. Bad is my favorite album, of all the times there has been.

[@theuniqueoneable]

I'm ready for off the wall documentary , I can't wait

[@bethanygordon3121]

when is it coming out?

[@theuniqueoneable]

bethany gordon February 26 for everybody and FEB 5 on Showtime

[@kitresa]

I want to hear the other 80+ songs...

[@danielraymadden]

Michael shaped a smooth upper register vocal. He heard a Stradivarius that could project emotion. He commited to the sound.

[@Nero-ox5tw]

Bad Album..... Bad - Certified Classic Speed Demon - Certified Classic The Way You Make Me Feel - Certfied Classic Leave Me Alone - Certified Classic Smooth Criminal - Certified Classic Liberan Girl - Certified Classic Man In The Mirror - Certified Classic Another Part Of Me - Certified Classic Dirty Diana - Certified Classic Just Good Friends - Certified Classic I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Certified Classic In conclusion Michael Jacksons Bad album/era despite being less critically and commericially successful as Thriller, is in my opinion his best and most progressive body of work. The range of songs is outstanding with so much diversity in each track, yet it works so well as a complete album. His vocals improved especially on the songs that favour the Rock genre rasp such as Dirty Diana and Bad, his rasp was incredibly powerful and added another layer to his artistry. The production quality was outstanding for the time introducing a multitude of new sonics vastly elongating the experimental river they took from. I love every album but for me I just love this album so much, its the complete album. The branding of the era perfected to a tee with his iconic bad outfit with the buckles and straps to the classic Smooth Criminal suit. The hairstyles and the dances. The sounds and aggression of the music was so tied down yet varied throughout the project making it feel so free and expressive. Truly a modern day masterpiece and I think even though it's a Michael Jackson album, it is still very overlooked. RIP Michael.

[@MoonwalkerWorshiper]

Everything you said was just right on the money.

[@yasminenoureldine6998]

Although I did not appreciate it at the time of its release, perhaps because I was 15, I believe the #History album is actually Michael's best album. It contains some of the deepest, most critical & thought provoking songs that I think anyone has ever done. I have newfound respect now for that album, for Michael, and for you as the director of "They Don't Care About Us". That song, in my opinion, can easily be the national anthem for any & all civil rights & social justice movements.

[@IvanDiaz-fl6ff]

I respect it but im sorry there’s no way I could put any of those 90s albums with what he was doing in the 80s

[@IvanDiaz-fl6ff]

Michael Jackson’s records in the 90s were huge but weren’t impossible to achieve the numbers the music was making in the 80s was impossible to reach

[@AC-mp7cx]

@@IvanDiaz-fl6ff he basically reached them. Dangerous is almost as big as BAD, and History was bigger than OFF the wall

[@AC-mp7cx]

Dangerous and HISTORY go toe to toe with Thriller and BAD

[@IvanDiaz-fl6ff]

@@AC-mp7cx no they don’t stop

[@BltzZ]

People didn't like the Dangerous or History album?!!?

[@Sttephy30]

I love those albums.

[@riverbedflower7498]

I love this guy. After watching this is it, I’m watching Bad 25

[@keepingupwiththehalsteads805]

the problem with public&tabloid media when it comes to ppl like Michael is, that Michael was very complex figure and majority of ppl & media operate in black and white, primitive pattern, where stupid gossip is most valuable, & they dont understand ''complex''. But world is not black or white, its grey, complex&there are two sides - or more- to every story. There is great saying, which describes perfectly great, famous people like Michael and its ''complexity makes people feel helpless''. Because it takes time, effort & actual thinking to research&get ppl like Michael, with complicated story, childhood , psyche. I mean so much stuff happened with him, he started as 5 yr old child for the love of God! When u are in brutal show-business since that age, the media frenzy, hard work&lost childhood, press scrutiny etc- it all affects you! Thats why many child stars are tragic stories - Judy Garland being another example. Also many of these great people have demons, coz of early family issues, mental issues, extraordinary level of sensitivity & drive which very often made them, but its a blessing and a curse the same time, coz that kind of intense passion brings u success, but kills you too. And it is always with complex, great people like Michael or Judy Garland, or Edit Piaf, Amy Winehouse, Sylvia Plath, Marilyn Monroe, Van Gogh & in soccer now, Cristiano Ronaldo - what I found out studying them, is they all share some smaller or bigger, but always serious for them, family/childhood problems, they started to work hard very early in their respective fields& they're all very sensitive. This is the complex mix of psychological as well as external stuff- like media reception&criticism, which made them great, famous but also complex&misunderstood figures! But that is why they're so fascinating!

[@bogger5119]

Hear! Hear!

[@deemoney1178]

Michael Jackson was not only the most gifted Entertainer ever he probably was the prettiest man ever before the skin stuff really got him with surgeries and things. When he was 20-30 he was the most beautiful person in the world.

[@CHewittMedia]

According to Teddy Riley, MJ intentionally pitched his voice higher when speaking so he could maintain his signature high vocal sound. By constantly working these muscles and talking close to the pitch he sang at,..it wasn't a massive stretch or effort for his vocal cords and this allowed him to keep the sound he was known for without dropping down several keys or losing the high end as he aged, like many other high singers of the past (just listen to Harry Nilsson later years).

[@saraandersson1494]

Michael was, is and always will be MAGIC. In his music, dance and all his heart.

[@GalacticBeatz]

Smooth Criminal movie was up there with Thriller. It was super awesome and magical.

[@davidortiz3094]

After Thriller, Michael actually stepped his dancing up & got more creative.

[@michaelstraughn6625]

Kudos to Spike Lee for telling the "fruit" of Michael Jackson, and not getting hung-up with 'Sensationalism'!

[@drillosophy1012]

How can anyone relegate themselves to liking Michael Jackson OR Prince? That’s like saying, “Do you like breathing or eating?” You need both. We needed them both. We loved them both.

[@muiresuilgorm3452]

Really nice comment.

[@demetratenner1339]

Thanks spike Lee , for doing Bad 25 , I hate the fact that people try to reduce Michael Jackson down to some accusations. And try to wipe away over 40 years of greatness... No way will we stand around and let this happen. Rest in peace Michael Jackson we love you forever!!!!

[@kevr8149]

The only man who got to direct the 3 Mike's

[@curly7452]

Preach Spike, preach

[@jamsng]

+Jeff Stevens MICHAEL NEVER LEFT HIS BLACK ROOTS!!

[@maryanneb1122]

I love how Spike on several occasions beautifully shuts the interviewer’s questioning line of trying to get negative stuff on MJ ..

[@tanyabrown6969]

I love both prince and MJ. MJ's effect was more prevalent in my life and in the world.

[@jillturner8680]

MJ just got better and better. His lyrics, art, films, fashion.... everything matured like a fine wine. I am so sad we were robbed of his mature years. Loved hearing Spike talking about MJ!

[@bianca.y.michaels]

What a beautiful human being! No wonder the documentary turned out to be fantastic! The creator is no different!

[@onesong2001]

His countless millions of dollars of marketing worked on you.

[@taffysaur]

I think if we are all honest with ourselves, we know that Bad was a better album than Thriller.

[@jeremiahsymonette4781]

it was, but off the wall was his best musically.

[@taffysaur]

My man!

[@chrislacy1990]

You are 200% correct. Public perception is the only reason why BAD didn't "measure up to THRILLER." From 1986 to 1989, Michael was at his peak creatively-such a fascinating thing to watch.

[@taffysaur]

Chris Lacy It was unfair of anyone, including Jackson, to expect Thriller numbers ever again. Thriller was one of those once-in-a-lifetime-type 'events'. It had to do with more than just the excellent music. It could never happen like that again, to anyone, and disappointment at the sales of Bad or _any_ of his subsequent albums is a huge fault in perspective imo. He shouldn't have put that on himself, like I said it was unfair.

[@chrislacy1990]

+Mychael Darklighter Feel you on that one. Taking you what you said a step further, BAD was his AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY if you will. Now you've reached your commercial peak, every album has to sound exactly like it (if not better) in the eyes of the mainstream audience. As a result, your new album becomes the proverbial punching bag instead of being viewed as great art. This is exactly why Quincy Jones told Michael to focus on creating music that gave you "the goosebumps."

[@QwithTomPower]

Phew! Cheers for the feedback!

[@gracelove1842]

I love the KING of music and I always love him. the best to ever do it. RIP king of music!!!

[@onesong2001]

Even Jackson never lowered himself to say he was "king of music". he was king of selling crap music to kiddies.

[@profnazrulislam4103]

MJ was that great that he was making other artists at the time look BAD. Thank you and God bless All.

[@onesong2001]

Didn't you see his face? MJ wasn't bad. He was terrible.

[@genestacoleman2754]

Thank you for this mr LEE you are right about MJ life and you are showing love for him we need this 😍😍🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️👌❤💙💚💛💜💝💖💟

[@drstew1]

19:13 he gave the wrong information.Bad was released Aug 1987. One thing I really know about Spike Lee is he is a very principled man. And there is no wearing anywhere that he would be celebrating someone who molested children. Impossible! The media along with Evan Chandler invented that story. Greedy scum like vultures human kind destroyed Michael Jackson. Where in any reality does a man get to repeatedly molest and write songs, with strong meaning in the lyrics, spend all the time under the sun creating the sound of these songs in studios. Rehearsing for hours upon hours and hours and touring the rest. Not physically possible. But we know that . It’s just the media will not stop running this false narrative about him LN is beyond mad. What thinking person could honestly believe these two perjurers. JS can’t remember which room in a building that didn’t exist the imaginary train station. I would laugh if it wasn’t for his children. MJ gave over 300 million of his own money to charity that helped Hungry homeless children. That’s much better headlines acknowledging his humanitarian side. R. I. P Michael Jackson.

[@alec187]

How could you not be a fan of both MJ and prince

[@Bella-mx7rl]

This is a great interview. The questions are well thought out, researched and well intentioned. Spike should have been the director of the upcoming biopic.

[@africanandproud6792]

As someone who lives outside the US, for the life of me i dont get this comparison between MJ and Prince. Where the two actual equals? I mean, outside the US no one was MJs equal. No one.

[@tritone11]

Only in fame and pop culture impact. Musically and vision wise Prince was Michael’s father. Prince was the first major artist to sell music online. He got independent before Napster.

[@Veronique428]

Prince Michael father⁉️🙃😶🤦🏾‍♀️ Michael started his career waaaaay before Prince came to the music scene‼️ What are you talking about⁉️ Are you for real 🤨😤

[@agnieszkalek]

Agree, it’s exactly as you say. I don’t get this comparison either. MJ was (and still is) huge. No one compares.

[@AC-mp7cx]

In fame and pop culture Impact, MIchael is Princes Daddy's daddy. He's a million times more famous, and that number isn't even an exaggeration. Musically, Michael is the greatest dancer, singer, songwriter, entertainer, best music videos ever. He outsold Prince by LAPs easily. Michael is Princes father, he inspired him when he was in the jackson 5 and prince was still in the ghetto. No one is MJ's equal internationally, but even in the west, people will compare MJ to Queen,Elvis, Madonna, Beatles, etc before they bring up Princes name.

[@jimmy_yopp]

MJ really got robbed in the 1988 Grammys most people don’t even remember who he lost to and yet almost all the songs on bad are timeless i think they didn’t want a repeat of the 1984 Grammys

[@creditorclass6513]

It's already that the thin, higher registers are the "Pop" registers. He probably spoke that way to spare his vocals and make it easier to sing that highly in adulthood.

[@kellyraney4282]

MICHAEL JACKSON NEVER FELL OFF! THANX SO MUCH SPIKE!!! SO NICE TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT “THE KING OF POP” CLASS OF 1983 BABY AND I GOT TO BE PART OF EVERY SINGLE AWESOME MINUTE. MICHAEL WAS BEAUTIFUL FROM THE INSIDE OUT😘EVERYTHING WORKED FOR HIM. TO THIS DAY YOU SEE HOW MANY ❤️S HE TOUCHED ALL OVER THE WORLD. HOW AWESOME IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE FALLIN OUT AT YOUR CONCERTS! I WILL LOVE MJ🍎❤️ TIL I TAKE MY LAST BREATH😘 HE DID IT ALL WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA THATS ALOT TO BE SAID!! AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA KILLED HIM...BROKE HIS ❤️ SOOOOO SAD😢😢

[@Khwaab]

How can anyone say that he ever forgot his black roots? As a non black person, Michael was the ESSENCE of blackness to me. His entire walk, his facial gestures and the very swag. Nothing but raw, amazing "blackness" and something that other ethnicities frankly just look silly when trying to emulate 🤭, sorry. I mean, pretty much every musical genre and dance COMES from Africa, is downright invented by black people or has been inspired by black culture (such as samba). I feel like Michael always gave a nod to his blackness. How can people forget "Mamase mamasa ma-makusa" of "Wanna be startin´something" and the wholly African vibe and drums of "Liberian girl"? Even in "Remember the time", he went for the Egyptian culture (which is North-Africa) and put only black people in the video. And in the Pepsi commercial, a black kid had the main role. Also, in "Jam", it was all about American black culture and a deserving nod to Hip-Hop and Rap. Michael NEVER forgot, never tried to downplay anything. He was just a genuine music lover and artist, and an artist needs constant inspiration and flow so they venture out and try to learn and try as much as possible. I´m Pakistani and the greatest Pakistani artist, Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, came from a very conservative, ancient musical tradtion called Qawwali, which has remained almost unchanged since the 13th century. Still, he ventured out and did collabs with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Eddie Vedder, Jeff Buckley and more. Knowing him, we´d never ever accuse him of forgetting his roots, because we knew that instead, he was representing OUR tradtions and bringing them to the world stage. Even when he went to our so called arch-enemies India, we still stood right behind him. He was an ambassador for peace. If anything, he put Pakistan on the musical world map and brought people together. I do understand my black brothers and sisters though. Theirs is a culture constantly having been bullied, downplayed, denied and ferociously worked against by others through the centuries 😢, so they´re sensitive and vulnerable in a totally different manner than what we others might be able to comprehend. Black people are under constant fire, even from some of their own who have internalised the effects of colonisation and slavery. So when someone like Beyoncé then dyes her hair blonde, it has totally different connotations than a Shakira doing it. It´s like "Okay so just when you reach that height of fame, you start opting to look like the one ethnicity that hates us with a passion?! Just when you had the chance to represent all your black sisters and our very black bodies, voices and our hair". I mean, even I as a brown person react to those things. Like Shakira...I cannot believe how she insists on being blonde when she looks so amazing in her original black hair. And why did she do it exactly when she was trying to make it in Northamerica? I think those are legit wonderings of people. When you´re from a minority, you have to be careful as an artist.

[@peterpatton2867]

I mean, can we give major props to Spike Lee! This guy is the truth. Spikes body of works and collaborative artistry are surmountable at best! You get my acknowledgement to the fullest Spike! You are some kind of wonderful!

[@avkashmenon7281]

From kerala, India Michael Jackson forever

[@elisabethgreene2002]

I loved both too. Can't compare them.

[@RoseRNCLNC]

So glad this doc was focused on music and magic of MJ instead of the other crap. I cant stand watching news because they might recognize but feel like they must always bring up the LN or other BS. Thank you Spike Lee!!!!!!!

[@pabloflores5072]

Greetings in light, love and joy to One and All. Thank you Spike Lee, for your labor of love.

[@jamsng]

MICHAEL MADE SHORT FILMS SPIKE. NOT JUST MUSIC VIDEOS!!!

[@richardkovacs2006]

MJ was way more creative than Elvis. Yet, MJ got the wacko title, though he was so obviously a hard working, dedicated man. What he did is only possible, if you sacrifice your life to art. Just his dancing requires a whole dancer's dedication and hard work. And he was a singer, just as dedicated, singing 3 hours a day. He wrote songs. He eent oht to find out ehat's new in music technically and musicwise and urged his people to study the new stuff (all his engineers will say). He dealt with the business. And he had time to help people in need. The eccentricity took up less than 1% of his personality. The MJ revisionarism would be if somebody finally would do a doc about the FACTS of those cases... because talking about those accusations.adds nothing to the tabloid media narrative. And sadly everbody went with that narrative without asking a question. Spike is right: that's criminal.

[@julieherry1858]

So if Bad was Mike going my back to his roots, and Dangerous was Mike going back to his roots and History was obviously Mike going back to his roots, .... Seems like he never left

[@EastCoastGal66]

I love Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 since I was a tween in 1972❤️

[@nathanbradleyf777]

Spike please do Dangerous and HIStory! You're the only one that can do this for us! Those were very important albums for Michael and both came at crucial times in his career. Both were HUGE successes and very influential to modern music. I think Dangerous is a modern masterpiece. HIStory was on it's way there but didn't quite make it even though it contains some of Michael's best work. Although both albums are among the biggest selling of all time, they're overlooked due to the unprecedented success of the first three. Your Bad 25 movie was amazing and I'd love for you to do the next 2.

[@onlineviewer4424]

I would love for them to release more of his music. His music is priceless.

[@joseyeastwood]

I wish Michael and Prince would have done something together Rest in peace to them both.

[@belladamma2345]

Some of the songs in the bad album were written in 1983 during the thriller era for instance, Liberian girl. I love all his albums. I love all of Michael. ❤️

[@jennyk9748]

Bad 25 was a fantastic documentary. It was celebrational and respectful and all about the music.

[@MrVolatile96]

Great interview. Real talk

[@sandyhyatt1052]

Michael WILL ALWAYS Be Remembered for the Greatest Timeless music....But he Will be Remembered for his Humanitarian Work the MOST & How much he is Loved & Tryed to teach us Love!! 🌻

[@onesong2001]

no it won't because it isn't.

[@nomadicdevine2924]

It's Sad how some people want to focus on his image instead of his music and his character. 🧐