Smokey Robinson on His Favorite Michael Jackson Album: Thriller or Off the Wall (Part 23)

Watch the full interview now as a VladTV KZbin Member - / @vladtv
Part 22: • Smokey Robinson: Marvi...
Part 24: • Smokey Robinson on Doi...
Part 1: • Smokey Robinson: My Da...
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In this clip, Smokey Robinson recounted the Motown 25 anniversary concert and reuniting with The Miracles for the night. He talked about seeing Michael Jackson perform “Billy Jean” and debut the “moonwalk” to which Smokey gave the backstory on the origin of the dance move.
Later, Smokey weighed in on the age-old debate: Off the Wall vs. Thriller, choosing Off the Wall as the album he finds more pleasure in listening to.

[@vladtv]

Watch the full interview now as a VladTV KZbin Member: kzbin.info/door/g7lal8IC-xPyKfgH4rdUcAjoin

[@pwilson13]

The amount of history Smokey can remember at this age. Holy shit it’s magical. This interview is pure gold!!

[@thesaintst1851]

For Pete’s sake he’s not dead you know… 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Sandra-du6cv]

HELL YEAH 😂😉😁😉💯 @PeteWilson

[@breadoflife5938]

He grew up in the damn golden age . Can't forget shit like that even if you tried

[@mattmcjagger2582]

Smokey is 100% correct, Michael studied everyone from singers, dancers and bands

[@jackjill8129]

And that's what made him so dope

[@Numb2Fear]

Opera to magicians he really knew what he was doing

[@steelpipetv2073]

James Brown was his idol

[@tgmidaz223]

He a Virgo like me I do that study the best musicians

[@nomatorious]

Michael copied it from Jeffrey McDaniel.That's where i saw it first.Michael started with the "SPIN",old heads know what im talking about. (NOBODY did that better.)in the 70's then" The Robot", THEN it was the Moonwalk.He started with a James Brown imitation when he was a kid,I think he even auditioned for Motown doing a James Brown impression.

[@IvyBox]

Motown 25th was one of the greatest television specials of all time!

[@jayskywalker5049]

PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!

[@darrellmfume4020]

Ivy, the FIRST time NBC aired it in May of 1983. OVER 40 million people watched across the country. NBC got some many calls to show it again. so, they did in October 83... OVER 70 million tuned in.

[@NOV123]

40th anniversary next month!

[@kennethrussell1158]

Ivy, the 40th anniversary of the special this year

[@ericdarden1255]

Hands down!! No back n forth... To this day!! To dis day!!

[@phillydirah_2155]

"Off The Wall" has "I Can't Help It", which is one of my favorite MJ songs of All-Time!

[@jayskywalker5049]

That's on thriller...she's out of my life is on off the wall

[@ricoway8592]

Lady in my life is from Thriller Album

[@Akumaten1]

'Lady in my Life' is on Thriller. Did you mean 'She's out of my Life'? That's on OTW.

[@phillydirah_2155]

@@jayskywalker5049 Thanks for the correction. The song I actually meant to say was "I Can't Help It"

[@phillydirah_2155]

@@Akumaten1 I meant I Can't Help It❤️

[@edwinjones1000]

I am 72 years old. The Nickolas brothers were the best dance duo I have ever seen. See the movie "Stormy Weather". They have a dance routine at the very end. It will leave you speechless.

[@tbone9744]

I definitely agree with you there. Those two guys did some phenomenal dance routines. Stormy Weather showcased that talent exquisitely.

[@tbone9744]

@@lseguy Bill Bailey’s moonwalk was performed in 1955. Stormy Weather came out in 1943.

[@OfficialDPCannon]

It's the best I've probably seen til this day

[@kjo2130]

Every time I watch that legendary routine, my mouth literally drops lol

[@finderkeeperrrs]

Couldn't have said it better. I'm a huge MJ fan. But to me the Nicholas brothers are the greatest entertainers to ever grace this earth.

[@deg3363]

So glad he mentioned the Nicholas Brothers and James Brown. Michael saw the BEST and became a worldwide PHENOMENON.

[@anyright8683]

Right, cause them two brothers are too smooth 💯💯💯💯. I saw them on KZbin dancing and I was in awe

[@mr.joshua6818]

@@anyright8683 jumpin' jive.

[@anyright8683]

@@mr.joshua6818 absolutely 💯 💯💯

[@inglewoodhoneyhoney321]

It was Jeffrey Daniels,from Shalamar who choreographed the Moonwalk.

[@lseguy]

The Nicholas Brothers were also in Janet’s “alright” video

[@CVLabWork]

Off The Wall is one of my favorite albums still this day💯🎯💪🏿💪🏿!!!! Every song on that album SLAPS!!!!!

[@jayskywalker5049]

THE BOMB 💣

[@CVLabWork]

@@jayskywalker5049 yes yes🎯!!!

[@massdagod]

She’s out of my life is trash 🗑️ Burn this Disco out and It’s the Falling in Love is low-tier shit. I can’t listen to Off the Wall straight through and if you’re a dude and you listen to She’s out of My Life, you’re probably gay.

[@timotheewilliams9086]

It is without a shadow of doubt his best album !!!

[@CVLabWork]

@@timotheewilliams9086 I agree🎯!!!

[@Eric-le3uu]

The Jackson's Triumph album (released between OTW and Thriller) is also an incredible album. It's a mix of disco, funk, and pop. If you think OTW is great, you'll love this one too.

[@YoungVeeTV]

Yes Sir!

[@Dzzy123]

Yes. Triumph is underrated and it's the perfect bridge between Off the Wall and Thriller.

[@brandonshepherd7477]

This is a person who knows their music. Yes!!!!!!

[@__RonnieHouston__]

Triumph is my favorite Jackson's album as well

[@TalkingBook72]

Yes! Triumph is my favorite Jacksons album and Off The Wall is my favorite MJ album

[@D.nada_47]

MJ danced with The Nicholas Brothers and was taught how to tap by them as well during The Jackson's variety show run. MJ always studied the greats.

[@mansakhanlv8487]

Great point. I remember that

[@dsu9659]

He was tapping in Vegas way before that.

[@braviafeed]

This is the best interview ever shown on Vlad. Smokey is part of our history worth honoring. I NEVER thought I would get to see him on this format but I happy I have.

[@72Dexter72Manley72]

The Thriller video was the biggest thing to hit TV PERIOD. As a kid of the 80's that video changed the game. All music entertainers had to try to come up with something to compete with it. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@Akumaten1]

Off The Wall was the first MJ album I ever listened to. No one even told me about it. I was surfing through my mom's CD tower and I saw the album cover and thought MJs socks were REALLY glowing! Lol I was about 5 or 6 at the time. Idk, just something about it had me in awe. Lol So I asked her to play the CD... It was a rap after that.... MJfan 4 lyfe!!

[@ProducerTSS]

My cousin is Greg Phillinganes and he’s responsible for the majority of the keyboards that you hear on “I can’t help it,” “Billie Jean,” and “Thriller.” He was also MJ’s Musical Director for Bad too.

[@emmetttill148]

your cuz is epic, one of the all time keyboard greats

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

Michael Jackson the greatest. In my book 📚📖 thumbs up

[@alaza61]

Michael's albums outside of OTW and Thriller are of merit! Bad and Dangerous were phenomenal. Also, THANK GOD Smokey brought up the Nicholas Brothers. I don't believe I saw them do the moonwalk in Stormy Weather, but just the same, their place in history is criminally overlooked. I think it's possible Smokey is getting Stormy Weather confused with the other all-black musical of that era called "Cabin in the Sky" where a tap dancer named John Bubbles DID do the moonwalk, which at that time was called the "backslide".

[@ww8407]

Exactly. Dangerous was great.

[@richardkovacs2006]

MJ called his chimpanzee Bubbles for a reason.

[@reddyred5097]

Dangerous album is my favorite!!! Every song 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mauricesantinomf]

i love Smokey but he was wrong Cab Calloway was the first one to moonwalk on camera in the early 30s

[@kdeloris2225]

Both those albums were great but when Mike start doing those film shorts for videos he slam dunk. He was so far ahead of his time, a true visionary ❤️

[@stevemichaels9852]

I have to agree, rock with you is definitely a great song. But Michael had so many great songs . He was definitely the king 👑

[@ragingbull3157]

You are absolutely right about the "Nicolas Brothers". But another music artist believes he was the one that Michael got the "Moon Walk" from. His name is Jeffrey Daniels. Former singer of the group Shalamar. He was in a group called "the lockers" I believe. They showcased it. Never heard Micheal say where he saw it, but the Nicolas Brothers did do it. U right Smoke👍

[@Dzzy123]

In his autobiography, Michael was clear that he never invented the Moonwalk. He gave credit to Black people in the urban ghettoes. I believe Michael was also honest about the fact that Jeffrey Daniels showed him the move, and that he waited for the perfect moment to unveil it.

[@rell_andre6621]

Jeffery Daniels was not part of The Lockers

[@averythecoolcat]

@@rell_andre6621 He was a Soul Train dancer as was Jody Watley and Howard Hewett.

[@sunny10710]

Off The Wall was the best MJ album! I was 7 years old and remember my family and everybody we knew playing that album. I still remember holding the album cover in my hands. Every song on it was good. You can sit back and chill to everything on that album!

[@renealexander2703]

I feel this way about Thriller.

[@Candycane678]

Now we're talking Vlad! 2 phenomenal albums by the greatest to do it. OTW still has you dancing, Michael came with mad energy, but Thriller, just wow. The entire album was top, but based on the Thriller visual, which was 40 years ahead of it's time, it has to take the win 💯

[@philproudme6257]

I'm so happy he remembers all these legendary stories, these are the stories you tell your grandkids and great grandkids, how can he not remember all the history he witnessed and was apart of.

[@leetonholness650]

I just looked up the Nicholas Brothers and wow what amazing dancers they are sheesh.

[@charleshairston7864]

Off the wall is more soulful but thriller has the shock value and more up n your face off the wall is smooth n laid back I love both

[@FriendofDorothy]

There are few dance records as exciting as "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". Still sounds amazing. Both albums are killer, but Thriller had an "epic" quality to it and more variety in the material to make it the massive commercial success it was.

[@jasonallen3678]

Thriller was for everyone else, off the wall was for BP..

[@jayskywalker5049]

YEP THE BLACK ALBUM JUST SAY ITS COOL😎 AND WE STILL STAND ON THAT RECORD AS HIS BREAK THROUGH

[@eph_loves_80s74]

@@jasonallen3678 Thriller did bigger for the black community, Off The Wall didn't do. Thriller showed a black artist can top a white artist or band and have the success they don't have and not stay limited. Off The Wall is when he was limited. So why not cherish Thriller for what it did for the black folks? Why use Off The Wall to dismiss it? You don't like his success? So you want to go back when he was limited although black folks often complain that they don't get enough love and recognition which in fact is true.

[@osol2376]

@@eph_loves_80s74 But one thing that can't be denied is Off The Wall kickstarted MJ's adult solo career, was a multi-platimum record that was the first album with 4 top 10 smash hits!! Had it not been for Off The Wall you would have no Thriller.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

@@osol2376 And funny how Thriller helped Off The Wall sell more

[@mrmaxxx94]

Smokey robinson arguably the greatest songwriter ever and the man knows greatness,Michael Jackson made albums into events, versatility and covering so many bases,motown was the blueprint, Motown 25 is timeless nothing like it before or since,I love both off the wall and Thriller like they are Godfather 1 and 2

[@djuanbenjamin9149]

One of the Nicholas brothers was in the five heartbeats. He was the dude showing them how to dance.

[@ryderlane702]

True, you are correct about that. I loved him in that movie

[@ajsassy788]

SARGE!!!

[@djuanbenjamin9149]

@@ajsassy788 yes yes

[@NOV123]

Michael also excelled in tap dance. Some of his artistry is featured here on KZbin.

[@derekbrown4696]

Thanks for telling the kids about The Nicholas Brothers. True legends of entertainment that paved the way for so many.

[@ktmusic8940]

Thriller represent the first time a black artist became as big and important as Elvis/The Beatles. It’s something else. Some black people dismissing Thriller should be proud of it. Off the Wall is a great album but Thriller is among the very best.

[@renealexander2703]

I agree. The black people here are acting like racists who hate the success of black people.

[@emmetttill148]

as important? 🤣🤣 there would be no elvis or beatles without black artist. their success was more about skin color than talent as most white record sales were/are biased sales!

[@ktmusic8940]

@@emmetttill148 in terms of success and cultural impact you can’t deny that the overall Top 3 is them including MJ. Off the Wall put him on the map but Thriller changed the game.

[@emmetttill148]

@@ktmusic8940 success yes, cultural impact depends on the culture you're referring to. mj was on the map long before off the wall, he was a child superstar. like i said, black artist were more important than elvis and the beatles because elvis was simply taking our music to white audiences and the beatles... well like paul and john told the isley bros. "if it wasn't for you guys we'd still be in liverpool".

[@annebfaith6373]

Michael studied the greats and added to and perfected their iconic moves. Michael was just smooth and would add in the thrusts, hat and glove, facial antics, all of it in other worldly execution. Plus, he had special effects like how he was propelled in the air to enter the stage at the live Bucharest performance and the leaning in the Smooth Criminal video. Michael's dance moves and stage style and energy are the greatest in history, hands down. Not even Fred Astaire could touch him. For Smokey, my favorite song is one of his lesser known songs called "Baby, Baby Don't Cry," and then all the others. There's only a few of his songs I'm not that fond of. As for Michael, my favorite album between "Off the Wall and Thriller" is both of them.

[@ebillie1181]

Lover of old movies...I've seen the brothers perform those moves! Amazing, and so was MJ. The albums are both thrillers! Smokey is a dreamboat...when I was a teenager and right now!

[@GTTg-kr2xh]

The video of the first moonwalk referenced by Smokey is on YT. It’s amazing.

[@leatherface964]

Off The Wall is the best MJ album. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 And yea the moon walk use to be called the back slide before MJ started doing it

[@massdagod]

She’s out of my life is trash 🗑️ Burn this Disco out and It’s the Falling in Love is low-tier shit. I can’t listen to Off the Wall straight through and if you’re a dude and you listen to She’s out of My Life, you’re probably gay.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

You're saying it because of the afro and tuxedo and because he was limited to black people only. Instead of cherishing what Thriller did for the black community, you all wanna use Off The Wall to dismiss it. Thriller showed a black artist doesn't have to be limited and can surpassed the white artists or bands and have more success than them. You're doing exactly what white racists wished. What do I mean? They didn't want a black artist to be limitless surpass the white bands or artists or have bigger success than the white artists or band. Off The Wall was great, but Thriller is something else. A game changer for us

[@sunny10710]

@@eph_loves_80s74 You need to stop. Thriller just appealed to a wider audience of people because it's Pop music. Music is music. More sales doesn't mean better music.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

@@sunny10710 Yet Thriller stayed Number 1 in the R&B charts for 37 weeks and Billie Jean, The Lady In My Life, Baby Be Mine, Human Nature are very R&B rooted. Don't play me.

[@richardkovacs2006]

​@@sunny10710 oh, please. Thriller didn't just sell more. The fact it still crawls back into the Billboard top 200 almost every year shows that sometimes the more is just a quantifiable expression of BETTER. There's a reaso why people still wanna own that record. 40 years later.

[@jamargoodman7003]

Thx Smokey for letting the whole world know that The Nicolas Brother's were Moonwalking back in the 30s and 40s. Real history.

[@ezthejedi]

Off the Wall my fav, but Thriller got PYT, Human Nature & Baby Be mine on it, dont sleep on it it's crazy for just 10 songs

[@thrill82j]

Off the Wall is amazing but Thriller is next level.

[@renealexander2703]

I agree.

[@treyvoncreighton9814]

I love all Michael Jackson albums

[@TamikaBelton]

Ditto!!!

[@timotheewilliams9086]

MJ performing on Motown 25 and Prince performing at the Rock&Roll Hall of fame induction of George Harrison are two of the best performances I've seen in my lifetime 👏👏👏

[@eph_loves_80s74]

Don't mention Prince this is an MJ video

[@RL-ww5ev]

prince>MJ

[@eph_loves_80s74]

@@RL-ww5ev In your dreams.

[@makhtar6029]

@@RL-ww5ev MJ>Prince

[@eph_loves_80s74]

@@makhtar6029 Yes

[@evgenyigo]

What a pleasure to see a great master, so straightforwardly truthful. Love both. Music and artists are different nowadays

[@traceycamille]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO HEAR SMOKEY TALK! I COULD LISTEN TO HIM ALL DAY LONG 😍😍

[@djcoolcliff]

Off The Wall!! My uncle Wah Wah Watson was the guitar supervisor on that joint! He also played on Thriller but that record made me play close attention to session players!!! RIP to Melvin Ragin aka Wah Wah Watson. Mr Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Car Wash, Let’s Get It On, etc

[@terrellh9986]

Vlad does the most important, well needed interviews . He has put me on a lot of black figures that I’ve never heard of

[@terrellh9986]

Not saying I’ve never heard of Smokey Robinson

[@JohnDoe-iv5ns]

@@terrellh9986 was about to say lol

[@JGMP2010]

This is true.

[@mansakhanlv8487]

Off the wall was his best album .. the fans rewarded him commercially by supporting thriller … it just didn’t disappoint. That’s why music is hurting now. Make great albums and the fans will keep coming

[@sunny10710]

OTW was his best. Thriller just reached a wider audience.

[@richardkovacs2006]

Jesus. You prefer OTW. Fine. Stop making up theories about your taste. Many people love Thriller into pieces. Many people love Bad, though it never got the adulation of Thriller, neither did Dangerous, still many love that album more than others. The fact we can argue which album was his best is the sheer proof of his massive talents period. The rest is just pretending your taste makes you edgy and smart. It doesnt. It's jist your taste. No better or worse than anybody else's.

[@sunny10710]

@@richardkovacs2006 Buddy, calm down. It's not that serious. Enjoy your Saturday like I am. It's just music not the cure for Ebola.

[@renealexander2703]

@@sunny10710 , Thriller is his best.

[@MoonwalkerForever]

Amazing interview.

[@TheUnitedDrills]

Off The Wall is Michael Jackson’s best album. Let’s argue! 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Akumaten1]

It's subjective on that front. No argument needed. But sales wise, more people flocked to get Thriller than Off the Wall....js.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

Thriller showed a black artist doesn't have to be a limited artist, can surpass or equal white bands or artists and have bigger success than them instead of cherishing Thriller, you all want to go back to the days when he was a limited artist, limited to black people only, yet we black people often complain about not getting enough love and recognition. You're doing what white racists wished. They wished that MJ was limited, didn't equal or surpass white bands and artists and didn't have bigger success.

[@redstripe_58]

My favourite is Dangerous

[@richardkovacs2006]

Let's just not.MJ had several great albums. And you can argue all day long who prefers which. Because MJs albums are great. The rest is just a matter of taste. In my case; a matter of mood. I simply can't pick a "best". MJ was a massively great artist. On the level of Picasso. Or Hitchcock. Greatness all over.

[@redstripe_58]

@@richardkovacs2006 I do agree dude, he had great songs on every record he did, even more so, each album had music which explored and went out of his 'Pop' genre/style, diving into rock for example Give into me, Dirty Diana, that showed he was never limited to just one style and is something we don't see often nowadays

[@kjo2130]

Nicholas Bros have a great documentary on youtube too. They performed with MJ in the 70s too.

[@SS-ii6nz]

I also agree with Mr. Robinson. Off The Wall is the best Michael Jackson Album. Every song is a huge hit on that album. ☺ 😎

[@bettymosley9661]

Great to see you in your interview you lovely ok great.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Wow, I thought Michael Jackson invented the Moonwalker until Smokey said that 1:54 moonwalked before he did on Motown 25. That's why I really like Smokey's interview because he told stories that really intrigued me.

[@tilabryant5591]

You must be real young everybody knows he didn’t invent the moonwalk. It was actually called the backslide first

[@kenterminateddq5311]

@@tilabryant5591 I'm not young (far from it). I just never saw anyone else did the moonwalk during the 80s. You have to remember: There was no Google in the 90s.

[@tilabryant5591]

@@kenterminateddq5311 on soul train Jeffrey the one who was teaching mj the moonwalk did the backslide the lockers who was on soul train also did it. I’m 43 and I knew that. The local kids that was break dancing in the Bronx was doing it. Micheal even said he used to study them dancing?

[@KtotheG]

Michael didn't invent it. He just had the best version of it... just like he did the best robot on Soul Train back in the '70s.

[@Akumaten1]

@@kenterminateddq5311 No Google, but there was TV...lol Soul train had all those dances. Moonwalk/backslide, robot, pop locking etc. MJ learned from those cats, then Perfected it and made it popular.

[@timotheewilliams9086]

OFF THE WALL is no doubt his best album !!!

[@Brother_Dre1900]

Also, the movie, "Cabin In the Sky", had a dancer doing the moonwalk. This movie was released in the 40s. But for Michael, it was Jeffrey Daniels, from the group Shalamar, who taught Michael the "Moonwalk". I remember seeing this dance move in the late 70s.

[@kevinnorman2937]

YOU ARE VERY CORRECT!! HIS NAME IS BILL BAILEY WHO IS PEARL BAILEY'S OLDER BROTHER. HE ALSO DID IT IN 1955 FILM ROCK AND ROLL REVIEW WITH A HOST OF BLACK ENTERTAINERS AT THAT TIME!!!!!

[@wolfgangdevries127]

Yup, "Cabin" was released months before "Stormy Weather".

[@earldavis8224]

What I like about the elders is that correct the history.. smokey still got it.. Great interview Vlad

[@mauricesantinomf]

Smokey still the man

[@jchappelleh]

My favorite out of Mike's Golden Era three (Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad) has always been BAD!!! In my opinion his most underrated and unappreciated. People forget it had 5 #1 hits on it. And it was just FUNKY!!! Thriller of course is his most iconic no question, but track by track I put both Off The Wall & BAD over Thriller.

[@xabun]

imho Dangerous is MJs best and most creative album ... Why You Wanna Trip On Me is killer ... She Drives Me Wild, Remember The Time, Who Is It, Give In to Me, Dangerous ... that album is insane ...

[@davemcg915]

Gets my feet tapping all the time...that's my clean the house album lol

[@marcusb.1482]

That’s my personal favorite album

[@jayskywalker5049]

Yeah Mike did some great work with Teddy...but I bet you skip over at least 3 to 4 songs on that album...not gonna happen on off the wall

[@marcusb.1482]

@@jayskywalker5049 sometimes I skip over it’s the falling in love, burn this disco out and she’s out of my life

[@janepatton8100]

@@jayskywalker5049 I skip over at least 3 songs on "Off The Wall". "Burn this disco up" was extremely dated. Dangerous is my 2nd favorite behind Thriller.

[@macyprimm7201]

Tonight, you gotta leave that 9 to 5 up on the shelf and just enjoy yourself 💃🕺💓💓💓🥰

[@jayskywalker5049]

THAT LINE ALONE IS EPIC AND GIVES YOU REASON TO KEEP STRIVING AND KEEP BELIEVING THAT THERE A BIT OF SUN OUTSIDE FOREVER ONE TO TRY ON....I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I!LOVE!!! IT!!!!!!!!!!

[@Hackaveli]

That’s the perfect way to break down the comparison

[@cherylrleigh1912]

Willie Eugene Bailey (December 8, 1912 - December 12, 1978), known professionally as Bill Bailey was an African-American tap dancer. The older brother of actress and singer Pearl Bailey, Bill was considered to be one of the best rhythm dancers of his time and was the first person to be recorded doing the Moonwalk, although he referred to it as the "Backslide," in the film Cabin in the Sky (1943), starring Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson and Lena Horne. For much of his career, the "backslide," later known as the "moonwalk," was his signature exit. Its first recording was during his routine during "Taking A Chance On Love," sung by star Ethel Waters in the 1942 musical film Cabin in the Sky. He also performed in the black musical short, Harlem Variety Revue, 1950-1954 (1955), in the films Going Native (1936), The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise (1952), The Rhythm and Blues Revue (1955), and Showtime at the Apollo (1955). Source Wikipedia

[@reneehurt387]

Happy birthday to Smokey Robinson We all know what a singer you are and yet, you are one of the songwriters who contributed to the success of Motown. We are forever grateful, we celebrate you on your day

[@Fat_Vegan]

I can’t help it is one of my top 3 songs from Off the Wall album.

[@lseguy]

The Nicholas brothers also were in Janet Jackson’s video for “Alright”

[@jayskywalker5049]

OFF THE WALL IS MICHAELS GREATEST MOMENT PERIOD!!! WAY MORE EMOTIONAL AND FUNKIER THAN THRILLER WITHOUT A 25 MINUTE VIDEO

[@massdagod]

She’s out of my life is trash 🗑️ Burn this Disco out and It’s the Falling in Love is low-tier shit. I can’t listen to Off the Wall straight through and if you’re a dude and you listen to She’s out of My Life, you’re probably gay.

[@janepatton8100]

90 million would disagree.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

Off The Wall is when he was a limited guy. Limited to one race and limited artist. Thriller is when he changed from being a limited artist to being limitless. Thriller has shown the black community that you don't have to be limited and can surpass a white artist or band it also showed you can have bigger success than them. So instead of using Off The Wall to dismiss it, try and embrace the success of Thriller. Because you are doing exactly what white racists wished. They wished MJ stayed limited to one race and limited artist and didn't have more success than white bands or artist or surpassed them. For black people that often complain about not getting enough love and recognition, they aren't even greatful when one decided to not stay limited and appeal to everybody ungrateful

[@geraldcordova9520]

THRILLER SOLD 66 MILLION COPIES..66 MILLION!! DON'T TRY TO SAY THAT COUNTS FOR NOTHING..OFF THE WALL GREAT AS IT WAS JUST A WARM-UP..

[@sunny10710]

@@eph_loves_80s74 You won't stop posting this same reply. Nothing wrong with a Jerry curl or an Afro. Off The Wall had better and meaningful lyrics. Thriller was pop music.

[@generalinformation3507]

The guy who taught Michael the moonwalk was Jeffrey Daniel from the band shalamar. It was called the backslide before the moonwalk. Jeffrey Daniel was also a soul train dancer🕺🏿

[@jasonallen3678]

Off The Wall and Invincible were my favorite MJ albums.

[@jonwhite549]

Bro dropping facts, props to Motown, Smokey, MJ, & the Nicholas brothers.

[@demarsimon5882]

Off the wall is my favorite album. In my opinion if Off the wall wasn't made then Thriller wouldn't been as huge as it was

[@ekodi6360]

The History album has some of his strongest songs in my opinion: They don't care about us, Stranger in moscow, Little Susie. But nobody wants to go away from the mass opinion, listen without judgment and make its own opinion.

[@for-house-stark]

HIStory is his best album. Period

[@redstripe_58]

I hold Dangerous and HIStory as his best albums

[@reddyred5097]

Dangerous

[@mechajay3358]

Michael always said "Study the Greats, Become Greater."

[@okenneth187um]

Lord Jamar explained the difference between the two albums perfectly

[@opiniontime4422]

I hope Vlad & Lord J work out their differences in the future.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

Lord Jamar prefers MJ limited. Instead of cherishing what Thriller for it did for the black folks, he wants to go back to the days when MJ was a limited artist, limited to one race only. And clearly likes the album for the afro and tuxedo.

[@osol2376]

@@eph_loves_80s74 Off The Wall was MJ's first adult solo album!! How much can an artist give you with one album if they hadn't reached a creative peak especially Michael at just 20 years old? He had to break free from his brothers as well as his bubble-gum image, enclosing with this Michael's roots as a singer/artist (as of most black entertainers) come from soul/r&b/funk/jazz etc. not pop/rock!! Off The Wall limited? Okay to each his own!!

[@eph_loves_80s74]

@@osol2376 If anything MJ said goodbye to his bubble image with Thriller.

[@osol2376]

@@eph_loves_80s74 Okay bruh, try putting out a multi-platinum album and see how successful you become instead of trolling all day long lol

[@MsNotzi]

I totally understand Smokey's opinion on the two albums. "Thriller" was always my favorite, but "Off the Wall" comes in a very, VERY close second. I love all the tracks on both those albums.

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Smokey is untouched and is the ultimate icon! The Nicholas Brothers and Stormy Weather was excellent.

[@georgemnicholson4776]

I always said “Off the Wall” was the album. Mainstream just dictated it was better based on sales.

[@massdagod]

She’s out of my life is trash 🗑️ Burn this Disco out and It’s the Falling in Love is low-tier shit. I can’t listen to Off the Wall straight through and if you’re a dude and you listen to She’s out of My Life, you’re probably gay.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

You're only saying this because of the afro and tuxedo and because he was a limited artist, limited to black people only. Thriller showed that black artist doesn't have to be limited, can surpass white artists or bands and have bigger success than white artists or band. Instead of you cherishing Thriller and what it did, you wanna use Off The Wall to dismiss it? You're doing what white racists wished. They wished MJ was limited, didn't surpass the white artists and band and didn't have bigger success than the white artists and band. Yet black people often complain about not getting enough love and recognition.

[@renealexander2703]

Thriller is the album.

[@scottied7299]

Yup! Off The Wall was pure MJ... Thriller was a response to the lack of love Michael felt OTW should've received...

[@renealexander2703]

Thriller was pure.

[@brendarayford6304]

Michael stole the Motown 25 show!!! That was a great moment in tv history. Smokey has always said Michael was his little brother. RIP King of Pop.❤

[@215nunu3]

People gotta just say that they love off the wall because it’s his more rnb side but as far as BETTER album Thriller and Bad beats off the wall.

[@renealexander2703]

Thriller and Bad are my favorites.

[@thinkforward8752]

*Thriller* may be arguably better, but *Off The Wall* is my favorite! And MJ had gotten the "Moon Walk" from watching cats like The Electric Boogaloos. MJ always did "The Robot" when he was young, while performing Dance Machine. But popping & boogalooing was a step up from that. And the media coined it "The Moon Walk". However, it's really referred to as "The Backslide"👍 That's what we called it here in The Bay Area--long before MJ made it popular. I'm not doubting that the Nicolas Brothers did it first or anything. But MJ definitely got it from Boogaloo dancers; they're who'd taught him how to do it (Geoffrey Daniels, etc).

[@kenmcglown6642]

In 1979, the first MJ song I heard, for the first time, from his newly released Off The Wall album was, Workin' Day and Night, and I was absolutely floored by it!!! Then, I got a chance to hear the rest of the album, in complete jaw dropping shock. I was totally blown away by every single cut on the album. So, (Smoky got it right), overall, Off The Wall, is my most favorite MJ album of all time, simply because, Thriller, overall, never quite effected me in the same manner that Off The Wall did. However, Billy Jean, Thriller and Beat it, became my favorite MJ tracks of all time.

[@raynettescoggins702]

That's right Smokey, educate 👏 🙌 us.

[@deronreed2945]

off the wall is such a soulful classic!!! you can put it on today & not skip one track! I agree w/ smokey! I wish M.J. would have just stayed off the wall famous, Thriller sent him in outta space fame which eventually made M.J. a lil insane! nobody in the would should be that famous!!! I swear it was GOD & MICHAEL JACKSON.

[@renealexander2703]

There is nothing wrong with a black man being that famous. Only a racist would object.

[@emmetttill148]

can't stand to see your own ppl on top

[@MsBrittbad13]

He is right Off the Wall is the better album. So many great songs!!

[@jayskywalker5049]

HANDS DOWN WITHOUT A DOUBT

[@eph_loves_80s74]

So instead of black people cherishing Thriller they wanna go back to when he was a limited artist, limited to one race only? When Off The Wall he was a limited man but Thriller showed a black man doesn't have to be limited and can equal or surpass white bands or artists and have bigger success than them. Just remember, you're doing what white racists wished. White racists wished MJ wasn't limitless and didn't have bigger success than the white bands or artists or surpassed them.

[@buicklincoln]

Agreed. Off the wall and I don't even have to think about it.

[@renealexander2703]

Thriller and I don't even have to think about that.

[@OmarScruggs]

We had the motown 25 on vhs. Watched that shit non-stop for years

[@andrethompson2034]

Off the wall is a much better album song wise to me as well than Thriller. Matter of fact OTW is so underrated as one of the greatest albums of all time, it's definitely in the top 10

[@eph_loves_80s74]

Black people prefer Off The Wall because of the afro and tuxedo and because they prefer him limited to black people only

[@edwinhayes3924]

Man Thriller only had 7 or 8 songs. And you can play that album backwards and forwards. Every song was on the charts only one song was not released as a single. Baby be Mine could have easily made it on the charts man. That's how great that album was. Just a mean ass marketing scheme.

[@andrethompson2034]

@Edwin Hayes maybe you don't understand, nobody said it wasn't a great album. For some people like myself the playlist of OTF was better. Comes down to your musical taste. You can argue the same thing about OTW as far as every song making the charts, it's a classic album.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

@@edwinhayes3924 9 songs

[@renealexander2703]

@@eph_loves_80s74 , agree. It's sad.

[@ckaiborbor]

Smokey giving some for real game with the Nicholas Brothers

[@simmermusic3894]

In Michaels own words: Study all the greats and become greater

[@Big-Crow]

I think MJs best CD or album is his greatest hits

[@vant722]

One thing, Michael himself always said that he never invented the moonwalk And my favorite albums would be: 1. Bad 2. Dangerous 3. Invincible 4. Off The Wall 5. Thriller 6. Blood On The Dancefloor

[@VoyageOne1]

Thriller is what I put on when I want a masterclass in musicianship and craft. Off The Wall is my go-to party record

[@luanahazlett9251]

Off The Wall is my favorite MJ album and a few months before he passed I had bought a vintage looking record player, and found an original Off the wall on vinyl for 3 dollars at a flea market and Thriller for 1 dollar. When Mike passed I could have sold those for a lot of money but didn't. I still have them 🥰 Now you can buy remastered BUT I have originals.

[@rondelltefrazier3557]

Off the Wall is no doubt a great album, but the 3 biggest songs of MJs Mega carreer Thriller, Beat it, and billie Jean come back to back to back off one Album. The greatest 3 peat in the history of music on the same Album. Off the wall was Terminator, and Thriller was Terminator 2. No competition.

[@thrill82j]

Thriller is better and bigger

[@williemo44]

True. Off The Wall was Michael in his purist form. Thriller was the polished version of that purity. But Off The Wall is my favorite of all of MJs albums.

[@massdagod]

She’s out of my life is trash 🗑️ Burn this Disco out and It’s the Falling in Love is low-tier shit. I can’t listen to Off the Wall straight through and if you’re a dude and you listen to She’s out of My Life, you’re probably gay.

[@eph_loves_80s74]

You're saying this because of the afro and tuxedo and because he was a limited artist, limited to black people only. Instead of you embracing what Thriller did for us, you wanna use Off The Wall to dismiss it. Thriller showed a black artist doesn't have to be limited and can surpass or equal white artists and band and have bigger success than them. Youre not grateful , you’re doing what white racists wished What do they want? They didn't want MJ to limitless and have bigger success than the white bands or artist or top the white bands or artists

[@renealexander2703]

Not true. Thriller was in his purest form.

[@s.o3672]

Idk why but this is the best interview Vlad has done after Soulja Boy

[@pharoah1200]

100% correct. If you watch that movie "Stormy Weather" you'll see Bill (Bojangles) Robinson doing the "moonwalk." That was in 1943.

[@PAirLIVE]

I’m a huge Mj fan but I think my order is 1. Thriller 2. Bad 3. Off the Wall

[@renealexander2703]

That's my order too.

[@TishaSwirly]

​@@renealexander2703You really don't seem to like Off The Wall all that much.

[@renealexander2703]

@@TishaSwirly , I like Off The Wall, but Thriller is my favorite.

[@earnestinenelson2777]

The Legend, King Smokey Robinson. He is one of the greatest singers of all time.

[@itzjdub282]

Thriller had 9 certified hits on it.

[@emmetttill148]

that don't make it better, just more popular

[@tilabryant5591]

Lord jamar tried to tell vlad black ppl preferred off the wall😂

[@irasoul2023]

I agree with Smokey Off The Wall is Michael Jackson's best album it was jazzy and soulful love Thriller, Bad and Dangerous but nothing touches Off The Wall

[@ALPHATOSHINEZA]

Every true Michael fan KNOWS that OFF THE WALL is his best album!

[@TheMindlessIntellectual89.]

Off the Wall was the set up for Thriller. People forget that Off the Wall was the highest selling album until Thriller came out. I feel like Off the Wall was MJ’s masterpiece but Thriller was universal in terms of the visuals that came with it and the fact that everyone could dance to that album

[@emmetttill148]

off the wall was never the highest selling album

[@TheMindlessIntellectual89.]

@@emmetttill148 who the hell cares about the numbers if the music is better

[@emmetttill148]

@@TheMindlessIntellectual89. dude you said otw was the highest seller before thriller, which is not true 🤷🏾‍♂. which you feel is better is your opinion, i'm just correcting your error on the facts.

[@TheMindlessIntellectual89.]

@@emmetttill148 I said up until that point. It wasn’t definitive because we all know Thriller is the highest selling album of all time. I was pointing out that the music on Off the Wall was better and that album was the set up for Thriller. You just didn’t read the comment as a whole

[@emmetttill148]

@@TheMindlessIntellectual89. i understand what you said but the fact is otw wasn't the biggest seller up to that point. there were lots of albums before '79s otw that were bigger, here are a few: fleetwood mac rumors '77 saturday night fever soundtrack '77 eagles greatest hits '76 the beatles sgt. pepper '67