I was in rehearsals for the Wireless Festival when I heard the shocking news of Michael Jackson’s death… and I think i will rememeber my whereabouts on that day for the rest of my life.
This is the impact that someone who affected and influenced generations, and generations to come has when such a tragedy occurs.
This is the impact a ‘Superstar’ has.
Weeks later and Im still reading through the filed newspaper which are in the same folder as the Obama election the Queen Mothers Death etc. I read a headline saying ‘GOODBYE TO THE LAST SUPERSTAR’
That really got me thinking. Just what is a superstar? what made Michael Jackson Superstar? Was it the era in which he emerged? Was it the things he did? The Music, The Dancing, The Amazing Shows, the optical Illusions, the heiracy of worldwide affiliations, the skin change, bubbles, neverland ranch?
Then I started to think about whether this level of ‘Superstar’ could be created again and whether some of our favourite new age musicians are trying to recreate that as we speak. Take a look at Jay Z, MIA, 50 Cent, Rhianna, Beyonce, Kanye West……Kanye West! He is trying to influence fashion, change the social expectations of music and how it is ‘supposed’ to sound! He performed with naked women who remained perfectly still for at least an hour at his wireless performance….that’s art!
And so if people like Kanye West are trying to recreate that level of superstardom whats to prevent them? The slump of record sales, the increased level of interaction between the artist and the fans. If you could have followed Michael Jackson on Twitter for a 3rd of his career would he still be the same superstar?
What about the U.K artists flourishing at the moment? Is there a superstar amongst any of them? Do Major record labels even want to create something so powerful and influential again?
All I know is that anything is possible. The things that touched people about Michael the most was his Music and the vast catalogue of POWERFUL & MEANINGFUL music that was capable of breaking down barriers.
His Performance M.J connected with his fans in a way I’ve seen no other! He gave his performances 100% every time and always thought of new and inventive ways for switch it up and keep it fresh to the point that it was normal for people to FAINT!
Did you know that Michael Jackson and two of his costume designers obtained a US patent (US5255452) in 1993 on “Methods and Means for Creating Anti Gravity Illusion”. The invention outlines how a special pair of shoes attaches to a stage to allow leaning forward beyond the centre of gravity of the wearer of the shoes. The heel of the dancers’ shoes featured a triangular cut out that could be hitched onto the peg, anchoring the dancers to lean much farther forward, and thus blowing the world’s collective mind.
ALL OF THAT FOR A PERFORMANCE!
His Personailty.. I genuinely could feel the love Michael Jackson had for each of his fans, he wasnt snobbish or arrogant when some would argue he of everybody had the most right to be.
The level of mystery surrounding Michael Jackson this also added to making M.J a brand and which is what I feel adds to that ‘Star Quality’
With all this said I think it would be a big shame if there were no musical superstars from this generation and there for there has to be! Every artist should strive to create and perfect that ‘Superstar’ and that is what will keep the level and quality of music that you see on your T.V’s (Or Monitors) and hear on your radio great. Somewhere there is a Michael Jackson in every musician and I think its only standard to go as hard a he did!
Lemme know your thoughts because it worries me to think the world believes the ’Superstar’ died when Michael did.
Do you think there are potential superstars on the rise? If so who? and What do you think it takes to be a superstar? Can it be done again?
