Some of my earliest memories of listening to Michael Jackson include his number 1 hit 'Beat It'. I can remember that when I was younger, Michael Jackson’s 'Beat It' was one of his first songs that I ever listened to. Between the driving rock guitar, the soaring vocals, and the overall story that the song delivers, the song has easily become one of my favorite Michael Jackson tracks to this day. Releasing in 1982 as one of numerous number one hits from Michael Jackson’s album Thriller (Amisu, 2016), 'Beat It' is probably one of Michael Jackson’s most groundbreaking and powerful song/short film combinations of his career. In a huge gamble, Michael Jackson used 'Beat It' to really push the boundaries of the music industry, challenging many …show more content…
Secondly, Michael Jackson collaborated with Eddie Van Halen in order to provide the iconic guitar riffs and solo in the song. In today’s world, to most that would seem like a perfectly acceptable collaboration, but at the time of Thriller's release, the pairing of a white rock icon and a black singer/performer was virtually unheard of (Healy, 2013). Despite the “taboo” aspect of the pairing, it obviously paid off in the end and helped create one of Michael’s most recognizable and iconic songs of his …show more content…
‘Beat It’ depicts a rivalry between two opposing gangs, similar to the real-life Crips and Bloods. Tensions between the gangs are shown to be coming to a peak in the short film, and the two gangs decide to face off in what can only be anticipated as a bloodbath. Michael Jackson in the short film plays the protagonist and the narrator, trying to stop the impending massacre. However, Michael always seems to be one step behind the gangs, and they eventually do meet face to face and stage their own sort of duel between what is assumed to be the two leaders. However, just as the fighting starts, Michael arrives on the scene just in time and is able to unify the two gangs in what would become an iconic dance routine, showing the power of music and dance and their unifying effects. Michael used multiple avenues in order to help make the short film feel more realistic, the most notable being hiring actual members of both the Crips and the Bloods to perform in the video. Of course, this decision did lead to its fair share of scuffles on set, but Michael was usually able to quickly defuse the situations and get everybody back on track (Healy, 2013). Another technique that Michael used to make the short film feel more realistic and relatable was using everyday locations for different scenes of the video. Locations such as a
The movie Gangs of New York takes place in Lower Manhattan’s Five Points’ neighborhood. It begins in 1846. The main protagonist Amsterdam Fallon, Priest Fallon’s son, watches his father who is the leader of the Dead Rabbit gang prepare and die in battle. As his father is on his last breadths of life giving his son counsel, Billy “the Butcher” Cutting snaps the Priest Fallon’s head. Amsterdam runs away from Cuttings henchmen to hide his father’s knife before he is captured by the Natives gang. He is taken to Hellgate orphanage. In 1862 Amsterdam returns to Five Point’s neighborhood and finds his old friend Johnny Sirocco. Johnny works now for Billy “the Butcher” and introduces Amsterdam to Cutting. Amsterdam makes his way into Cutting’s inner circle of Natives. Amsterdam also meets Jenny Everdeane while hanging out with Johnny. She bumps into Johnny to pickpocket his watch. Amsterdam notices and lets Johnny know. Johnny claims he always lets her take things. As both Cutting and Jenny take a liking to Amsterdam Johnny becomes jealous. He notices young Vallon quickly making his way into Cutting’s gang’s high ranks and into Jenny’s heart. Out of jealousy, Johnny reveals Amsterdam’s true identity to Cutting. Cutting decides to make Vallon angry. He succeeds by playing a dangerous game that involves knives with Jenny at the annual celebration of Priests Vallon’s death. Amsterdam then attempts to assassinate Cutting but fails and is taught a lesson by Cutting. Amsterdam lives at the help of Jenny. To avenge his father he starts the outlawed Dead Rabbit gang up again. He proposes a challenge to Cutting after his friend “Monk” McGinn is killed by Cutting. The fight takes place at Five Points’ neighborhood on the day the ...
The late Michael Joseph Jackson was a 20th-century African-American singer and songwriter who transformed the face of pop music and popular culture throughout his lifetime (Michael Joseph Jackson ). Debuted in the professional music world in 1968 at the age of 10 as a member of The Jackson 5, Jackson’s rise to fame had been largely influenced by his invaluable contributions to the music, dance and fashion industries (Michael Joseph Jackson). Hailed as the ‘King of Pop’, his solo album “Thriller” remains “the best-selling album of all time”, with global sales of “over 51 million copies to date since 1982” (Guinness World Records ). Michael Jackson’s one-of-a-kind songs have also earned him over 700 awards, including 13 Grammy Awards as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (Michael Jackson; Grammy). However, his music recognition goes beyond what his cupboard-full of awards could ever represent. In this paper, I propose that Michael Jackson’s songs have touched and changed many lives through his constant fight for racial fairness. In particular, I argue that Michael Jackson used his music career as an outlet to break down racial barriers in the American music industry, to express his disappointment towards racial discrimination, to demonstrate his support for racial equality, to advocate that the color of our skin does not differ us from one another, as well as to show and guide others that change has to begin within oneself before impacting the world . Although certain parties would point out that Jackson used derogatory r...
Americans and fans around the world had so many questions about him as a person as well as his sexuality and his childlike personality. Was he straight? Was he gay? Did he not know? What kind of thoughts drive an individual to appear in such a flamboyant and unique fashion. From the numerous plastic surgeries done to his face, to the endangerment of his child as he held out his son over a balcony of fans and paparazzi, he then made a comment on a british tv documentary called, Living with Michael Jackson, where he said “Why can’t you share your bed? It’s the most loving thing to share your bed with someone”, When asked a question about his close relationship with young
Gangs of New York is a war-packed film directed by Martin Scorsese that takes place in New York during the Civil War. This 2002 film is about a young Irish immigrant, named Amsterdam, who returns to the Five Points to get revenge on William Cutting, a powerful gang leader who murdered his father. One scene that really sticks out within the film occurs during the draft riots that took place in New York. Although this particular scene is historically accurate, there are some parts of the scene itself that seem to have a bigger impact overall. The parts that create this impact show how important this dark period was and how violently this event played out in the real world.
Madonna stated “My God, he was so unique, so original, so rare. And there will never be anyone like him again.” And Whitney Houston hailed him as the greatest entertainer. He had a lot of influence on artist like Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and many more entertainers. His impact on them shaped the music we listen on a radio today and without him the fashion, music videos, and dances would be different. Beyoncé is popular today because of Michael Jackson. She stated “Michael taught me that sometimes you have to forget technique, forget what you have on. If you feel silly, you have to go from the gut just let it go. Michael Jackson changed me, and helped me to become the artist I am thank you Michael.” This is not the only artist he had an impact
The word ‘beat’ in itself carries the underlying tone of abuse and violence that goes beyond the typical meaning of keeping time to the dance. Looking into the line itself, this could mean that the boy had been suffering from this abuse for some time. The abuse made the days seem to stretch, and a day could feel like a week, and a week a month. The next line, “With a palm caked hard by dirt” (Roethke line 14) could have indicated that his father was a manual field worker, a job with long hours and little pay that could easily lead to things like frustration and depression which could be easily diverted to a scapegoat, in this case his son, with a bit of impaired judgement that is brought along with alchohol. Perhaps in his mind, his son was guilty of costing him money, living as a dependent in need of food and clothing. The father then “waltzed me off to bed/ still clinging to your shirt.”(Roethke line 15 / 16). Meaning that after the beating, the narrator followed the father and went to bed without any complaints; still dreaming of the days when his father was still kind and sober, ‘clinging’ onto the hope that they one day will
The proof was everywhere, people would consider you lucky to have even been able to actual see him perform in person. If not, the second best would of to be his amazing music videos. Going out of the normal setup of having a music video around five minutes of a fifteen minute video. He gives people a story along with the song. The “Thriller” is one of his most viewed music videos and top song hit. It included everything from his from his signature red leather jacket to his catchy choreography moves and high pitched shrieks. Making it easier to understand how the Thriller was able to be a best seller. This change the music videos a lot, just looking at some of the most recent with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” and Taylor Swift “Bad Blood”. They both had this that could be tied back to Michael Jackson with the storyline, the vocals, choreography, and
Introduction: Perhaps no one has received this title in history “the king of pop”, now a days many artist’s have arisen and have performed but not as the king of pop known worldwide and in history, has dominated the world of pop as Michael Jackson.
Imagine being at a concert shouting lyrics at the top of your lungs along beside hundreds of others who enjoy the same kind of taste of music as you do. The power of music connects people from all over the world. When it comes to music, people often express their views, opinions and their feelings. As of today, the combine genre Hip Hop/ R&B has taken over and is now the most popular genre. It became well known that it has entered in today’s fashion and the way we speak. Hip Hop is a form of art that can be express through rap songs, breakdancing, and graffiti art. It is a cultural movement that started in South Bronx, New York in the early 1970s in a home of DJ Kool Herc and the movement later spread across the entire borough.
Studies regarding the Beat Generation have pulsated over the years since the movement itself was at its peak, but what has endured throughout the fifty years since their emergence is Beat literature’s popularity with the general public. To further add to the Beat’s influence, their literature has also had a tremendous impact on the American literary canon. During the past two decades, primary source materials of the Beat movement continue to be published. Major film adaptations are also being produced from some of their most influential works and their personal lives. The Beat Generation’s literature has been looked at through many different perspectives ranging from anthropological to sociological. Some have analyzed that the Beat’s—particularly Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs—were racist in their depictions of African Americans, but little research has been done regarding their depictions towards Latinos/as. The review of literature has shown that few to none have looked at the Beat’s racism toward Latinos/as and their culture despite the fact that they spent a significant amount of time in Mexico.
The song that I choose to do this assignment on is Fight the Power by Public Enemy. Fight the Power was written in 1989 and quickly became a street anthem for millions of youths. It reflects with issues dealing with both the Civil Rights Movement and to remind everyone that they too have Constitutional Rights. This particular song is about empowerment but also fighting the abuse of power that is given to the law enforcement agencies. It gave citizens of the U.S a more modern outlook on the many struggles that not only the African American community is up against but the other minority groups as well. The song’s message was eventually supposed to bring people together and make the world a better place, even though some teens saw it as a way
“The Godfather of Soul”, better known as James Brown grew to be one of the most influential artists in Michael Jackson’s life. As a child Michael Jackson was intrigued by Brown’s flamboyant performances on stage and would soon begin to implement them into his own stage acts. By the age of five Michael Jackson was already sealed into a world of show business by his father, Joseph Jackson. Deprived of a childhood at a very young age, Michael and his siblings began a family-musical group called “The Jackson 5.” They began playing the soul hits they listened to on the radio all across the country. The band toured the Midwest extensively from 1966 to 1968, frequently performing at clubs and bars. In 1966, they won a major local talent show with renditions of Motown hits and a cover of “I Feel Good (I Got You)” by James Brown. It wasn’t until July 23, 1968 where they received major recognition by Motown owner, Berry Gordy. Gordy was reluctant to sign the “Jackson 5” but after their audition performance of the song “I Got the Feelin”, by James Brown, he changed his mind. In March 1969, “The Jackson 5”, were officially signed into Motown records. This marked a historical point in Michael Jackson’s life where his musical influences from James Brown would be noticed. Song’s from Michael Jackson that s...
There are several questions regarding Michael Jackson’s personal motivations and choices that can be addressed. Four questions (there are several questions regarding michaels personal motivations and choices in an attempt to explain why he displayed certain) will be addressed in the following section in an attempt to explain why displayed certain personality traits and tendencies. One of the most compelling facts about Micheal Jackson was his stellar career. He was driven to always perform the best he could so one obvious question is: Why was it so important for Michael to perfect his musical talent and career more than any other aspect of his life? Perhaps Michael’s turbulent relationship with his father and insecurities about his changing body during puberty contributed to his need to be superior in his career. According ...
...The beat generation defined what it meant to be a counter culture. This was their greatest influence on ensuing generations. 200 years from now when we are no longer interested in that day's culture, the generations will still turn to many of the experiences pioneered by the beat generation.
The label “Beat Generation” was first publicized in a 1952 New York Times Magazine article entitled, “This is the Beat Generation.” In this article, author John Clellen Holmes states that “beat” means “More than mere weariness,” involving “a sort of nakedness of mind, and, ultimately, of soul; a feeling of being reduced to the bedrock of consciousness.” (Holmes) These feelings became the inspiration for the Beat writers and from them sprang ideas that permeated throughout society. Major interests among the Beats were freedom, self-expression, and a rejection of mainstream ideologies (such as those governing drugs, sex, and spirituality). (Scheibach 213)