This is the Part 1 of the interview, cause it's very long... I hope wewe like it! <3
On October 26, 2001 Michael took part in an online audio chat, answering fans' maswali via the telephone through moderator Anthony DeCurtis. The interview was sponsored kwa GetMusic.com and RollingStone.com and has been archived online at GetMusic.com.
The text transcript of the interview is below.
Anthony: Hello Ladies and Gentleman, this is Anthony DeCurtis. You're on Getmusic.com and we're here tonight for a very special event. The King of Pop, one of the greatest artists in the history of maarufu music, Michael Jackson, is going to be joining us. He has a new record coming out on Oct. 30, it's called Invisible [interviewer's error]. wewe can check it out at Michaeljackson.com, wewe can preorder it at getmusic.com.
Anthony: Michael, it's a pleasure to talk to wewe man.
Michael: Pleasure to talk with you.
Anthony: Tell us a little bit about the new album. It's your first new record in 6 years. Uh, do wewe still get exited when wewe have something come out? Obviously you've accomplished so much over the years. wewe know, do wewe still feel that, like, "Wow, I wonder what people are gonna think" or, wewe know, feel all of that kind of anticipation?
Michael: I kinda parallel it to a, uh, wewe know... It's like the gestation process of, uh, birth. wewe know, it's a... wewe know, it's like having children, and having to raise them and bring them out into the world, and once they get into the world they're on their own. So, it's, it's, very exciting. I mean, wewe never get too used to it, ever. It's, uh, an incredible process. But wewe leave it in the hands of God, like wewe do when you're having a child.
Anthony: Absolutely. We've got maswali already beginning to pour in from your mashabiki on the Internet. We've got Electric Eyes, male, uandishi in. Says, "Michael, wewe are, in my mind, the greatest artist of all time. The true King of pop, rock, and soul." And he wants to know, "What is your inayopendelewa song on the new album?"
Michael: My inayopendelewa song on the new album. Can I pick two?
Anthony: Uh, yeah, I think wewe can do that. wewe can pretty much do whatever wewe like.
Michael: Uh, it would probably be Unbreakable... I'll pick three. Unbreakable, Speechless, and The Lost Children.
Anthony: Tell us about a couple of those tracks. wewe know, what was it like work... I mean, were there special guests, au were wewe working with new producers, au how wewe wrote them. wewe know, something that gives us some flavor.
Michael: Well, the songwriting process is something very difficult to explain because it's very spiritual. It's, uh...You really have it in the hands of God, and it's as if its been written already - that's the real truth. As if its been written in its entirety before were born and you're just really the chanzo through which the songs come. Really. Because there is...they just fall right into your lap in it's entirety. wewe don't have to do much thinking about it. And I feel guilty having to put my name, sometimes, on the songs that I - I do write them - I tunga them, I write them, I do the scoring, I do the lyrics, I do the melodies but still, it's a...it's a work of God.
Anthony: Samantha from Canada just sent us in a question. She would like to know, "How would wewe describe the sound on Invincible and have wewe incorporated any other genres into the album?"
Michael: Well, the sound is...sonically, we always try to make sure we have, wewe know, pristine, detailed, uh, wewe know, the best sound, the best engineers, the best technicians available. And of course, I tried to make the album a potpourri of just wonderful melodies of any style. Because I don't believe in stylizing au branding any type of music. I think a great artist should be able to just create any style, any form, any...any thing from rock to pop to folk to gospel to spiritual to just, just wonderful muziki where every, uh, anybody can sing it, from the Irish farmer to a lady who Scrubs toilets in Harlem. If wewe can whistle it and hum it, that's the most important thing.
Anthony: Now, when you're working do wewe find, are wewe in a mode where wewe like to listen to a lot of other music, au you're listening to the radio and maybe picking up people's CDs. au when you're working do wewe like to just kinda shut it all out and concentrate, wewe know, intently on what you're doing?
Michael: I pretty much... I always know what's going on, on the radio and in clubs, that people are listening to. Even though people think I live at Neverland -- mentally I'm in Never Never land all the time -- I'm always connected. I always know what's going on in the muziki world, all the time. Not just in America but Internationally. wewe know, all over the world. And uh, when I'm working though, I don't... I'm not in... I don't think I'm influenced kwa a lot of the muziki today. Uh, I pretty much create what I think is in my heart. Very original. I try to be as original as possible. I don't say, 'OK, I'm gonna make this a great R&B song, a great pop... I just want to make a great song.
Anthony: Like the song takes it's own form.
Michael: Yeah. Yes.
Anthony: Well, uh, Amber here on the Internet offers wewe lots of upendo and wonders if, um, it was fun for wewe to make the rock... the wewe Rock My World video.
Michael: Yes, that was a lot of fun. Uh, it was... We stayed up all night, which was very hard [giggling]. We, uh, it was fun hearing it blasted on the set on really good speakers. That's one of my inayopendelewa things, hearing the muziki really loud. 'Cause I like to play muziki loud. I mean, it's, uh... If wewe play something over the Internet au small speakers, it doesn't have the same punch. That's why wewe have to buy it. wewe have to buy that CD to really hear that punch. It makes a huge difference. Huge difference. There's no comparison. Buying the CD is the best thing. There's no comparison. [Interruption from host]... wewe can't hear all those sounds if wewe do it on a smaller system.
Anthony: And when you're, uh... So when you're out on the video set, uh, you're able to just kinda crank it up as loud as wewe want?
Michael: As loud as I want.
Anthony: Very good [laughing]. Well, we have Michael Mathew from Canada. He says, "I just saw Ghosts on MTV. As always, wewe are awesome, Michael. Do wewe have any plans of releasing it as a DVD in America?"
Michael: Yes, it will be released as a DVD in America in it's entirety, and some of the making of Ghosts. And that was one of my most inayopendelewa things I've ever done because it's been a dream of mine for a long time to do something like, wewe know, scary but comical at the same time, and, uh, it's all the elements, just fun. 'Cause I don't want to scare people to the point where they're afraid to go to sleep. I want it to have a little twist of humor. And within the laugher there is a tear, wewe know? It's fun, wewe know. These ghosts, they weren't really scary, they were fun. They walked up the ceilings. Little kids were laughing at them. They were fun. wewe know, we don't want to horrify them. But we gave this fat man, this Mayor, his justice, for coming into my house, which was private property, judging me. wewe know.
Anthony: Absolutely. We have Cloudlee2000 who writes in and wonders, "Why did wewe name the album Invincible?"
Michael: Well, invincible is something of... I think it's a proper name. It's one of the cuts on the album and I've been an artist.. uh, not to pat myself on the back but the guinness Book of World Records just listed me, uh, another time, as the artist who's had the longest stretch career 'cause since I was a little, little kid to this point with still hit records from number one records, and uh, I'm so proud and honored that I've been chosen from the Heavens, au whatever it is, to be Invincible, and to just continue to grow and to be, wewe know... serve the people. It serves the people with wonderful entertainment.
Anthony: Now, one of the, wewe know, the kind of conventional wisdom in the muziki industry is, wewe know, audiences don't really have an attention span any more, wewe know. If an artist stays away for too long the audience wanders off and goes somewhere else. Was that a concern of yours with coming out with a record and taking a while to work on Invincible au do you, uh, are wewe convinced your shabiki base is still there and will be as strong as ever?
Michael: I'm, I'm ... No, the answer to your swali is that has never concerned me once and I've never thought of it. Because I've always known if muziki is truly great au if a movie is truly great, people want to see it au hear it. No matter where you, how long you've been away, au whatever the situation is. wewe know, greatness is greatness and if wewe really do a great job on what you're doing, people want to hear it. au they want to see it. wewe know, it doesn't matter, It really doesn't. Long as you're an innovator and a pioneer, wewe know. And that's the most important thing. Give them what they want to hear.
Anthony: Now Slimslady420US sends in a swali and wonders "which song on the Invincible album do wewe think wewe personally relate to the most?"
Michael: Ummm, Unbreakable.
Anthony: Talk a bit about that track. Now wewe mentioned it a couple of times, I'm getting really curious about it. Could you... What could wewe tell us about it?
Michael: 'Cause, uh, I' m one of the few people, probably in onyesha business, that have been through the ins and outs, wewe know, of so many different things. Um, I've been through hell and back. I have, to be honest, and uh, and still I'm able to do what I do and nothing can stop me. No one can stop me, no matter what. I stop when I'm ready to stop. wewe know, and uh, I'm just saying, wewe know, I will continue to songesha mbele no matter what.
Anthony: Now we have Warful writes in, "Are wewe working au planning to do any zaidi short films for Invincible, specifically for the really fast tracks such as 2000 Watts, Heartbreaker, Unbreakable, and Invincible?"
Michael: Absolutely, and she said... Whoever alisema that alisema the right word when they alisema alisema "short films." And uh, that's what we try to make them, short films: a beginning and middle and a ending of a story. Uh, to take the medium to a new level but absolutely. There's like a an array of, an encyclopedia of just great short films to make from the album. It's very exciting. I can't wait to do Threatened. It's a kind of scary one with Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone. I can't wait to get my hands on that one.
Anthony: We have a swali here from Nepolian3, says his name is George really, and it says, "Michael, I think this is your most cohesive and impressive album since Thriller. Or, really, Off The Wall. What are some of your most memorable moments while recording the tracks for this album?"
Michael: Most memorable moments were, it was... of all my albums I would say this one was the toughest. 'Cause I was hardest on myself. Uh, I wrote so many songs, I don't want to say the number, just to get to uh, how many are on there, 16? Just to get to the 16 that I think are acceptable. And, um, it's the album where... I didn't have children before other albums, so I caught a lot of colds; I was sick a lot. Cause my children got [interruption from host]. So we had to stop and start again and stop and start and... constantly. But I enjoyed it very, very much.
Anthony: Now, when wewe describe yourself as being tough on yourself during the recording process. How does that, wewe know... what is the process that wewe go to. If wewe think something isn't quite what it ought to be au maybe wewe could do better au wewe know, maybe wewe want to songesha something in a new direction. wewe know, what is that like?
Michael: If I truly told you, I don't know if the mashabiki would like me anymore [giggles]. I've had musicians who really get angry with me because I'll make them do something literally several hundred to a thousand times till it's what I want it to be. Um, but then afterwards, they call me back on the phone and they'll apologize and say, "you were absolutely right. I've never played better, I've done better work, I out-did myself," is what they'll say. And I say, "That's the way it should be because you've immortalized yourself. This is here forever. It's a time capsule." It's like Michelangelo's work. wewe know, it's like the Sistine Chapel, it's here forever. Everything we do should be that way, wewe know?
Anthony: To try to bring it to the best possible standard that it can be.
Michael: Absolutely.
Anthony: Now Sweetpea4286 wonders, "Are there any surprises on the new album?"
Michael: Any surprises? Boy. I think it is what it is, and wewe can interpret it the way wewe want to interpret it. Um, but uh, that's all I can say about that. Other than some ... we will be releasing some surprise CD singles at some point -- something like that, yeah. In the future, though. That's coming up.
Anthony: Very good. I wanted to ask you, just as... in performing... and recently you've done a couple of shows, wewe did a couple at Madison Square Garden and wewe did a onyesha at RFK stadium, a benefit concert, and wewe know, obviously, wewe know, you.... live performance has been one of the things that has distinguished wewe throughout your career. You've been offstage for a while. I wonder if wewe could talk a little bit about what it was like to be out there again in front of an audience and, wewe know, getting that opportunity to perform again.
Michael: It was, um, it's hard to explain. It was quite exciting, to feel the audience and to see them and to be accepted so warmly kwa them. Um, it's just an incredible feeling. It really is. They're there to support wewe and to upendo wewe and to hear their inayopendelewa songs and you're just standing there and they're just giving wewe so much adulation and upendo and the sprit is just full of love, it's wonderful. It's very emotional. It, uh, brings me to tears. It's wonderful.
Anthony: I remember in your book wewe describe that like sometime on stage is when wewe feel the most alive, that those are the moments that, wewe know, really are the whole -- kind of the most transporting for you.
Michael: It is. It's being offstage that's difficult for me. Uh, being on stage ... either uandishi muziki au uandishi poetry, and being on stage, and watching cartoons are my inayopendelewa things to do in the entire world. Um, that's what brings me to life. I upendo that. That's what inspires me to do what I do, wewe know?
Anthony: Excellent. We have a swali from someone calling themself The best dancer in the world. Well, we've got wewe on the line, I'm not sure that uh, we might have to contest that a little bit. But anyway, the best dancer in the world wants to know, "Michaeljackson.com alisema that Jay Z will appear with wewe on the new album. Is that true?"
Michael: No, but we are talking about doing something in the future together.
Anthony: Is Jay Z an artist who's worked you've liked, is ah.. as a person, have wewe spent time with him? What's your impression of him?
Michael: I think he's excellent. He has incredible rhythms, counter-rhythms. And he's just one of the newer contemporary artists that the kids really love. He's really, really great.
Anthony: We have a swali here from Sweden. Tony from Sweden writes in and says, "Hi Michael. You're the most amazing artist of all time. I just upendo your music. Do wewe want to tour, and will wewe do a world tour au a European tour?"
Michael: Um, gee, we haven't thought about it much right now, but uh, I don't want to say it's not in the works. Um, we're concentrating on a lot of different things right now. But I can't quite say.
Anthony: Fine. I wanted to ask...
Michael: wewe know what, in the near future I'm sure there'll be something that'll come up. In the near future.
Anthony: People should, ah, keep their eyes open for announcements on that front. We have a swali from Noria, describes him au herself as a 32 mwaka old Spanish fan, uandishi from Los Angeles, would like to know if wewe have any plans to release any of your songs in Invincible in Spanish au any other language besides English.
Michael: Uh, as of now we haven't but that would be a great thing to do. We haven't written that off. We think it's a big market, so that's a great possibility.
Anthony: Especially for someone like your self who has a big International following -- wewe know, for many people, their following is in England au in the US, but your following is very International obviously.
Michael: Thank you.
Anthony: Um, talk a bit... One of the things that was of kind of a little bit of a sensation this mwaka was Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal. I wanted to see if you'd paid attention it, if you... Do wewe enjoy it, au how wewe felt about it.
Michael: I saw it and fell in upendo with it. I loved it. I said, I just gotta have this come out. So, they wanted my permission; I saw it and I approved it and gave it a triple A, and alisema "go right ahead."
Anthony: Fantastic. It must be interesting, as a songwriter, to have other people do your songs and come up with another interpretation. What is that like?
Michael: It's a great compliment. It's a wonderful compliment. It makes wewe feel worthy and that your muziki is reaching all the different generations. wewe know, and all the different, uh... I mean, everybody's out there listening and that makes me very happy.
Anthony: Now we have a swali from Canada. Gary, who is 19, writes in, "What other artists did wewe collaborate with on Invincible?"
Michael: What other artists did I collaborate with on Invincible...
Anthony: Do wewe have any special guests.
Michael: Umm, oh yeah, Carlos Santana. He and I have done, like, a duet. He plays the guitar, gitaa and I sing and it's something that, uh, we've written. And it's really, really a nice song.
Anthony: Now had wewe known him from over time au did wewe meet him recently?
Michael: I've met him before, but we've been talking a lot on the phone recently. After winning his Grammy award he alisema to the press that he would like to meet me and he's ready to work with me. So everybody's been telling me that, and uh, I called him up and he alisema he really would, it would be his dream come true. And he was the nicest man. He's so kind and so spiritual. I found him to be so humble, so I alisema to myself, "We have to make this work."
Anthony: And so wewe wrote a song together?
Michael: Well, there's a song that myself and two other people wrote and he was a part of it, and uh, Whatever Happens.
Anthony: Ok.. We have a swali from Anicia. Says, "Michael are wewe a shabiki of Chris Tucker." Describes him being in your hivi karibuni video.
Michael: I am a huge, huge shabiki Chris Tucker. He makes me laugh so hard. um, I uh, I've seen all of his films, and he's just a funny guy. I like people who can make wewe laugh without using vulgarity, au bad words. For the kids, they're for all different demographics, all the corners of the earth and he's just a funny guy.
Anthony: We have another swali from Canada. Tony, who's 17 from Canada, writes and wonders, "How long does it take wewe to produce a song from the initial conception to the final recording?"
Michael: Well....
Anthony: [laughing] I guess it probably varies from...
Michael: Yeah, it does vary. And for me it's really different than most artists because I'll do a couple of songs, they'll be 5, 6, 7 au 8 au 10 of them; I'll throw them all away and start over. So, that's a difficult swali to ask me.
Anthony: I wonder if... is there a specific song on the album -- say Invincible -- wewe know, how long... when... Do wewe remember getting the first inspiration for that song and then maybe the siku when wewe finally said, "This is it, I've got it exactly the way I want it?"
Michael: On Invincible itself?
Anthony: umhum.
Michael: Ummm, yes. Yes. I remember having the guys go back in and create zaidi innovative... 'Cause we don't... um, this is our thing, we don't, uh, a lot of sounds on the album that aren't sounds from keyboards, uh, that are, wewe know, pretty much programmed into the machines. We go out and make our own sounds. We hit on things, we beat on things, so nobody can duplicate what we do. We make them with our own hands, we find things and we create things. And uh, that's the most important thing, to be a pioneer. To be an innovator.
Anthony: Absoluteluy. Now we have Vernay who writes to us from Newark, Delaware, the good ole USA, and Vernay says, "I'm so pleased with the new album but I was particularly touched kwa Speechless. What was your inspiration for this song?"
Michael: Speechless was inspired to me by, um, I spend a lot of time in the forest. I like to go into the forest and I like to climb trees. My inayopendelewa thing is to climb trees, go all the way up to the juu of a mti and I look down on the branches. Whenever I do that it inspires me for music. There are these two sweet little kids, a girl and a boy, and they're so innocent; they're the quintessential form of innocence, and just being in their presence I felt completely speechless, 'cause I felt I was looking in the face of God whenever I saw them. They inspired me to write Speechless.
Anthony: Well, that answer actually might touch on this inayofuata swali which we have, which wonders, "Where do wewe look for inspiration when wewe write your songs. Does inspiration come from a variety of different places?
Michael: Well, the best songs that are written write themselves. wewe don't ask for them, they just drop into your lap. Then there are those songs that, wewe know, wewe kind of uh, incubate. wewe know, wewe plant the seed, let the subconscious take its course, and within time wewe hope something comes, and most the time it does. I don't believe in the concept of writer's block -- that is a bad word. wewe create it when wewe say it. There's no such thing. Um, like any painter au sculptor, they paint... they do their best work when they're in the 60s and their 70s. Fred Astaire did his best dancing when he was in his 70s. Angelo [Michelangelo] sculpted late into his 60s and 70s, doing brilliant ingenious work. But in the muziki business some of these great artists have become stumped because they self-abuse themselves at a young age, with all these crazy things they drink and pills and things, and uh, that's just not good -- just not a good thing. I hate to say that to hurt anybody, but we should take care of our bodies a little more.
Anthony: Naw, I think a lot of people have realized they've damaged themselves. wewe know, many people have talked about it in hivi karibuni years, wewe know.
Michael: Yeah.
Anthony: We have a swali from Allen here who asks if wewe think that Rodney Jerkins and wewe have created a new sound for 2001.
Michael: For the song 2000 Watts?
Anthony: He says, "Do wewe feel that wewe and Rodney Jerkins, of course the producer, have created a new sound for 2001?"
Michael: 2001? Anthony: Yes
Michael: Oh. Um, that would be a nice thought, yes.
Anthony: What was it like working with him. How did wewe guys meet and, wewe know, how did your collaboration go?
Michael: He was this guy who went around Hollywood and around the industry saying his dream was to work with me to everybody. Then at Carol Bayer Sager's house, who's this great song writer; won several academy awards for her songwriting, said, "There's a guy I used to work with. His name is Rodney Jerkins, he's been crying to me begging to meet you. I mean, why don't wewe pick up the phone and say 'hi' to him." And he came over that siku and he said, "Please, my dream is to work with you. Will wewe give me two weeks and I'll see what I can come up with." And uh, we ended up working together.
Anthony: And what were your impressions of him, like as just somebody... What did he bring; what did wewe feel that his contribution was?
Michael: His contribution was he loves to create in the same kind of way that I like to create. But I pushed Rodney. And pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed him to create... uh, to innovate more. To pioneer more. He's a real musician. He's a real musician and he's very dedicated and he's real loyal. He has perseverance. I don't think I've seen perseverance like his in anyone. Because wewe can push him and push him and he doesn't get angry. Yeah, I think he's a great guy, he really is.
Anthony: That is a great compliment.
Michael: And um, and Teddy Riely is just incredible. He's innovative too. I upendo working with him.
Anthony: And wewe had worked with him in the past, of course.
Michael: Yeah, he's one of my favorite... as a human being, he's one of my inayopendelewa people in the world. He's just a really sweet, kind guy. wewe know. And Rodney's very funny. wewe laugh all siku when you're with him. He turns his muziki up in the studio and he starts dancing around the room. He's fun.
Anthony: We'd like to remind everyone, you're on Getmusic. We're here talking with Michael Jackson, whose new album Invincible is out on Oct. 30th. wewe can check it out at Michaeljackson.com. wewe can preorder it on Getmusic.
Now we have a swali from ItsJackson who is really named Rachel from Connecticut, wonders "Do wewe have any new dance moves that you've invented while wewe were making your album?"
Michael: For the first time working on any album, I put a halt to dancing. Because I was just so engrossed and so infatuated with what I was doing um, I did something that was very unusual. But once the muziki started playing, of course, I started to dance. But um, uh, it's starting to now create itself and, uh, with the muziki playing I'm coming up with some new things. But that's coming in the future with the newer short films. They'll be seeing... they'll be seeing all kinds of innovative things and movements that have never been seen before. We'll go places where we've never gone in dance before. Cause all the hiphop things that are happening now are beginning to look like aerobics, it's kinda getting annoying.
Anthony: [laughs] We have a swali from Simon who, wewe know, you've obviously mentioned wewe know, all the people who have wanted to work with you. He wonders, "Michael who wold wewe upendo to do a duet with, past au present?"
Michael: Uh, if it's past, it'd be somebody like, uh, I would say Sarah Vaughn [*] au Nat King Cole. Present, I think, uh, Whitney Houston is brilliant and Barbara Striesand has a beautiful voice. wewe know, those kinds of artists, they're just wonderful.
Anthony: What's your impression of some of the artists who've come on the scene just in hivi karibuni years, wewe know, people like Britney Speares and Christina Aguilara. wewe know, young pop stars who are obviously hugely popular. wewe know, obviously, Britney participated in your onyesha at the Garden, wewe know, what was your sense about her?
Michael: I think they're a new breed that are coming out. They're doing a very good job. And what impressed me zaidi about any of these artists, like Speares and Christina, they're so determined. I've heard about the way they work. They'll work on a dance step, I mean, like, for months, and, uh.. to get it right, wewe know. Uh, they're just so determined. And I've met... I've met Britney several times and she was very sweet and humble. She came to my room. We quietly talked for couple hours, and she was just, uh, like a Barbie doll. She was very sweet, she was very kind.
Anthony: I imagine that someone like wewe would be a kind of interesting and important resource for her, wewe know. As someone who was a nyota when wewe were so young, and then when... I don't think people necessarily understand what a kind of strange reality that is, wewe know, within all the acclaim and the fame and the excitement, wewe know, to be a kid and have all that attention focused on wewe must be kind of scary also. Did wewe find it that way, uh, in your own experience?
Michael: Yeah, because where ever I go, um, I disguise myself, now -- but now I can't with, 'cause, wewe know, with what's going on in the world -- so I don't wear a disguise. And uh, people they just go... They really go crazy. They're very happy to see you. They feel as if they know you. wewe have to respond back to them like wewe know them. They feel they personally know you. My picture's on their walls, wewe know, my muziki is playing in their house, so they grab wewe and they hug wewe and they touch wewe and they... So I usually respond back with hugs and loves and kisses. Cause I love... I love... I truly upendo my fans. Truly, truly from the heart. That's the real truth. I upendo them. And the ones who are, um.... Like when we go to a certain country and they're outside, and outside they're sleeping on the mitaani, mtaa and I throw them pillows and cover and everything. And I have my security guards buy them pizza so they can all eat, and get the candles and, wewe know, we really take care of them. They're very, very, very sweet and supportive.
Anthony: Sam who is 20 years old and from Texas here in the US wonders, "Will wewe release Butterflies as a single? That's one of your best songs."
Michael: Butterflies is, uh, is a single that's released now. It's a single now. Tell him thank wewe very much.
Anthony: Great. What other plans do wewe have, wewe know, when you... As somebody who's been a kind of innovator in terms of making short films to accompany your songs, do wewe conceptualize all that ahead of time or, wewe know, do wewe decide, on a kinda step kwa step basis, wewe know, this is gonna be the inayofuata single and I want to make a, wewe know, a kind of visual statement to accompany it. wewe know, how does that all proceed?
Michael: All right, the short film itself?
Anthony: Yeah.
Michael: Well, I let the song pretty much speak to me and I get in a room and I pretty much start making notes... wewe know, I'll speak to a writer -- like Stephen King and myself, both of us wrote Ghosts, the short film Ghosts, and we just on the telephone started uandishi it and let it create itself and go where it wants to go. But we try to do things that are very unusual. And it's... it's not an easy thing to do because wewe have to time it with the song, and wewe can't spend too much time, and the special effects can take 5 months sometimes to execute. So, it's just .. .it's kinda difficult thing and the record company's saying, "Come on, come on, come on, we have to go, we have to go." So, I understand. So we try to do the best we can in the amount of time that we can execute it in.
Anthony: We have a swali now, uh, Helen from Scotland says, "If wewe could only perform one of your songs for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?"
Michael: Ooh, it would probably be... if I could pick zaidi than one, up to two au three?
Anthony: yeah, I think we can go that far.
Michael: Heal The World, Speechless, um, and that's a difficult one... I think, uh.. huh... ummm, wewe Are My Life.
Anthony: So, wewe went for the ones that are the... the kind of, uh, the biggest statements, in a way, it seems to me.
Michael: Yeah, because, uh, the point is that they're very melodic and if they have a great important message that's kinda immortal, that can relate to any time and space, wewe know.
Anthony: One of the things, actually, I wanted to ask wewe is, wewe know, we've had these, wewe know, horrible terrorist attacks here in New York City and in Washington, DC. What is the role that wewe feel, wewe know, artists can play in the wake of something like that. wewe know, I mean, wewe did that benefits onyesha in Washington. wewe know, is there... In muziki and in... wewe know, can artists do something to help people get through what for many of us has been a very difficult time?
Michael: Yeah, wewe give of yourself. wewe give of your talent, of your ability... The talent that was aliyopewa wewe kwa the Heavens. That's why we're here, to bring a sense of escapism in time of need. And, uh, if you're a painter wewe paint; if you're a sculptor, wewe sculpt; if you're a writer, wewe write; if you're a songwriter, wewe give songs; if you're a dancer, wewe give dance. wewe give people some upendo and some... some bliss and some escapism, and to onyesha that wewe truly care from the heart, and be there for them. Not just from a distance, but onyesha wewe really care. wewe know, take the long mile and be there for them. And that's what I did, and many others who cared and helped. And it's an important thing.
Anthony: We have a swali now from Chili Boy who wonders, "I've always wanted to know, how do wewe come up with a dance move, and how long does it take for wewe to put the choreography for a song together?"
Michael: I pretty much just get in a room and I start to dance, and uh, I don't create the dance, the dance creates itself, really. wewe know, I'll do something and I'll look back... I'll look back on tape and I'll go, "Wow," I didn't realize I had done that. It came out of the drums. wewe become.... Dancing is about interpretation. wewe become.... wewe become the accompaniment of the music. So when wewe become the bass, besi of Billie Jean, I couldn't help but do the step that I was doing when the song first starts, because, uh, that's what it told me to do. wewe know, if I turn around, spin, stop, songesha my legs to the side and then lift up the collar, alama of my shirt, that's for that moment is an accompaniment.
Anthony: I remember watching that moment on televisheni and just leaping out of my chair. It's so extraordinary.
Michael: Thank wewe very much.
Anthony: That was really one of the great, great moments.
Michael: It's all spontaneous movement. Nothing in that piece was, on, uh, Billie Jean, was planned but the Moonwalk. Everything else was just, wewe know, improvising, really.
On October 26, 2001 Michael took part in an online audio chat, answering fans' maswali via the telephone through moderator Anthony DeCurtis. The interview was sponsored kwa GetMusic.com and RollingStone.com and has been archived online at GetMusic.com.
The text transcript of the interview is below.
Anthony: Hello Ladies and Gentleman, this is Anthony DeCurtis. You're on Getmusic.com and we're here tonight for a very special event. The King of Pop, one of the greatest artists in the history of maarufu music, Michael Jackson, is going to be joining us. He has a new record coming out on Oct. 30, it's called Invisible [interviewer's error]. wewe can check it out at Michaeljackson.com, wewe can preorder it at getmusic.com.
Anthony: Michael, it's a pleasure to talk to wewe man.
Michael: Pleasure to talk with you.
Anthony: Tell us a little bit about the new album. It's your first new record in 6 years. Uh, do wewe still get exited when wewe have something come out? Obviously you've accomplished so much over the years. wewe know, do wewe still feel that, like, "Wow, I wonder what people are gonna think" or, wewe know, feel all of that kind of anticipation?
Michael: I kinda parallel it to a, uh, wewe know... It's like the gestation process of, uh, birth. wewe know, it's a... wewe know, it's like having children, and having to raise them and bring them out into the world, and once they get into the world they're on their own. So, it's, it's, very exciting. I mean, wewe never get too used to it, ever. It's, uh, an incredible process. But wewe leave it in the hands of God, like wewe do when you're having a child.
Anthony: Absolutely. We've got maswali already beginning to pour in from your mashabiki on the Internet. We've got Electric Eyes, male, uandishi in. Says, "Michael, wewe are, in my mind, the greatest artist of all time. The true King of pop, rock, and soul." And he wants to know, "What is your inayopendelewa song on the new album?"
Michael: My inayopendelewa song on the new album. Can I pick two?
Anthony: Uh, yeah, I think wewe can do that. wewe can pretty much do whatever wewe like.
Michael: Uh, it would probably be Unbreakable... I'll pick three. Unbreakable, Speechless, and The Lost Children.
Anthony: Tell us about a couple of those tracks. wewe know, what was it like work... I mean, were there special guests, au were wewe working with new producers, au how wewe wrote them. wewe know, something that gives us some flavor.
Michael: Well, the songwriting process is something very difficult to explain because it's very spiritual. It's, uh...You really have it in the hands of God, and it's as if its been written already - that's the real truth. As if its been written in its entirety before were born and you're just really the chanzo through which the songs come. Really. Because there is...they just fall right into your lap in it's entirety. wewe don't have to do much thinking about it. And I feel guilty having to put my name, sometimes, on the songs that I - I do write them - I tunga them, I write them, I do the scoring, I do the lyrics, I do the melodies but still, it's a...it's a work of God.
Anthony: Samantha from Canada just sent us in a question. She would like to know, "How would wewe describe the sound on Invincible and have wewe incorporated any other genres into the album?"
Michael: Well, the sound is...sonically, we always try to make sure we have, wewe know, pristine, detailed, uh, wewe know, the best sound, the best engineers, the best technicians available. And of course, I tried to make the album a potpourri of just wonderful melodies of any style. Because I don't believe in stylizing au branding any type of music. I think a great artist should be able to just create any style, any form, any...any thing from rock to pop to folk to gospel to spiritual to just, just wonderful muziki where every, uh, anybody can sing it, from the Irish farmer to a lady who Scrubs toilets in Harlem. If wewe can whistle it and hum it, that's the most important thing.
Anthony: Now, when you're working do wewe find, are wewe in a mode where wewe like to listen to a lot of other music, au you're listening to the radio and maybe picking up people's CDs. au when you're working do wewe like to just kinda shut it all out and concentrate, wewe know, intently on what you're doing?
Michael: I pretty much... I always know what's going on, on the radio and in clubs, that people are listening to. Even though people think I live at Neverland -- mentally I'm in Never Never land all the time -- I'm always connected. I always know what's going on in the muziki world, all the time. Not just in America but Internationally. wewe know, all over the world. And uh, when I'm working though, I don't... I'm not in... I don't think I'm influenced kwa a lot of the muziki today. Uh, I pretty much create what I think is in my heart. Very original. I try to be as original as possible. I don't say, 'OK, I'm gonna make this a great R&B song, a great pop... I just want to make a great song.
Anthony: Like the song takes it's own form.
Michael: Yeah. Yes.
Anthony: Well, uh, Amber here on the Internet offers wewe lots of upendo and wonders if, um, it was fun for wewe to make the rock... the wewe Rock My World video.
Michael: Yes, that was a lot of fun. Uh, it was... We stayed up all night, which was very hard [giggling]. We, uh, it was fun hearing it blasted on the set on really good speakers. That's one of my inayopendelewa things, hearing the muziki really loud. 'Cause I like to play muziki loud. I mean, it's, uh... If wewe play something over the Internet au small speakers, it doesn't have the same punch. That's why wewe have to buy it. wewe have to buy that CD to really hear that punch. It makes a huge difference. Huge difference. There's no comparison. Buying the CD is the best thing. There's no comparison. [Interruption from host]... wewe can't hear all those sounds if wewe do it on a smaller system.
Anthony: And when you're, uh... So when you're out on the video set, uh, you're able to just kinda crank it up as loud as wewe want?
Michael: As loud as I want.
Anthony: Very good [laughing]. Well, we have Michael Mathew from Canada. He says, "I just saw Ghosts on MTV. As always, wewe are awesome, Michael. Do wewe have any plans of releasing it as a DVD in America?"
Michael: Yes, it will be released as a DVD in America in it's entirety, and some of the making of Ghosts. And that was one of my most inayopendelewa things I've ever done because it's been a dream of mine for a long time to do something like, wewe know, scary but comical at the same time, and, uh, it's all the elements, just fun. 'Cause I don't want to scare people to the point where they're afraid to go to sleep. I want it to have a little twist of humor. And within the laugher there is a tear, wewe know? It's fun, wewe know. These ghosts, they weren't really scary, they were fun. They walked up the ceilings. Little kids were laughing at them. They were fun. wewe know, we don't want to horrify them. But we gave this fat man, this Mayor, his justice, for coming into my house, which was private property, judging me. wewe know.
Anthony: Absolutely. We have Cloudlee2000 who writes in and wonders, "Why did wewe name the album Invincible?"
Michael: Well, invincible is something of... I think it's a proper name. It's one of the cuts on the album and I've been an artist.. uh, not to pat myself on the back but the guinness Book of World Records just listed me, uh, another time, as the artist who's had the longest stretch career 'cause since I was a little, little kid to this point with still hit records from number one records, and uh, I'm so proud and honored that I've been chosen from the Heavens, au whatever it is, to be Invincible, and to just continue to grow and to be, wewe know... serve the people. It serves the people with wonderful entertainment.
Anthony: Now, one of the, wewe know, the kind of conventional wisdom in the muziki industry is, wewe know, audiences don't really have an attention span any more, wewe know. If an artist stays away for too long the audience wanders off and goes somewhere else. Was that a concern of yours with coming out with a record and taking a while to work on Invincible au do you, uh, are wewe convinced your shabiki base is still there and will be as strong as ever?
Michael: I'm, I'm ... No, the answer to your swali is that has never concerned me once and I've never thought of it. Because I've always known if muziki is truly great au if a movie is truly great, people want to see it au hear it. No matter where you, how long you've been away, au whatever the situation is. wewe know, greatness is greatness and if wewe really do a great job on what you're doing, people want to hear it. au they want to see it. wewe know, it doesn't matter, It really doesn't. Long as you're an innovator and a pioneer, wewe know. And that's the most important thing. Give them what they want to hear.
Anthony: Now Slimslady420US sends in a swali and wonders "which song on the Invincible album do wewe think wewe personally relate to the most?"
Michael: Ummm, Unbreakable.
Anthony: Talk a bit about that track. Now wewe mentioned it a couple of times, I'm getting really curious about it. Could you... What could wewe tell us about it?
Michael: 'Cause, uh, I' m one of the few people, probably in onyesha business, that have been through the ins and outs, wewe know, of so many different things. Um, I've been through hell and back. I have, to be honest, and uh, and still I'm able to do what I do and nothing can stop me. No one can stop me, no matter what. I stop when I'm ready to stop. wewe know, and uh, I'm just saying, wewe know, I will continue to songesha mbele no matter what.
Anthony: Now we have Warful writes in, "Are wewe working au planning to do any zaidi short films for Invincible, specifically for the really fast tracks such as 2000 Watts, Heartbreaker, Unbreakable, and Invincible?"
Michael: Absolutely, and she said... Whoever alisema that alisema the right word when they alisema alisema "short films." And uh, that's what we try to make them, short films: a beginning and middle and a ending of a story. Uh, to take the medium to a new level but absolutely. There's like a an array of, an encyclopedia of just great short films to make from the album. It's very exciting. I can't wait to do Threatened. It's a kind of scary one with Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone. I can't wait to get my hands on that one.
Anthony: We have a swali here from Nepolian3, says his name is George really, and it says, "Michael, I think this is your most cohesive and impressive album since Thriller. Or, really, Off The Wall. What are some of your most memorable moments while recording the tracks for this album?"
Michael: Most memorable moments were, it was... of all my albums I would say this one was the toughest. 'Cause I was hardest on myself. Uh, I wrote so many songs, I don't want to say the number, just to get to uh, how many are on there, 16? Just to get to the 16 that I think are acceptable. And, um, it's the album where... I didn't have children before other albums, so I caught a lot of colds; I was sick a lot. Cause my children got [interruption from host]. So we had to stop and start again and stop and start and... constantly. But I enjoyed it very, very much.
Anthony: Now, when wewe describe yourself as being tough on yourself during the recording process. How does that, wewe know... what is the process that wewe go to. If wewe think something isn't quite what it ought to be au maybe wewe could do better au wewe know, maybe wewe want to songesha something in a new direction. wewe know, what is that like?
Michael: If I truly told you, I don't know if the mashabiki would like me anymore [giggles]. I've had musicians who really get angry with me because I'll make them do something literally several hundred to a thousand times till it's what I want it to be. Um, but then afterwards, they call me back on the phone and they'll apologize and say, "you were absolutely right. I've never played better, I've done better work, I out-did myself," is what they'll say. And I say, "That's the way it should be because you've immortalized yourself. This is here forever. It's a time capsule." It's like Michelangelo's work. wewe know, it's like the Sistine Chapel, it's here forever. Everything we do should be that way, wewe know?
Anthony: To try to bring it to the best possible standard that it can be.
Michael: Absolutely.
Anthony: Now Sweetpea4286 wonders, "Are there any surprises on the new album?"
Michael: Any surprises? Boy. I think it is what it is, and wewe can interpret it the way wewe want to interpret it. Um, but uh, that's all I can say about that. Other than some ... we will be releasing some surprise CD singles at some point -- something like that, yeah. In the future, though. That's coming up.
Anthony: Very good. I wanted to ask you, just as... in performing... and recently you've done a couple of shows, wewe did a couple at Madison Square Garden and wewe did a onyesha at RFK stadium, a benefit concert, and wewe know, obviously, wewe know, you.... live performance has been one of the things that has distinguished wewe throughout your career. You've been offstage for a while. I wonder if wewe could talk a little bit about what it was like to be out there again in front of an audience and, wewe know, getting that opportunity to perform again.
Michael: It was, um, it's hard to explain. It was quite exciting, to feel the audience and to see them and to be accepted so warmly kwa them. Um, it's just an incredible feeling. It really is. They're there to support wewe and to upendo wewe and to hear their inayopendelewa songs and you're just standing there and they're just giving wewe so much adulation and upendo and the sprit is just full of love, it's wonderful. It's very emotional. It, uh, brings me to tears. It's wonderful.
Anthony: I remember in your book wewe describe that like sometime on stage is when wewe feel the most alive, that those are the moments that, wewe know, really are the whole -- kind of the most transporting for you.
Michael: It is. It's being offstage that's difficult for me. Uh, being on stage ... either uandishi muziki au uandishi poetry, and being on stage, and watching cartoons are my inayopendelewa things to do in the entire world. Um, that's what brings me to life. I upendo that. That's what inspires me to do what I do, wewe know?
Anthony: Excellent. We have a swali from someone calling themself The best dancer in the world. Well, we've got wewe on the line, I'm not sure that uh, we might have to contest that a little bit. But anyway, the best dancer in the world wants to know, "Michaeljackson.com alisema that Jay Z will appear with wewe on the new album. Is that true?"
Michael: No, but we are talking about doing something in the future together.
Anthony: Is Jay Z an artist who's worked you've liked, is ah.. as a person, have wewe spent time with him? What's your impression of him?
Michael: I think he's excellent. He has incredible rhythms, counter-rhythms. And he's just one of the newer contemporary artists that the kids really love. He's really, really great.
Anthony: We have a swali here from Sweden. Tony from Sweden writes in and says, "Hi Michael. You're the most amazing artist of all time. I just upendo your music. Do wewe want to tour, and will wewe do a world tour au a European tour?"
Michael: Um, gee, we haven't thought about it much right now, but uh, I don't want to say it's not in the works. Um, we're concentrating on a lot of different things right now. But I can't quite say.
Anthony: Fine. I wanted to ask...
Michael: wewe know what, in the near future I'm sure there'll be something that'll come up. In the near future.
Anthony: People should, ah, keep their eyes open for announcements on that front. We have a swali from Noria, describes him au herself as a 32 mwaka old Spanish fan, uandishi from Los Angeles, would like to know if wewe have any plans to release any of your songs in Invincible in Spanish au any other language besides English.
Michael: Uh, as of now we haven't but that would be a great thing to do. We haven't written that off. We think it's a big market, so that's a great possibility.
Anthony: Especially for someone like your self who has a big International following -- wewe know, for many people, their following is in England au in the US, but your following is very International obviously.
Michael: Thank you.
Anthony: Um, talk a bit... One of the things that was of kind of a little bit of a sensation this mwaka was Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal. I wanted to see if you'd paid attention it, if you... Do wewe enjoy it, au how wewe felt about it.
Michael: I saw it and fell in upendo with it. I loved it. I said, I just gotta have this come out. So, they wanted my permission; I saw it and I approved it and gave it a triple A, and alisema "go right ahead."
Anthony: Fantastic. It must be interesting, as a songwriter, to have other people do your songs and come up with another interpretation. What is that like?
Michael: It's a great compliment. It's a wonderful compliment. It makes wewe feel worthy and that your muziki is reaching all the different generations. wewe know, and all the different, uh... I mean, everybody's out there listening and that makes me very happy.
Anthony: Now we have a swali from Canada. Gary, who is 19, writes in, "What other artists did wewe collaborate with on Invincible?"
Michael: What other artists did I collaborate with on Invincible...
Anthony: Do wewe have any special guests.
Michael: Umm, oh yeah, Carlos Santana. He and I have done, like, a duet. He plays the guitar, gitaa and I sing and it's something that, uh, we've written. And it's really, really a nice song.
Anthony: Now had wewe known him from over time au did wewe meet him recently?
Michael: I've met him before, but we've been talking a lot on the phone recently. After winning his Grammy award he alisema to the press that he would like to meet me and he's ready to work with me. So everybody's been telling me that, and uh, I called him up and he alisema he really would, it would be his dream come true. And he was the nicest man. He's so kind and so spiritual. I found him to be so humble, so I alisema to myself, "We have to make this work."
Anthony: And so wewe wrote a song together?
Michael: Well, there's a song that myself and two other people wrote and he was a part of it, and uh, Whatever Happens.
Anthony: Ok.. We have a swali from Anicia. Says, "Michael are wewe a shabiki of Chris Tucker." Describes him being in your hivi karibuni video.
Michael: I am a huge, huge shabiki Chris Tucker. He makes me laugh so hard. um, I uh, I've seen all of his films, and he's just a funny guy. I like people who can make wewe laugh without using vulgarity, au bad words. For the kids, they're for all different demographics, all the corners of the earth and he's just a funny guy.
Anthony: We have another swali from Canada. Tony, who's 17 from Canada, writes and wonders, "How long does it take wewe to produce a song from the initial conception to the final recording?"
Michael: Well....
Anthony: [laughing] I guess it probably varies from...
Michael: Yeah, it does vary. And for me it's really different than most artists because I'll do a couple of songs, they'll be 5, 6, 7 au 8 au 10 of them; I'll throw them all away and start over. So, that's a difficult swali to ask me.
Anthony: I wonder if... is there a specific song on the album -- say Invincible -- wewe know, how long... when... Do wewe remember getting the first inspiration for that song and then maybe the siku when wewe finally said, "This is it, I've got it exactly the way I want it?"
Michael: On Invincible itself?
Anthony: umhum.
Michael: Ummm, yes. Yes. I remember having the guys go back in and create zaidi innovative... 'Cause we don't... um, this is our thing, we don't, uh, a lot of sounds on the album that aren't sounds from keyboards, uh, that are, wewe know, pretty much programmed into the machines. We go out and make our own sounds. We hit on things, we beat on things, so nobody can duplicate what we do. We make them with our own hands, we find things and we create things. And uh, that's the most important thing, to be a pioneer. To be an innovator.
Anthony: Absoluteluy. Now we have Vernay who writes to us from Newark, Delaware, the good ole USA, and Vernay says, "I'm so pleased with the new album but I was particularly touched kwa Speechless. What was your inspiration for this song?"
Michael: Speechless was inspired to me by, um, I spend a lot of time in the forest. I like to go into the forest and I like to climb trees. My inayopendelewa thing is to climb trees, go all the way up to the juu of a mti and I look down on the branches. Whenever I do that it inspires me for music. There are these two sweet little kids, a girl and a boy, and they're so innocent; they're the quintessential form of innocence, and just being in their presence I felt completely speechless, 'cause I felt I was looking in the face of God whenever I saw them. They inspired me to write Speechless.
Anthony: Well, that answer actually might touch on this inayofuata swali which we have, which wonders, "Where do wewe look for inspiration when wewe write your songs. Does inspiration come from a variety of different places?
Michael: Well, the best songs that are written write themselves. wewe don't ask for them, they just drop into your lap. Then there are those songs that, wewe know, wewe kind of uh, incubate. wewe know, wewe plant the seed, let the subconscious take its course, and within time wewe hope something comes, and most the time it does. I don't believe in the concept of writer's block -- that is a bad word. wewe create it when wewe say it. There's no such thing. Um, like any painter au sculptor, they paint... they do their best work when they're in the 60s and their 70s. Fred Astaire did his best dancing when he was in his 70s. Angelo [Michelangelo] sculpted late into his 60s and 70s, doing brilliant ingenious work. But in the muziki business some of these great artists have become stumped because they self-abuse themselves at a young age, with all these crazy things they drink and pills and things, and uh, that's just not good -- just not a good thing. I hate to say that to hurt anybody, but we should take care of our bodies a little more.
Anthony: Naw, I think a lot of people have realized they've damaged themselves. wewe know, many people have talked about it in hivi karibuni years, wewe know.
Michael: Yeah.
Anthony: We have a swali from Allen here who asks if wewe think that Rodney Jerkins and wewe have created a new sound for 2001.
Michael: For the song 2000 Watts?
Anthony: He says, "Do wewe feel that wewe and Rodney Jerkins, of course the producer, have created a new sound for 2001?"
Michael: 2001? Anthony: Yes
Michael: Oh. Um, that would be a nice thought, yes.
Anthony: What was it like working with him. How did wewe guys meet and, wewe know, how did your collaboration go?
Michael: He was this guy who went around Hollywood and around the industry saying his dream was to work with me to everybody. Then at Carol Bayer Sager's house, who's this great song writer; won several academy awards for her songwriting, said, "There's a guy I used to work with. His name is Rodney Jerkins, he's been crying to me begging to meet you. I mean, why don't wewe pick up the phone and say 'hi' to him." And he came over that siku and he said, "Please, my dream is to work with you. Will wewe give me two weeks and I'll see what I can come up with." And uh, we ended up working together.
Anthony: And what were your impressions of him, like as just somebody... What did he bring; what did wewe feel that his contribution was?
Michael: His contribution was he loves to create in the same kind of way that I like to create. But I pushed Rodney. And pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed him to create... uh, to innovate more. To pioneer more. He's a real musician. He's a real musician and he's very dedicated and he's real loyal. He has perseverance. I don't think I've seen perseverance like his in anyone. Because wewe can push him and push him and he doesn't get angry. Yeah, I think he's a great guy, he really is.
Anthony: That is a great compliment.
Michael: And um, and Teddy Riely is just incredible. He's innovative too. I upendo working with him.
Anthony: And wewe had worked with him in the past, of course.
Michael: Yeah, he's one of my favorite... as a human being, he's one of my inayopendelewa people in the world. He's just a really sweet, kind guy. wewe know. And Rodney's very funny. wewe laugh all siku when you're with him. He turns his muziki up in the studio and he starts dancing around the room. He's fun.
Anthony: We'd like to remind everyone, you're on Getmusic. We're here talking with Michael Jackson, whose new album Invincible is out on Oct. 30th. wewe can check it out at Michaeljackson.com. wewe can preorder it on Getmusic.
Now we have a swali from ItsJackson who is really named Rachel from Connecticut, wonders "Do wewe have any new dance moves that you've invented while wewe were making your album?"
Michael: For the first time working on any album, I put a halt to dancing. Because I was just so engrossed and so infatuated with what I was doing um, I did something that was very unusual. But once the muziki started playing, of course, I started to dance. But um, uh, it's starting to now create itself and, uh, with the muziki playing I'm coming up with some new things. But that's coming in the future with the newer short films. They'll be seeing... they'll be seeing all kinds of innovative things and movements that have never been seen before. We'll go places where we've never gone in dance before. Cause all the hiphop things that are happening now are beginning to look like aerobics, it's kinda getting annoying.
Anthony: [laughs] We have a swali from Simon who, wewe know, you've obviously mentioned wewe know, all the people who have wanted to work with you. He wonders, "Michael who wold wewe upendo to do a duet with, past au present?"
Michael: Uh, if it's past, it'd be somebody like, uh, I would say Sarah Vaughn [*] au Nat King Cole. Present, I think, uh, Whitney Houston is brilliant and Barbara Striesand has a beautiful voice. wewe know, those kinds of artists, they're just wonderful.
Anthony: What's your impression of some of the artists who've come on the scene just in hivi karibuni years, wewe know, people like Britney Speares and Christina Aguilara. wewe know, young pop stars who are obviously hugely popular. wewe know, obviously, Britney participated in your onyesha at the Garden, wewe know, what was your sense about her?
Michael: I think they're a new breed that are coming out. They're doing a very good job. And what impressed me zaidi about any of these artists, like Speares and Christina, they're so determined. I've heard about the way they work. They'll work on a dance step, I mean, like, for months, and, uh.. to get it right, wewe know. Uh, they're just so determined. And I've met... I've met Britney several times and she was very sweet and humble. She came to my room. We quietly talked for couple hours, and she was just, uh, like a Barbie doll. She was very sweet, she was very kind.
Anthony: I imagine that someone like wewe would be a kind of interesting and important resource for her, wewe know. As someone who was a nyota when wewe were so young, and then when... I don't think people necessarily understand what a kind of strange reality that is, wewe know, within all the acclaim and the fame and the excitement, wewe know, to be a kid and have all that attention focused on wewe must be kind of scary also. Did wewe find it that way, uh, in your own experience?
Michael: Yeah, because where ever I go, um, I disguise myself, now -- but now I can't with, 'cause, wewe know, with what's going on in the world -- so I don't wear a disguise. And uh, people they just go... They really go crazy. They're very happy to see you. They feel as if they know you. wewe have to respond back to them like wewe know them. They feel they personally know you. My picture's on their walls, wewe know, my muziki is playing in their house, so they grab wewe and they hug wewe and they touch wewe and they... So I usually respond back with hugs and loves and kisses. Cause I love... I love... I truly upendo my fans. Truly, truly from the heart. That's the real truth. I upendo them. And the ones who are, um.... Like when we go to a certain country and they're outside, and outside they're sleeping on the mitaani, mtaa and I throw them pillows and cover and everything. And I have my security guards buy them pizza so they can all eat, and get the candles and, wewe know, we really take care of them. They're very, very, very sweet and supportive.
Anthony: Sam who is 20 years old and from Texas here in the US wonders, "Will wewe release Butterflies as a single? That's one of your best songs."
Michael: Butterflies is, uh, is a single that's released now. It's a single now. Tell him thank wewe very much.
Anthony: Great. What other plans do wewe have, wewe know, when you... As somebody who's been a kind of innovator in terms of making short films to accompany your songs, do wewe conceptualize all that ahead of time or, wewe know, do wewe decide, on a kinda step kwa step basis, wewe know, this is gonna be the inayofuata single and I want to make a, wewe know, a kind of visual statement to accompany it. wewe know, how does that all proceed?
Michael: All right, the short film itself?
Anthony: Yeah.
Michael: Well, I let the song pretty much speak to me and I get in a room and I pretty much start making notes... wewe know, I'll speak to a writer -- like Stephen King and myself, both of us wrote Ghosts, the short film Ghosts, and we just on the telephone started uandishi it and let it create itself and go where it wants to go. But we try to do things that are very unusual. And it's... it's not an easy thing to do because wewe have to time it with the song, and wewe can't spend too much time, and the special effects can take 5 months sometimes to execute. So, it's just .. .it's kinda difficult thing and the record company's saying, "Come on, come on, come on, we have to go, we have to go." So, I understand. So we try to do the best we can in the amount of time that we can execute it in.
Anthony: We have a swali now, uh, Helen from Scotland says, "If wewe could only perform one of your songs for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?"
Michael: Ooh, it would probably be... if I could pick zaidi than one, up to two au three?
Anthony: yeah, I think we can go that far.
Michael: Heal The World, Speechless, um, and that's a difficult one... I think, uh.. huh... ummm, wewe Are My Life.
Anthony: So, wewe went for the ones that are the... the kind of, uh, the biggest statements, in a way, it seems to me.
Michael: Yeah, because, uh, the point is that they're very melodic and if they have a great important message that's kinda immortal, that can relate to any time and space, wewe know.
Anthony: One of the things, actually, I wanted to ask wewe is, wewe know, we've had these, wewe know, horrible terrorist attacks here in New York City and in Washington, DC. What is the role that wewe feel, wewe know, artists can play in the wake of something like that. wewe know, I mean, wewe did that benefits onyesha in Washington. wewe know, is there... In muziki and in... wewe know, can artists do something to help people get through what for many of us has been a very difficult time?
Michael: Yeah, wewe give of yourself. wewe give of your talent, of your ability... The talent that was aliyopewa wewe kwa the Heavens. That's why we're here, to bring a sense of escapism in time of need. And, uh, if you're a painter wewe paint; if you're a sculptor, wewe sculpt; if you're a writer, wewe write; if you're a songwriter, wewe give songs; if you're a dancer, wewe give dance. wewe give people some upendo and some... some bliss and some escapism, and to onyesha that wewe truly care from the heart, and be there for them. Not just from a distance, but onyesha wewe really care. wewe know, take the long mile and be there for them. And that's what I did, and many others who cared and helped. And it's an important thing.
Anthony: We have a swali now from Chili Boy who wonders, "I've always wanted to know, how do wewe come up with a dance move, and how long does it take for wewe to put the choreography for a song together?"
Michael: I pretty much just get in a room and I start to dance, and uh, I don't create the dance, the dance creates itself, really. wewe know, I'll do something and I'll look back... I'll look back on tape and I'll go, "Wow," I didn't realize I had done that. It came out of the drums. wewe become.... Dancing is about interpretation. wewe become.... wewe become the accompaniment of the music. So when wewe become the bass, besi of Billie Jean, I couldn't help but do the step that I was doing when the song first starts, because, uh, that's what it told me to do. wewe know, if I turn around, spin, stop, songesha my legs to the side and then lift up the collar, alama of my shirt, that's for that moment is an accompaniment.
Anthony: I remember watching that moment on televisheni and just leaping out of my chair. It's so extraordinary.
Michael: Thank wewe very much.
Anthony: That was really one of the great, great moments.
Michael: It's all spontaneous movement. Nothing in that piece was, on, uh, Billie Jean, was planned but the Moonwalk. Everything else was just, wewe know, improvising, really.
I miss him so much..
It's been so long...and I still listen to his songs :) I still buy his albums, I still look at pictures with him every siku :)
Did wewe guys see how big Paris is now ? Wow..I'm so happy for her..she's talking to the media, she's strong and ..She's beautiful, she is so nice :) Right?
I sometimes think of him and I picture him in different moods..now if I close my eyes I see him smiling :) his beautiful smile..
How do wewe guys feel? What song are wewe listening a looot lately ? I've been listening a lot to Hollywood tonight and Man in the mirror :)
H34
