Michael Jackson: It’s a rarity I think/ I had #1 records in 1967 and 69 and still entered the charts in 2001 in #1. I don’t think any other artist has that range. It’s a great honor, I’m happy. I don’t what else to say. I’m glad people accept what I do.
What are your thoughts on the current state of R&B?
I don’t categorize music. সঙ্গীত is Music. They change the word R&B to rock and roll. It’s always been, from Fats Domino to Little Richard, to Chuck Berry. How can we discriminate, it is what it is, it’s great music, আপনি know.
What are your feelings about Hip-Hop?
I like a lot of it, a lot of it. I like the music. I don’t like the dancing that much. It looks like you’re doing aerobics.
What made আপনি put Biggie on your album?
We were looking for a rap part and it wasn’t my idea, actually it was Rodney Jerkins, one of the writer producers working on the album. It was my idea to put a rap part on the song. And he said, I know just the perfect one – Biggie Smalls. He put it in and it worked perfectly. It was a rap that was never heard before.
Why did আপনি choose জেই জেড্ on the remix of the first single?
Because he’s hip, he’s with kids today. They like his work. He tapped into the nerve of জনপ্রিয় culture. He’s the new thing, the kids like him. It just made good sense.
What was it like for আপনি to appear at New York’s hip hop সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান Summer জ্যাম as স্থূলবুদ্ধি বাচাল ব্যক্তি Z’s guest?
I just showed up and gave him a hug. It was tumultuous explosion of applause and stomping, it was a lovely, lovely welcome and I was happy about that. It was a great feeling – the love, the love.
What are your thoughts on artists who emulate আপনি such as Usher, Sisqo, Ginuwine, Destiny’s Child?
I don’t mind at all. Because, these are artists who grew up on my music. When আপনি grow up listening to somebody আপনি admire আপনি tend to become them. আপনি emulate them, to look like them, to dress like them. When I was little I was James Brown, I was Sammy Davis Jr., so I understand it, it’s a compliment.
Did আপনি know that আপনি were creating classics while recording Thriller and Off The Wall, both classics that hold up today?
Yes, not to be arrogant, but yes. Because I knew great material when I hear it and it just melodically and sonically and musically is so moving. It keeps the promise. That’s a special piece.
Do আপনি feel that there is a larger acceptance of black artists?
Of course, I think people have always admired black সঙ্গীত since the beginning of time if আপনি want to go back to গান গাওয়া Negro spirituals. Today the market is just accepting the fact that that’s the sound, international, from Britney to ‘N Sync, they are all doing the R&B thing. Even Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, he always tell me, “Man we do R&B.” I ব্যক্ত Barry, I don’t categorize it but it’s great music. I understand where he’s coming from. I প্রণয় great music, it has no color, it has no boundaries, it’s all wonderful music. I প্রণয় from the Beatles, to the Bee Gee’s, to the Mama’s and the Papa’s, to the Temptations, to Diana Ross and the Supremes, I প্রণয় all of it. I প্রণয় Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” it’s a killer, I প্রণয় it.
What’s life like as a single parent?
I never had so much fun in all my life. That’s the truth. Because I’m this big kid and now I get to see the world from the eyes of the really young ones. I learn আরো from them then they learn from me. It’s almost like hypothesis, because I’m constantly trying things and testing things on them to see what works and what doesn’t work. Children are always the best judges to monitor something, especially in my field অথবা any other field. If আপনি can get the kids, you’ve got it. That’s why Harry Potter is successful, it’s just a family oriented movie. আপনি can’t go wrong there, আপনি just can’t. That’s why I write lyrics when I write a song I try not to say things that offend parents because we want a wide demographic. I don’t want to be like that. We weren’t raised to be like that. No way, আপনি know Mother and Joseph wouldn’t say stuff like that. আপনি know them well enough.
Are the pressures of your celebrity status on your children?
Yes, absolutely, from the দিন that they were born.
What সঙ্গীত do Prince and Paris listen to?
They listen to all my সঙ্গীত and they প্রণয় classical that plays all around the ranch. They like any good dance music.
How would আপনি feel about your children becoming pop প্রতীকী at 13 and 14 based upon your experience?
I don’t know how they would handle that it would be tough. I really don’t know. It’s hard because most celebrity children end up becoming self-destructive because they can’t live up to the talent of the parent. It’s hard. ফ্রেড Astair Jr., people used to say o him all the time, “Can আপনি dance?” And he couldn’t dance. He didn’t have any rhythm. But his father as this genius dancer. It doesn’t mean that it has to be passed on. The competition is hard, it’s hard. I always tell them, আপনি don’t have to sing, আপনি don’t have to dance, be who আপনি want to be as long as আপনি are not hurting anybody. That’s the main thing. Don’t আপনি think?
