'Michael Unleashed' - MJ's Reign refuses to die

To say that Michael Jackson left behind a legacy would be a disservice to one of the world’s greatest entertainers, for he was a legend in his own time. Blender takes stock of the year gone by since his death and how it possibly was one of Jackson’s biggest ever...

Shamit Atray

To say that Michael Jackson left behind a legacy would be a disservice to one of the world’s greatest entertainers, for he was a legend in his own time. At the turn of the century, the American Music Awards honored Jackson as Artist of the '80s. Throughout 2000 and 2001, Jackson worked in the studio with Teddy Riley and Rodney Jerkins, as well as other collaborators. These sessions would result in the album Invincible, released in October 2001. Invincible was Jackson's first full-length album in six years, and it would be the last album of new material he released while still alive. The release of the album was preceded by a dispute between Jackson and his record label, Sony Music Entertainment. Jackson had expected the licenses to the masters of his albums to revert to him sometime in the early 2000s. Michael Jackson won his 22nd American Music Award for Artist of the Century.In the same year, Jackson's third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (nicknamed "Blanket") was born.

In September 2007 Jackson was reportedly working with Will.i.am on a new album; the album was apparently never completed. But in 2008, Jackson and Sony released Thriller 25 to mark the 25th anniversary of the original Thriller. This album featured the previously unreleased song "For All Time" as well as re-mixes, where Jackson collaborated with younger artists who had been inspired by his work. Two of the remixes were released as singles with only modest success: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" (with Akon) and The Girl Is Mine 2008" (with will.i.am.) The second single was based on an early demo version, without Paul McCartney. The album itself was a hit, however. In anticipation of Jackson's 50th birthday, Sony BMG released a series of greatest-hits albums called King of Pop. Slightly different versions were released in various countries, based on polls of local fans. King of Pop reached the top 10 in most countries where it was issued, and also sold well as an import in other countries such as the United States.

In March 2009, Jackson held a press conference at London's O2 arena and announced a series of comeback concerts titled"This Is It." The shows would be Jackson's first major series of concerts since the 'History World Tour' finished in 1997. Jackson suggested possible retirement after the shows; he said it would be his "final curtain call". The initial plan was for a 10 concerts in London, followed by shows in Paris, New York City and Mumbai. Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, stated that the first 10 dates alone would earn the singer approximately £50 million. The London residency was increased to 50 dates after record breaking ticket sales: over one million were sold in less than 2 hours. Jackson rehearsed in Los Angeles in the weeks leading up to the tour under the direction of choreographer Kenny Ortega. Most of these rehearsals took place at the Staples Center, which was owned by AEG. The concerts would have commenced on July 13, 2009 and finished on March 6, 2010.

Less than three weeks before the first show was due to begin in London and with all concerts being sold out. On June 25, 2009, Jackson was found unconscious in bed at his rented mansion at 100 North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby hills district of Los Angeles &  reports say that Jackson died after suffering cardiac arrest. Though Michael's death is still a mystery but his fans still have the same Michael alive in their heart & will continue to be one of the most remembered superstars.

** Salutations to the Eternity Created by Michael ** --- On his 1st  'Death Anniversary'