Michael Jackson Research Paper

Michael Jackson: The King of Pop

Pop music originated in the 1950’s for a softer and more delicate Rock alternative and is still very common in today’s music. Pop is defined by its upbeat tempos, catchy hooks, and its magic that is able to reach audiences of all ages. Pop is a derivative of Rock music; however, it can include many genres within one. Pop music is known to have a twist to it, meaning individuals who make it put their own flavor on it. Pop music is usually composed of hits, as in music that is really popular amongst a large majority of people. Many pop hits make the charts of the most popular music and stay there for weeks, sometimes months at a time. Some pop artists we may familiarize with are Beyoncé, Madonna, and Justin Bieber,

His Father Joe Jackson had a music career which ended shortly after he got married to Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine Jackson, afterwards when he had children, he decided to train them on how to play instruments, sing and dance and his sons Jermaine, Tito had a band that preformed around Indiana and brought in large crowds. By 1964, Michael Jackson and his brother Randy Jackson had been added to the group and were named The Jackson 5. With Michael Jackson’s father leading the band, they felt a lot of pressure to preform perfectly and were often beaten by their father Joe Jackson. Nevertheless, The Jackson 5 had an enormous success. They created the hits “I’ll Be There”, “ABC”, “I Want You Back” which all are still classics today. The band signed with Steeletown Records in 1967 and then left Steeletown to later sign with Motown. In the early 1970’s, The Jackson 5 made sixteen top 40 singles on the Hot 100 and they were the rage amongst all of the young girls at the time. With all the new fame, Michael Jackson was the star and the favorite amongst all his fans. His small stature and voice melted many hearts and he made Jackson 5 irresistible to audiences. As

Michael Jackson was an icon because he was creative, innovative, talented, but also had a heart which speaks volumes about the members of the black community. Michael Jackson was a representation of my people and he did so well and proudly. With his big afro when he was a part of Jackson 5 he was proud to be an African-American and he had soul. Although I was born many years later after that era, I was brought up listening to that music because of my grandmother and it gave me a sense of self. Michael Jackson’s music and the music of the Jackson 5 helped teach me what it meant to be Black and for that I am forever grateful. Michael Jackson broke race barriers with his music because everyone loved it! No one could resist loving Michael because his musical talent and dance moves were undeniable. The creator of the “moonwalk”, Michael Jackson was influential in every way and paved the way for many of the artists that I came to love like Usher and Chris Brown. They both were musically influenced by Michael Jackson, and if it were not for him these artists would not have shined as they did. Michael Jackson is my favorite Pop artist of all time when usually I don’t even particularly care for Pop music because he was an original much like myself. I can identify with Jackson as well as many