Michael Jackson, Superstar

The international grief that the death of Michael Jackson, the musical phenomenon, has generated since it occurred on June 25, reminds us pointedly about the universality of music as language and icon, and the sheer incandescence of Jackson's achievement. He was in every sense a true artist, who changed the nature and meaning of artistic performance and a medley of genres: pop, hip hop, even soul, and in the full scope of his talents: songwriter, composer, producer, dancer, singer, instrumentalist, entrepreneur, he was a living advertisement of rigorous, multi-level self-application. Born and raised as a prodigy, he grew to the level of genius and in his active, productive years, he raised music to such a metastatic, ethereally energised platform that made him one of the living masters of the art.

Now that he has passed on like a meteor, he proves the philosophical point in retrospect about how in living, we are in the midst of death, and how in death, we nevertheless remain alive. True artists do not die, they live on in their works. Michael Jackson led a troubled private life. He was accussed of child molestation. There were doubts about his marriages and the paternity of his children, even his finances and sanity. He suffered a personal identity crisis which placed him at the crossroads of being black and white, being man and eccentric, but his genius as artist was beyond doubt, and that was what mattered most.

Even when he no longer produced new works, and he struggled with law suits, and ill health, his place in the hall of fame was forever assured. It was his art that defined his life, it was what he was raised for, what he lived for, and some would argue what he died for. The sudden and dramatic nature of his exit is not unusual in a field with a long list of curious departures. The Times magazine once wrote of Michael Jackson: "Star of records, radio, rock, video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style and color too." Michael Jackson's example as an artist should provide useful lessons for the younger generation of artists worldwide. Hippocrates, the great physician, had written that "art is long, life is short." Jackson has died at the short age of 50, but his music will live much longer. For that, we must be grateful.

Robot  # 1 | 28.06.2009 07:58

Michael Jackson, Superstar The international grief that the death of Michael Jackson, the musical phenomenon, has generated since it occurred on June 25, reminds us pointedly about the universality of music as language and icon, and the sheer incandescence of Jackson's achievement. He was in every sense a true artist, who changed the nature and meaning of artistic performance and a medley of genres: pop, hip hop, even soul, and in the full scope of his talents: songwriter, composer, producer, dancer, singer, instrumentalist, entrepreneur, he was a living advertisement of rigorous, multi-level self-application. Born and raised as a prodigy, he grew to the level of genius and in his active, productive years, he raised music to such a metastatic, ethereally energised platform that made him one of the living masters of the art. Now that he has passed on like a meteor, he proves the philosophical point in retrospect about how in living, we are in the midst of death, ...Read the full article.

LoveNigeria  # 2 | 28.06.2009 10:10

=Robot;367466>.............Michael Jackson led a troubled private life. He was accussed of child molestation. There were doubts about his marriages and the paternity of his children, even his finances and sanity. He suffered a personal identity crisis which placed him at the crossroads of being black and white, being man and eccentric, but his genius as artist was beyond doubt, and that was what mattered most.................... ...Read the full article. Very true, everyone he worked with talk about his work ethics, professionalism. Even people who don't like him talk about his genius. Lionel Ritchie said they both can't read nor write music but wrote "we're the world" from a beat. I pray for wisdom for his folks to handle his financial affairs and children well -he left a mess of his private life behind according to reports. There's a lot of money in his name recognition and memorabilia apparently. Wherever the carcass is the vultures gather.

Gbolly  # 3 | 28.06.2009 13:21

Michael Jackson's example as an artist should provide useful lessons for the younger generation of artists worldwide. I concur with you o. Plus l believe that his life as a successful person (even if it was at one time), stands as a useful lesson to all. Eccentric living is not a way of life. MJ was a musical genius, unfortunately his lifestyle was socially unfit. May his soul rest in perfect piece. Amen.