The Legacy of Michael Jackson Essay Example

part of The Jackson 5, Jackson displayed his unwavering commitment to music and captivated hearts with his charm and talent. Throughout his solo career, he showcased charisma and creativity that were epitomized by the immense success of his album "Thriller." This album sold over 120 million copies worldwide and produced five number one singles on the Billboard 100 chart. Jackson became a role model for other artists due to his multifaceted talents as a singer, composer, producer, and dancer. His aim was to inspire future generations of artists to spread love and harmony through their music.

Jackson himself expressed in his own words that he wanted to create timeless music that would influence and inspire every generation. His impact on the pop music industry extended beyond just musical achievements; he provided a platform for future artists to express themselves freely without fear of judgment or prejudice. Notably, his fashion choices played a significant role in shaping his enduring legacy.The bold statement made by the iconic red leather motorcycle jacket in the "Beat It" music video and the trend-setting moment of introducing the white sequined glove in the dramatic "Billie Jean" video were both significant contributions to Jackson's image in the 1980s. His constant use of dark sunglasses to avoid paparazzi also played a role in shaping his overall persona and has influenced current artists such as Lady Gaga, Usher, Chris Brown, Beyond, and others who have taken inspiration from him (Siegel). One of Jackson's most famous signature moves, "The Moonwalk," which debuted on television in 1983, has achieved legendary status similar to Neil Armstrong's moonwalk (Holt). In addition to his musical talents, Jackson captivated audiences with

his presence in advertising when he endorsed Pepsi in 1984. Unfortunately, this partnership resulted in an unfortunate incident where he suffered severe burns on his scalp during filming. This traumatic event sparked Jackson's interest in exploring cosmetic enhancements and led him to recognize the importance of adapting his physical appearance and style to stay relevant as a pop icon. He set a higher standard for performers today by emphasizing personal growth over time (Siegel). However, perhaps one of Jackson's most notable legacies is his commitment to promoting humanity across different races and religions.Through his charity work, Michael Jackson actively supported various social and cultural causes. One notable accomplishment was raising over $60 million for famine victims in Africa with the song "We Are The World." He also passionately backed Elizabeth Taylor's AIDS Foundation as a humanitarian.

Despite facing media speculation and criticism, Jackson aimed to inspire other artists to contribute to humanitarian causes. However, his credibility as a parent took a hit due to controversial child-rearing methods such as dangling his son Blanket over a balcony. Furthermore, his physical transformation from an African American man into someone seemingly transparent bewildered the public.

As a result of these factors, society unfairly ridiculed Jackson as an unstable individual seeking acceptance beyond his fame as a music icon. Nevertheless, he used his artistic endeavors to promote messages of world peace and equality, expressing his desire for inner harmony.

One artist who has been influenced by Michael's message is Lady Gaga, who actively supports the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

Overall, Michael Jackson's main objective was to attain inner peace through unrestricted expression of opinions and beliefs.