Watching Michael Jackson sing Human nature. Listening to his music. He spoke in the gaps of where the human condition is connected.In time where we can easily get distracted or simply disregard it. He amplified the freedom to feel deeply, move courageously and lean into love. 

That is what I think is absolutely fascinating about human nature. He chose to allow God to flow through him and speak without getting in the way. He didn’t perform it, he lived it and lifted others up through it.

Michael was a wakeup call to all artists and creatives that your why will always have everything to do with it being bigger than elevating just you for your own glory. Creatives are entrusted with unity. The reason songs have been feeling so soulless and easily replaceable is because there is no overflowing cup. If it starts for you, it stops with you. And your gift was entrusted to you but it was never meant to be just for you. 

It’s not enough to talk about money, cars, houses and casual sex. People are living and dying and going through the highs and lows of life. They may relate to those former things but there is no foundation, no core, no depth. Music is a shared experience and not an  exclusive invitation. We are listening with you not just for you. 

Preparation does give you confidence because in it you should be reinforcing your why. Why do you sing? Why build? Why do you write? Why create? Michael was a student despite being a master of his craft and you can see that his why never got lost. Even when he could’ve been tempted with fame and the reward of his accomplishments. He was remarkable but he never stopped.

Branding and marketing shouldn’t tell you who you are. Your understanding of your purpose should be driving you forward. The tools that will help promote your art is not the same as already discovering and being open to continue to discover who you are. In this state offense and complacency should be out of reach because you know that your success doesn’t define or break you, it is the purpose you serve that leaves a legacy. 

Michael wasn’t searching to be different or to attempt to stand out by being flamboyant if it wasn’t already who he was. Who he was, was enough on its own. Whether people liked it or not. That silent confidence with no ego to try to prove anything is what made him magnetic. 

Another thing we are missing is advocacy in music. There is often a quick speech once there has been an award assigned to an artist. It is left at the podium while there is cataclysm happening outside of the theatre. And don’t get me wrong, artists can’t be everything for everyone, they are still human as well of course. There is just a practicality of performative sincerity. Rehearsals go on, there are tours and meetings and scandals and its work. When the advocacy feels like more work on top of work, there is a fallout. 

So what should an artist do? Create more and reinforce problems? Distract others from the fall of humanity? Or should they smile and nod as if nothing is happening. What if someone doesn’t want to be a poetic deep thinker? They just want to dance and sing. Well, then dance and sing and show up in a way that is fearless, truthful and with the intention to serve. Dance with awareness. 

Now, the actual movie review: Michael was phenomenal! To the casting, story, and of course them music! I went to go watch it twice in theaters and let me say this as a side note…I am so glad to see black stories being told and sold out in the actual theaters. By the masses, theses films have been driving in people and boosting the cinema revenues with movies like “Michael”, “Sinners”, “One of them Days”, etc., it truly is a taste of greatness and being in the middle of America, and seeing the way that it is back pedaling right now, I am grateful to see the beauty of Black American filmmaking.

But I digress, what I can say that both times attending the Michael movie I literally had chills. It is without question, they put in some amazing work and did it justice. Now, do I wish that Sony Music had any benefit from the movie, absolutely not. They did Michael so wrong and to see the pattern of them taking advantage and sabotaging artist, I was not excited to see that they would reap the harvest of what Michael built. But, I am excited for Jaafar Jackson and to see the catalyst of his career grow from this and if he does no other acting, this is still a good introduction to him. His embodiment of Michael is fantastic and I am wishing him the best!

Now, it wasn’t just Jaafar that brought Michael back to life but also Juliano Krue Valdi! Talk about a natural star! His young Michael was incredible, the innocence and intentionality was Michael through and through even at his young age! His ability to have the emotional range in a time that was such a crucial development of Michael was almost the most important part to keeping the audience captivated! And he delivered so congratulations to him as well!

I have been listening to Michael’s music all over again and I didn’t particularly have a Michael Jackson phase growing up because I was lowkey scared of him after watching Thriller with my grandfather but I feel as if I am having one now and I’m twenty-six years old! It’s such a pleasure to learn who he was despite his amazing trajectory in music. It wasn’t just his talent, it was his character, his charisma and integrity that made him feel personal to anyone.

I say all this to encourage people to go support and watch Michael if you haven’t already! It is a 10/10 from me and I am so excited to see what the next film in his story continues to unfold.

[I do not own the copyright to any of these pictures]