Say Say Say…

Well, you know the news that’s taking up the space of just about everything today and I do feel somewhat obliged to comment on it since this is (occasionally) a music blog and also because I’ve written about Michael Jackson before.  But I don’t really have a clue what I could possibly add to the discourse.  Not only that, let’s be honest: the dude was polarizing.  On the one hand, Michael gave us a great song like “Smooth Criminal.”  On the other,  that same very song is the reason why most of us have heard of Alien Ant Farm.  See what I mean?  But the fact of the matter is – and this is true for all artists I believe – that time ultimately cares more about the art than the artist.  Meaning that in a hundred years Michael’s scandals, skin color, and eccentricities will largely be the kind of things only those who read books about him will know (assuming there are still books 100 years from now).  So, really, the only smart thing to say about Michael Jackson is that his legacy will be his music.

Here’s where normally I would just post a video and call it a day, but I think of all that I’ve heard or read about Michael since the news of his death it’s this quote from musician Saul Williams that is probably the most profound:  I received a MJ scholarship frm the 25 mill he gave UNCF for performing arts students. Thank u MJ 4 inspiring & funding my dreams& education.

I didn’t know about that, did you?  Does knowing that change how we should feel about Michael based upon the various accusations that circled his personal life?  No, I can’t say that it should change anything.  But it’s further evidence of just how broad his influence has had and may continue to have upon modern music, even in ways that we may not be able to detect in the music itself.  I don’t think Saul sounds anything like Michael Jackson, and yet here he is saying that there might not be Saul Williams music without him.  So, really, maybe the only truly smart thing to say is that his legacy will be the music of others.

More next week…