What are the cultural influences of the music?
Michael Jackson was the most influential artist of the 20th century
There is no such thing, for instance, as a 20th-century painter that is more famous than an entertainer like Sinatra
Michael Jackson simply had more raw talent as a performer than any of his peers. But the King of Pop reigns as the century's signature artist not just because of his exceptional talent, but because he was able to package that talent in a whole new way. In both form and content, Jackson simply did what no one had done before.
Certainly, Jackson could also electrify a live audience. His true canvas, though, was always the video screen. Above all, he was the first great televisual entertainer. From his Jackson 5 childhood, to his adult crossover on the Motown 25th anniversary special, to the last sad tabloid fodder, Jackson lived and died for on TV
Does the music come from a particular time or region that makes it unique?
Michael Jackson was born in 1958, part of the first generation of Americans who never knew a world without TV
And Jackson didn't just grow up with TV. He grew up on it. Child stardom, the great blessing and curse of his life, let him to internalize the medium's conventions and see its potential in a way that no earlier performer possibly could.
What is the cultural heritage of this music?
Michael Jackson’s music was positive, uplifting and had love infused in it. So much so that if one went anywhere in the world and mentioned his name, someone would know who he was and know one of his songs and a dance to go with it.
He broke down racial barriers when MTV and others were taking heat for not playing any music videos from African American artists. He had an original sound that was a mesh of R&B and rock that listeners worldwide fell in love with
He infused love and hope into people through his music and his actions. His music gave happiness to so many.
* What qualities are present as a result?...