Madonna, and Mike.
Growing up in the 1980s, I was a Michael Jackson fan. In fact, I was a fan of his before I had even heard Madonna's music. Up until say, 1990 or so, I was equally interested in MJ as I was Madonna. Obviously since then MJ waned, and Madonna gained (for me).
Being a tenured fan of Madonna (as many of us are), with the constant coverage of Michael Jackson's death in the media, I can't help but take note - a little extra concerned interest. Not because he doesn't deserve the coverage at all, but because some of the superlatives and "overreaching" of acclaims, etc., being thrown around are getting a little generous.
In recent days I've heard several television anchors/pundits, radio commentators, entertainment bloggers, etc., make vast generalizations like "there would be no MTV without Michael Jackson," or, "Michael Jackson single-handedly changed pop music forever," and so on, and so on. Many if not most of the statements they announce are correct, sure, but increasingly, they are becoming a little overbearing. For example, earlier today during a piece on CNN ("MJ's impact on MTV"), a particular anchor said a couple of things that grated on me. Firstly, she said "Michael Jackson single-handedly 'made' MTV," and second, she said, and I paraphrase, "one newer artist, like Madonna, has said the Jacksons, like Janet and Michael, have heavily influenced her."
There have also been countless, numerous insinuations in the media that Michael Jackson was the "sole craftsman" of the music video as a primary marketing tool to draw interest, or publicity.
Madonna has definitely become the white elephant in the room.
Now, I understand that any true "influence" Michael has had on Madonna is honestly debatable, but beyond that, implying that Madonna ever thought a later artist like Janet Jackson (or similar) has ever had any influence on Madonna's career is so blatantly un-aware, it's silly. This isn't against someone like Janet at all, rather it has entirely to do with the obvious reach.
In the grand scheme of things, I also don't necessarily consider Madonna as an entirely "newer" artist in comparison to Michael Jackson (as a solo artist). Yes, Michael - post Jackson 5 - debuted and gained success a couple of years prior to Madonna's debut, but we're not talking a large enough time period that she couldn't be considered an relevant rival.
I obviously understand the circumstances of his death, and that many people are grieving, etc., but at some point I hope angles of reality set in. In some ways, I feel scale and perspective has been halted.
Being a constructive, near-lifetime fan of probably one of the only (if not the-only) other artist in the modern rock-era to genuinely, ever, be mentioned in the same breadth as Michael Jackson (I'd consider Prince submissions), it has unfortunately become both a blessing and a curse. In relevance to Michael Jackson, name dropping Madonna has become frequent lately in the media. However, it hasn't always been entirely accurate in context.
Even if minor or ridiculous, I know I'm not the only Madonna follower, or member of this community, thinking about this (or something similar) right now. I feel like it's sort of an unspoken thought. Celebrating the icon that is Michael Jackson is one thing, but the brevity of generalizations - especially when in regard to his more prominent contemporary and our own favorite idol (the resulting comparisons, and lack thereof) - can get out of hand at times.
Anyway, just expressing. I realize much of this will pass - just curious as to anyone else's thoughts on the subject.
Just for the sake of conversation: What do you think about this?
Also, what were your stories about Michael Jackson? |