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The fandoms of Naruto and One Piece are two vying forces that have been at war for years, each trying to determine which one is objectively superior. Both series have their strengths and weaknesses that appeal to their massive fanbases. However, there’s one thing One Piece fans often criticize about Naruto which doesn’t make much sense.

A still from the infamous swing flashback in Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

They believe Naruto is a child of privilege and that everything he has accomplished is due to his background and his connections. Without even delving too deeply into the topic, it becomes quite clear that Naruto and Luffy aren’t that far apart in this respect. Even then, One Piece fans calling Naruto a gifted child is just a result of their bias towards Luffy.

One Piece Fans Calling Naruto a Child of Privilege is the Peak of...

As music critic and writer Steve Huey once explained, “from 1976 to 1984, the radio airwaves were dominated by really smooth music.” Once known as soft rock, since the mid-2000s pretty much everyone has called it Yacht Rock.

We’re talking of course about the music of people like Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, Toto, Christopher Cross — pop songwriters at the intersection of soul, jazz and disco who were defiantly uncool for their day but are now recognized as the legends they are. And as an early Christmas president, HBO is giving people a crash course via “Yacht Rock: A Documentary,” which debuts Nov. 29.

Directed by Garret Price, the film features commentary from legends like McDonald, Loggins, Cross and more, plus some of the people they influenced — like Thundercat, Mac DeMarco and Questlove.

Watch the trailer below now:

And as you can see in the trailer, thankfully it also finally...

After the Egot died at age 91 earlier this month, Quincy Jones‘ cause of death has been determined.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revealed in Jones’ death certificate that he died of pancreatic cancer, with no other contributing factors, according to TMZ.

Jones’ publicist Arnold Robinson previously announced that he died on Sunday, Nov. 3 at his Bel-Air home.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” said Jones’ family in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

The musician, composer, producer and songwriter was behind such Michael Jackson albums as Thriller, Off the Wall (1980), Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987), as well as decades of work with Frank Sinatra, conducting his and Count Basie’s It Might as...

Exclusive: Remember when geeky tween Jenna Rink was magically transformed into glamorous Jennifer Garner in the classic rom-com 13 Going on 30? That was two decades ago. Now that role’s being played by West End star Lucie Jones in a stage musical adapted from the beloved 2004 movie.

The show is headed for an out-of-town-tryout at the Manchester Opera House, where it will run for a limited season from September 21, 2025.

Just this past April, Garner joined fellow stars from the film — Mark Ruffalo, who played Matt Flamhaff, the boy next door who Jenna doesn’t realize holds a candle for her, and Judy Greer as Lucy Wyman, once her childhood nemesis and now an editing colleague at the fictional Poise magazine — for a 20th anniversary reunion on Zoom that spread far and wide on social media.

Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, who wrote the film’s screenplay, have penned the musical’s book,...

Quincy Jones was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Los Angeles a week following his death. The family of the revered music producer, who died at 91 at his home in Bel Air, California, told AP that the “intimate ceremony included Mr. Jones’ seven children, his brother, two sisters, and immediate family members.”

The family did not confirm in which cemetery the funeral took place, but affirmed they are “enormously grateful for the outpouring of condolences and tributes from his friends and fans from around the world.” In the statement,...

Michael Jackson was the biggest artist of the 1980s, but producer Quincy Jones said he was extremely shy in his personal life. Jones worked with Jackson on three of his albums, Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. They had a good working relationship, but Jones said Jackson still wasn’t entirely comfortable around him. When he needed to sing, he had to do it while hiding behind a couch in a dark room.

Michael Jackson had a hard time singing to Quincy Jones

After collaborating on The Wiz, Jones produced Jackson’s album Off the Wall. He said he loved the experience.

“I pulled my ‘A-team’ crew together, anchored by Rod Temperton, one of the best songwriters who has ever lived, and we embarked on making Off the Wall,” Jones wrote for the LA Times after Jackson’s death. “I simply loved working with Michael.”

Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones | Bob Riha,...

Producer Quincy Jones said that he and Michael Jackson faced seemingly endless challenges while recording Thriller. They found themselves behind schedule, they had to work on other projects, and they even dealt with a fire in the studio. Jones said that the fire felt like a sign as they recorded.

A speaker burst into flames while Michael Jackson recorded ‘Thriller’

As Jones wrote for the LA Times after Jackson’s death, “the drama surrounding Thriller seemed to never end.” They had to work on a companion album for the film E.T., and continually found themselves behind schedule.

“With two months to get Thriller done, we dug in and really hit it,” Jones wrote. “Michael, Rod, the great engineer Bruce Swedien and I had all spent so much time together by now that we had a shorthand, so moving quickly wasn’t a problem.”

They also dealt with a studio fire,...

Michael Jackson’s Thriller became the biggest-selling album of all time. According to producer Quincy Jones, however, it initially seemed like the record would be a resounding failure. They struggled to stick to their schedule and, when they finally listened to the finished album, it sounded terrible. Jones said Jackson was so shocked and disappointed that he began to cry.

Michael Jackson was shocked at how bad one album sounded on the first listen

As Jackson and Jones worked on Thriller, they constantly found themselves behind schedule.

“With two months to get Thriller done, we dug in and really hit it,” Jones wrote for the LA Times after Jackson’s death. “Michael, Rod [Temperton], the great engineer Bruce Swedien and I had all spent so much time together by now that we had a shorthand, so moving quickly wasn’t a problem.”

Michael Jackson | Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images

They managed to get it done on time,...

In 1983, Michael Jackson released “Billie Jean,” the second single from Thriller. Jackson said that he always had a sense that the song would be a hit and he was correct. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was part of the reason that Thriller became the best-selling album of all time. When Jackson and producer Quincy Jones first listened to the album, though, they realized they had to make some changes. Jones said that one change they made to “Billie Jean” devastated Jackson.

Michael Jackson didn’t want to have to cut out part of ‘Billie Jean’

When Jones and Jackson listened to Thriller for the first time, they thought it sounded terrible. They realized they had to make changes before they put it out. One of these changes was cutting the lengthy intro to “Billie Jean.” Jackson didn’t agree with this move.

“That’s the juice,...

Michael Jackson fans need to wait longer for Antoine Fuqua’s highly-anticipated biopic about the King of Pop to rock their world after Lionsgate announced delays for two of its films. The studio’s Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, is moonwalking to a 2025 Easter window (April 18-20 to October 3) while looking to dominate the box office during the bunny-themed holiday. In addition to telling Michael to “Beat It” to later next year, Lionsgate dated Aziz Ansari’s upcoming comedy, Good Fortune, for October 17, 2025. According to Deadline, Good Fortune stars Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen. It focuses on “a well meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Reeves) who meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Ansari) and a wealthy capitalist (Rogen).”

“Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop,” reads the official description. “The film presents...

Quincy Jones worked with Michael Jackson on three of his albums. The pair had an incredibly successful working relationship, and Jones described Jackson as his brother following the latter’s death. When reflecting on Jackson’s career, though, Jones said he was too greedy. While Jackson made good music, Jones believed he didn’t credit the people who helped him.

Quincy Jones described Michael Jackson as money-hungry

In 1978, Jones met Jackson while working on The Wiz. He went on to produce Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad for the artist. Years after their collaborations, Jones said he believed Jackson stole some from other artists.

“I hate to get into this publicly, but Michael stole a lot of stuff,” Jones told Vulture in 2018. “He stole a lot of songs. [Donna Summer’s] ‘State of Independence’ and ‘Billie Jean.’ The notes don’t lie, man. He was as Machiavellian as they come.

Paul McCartney remembered the “supremely talented” Quincy Jones in a tribute to the late musician and producer shared on Instagram.

“Dear Quincy Jones has passed and left those of us who knew him feeling sad,” McCartney wrote. “He was supremely talented, and I felt privileged to have known him for many years.”

As McCartney noted, his connection to Jones began with Beatles producer, George Martin, who’d met and befriended Jones in the early Sixties. Decades later, McCartney would work with Jones and Michael Jackson on Thriller, appearing on the duet,...

Quincy Jones, the iconic songwriter and producer behind some of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, has died at the age of 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones died peacefully at his Bel Air home on Sunday night, surrounded by family.

Jones is set to receive an honorary Oscar from the Academy Awards later this month.

Born in Chicago, he eventually settled in Seattle, where his passion for jazz flourished. After earning scholarships to Seattle University and Berklee College of Music in Boston, Jones left his studies to tour with bandleader Lionel Hampton in 1952, marking the start of a storied career.

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Throughout the 1950s, Jones toured extensively and served as music director for the French label Barclay Disques. Then, he returned to the U.S. to work with Mercury Records. His breakthrough as...

What couldn’t Quincy Jones do?

He wrote, composed and arranged music for your favorite artists and even produced films and TV shows that launched some of your favorite actors. He not only changed careers — he changed lives.

Here we break down some of the biggest acts and projects Jones worked on, from Michael Jackson’s seminal Thriller album to “We Are the World” to winning 28 Grammys, an Emmy and a Tony.

Michael Jackson

Before he met Jones while working on The Wiz, Jackson had been known for the Jackson 5 and released four solo albums that had mild success. Then they made Off the Wall and the King of Pop fully arrived. Released in 1979 around the time Jackson turned 21, the album helped him transition from young singer to critically acclaimed, matured artist. The album’s disco, funk and R&b sound resonated on the charts, helped Jackson win his first...

It is impossible to overstate Quincy Jones' influence on music and the music business throughout the second half of the 20th century. There wasn't a genre that Jones, who passed away yesterday at the age of 91, couldn't master as a composer, producer, performer, or all three. He kicked off his career playing trumpet for vibraphone god Lionel Hampton, served as trumpeter and music director for Dizzy Gillespie, and produced effervescent pop hits like "It's My Party" for Lesley Gore while expanding his range compositionally via jazz LPs and, perhaps most importantly, film music -- a field where the African-American artist stood out among a sea of white men.

Curiously, there isn't as much serious scholarship on the work of Jones, which is rather astounding considering his seismic 1970s and '80s impact as a producer for Michael Jackson on two of the top-selling LPs of all time ("Off the Wall...

Quincy Jones is dead at 91. There has simply never been an American artist better in touch with the pulse of popular culture than this producer, arranger, and composer whose work spanned nearly 70 years, every genre imaginable, and crossed all media as well. Jones is best known for his work producing Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, or his lifelong friendship with Ray Charles, but his film scores, bouncing with energy and groove, helped inspire a rethink of what was possible with movie music. (Associated Press first reported his death.)

Multiracial but the very definition of a 20th-century Black artist, Jones was born on the South Side of Chicago on March 14, 1933. His paternal grandmother was an ex-slave; his paternal grandfather, from Wales. His maternal grandmother was born a slave on a Kentucky plantation, as well — through the institutionalized rape of slavery, she was a distant relation of Tennessee Williams and the poet Sidney Lanier,...

Quincy Jones’ countless friends, fans, and peers have started sharing tributes to the legendary musician and producer following his death on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the age of 91.

On Instagram, the estate of Michael Jackson called Jones “a legendary talent whose contributions to music spanned generations and genres,” and celebrating his “unmatched” collaborations with Jackson, from their hit albums to the seminal charity single, “We Are the World.”

“But it was Quincy’s role as a father that was the most important to him,” the Jackson estate added. “Condolences to all of his children.

Music legend, Quincy Jones has sadly passed away. He was 91 so he lived a very full and colorful life in an amazing industry. So, is there a cause of death, and how are his beloved Hollywood friends and followers reacting to the news? Keep reading for more details.

Music Legend Quincy Jones Dead At 91

It is a sad day as legendary music producer, Quincy Jones has passed away at the age of 91. He has had an illustrious career and worked with incredible legends. They included the likes of Michael Jackson, Will Smith, and “Old Blue Eyes,” Frank Sinatra. According to TMZ, Jones died on Sunday, November 3rd in his Bel-Air home.

Quincy Jones-YouTube

He was surrounded by loved ones on that sad night with his publicist, Arnold Robinson, releasing a heartbreaking statement:

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing.

Quincy Jones, producer of several of the best-selling albums of all time, died at his home in Bel Air on Sunday as per his publicist. Though his work covered all genres, Jones will forever be best known for helping coronate the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, by helping craft Jackson’s infectious and highly lucrative sound across three classic albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. In 1985, he produced the “We Are The World” session, arguably the apex of 1980s pop music.

Jones, who in 1968 became the first African-American nominated for a Best Original Song Academy Award with “The Eyes of Love,” received an astonishing 80 Grammy nominations and 28 Grammy Awards throughout his career. His wins were for arranging, producing, and performing, and he won the 1988 Album of the Year prize for Back on the Block, an R&b-pop-hip hop cross-generational collaboration including artists like Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, Ice-t, Kool Moe Dee,...

Legendary music producer and composer Quincy Jones, who amassed 28 Grammy Award wins across his multi-decade career, died on Sunday at the age of 91.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family said in a statement obtained by our sister site Variety. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense...

Quincy Jones, the legendary musician and producer who amassed 28 competitive Grammys over his staggering career, has passed away. He was 91.

With collaborations with the likes of Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and countless others, it’s hard to put into words just what sort of legacy Quincy Jones left behind. Working consistently since the 1950s, Jones made his mark almost immediately on the music world, getting his start in Chicago before tagging along for a European tour where he could showcase his jazz talents.

But it was the 1960s when Quincy Jones truly emerged as an artist, not only producing Sinatra’s classic It Might as Well Be Swing album, but lending to film soundtracks as well. His breakout on that front was for Sidney Lumet’s The Pawnbroker, but it would be for In Cold Blood that Jones earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. He...

Quincy Delight Jones, Jr., a renowned musician and producer who shaped popular music for seven decades, died on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 91 years old. Jones leaves behind an unmatched legacy that broke down barriers and introduced millions of fans around the world to a variety of genres.

Jones was born in Chicago and raised in Seattle, where he learned to play trumpet and arrange music from a young age. He studied at the Berklee School of Music and started his career arranging and performing with jazz legends like Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. By age 25, Jones had established himself as one of the top arrangers and trumpet players in jazz music.

In the 1960s, Jones made history as the first Black person to compose a major movie score, for the 1964 film “The Pawnbroker.” This opened doors for other Black artists in Hollywood. He went on...

Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Will Smith and the Estate of Michael Jackson were among the prominent Hollywood figures to pay tribute to Quincy Jones following news of his death early Monday.

Jones died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.

A giant in the music industry, Jones had a phenomenal career that spanned more than 60 years. He produced Michael Jackson’s best-selling albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad; helmed the historic recording sessions for the 1985 charity single “We Are the World,” the best-selling single of all time; and produced Lesley Gore’s 1963 chart-topping hit “It’s My Party.”

Jones received the Motion Picture Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, an honorary Oscar in 2024 and the Grammy Legend Award in 1991 and reeled in 28 Grammys from an all-time best 80 nominations.

The Estate of Michael Jackson said in a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter,...

Quincy Jones, the musical giant who did it all as a record producer, film composer, multi-genre artist, entertainment executive and humanitarian, has died. He was 91.

Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, said that he died Sunday night at his Bel-Air home surrounded by his family.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” his family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Jones received the Motion Picture Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, the Grammy Legend Award in 1991 and 28 Grammys from an all-time best 80 nominations. He was to be presented with an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards on Nov. 17.

Survivors include one of his seven children, actress Rashida Jones.

In a phenomenal career that spanned more than 60 years,...

Quincy Jones, who distinguished himself over the course of a 70-year career in music as an artist, bandleader, composer, arranger and producer, has died. He was 91.

Jones died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to a statement shared with Variety by his rep Arnold Robinson. A cause of death was not disclosed.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the Jones family said in the statement. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the...

Hallmark stars Ashley Williams and Nikki DeLoach hosted the seventh annual Dance Party to End Alz: Halloween Edition on Sunday, Oct. 27 at Avalon in Hollywood, which raised $250,000 and counting for the Alzheimer's Association research grant program.

The event founded by Kimberly Williams-Paisley was emceed by Jonathan Bennett and Melissa Peterman.

Williams and DeLoach opened the evening with a surprise performance of “Thriller.” The duo welcomed guests and shared why co-hosting the event meant so much to them after both losing a parent to dementia. Williams’ mom, Linda, passed away with Alzheimer’s in 2016, and DeLoach’s dad, David, passed away with Pick’s disease, a rare form of dementia, in 2021.

Dressed in a variety of Halloween costumes, performers took to the stage covering their favorite hits. Accompanied by house band Casual Encounters, performances included:

Caleb Polaha’s versions of “Friends In Low Places”

Charles Esten's take on “Break on Through,...

The hip-hop world almost got the ultimate crossover, but ego and some serious shade put it to rest. Picture this: Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson teaming up on a track, blending Pac’s raw grit with Mj’s iconic vocals. But it didn’t happen, and word is, it’s because Pac wasn’t about to let anyone—even the King of Pop—disrespect him.

Michael Jackson in the Beat It music video | Credits: Billboard Music

Rumor has it, that the collaboration fizzled not due to creative differences but because Shakur reportedly felt Jackson just wasn’t bringing the same level of respect to the table. And, in classic Pac style, he wasn’t about to back down, even if it meant losing the chance to work with the King of Pop. Imagine what could’ve been if only they had found common ground.

Tupac Shakur Walked Away from Michael...

Universal-owned animation studio Illumination surprised fans with a Halloween special based on its popular Sing franchise. The special, Sing: Thriller, was released on Netflix this Wednesday and announced the day before.

The 11-minute short sees the cast and characters reenact scenes from the music video for the famous 1983 Michael Jackson song “Thriller.” Many of the actors, such as Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Kroll, Taron Egerton, and Tori Kelly, return for the special. Garth Jennings, director of the first two films, also returns to direct and voice the character Ms. Crawly.

So is Sing: Thriller full of spooky songs and terrifying tunes? Let’s find out.

The special begins with the theater troop performing a play at the theater. We see many cameos in the crowd, including a surprise return of fan-favorite Mike the Mouse from the first Sing movie, who was originally voiced by Seth McFarlane. They put...

"Treat yourself."...

Just in time for Halloween, the crew behind animated blockbuster Sing is putting together a spooky new take on Michael Jackson’s classic song “Thriller.” In an animated short film based on Jackson’s own game-changing music video, the animal musicians are tasked with putting on another showstopper. But as the song says, they may have to contend with creatures crawling around the neighborhood — in this case, though, that crawling looks a lot more like dancing. Directed by Garth Jennings, and produced by Chris Meledandri, this is one party you won’t want to miss.

“I don’t know if it is possible to enjoy making anything as much as I have done while working on Sing: Thriller,” Jennings tells Tudum. “Our awesome cast and team of geniuses at...

The Sing franchise is returning, just in time for Halloween.

Netflix announced that the spooky short film Sing: Thriller is set to debut Wednesday on the streaming service. Hailing from Illumination and Universal Pictures, the project returns franchise director Garth Jennings and voice actors Matthew McConaughey (playing Buster Moon), Tori Kelly (Meena), Nick Kroll (Gunter), Scarlett Johansson (Ash), Taron Egerton (Johnny) and Jennings (Miss Crawly).

Sing: Thriller follows Buster (McConaughey) and his friends staging an elaborate version of the Michael Jackson hit “Thriller” for a Halloween party. The crew later realizes that a mysterious ooze has transformed the attendees into dancing freaks.

The short film is based on the 1983 music video for the smash single “Thriller.” Rod Temperton wrote the music and lyrics for the song that is featured on Jackson’s album of the same name, which remains the best-selling album of all time.

Sing: Thriller was written and directed by Jennings,...

It’s close to midnight, and something evil’s lurking from Illumination and Universal Pictures. Illumination’s Sing series is getting spooky with Sing: Thriller this Halloween season, inspired by Michael Jackson’s classic short film Thriller. The latest installment in the Sing franchise shuffles onto Netflix tomorrow, October 16, with Sing and Sing 2 director and writer Garth Jennings at the helm.

Here’s the official logline for Sing: Thriller courtesy of Netflix:

After staging a spectacular version of Thriller at the New Moon Theatre, Buster Moon and the cast of Sing leave to celebrate at Clay Calloway’s Halloween party. But when our heroes arrive at the party they discover a mysterious, multi-colored ooze has transformed Clay and his guests into dancing freaks.

The Sing: Thriller cast includes familiar faces like Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon, Tori Kelly as Meena, Nick Kroll as Gunter, Scarlett Johansson as Ash, Taron Egerton as Johnny,...

Netflix is expanding its annual "Netflix & Chills" line-up with a brand new installment into the popular Sing universe! Starting on October 16, subscribers will be able to watch a spooky short film titled Sing: Thriller, based on Illuminations animated movies Sing and Sing 2. Catch up with some of your favorite characters as they team up for a Halloween surprise based on Michael Jackson's iconic "Thriller" music video.

And the best part is that the original cast is returning to reprise their roles as characters like Buster Moon, Ash, Johnny, and Miss Crawly.

Cast list (in order of appearance)

Matthew McConaughey as Buster MoonTori Kelly as MeenaNick Kroll as GunterScarlett Johansson as AshTaron Egerton as JohnnyGarth Jennings as Miss Crawly

"Thriller" by Jackson is one of the most iconic songs of all time, so it seems like a very fitting way to reunite the Sing crew to honor a timeless pop culture moment.

The “Sing” gang is returning, but probably not in the way you’d expect.

“Sing: Thriller,” an all-new, original short film set within the world of Illumination’s popular features – 2016’s “Sing” and 2021’s “Sing 2” — premieres on Netflix on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Writer/director Garth Jennings returns for the short, which features voice work by Matthew McConaughey, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton and Jennings himself.

The logline reads: “After staging a spectacular version of Thriller at the New Moon Theatre, Buster Moon and the cast of ‘Sing’ leave to celebrate at Clay Calloway’s Halloween party. But when our heroes arrive at the party they discover a mysterious, multi-colored ooze has transformed Clay and his guests into dancing freaks.”

The press release notes that the new short is based on the original short film “Michael Jackson’s Thriller,” which was directed by John Landis and written by Jackson and Landis.

Get ready to dive into one of the most mind-bending conspiracy theories surrounding Michael Jackson’s death! This isn’t just any tale; it’s a deadly game of chess linking Sony and The Beatles in a plot thicker than a thriller. Picture this: the King of Pop, the music industry’s golden boy, owning half of the iconic Beatles catalog. Sounds epic, right?

Michael Jackson wanted to play Spider-Man (image credit: ‘Beat it’ single/ Billboard Music)

But wait—what if this power move turned into a game of sabotage? Some say Sony wasn’t thrilled about Jackson’s massive success and went to extreme lengths to keep him in check. As we peel back the layers of this conspiracy, prepare for a wild ride filled with twists, turns, and jaw-dropping revelations! Let’s unravel this musical mystery!

Michael Jackson’s High-Stakes Battle with Sony: A Deadly Game of Chess...

Michael Jackson is a name that echoes in the hearts of music lovers around the world. It all started during the ’60s when the “King of Pop” was barely a teenager; he joined the famous Jackson 5, a group formed around him and his brothers. Things eventually took their own course when Mj started to get recognized for his unique voice.

Michael Jackson in the “Beat It” music video | Credits: youtube.com/@MichaelJackson

Before tragically passing in 2009, Michael Jackson had released multiple albums and hit songs such as Thriller, They Don’t Care About Us, Billie Jean, and many more. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter inspired musicians across a vast set of genres, despite being the greatest pop singer ever.

However, Jackson was put under the spotlight for several reasons, one of them being his unique voice, which never changed even after puberty. And Joe Rogan never backs down from discussing highly controversial topics.

Music has kept our culture alive through better and worse while musicians like Michael Jackson and Elvis have left an indelible mark on our society. However, there has never existed a celebrity devoid of some form of scandal or controversy, and the Billie Jean singer perhaps ranks very high on that list.

Michael Jackson performing live at the Dangerous Tour in Monza, Italy in 1992 [Photo by Daniele Dalledonne licensed under Cc By-sa 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

Through the decades, the music industry has never faltered in delivering one golden genre after another. Whether it was jazz, rock, disco, metal, grunge, hip-hop, techno, or pop – music evolved its way through the years until the Moonwalker effectively took over the industry, crowning himself the King of Pop in the process.

Not long after, rap entered the picture as artists like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., and Eminem began to rage against the world.

The World of Pop...

The American TV-movie has gained a bad rap over the years, but there was a time when folks looked forward to these flicks — and not in an ironic sense or a need to hate-watch.

That period of kinder and less cynical viewership was surely in the 1970s and ’80s when the made-for-television movie became more widespread. The “movie of the week” format took off in the former decade, with the major networks at the time devoting blocks in their schedules to these standalone, small-screen features. And one of the more revisited genres was horror. Duel, The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Trilogy of Terror, Are You in the House Alone?, The Initiation of Sarah. These are just a few of the classic telefilms that scared a whole generation of viewers.

There have been great strides to archive and restore these past horror TV-movies,...

Tito Jackson, the founding guitarist of iconic ’70s hitmakers The Jackson 5 that featured a young Michael Jackson and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, died Sunday after reportedly having a heart attack while driving. He was 70.

His sons Tj, Taryll and Taj Jackson, who make up the band 3T, posted the news on social media.

“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” the trio wrote on Facebook. “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T. Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously.”

Also featuring brothers Jermaine, Marlon, Jackie and later Randy, the group blasted out of Indiana in 1969 with its first four singles all hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100: “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The...

By the time MTV held its first Video Music Awards (VMAs) ceremony on Sept. 14, 1984, music videos had really come into their own as a cinematic art form. There were increasingly big budgets to produce them; creative visuals and special effects helped bring the popular songs they accompanied even more to life; and they were increasingly drawing in big Hollywood names to direct them, as John Landis did with the landmark video for Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller,” with some of these videos even having high-profile premieres like movies. The “Thriller” video was among the nominees across 16 categories at the first VMAs ceremony, which recognized the best videos released between May 2, 1983, and May 2, 1984. This timespan encompassed the release of what are still some of the best remembered videos of all time, works of art that are also highly entertaining, and not just for the generation that experienced them the first go-round: Many have racked up millions — and,...

It’s been a while since we’ve gotten a great thriller set in space. Sure, the Dune‘s and Star Wars of Hollywood have given us plenty of spectacle over the years but sometimes I want a smaller story. One that connects on a more human level. And Slingshot does just that, providing a look at a possibly compromised mission to Titan. We follow these three astronauts as they deal with paranoia both about the mission and the intentions of the other astronauts on board. It’s quite the thrill ride and you can check out my glowing review of the film Here.

I chatted with both Laurence Fishburne as well as director Mikael Håfström about the film. While it took everything in me not to mention 1408 to Mikael, you know I had to mention Event Horizon to Mr. Fishburne. Those opportunities only come along so much, after all.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. The son of Joe and Katherine Jackson made his public singing debut as part of the Jackson 5 in 1964, joining his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon. By 1968 the group was signed to Motown and achieved worldwide success with Michael as the lead singer.

In 1971 Michael began his solo career with Motown and achieved instant success with hits like “Got to Be There,” “Rockin’ Robin” and “Ben.” By 1973, the success was dwindling and Michael’s songs weren’t charting like they used to. After taking some time to grow into a man (and an artist), Michael was signed to Epic Records and released the “Off the Wall” album in 1979. With five singles including the chart-toppers “Don’t Stop Til’ You Get Enough” and “Rock With You,” Michael had catapulted himself into a certified multi-platinum superstar.

From that point on, everything Michael...

Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. The son of Joe and Katherine Jackson made his public singing debut as part of the Jackson 5 in 1964, joining his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon. By 1968 the group was signed to Motown and achieved worldwide success with Michael as the lead singer.

In 1971 Michael began his solo career with Motown and achieved instant success with hits like “Got to Be There,” “Rockin’ Robin” and “Ben.” By 1973, the success was dwindling and Michael’s songs weren’t charting like they used to. After taking some time to grow into a man (and an artist), Michael was signed to Epic Records and released the “Off the Wall” album in 1979. With five singles including the chart-toppers “Don’t Stop Til’ You Get Enough” and “Rock With You,” Michael had catapulted himself into a certified multi-platinum superstar.

From that point on, everything Michael...

AC/DC’s iconic Back in Black album just earned two new certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), moving it into third place on the all-time list of best-selling albums in US history.

The 1980 album was certified 26-times platinum by the RIAA on July 8th and shortly thereafter 27-times platinum just a couple days ago on August 21st. The latter certification for shifting 27 million units put it ahead of the Eagles’ Hotel California on the list of the best-selling albums in the United States.

Don’t feel too bad for the Eagles, though, as their best-of collection Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) still remains No. 1 on the list with 38 million units moved. Michael Jackson’s Thriller is No. 2 at 34 million copies.

Worldwide, Back in Black is No. 2 with a reported 50 million copies sold, only trailing Thriller (an estimated 70 million units moved).

Back in Black is currently available to purchase...

Rashida Jones never seriously considered pursuing music professionally, despite “a deep ache” for it, on account of her dad Quincy Jones being a “musical genius.”

The actress told the “Smartless” celebrity-hosted podcast that despite early love for performing and writing music, she didn’t think she’d be able to follow in her legendary father’s footsteps.

“My dad’s a musical genius, that’s like the last thing I want to do, is try my hand at that,” she said. “But I love it. I have a deep ache for music, and I just don’t ever feel like I’m good enough to do it.”

She added that she sings and writes for fun, even performing as a backup singer on a few albums — but that’s as far as it went.

“I love it so much and I kind of sing for fun and I’ve written for fun,...

Spoiler Alert !!!Spoilers for One Piece Episode 1115!

The recently released One Piece episode 1115 has finally offered a glimpse of the much-awaited Monkey D. Garp vs. Aokiji Kuzan battle. Ever since Garp’s endeavors on Hachinosu Island began, One Piece fans have been waiting for this epic fight between the master and his former Admiral student.

Garp vs Aokiji | Credit: Toei Animation

The episode was one of the best episodes after the Wano arc, and Toei Animation did a wonderful job of animating the battle. While the result of the fight is still a few episodes away, both Garp and Aokiji are trying their hardest to defeat each other and fulfill their roles. However, this fight has divided the One Piece fans into two factions.

One group of fans who favored Aokiji claimed that Monkey D. Garp had become weak and he was not as strong as he was in his...

Ever since Eiichiro Oda introduced Monkey D. Luffy in his magnum opus, the love for the protagonist has just increased over time. He is the newly recognized Emperor of the Sea and has come a long way since the beginning of the series.

Monkey D. Luffy. Credits: Toei Animation

As a result, during the long run of the manga, Oda-Sensei has featured our beloved hero in numerous forms that have helped him defeat a ton of strong foes that seemed impossible for him to defeat in his normal form. However, these unnatural powers have changed his physical appearance and attitude.

One such form was the Nightmare Luffy transformation, which was introduced in the Thriller Bark Arc. Though this form was not a part of his Devil Fruit, Gomu Gomu no Mi, it still stands as one of the strongest forms of our hero. Consequently, fans are curious how strong this...

Jaafar Jackson, who will portray his late uncle Michael Jackson in the upcoming biopic “Michael,” has signed with CAA for representation.

Jaafar Jackson is the son of Jermaine Jackson and the nephew of the King of Pop. He makes his acting debut in the Antoine Fuqua-directed, Gk Films-produced movie, which is set for worldwide release on April 18, 2025. “Michael” is also produced by John Branca and John McClain, the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate. Lionsgate is distributing the film in the U.S. and Japan, while Universal Pictures has rights for all offshore territories.

In April, Lionsgate dazzled the CinemaCon crowd by sharing a first look at the highly anticipated film, revealing the scope of its examination of the musician’s life, as Jaafar portrays the private man behind the moonwalk. Fans had already gotten a peek at his physical transformation when the studio released an image of Jaafar in costume,...

On the evening of Feb. 28, 1984, Prince was at home, watching Michael Jackson become the first artist to win eight Grammys in a single night, including Album of the Year for Thriller. When the broadcast was over, Prince turned to Bobby Z, his longtime friend and drummer for the Revolution, and told him, “Next year, that’s gonna be us.”

As both an album and a movie, Purple Rain was still unfinished at that point, but Prince had a good idea of what he had. The very idea of making a movie was inspired,...

Michael Jackson and Madonna had so much in common during their peak years in the 1980s and 1990s but their songs were distinct from each others. Interestingly, they had hit songs with the same title several years apart. Of course, these two tracks have very different things to say about the same topic.

1 of Michael Jackson’s more sexual songs is a nice change of pace

Jackson was the King of Pop, but he knew how to make good rock music. In 1982, he released his soft-rock ballad “Human Nature,” which is likely the best ballad of his solo career. It sounds a bit like Toto’s “Africa,” which makes sense considering that it was co-written by Toto’s Steve Porcaro. However, the King of Pop had a far better vice than anyone in Toto, so “Human Nature” is better than “Africa” by a wide margin.

So, what did Jackson have to say about human nature?...