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Michael Jackson’s Revolutionary Album ‘Thriller’ Turns 40

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Michael Jackson's Revolutionary Album 'Thriller' Turns 40

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” which turns 40 next week, was the most commercially successful album of all time and helped define an era with its audiovisual aspirations. It combined rock, pop, and RnB in a way that had never been done before.

Over 100 million copies of “Thriller” have been sold globally since its November 30, 1982, debut.

It established Jackson as the “King of Pop” and is still a fundamental piece of music.

Even the latest paedophilia accusations in the 2019 documentary “Leaving Neverland” couldn’t diminish Jackson’s appeal; his music is presently rated 60th globally on Spotify with 36.7 million monthly plays.

His influence is still all over the charts, not least in the form of The Weeknd, whose music has channelled Jackson, from an early cover of “Dirty Diana” (2010’s “DD”) through to his recent chart-topping album “Dawn FM”.

“Michael is somebody that I admire. He’s not like a real person, you know? When I started making music, that’s all I wanted to aspire to, just like every other musician,” the Canadian singer-songwriter told GQ magazine recently.

Much of the magic on “Thriller” is thanks to producer Quincy Jones, who had worked with Jackson on 1979’s “Off The Wall”.

“The record company didn’t want Quincy for ‘Off The Wall’. They took a dim view of this producer from the jazz world — music that sold peanuts in the eyes of the industry,” said Olivier Cachin, author of two books on Jackson.

But the collaboration saw sparks fly — literally on one occasion.

“When we were finishing ‘Beat It’… we were working five nights and five days, with no sleep. And at one point, the speakers overloaded and caught on fire!” Jones recalled to Rolling Stone.

– Threatening MTV –

“Thriller” was the moment when Jackson started to pull in influences from across pop culture, with Eddie Van Halen’s hard rock solo on “Beat It”, and pop ballad “The Girl is Mine” with Paul McCartney.

There were pioneering rap rhythms on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and a sample from “Soul Makossa” by saxophonist Manu Dibango (who got a large pay-out after Jackson’s team failed to secure authorisation).

Initially, the record failed to break on to the newly established MTV channel, which refused to show the video for megahit single “Billie Jean” on the grounds that black music did not “fit” with its white-dominated rock programming.

The boss of Jackson’s parent label at CBS, Walter Yetnikoff, “threatened to publicly denounce MTV as huge racists and block their access to videos of rock artists in its catalogue”, said Cachin.

Yetnikoff won that battle but then found himself clashing with Jackson over his plans for a $1 million video for the album’s last single, the title track “Thriller”.

Jackson wanted to work with director John Landis, having loved his movie “An American Werewolf in London”, while Yetnikoff thought the plan was pointless when the album was already at number one.

“But Michael had a vision, and he was stubborn,” said Cachin.

The ensuing 14-minute mini-film, which had its Hollywood premiere in front of a star-studded audience, helped revitalize album sales.

Not only did Jackson transform into a werewolf and raise the dead from the dead, but the elaborate and ambitious music videos that followed would go on to define the following two decades of modern culture.

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Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Phyno, Others Dazzle Fans At Flytime Music Festival 2024

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Lagos witnessed an electrifying night of Afrobeats excellence on December 23, 2024, as the Flytime Music Festival took center stage.

Headlined by Nigerian music powerhouse Olamide, the event brought together an impressive lineup of stars to deliver unforgettable performances.

Olamide, affectionately called “Baddest” by fans, captivated the audience with back-to-back hits from his extensive catalog, including fan favorites like Melo Melo and Duro Soke.

The night turned emotional when Zlatan Ibile joined Olamide on stage and knelt in homage, a moment that resonated deeply with the crowd.

READ MORE: Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Former Ooni’s Wife, Others Remanded Over Stampede

The festival also showcased the generational impact of Olamide’s artistry.

Rising stars like Lil Kesh, Young Jonn, and Pheelz, who credit Olamide as a mentor, joined him on stage for a nostalgic display of talent.

Bella Shmurda, Fireboy DML, and Wande Coal also made show-stopping appearances.

A highlight of the night was the powerful duet between Olamide and Wande Coal on their hit song Kpe Paso.

Afrobeats royalty turned out in full force to support Olamide. Icons like Tiwa Savage, Phyno, Peruzzi, and Iyanya performed alongside emerging stars such as Magixx, Omah Lay, Orezi, Khaid, and Lojay, making the event a celebration of the genre’s past, present, and future.

CKay added extra flair by joining Olamide for a vibrant performance of their collaboration, Wahala, while Tiwa Savage brought her signature energy to the stage, keeping fans on their feet.

Backstage, entertainers Tunde Perry and Farulee added a dose of humor, further elevating the night’s excitement. Flytime Music Festival 2024 was more than a concert; it was a testament to the unifying power of music and a celebration of the global dominance of Afrobeats.

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Davido Spotted With Burna Boy’s Mother At Tony Elumelu’s All White Party

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Nigerian music sensation Davido was recently seen engaging warmly with Bose Ogulu, the mother and manager of Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, at Tony Elumelu’s exclusive all-white party in Lagos.

The event, hosted by the prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist, gathered a star-studded assembly of celebrities, business leaders, and influencers.

The interaction between Davido and Ogulu drew significant attention, especially considering the previously reported tensions between Davido and Burna Boy.

Their cordial exchange at the event has sparked discussions among fans and observers, suggesting a possible easing of past disagreements.

READ MORE: Davido Announces 2025 Album 5IVE, Drops Single ‘Funds’

The all-white party, known for its elegance and high-profile guest list, featured performances from top Nigerian artists, including Davido and Burna Boy. Their individual performances were among the highlights of the evening, showcasing the unity and vibrancy of the Nigerian music industry.

Tony Elumelu’s gatherings are renowned for bringing together diverse talents and fostering a spirit of collaboration. The presence of both Davido and Burna Boy’s mother at the same event underscores the influential role such occasions play in bridging gaps within the entertainment community.

As videos and images from the event circulate on social media, fans express optimism about the potential reconciliation between the two music giants. Many hope that this encounter signifies a new chapter of collaboration and mutual respect in the Nigerian music scene.

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Tragic Funfair Crush In Ibadan Claims Children’s Lives

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The Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the reconstruction of Ijio-Idiko-Ile Road which is one of the roads in the Oke Ogun geo-political zone in the state. Makinde also disclosed that he had given the go-ahead for the renovation of Iseyin Township Hall. Makinde, made these known during a town hall meeting held at Iseyin Town Hall in Iseyin Local Government Area, on Thursday. In his speech, Makinde informed the audience that construction is still going on at the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso campus's College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin Campus. He declared that Oba Abdul Ganiy Adekunle Salau, the most recent Aseyin of Iseyin, would be honored by having the campus lecture hall bear his name.

Several children lost their lives, and many others were injured in a tragic incident at a funfair in Ibadan, a city in south-west Nigeria.

The event, which was advertised as free entry, attracted a massive crowd, resulting in a crush as attendees struggled to gain access.

Eyewitnesses reported that over 5,000 children gathered at the venue, located at the Islamic High School Basorun. The tragedy unfolded when the main organisers arrived to begin the event. While the exact sequence of events leading to the crush remains unclear, the situation escalated into chaos, leaving scores injured.

READ MORE: Osun’s Mining Reforms Focused On Fairness, Equity – Governor

The Oyo state government confirmed the incident, stating that victims had been rushed to various hospitals across Ibadan for treatment. In a statement, they acknowledged “multiple loss of lives and injuries.” Authorities have urged concerned parents to check local hospitals for their children’s whereabouts.

The devastating event has left the community in shock, with residents mourning the lives lost in what should have been a joyous occasion. Investigations are expected to shed light on how the situation spiraled out of control.

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