Sunday, January 20, 2008

Michael Jackson Comeback in 2008!

Granted, it won't be easy but anyone who thinks that the King of Pop is down for the count doesn't know Jack(o).

Let's for a minute forget about the child molestation charges. Forget about the ridiculous amount of plastic surgeries that have transformed this previously handsome young black man. Because, as we all know, this is America and as history continues to show anyone can make a comeback. And all it takes is a hit record. So I've decided to get my executive producer on and come up with a list of producers to put the King of Pop back on his throne.

Rodney Jerkins

Notable Hits

Brandy & Monica - The Boy is Mine
Michael Jackson - You Rock My World
Janet Jackson - Feedback
Destiny's Child - Say My Name/Lose My Breath
Beyonce - Deja Vu


Of course, Rodney Jerkins is the first guy to mention. He's a certified hit machine. He's worked with Michael before and he can change styles very quickly, delivering club-thumping joints for Destiny's Child, Brandy, etc. while also making traditional smooth R&B for Ciara, Keyshia Cole, Joe and others. He should produce 3 for MJ's next one, 2 smoothed out R&B tracks and one monster club track.



Timbaland

Notable Hits

Aaliyah- Are you that Somebody/We Need a Resolution etc.
Ginuwine - Pony/What's So Different etc
Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River, What Goes Around
Timbaland - Apologize/The Way I Are
Nelly Furtado - Say It Right/Promiscuous
Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On/She's a Bi*ch




Steroid allegations aside, Timbo is King. So why wouldn't the King of Pop work with, arguably, the most innovative producer of our time? The argument against it is that he would be biting Justin Timberlake's style, as Timbo almost exclusively produces for the King of Blue-Eyed Soul. I would argue against that considering Timbaland switches up his style like it's his job (incidentally it is his job). And besides, JT swagger-jacked MJ first.


Raphael Saadiq


Notable Hits

D'angelo - Lady
Total - Kissin You
Angie Stone - Brotha
Kelis - Glow
Mos Def - The Boogie Man Song
Raphael Saadiq - Still Ray/Get Involved
The Roots - What they Do
Tony Toni Tone - Feels Good/If I Had No Loot/Anniversary, etc.
Bilal - Soul Sista




One of the best R & B soul producers of our time. There are very few artists/producers that have the longevity of a Raphael Saadiq. Dude's been around since Tony Toni Tone. He even made Kelis sound soulful. MJ should not be as challenging. After all, we might forget but MJ used to be quite the crooner. If he can put the soul back into his music, it'll sound a little more credible than the endless stream of "pop" songs.



Neptunes

Notable Hits

Sade - By Your Side (remix)
NERD - Run to the Sun
Kelis - Caught Out There/Milkshake
Justin Timberlake - Like I Love You/Nothin Else
Britney Spears - I'm a Slave 4 U/ Boys



It blows my mind that MJ somehow skipped the Neptunes when they were in their prime. Granted, they're still big hitmakers but they are not every third song on the radio like they were in 2001. That's probably a good thing though. At any rate, they are so good at making hits that MJ would be a fool to not work with them.



Mark Ronson


Notable Hits

Daniel Merriweather - Stop Me
Amy Winehouse - Rehab/You Know I'm No Good/Valerie
Ghostface - Ooh Wee
Mark Ronson -Version

Mark Ronson will probably be the least obvious producer of the ones I've listed but MJ's needed to step outside of the box for awhile now. The previous producers are pretty safe choices. In particular, I'd like to hear him produce something disco/house influenced. Let's not forget that some of MJ's best music came out of the disco era.

Bryan Michael Cox

Notable Hits

Mary J. Blige - Be Without You/We Ride
Usher - Confessions/Confessions Pt II/Burn
Mariah Carey - Shake It Off
Chris Brown - Fallen Angel
Marques Houston - Circles
Danity Kane - Ride For You







BMC, as I like to call him, single-handedly took Mary J. Blige from an amazing singer to an icon with 2006's smash "Be Without You." BMC is a genius when it comes to the poppy R&B tracks that get stuck in your head. Who would be better for MJ's second single?



Other producers to consider: Rich Harrison, Just Blaze, WIll.I.Am, Polow Da Don, Danger Mouse.

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Posted by Xen Master at 1:35 PM

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"BMC...single-handedly took Mary J Blige from an amazing singer to an icon"?? I love the list, but I have to call you out on that one. MJB's been an icon longer than Cox has been famous. Also, I'd like to hear your thoughts on Will.I.Am with MJ - it could be either great or horrible - what do you think?

January 22, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Xen Master said...

Buddy, listen. I'm not saying that BMC made her. She'd been out for 15years and had been consistent with her sound and appreciated but,that being said, she reached catastrophic success (selling one million copies in her first week) on the strength of that song "e Without You" an international hit. Mor important for her career than "Real Love" or "No More Drama"? Perhaps not, but in the same way that Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" was a defining song for her.

Will.I.Am has range. He produced John Legend's "Save Room" and on Mar J Blige's album. it could work if he doesn't go the BEP route.

January 22, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Xen Master said...

Wow. I did not edit that last comment well at all.

January 22, 2008 at 11:10 AM

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