Mike vs Sony

[AKAtude]

I found this on eurweb.


SHARPTON TAKES HAND OFF VERBAL GUN: Says Mike's assault on Tommy Motolla may have been unwarranted.


Al Sharpton & Michael Jackson
(Jul. 9, 2002) *Michael Jackson probably fancied himself to be the champion of the downtrodden artist when he gave a rapid fire diatribe on how evil Tommy Motolla and the business of music are, but the Rev. Al Sharpton, who stood beside him on this weekend has quickly back peddled from Jackson's labeling of the music exec as a racist.
What, y'all didn't see the "What the hell?!" look Rev. Al had on his face while standing in the background? He was so shocked his process damn near locked right on up on the spot.

"I have known Tommy for 15 or 20 years, and never once have I known him to say or do anything that would be considered racist," Sharpton said. "In fact, he's always been supportive of the black music industry," Sharpton said. "He was the first record executive to step up and offer to help us with respect to corporate accountability, when it comes to black music issues."

Daaaanng! Well, folks, the 21st century never ceases to amaze us while simultaneously beating us over the head with news events we never dreamed would come to pass. Stay tuned. We're sure there's more on this one coming down the pike.

[nikki1920]

I think Mike shot himself in the foot with this one. His album didnt do well b/c he only did ONE video for the TWO songs released AND he did not tour. Touring is where you make your money if you are an artist. Sony is mad b/c it spent 20 or 30 million for an album that has only sold 6 million copies world wide.

Funny, when Prince said the same thing a few years ago, Mike was quiet. Funny, when Mike went thru the child molestation drama, he RAN to black media. NOW he wants to pull the Race card?

[Steeltrap]

As I said on the celebrity dish thread, I hardly consider Michael "Bleach" Jackson a credible spokesman on race matters. It's like Ohhhjjjj running to Oh Drama and serving as a rap MC. But many of us are rather, ahem, forgiving.

[CrimsonTide4]

Release of Jackson's 9/11 Charity Single in Doubt
Fri Jul 12, 8:13 PM ET
By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A charity single recorded by Michael Jackson to raise money for victims of Sept. 11 has fallen into limbo since the pop star learned that the song's executive producer is involved in the pornography business, the singer's spokesman said on Friday.


The self-proclaimed King of Pop "cut all ties" with the song's original executive producer "the minute he found out about this guy's background," several months ago, Jackson publicist Dan Klores told Reuters.

Klores said fallout from the disclosure and other issues had thrown into question whether the all-star single, "What More Can I Give," will ever see the light of day, but added that as of "three or four days ago there was still hope that this single will be released."

The producer in question, F. Marc Schaffel, acknowledged in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on Friday that he worked "in the adult film business" and had produced and directed dozens of gay pornography videos.

But he said the flap over his porno business in connection with Jackson's project was a "smokescreen" for efforts to "shut this single down because of a bigger fight going on."

Jackson recently accused Sony Music Entertainment Inc., a unit of Japanese electronics firm Sony Corp ( news - web sites). . of blocking release the single in an escalating public feud between the singer and his music label.

Sony declined comment on reports about the single, or even on whether it had ever planned to release the song.

Jackson's representatives said last October he had finished studio recordings for the single, which he hoped would raise $50 million for victims' families and survivors of the suicide hijacking attacks on New York and Washington.

Among the three dozen pop stars said to have lent their talent to the project were 'N Sync ( news - web sites), Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Carlos Santana, Celine Dion, Tom Petty, Julio Iglesias and Reba McEntire.

THE BURGER CONNECTION

The Los Angeles Times, citing unnamed sources and documents obtained by the paper, reported the singer's own advisors quietly had asked Sony to bury the project after learning of Schaffel's background.

Schaffel's lawyer, Tom Byrne, said his client and Jackson have not spoken since November, "but the (charity record) project is done, so that's fine. "It's not important to (Schaffel) that he gets credit for it."

Schaffel, whose production company does business as Neverland Valley Entertainment, urged Sony executives in an open letter last month to release "What More Can I Give" or allow another label to issue it. Neverland also is the name of Jackson's private compound in central California.

The Times also reported that fast-food giant McDonald's Corp. pulled out of a multimillion-dollar agreement to sell the single in its restaurants over concerns about Jackson's involvement in a 1993 child molestation case that he settled for out of court for a reported $15 million. Jackson, who denied any wrongdoing, was never charged with a crime.

A spokeswoman for McDonald's said the company was in talks about "a potential fund-raising effort" with Jackson last year, but "there was never an agreement between the parties."

"We looked at it from a strict business perspective and decided to take a pass on it based on timing, distribution and cost issues," McDonald's spokeswoman Lisa Howard said.

Last weekend, Jackson led a protest of about 150 people in front of Sony Music headquarters in New York, calling Sony Music chief Thomas Mottola: "racist" and "devilish."

Jackson has said half-hearted promotion by Sony was to blame for meager sales of his latest album, "Invincible," and accused Sony and other labels of conspiring to cheat artists, particularly black performers, out of royalties.

Sony has defended its marketing of "Invincible" and dismissed Jackson's charges as "ludicrous."

Industry sources have said Jackson, under contract with Sony until 2004 and among the highest-paid pop stars ever, appeared to be trying to pressure Sony into breaking his pact so he can exit with his valuable trove of master recordings.

[bro_strawter]

Ya know, I find this topic very interesting. I had to chuckle to myself when I first heard about it on BET. My question is, was Mike concerned about the treatment of other artist when his records were selling millions? Where was he then? Oh, so now that "Invincible" only sold 2 mil in the U.S, he wants to start an uproar and refer to to Tommy Mottola as a racist. Thats wild. In my honest opinion, "Invincible" didn't sell well was because:

1. The record label spent a lot of money on his recording of the album, over 100 songs (if not mistaken) when he only used about 13 for the album. That ish cost money Mike!!! Especially when Rodney Jerkins charges $100,000 to $150, 000 a song.

2. The album was o.k, but not what the public expected.

3. He only filmed one video, and that Halloween garbage that seemed like a mini-series. I watched it last night on VH-1. Was he serious?

4. The selection of the releases. I think he should have released them in this order:

a. "Butterflies" w/ video
b. "Rock My World" w/video
c. "Heaven Can Wait" w/video

a tour, then wrapped up the album. I think this would have helped alot.

I'm a big fan of MJ. I listen to the "Off The Wall" album all the time. However, this new strategy he's come up with leaves me dumbfounded. So now he's black again...yeah right. The African American community ain't hearing it. Not coming from him. Then, they tried to get Ludacris on board. He told them "I'm straight on that" in so many words. And Doug E. Fresh? I almost slapped myself when I saw him on BET. Some folks will do almost anything to get a chance in the spotlight. I mean, when was the last time Doug E. had an album out. Let's be for real.

[cricket]

Originally posted by bro_strawter


2. The album was o.k, but not what the public expected.

I thought the album was HORRIBLE. I listened to it from a friend before deciding whether or not to buy it. Best $13 I never spent.

[bro_strawter]

Originally posted by cricket


I thought the album was HORRIBLE. I listened to it from a friend before deciding whether or not to buy it. Best $13 I never spent.

I feel ya. Trust, I have a burned copy. lol