Michael (Michael Jackson album)

(Redirected from Much Too Soon)

Michael is a posthumous album by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was released on December 10, 2010, by Epic Records and Sony Music Entertainment. Michael is the first release of all-new Michael Jackson material since Invincible in 2001 and the seventh overall release since Jackson's death in 2009. The album was produced by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster, John McClain, Giorgio Tuinfort, Teddy Riley, and Brad Buxer, among others, and features guest performances by Akon and Lenny Kravitz.

Michael
Compilation album by
ReleasedDecember 10, 2010
Recorded
  • 1982–2008 (vocals)
  • 2010 (production and mixing)
Length41:34
Label
Producer
Michael Jackson chronology
Michael Jackson's This Is It
(2009)
Michael
(2010)
Immortal
(2011)
Singles from Michael
  1. "Hold My Hand"
    Released: November 15, 2010
  2. "Hollywood Tonight"
    Released: February 11, 2011
  3. "Behind the Mask"
    Released: February 21, 2011
  4. "(I Like) The Way You Love Me"
    Released: July 8, 2011

Michael debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 albums chart and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States. It produced four singles: "Hold My Hand", "Hollywood Tonight", "Behind the Mask", and "(I Like) The Way You Love Me", accompanied by music videos. "Hold My Hand" was a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit and has been certified Gold in the US.

In 2022, three songs—"Keep Your Head Up", "Monster" and "Breaking News"—were removed from streaming and physical versions of the album, after nearly 12 years of controversy concerning the authenticity of Jackson's vocals. Subsequent CD reissues have had the three songs removed.

Background

edit

Announced on November 12, 2010, Michael initially featured 10 tracks.[1] "Breaking News" was the first song from the album to be released and was available for radio airplay. According to Sony, the song was recorded in the home studio of Jackson family friend Eddie Cascio in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey in autumn 2007 and had been "recently brought to completion."[2][1][3]

In the years prior to his death, Jackson was reported to be working with contemporary hitmakers such as singer-songwriter Akon and producer RedOne.[4] The first official single from Michael, "Hold My Hand", was a duet with Akon recorded in late December 2007 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.[5] Co-writer Claude Kelly told HitQuarters that it was the song's theme of friendship and togetherness that had struck a chord with Jackson.[6] A handwritten note from Michael belonging to his Estate indicated his desire that "Hold My Hand" be the first single on his next project. However, in its unfinished state, the song leaked on June 30, 2008.[7] Before the release, Akon stated that the final version would have more of Jackson's vocals. The song was released globally on Monday, November 15 at 12:01 am EST.[8][9]

Prior to the album's release, a lawyer for Jackson's father Joe stated that Jackson was a perfectionist and "would never have wanted his unfinished material to be released".[10] Jackson collaborator will.i.am said it was "disrespectful" to release the material, as Jackson was not able to approve it.[11]

Composition

edit

Musically, Michael contains a mixture of styles, including R&B, pop, rock, dance, hip hop, funk and gospel.[12][13][14][15][16][17] Thematically, the album features "inspirational, uplifting anthems" and "melodic, sweetly sung ballads" alongside more pointed songs levelling criticism at the news media, Hollywood and society in general.[18] Jackson wrote or co-wrote five of the seven tracks.[15]

The majority of the songs on the album were written and recorded during the Invincible (2001) era and onwards to the This Is It (2009) era. The album also contains two songs that were written during the Thriller (1982) era: "Behind the Mask"[19] and "Much Too Soon".[20] The latter features Australian musician Tommy Emmanuel on guitar.[21] The song "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" previously appeared on The Ultimate Collection (2004) as an unreleased track, under the title "The Way You Love Me", but was re-arranged for Michael with additional vocals.[22] The song "Best of Joy" is one of the last that Jackson recorded during his lifetime and was rewritten and recorded by him in November 2008 at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, California, the year prior to his death.[16][23][24]

Artwork

edit

The album cover artwork, a 2009 commissioned oil painting by African American artist Kadir Nelson, features two putti (one black, one white) placing a crown on Jackson's head against a mural depicting the images of the singer at different stages in his career.[2] Nelson said that Jackson approached him several years ago to create a project detailing his life and career. The project stalled but was revived in 2009 by one of the estate's executors, John McClain,[4] who had worked with Michael's sister Janet during her time at A&M. "Michael wears a golden suit of armor and stares at the viewer as he is crowned by cupids," Nelson said. "He places his hand over his heart and looks directly at the viewer, a symbol of Jackson's big heart and strong connection to his fans and music. A monarch butterfly sits on his shoulder, another symbol of Jackson's metamorphosis as a singer and entertainer, as well as a symbol of royalty. His musical history unfolds behind him."[4][25] The original Sony publicity release of the album cover featured the Prince symbol in a bubble next to the tiger's head, which sparked discussion on the internet as to whether Prince was involved with any of the new songs. The official response from Prince's camp was "No permission was granted", and the symbol was subsequently removed from the cover on all official Sony websites.[26]

Promotion and singles

edit

"Breaking News" was the first song from the album to be unveiled. On November 5, 2010, a video teaser for the song was released on Jackson's official website. It opens with a montage of various television journalists reporting breaking news about Jackson, followed by the musical introduction of a song.[27] The montage refers to the tabloid stories and legal troubles that plagued Jackson in the years leading up to his death.[28] On November 8, the full length version of the song was released,[29] and made available on MichaelJackson.com for one week.[2] The premiere of the song launched the public controversy about the authenticity of the vocals that plagued the album all the way through its promo campaign and ultimately resulted in lower than projected sales.[30][31] The rumored single of another controversial Cascio song, "Monster", was subsequently cancelled.

The album's first single, "Hold My Hand", was released on November 15.[8][2] The filming of the official video began on Saturday, November 20, in Tustin, California. A casting call was posted on Jackson's official website, stating that the filmmakers were "looking for his fans of all ages who want to be a part of this iconic event."[32] On November 30, the final version of "Much Too Soon" was unveiled, and it was announced that the song would be streaming on iTunes Ping for one week.[33] On December 3, talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres premiered the song "Hollywood Tonight" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[34] On December 6, talk show host Oprah Winfrey premiered "Keep Your Head Up" and "Monster" on The Oprah Winfrey Show.[35] On December 7, the final version of "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" was unveiled on iTunes Ping for one week.[36]

On December 8, the entire Michael album was released on Jackson's official website for preview.[37] On Friday, December 10, a 29,070-square-foot (2,701 m2) poster depicting the Michael album artwork was erected at the Rectory Farm in Middlesex, which broke a Guinness world record for the largest poster in the world, making it Jackson's fourth entry in Guinness World Records and the first record he broke posthumously. The poster, made of PVC and weighing one ton, took engineers three hours to install and was located less than 3,000 meters from one of Heathrow airport's main runways, making it viewable by all planes arriving and departing. The poster stayed at that location until December 23, after which it traveled via sea-container into continental Europe, where it was toured and displayed.[38] Sony Music had a listening party for the album at Roseland Ballroom on December 13.

"Hollywood Tonight" was the album's second official single,[39] released in Italy on February 11, 2011[40] and in Poland on February 14.[41] The third single, "Behind the Mask", was released in France on February 21.[42] The fourth and final single, "(I Like) The Way You Love Me", was released as a digital single in South Korea on January 18 and was formally released to Italian[43] and Chinese[44] radio stations in July 2011.

Controversies

edit

Authenticity of vocals on three tracks

edit

The authenticity of the vocals on the tracks "Breaking News", "Keep Your Head Up", and "Monster" is disputed.[45] The tracks, along with nine other unreleased songs leaked online ("Stay", "All Right" (a.k.a. "Everything's Just Fine"), "Black Widow", "Burn Tonight", "All I Need", "Water", "Fall in Love", "Ready 2 Win", and "Soldier Boy"), are known as the Cascio tracks.[46] They are attributed to Jackson, Eddie Cascio and James Porte and were allegedly recorded in the Cascios' basement in 2007, according to the documentary detailing the making of the album.[47][48] "Stay", "All I Need", and "Burn Tonight", were at one point considered for the album and mixed by Teddy Riley in 2010.[46] Doubts over whether the vocals were by Jackson have been raised by his mother Katherine Jackson, his children Prince and Paris,[49] his sister La Toya,[50] his nephews T.J., Taj, and Taryll,[51] music producer will.i.am,[52] and fans.[53] Jackson's brother Randy Jackson claimed that family members were not allowed at his studio where the album was being completed.[54] According to Randy, when producer Teddy Riley played him some of the tracks, "I immediately said it wasn't his voice".[54]

"@lmSoBlue Dude if you don't leave me the funk alone about this bullish. Funk off ninja...I didn't do the funking song I just mixed it. My work speak for itself. Now go to the funking Cascios. I'm sure they got a twitter. That goes for all of you. I was giving a problem that involved my bestfriend and sign a contract to remix what I had. It was too late for me to turn back so I finished out the project. Now if you want me to apologize for that, yes I'm funkin sorry I did it. Now leave me the hell alone. Ok!!!"

TwitLonger message from Teddy Riley from 31st August 2013 after being repeatedly questioned about the Cascio Tracks.[55]

Before the premiere of "Breaking News", Sony Music Group stated it had "complete confidence in the results of our extensive research, as well as the accounts of those who were in the studio with Michael, that the vocals on the new album are his own".[56] Producer Riley, Frank DiLeo and Jackson's estate defended Sony's claims that the song is authentic.[57] On December 6, 2010, the Cascio family appeared on Oprah, where Eddie Cascio insisted the songs were sung by Jackson, and showed the studio where he had allegedly recorded the songs. Riley, who had worked on "Monster" and "Breaking News", said that the confusion had come about as a product of processing Jackson's vocals using software such as Melodyne.[58] In September 2013, almost three years after the album release, Riley wrote on Twitter that his participation in the project had been "set up".[59][better source needed] In a September 2022 interview, Riley finally admitted that the Cascio tracks are fake and weren't sung by Michael, adding that he was "influenced and pushed to say the things that were said."[60]

Fans have suggested that Italian-American R&B singer Jason Malachi recorded vocals for the tracks, but this was denied by the Jackson estate's lawyer.[57] On January 16, 2011, a statement appeared on Malachi's Facebook page "confessing" to recording the vocals and aplogizing to Michael's fans;[61] however, Malachi later claimed on MySpace that his Facebook and website had been hacked. Malachi's manager Thad Nauden stated that "someone created a phony Facebook page in Jason's name. Jason wants everyone to know beyond a shadow of a doubt, he did not sing a single note on the album". Nauden later retracted the claim that the Facebook account wasn't Malachi's, but maintained that Malachi wasn't involved in the Michael album.[62]

On June 12, 2014, a consumer who had purchased Michael filed a class-action lawsuit against Sony Music, the Jackson Estate, MJJ Productions, Cascio and Porte for violation of consumer laws, unfair competition and fraud. The complaint was based on an expert report prepared by forensic phonetician Dr. George Papcun that contested the authenticity of the vocals. According to the lawsuit, the report had been peer-reviewed and supported by a second well-credentialed independent audio expert.[63] Sony, the Estate, Cascio and Porte raised First Amendment defense, claiming that regardless of the songs' authenticity, they had a constitutional right to attribute them to Jackson.[64] On June 30, 2016, the judge refused to grant defendants' motion and ordered that the case proceeds to class certification. On August 23, 2018, some sources reported that Sony had admitted in court that the vocals on the Cascio songs were not performed by Jackson. The next day, Sony lawyer Zia Modabber dismissed the reports, stating that "no one has conceded that Michael Jackson did not sing on the songs".[65]

On June 29, 2022, a spokesperson for Jackson's website reported that the three tracks would no longer be available on YouTube, Apple Music or Spotify, stating, "The Estate and Sony Music believe the continuing conversation about the tracks is distracting the fan community and casual Michael Jackson listeners from focusing their attention where it should be — on Michael's legendary and deep music catalog."[66]

Dave Grohl's album credit

edit

The album credits Dave Grohl with drums on the track "(I Can't Make It) Another Day". Grohl confirmed that he had recorded for the track but said he was not contacted afterwards and that the final track does not feature his playing, The drums sounds present in the track were done by Lenny Kravitz.[67]

Critical reception

edit
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic54/100[68]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [69]
Chicago Tribune    [70]
Entertainment WeeklyB[71]
The Guardian     [72]
Los Angeles Times    [73]
NME5/10[17]
Rolling Stone     [15]
Slant Magazine     [74]
Spin6/10[75]

Michael received mixed reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 54, based on 19 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".[68] Despite media skepticism and some dissent within Jackson family ranks, reviews largely found Michael better than expected.[14] Joseph Vogel of The Huffington Post stated that "the bottom line is this: Michael contains some very impressive new material" and "His habits, his obsessions, his versatility, and his genius are on display at every turn. Who else could move so seamlessly from social anthem to floor burner, fleet hip hop to cosmic rock, vintage funk to poignant folk ballad?"[16]

Dan Martin of NME called the album "kind of enjoyable" but commented that "if this decent-enough album is the best of the bunch, things are going to get ugly from here on in".[17] Neil McCormick of The Telegraph called the album "a fine album" and stated that "It is certainly a great deal better than anyone had any right to expect. Jackson is finally about to get the comeback he craved."[18] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone thought the album was "not a Michael Jackson album", and Jackson "would not have released anything like this compilation, a grab bag of outtakes and outlines," but "it's a testament to the man's charisma that Michael can be compelling."[15] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly called it "certainly no great affront to his name", while The New York Times said it was a "miscellany of familiar Jackson offerings: inspirational, loving, resentful and paranoid."[71][14]

Kitty Empire in The Observer said Jackson sounded "paler, more emaciated, more effects-laden" than on his classic songs, such as "Billie Jean".[13] She characterized the album as a "hotchpotch of odds and sods that often make plain their co-authors" but singled out the "breezy" and "carefree" "(I Like) The Way That You Love Me" and the "pugnacious" "Hollywood Tonight" for praise.[13] The Reno Gazette-Journal gave the album 3 stars out of 4,[76] while the Toronto Sun gave it 3 stars out of 5.[77] Nima Baniamer of Contactmusic.com gave the album 4 stars out of 5 and stated that Jackson still seemed to hold the capability to effortlessly transgress music genres. Baniamer also commented, "It wouldn't be a decent Jackson record if it wasn't surrounded by controversy. 'Breaking News' is a great track that touches upon the media's obsession with the pop icon; ironically a track further surrounded by dispute as fans have claimed that it may not even be Jackson's own voice on the track."[12]

Commercial performance

edit

The album was released by Epic Records and Sony Music Entertainment.[78][15] It debuted at number one in Germany, selling 85,000 copies in its first week.[79] The album also debuted at number one in Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden.[79] In the United States, Michael debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 228,000 copies,[31] followed by 150,000 the next week, but in subsequent weeks, its total sales had shrunk to 27,000 units, 18,000 units and then 11,000 units for the week ending on January 16, 2011.[80] The album debuted at number five in France, with first-week sales of 26,689 copies.[81] In Germany, Michael was the biggest debut of the year, selling 85,000 copies in its first week.[82] In Denmark, the album debuted at number four, selling 4,936 copies in its first week.[83] On December 19, 2010, the album opened in the United Kingdom at number four with sales of 113,000, which was Jackson's biggest opening sales week in the United Kingdom since the release of Dangerous nearly 20 years before.[84] In its first five weeks, the album sold over 434,000 copies in the United States but failed to match sales of the previous year's soundtrack album Michael Jackson's This Is It, which sold 890,000 copies in five weeks.[85] In the same week, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA for shipping over a million copies.[86]

Michael received numerous gold and platinum certifications worldwide.[87]

Track listing

edit
Michael track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Hold My Hand" (with Akon) (recorded in 2007)
3:33
2."Hollywood Tonight" (spoken bridge by Taryll Jackson) (recorded in 1999–2000 during the Invincible sessions and later through 2007–2008)
4:30
3."Keep Your Head Up"
  • M. Jackson
  • Eddie "Angelikson" Cascio
  • James Porte
4:51
4."(I Like) The Way You Love Me" (recorded in 1998–2004 during and after the Invincible sessions and later from 2007–2008)M. Jackson
  • M. Jackson
  • Neff-U
4:34
5."Monster" (featuring 50 Cent)
  • M. Jackson
  • Riley
  • Angelikson
5:05
6."Best of Joy" (recorded in 2008)M. Jackson
  • M. Jackson
  • Neff-U
  • Buxer[a]
3:02
7."Breaking News"
  • M. Jackson
  • Cascio
  • Porte
  • M. Jackson
  • Riley
  • Angelikson
4:14
8."(I Can't Make It) Another Day" (featuring Lenny Kravitz) (recorded in 1999–2001 during the Invincible sessions)Lenny Kravitz
  • Kravitz
  • M. Jackson[a]
3:55
9."Behind the Mask" (recorded in 1982 during the Thriller sessions)
  • M. Jackson
  • John McClain
5:02
10."Much Too Soon" (recorded in 1994 during the HIStory sessions)M. Jackson
  • M. Jackson
  • McClain
2:48
Total length:41:34
Michael – 2022 edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Hold My Hand" (with Akon) (recorded in 2007)
3:33
2."Hollywood Tonight" (spoken bridge by Taryll Jackson) (recorded in 1999–2000 during the Invincible sessions and later through 2007–2008)
4:30
3."(I Like) The Way You Love Me" (recorded in 1998–2004 during and after the Invincible sessions and later from 2007–2008)M. Jackson
  • M. Jackson
  • Neff-U
4:34
4."Best of Joy" (recorded in 2008)M. Jackson
  • M. Jackson
  • Neff-U
  • Buxer[a]
3:02
5."(I Can't Make It) Another Day" (featuring Lenny Kravitz) (recorded in 1999–2001 during the Invincible sessions)Lenny Kravitz
  • Kravitz
  • M. Jackson[a]
3:55
6."Behind the Mask" (recorded in 1982 during the Thriller sessions)
  • M. Jackson
  • John McClain
5:02
7."Much Too Soon" (recorded in 1994 during the HIStory sessions)M. Jackson
  • M. Jackson
  • McClain
2:48
Total length:27:24

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies co-producer
  • "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" was released in its early version on The Ultimate Collection (2004) with the title "The Way You Love Me".
  • "Behind the Mask" samples a recording of the song of the same name, as performed by the Yellow Magic Orchestra.
  • As of June 29, 2022, "Keep Your Head Up", "Monster" and "Breaking News" are no longer available to download or stream on digital versions of the album. Sony Music Entertainment stated that this was due to the ongoing distraction that legal litigations over their authenticity was causing fans.[66] On September 9, 2022, a CD reissue of the album was released that also removed these three tracks.[88]

Personnel

edit

Credits adapted from Michael album liner notes (2010 edition).[89]

  • Michael Jackson – lead vocals (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10), arranger, background vocals (tracks 8, 9), conductor, programming
  • Kory Aaron – music recording assistant (track 1)
  • Alex Alvarez – bass (track 9), additional music programming (8), studio technician (8)
  • Christopher Austopchuk – creative director
  • Eelco Bakker – music recording assistant (track 1)
  • Dave Baron – drum machine, noise, synthesizer programming (track 8)
  • Charlie Bisharat – concert master (track 10)
  • Edward Brown – keyboards (track 2)
  • Brad Buxer – producer (track 6)
  • David Campbell – music arranger, conductor (track 10)
  • William C. Champlin – piano (track 4)
  • Paulinho da Costa – percussion (tracks 4, 9)
  • Thomas Drayton – bass (track 4)
  • Scott Elgin – recording engineer (tracks 5, 7, instrumental: 2), audio mixing (2)
  • Tommy Emmanuel – guitar (track 10)
  • Theron "Neff-U" Feemster – producer (tracks 2, 4, 6), drum machine (4), all other instruments (6), keyboards (2, 4)
  • Şerban Ghenea – audio mixing (tracks 1, 4, 6)
  • Quentinn Gilkey – assistant recording engineer (tracks 5, 7, instrumental: 2)
  • Khaliq Glover – recording engineer (tracks 5, 7, 9), audio mixing (9)
  • Mark "Exit" Goodchild – recording engineer (track 1)
  • Dave Grohl – drums (track 8)
  • John Hanes – audio mixing (tracks 4, 6)
  • Henry Hirsch – Michael Jackson's vocal recording engineer (track 8)
  • Jean-Marie Horvat – audio mixing (tracks 2, 5, 7)
  • Eric Jackson – guitar (track 2)
  • Taryll Jackson – spoken word voices (track 2)
  • Craig Johnson – archivist
  • Alphonso Jones – additional background vocals (track 9)
  • Suzie Katayama – accordion, music contractor (track 10)
  • Lenny Kravitz – lead vocals, background vocals, producer, bass, drum machine, electric guitar, gong, horn samples, mini moog, audio mixing, noise, string samples, timpani (track 8)
  • Dennis Krijnen – orchestra recording assistant (track 1)
  • Sheri Lee – art direction, creative director, design
  • John McClain – producer (tracks 9, 10)
  • Danny Ray McDonald Jr. – human whistle (track 2)
  • Vlado Meller – mastering
  • Mischke – additional background vocals, vocal recording engineer (tracks 2, 6)
  • Tommy Morgan – harmonica (track 10)
  • James Murray – instrumental recording engineer (tracks 2, 4, 6)
  • Kadir Nelson – cover art
  • Jon Nettlesbey – digital editing (track 9), drum machine (9), recording engineer (2, 9), additional keyboards (9), audio mixing (9), sequencing (9)
  • Wessel Oltheten – orchestra recording engineer (track 1)
  • Matt Paul – music recording assistant (track 1)
  • Greg Phillinganes – additional keyboards
    (track 9)
  • Mike Phillips – saxophone (track 9)
  • Justin Pintar – music recording assistant
    (track 1)
  • Michael Durham Prince – archivist, instrumental recording engineer (track 2), human whistle (2), vocal recording engineer (2, 4, 6)
  • The Regiment – horn section (track 2)
  • Teddy Riley – producer (tracks 2, 5, 7), audio mixing (2, 5, 7), music programming (2, 5, 7)
  • Tim Roberts – audio mixing assistant (tracks 4, 6)
  • Christina Rodriguez – art direction, design
  • Craig Ross – 12 string electric guitar (track 8)
  • Mark Santangelo – mastering assistant
  • Miguel Scott – music recording assistant (track 1)
  • Allen Sides – recording engineer (track 9), audio mixing (10)
  • Leon F. Sylvers III – background vocal arrangement (track 9)
  • Evvy Tavasci – archivist
  • Aliaune "Akon" Thiam – lead vocals, producer, all other instruments, music programming (track 1)
  • Giorgio Tuinfort – producer, all other instruments, music programming (track 1)
  • Franck Van Der Heijden – string arrangements (track 1)
  • Erick Donell Walls – guitar (tracks 2, 4, 6)
  • Ryan Wiese – music recording assistant (track 1)
  • Shanice Wilson – additional background vocals (track 9)
  • Mack Woodward – music recording assistant (track 1)
  • Big Jim Wright – drum machine, keyboards (track 9)
Cascio tracks only contributions
  • Rudy Bird – musician (tracks 3, 5)
  • Stuart Brawley – assistant recording engineer (track 3, rap: 5), recording engineer (7), musician (3, 5, 7), talking voice talent (7)
  • Eddie "Angelikson" Cascio – producer, musician (tracks 3, 5, 7)
  • Myron Chandler – talking voiceover recording engineer (track 7)
  • Joe Corcoran – assistant recording engineer (track 3, rap: 5), drum machine (3, 5, 7), recording engineer (7), musician (3, 5, 7)
  • Brandon Datoli – assistant string section recording engineer (track 7)
  • Steven Dennis – assistant recording engineer (track 3)
  • Reggie Dozer – string section recording engineer (track 7)
  • Nicole Garcia – musician (track 3)
  • Jesus Garnica – audio mixing assistant (track 3)
  • Dave Hampton – talking voiceover recording engineer (track 7)
  • Travis Harrington – assistant recording engineer (track 3)
  • Drew Harris – assistant recording engineer
    (track 3, rap: 5), recording engineer (7)
  • Sean Hurley – musician (track 3)
  • Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson – rap vocals (track 5)
  • Sharon Jackson – musician (track 5)
  • Jaycen Joshua – audio mixing (track 3)
  • Michael LeFevre – vocal producer, talking voice talent (track 7)
  • Glen Marchese – assistant recording engineer (rap: track 5), recording engineer (7)
  • Naiden Maynard – kids screaming voices (track 5)
  • Nigel Maynard – kids screaming voices (track 5)
  • Stacey Michaels – talking voice talent (track 7)
  • Luis Navarro – recording engineer (track 5)
  • Monty Neuble – musician (track 3)
  • Lisa Orkin – talking voice talent (track 7)
  • Sandy Orkin – talking voice talent (track 7)
  • Orianthi Panagaris – guitar, musician (track 5)
  • James Porte – background vocals (tracks 3, 5, 7), drum machine (3, 5, 7), musician (3, 7)
  • Zachariah Redding – 50 Cent's rap vocal recording assistant (track 5)
  • Jason Sherwood – assistant recording engineer (track 3)
  • Duane Starling – additional background vocals (track 3)
  • Christopher "Tricky" Stewart – producer (track 3)
  • Cameron Stone – musician (tracks 3, 5)
  • Brian "B-Luv" Thomas – recording engineer (track 3)
  • Jamie Wollam – musician (track 3)
  • Benjamin Wright – string section arranger, strings conductor (track 7)
  • The Benjamin Wright Orchestra – string section (track 7)
  • Andrew Wuepper – recording engineer (track 3)

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Certifications for Michael
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[142] Gold 35,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[143] Platinum 20,000*
Belgium (BEA)[144] Platinum 30,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[145] Platinum 80,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[146] Platinum 30,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[147] Gold 14,928[147]
France (SNEP)[148] 2× Platinum 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[149] Platinum 200,000
Hungary (MAHASZ)[150] Gold 3,000^
Ireland (IRMA)[151] Gold 7,500^
Italy (FIMI)[152] 2× Platinum 120,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[153] Gold 100,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[154] Gold 25,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[155] Gold 7,500^
Poland (ZPAV)[156] Platinum 20,000*
Portugal (AFP)[157] Gold 10,000^
Russia (NFPF)[158] 2× Platinum 20,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[138] Platinum 60,000^
Sweden (GLF)[159] Gold 20,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[160] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[86] Platinum 1,000,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[161] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
List of release dates, showing country or region, record label, and format
Region Date Label Format
Australia[162] December 10, 2010 Sony Music CD
Austria
Belgium[163]
Argentina[164]
Sweden[165]
United Kingdom[166] December 13, 2010
Philippines[167] December 14, 2010
Taiwan[168]
United States[169] Epic
Colombia[170] Sony Music CD
Brazil[171]
Japan[172] December 15, 2010 Sony Music Japan
China December 24, 2010[173] Sony Music China
January 14, 2011[174] Digital download

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Michael Jackson's New Album Out Dec. 14". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 13, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "Much Anticipated New Album from the King of Pop Michael to be Released December 14". Sony Music. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  3. ^ Friedman, Roger (November 19, 2007). "Jacko Lived With New Jersey Family for Three Months". Fox News. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "New Michael Jackson album gets December release". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 24, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  5. ^ "Michael Jackson's next single to be 'Hold My Hand'". Elle Canada. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  6. ^ "Interview with Claude Kelly". HitQuarters. May 24, 2010. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  7. ^ Lipshutz, Jason; Mitchell, Gail; Graff, Gary (December 8, 2010). "Michael Jackson's 'Michael' Track-By-Track". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  8. ^ a b ""Michael" Single Announcement and Tracklisting". MichaelJackson.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  9. ^ Mapes, Jillian. "Michael Jackson's 'Hold My Hand' Single, 'Michael' Album Tracklist Announced". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  10. ^ Serjeant, Jill (November 5, 2010). "Michael Jackson new album vocals genuine, Sony says". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  11. ^ "BBC News – 'New' Michael Jackson album set for release". Bbc.co.uk. November 5, 2010. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Review of Michael Jackson's album Michael released through Sony Music". January 28, 2011. Archived from the original on May 6, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c Empire, Kitty (December 12, 2010). "Michael Jackson: Michael – review". London: The Observer. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  14. ^ a b c Serjeant, Jill (December 9, 2010). "Critics say Michael Jackson album better than feared". Reuters. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  15. ^ a b c d e Rosen, Jody. "Michael by Michael Jackson – Rolling Stone Music – Music Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  16. ^ a b c Vogel, Joseph (December 5, 2010). "Is Michael Really Michael? A Review of the King of Pop's New Album". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  17. ^ a b c Martin, Dan (December 4, 2010). "Album review: Michael Jackson – 'Michael' (Epic)". NME. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  18. ^ a b McCormick, Neil (December 8, 2010). "Michael Jackson from beyond the grave". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  19. ^ Halstead, Craig; Cadman, Chris (2007). Michael Jackson: For The Record. Bedfordshire: Authors OnLine Ltd. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-0-7552-0267-6.
  20. ^ "New Michael Jackson Song "Much Too Soon" Makes Debut Exclusively In iTunes Ping". November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  21. ^ "Australian Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, CGP is Featured on the Track 'MUCH TOO SOON' on the new Album from Michael Jackson" (Press release).
  22. ^ Pareles, Joe (December 9, 2010). "After Death, the Remix". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  23. ^ "MICHAEL: The Story Behind The Album". Fanpop, Inc. 2010. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  24. ^ Cadman, Chris (2013). Michael Jackson: The Maestro. Bedfordshire: Authors OnLine Ltd. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-7552-1609-3.
  25. ^ "Michael Jackson's New Album Cover Decoded". Gil Kaufman, MTV. Archived from the original on November 7, 2010. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  26. ^ "Prince Symbol On Michael Jackson's New Album Cover". HipHop-N-More. November 6, 2010. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  27. ^ Wilkening, Matthew (November 5, 2010). "Michael Jackson, 'Michael' – 2010 New Album Preview". AOL Radio Blog. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  28. ^ Vick, Megan (November 5, 2010). "Michael Jackson 'Breaking News' Teaser Video Premieres". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  29. ^ "New Michael Jackson Song 'Breaking' At Radio". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  30. ^ "Big Sales projected for Michael Jackson album". Reuters. November 12, 2010. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  31. ^ a b "Swift Back at No. 1 on Billboard 200, 'Michael' Bows at No. 3". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 18, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  32. ^ "Hold My Hand casting call". MJ. 2010. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  33. ^ "News | The Official Michael Jackson Site". Michaeljackson.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  34. ^ "Ellen Debuts New Michael Jackson Song "Hollywood Tonight". SoulCulture. December 4, 2010. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  35. ^ "Jackson album made for fans: Cascio". Edmonton Sun. December 6, 2010. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  36. ^ "News | The Official Michael Jackson Site". Michaeljackson.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  37. ^ "Listen To The Entire Michael Album". December 8, 2010. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  38. ^ "Michael Jackson Poster breaks records". December 10, 2010. Archived from the original on December 15, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  39. ^ "Michael Jackson's new single confirmed as 'Hollywood Tonight'". Music-news.com. January 26, 2011. Archived from the original on August 28, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  40. ^ ""Hollywood Tonight": il nuovo singolo di Michael Jackson in radio dall'11 febbraio". michaeljackson.com. February 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  41. ^ "'Hollywood Tonight' drugim singlem z płyty 'MICHAEL'". michaeljackson.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011.
  42. ^ "Nouveau single "Behind The Mask"". Michaeljackson.com. February 23, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  43. ^ "Michael Jackson: il nuovo singolo "(I Like) the Way You Love Me" in radio dall'8 luglio – The Official Michael Jackson Site". michaeljackson.com. July 6, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  44. ^ "歌坛巨星Michael Jackson最后一张专辑Michael单曲(I Like)The Way You Love Me-2011年7月27日Hit FM独家首播". Hit FM. July 27, 2011. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  45. ^ Kaufman, Gil (July 6, 2022). "Three Michael Jackson Songs Removed From Streamers Over Suspect Vocals". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  46. ^ a b Leight, Elias (July 12, 2017). "Rare, Unreleased Michael Jackson Album Goes Up for Auction". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018.
  47. ^ Smyth, David. "Sound Check: This really is it for Michael Jackson". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  48. ^ "New Song: Michael Jackson, 'Breaking News'". MTV. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  49. ^ "Michael Jackson News – Yahoo! Music". New.music.yahoo.com. November 3, 2010. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  50. ^ "La Toya Jackson: That's Not Michael's Voice on 'Breaking News'". TMZ.com. November 7, 2010. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  51. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick D. (November 8, 2010). "Controversial Michael Jackson single debuts". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  52. ^ "Exclusive: Will.i.am Explains His 'Disgust' for New Michael Jackson Album". Rolling Stone. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original on September 19, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  53. ^ "Fans, Family Say Michael Jackson Isn't Singing On Controversial New Single "Breaking News"". All Headline News. Retrieved November 9, 2010. [permanent dead link]
  54. ^ a b Michaels, Sean (November 19, 2010). "Randy Jackson denounces Michael album tracks as fakes". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  55. ^ Riley, Teddy (August 31, 2013). "Twitlonger: @lmSoBlue Dude if you don't leave me the funk alone about this bullish". Twitlonger. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  56. ^ "Michael Jackson 'Breaking News' Song Debuts Online, Stirs Controversy". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  57. ^ a b Sisario, Ben (November 11, 2010). "'Breaking News': Lawyer Says It's Michael Jackson's Voice". Arts Beat. NYTimes.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  58. ^ Collett-White, Mike (December 13, 2010). "Voice on Michael Jackson album far from finished article". Reuters. Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  59. ^ "Producer Teddy Riley says he was "set up", apologises for involvement in controversial 2010 MJ album". damienshields.com. September 3, 2013. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  60. ^ https://www.mjvibe.com/teddy-riley-confirmed-the-cascio-tracks-are-fake/
  61. ^ "MJ Soundalike – I Sung Songs on New 'Michael' Album". TMZ.com. January 16, 2011. Archived from the original on January 18, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  62. ^ "MJ Soundalike – That's Not My Facebook Page!". TMZ.com. January 16, 2011. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  63. ^ "Posthumous Michael Jackson Album Is a Fraud, Fan Says". courthousenews.com. June 13, 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  64. ^ "Defendants John Branca, Sony Music And MJJ Productions Inc's Motion To Strike". February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  65. ^ Aswad, Jem (August 24, 2018). "Sony Music Has Not Conceded That Vocals on Michael Jackson Album Are Fake". Variety. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  66. ^ a b "3 Michael Jackson songs suddenly removed from YouTube and Apple Music, but not because of the lawsuit, spokesman says". TheGrio. June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  67. ^ "Dave Grohl reveals he doesn't actually appear on Michael Jackson's LP 'Michael'". NME. November 2, 2011. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  68. ^ a b Michael Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More Archived December 9, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Metacritic.
  69. ^ Review: Michael at AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
  70. ^ "Turn It Up: Album review: Michael Jackson, 'Michael'". Leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com. December 9, 2010. Archived from the original on January 4, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  71. ^ a b Greenblatt, Leah (December 8, 2010). "Music Review: Michael". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  72. ^ Petridis, Alexis (December 10, 2010). "Michael Jackson: Michael – review | Music". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  73. ^ "Album review: Michael Jackson's 'Michael' | Pop & Hiss |". Los Angeles Times. December 14, 2010. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  74. ^ Jones, Huw (December 9, 2010). "Music Review: Michael Jackson: Michael". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  75. ^ Walters, Barry (December 14, 2010). "Michael Jackson, 'Michael' (Epic)". Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  76. ^ Staff and wire reports. "Music Review: Michael". Reno Gazette-Journal.
  77. ^ Sterdan, Darryl (December 7, 2010). "New Jackson good, not great". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  78. ^ Michaels, Sean (November 22, 2010). "Akon refuses to release unfinished Michael Jackson tracks". London: Guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  79. ^ a b Goodman, Dean (December 22, 2010). "Michael Jackson album fails to top pop chart". Reuters. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  80. ^ Mitchell, Gail (January 21, 2011). "Michael Jackson's 'Michael' Album Sales Pale Next to 'This Is It'". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  81. ^ Marolle, Emmanuel (December 14, 2010). "Albums : Mylène Farmer atomise les ventes" (in French). Le Parisien. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  82. ^ "Michael Jackson album fails to top pop chart". Reuters. December 22, 2010.
  83. ^ Treo, Thomas (December 17, 2010). "Ekstra Bladet – Jackson-album er en fuser" (in Danish). Ekstra Bladet. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  84. ^ "Music – News – Jackson album is top global seller". Digital Spy. December 22, 2010. Archived from the original on December 25, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  85. ^ Mitchell, Gail (January 21, 2011). "Michael Jackson's 'Michael' Album Sales Pale Next to 'This Is It'". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  86. ^ a b "American album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael". Recording Industry Association of America. January 19, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  87. ^ "Michael Jackson album is top global seller". michaeljackson.com. February 27, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  88. ^ Michael (liner notes). Epic Records. 2022. 196587566326.
  89. ^ Michael liner notes Epic Records (2010).
  90. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  91. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  92. ^ "Ultratop.be – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  93. ^ "Ultratop.be – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  94. ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  95. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 02.Týden 2011 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  96. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  97. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  98. ^ "Michael Jackson: Michael" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  99. ^ "Lescharts.com – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  100. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  101. ^ "Michael Jackson – Michael". greekcharts.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  102. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2010. 50. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  103. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 50, 2010". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  104. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  105. ^ "マイケル | マイケル・ジャクソン" [Michael | Michael Jackson]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  106. ^ "Michael Jackson – Michael". mexicancharts.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  107. ^ "Charts.nz – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  108. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  109. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  110. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  111. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  112. ^ "2010년 52주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  113. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  114. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  115. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson – Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  116. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  117. ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  118. ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  119. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 17, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  120. ^ "Album 2010 Top-100" (in Danish). Hitlisten.NU. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  121. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2010". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  122. ^ The first list is the list of best-selling domestic albums of 2010 in Finland and the second is that of the best-selling foreign albums:
  123. ^ "Classement Albums – année 2010". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  124. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2010". Offizielle Deutsche Charts (in German). Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  125. ^ "Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista – eladási darabszám alapján – 2010". MAHASZ (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  126. ^ "Classifiche annuali dei dischi più venditi e dei singoli più scaricati nel 2010". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (in Italian). January 17, 2011. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2018. Click on "Scarica allegato" to download the attached file.
  127. ^ "Top 100 – annual chart: 2010". Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  128. ^ "Top 50 Albumes 2010" (PDF). Productores de Música de España (in Spanish). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 3, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  129. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2010". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  130. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2010". swisscharts.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  131. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2010". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  132. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2011". austriancharts.at (in German). Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  133. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2011 – Albums". Ultratop (in Dutch). Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  134. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2011 – Albums". Ultratop (in French). Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  135. ^ "Canadian Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  136. ^ "Classement Albums – année 2011". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  137. ^ "オリコン年間 CDアルバムランキング 2011年度" [Oricon Annual CD Album Ranking 2011]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  138. ^ a b "Top 50 Albumes 2011" (PDF). Productores de Música de España (in Spanish). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 12, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  139. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2011". swisscharts.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  140. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  141. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  142. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  143. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in German). IFPI Austria. January 17, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  144. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2011". Ultratop. Hung Medien. January 14, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  145. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael". Music Canada. January 26, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  146. ^ "Michael Jackson "Michael" (SME)" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. January 12, 2011. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  147. ^ a b "Michael Jackson" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  148. ^ "French album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. December 31, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  149. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Michael Jackson; 'Michael')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  150. ^ "Adatbázis – Arany- és platinalemezek – 2010" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  151. ^ "The Irish Charts - 2010 Certification Awards - Gold". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  152. ^ "Italian album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved August 12, 2018. Select "2011" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Michael" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  153. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved August 12, 2018. Select 2010年12月 on the drop-down menu
  154. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved August 12, 2018. Enter Michael in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2011 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  155. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. July 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  156. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2011 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. January 12, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  157. ^ "Portuguese album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011.
  158. ^ "Российская индустрия звукозаписи 2011" (PDF) (in Russian). Lenta. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  159. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2010" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  160. ^ "British album certifications – Michael Jackson – Michael". British Phonographic Industry. January 7, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  161. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2010". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  162. ^ "Much Anticipated New Album From The King Of Pop Michael To Be Released In Australia On Friday December 10". Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  163. ^ "Michael Jackson : son nouvel album disponible dès demain". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  164. ^ "MICHAEL – Michael Jackson (Argentina release date)". Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  165. ^ "MICHAEL – Michael Jackson (Sweden release date)". Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  166. ^ "MUCH ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM FROM THE KING OF POP MICHAEL TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 13". Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  167. ^ "SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT PHILIPPINES – "MICHAEL" album release". Archived from the original on August 27, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  168. ^ "流行樂之王麥可傑克森世紀矚目最新專輯《麥可》12月14日全球震撼發行". Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  169. ^ "Pre-order from the official website". Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  170. ^ "Michael Jackson – Michael". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  171. ^ "MICHAEL – Michael Jackson (Brazil release date)". Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  172. ^ "ニュー・アルバム『MICHAEL』、12月15日発売決定". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  173. ^ "MICHAEL/迈克尔 – Sony Music China". Sony Music China. Retrieved December 17, 2010. [permanent dead link]
  174. ^ "Michael-淘花网【Taohua.com】". Sony Music China. Retrieved March 10, 2011. [permanent dead link]
edit