Is it Easy to Go Solo?

Photo collage by: Dejon Coles, Larry McPherson No. When Michael Jackson left his four brothers to go solo he had to step his game up by making his own moves, styles, and music. What were some of the challenges in his solo career?

He did not have the same support that he used to have when with his four brothers. Michael went from Motown records to Epic Records. A challenge that Michael faced with Epic Records was something called advance against royalty. I talked to a publicist and she explained to me what advance against royalty means: he had to pay for everything upfront such as a chorus, recording rooms, equipment, and instruments. When his albums made money he had to pay back Epic Records first. Quincy Jones, an excellent musician, helped Michael Jackson with the album “Off The Wall.” Did you know Michael Jackson didn’t make up his moves on his own? He admired excellent dancers, and one of them was a man named Fred Astaire who was an elegant dancer. He studied Fred Astaire to make his own style. Michael’s two best selling albums, Off The Wall and Thriller, helped him pay off Epic Records. He became rich and successful. Michael was a cash register and everybody wanted some of it.

Michael Jackson inspired me to dance, sing, and work hard. I believe if you ever have a dream you should never give up and work hard like Michael Jackson; even if critics try to stop you from being successful.

In the movie This Is It Michael Jackson was 50 years old and he inspired many young people to audition to be backup dancers and singers. He wanted the best, out of the best, the ones that had confidence in themselves and put forth a lot of effort. He commanded and people respected him and did what he wanted. He used lots of technology, like the green screen. For example he used it to put himself into a 1940’s movie, and to make it look like a thousand people marching. The dancers pop up from the stage floor.

He was an inspiration to most people around the world. Since 1989 he was called the “King of Pop.”

Dejon is a 5th grade student, Larry is a 6th grade student and Denote is a 4th grade student