Michael Jackson: It’s a rarity I think/ I had #1 records in 1967 and 69 and still entered the charts in 2001 in #1. I don’t think any other artist has that range. It’s a great honor, I’m happy. I don’t what else to say. I’m glad people accept what I do.
What are your thoughts on the current state of R&B?
I don’t categorize music. música is Music. They change the word R&B to rock and roll. It’s always been, from Fats Domino to Little Richard, to Chuck Berry. How can we discriminate, it is what it is, it’s great music, tu know.
What are your feelings about Hip-Hop?
I like a lot of it, a lot of it. I like the music. I don’t like the dancing that much. It looks like you’re doing aerobics.
What made tu put Biggie on your album?
We were looking for a rap part and it wasn’t my idea, actually it was Rodney Jerkins, one of the writer producers working on the album. It was my idea to put a rap part on the song. And he said, I know just the perfect one – Biggie Smalls. He put it in and it worked perfectly. It was a rap that was never heard before.
Why did tu choose jay z on the remix of the first single?
Because he’s hip, he’s with kids today. They like his work. He tapped into the nerve of popular culture. He’s the new thing, the kids like him. It just made good sense.
What was it like for tu to appear at New York’s hip hop concierto Summer mermelada as arrendajo, jay Z’s guest?
I just showed up and gave him a hug. It was tumultuous explosion of applause and stomping, it was a lovely, lovely welcome and I was happy about that. It was a great feeling – the love, the love.
What are your thoughts on artists who emulate tu such as Usher, Sisqo, Ginuwine, Destiny’s Child?
I don’t mind at all. Because, these are artists who grew up on my music. When tu grow up listening to somebody tu admire tu tend to become them. tu emulate them, to look like them, to dress like them. When I was little I was James Brown, I was Sammy Davis Jr., so I understand it, it’s a compliment.
Did tu know that tu were creating classics while recording Thriller and Off The Wall, both classics that hold up today?
Yes, not to be arrogant, but yes. Because I knew great material when I hear it and it just melodically and sonically and musically is so moving. It keeps the promise. That’s a special piece.
Do tu feel that there is a larger acceptance of black artists?
Of course, I think people have always admired black música since the beginning of time if tu want to go back to canto Negro spirituals. Today the market is just accepting the fact that that’s the sound, international, from Britney to ‘N Sync, they are all doing the R&B thing. Even Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, he always tell me, “Man we do R&B.” I dicho Barry, I don’t categorize it but it’s great music. I understand where he’s coming from. I amor great music, it has no color, it has no boundaries, it’s all wonderful music. I amor from the Beatles, to the Bee Gee’s, to the Mama’s and the Papa’s, to the Temptations, to Diana Ross and the Supremes, I amor all of it. I amor Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” it’s a killer, I amor it.
What’s life like as a single parent?
I never had so much fun in all my life. That’s the truth. Because I’m this big kid and now I get to see the world from the eyes of the really young ones. I learn más from them then they learn from me. It’s almost like hypothesis, because I’m constantly trying things and testing things on them to see what works and what doesn’t work. Children are always the best judges to monitor something, especially in my field o any other field. If tu can get the kids, you’ve got it. That’s why Harry Potter is successful, it’s just a family oriented movie. tu can’t go wrong there, tu just can’t. That’s why I write lyrics when I write a song I try not to say things that offend parents because we want a wide demographic. I don’t want to be like that. We weren’t raised to be like that. No way, tu know Mother and Joseph wouldn’t say stuff like that. tu know them well enough.
Are the pressures of your celebrity status on your children?
Yes, absolutely, from the día that they were born.
What música do Prince and Paris listen to?
They listen to all my música and they amor classical that plays all around the ranch. They like any good dance music.
How would tu feel about your children becoming pop iconos at 13 and 14 based upon your experience?
I don’t know how they would handle that it would be tough. I really don’t know. It’s hard because most celebrity children end up becoming self-destructive because they can’t live up to the talent of the parent. It’s hard. fred Astair Jr., people used to say o him all the time, “Can tu dance?” And he couldn’t dance. He didn’t have any rhythm. But his father as this genius dancer. It doesn’t mean that it has to be passed on. The competition is hard, it’s hard. I always tell them, tu don’t have to sing, tu don’t have to dance, be who tu want to be as long as tu are not hurting anybody. That’s the main thing. Don’t tu think?
