The death of Michael Jackson, the King of Plastic and Pop (some may argue that both these areas are not wholly mutually exclusive and, hence, may consider this description of him redundant), as we have seen as consumers of any and all media, has been just as overly publicised as his life.
Why?
Sure, he wrote some perfectly-pitched, sappy, catchy songs with emotively-charged lyrics; he even sold millions of albums the world over. People called him an idol, an icon. But, ultimately, he was just an entertainer – he brought tears to many an eye; he managed to elicit many a smile from his fans but while he was tucking little boys in, sleeping in oxygen chambers and frolicking around with the llamas and chimpanzees at his Never Land ranch, he didn’t do anything that ‘made the world a better place’, as he himself so eloquently put it.
His eccentricities, mind-blowing excesses and apparent self-loathing (a shadowy, somewhat sleazy part of which, I may add, that was hidden from public view) fascinated us all. We all watched as voyeurs, transfixed, to see what ridiculous thing he would do next. His career was as much about his music as it was about his crazy antics.
People who have passed on, people who have made more of an impact (in terms of environmental protection, human rights, free trade, and so on) have fallen through the cracks in the media, nowhere to be found, not even between the lines …
This warrants an examination of our own lives and values; we need to ask ourselves which qualities we consider worthy of admiration in the people we look up to.
To put things in perspective, while most mourn the death of this performer, this one man, spare a thought for the millions dying of AIDS, those who have lost their lives during the Zimbabwe crisis and those fighting and dying in the name of freedom in Darfur and Myanmar. These are the real idols.
Eccentric, controversial to say the least but does anybody really know what made Michael Jackson tick. He had an enormous amount of musical talent, which shot him to the top of pop music world in the 80’s and helped him build a large fortune. Michael Jackson paid several visits to South Africa, even singing Happy Birthday to Madiba. His fans remained loyal to the end. You either loved him or you hated him but there is no doubt especially in the latter part that Michael Jackson’s life was characterised by odd behavior, unusual relationships, extensive plastic surgery, financial debts caused by uncontrolled spending sprees, overuse of prescription drugs and child molestation trials. At the end, was he in control of his life or was he under the influence of those doctors and promoters, who surrounded him?
So who was the real Michael Jackson? - composer, song-writer, singer, choreographer, a really down-to-earth human being, a nice person, courteous, humble, generous, giving, loving, amazing, extraordinary, unique OR a perverted child molester?
Is Zapiro’s cartoon published on the 3rd Match 2005 in the Sowetan unfair to the memory of Michael Jackson or did it reflect the world’s perception at that moment in time?
To see more cartoons visit www.zapiro.com
Michael Jackson has passed away. We at InTheNews.co.za are saddened by this tragic news and we would like to pass on our condolences to the Jackson family for the loss of arguably the greatest pop entertainer of all time.
Paramedics were called to Jackson’s Beverly Hills home at about midday yesterday (Thursday) after he stopped breathing. He was pronounced dead two hours later at the UCLA medical centre. It is believed that Michael suffered a cardiac arrest. Jackson was due to perform a couple of concerts in the UK from July13.
You either hated or loved Michael Jackson but there is no denying how talented he was. I think anyone who is into music will know who Michael Jackson is, even if you are not a music fan, I am sure you knew about the legend. Who can ever forget classic songs like Bad, Thriller, Lady Diana, the list is endless or the ‘Moon Walk’? Many artists today have tried to come onto the scene and emulate Michael Jackson but they have not come close, that is just how talented the man was.
RIP Michael Jackson, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tender Mavundla wasn’t always as well known as she is now, thanks to South Africa’s Pop Idols. But right now she is capitalising on that momentum with the release of her debut album, “Tender Moments.”
Born in Port Shepstone, Tender grew up in little village called KwaNositha where she was actively involved in stage plays and a gospel choir. In 1997, things started turning around for Tender, after she won SABC 1’s Jam Alley Megastar Competition and decided to pursue singing as a career. She moved to Johannesburg where she sang backing vocals for various artists and made it into the Top 5 of a Gospel Star Search.
In 2001 she was diagnosed with HIV and moved back to Port Shepstone. In what seemed like a miraculous second chance when Idols arrived in Margate in June 2007, she of course entered and ended up as one of the four finalists of the competition.
After impressing the public and judges alike with her vocal talent’s Tender has now released her debut Afro-Pop/Afro Soul album, titled, ‘Tender Moments’. This electric debut showcases this incredible woman’s voice, spectrum of styles and never give up attitude. With 13 tracks on the album, Tender demonstrates both her vocal and lyrical range and delivers a strong and diverse offering.
Tender’s is a story of determination and talent winning through many obstacles and her voice and music reflect this in every way. With her debut album now out, Tender is taking her first steps to realising a dream nurtured since childhood.
Released through Augmented Music Productions the album will be in stores and on your local radio station soon.
For more info:
Augmented Music Productions
Management - Bheka Malishe
Tel: +27 (0)72 206 2846
[email protected]
Marketing Services
Media & Publicity - Michael James
+27 (0)74 192 8454
[email protected]
The error that has gripped South African entertainment has left us as South Africa with egg on our faces. Sasha-Lee Davids was declared the winner of Idols 5 but then there was a recount with the votes last week and they actually found out that Jason got the most votes! Jason Hartman actually got 200 000 more votes than Sasha-Lee but a blunder with the vote counting caused by the cellphone network operators has caused a lot of controversy now. We know that nothing is ever 100% guaranteed when it comes to technology and these errors do happen but when they do it is embarrassing as the whole world takes note of these mistakes. And the first thing they say is, “Look at South Africa!!”
Now the organisers of Idols have decided that both Sasha-Lee and Jason are the winners of Idols. This is not the first time in South Africa reality television that we have had two winners. In the SA Apprentice hosted by Tokyo Sekwale, he decided to name two winners! That in itself was shocking! How can you have two winners? Next we are going to see Survivor South Africa having two winners!
Looking at Idols, it is clear according to the votes that Jason won therefore he should be the sole winner. Yes, I feel would feel sorry for Sasha-Lee if they took the title away from her and I would blame it on the network operators who failed to tally the votes. Look at it this way, if by some miracle it was found out that Helen Zille actually got more votes than Jacob Zuma, would we have a situation where we say they are both the presidents of South Africa?
What do you think should happen in the aftermath of this? It does not look like they will change from the “They are both the winners stance” but I would say that Sasha-Lee should accept defeat and let Jason be the sole winner of Idols. He is the winner after all! All this vote counting and mistakes are taking me back to the election counting in Zimbabwe! Recount anyone?