by From a young age, Michael Jackson displayed an unparalleled work ethic and drive that would propel him to become the biggest pop star in the world. However, his journey was not an easy one. Michael had to fight tooth and nail for more creative control and independence from his controlling father and manager, Joe Jackson, as well as the corporate music industry. While he faced many obstacles along the way, Michael’s ambition, talent, and business savvy allowed him to gradually gain more control over his career and image, ultimately transforming him into the self-made “King of Pop.”
Early Signs of Independence
Michael first rose to fame as the lead singer of The Jackson 5, the family band assembled and managed by his father, Joe Jackson. Even at such a young age, Michael stood out from his brothers for his extraordinary vocal talents and showmanship. He was also keenly aware of his commercial potential and pushed for more opportunities to shine within the group. According to his brother Marlon, Michael would often “butt heads” with their father over creative decisions, wanting more songwriting credits and chances to develop his performing skills.
While still under Joe Jackson’s control, Michael found small ways to flex his independence. He took charge of his own choreography and costume designs for Jackson 5 performances. He also spent hours practicing dance routines and vocal runs on his own, displaying an unmatched work ethic even at such a young age. Michael’s growing ambition and talent were obvious threats to Joe Jackson’s tight control over the group. Their power struggle would intensify as Michael matured into a global superstar.
Shifting Focus and Growing Independence
As Michael entered his teenage years, his musical tastes began evolving beyond the bubblegum pop sound of The Jackson 5. He became infatuated with artists like Diana Ross, Sammy Davis Jr., and The Beatles, broadening his creative horizons. Michael also started collaborating with producers outside of his father’s sphere, like Quincy Jones, who helped him develop a more sophisticated sound and image.
Their work on Off the Wall (1979) marked a major turning point in Michael’s career. The album was a commercial and critical success, establishing Michael as a serious artist in his own right. Hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” showcased Michael’s newfound confidence and maturity in the studio. He was also granted more creative input, co-writing several songs and working closely with Jones to develop the album’s signature disco-funk sound.
While still under his father’s management, Michael now had the clout to push back on Joe Jackson’s control. He negotiated directly with Epic Records for a more lucrative solo contract. Michael was also able to demand full creative control for his music videos and performances, areas he was eager to pioneer. The success of Off the Wall proved Michael no longer needed to rely on his father’s management. His independence was truly beginning to blossom.
Going Solo
By the early 1980s, Michael had cemented his status as a global superstar. Building on Off the Wall’s commercial and critical success, he sought an even greater level of independence for his next album. Michael broke ties with his father’s management and hired John Branca as his lawyer and financial advisor. With Branca’s help, Michael negotiated an unprecedented contract with Epic Records that granted him full autonomy over his music and image.
Michael poured his creative freedom into Thriller (1982), collaborating closely again with Quincy Jones. Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, catapulting Michael to unprecedented fame and influence. Now in full control of his career, Michael took charge of conceptualizing the album’s iconic music videos. He worked with top directors like John Landis to push the boundaries of storytelling in music videos, treating them as mini-movies. Michael’s unparalleled artistry, combined with his newfound independence, allowed him to completely redefine the potential of popular music.
Breaking Boundaries
Michael’s ambition extended well beyond just music. He sought to pioneer new forms of entertainment and push social boundaries. As the first black artist to feature prominently in MTV, Michael used his videos to dismantle racial barriers. His video for “Billie Jean” was one of the first by a black artist played in heavy rotation on the new channel. Michael also actively fought for greater representation of black artists on MTV.
Michael took full creative control of his boundary-pushing 14-minute short film for “Thriller,” working closely with Landis. The video shattered records for music video airplay and is still considered one of the most influential of all time. Its success proved Michael had transcended music to become a true multi-hyphenate creative force. He was now writing, producing, directing, and starring in mini-movies that redefined pop culture.
Michael also sought to challenge social norms through his artistry and iconic performances. His moonwalk dance move, unveiled during a Motown special, immediately caused a global sensation. It showed Michael had truly cemented his status as the “King of Pop” through innovative showmanship on his own terms. While controversial at the time, Michael also pushed boundaries by refusing to submit to the expectations of masculinity or respectability politics in his performances and image. He was rewriting the rules of popular stardom.
Building an Empire
By the mid-1980s, Michael had cemented himself as not just a performer but a shrewd businessman. Building on the independence he gained from his father, Michael took control of his business affairs and career in unprecedented ways. He formed his own production company, MJJ Productions, giving him ownership over his music, videos, and branding. Michael also negotiated for highly lucrative publishing deals, ensuring he profited not just from album sales and performances but also from other uses of his music and likeness in perpetuity.
Michael’s business savvy was apparent in other ventures as well. He purchased the ATV music catalog, which included lucrative Beatles songs, for $47.5 million. The purchase proved incredibly profitable as streaming and digital downloads boomed in later decades. Michael also negotiated groundbreaking sponsorship deals, like his famous Pepsi commercial, that raked in millions and expanded his brand into new industries. Through these strategic business moves, Michael took control of his financial empire and ensured his legacy would endure for generations to come on his own terms.
Overcoming Obstacles
Of course, Michael’s fight for independence and control of his career was not without challenges. His domineering father, Joe Jackson, resisted relinquishing control for many years. Their relationship remained tumultuous, with Joe leeching large sums of Michael’s earnings through dubious management deals. Michael also faced resistance from the corporate music industry, which was reluctant to grant such autonomy to a black artist, no matter his commercial prowess.
Additionally, Michael’s ambition to constantly reinvent himself and push artistic boundaries was met with backlash from those uncomfortable with abandoning social norms or expectations of respectability. His changing physical appearance and lifestyle fueled intense tabloid speculation that threatened his public image at times. Through it all, Michael had to battle the expectations and constraints placed on both his artistry and identity as a black, American entertainer.
Conclusion
However, through immense talent, perseverance, and strategic business moves, Michael Jackson was able to gradually gain unprecedented control over his career and transform popular music forever. By taking charge of his songwriting, production, marketing, and public image, Michael established himself as the first true independent “King of Pop” who answered to no one but himself. His fight to continually break boundaries and challenge social norms with his artistry also expanded opportunities for future artists of all backgrounds. While his journey was far from easy, Michael Jackson proved that through vision, hard work and self-determination, even the most ambitious of dreams can be achieved.
