Matt Johnson of Matt and Kim: “Yesterday in a walk from McCarren Park to my apartment on Grand Street I heard so many groups [of people] talking about Michael Jackson’s passing. Two groups of strangers would hear each other, then everyone would begin talking about it together. At one point a guy walking by himself past Kim and I turned and said, ‘Did you hear Michael Jackson died?’ like he needed to get it off his chest. So say what you will about Michael, but he always brought people together.”
It’s still hard to believe that the King of Pop is gone. While Michael Jackson‘s personal life was plagued with alleged addiction to prescription drugs, trials, lawsuits and all sorts of bizarre behavior, he gave the world its greatest-selling album of all time, Thriller, and a body of work that will live on forever. And let’s not forget how he moonwalked into history with some of the best videos and his unprecedented dance moves. Big Shot asked a few prominent dance music artists to share their thoughts on MJ’s legacy.
Gamble & Huff: “Michael was a great and wonderful artist and performer. We were privileged and honored to record him and his brothers here at Philadelphia International Records…. We are very honored to have been a part of Michael Jackson’s music and creative career in helping to write and produce his own music with his brothers. We know his music and legacy will live on for a very long time.”
Scott Kirkland, The Crystal Method: “The controversy that has surrounded him the last 20 years is only eclipsed by the genius of Off The Wall and Thriller.”
Duvdev, Infected Mushroom: “Today is a sad for music. He as a great singer, a great artist and one of the best performers on the planet. We were looking forward to seeing him back in his full glory on stage, and now with his passing we’ll have to remember him when he was BAD.”
Dave Audé: “I speak for the dance music community when I say Michael Jackson’s music has rocked more dance floors than any other artist, period. I was definitely looking forward to heading over to London to catch a few of his shows. His musical genius will be sorely missed.”
Pioneering electro-rap group Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force will make its first UK appearance in 25 years on July 4th at Wireless Festival at London’s Hyde Park. Known for melding hip-hop and electro in the early ’80s, the New York-based innovators will don their outlandish costumes and play hits like “Planet Rock,” “Looking for the Perfect Beat” and “Renegades of Funk.” While the group will celebrate its rich history on a bill that’ll feature Blur to Dizzee Rascal, they also plan to drop their new single, “Soo Good.” Says Afrika Bambaataa, “Some of our new songs are based on the funk, others are electro go-go. We always play for the people and give them what they want.” Look for this group of seasoned vets to funk up the place.
Twenty years is a long time for any business to stay afloat. To celebrate its second decade, Warp Records is releasing a commemorative box set, Warp20, which will feature lavish packaging and heaps of cool tunes from the label’s vault. The set comes packaged in a 10-inch square slipcase wrapped in charcoal Buckram embossed paper with tipped-on gloss-laminated cover photograph, designed by YES, photographed by Dan Holdsworth. Are you drooling yet?
