Year 2002
He also suggested that they let him participate in their film projects for free, and only for promotional purposes. Both of these suggestions were rejected by Sony.
The album «History», released in 1995, was the best-selling double album up to that time. During his «History» tour around the world, he sold out all tickets. In addition to the concerts he had held for three nights at the Dublin and Wembley stadiums.
Then, in 1997, he released the album «Blood On The Dance Floor», which was a mixed album. Despite media criticism, this album became the best-selling mixed album in music history.
In late March, Sony removed the album «Invincible» from its preliminary list of international products. In comparison, his previous album, «History», remained on this list even after two years from its release.
A source said: ”Even if Michael leaves Sony today, he would still earn half of the income that many of their artists bring into this company. For them, it is difficult to accept that Michael is smarter in this matter. For revenge, they try to make it difficult for Michael to sign contracts with other companies as much as possible. Low album sales, the lack of promotion for the album, and the anger that arises among fans all prevent Michael's ambitions. Many fans think that Michael is no longer interested in music and intends to set aside this profession.“
Even when Michael started working on «Invincible» last year, he worked around the clock to make the album a success. He even paid for album signings in a passage in New York, and thousands of fans met him there; he had never done this before. What has happened cannot be the result of simple indifference.
Only five years ago, Michael was at the peak of pop music worldwide and sold millions of music records. He is still considered the most talented and most intelligent artist in the world by the music industry.
Music companies are still working hard to sign a contract with him, and he is currently receiving high offers from several companies. Before Michael signs a contract with a company, it is only a matter of time. And he intends to overcome this problem.
Despite the rumors made about Michael, he is still determined to maintain his high position in the music industry. Michael believes that he is still a powerful figure in music and that all the events that have happened so far indicate this reality.
But because the album «Invincible» fell from the top of the best-seller charts very quickly, many infer that he does not have the magic power of the past. However, it is difficult to understand why this album disappeared without leaving any trace.
On June 15, 2002, Michael attended a protest that fans had organized against Sony in the city of London. This unprecedented protest took place in front of Sony's European representative office on Marlborough Street in central London.
Michael Jackson, while standing on the upper deck of a military double-decker bus, surprisingly appeared at this protest.
[Protest in London]
A little later, on the same day, at the celebration of his fan club, MJNI (MJNI), whose headquarters is in England, he spoke openly about Sony:
”I want to thank all the talented and amazing people who performed at this celebration. If you perform music, I dance too. [He refers to the performance Ernest Valentino put on]. I want to thank him for his incredible performance. I think the performance by Brighton McClure was also amazing. He is also an incredible singer.
Anyway, first of all, I wanted to say that I really don't like talking too much. I really don't. I prefer to perform rather than talk.
I really want you to know what I'm saying.
The stories of great performers, from Sammy Davis Jr. and James Brown to Jackie Wilson, Fred Astaire, and Gene Kelly, have always been the same. The story is always one. Although these people really work hard, they are criticized unfairly. This story ends in the same way every time. They are usually very tired, injured, and often sad. Because the companies use them. They really do this.
I have made billions of dollars for Sony. They truly thought that all my thoughts and concerns are music and dance. Often, that's the case, but they never thought that one day I might take them out of my mind.
So we cannot allow them to freely do what they want. Because now I am in control and I only owe Sony one more album. Which is a collection of songs plus two new songs that I wrote a long time ago. For every album I made for Sony – without exaggeration, honestly, I'm telling the truth – I wrote at least one hundred and twenty songs for each one. So I can give them that collection of songs and both of the new songs they want, to them.
So I am leaving Sony. Now I am in control and I own half of the income of Sony's recording and distribution company, and I intend to leave them. And they are very angry with me because I only did something clever in my work, you know.
So by trying to ruin my album, they are trying to take revenge on me. But I have always said, you know, art – great art – never dies.
And Tommy Mottola is a devil. I shouldn't say this, but I have to let you know about it... [He gestures to the crowd] Please don't record what I want to say. Okay? Please turn off (your cameras)... [He pauses and changes his mind]. Record it, record it. I don't care.
Mariah Carey came to me crying after she separated from Tommy Mottola. She was crying. She cried so intensely that I had to hold her in my arms. She told me: ”He is a devilish man. Michael, he is stalking me.“ She records her phone conversations and he is truly devilish. Mariah doesn't trust him.
We have to keep fighting until we defeat him. We cannot allow him to do the same thing to great artists. We cannot.
I just wanted you to know that I appreciate everything you have done. You have been amazing. You have been very loyal to me. [He looks carefully at the crowd]. Diana, Waldo, all of you, everyone who is here, I love you. You are amazing. I love you. But still, but still I promise you that the best is on the way.“
On July 3, 2002, the film «Men in Black 2» surprised audiences with Michael's brief 24-second appearance in the film during its first public screening in theaters.
Both critics and general audiences praised Michael's performance in this film.
Three days later, on July 6, Michael spoke about Mottola in front of a crowd of three hundred and fifty people who had gathered inside the headquarters of the National Sharp-ton Network in the Harlem area of New York City:
”He is a racist and a very, very, very devilish person.“
Musical artists, producers, and executive managers, including Michael Jackson, called for better treatment of black artists by recording companies in this protest. Michael spoke at the headquarters of the National Sharp-ton Network. But before he could be asked a question about his attack on Mottola, he got into his limousine and left.
Following this protest, Michael received the ”30th Anniversary of His Solo Artistic Career“ award from them at a ceremony hosted by his fans.
After that, Michael, along with one hundred and fifty people, showed his protest in front of Sony's headquarters in New York.
[In New York]
On August 23, 2002, People magazine officially reported that Michael had become a father again. The magazine said that Michael currently has a six-month-old son whom he calls Prince Michael II. The details of Prince Michael II's mother remained hidden.
The news also announced that Michael's second son was carried and born by a surrogate mother.
On August 29, 2002, it was reported that Michael provided backing vocals on Monika's new album titled «All Eyes On Me».
On the same day, on Michael's birthday, the King of Pop was named ”Millennium Artist“ at the annual MTV Music Video Awards ceremony in New York City. Britney Spears presented this award to him.