Was the music actually sung by Michael Jackson?
In short: Released in 2010, the posthumous album 'Michael' was meant to be a triumphant return. Instead, it ignited a fierce debate over vocal authenticity. While Sony insisted the tracks were genuine, family members and collaborators raised doubts that eventually led to a massive reissue and a legal battle.
The album 'Michael' arrived on December 10, 2010, marking the first new material from the King of Pop since his 2001 album 'Invincible'. Produced by a team including Teddy Riley and Giorgio Tuinfort, the record featured a diverse sonic palette ranging from R&B and pop to hip hop and gospel. It included guest appearances by Akon and Lenny Kravitz, and achieved a number three debut on the US Billboard 200.
However, a significant controversy emerged regarding the authenticity of the vocals on three specific tracks: 'Breaking News', 'Keep Your Head Up', and 'Monster'. These songs, known as the Cascio tracks, were allegedly recorded in 2007 at the home studio of Eddie Cascio in New Jersey. While Sony Music initially expressed complete confidence in the vocals, several people close to the singer voiced skepticism. Jackson's brother Randy claimed the voice was not his, and collaborator will.i.am described the release of unfinished material as 'disrespectful'.
The dispute escalated into a class-action lawsuit in 2014, centered on claims of fraud and violation of consumer laws. Forensic experts contested the vocal authenticity, leading to a complex legal battle involving the Jackson Estate and Sony. By 2022, the controversy resulted in a significant decision: the album was reissued with those three disputed songs removed. This saga highlights the tension between posthumous commercial releases and the preservation of an artist's true creative legacy.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Michael (Michael Jackson album)
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