Who’s Michael Jackson? You Are, I Am, We All MJ
It is truly amazing that the tribute single, “Better on the Other Side,” was written, recorded and released on Diddy’s Twitter account within 24 hours after Michael’s death. Wow! The ‘GameBoyz’ got on it with no time to spare! Deeply saddened, and still in a state of shock, inspiration welled up from deep within rappers DJs Skee and Khalil. Even though MJ’s style of music was not rap, these artists had just lost their mentor and “king” forever. MJ’s influence crossed music genre boundaries. A tribute was quickly in the making. Featured on the song are rapper recording artists, The Game, Chris Brown, Diddy, Polow Da Don, Mario Winans, Usher and Boyz II Men who pooled their talents for the impromptu project.
Read the deeply personal lyrics as the song plays:
These Rap artists totally respected and admired Michael, not only as a mentor, but as a friend. As mentioned in the song, Michael encouraged Game and 50Cent to make amends in their relationship, and “stop the beef.” According to The Game, Jackson had tried to end the feuding and tension between rapper 50 Cent and The Game in 2005.
“I was on tour in Canada, sitting in my room, cutting my hair…Then my road manager knocks on my door. Boom, boom, boom. He told me, I got MJ on the phone. I ran and snatched up the phone.” The Game said Jackson started the conversation by talking about music and complimenting him on his records. Then [Jackson] said, ‘I don’t know how you’re gonna feel about this, but I want to ask you something. I don’t want you to judge me, but I don’t really know everything that’s going on between you and 50. But I want to be the middleman behind you putting this situation to bed.”
This gives us greater insight into Michael, the peacemaker.
Everything about this song is impressive. It is a powerful testimony to the profound influence that MJ had on a wide range of artists, both professionally and personally.