Any sort of "new" music from Michael Jackson was bound to cause controversy, but the chatter over Jackson's single "Breaking News" (from his forthcoming posthumous album Michael) has been at a fever pitch since it made its debut online on Monday (November 8th). Not only have fans been arguing over the validity of the track (many of which are pointing to the fact that the voice on "Breaking News" doesn't sound all that much like Jackson's) but the people closest to Jackson — his family, friends and colleagues — have also been exchanging words.
"Regarding the song 'Breaking News' I am so sorry you have to deal with this. My uncle loved you so much and would not want it this way," Jackson's nephew Taryll tweeted. There are songs that are my uncle singing on the upcoming album and I will support those 100 percent. But I will not support 'Breaking News' and a few others because it simply is not him. They tried to fool me and they tried to fool you." Jackson's mother has also made statements saying that some of the songs on Michael are "false," though she hasn't specifically called out "Breaking News."
But longtime Jackson collaborator Teddy Riley insists that it is in fact Jackson singing the lines on "Breaking News." "When I heard these songs, my heart cried hearing Michael again in good spirits," Riley told the Associated Press. "The vocals sounded very polished, very on key and processed. I have no doubts that these are Michael's vocals."
It's difficult to tell whether or not "Breaking News" is legitimate or not for sure, as the last time we heard Jackson's voice on a fresh recording was for 2001's Invincible. "Breaking News" was supposedly recorded in 2007, and it would be easy to believe that his voice could have changed or deteriorated in the years between studio visits. Plus, the recording technology has evolved a great deal over the past few years, so it's quite possible that processing might be Jackson's voice's biggest enemy. Just because it doesn't necessarily sound like Jackson doesn't mean it isn't actually Jackson.
However, there are outside elements that suggest support for both arguments. The beat sounds like the kind of tough, stripped-down R&B jam that Jackson loved (it would not have sounded out of place on Invincible, and actually sounds a little like that album's "Unbreakable"), and the lyrical content involves media obsession and paranoia — two of Jackson's favorite themes. On the other hand, would Michael Jackson ever repeatedly refer to himself in the third person, as he does on "Breaking News"? It sounds slightly off, which lends credence to the idea that Jackson wasn't in fact behind the song.
As with many of the questions involved in Jackson's life, this one will probably remain unanswered and unexplained. Still, the controversy has not stopped "Breaking News" from making a big impact on radio, as the track was added by 151 radio stations across the country on Monday.
What do you think of "Breaking News"? Does it help or hurt your interest in the new Michael Jackson album? Let us know in the comments!