QuoteJustin Bieber Finally Gets To Sing With Michael Jackson, But Is 'Slave 2 The Rhythm' Authorized?
Posted on Aug 16 2013 - 8:45pm by Page Mackinley
Musician(s): Justin Bieber Justin Bieber's feature on a remixed version of Michael Jackson's unreleased song "Slave to the Rhythm" set the Internet alight in mixed ways on Friday. A newly re-imagined version of the song — which first appeared online with Jackson's vocal only in December 2010 — leaked first via Soundcloud, then all over YouTube. However, since its arrival online most if not all YouTube versions of the song have been removed after Take Down notices were sent out by The Michael Jackson Estate. Earlier on Friday, Bieber tweeted a message about Jackson after the song's online debut/leak. "Excited for what is to come. MJ set the bar. Not only for music but for being an entertainer and how u treat the fans. Wish he was here..." the 19-year-old wrote. "All of it is not always easy but it is a blessing. We can change the world. I'm up for the challenge. Big things ahead! #greatness. love you," he added. Bieber has been a Jackson fan his entire life and plays Jackson's music before performing at his shows. Last January, the Canadian star delivered a heartfelt tribute at Jackson's posthumous Grauman's Chinese Theater honoring. Additionally, producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who produced "You Rock My World" on Jackson's 2001 Invincible album and "As Long As You Love Me," and "Die In Your Arms" on Bieber's 2012 Believe album, previously said he thought he could have arranged a duet between the pair if Jackson hadn't died. "I think if Michael was alive I would have been able to make a meeting happen and actually get them to do something together," Jerkins said last June. However, Jerkins stated on his Twitter account Friday that he had no involvement in the duet.
@Shenk_MJsmeeze No involvement. — Rodney Jerkins (@RodneyJerkins)
August 16, 2013 Some Jackson fans had pointed to the fact that Jackson's a capella could only have been used by Bieber if the duet was Estate authorized, since they own the legal rights to Jackson's musical product, properties and brand. However, the Interwebs subsequently buzzed with news of a purported statement from the Estate stating this was not the case. The statement from the MJ Online Team, which is the Twitter account for the Estate, read: "Hello there: For those who have been asking about the recently posted recording of 'Slave 2 The Rhythm' by Michael and Justin Bieber, this recording was not authorized and has been taken down. Best, The MJ Online Team." Bieber was reportedly given access to the song's a acapella and instrumental by a member of the Jackson family last year. Evidently it was reworked with the young popster's vocals and the new dynamic, electro-dance mix is the result. Some Beliebers on Twitter are saying Justin bought the rights to the song in order to work on a collaboration with his hero. Despite some Jackson fans threats of a boycott , if this latest version of "Slave 2 The Rhythm" is given an eventual green light it's safe to say it will be supported by Bieber's ardent Beliebers. And, perhaps, also by those who believe exposing MJ's music to the next generation with a young, relevant artist is more productive and creative than embalming it.
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