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Scorpeze, Matthew Allen, Nicole Starling, and Rochelle Jones join host Shawn Shackelford for a roundtable discussion of the ‘Michael’ biopic as viewed through the Black cultural perspective, sparked by the film’s major success and the return of global Michaelmania. The panel explores Michael Jackson’s legacy through race, media, celebrity, and cultural memory, tracing his journey from the Jackson 5 and the Chitlin’ Circuit to Off the Wall, Thriller, and worldwide superstardom. They also examine shifting media narratives, from tabloid culture and public scrutiny to modern reassessments, while reflecting on James Baldwin’s enduring observations about Michael, America, and Black cultural identity. Together, the conversation blends personal insight and cultural analysis to reconsider Michael Jackson’s lasting impact and evolving legacy.
This episode was edited by Simon Wilkie.
Participants
• Shawn Shackelford
• Scorpeze
• Nicole Starling
• Matthew Allen
• Rochelle Jones
Additional Links
• Here Be Dragons: James Baldwin’s Critique of the American Ideal of Manhood
• “Remember the Time”: Michael Jackson and the Chitlin’ Circuit by Mark Anthony Neal
• Michael Jackson and Prince appearance at James Brown 1983
• Truth and Soul Podcast Ep.3 “Beige Music”
• Truth and Soul Podcast Ep.4 “Beige Music-The Finale”
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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep livin’ off the wall.
The depth and quality of this conversation blew my mind.
We need so much more of this perspective when talking about music, culture, Michael, The Jacksons/Jackson 5 – to be better allies to the black community, to black music history/legacy and to MJ, him being first and foremost a black artist. I think we so often forget that racial bias was the biggest driving force behind him having such focus on being the biggest entertainer in the world. He was a black revolutionary within the industry, and I just feel we need to talk more about it. At least I want to.
Thank you so so much for this substantial and interesting discussion!
Something Ive been thinking about: most books written about Jacksons career are written by white dudes. Are there any books out there from African American authors? With more of a cultural perspective?
Nelson George and Margo Jefferson wrote MJ books, but Nelson’s was very superficial and Margo’s was very hostile. Bob Jones’s was also obviously very hostile.
Jermaine’s book and the bodyguards’ books are both quite good.
Thanks! I would have loved a book more focused on the cultural context and musical history without either hostility or glorifying. Just, real. Kind of within a setting like this episode, this conversation.
But Jermaines and “Remember the times” are definitely on my list!
I am close to Michael’s age I have always supported him and I never,never doubt his innocence’s I have always saw him as a black man artist that belongs to the world because that’s how he made us feel we are all one and I understand not everybody back then and now feels this way.When leaving Neverland came out I never watched it I knew already who those men were, I will put my Michael Jackson T-shirt on I’ll take my grandson with me and we drive around with the windows down blasting the bad and hearth song he loves Michael too and I got plenty of smiles. I watched the movie 7 times from the second time onwards I enjoyed so much more. I love his music but I love the man the human and what he stood for more,I studied him so hard and I never have enough listening to him talking,his voice is so soothing and calming. I have listened to all your episodes from the beginning and I’ve loved every single one of them,Thank you for all your hard work,we need it.