Throwback Thursday: Michael Jackson – “Beat It”
On the 35th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s historic sweep at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, it’s only right that this week’s TBT selection is from that album. “Beat It” was the third single from Thriller and the second of its two No. 1 hits — the other being “Billie Jean.”
Written and produced by MJ (with Quincy Jones receiving a co-production credit), “Beat It” was Michael’s first foray into the rock genre, and he bodied that shit. The song won a Grammy for Record of the Year and another Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. That kind of genre-hopping is something we don’t see often, and even when it does happen, few artists have been able to do it quite like Michael.
The “Beat It” video is said to be inspired by the gang activity Michael witnessed as a kid growing up in Gary, Indiana, and features approximately 80 real-life gang members. Over three decades later, it is still considered one of the greatest videos of all time. Check it out below.
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