Michael Jackson Takes On Sony, Recording Industry
Michael Jackson has accused recording companies, his own Sony at the top of the list, of being racist. Jackson?s attack came at Reverend Al Sharpton?s National Action Network in Harlem. With Sharpton (catch him at the funeral in the movie Mr. Deeds), and famed attorney Johnnie Cochran (remember OJ?) by his side, Jackson accused Sony of under-promoting his latest album ?Invincible?, as well as not allowing him to release a charity album of songs he wrote after September 11. Invincible apparently had $25 million worth of promotion, despite it?s terrible sales.
Jackson also went after Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola, calling him ?devilish? and accusing him of using the ?N-word? to describe another black artist at Sony.
While Jackson may have had some points, some of his arguments were as baseless as Dave Stewart?s comments about racism in baseball when he was passed over for the job of Toronto Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi. Jackson claimed black performer Sammy Davis Jr. died penniless in 1990. Davis? attorney said he left an estate of $6 million.
On Saturday, more fans of Jackson turned up outside Sony?s office in Manhatten to show their support for Jackson. The crowd of about 150 protesters, including longtime fans and Michael Jackson impersonators, carried signs that with such messages as ?Terminate Tommy Mottola!? and ?Invincible is Unbeatable!?
Jackson himself arrived on a double decker bus that circled the block a few times, standing on top with a fist in the air leading the chant of ?Down with Tommy Mottola!? Jackson also sported a sign saying ?The Good, The Bad and the Ugly? with his picture under good, Mottola?s with devil horns under bad, and regular Mottola under ugly.
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