Michael Jackson was an American recording artist and entertainer. He debuted on the professional music scene at age 11 as a member of
The Jackson 5 and began a solo career in 1971 while still part of the group.
Referred to as the "
King of Pop" in subsequent years,
Jackson had seven of his solo albums promoted with
music videos. In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in
popular culture and the first
African American entertainer to have a strong
crossover fanbase on Music Television.
The popularity of his music videos that aired on MTV, such as "
Beat It", "
Billie Jean" and "
Thriller"—credited for transforming the music video from a promotional tool and into an art form—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame.
Videos such as "
Black or White" and "
Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV into the 1990s.
Some of his short films drew criticism for their violent and sexual elements; others were lauded by critics and awarded
Guinness World Records for their length, success and
expense.
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