Magazine Scans: Hip Hop Weekly and Jet

In 2009, Michael passed away and the media had a field day covering his sudden passing. There were so many tribute magazines on Michael, that it was hard for a person to catch up on all of them. I have bought so many tribute magazine issues of Michael, that I not only lost count, but forgot about the some of the magazines I had. I never post the Jet magazine tribute to Michael on here or on my tumblr page. They were one of the few publications that actually respected Michael. They were honorable and respectful towards him. In the past, I have posted on this blog, an interview that music producer and singer, Teddy Riley did for Hip Hop Weekly that was included in their tribute to Michael. I have decided to post most of the issue on here to show you, the readers, what was talked about. I hope you all enjoy the issues and be amazed about the amazing man that we all love and miss so much. 

Michael at an event in 2003.

Magazine Scans: People Magazine and Michael

You probably do not even know it but the popular magazine, People, is celebrating 40 years in publication this year and the magazine could not celebrate their milestone without mentioning Michael. The magazine have been following Michael's amazing career from their beginning in 1974 when Michael was 16, covered his historical career, the ups and downs of his celebrity, his horrific death and now covers his legacy and his heirs, his children. The reason why I am doing a blog post about the magazine is not because I want to celebrate their milestone. I am doing the post to show how this magazine went from idolizing Michael to slowing bashing him when things did not look good for Michael. I have a collection of Michael on the cover of the magazine which shows how the magazine changed their demeanor towards him. The magazine was a reflection of how most of the mainstream treated him over the years and currently. 

Michael on the cover of People in 1983. 

Magazine Scans: Michael on the Cover of Ebony Magazine in 1984

I was given this issue of Ebony magazine by a fan back in 2005 and I love the issue. I have always liked the fact that Ebony magazine featured Michael in their magazine because they witnessed his career from the beginning up until the present day. In 1984, the magazine's founder, the late Robert E. Johnson, did an exclusive interview with Michael to discuss one of the biggest years of his life. Can you believe that 1984 is 30 years ago? Michael was on top of the world winning eight American Music Awards and Grammys at one night, his 1982 classic, Thriller, was breaking records and the very popular Victory tour showcased the last time he would tour with his brothers. When I look back at that time in his life, I do not think Michael, or anyone, would ever imagine what would have happened to him nine years after this issue was released. Even with all of the nonsense that has happened to him, the fact that he continues to get new fans and his music still making and impact shows that the media's attempts to taint Michael's legacy just isn't working. Maybe the media need to give it up and deal with the greatness that is Michael. I will also discuss the Hologram mess and Michael making history on the billboard charts. 

Michael in 1984. 

Magazine Scans: Hip Hop Weekly Tribute to Michael

In 2009, the popular magazine, Hip Hop Weekly, did a tribute edition on Michael and in the edition, certain people that were in Michael's life were interviewed. One of those people, producer Teddy Riley was interviewed. Last year, I did a blog post on the ladies in Michael's life and I posted a quote from Teddy in which he stated that the one thing people did not know about Michael was that he was basically a womanizer. He stated that before the debacle that was the Michael album and two years and the half years after that, Teddy started to "come clean" with the validity of those songs that were in the terrible album. We will have to wait for Teddy's book to see what the "real" deal was but in the meantime, here is the interview from the magazine. 

Magazine Scans: TV Guide's Tribute to Michael

I describe the month of August to be a celebration of Michael's life. If Michael was with us, he will be 55 this year (August 29th). Even though Michael did not celebrated birthdays, he did like the idea of birthdays and meaning behind them. This month, I will do my version of celebrating Michael's life by focusing on the impact that he has made in the world. I want to post scannings of TV Guide's tribute to Michael from 2009. Michael has been on the cover and featured in the magazine various times. He gave two exclusive interviews for the magazine that were best sellers and read by the fans. I have to be honest, I bought the collectors issue because I loved the picture of the cover that the magazine editors have chosen. The picture reflected Michael in a respectful and reasonable way. It showed Michael the man and the legend. I want to post the parts of the issue that I felt were important. I hope you enjoy this and if not, that is OK as well. 

Michael on the cover of Tv Guide in 1999.