During his time on earth, Michael Jackson‘s iconic music, movement, and visuals have ensured that the late King of Pop has been immortalised.
Still, the thirst for new MJ material has only intensified since the singer passed in 2009. Fast forward five years and the star’s longtime label Epic Records are gearing up to unleash the legend’s latest posthumous set; a collection they’ve christened ‘Xscape’.
Due on May 13th, details about the L.A Reid helmed set await below…
Via Epic Records:
On May 13, Epic Records, in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson, will release XSCAPE, an album of new music by the internationally beloved music icon and King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The project features eight new tracks, which the world will be hearing for the very first time on the new album. For the ultimate fan experience, XSCAPE will also be available in a Deluxe Edition, which includes all of the sourced Michael Jackson recordings in their original form.
The XSCAPE standard and Deluxe Edition’s are available for pre-order beginning April 1 on iTunes.com/MichaelJackson and elsewhere, and available at all retailers worldwide on May 13.
XSCAPE is executive produced by Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid, who, after an initial mining of Jackson’s archives by the Estate, was granted unlimited access to the treasures representing four decades of material on which Jackson had completed his vocals.
Reid curated the final list of recordings to deliver to the producers, who retooled the production to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains Jackson’s essence and integrity. It’s a process Reid calls “contemporizing.” The album’s lead producer, Timbaland was one of a handful of producers Reid believed had the gravitas, depth and range to creatively engage with Jackson’s work. Additional producers include global hitmakers Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome “Jroc” Harmon and John McClain.
“Modern music and artistry would look and sound completely different if not for the groundbreaking contributions Michael Jackson gifted to the world,” remarked L.A. Reid. “Michael left behind some musical performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers that he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with. We are extremely proud and honored to present this music to the world.”
The title of this album honors Michael’s album naming process. He always chose a song from the album to name his projects and, beginning with THRILLER, used only one word titles, each with an edgy quality to them. This is true of the new project. Written by Michael Jackson and Jerkins, and produced by Jackson and Jerkins, “Xscape” has further significance in that it is the one track on the album that was ‘contemporized’ by the producer who recorded it originally in the studio with Michael.
John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson said,
“Michael was always on the cutting edge and was constantly reaching out to new producers, looking for new sounds. He was always relevant and current. These tracks, in many ways, capture that spirit. We thank L.A. Reid for his vision.”
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Sounds exciting! Here’s hoping the set right’s the wrongs of 2010’s ‘Michael’ – which was all sorts of controversial. Naturally, the release will attract critique from those who don’t want a milking of MJ.
Yet, for us (who, like millions the world over, adored Michael), our only request is that the project is handled with the care, precision, and dedication required for an artist and legacy of MJ’s magnitude.
Kiii @ that pic but yessss slay from the grave KING
let this man rest in peace…LA Reid is so fixed on releasing a dead man’s album, but let Ciara’s album flop because of lack of promotion. So messy and money hungry!
I alerted Sam & David or else they will be posting a post 100 times without knowing there’s an upcoming Album from the King of Pop MJ. I think Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Mariah Carey and any other Artist releasing on that month May should push their Albums cus The King of Pop Michael Jackson will resurrect May 13. I’m here for #Xscape. #NP= MJ The Way You Make Me Feel.
Why did they give MJ full lips and red lipstick?
Not a fan of posthumous albums.
Woah a Cierror fan talking sh*t about MJ #Xscape Cover when it already sh*t on your fav. All Cierrors fans should never comment on Artist that are doing Fine/Better when your fave is not worthy to touch even their slippers. All what Cierrors fans got to do is just Shut Up and read the Post instead of commenting and talking sh*t about Artist/Legends that are far more better/Iconic than your fav Ciara.
The #PRESSATION though!!!
Kiii at the Csquad getting you out of your element, that you writing essays!!
B**** you so pressed over the squad that you seeing things. Who is talking s*** about MJ? I dont see it b**** that just shows how ci has your mind ugly
LA Reid has got his hands on a gold mine, Lucky b******!!
As long as he uses some of those coins to promote Ciara next era, I aint madd!!!!
lol.
The sad and hopeless desperation. If they even keep Ciara rather than DROP her like they SHOULD do, they’ll spend even less on her next time than they did on her FAILED “comeback” album. Ciara has proven to everyone there they she isn’t worth the investment. I think they’re only keeping her around as a tax write-off.
Girl go worry about Rihannas edges starting to look like Naomi Campbells!
Ciara is not Kelly, And LA Reid didnt bring her back under his wing just to let her go after one albums sales performance…. The Ciara album was much more a success in different avenues and putting her back on the map. And she will continue to be a threat babe!
Are these Ciara “stans” are like from another planet or something? It almost seems like they’re really Ciara haters in disguise, saying all kinds of outlandish ish just to rile others up against her.
Accept reality hun! Ciara’s album was a catastrophic failure and reinforced that her “moment” has passed, and that her two flop albums before it weren’t just bad luck. It’s her. She has no real audience anymore, no one is interested. Her only lifeline at Epic is LA Reid, whose tenure has been horrible. I suspect that he’ll be soon replace and the minute that happens, best believe she’s dropped.
After the “Michael” album, how much of what they say can be believed? Epic belongs to Sony who gave us “Michael” and could’ve used these “contemporized” songs back in 2010 if they were so good. The truth is they’re digging through incomplete songs and creating entirely new music with leftover MJ vocals. They’re using current producers to try and mimic what they believe MJ would sound like today. Drake tried it with Aaliyah and her fans shut him down. MJ’s fans should do the same thing and tell Sony/Epic “NO!” If you buy “Xscape”, you’re buying into the dream of Corporate America which Michael heavily criticized. If these reworked songs were MJ’s own dream, he would’ve released them.
he probably was going to release it s*** he probably was working on his new album during this is it tour but his death was unexpected. Aaliyah most of her stuff was already released 2 years after she passed hell a whole movie she didnt even finish was released.
Reid and Babyface were working with MJ from back in the late 80’s. I’m sure Reid knows what he’s doing. The Michael album wasn’t all tragic, just marred by too much low quality. In many ways teh smartest thing the estate has done is put the original demos on the deluxe so there’s no controversy and those of us that prefer the originals can have them in high quality.
Hopefully there’ll be some good videos, remixes and collabs etc. Strange that Teddy Riley is not mentioned as being on here, he really played himself with that awful “Breaking News” it seems! Hopefully Tim hasn’t screwed it up, S**** to the Rhythm remix wasn’t good, where was the beat!? Such a project really needs to be helmed by those MJ worked with in his life Quincy (not gonna happen 🙁 ), Riley, Jerkins, and Babyface and Bill Bottrell. Anyway, we’ll see.
Dangerous 25 in 2016…The estate are planning these projects well! Deceased MJ is doing more work than Brandy, Kelly and Ciara!!! 🙁 Gulp!
I’m here for it. And yaasss the cover slays
L.A Reid should be worried more about Ciara’s album which needs the attention it deserves. Let MJ rest in peace,we already have plenty of his classics to enjoy. His spirit and legacy lives on through them.
SN:That album cover SLAYS
You are totally right boo I think ci is kinda fed up with labels and their b******* she deserves better
Ciara next album will do better on all fronts, LA Reid knows what he’s doing… Have a little faith in the man!
And I actually like the MJ cover too!
Yeah,I think so too. This move is so shady,L.A Reid is a snake Smh. I find it unfair that Ci always gets played,she deserves better.
I hope so futureci because they dropped the ball after body party. Im out coulda done more but it didnt get any promo bad single choices as usual you just get tired of it and so does ci
I know, I really hope they realize their mistakes and come up with the ultimate plan for her… She is their number one artist with the most current potential.
Im excited for this new era though, Giving birth also does something to a womanshood.
Im out was the wrong single choice. Overdose or Living it up shoulda been the follow up to Body Party.
Wow!!! The cover is amazing…very Michaelish aka androgynous. Will pre-order tomorrow #Xscape
Thought this was a MJ post not a Ciara post.
Gorl you know they cant take us…. Everything turns into a Ciara bashing riot
Exactly they are beyond bothered by our opinions and presences on this site. B****** want us to live by their rules and it aint happening.
Micheal Jackson the king of pop, the legendary. i am definitely buying this album when it,s out.
@Matthew Charlery-Smith, I guess I’m a young MJ fan but um, why won’t Quincy Jones ever work with anything MJ-related?
Since MJ was involved with the creative process and a perfectionist it feels weird releasing a project without him. I’ll definitely check it out tho. #MJfan43ver!
Posthumous albums are only ok when it’s a Greatest Hits with a few unreleased tracks. I Care 4 U was great cause it had her hits and 6 unreleased music that became hits, and it was a year after her death. Trying to make is a NEW album as if they’re still here is wrong in my book.
Let classics be classic not currents. I don’t want to hear new MJ music, nor Aaliyah, Tupac or HW. Unrelease? Sure, but don’t remix them to make it sound current. TLC should have no more than 3 songs with Left Eye raps on them.
Those bastards always want to leech money of off him. Let the man rest in peace.
#Greedy
well mj still does have a contract until 2018 and he has whole bunch of songs he did in the 2000s!! He’s the KING making money from the grave!!
Hey Coolness!
Quincy Jones is suing the MJ Estate for $10m because of agreements/contracts that existed from 1979 (Off the Wall) stating that Quincy was entitled to producers royalties and to be given first refusal to remix or master any new releases. He claims he hasn’t received anything since MJ died.
It’s a shame, he;s the only one I believe who could really do justice to MJ’s demos, look what he did with “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Workin’ Day Night”. He was also missing from the “Bad 25” and he was the only one who could’ve given more insight now that Mj is gone.
Oh well, I guess new music is better than NO music!
my thoughts exactly……
why the red lipstick and full lips^^^^??
I love MJ but why do they keep exploiting him and releasing all this after his death. It’s all for money. I won’t be buying it.
I wonder if they are going to ask my girl Janet to a tribute and or say something on his behalf about growing up with MJ. I think if it would feel right if she was apart of it, but it is up to her. Plus I hope they do this project justice. Janet, your fans are waiting on your return baby girl.
if you look real closely, you’ll see they also contoured his nose for dear life!
Why didn´t they give info about when Michael made these songs? Are they recent? Or 80s left overs? Projects like this one make me suspicious. Plus they are making money from a person they never cared about. But at the same time we all want more great music from true greats. I don´t know.
Not here for it. Let him RIP I don’t like when labels do s*** like this.
@MATTHEW CHARLERY-SMITH, Thanks for the info! OMG, I had no idea that was what going on between Quincy and MJ’s estate. Such a shame but do you think he’s entitled to such royalties?
LEGEND. Dont touch him. let him rest in peace
F*** LA reid, he’s a devil, greedy b******, these $$$$$$ minded people should be burned off
I think they shouldnt release MJ compilation album anymore especially with that cover. Disrecpectful + disgusting. Making money out of dead people
MJ Legendary lecacy lives on FOREVER. Real LEGEND #NP Heal the world
Dont come for MJ. Y’all disgusting
Pitiful. MJ has worked too hard to be disrespected like this. He deserves to rest in peace. As much as I love MJ,I can’t support this album.
slaying from the grave it’s so legendary I just can’t stand it will be buying this album