Second Listen: "Thriller" (Michael Jackson)

Back in 1984,  Michael Jackson released "Thriller," the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album, 1982's Thriller. Written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones,  "Thriller" received positive reviews from critics and became Jackson's seventh top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart from the album, peaking at #4 and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

With that said, as we celebrate Halloween, I thought it would be nice to revisit Jackson's "Thriller" as it was ranked number one on "The Top 10 Halloween Songs" list by Billboard. Therefore, take a few minutes below to enjoy the spooky music video for Jackson's "Thriller," which was adapted by American Werewolf In London director John Landis and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Right Here" (SWV)

I had the pleasure of attending the San Diego Jazz Festival's closing night this past Sunday and one of the highlights from the show as SWV's sublime set where the Sisters With Voices along with their live band performing a rousing set of classic hits and cuts.

With that said, one of those such hits was their Michael Jackson "Human Nature" flavored joint "Right Here," which was originally featured on the groups 1992 smash LP It's About Time. Therefore, take a second listen to "Right Here" below and Enjoy!

Live Clip: "Earth Song" (Yolanda Adams)

Yolanda Adams' vocals never disappoint and the anointed singer took to the Michael Forever 2011 tribute concert to offer up a sublime gospel tinged rendition of the Michael Jackson classic "Earth Song."

Backed by a choir towards the end of the number, Adams let loose at the end and took the crowd on an emotional and spiritual journey with her interpretation of MJ classic. Watch it go down below as we continue to celebrate Michael Jackson's legacy and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "They Don't Care About Us" (Michael Jackson)

"They Don't Care About Us" - Michael Jackson

• Writer: Michael Jackson
• Producer: Michael Jackson
• Record Label: Epic Records
• Released in 1996 from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
• Peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart

Amazing Cover: "Human Nature" (Laura Mvula)

While Laura Mvula was on the promo trail to build buzz for her then forthcoming debut album Sing to the Moon, she hit up BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge and offered up the mandatory cover and her acoustic take on this classic song is one of my favorite covers from 2013.

Opting to go with the late Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," Laura's sweet and smooth vocals fit effortlessly on the melody of Jackson's classic song. Watch her amazing acoustic cover of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" below and Enjoy!

Podcast: "Young, Gifted, & Black" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we tackle Lupe Fiasco’s letter on white supremacy, Taylor Swift’s fight for artist compensation from #Apple, #TheDream’s Billboard interview about race and music, Bobbi Kristina’s medical condition, Eminem’s new show Narc, D’Angelo’s follow up to Black Messiah, Beyoncé headlines the Made in America music festival, and Diddy’s kettlebell fight.

We also highlight new music from Janet Jackson, Fetty Wap, Jidenna, Tiffany Evans, Kendrick Lamar, Bilal, and #LeonBridges. In our Blast From the Past segment, we honor Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt and remember Michael Jackson on the anniversary of his passing. And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

Amazing Cover: "Rock With You" (Jessie J)

Michael Jackson is one of those artists that has put a stamp on his music, which makes it so hard for people to cover it in my opinion and therefore very few should ever attempt. With that said, Jessie J is an exception to this in my book, especially after listening to her sublime BBC Radio 1 cover of Michael's classic 1979 hit "Rock With You."

Originally lifted as the second single from Michael Jackson's Off The Wall back in 1979, it reached number one on both the Billboard pop and R&B singles charts and according to Billboard, was the  fourth biggest single of 1980. With that said, take a listen below to Jessie J's sublime stripped-down/acoustic rendition of "Rock With You" and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Right Here" (SWV)

I had the pleasure of attending the San Diego Jazz Festival's closing night this past Sunday and one of the highlights from the show as SWV's sublime set where the Sisters With Voices along with their live band performing a rousing set of classic hits and cuts.

With that said, one of those such hits was their Michael Jackson "Human Nature" flavored joint "Right Here," which was originally featured on the groups 1992 smash LP It's About Time. Therefore, take a second listen to "Right Here" below and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Human Nature" (Laura Mvula)

While Laura Mvula was on the promo trail to build buzz for her then forthcoming debut album Sing to the Moon, she hit up BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge and offered up the mandatory cover and her acoustic take on this classic song is one of my favorite covers from 2013.

Opting to go with the late Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," Laura's sweet and smooth vocals fit effortlessly on the melody of Jackson's classic song. Watch her amazing acoustic cover of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" below and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "They Don't Care About Us" (Michael Jackson)

"They Don't Care About Us" - Michael Jackson

• Writer: Michael Jackson
• Producer: Michael Jackson
• Record Label: Epic Records
• Released in 1996 from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
• Peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart

Mashup: "Hold My Hand/My Love Is Your Love" (Michael Jackson & Whitney Houston)

We lost two of music's great's within the last few years with the early passings of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston and a fan of the duo has created a mashup utilizing the instrumentation and parts of the bridge and chorus of Whitney's "My Love Is Your Love" with Michael and Akon's vocals from "Hold My Hand."

While I am a bit biased and would've enjoyed more vocals from The Voice, Ms. Whitney Houston, it is a great mashup and warrants a listen or two below!

Live Clip: "Earth Song" (Yolanda Adams)

Yolanda Adams' vocals never disappoint and the anointed singer took to the Michael Forever 2011 tribute concert to offer up a sublime gospel tinged rendition of the Michael Jackson classic "Earth Song."

Backed by a choir towards the end of the number, Adams let loose at the end and took the crowd on an emotional and spiritual journey with her interpretation of MJ classic. Watch it go down below as we continue to celebrate Michael Jackson's legacy and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Thriller" (Michael Jackson)

Back in 1984,  Michael Jackson released "Thriller," the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album, 1982's Thriller. Written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones,  "Thriller" received positive reviews from critics and became Jackson's seventh top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart from the album, peaking at #4 and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

With that said, as we celebrate Halloween, I thought it would be nice to revisit Jackson's "Thriller" as it was ranked number one on "The Top 10 Halloween Songs" list by Billboard. Therefore, take a few minutes below to enjoy the spooky music video for Jackson's "Thriller," which was adapted by American Werewolf In London director John Landis and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "They Don't Care About Us" (Michael Jackson)

"They Don't Care About Us" - Michael Jackson

• Writer: Michael Jackson
• Producer: Michael Jackson
• Record Label: Epic Records
• Released in 1996 from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
• Peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart

Unplugged: "Human Nature" (Laura Mvula)

Laura Mvula has been making waves in my book since 2012 when her buzz single "She" was released and she's been delivering on "her promise" ever since she released her debut album Sing to the Moon last year.

With that said, Laura took to the stage of Nobu Unplugged live music showcase in London last year and delivered a sublime interpretation of the Michael Jackson classic "Human Nature." Watch her unplugged rendition of "Human Nature" below as we celebrate and honor Michael Jackson's born day.

Remix: "Bad (AfroJack Remix)" (Michael Jackson)

Today would've been the King of Pop's birthday and so I thought it would be nice to revisit this sublime remix of Michael's joint "Bad" via AfroJack.

In honor of the 25th anniversary release of Michael Jackson's iconic album Bad and it's accompanying title single, Pepsi has requested that several DJs craft a remix of Michael Jackson’s classic 1987 single "Bad."

With that said, Dutch DJ and producer AfroJack created a  techno/electronic remix of Jackson's classic in part of Pepsi's "Bad 25th anniversary campaign" earlier this year and you can revisit it by taking a listen to it below!

Amazing Cover: "Rock With You" (Jessie J)

Michael Jackson is one of those artists that has put a stamp on his music, which makes it so hard for people to cover it in my opinion and therefore very few should ever attempt. With that said, Jessie J is an exception to this in my book, especially after listening to her sublime BBC Radio 1 cover of Michael's classic 1979 hit "Rock With You."

Originally lifted as the second single from Michael Jackson's Off The Wall back in 1979, it reached number one on both the Billboard pop and R&B singles charts and according to Billboard, was the  fourth biggest single of 1980. With that said, take a listen below to Jessie J's sublime stripped-down/acoustic rendition of "Rock With You" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Human Nature" (Laura Mvula)

While Laura Mvula was on the promo trail to build buzz for her then forthcoming debut album Sing to the Moon, she hit up BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge and offered up the mandatory cover and her acoustic take on this classic song is one of my favorite covers from 2013.

Opting to go with the late Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," Laura's sweet and smooth vocals fit effortlessly on the melody of Jackson's classic song. Watch her amazing acoustic cover of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" below and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Human Nature" (Michael Jackson)

"Human Nature" - Michael Jackson

• Writers: Steve Porcaro & John Bettis
• Producer: Quincy Jones
• Record Label: Epic Records
• Released in 1983
• Peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 

Song of the Day: "They Don't Care About Us" (Michael Jackson)

"They Don't Care About Us" - Michael Jackson

• Writer: Michael Jackson
• Producer: Michael Jackson
• Record Label: Epic Records
• Released in 1996 from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
• Peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart