How Michael Jackson Changed the World

Michael Jackson changed the world by breaking racial barriers in pop music, turning music videos into cinematic short films, popularizing street dance moves like the moonwalk, and using his global fame to support charities. Thriller is still the best-selling album ever, and Guinness World Records credits him with supporting 39 charities.

How michael jackson changed the music industry

Breaking Racial Barriers on MTV and Mainstream Radio

MTV launched in 1981 as a rock channel, and Black artists rarely got airtime. A USC study of its early years found that only about 20 of more than 750 videos in its first 18 months featured Black musicians. That changed on March 10, 1983, when “Billie Jean” premiered. CBS Records boss Walter Yetnikoff reportedly threatened to pull his label’s videos, and the clip became the first by a Black artist in heavy rotation, Yahoo Entertainment reports. Prince and others had earned some airplay before, so Jackson was not the first Black act on MTV. Director Steve Barron says Michael simply “was MTV.”

Cinematic Music Videos That Became Short Films

Jackson called his videos short films, and “Thriller” earned the label. The 14-minute music video was shot on 35mm with a budget of approximately $900,000, according to Wikipedia. In 2009, it was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry making it the first music video to be added, ABC30 reported.

Record-Breaking Success of the Thriller Album

RIAA gave a 34-time platinum certification to Thriller back in August 2021, Guinness World Records. Thriller also earned seven Top 10 singles and remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts for 37 weeks, NPR reports. Jackson also earned eight Grammys in 1984, the most an artist has ever earned in a single night, according to his official site.

A Music and Media Revolution in Marketing

The title video premiered on MTV on December 2, 1983, the network’s first world premiere video. Its making-of film later became the best-selling music video, per Jackson’s official site. Historian John Covach says the videos helped MTV grow into a force while helping Jackson sell more records, per Newswise.

why is michael jackson important to american history

From Gary, Indiana to the Global Face of America

Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, and joined his brothers’ group, the Jackson 5, at age five. Georgetown professor Michael Eric Dyson says he “brought human beings together across the barriers of race and class and gender,” as Common Dreams reported.

Paving the Way for Black Artists and Leaders

Civil rights leader Al Sharpton said Jackson “made culture accept a person of color,” per theGrio. Duke professor Mark Anthony Neal notes that the Jackson 5 reached mainstream fame without trading away their afros and bell bottoms, per Flavorwire. The story began at Motown, a label founded to make Black music appeal to white audiences. Jackson returned for its 25th anniversary special in 1983.

How Historians Rank His Place in American Music

University of Rochester historian John Covach calls him “arguably the most important figure in 1980s popular music.” Northeastern professor Emmett Price describes him as “profound, prolific and provocative,” per Northeastern News. Sony Music puts his worldwide record sales above 1 billion, per Sony.

5 important facts of how michael jackson impacted our culture

Signature Moves: The Moonwalk, the Anti-Gravity Lean and the Spin

Jackson first moonwalked on TV on March 25, 1983, during “Billie Jean” at the Motown 25 special, Wikipedia reports. He popularized the move and did not invent it. Dancer Jeffrey Daniel influenced it, and Jackson told Oprah Winfrey in 1993 that neighborhood kids taught him, per Rolling Stone Brasil. His other signature moves include the anti-gravity lean from “Smooth Criminal” and his spin, per Audacy.

Global Influence on K-pop and Dance Around the World

K-pop stars Rain, Taeyang and Taemin have named him a formative influence, Seoulbeats reports. The 2023 documentary Thriller 40 put BTS’s “Dynamite” choreography beside his, per The Daily Star. His reach extends to South Asia too. Pakistani choreographer Sonu Dangerous learned to dance from Jackson’s videos, per The News.

Iconic Fashion: the Glitter Glove, Military Jackets and Fedoras

The single sequined glove, military style jackets, red leather and tilted fedoras still show up in artists’ wardrobes today, Audacy reports.

Live Shows That Redefined the Pop Tour

Super Bowl XXVII on January 31, 1993 changed halftime shows. A year after a rival show pulled over 20 million viewers away from halftime, Jackson drew an estimated 133 million and became the first halftime act to lift ratings during the break, KLAS reports.

Influence on Modern Artists Like Beyoncé, Usher and Janet Jackson

Black America Web credits him with shaping Beyoncé’s stage presence, Usher’s blend of singing and choreography, and Janet Jackson’s mix of dance and visuals.

Humanitarian Impact

Charitable Giving and the Guinness Record for 39 Charities

In 2000 Guinness World Records recognized him for supporting 39 charities, a record for a pop star, per Guinness. He also donated a $1.5 million Pepsi settlement to a hospital burn center, per Wikipedia. One media report puts his lifetime giving above $300 million, but treats that as a reported estimate, TV One notes.

Global Anthems: We Are the World

He co-wrote “We Are the World” with Lionel Richie in 1985. The charity single raised more than $60 million for humanitarian relief, per Baptist News. He later recorded “Gone Too Soon” for AIDS activist Ryan White, per The Reckoning.

The Heal the World Foundation

Jackson founded the Heal the World Foundation in 1992 to help children. All profits from his Dangerous World Tour went to charities, including the foundation. The group was suspended in 2002 after it failed to file required accounting statements, per Wikipedia. A separate charity with the same name began in 2008, and the Jackson estate says it has no link to it.

Michael Jackson’s Legacy in 2026

The biopic Michael has grossed more than half a billion dollars worldwide, and Thriller climbed back into the top five of the Billboard 200 in May 2026, NPR reports. NPR also notes that critics panned the film for brushing aside the controversies in his life.

Controversies and Death: The Full Picture

Jackson faced child molestation accusations during his life and was acquitted, per the Chronicle of Philnthropy. The accusations still shape how many people judge his legacy. He died on June 25, 2009, at age 50 in Los Angeles. ABC News reported that a mix of prescription drugs, mainly propofol and lorazepam, caused his death, per WPVI.a

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FAQs

Why was Michael Jackson so famous in the 1980s?

Three things came together. Thriller sold at a historic pace, MTV gave his videos a daily stage, and the 1983 Motown 25 special showed the moonwalk to a huge TV audience.

Did Michael Jackson break MTV’s color barrier?

Mostly yes. Prince and Tina Turner got some early airplay, but “Billie Jean” became the first video by a Black artist in heavy rotation in March 1983. More Black artists followed on the channel.

How many copies has Thriller sold?

Estimates range from about 67 million to more than 105 million. Guinness uses the lower figure, while Sony Music reports over 105 million.

How much money did Michael Jackson give to charity?

No confirmed total exists. Guinness recorded 39 charities in 2000, and one media report estimates more than $300 million in lifetime giving. Treat the dollar figure as an estimate.

Did Michael Jackson support the LGBTQ community?

Sources show he backed HIV and AIDS causes. He befriended Ryan White, recorded the tribute song “Gone Too Soon” and was close to AIDS activist Elizabeth Taylor. The sources reviewed do not show public campaigning on LGBTQ rights.

What impact did Michael Jackson’s death have on the world?

Google, Twitter and Wikipedia reported outages from the traffic, per ABC7. His albums filled all 10 spots on Amazon’s music bestseller list the next day, The Gazette reported. More than 31 million people watched his memorial, per Nielsen.

How famous was Michael Jackson compared to Taylor Swift?

A 2024 analysis found Jackson’s 10 solo albums certified 72 times platinum against 50 times for Swift’s 11 original albums. Billboard reported they tied at 51 weeks at No. 1 in January 2021. The answer depends on the era and the metric.

Conclusion

Michael Jackson left a mark on music, dance, fashion and charity that still shows up in today’s pop stars. His story also includes serious allegations, and an honest look at his legacy keeps both in view.