The music industry has historically exploited artists through unfair contracts that leave them in debt while record companies retain ownership of master recordings, creating a system where artists who create cultural value receive minimal financial benefit and face systemic discrimination based on race, gender, and other factors.
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*RARE* Michael Jackson speaks at The National Action Network Headquarters (2002)
Added:HEAT.
[cheering] HEAT.
HEAT.
[cheering] HEAT.
[cheering] Oh my god.
>> Good boy.
Good boy. Good boy. Good boy.
YEAH.
>> [applause] >> We have the daughter the daughter of Blackwell who wrote Don't BE just cause interference.
here. I'm really happy to see the young ones in the audience because that's how they'll learn because they are there listening and absorbing everything. So, what are you going to do when you leave here for you? What are you going to do for the community after what you've learned today? Ask God to guide you to realize your purpose and then use your voice every day to make >> it's too costly to walk into the train stores if they do get them in. And thirdly, if there is any merchandising space, it goes to the major labels. So the independent labels and laws own labels.
[applause] What I just do, >> what research is important to what I just demonstrated to you is how you can be diverted.
The record industry has failed to effectively guard against the free dissemination of music on the internet largely because of a conflict of interest that only US contracts that artists are a relatively short commitment term but with a series of options exercisable solely have to whatever is we want to do that [applause] we are tired of these stories that so very often impact on our community of artists who given given their all have no health benefits when they get sick.
>> That's right.
>> They're recoup the royalties they're entitled to.
>> But yet we see how big and how powerful these record companies continue to be.
>> That's right.
>> So if there ever there was a time people say something about [applause] we cannot be.
Now I would ask you to join and again welcome to the podium the the head of the artist empowerment coalition the lawyer for them McMillan who will go into more DETUN [applause] [applause] One of the most important precious resources that we create, the aesthetic gift that is divinely inspired through the creator that we have and that we control in the first instance is our artistic, our music, our thoughts and our ideas. And the first we have to make sure that the investment, creation, distribution and profit from that has a way to benefit directly our community and it comes back to our community. And this issue of racism in the industry, it's it's indisputable, but it's not merely about racism. It's about capital exploit. Right.
>> So we have to look at it from a broader perspective including racism, sexism, capitalism that does not work to the benefit of the people. And we the people as the constitution's preamble says in order to form a more perfect union. We the people in order to form a more perfect community. We the people in order to form a more perfect industry for ourselves governed by ourselves with ourselves must join with artists. must join with songwriters must speak up because the fact of the matter is right now is an opportunity we may never have again. It's for poor lawmakers today because the technology companies and the internet companies are impacted the profit margins of the industry. So they want some help. So at a time like this when a Michael Jackson would be courageous enough and a time like this 10 years ago when Prince wrote slave on his face and everyone looked at the dimminitive figure and said, "Wow, he must be bugging." Now he looks genius.
Stevie looks genius. Now we all look genius. [applause] But let's be smart about it. Let's make moves about it. And let's organize around activist and community leaders to make a change. God bless you.
[applause] >> [applause] >> We're going to hear now from one of the artists that has been a symbol of both artistic excellence and community involvement.
This brother has really always been on the case as well as been one of the leading figures in hip hop. And he's been a brother unlike none other. Let's hear from our own brother Douggee Fresh.
[applause] [applause] >> What's going on, y'all? What's going on?
>> We're going to keep it real now. We're going to keep it real.
>> Don't let the appearance cause interference.
FIRST OF ALL, I'd like to thank um I'd like to thank um Reverend Al Sharpton for uh calling me up and asking me to participate in uh a historical >> historical [applause] event that's going on right now.
>> All right.
>> Um and I'd like to thank everybody else that came out cuz it's real nice to see all of y'all, you know.
Um, and everybody here, I like to thank you all for coming out because um, it means everything when you come because you are the ones that travel with the word and you keep it real and you pass it on so that the real word gets out instead of sometimes the word that the media prints that's not the word.
[applause] So, I want to I want to start off by saying um just from the top of it, you know, just to keep it real, you know, it's uh it's an honor to have Michael Jackson and HAR [cheering] [applause] [applause] BROTHER, you know that.
>> And um I'm going tell you um I feel this way. I feel like >> I feel like it's a it's a powerful statement for Michael to step up like he stepped up. And I think that, you know, to see somebody step up like he stepped up is it's like you never would have imagined it in your in in this time >> you know I mean like everybody know that you know how he affected our lives and stuff you know musically you know creatively spiritually in many different ways. So for him to step up like this, you know, it must be something.
[applause] [cheering] >> And what's so interesting about it is that all of us have been stepping up and we've been stepping up for a long time.
and we've been stepping up because I've always felt from the time that I got into the music industry as he inspired many of us artists and hip hop even though we not singing we're still artists and you know we relate to what you know he created you know he created the movement and the ones that came before him you know and and what it is is that for you to create something is a gift from God.
>> Go ahead. [cheering] for you to be able to take something that [applause] like the poem we the willing led by the unknowing are do the impossible but the ungrateful we have done so much for so long for so little and we are now qualified to do ANYTHING [cheering] [applause] that's where we create FROM WE ARE people that we create [applause] from AM [cheering] I keeping it real?
>> And I'mma tell you [applause] and it's real important. But if you the one thing that we have in our favor is that we have the ability. We are we are connected to the creator. And that's why we create so easily.
I'm just, >> you know, we ain't got to think about it. It just [laughter] happened.
>> So the deal is, if that's what we have, then that's our property.
>> And if that's our property and that's what we have as a way to take care of our lives, take care of our family. We should be owners of THAT >> or at least [applause] a good percentage of >> you know I think that's bad >> the way the industry is set up and it's always been set up incorrectly but it's a game that we all wanted to play.
>> I didn't know this when I got in and I became an artist. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to make songs. I wanted to be out there and entertaining, showing the love, getting the love back, you know, and and and sending spiritual energy to make change in people's lives because I honestly believe and entertain you and make you feel good. But underline, we are to make change with our power. [applause] >> That's the only reason why we reference.
[cheering] >> I don't see no other reason. [applause] If we can't make a change for the positive, a change to make things better, a change economically to to help our communities, a change to better the educational system, a change to stop this racial tension between white and black and all of these different things.
Then to me, what is the purpose of being an artist? It's not just so that we can gain money. It's so that we can make a change globally, so that we can make people be here. for a true reason that we were put here [applause] I believe uh you know on earth to to to to make a change to make the world and if you agree with that then that means this that in order for us to do these things and make changes we need to also be treated properly >> now a lot of the labels treat artists like cattle >> go ahead >> they taking artists and you know they so you walking around and you seeing THIS ARTIST AND HE'S UP there but meanwhile the artist is really in debt to the label.
>> So, it's always been an unfair game.
It's like a friend of mine named Prince told me this. It's like if you go and buy a house and it's a mortgage on your house and you pay that mortgage off.
>> That's right.
>> When you finish paying the money that they lent you to make the records, they keep the mask.
>> That's right.
>> And that's not real.
>> That's not fair. And I don't think that if that's what we created because there wouldn't be nothing TO SELL IF WE DIDN'T STEP UP. [cheering] >> Because I'm going tell you something, [applause] they going to HATE ON HIM BECAUSE [laughter] HE STEPPED UP.
>> So I want you when you look at and you check things out and you read things and you pay close attention to it, they going to hate on anybody that's still Hey, >> they may say something ABOUT ME. I DON'T KNOW, [laughter] but it's all good.
>> So, the deal is this, and I'm going to sum it up so everybody else can speak.
Is this this is what I wanted to tell y'all. I want y'all to leave with this information. It's like this.
>> The music industry is a game. Everything that we're doing is a game. Some games are not played fair. And I think that together we have to join forces. Put See, a lot of us too feel funny because we got relationships with people.
>> And when we got relationships with people, we don't want to stand up for truth.
>> Stand up for truth.
>> Because sometimes when YOU STAND UP FOR TRUTH, you may hurt the person that might not be true.
>> See, but I think that sometimes you got to look at what's best FOR THE GREATEST GOOD.
>> [applause] >> And in this case, what's best for the greatest good is that we're able to do what we came to do, which is make this world a better place. Share [snorts] the gift that the creator gave us. Make a difference in our famil family's lives and other people's famil family's lives by creating good music, good songs, and owning it. At the end of the day, [applause] >> it's so many artists out here, brothers and sisters, that are not getting their fair share.
>> That's right.
>> I stopped recording records for the music industry.
>> Let's just get that out of the way off the top. [applause] WE AND Y'ALL Y'ALL KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS.
Y'ALL KNOW >> WE AIN'T EVEN GOT TO GET INTO THAT. BUT I'M GOING TELL YOU THIS, YOU KNOW.
THE HEAD FLAVOR IS [cheering] [applause] going this [applause] y >> but it can't work over here. And this panel here today, y'all don't understand what we going through. Like my brother Londell said, the Artist Empowerment Coalition is a group of artists that [snorts] all understand this game.
>> From Stevie to Prince >> to Shaka >> to EVEN OUR BROTHER SHA KIM HERE WITH LATIFAH. HE manages Latifah and he know >> everybody here is for the same agenda.
And what we need y'all to make sure that y'all leave with is that the game that y'all see is one thing, but there's another game being played behind the scenes. And we are here to let you know about this game. Let you know that we ain't going for it.
>> That's right.
>> And I'm pass. And I'mma end it like this. I'mma end it like this. And I'm going to tell you, >> that's right.
>> Straight up. unshakable and unbreakable.
[cheering] [applause] >> I want y'all to know I want y'all to know that like I said, I'm privileged to be here and I think that together we're going to make a tremendous difference out here and I'm going to do everything in my power to support my brother because he's always been our brother and and support anybody that's about truth, about positivity, and about making change [applause] FOR THE >> [applause] >> MICHAEL, WE LOVE YOU.
back real.
>> We love you.
I remember a long time ago in Indiana like 6 7 years old and uh I had a dream that I wanted to be a uh performer you know an entertainer whatever I could sleep at night and my mother awake me Michael Michael James Brown is on jump out of bed. I just staring at the screen and I twisted and he turned and there was Jackie.
>> It goes on and on, you know, just phenomenal, just unlimited great talent.
And it's it's very sad to see that these artists really um are penniles because >> they made and created so much joy for the world and the system meaning the record companies totally took advantage of them. And it's not like they always say, you know, they built a big house, they spent a lot of money, they bought a lot of cars. That's stupid as an excuse.
That's nothing compared to what artists make, you know, >> and um I just need you to know that this is very important what we're fighting for because I'm tired I'm really really tired of the manipulation.
I'm tired of how the press is manipulating everything that's been happening in this situation. They do not tell the truth. THEY'RE LIARS [cheering] [applause] [applause] >> and they manipulate they manipulate our they manipulate our history books.
>> The history books are not true. It's a lie.
>> The history books are lying.
>> You need to know that.
>> You must know that.
all the forms of popular music from jazz to hip hop to Bbop to to to soul, you know, to um you talk about the different dances from the cakewalk to the Jitterbug to the Charleston to um break dancing. All these are forms of black dancing.
[applause] >> What what's more what's [cheering] more important than giving people a sense of escapism?
And escape is a meaning entertainment.
What will we be like without a song?
>> What will we be like without a dance?
>> Joy and laughter and music.
>> These things are very important. But if you go to the bookstore down the corner, you won't see one black person on the cover.
>> You'll see Elvis Presley.
>> [cheering] [applause] >> You see the Rolling Stones, [applause] >> but where are the real pioneers who started?
[applause] Otis Blackwell >> was a prolific, phenomenal writer. He wrote some of the greatest Elvis Presley songs.
>> And this was a black man.
He died and no one else.
>> And I met his daughter today and I was so honored. To me, it was on the same level of meeting the queen of England.
[cheering] [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> But I'm here to speak for all injustice.
>> You got to remember something.
>> That's right.
>> The minute Yeah.
>> The minute I started breaking the alltime record in record sales, >> I broke Elvis's records. [cheering] >> I broke those records.
[applause] >> I became the alltime bestselling album in history and the Guinness Book of World Records. Overnight, they called me a freak.
>> They called me a homosexual.
>> They called me a child molester.
They said I tried to bleach my skin.
They made everything to turn the public against me.
>> This is all complete complete conspiracy. You have to know that.
[cheering] [applause] >> I know my race. I just look in the mirror. I know I'm black.
[cheering] >> [applause] [cheering] [cheering] >> Heat up here.
>> [applause] >> You know, it's it's time I it's time for a change.
>> And let's not leave this building and forget what has been said.
>> Put it into your heart.
Put it into your subconscious mind. and let's do something about it.
>> We have to. We have to [applause] because it's been a long, long time coming >> and a change has got to come.
[cheering and applause] [applause] >> So, let's let's hold our torches high >> and get the respect THAT WE DESERVE.
>> [applause] >> I LOVE YOU.
[cheering] I love you. [cheering] >> I know. I WILL SING WITH YOU.
Please don't put this in your heart today and forget it tomorrow.
cuz we would have not accomplished our purpose.
>> We will have not accomplished our purpose if that happens. This has got to stop.
[applause] >> It's got to stop. That's why I'm here with the best to make sure it stops.
[cheering] [applause] >> I love you folks.
[cheering] REMEMBER, we're all brothers and sisters, no matter what color we are.
[cheering] [applause] [cheering] >> Hey, GET BACK HERE.
My daddy always said that um he always said that a good song is like a good child will take care of you when you're old and when I was young I never really understood what he was talking about and uh not only that I guess because the music was Elvis Presley music and Jerry knew his music and I was kind of into Michael Jackson.
>> [cheering] [applause] >> I I just didn't find his writing or what he was doing important as a child.
>> But as I got older and as I became interested in writing myself, I came to understand my process of writing a very personal process. A lot of times you're alone and dad alone. I sort of thought you was keeping him away from me.
Now >> that he was creating and you have to be alone to create >> and it's a smooth process and once you finish creating whatever you're working on it's sort of like your baby your your child and so now I understand but I just feel as though I'm hearing that he's been neglected in the past. Um, I don't know how, but now that my sister and my brothers and I um have been lucky enough to be given this blessing on having a catalog, >> NAMES OF THE BLACK VENDORS THEY DO BUSINESS with releasing. WE ARE STANDING AND DEMANDING JUSTICE.
>> LET ME SAY THIS. MUCH OF THE MEDIA HAS CONCENTRATED ON MICHAEL. I WANT TO MAKE THIS CLEAR.
>> WHEN MICHAEL JACKSON CAME HERE TO HARLEM 7 WEEKS AGO FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON, THE MEDIA SAID HE WAS AN ICON.
>> WHEN HE CAME TO HARLEM TO STAND UP AGAINST RACISM IN THE INDUSTRY AND STARTED CALLING JACKO, HE WAS AN ICON.
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, HE'S AN ICON.
[cheering] WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW YOU WHATEVER ACCUSATIONS THAT MADE IN HIS LIFE WERE MADE BEFORE HE CAME TO THE DNC. SO DON'T PLAY GAMES TO TRY AND NOT DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TODAY.
>> WE COMING OUT WITH A STRATEGY ANNOUNCING WE'RE GOING TO TOKYO AND OTHER PLACES.
WE GO.
I love you. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU.
GO AHEAD.
>> Let me let me say this.
>> Sit down.
>> Come off.
I will chair down of all [cheering] No one has correct history.
>> That's right.
>> But Michael Jackson, >> I love you.
>> I love you. Nope. I love you.
>> He said to us, >> he did not want to just raise the issue of what's happening with him.
>> He said that artists all over the world need people to stand up and protect their rights.
>> Excuse me. And he said, "Reverend, if we want to stand up, if it's for all honest, I'm there."
>> As you know, there's a big rally coming through this afternoon. But he said, "I'm coming to Ohio because we want justice and all, oh Michael, >> are you DOING THIS ONLY BECAUSE OF YOUR SITUATION? I came to Harlem for being now he was HERE >> BECAUSE WE DISCUSSED IT. I TAL AND I TALKED about how >> we watch James Brown struggle, >> Little Richard struggle.
>> We've seen artists black and white and Latino struggle somewhere. This has to stop. That's right.
>> WE DO NOT BUY. WE DO NOT BUY CDS TO GIVE MONEY TO THE COMPANY. WE BUY IT TO SUPPORT THE ARTIST THAT WE LIKE. We want the artist TO BE FREE. WE DON'T WANT THE COMPANY TO THE ARTIST. WE WANT THE PEOPLE RESPECTED AND THE STARS THAT WE MAKE STARS TO SHINE IN THE GALAXY FOR US.
>> Oh my god.
This is the Fourth of July weekend.
>> I love you, MICHAEL.
>> MICHAEL JACKSON, >> NO.
>> IS AN AMERICAN STAR.
>> MICHAEL AND his family.
>> Good reason never die.
>> From Indiana to where he's AN OUTCOME ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> NO ONE GIVE HIM ANYTHING.
>> HE SAW, HE DANCED, HE CREATED, he produced, he always studio.
You have the right to change from THERE. HE CREATED WHERE HE IS. REAL life ABC.
>> I love you.
[screaming] >> [cheering] >> That's right.
I want you to hear I'm going to ask someone to move you out the camera.
>> I read one NEWSPAPER SAID, "WELL, company say they're going to wait >> to put out the best of Michael Jackson."
You can't put out the best of Michael Jackson cuz the best of Michael Jackson is yet to come.
[applause] >> HE'S STILL FREE. HE'S STILL INNOVATING.
>> HE'S STILL KING.
STILL POWER AND WE ARE STILL HERE in London. THOUSANDS WILL COME OUT IN NEW YORK. WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT OUR ARTIST SHOULD NOT THE PROMOTION BUTTON WERE LAID OUT. THE VIDEO WAS ALL IN CHARGE OF THE ARTIST YET what to say. SO IF THEY WANT TO BUY AN AD WITH THEIR FRIEND MICHAEL J MAGAZINE BECAUSE THEY DECIDE TO BUDGET AND CHARGE IT TO THE OFFICE THAT'S NOT HAD no money IN THEIR CAREER. BUT HE WANTED TO FIGHT WHILE HE WAS ON TOP. SO HELP YOUR CHILD. I HAD TO FIGHT ONE DAY TO GO THROUGH AND THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH THE SAME LITTLE [cheering] SAY WE'RE SURPRISED.
>> WHY ARE WE SURPRISED YEARS AGO?
>> WE SHOW HOW BAD WE ARE.
>> IF WE CAN'T GET MADNESS IN THIS, PLEASE.
>> I want to say this out there. We had everybody here in the senators and all he over this afternoon sermon on Tuesday. We want him to know. They're going to write ugly things. Every time Michael did something, they attacked him.
>> Every time he made another uh historic move, they tried to scandalize.
>> That's right. when he broke our records, they try to repudiate and they will try to minimize now.
>> BUT WE TELL HIM, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT >> BECAUSE THE PEOPLE ARE WILLING.
>> AND IF WE STAND with him, THAT IS WHAT THE ENTIRE industry has TO DEPEND ON.
THEY DON'T SELL THE MUSIC, THEY SELL IT TO US.
>> AND WE MUST STAND UP. THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARING.
>> [clears throat] >> THAT'S WHY SENATOR PATTERSON SAID, "WE'RE HAVING IT IN A THAT'S WHY COUNCELOR DAVIS SAID, "WE'RE HAVING NEW YORK." MAKE THEM COME IN FRONT OF THE BODIES AND EXPLAIN THESE CONTRACTS.
EXPLAIN these bills. EXPLAIN HOW THEY TRY TO LEVERAGE ALL OF THESE ODDS >> OF ALL COMMUNITIES >> TO WHERE THE COMPANIES MAKE BILLIONS [clears throat] AND THE ARTISTS ARE LEFT AT THE end end of their career with less. PEOPLE SAY, "WELL, THEY'RE RICH.
THEY DON'T NEED HELP." NO, THEY ARE POWERFUL.
>> Their riches are compromised.
>> And that IS RICHES THAT COULD ELEVATE OUR COMMUNITY.
>> That's right.
>> SO WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GOT ALL YOU CAN?
>> What do you DO WHEN THEY LIE ON YOU?
>> WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THEY CAST AGAINST YOU?
>> WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THEY DENOUNCE YOU?
WE WANT MICHAEL TO KNOW THAT AS HE AND OTHER ARTISTS THIS WEEK STAND, WE WILL STAND WITH >> I WILL STAND.
[applause] >> Excuse me.
When you've done all you can >> sing beautiful.
>> We went to a party.
>> Tonight to the party. We went to the party.
We're all alone. [singing] >> [music] >> know you.
>> Tell me what do you give me >> when you g your life.
The Lord >> of the past.
Tell me, how do you deal [music] with the shadow?
>> And how can you smile with your arms and ros?
[singing] [music] make it through.
>> I need you for me. I use [singing] [music] when there's nothing good.
[singing] [music] You done all you [music] need [music] [music] Michael?
Wonderful.
You just [music] [singing] want through the [music] heart the pain. [music] DON'T tell me.
Don't give [laughter] you JUST after you don't care. [music] Cry.
Hallelujah.
I love [music] how you know >> [music] >> Everybody get [music] everybody.
Myior [music] [singing] [music] brother [music and singing] [bell] [music] got races.
Heat. Heat. Heat.
[music] Michael. [music] [singing] [music] [singing]
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