ESTATE OF MICHAEL JACKSON AND SONY MUSIC RENEW 30-YEAR RELATIONSHIP WITH LANDMARK RECORDING DEAL


Special Administrators for the Estate of Michael Jackson, John Branca and John McClain, and Sony Music will continue the label's 30-year relationship with Michael Jackson and his music with a landmark recording deal, it was announced today.  
 
With this new agreement, Sony Music's Columbia Epic Label Group and Legacy Recordings will continue their term of rights to his catalog and also create new projects for Michael Jackson featuring the never-before-released Jackson recordings.  The first project featuring unreleased music is expected for release in November 2010.
As a solo artist with Epic Records spanning three decades, Michael has sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide and released thirteen #1 singles. Jackson became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award. Sony's Legacy Recordings has also created a number of successful projects such as the "Thriller" 25th anniversary album. The best selling album of all time worldwide by wide margin, "Thriller" showed the lasting power of Michael's music by returning to #1 on the weekly sales charts in 2008.

This past fall, Sony Music released the #1 two-disc album companion to the motion picture Michael Jackson's This is It " which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide.  Released by Sony Pictures, the film made history as the highest grossing concert film of all time and the recently released DVD took the #1 spot in DVD sales, breaking the record for first-week's sales of a music film.

Comments for this News article

I'd better start saving my money! I want that album! But what I want to know is are they going to realease his song "Another Day" on the album? I hoe they are! I heard the song on Good Morning America and I love it! I am so ready for november!

"It's all for love: L-O-V-E"

OMGSH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm soooooooo excited for more MJ!!!!!!! I can't wait til November! Michael has broken so many records he is THE KING!!!! Thanks so much for continuing the label's 30-year relationship with Michael Jackson and his music with a landmark recording deal!!!! I'm so excited!!!! That just made my week!!!! Michael Lives On! FOREVER! Keep Spreading the Love! L-O-V-E Smiling
RIP MJ! <3 u 4ever!!!!!! God Bless!

I'm so excited. This will be a day one purchase for me. I cannot wait. Thanks Sony.

Michael left sony for a reason. Don't you people get it? Sounds like their using his death for money.

woo hoo michael's name will never be forgotten. i can't wailt for the music to come out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was excitied to hear the news but I thought Michael left Sony for a reason. I think it's just another money making scheme. They'll just probably add one or two unreleased songs and put the same songs we already have on c.d. Don't get me wrong, I Love ALL of Michael's music and do what I can to support Michael and The Jackson Family. They'll do anything for money. R.I.P. KING OF POP FOREVER, LOVE YOU ALWAYS DARLING DEAR!

Yo ya no sé que pensar!$ony, unos tipos que mientras Mike estuvo con ellos, lo único que querían era poder terminar el contrato con él, y ahora que ya no está buscan hasta la más mínima oportunidad para hacerse ricos a costillas de nuestro ángel, lo siento, no me alegra saber esto, por que es vergonsozo, para mi es un aprovachamiento...lo único que puedo rescatar de esta noticia es que los hijos de Mike son muy beneficiados, aunque creo que debiesen ser ellos lo "únicos"...
Solo ruego a Dios que estos chicos crezcan para así poder tomar ellos las decisiones correspondientes respecto de todo lo que a su padre se trate...$ony...¿como pretenden que creamos que quieren mantener vivo en el recuerdo a Mike si mientras estuvo vivo solo querían deshacerse de él? Realmente son unos ambiciosos!!! Ahora... debo reconocer que están hablando de Michael Jackson y todo lo que a él se refiere me estremece el corazón...canciones inéditas??wow, mi corazón quiere esas canciones, pero mi mente esta furiosa, no puede concebir la idea de hacer aún más ricos a quienes le hicieron tanto daño al ser más importante de mi vida.....
"MIKE PERDONALES, PORQUE NO SABEN LO QUE HACEN"

I have read most of the comments posted on this topic. First I want to say I was very happy when I heard about this on the news- A new album due out in November.. that truly made my day, week and month- I feel extremely happy about this. alot of you have issues with the deal being with Sony- I'm not positive- but I really believe Michael's issues were with Tommy Mottola and not per se Sony. I also am under the impression Tommy is no longer with Sony- but even if the problems were with Sony, that would have been years ago. The deal that has been made is top of the line- we, the fans get something out of it and A LOT of money is generated for his estate and his children/family. it's a win win. I miss Michael so much I still think about him daily and that Invincible cd is the absolute best, well all his music is the best!! but I keep Invincible with me in my purse. We all need to be strong, especially when this trial starts. And be the best person you can be so you can see Michael again. Everyday, until it's my time to leave this earth, I'm going to try to be the best person I can be and to Help someone less fortunate than myself when ever I can. I will ask for forgiveness when needed. I have said I know Michael was not perfect, I know he had his faults and made his share of mistakes. BUT, these are the things that made him human, like you and me. because had it not been for these things, I'm not sure I would be able to label him human. that one single man can reach people all over the world the way he has, reach their souls, their hearts. I the fact that you and I, we know him, we know his heart- inspite of all the negative nastiness- we know him and we love him. thats one amazing human being.

PLEASE JOIN the ARMY of MJ SOLDIERS- Next Global Twitter JUSTICE4MJ on 3/25
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www.twitter.com/IreneLovesMJJ

IreneLovesMichael
A DEVOTED MJ FAN FOREVER, FOR ALL TIMES, Bloomfield, NJ

It's been nine months since your passing and I miss you more everyday. I know your in a better place where no one could hurt you. I like to think your with those who have passed on, your brother Brandon, grandparents, Bill Bray, Ryan White, James Browen and all those who made you happy. Thank you Michael for everything you have created and passed on and shared. You will ALWAYS be THE KING OF POP, ROCK, and, SOUL! Because of you we (the fans) are here as one sharing your dream and making your LOVE in to reality. R.I.P MY ANGEL BABY LOVE YOU ALWAYS DARLING DEAR!

There is a strong interest on youtube possibly elsewhere for a micheal jackson version of "behind the mask"(Y M O/greg philinganes song) if it exist. Would hope it shows up in any unreleased material of michaels. Overall even in death MJ comes to the rescue of the music industry, miss u mike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JGptk3wo9g

Sony kills music. But I think money's made some people forget it.
Will they disclose the albuns just the way they diclosed that masterpiece, Invincible?? Well, I don't think so, 'cause you know that Michael is a gold box.

I don't think it is fair to release his albums without Mike himself as an executive producer. Everyone knows how perfectionist he used to be. Sony will ruin everything.

WHAT A SLAP IN THE FACE!!! Wake up people! Michael hated how Sony treated him! They did not produce his last album...Rodney Jerkins did. Michael was a commodity to Sony..not a person with feelings, a heart, and HUMAN. It has been all about money all along. In short...MICHAEL WAS WORTH MORE DEAD THAN ALIVE. When Michael spoke out against Tommy Mattola and Sony in 2002..that was the beginning of the end. Michael knew that there was a contract out on his life..Dr.Tohme Tohme was hired by Sony...he took over Michael's life and fire the people Michael hire and re-hired the crooks Michael fired. Tohme Tohme made decisions that he was NOT authorized to do by Michael. Tohme Tohme hired the "HIT" Dr. Conrad Muray. I still say Tohme Tohme was in Michael's house when he was purposely overdosed. Just to make sure the job and mission was completed. Why else would a licensed practicing Dr. who is a heart Dr..no less...WAIT not calling 911..AND NOT KNOW HOW TO PERFORM CPR CORRECTLY???? AND LET'S NOT FORGET THAT MURRAY LEFT THE HOUSE AND COULD NOT BE FOUND in the beginning!!!!!!!!! Michael had been shut down for years from making music with all the tabloid lies..and NOW they want a relationship!??? Michael's mom and family do not have control of Michael's estate...another move to market his image without the challenge from his family members....Sony knows Michael's parents are elderly...they will be using and making money off of Michael's image for years to come. The movie "This is It" grossed over 200 milion dollars before it came out on DVD.

Im so getting that album! Cant wait! Love you Michael!

Please honor MIchael's extraordinary music and film legacy for his lovely family and maintain the same high standards he set for himself and everyone he worked with.

Love you Michael and thank you for the courage you portrayed to give your gift to the world. If we only knew what it cost you. We love you and will support any undertaking that has you as the author!!
John Branca and John McClain thank you and please do see that this statement remains true "We believe we have a partner in Sony that knows and appreciates Michael's artistry as well as the passion of his fans. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sony to preserve and enhance his remarkable musical legacy." All for the L.O.V.E. - love you Michael Joseph Jackson.

I gotta save my money.. I wanna buy that album!!! I'm so glad they are making new cd:s! Thanks for those people:)) I love you MJ L.O.V.E.

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS. HOW AWESOME IS THIS MAN THAT HE CONTINUES TO GIVE EVEN NOW... I LOVE YOU FOREVER, MJ!!!!!!!!
I WILL SUPPORT YOU UNTIL THE DAY I DIE!!!!!!

I am saving my money back now for this new album made up of unreleased songs whether it comes out in November 2010, before November 2010, or after November 2010. Michael has numerous unreleased songs. So, I am looking forward to hear new inspiring music from Michael.

Thank you Michael for all of these wonderful inspring music. We, the fans, are going to keep his legacy alive.

GO MICHAEL, THE KING OF ENTERTAINMENT!

as a Michael Jackson fan, i am glad to see some new music but also as a Michael Jackson fan i am upset by this move, MJ had a bittersweet realtionship with sony and wanted out of their contract and now i see why - it's all about the $$$$. i understand his estate signing a deal with sony to settle the endless creditors claims but i am almost postive that this is not how MJ would run his empire. sony is quick to get their coin off of MJ. whoever runs MJ's empire, it does not matter - HIS LEGACY AND MUSIC WILL LIVE ON FOREVER!
thank you for the Michael Jackson for being the soundtrack to my life. you are always in my heart.
peace, love and MJ ♥

Sorry. I'm happy that there is unreleased music on the way. I can't call it an album without Michael here masterminding it. I'm happy Michael's estate is working hard for Michael and is keeping his music going.

But I am not happy with SONY. I'm one of Michael's loyal die-hard fans that have been with him through the good and the tough for years. I moved to California and tried to get up to the court house in Santa Barbara. I tried to get up to the hospital when he collapsed at Beacon Theater in the 1997.

And I've been through the tough with Sony not supporting him. Some of you were there with me. As Michael held a press conference with Rev. Al Sharpton as he expressed his concerns that Tommy Matolla was "not supporting him".

Some of you may have been there with me when Michael finally unveiled his "What More Can I Give" short film at the 2004/2005 World Music Awards and Michael said, "You don't know what I went through to get this released." He made the song and short film years before. SONY gave him a hard time.

SONY, said they would never ever release the original short film for One More Chance.

SONY, did not promote his Invincible album.

I watched as SONY pass him from Epic Records to Legacy Records. I watched as he no longer used MJJ Productions as if he lost rights to it after Epic passed him. (Now its MJJ Company after his death) I watched as no one supported him.

Raymone Bain, his former general manager shared how he tried to put together another celebrity filled song for Katrina Victims or one of the Natural disasters after that... (not the one What More Can I Give was for) and she said no one, including several celebrities wanted to do the project with him.

So, with a broken heart, on behalf of Michael, and my fellow die hard fans that were there for him through it all with me before June 25th, I ask SONY and so many others...

Why did it take his death?

I think that MJ is loving all this, that he is still living on even after his death. That is what he wanted.
Even though its Sony.
GOD BLESS,

The magic lives on! Michael's music will be appreciated and loved by many generations to come. God bless the king!!!

Michael Jackson truely was The King Of Pop. We have honestly been blelesed to have ever had him in our lives, even though he is gone, he will never bee fully gone, we all keep him alive in memories and in our hearts, so everyone, jion me, Michael does not disurb to be trash talked, I have almost send people to the hospital and gotten in a fight with them about him. Honestly, I do almost everyday sometimes, MJJ fans are the only ones that get me. Thanks to all of you and join in with me and talk to me and we will put an end to all these bad saying of Michael once and for all. Also, MJ fans, trust me a lot of stuff happens I go through a lot for Michael, I think we can all relate, others just don't get us etc. Only MJ, us, and his family know the truth, in our minds and hearts, we trualy have been blessed with Michael. He sees everything we go through, keep fighting for him with me!

Omg , Just What Michael Always Wanted = ) . this is so amazingq

I am so with Michaels on this one. I watched three of Michael's bodyguards on GMA the other day, and at first I thought "oh great, more people to trash this poor man", but after watching I was so glad to hear them actually defend Michael (finally someone did). The one thing that they said in their interview was when they were at the public memorial, they looked around and wondered where were all these people, that are now claiming to love him so much, when he was alive. I was wondering the same thing watching the memorial on TV. Michael was such a pure, good, humble human being. Why did it take his death for people to stand up and say that. He just wanted to be left alone to live his life, raise his kids and make the world aware that there are so many problems today that we need to be more focused on. In my opinion is quit spending some much time wondering about the latest celebrity gossip and spend more time trying to save our planet and our fellow man. Instead of wondering where the latest celebrity is doing their rehab, spend your time trying to help the guy on the street corner eat and have a safe place to rest for the night.

I love you Michael, I always will.
with love, L O V E

SONY: It is good to hear that Michael Jackson will continue to be on our scene in America. He is a part of our good history as was Elvis. We need the history now. We are melancholy. You say Mr. Jackson is going to make video games. That will be great for the pre-teens and I am looking forward to it - though I am great grandma. The newspaper article points out that Michael's kids will receive more than he made in life - at least at the end. So we are expecting great things. I was more enthused about his dancing than his singing but had many great favorites. For the video games for the pre-teens I'm sure many in the Country will feel the same as I when we request only the positive in Michael's life. We got enough information about the downside in the media. We got the picture. We want to hear about his triumphs and how he plied the good old American work ethic.
We want to hear again his concern in We Are the World and benevolent projects. This is what our kids need today. They need to emulate his drive to succeed by working hard in order to bail their little selves out of our present situation. May Michael continue to inspire America and leave us all with hope.

Jo Lewis
1029 Royal Oak Blvd
Leesburg, Florida 34748

i am so excited. words can not explain how happy i am thank more music will be coming out that we will keep supporting michael bcause THIS IS NOT IT!!!!!!!!!! michael you mean so much to this world and this world would be a mess without i love you more applehead

Wow, this is great Smiling I am so looking forward for November! Smiling It is a shame this did not happen when he was alive......

This is great news.I just hope that SONY will put all the best efforts they could ever do to these releases because MJ would give his maximum to all his projects.I just do not want to see SONY taking it for granted .''This is it '' was a great documentry and it was put together in no time,I appreciated it very much but I still think that it was rushed and was not given the proper representation and publicity .In the previous years,Sony made several releases that were not meticulously put together and I think no matter how good the sales are they should not ruin the legacy of MJ.The new generations will only get to listen to his music through these new albums.
MJ was not very content with Sony ,anyway.

I hope MJ's family and estate will seriously consider a great museum FOR ONLY MJ and preserving Neverland as well.I wish they could do that without putting themselves in front but just to honour their greatest member.There should be great ideas in line and on progress for him other than quick and easy ways of making millions of dollars.

God bless and keep Michael in heaven.Respect and love.

It just shows the importance of Michael Jackson for the music!
His legacy is preponderant for future generations ...
I love you!

Isso só mostra a importância de Michael Jackson para a música!
Seu legado deve prevalescer para as futuras gerações...
Eu te amo!!

I am SO HAPPY that Michael's music will live on in such extraordinary ways. Michael broke all the records in life and continues to set the standards higher than anyone else! MICHAEL IS TRULY THE KING!!!!

To the Most Beautiful, Most Sexy, Most Caring, Most Giving, Most Angelic, Most Sincere, Most Honest, Most Tortured, Most Misunderstood! Michael, I love you MORE and Miss You Like Crazy!!! Still crying.

Pina

i actully saw this on the news! its amazing... i mean all the things he did! ist a miracle! Michael is a miricle! Smiling

ONLY MICHAEL JACKSON COULD DO THIS!!! THIS IS AMAZING..I BELIEVE MIKE HAD A HAND IN THIS DEAL FROM THE OTHER SIDE!!!!

Thank you to Michael's family/estate, John Branca and John McClain, and most of all, to Michael... for being there for the fans who love Michael so much... saying that we miss you is an understatement. Thank you for letting all of us continue to enjoy and appreciate all that has been created... Michael, you have always been loved, are loved now, and always will be loved, respected, admired, and appreciated...

Michael I miss you and I love you so much!! Thank you so much for continue his legacy..

I am glad to hear that his music, especially the stuff we have never heard, will finally, start being released. I was listening to the album HIStory today, and when the "Earth Song" came on, an overwhelming feeling of anger came over me and this is the first time since his death, that I finally admitted to myself that he is really gone in the flesh. Of course, his music will live on and keep him alive in all of us that he touched with his music, but anything new, simply is over. I do not know who to blame really, for his death, but I know one thing for sure: Michael will live through me and I will continue to share his music and memory with all future generations I can. I truly miss this man I never knew.

I just heard the news today! I'm so excited that there will be "new" MJ material coming soon. Any Michael Jackson merchandise is amazing!

Too cool. Laughing out loud

Sounds like I'm gonna get myself an early birthday present. Laughing out loud (b-day's in Dec.) *Happy Dance*

Its great that never before released material will be available, but the truth of the matter is that Michael will be turning in his grave, RIP, we all know what he thought of Sony. Sony will now release new albums with a couple of new songs on them at a time and milk the fans as they did with the This is it album!!

I'm glad that we'll see new things from Michael.. I hope all the concerts from the tours to be released now! I really hope so!.. Smiling

Michael,where are you???????I'm soo sad-your songs without you-how could this been?
I love you Michael!!!

Michael said that SONY and Tommy Mottola were Devilish and Racist!

It makes me weep that Sony will continue to PROFIT off Michael even in Michael's death! Why wasn't Sony supporting Michael and his music and his projects while Michael was ALIVE?? WHERE was the $250 million dollar deals last year when Michael was here? We were here!!! There was a market!! We, Michael's fans, were here!! We've ALWAYS been here for Michael... loving and supporting Michael and his music and his projects!

Michael said Sony was a RACIST DEVIL... I BELIEVE Michael!

Evil
Mido

Happy about new releases, not happy about it being done by Sony. I don't want to see demos of unfinished and rushed music being resold to the public over and over again.

Doesn't surprise me that they are continuing with Sony. Everything was always about this blame catalogue. No wonder Michael fired Branca years ago when he learned that he was working for Sony.

Does this not surprise you? The plot continues to thicken........

Sounds like Michael´s death was very good for SONY, right?

Yep, sounds like Michael is being exploited by Sony even in death. I don't think Michael would have ever agreed to sell his music catalog to Sony when he was alive.

I think Michael specifically had problem with Sony till Tommy Mottola was there. But again regardless of the music label we would still buy the albums.

I think the people who benefit the most from his death is his family. Sony is doing business with Michael they are not supposed to have personal concern. I don't understand the mentality of the people except for Branca and McClain who signed this agreement. Sony would get this share even if Michael was alive, but the family will get this share only after Michael is dead.

JOIN the ARMY of MJ SOLDIERS- Next Global Twitter JUSTICE4MJ on 3/25MJ FAMILY OF FANS WORLDWIDE - STAND UP & PLEASE JOIN US - MJ ARMY OF SOLDIERS - JUSTICE4MJ.com and NEXT Twitter Event on 3/25/10 - the 9th Month Anniversary of MJ BEING GONE WAY TOO SOON TO HEAVEN!!
*
Justice4MJ T-Shirts & Twitter Event on Thursday, 3/25/10 - JOIN THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE4MJ!!
*
MJ FAMILY OF FANS WORLDWIDE:
*
1). JUSTICE4MJ Official Website -PASS IT ON:
http://www.justice4mj.com/
*
JUSTICE4MJ - YouTube Video: PLEASE Watch:
Take a stand and support - Justice4MJ
*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thW-0jmY5Jk
*
2). Get Your Justice4MJ T-Shirt to wear on April 5th – Dr. Death Murray next Court Appearance. A Great T-Shirt!
http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/673789
*
3). Take Over Twitter for MJ – Worldwide NEXT Justice4MJ Twitter Event on 3/25/10. The link below contains Sample JUSTICE4MJ Tweets for the Event.
*
http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/705824
*
4). Add your FREE TWITTER.com Account to the MJ FAmily of Fans Worldwide MJ TWITTER LIST: WE NEED EVERYONE's HELP - JUSTICE4MJ
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http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/662116
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5). A Great MJ Website - Check it out http://www.reflectionsonthedance.com
*
XOXOXO - MJ,
IreneLovesMichael
A DEVOTED MJ FAN FOREVER, FOR ALL TIMES, Bloomfield, NJ

MICHAEL! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!! THANKS FOR ALL SONY! AND THANKS FOR ALL MICHAEL, GOD BLESS YOU!
L.O.V.E
Cami