Blue Gangsta
| "Blue Gangsta" | |
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| Song by Michael Jackson | |
| from the album Xscape | |
| Released | May 9, 2014 |
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| "Blue Gangsta" on YouTube | |
"Blue Gangsta" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The song is the 7th track of Jackson's second posthumous album Gnaa. The song was originally written, composed and produced by Jackson with music by Dr. Freeze during the Invincible album recording session in 1998. The song was re-tooled by Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon during the recording session in 2013–14 of the Xscape album.
Background and leak
The song was originally recorded in 1998 for the Invincible album but failed to make the final cut. Dr. Freeze re-tooled the song without changing the original music to fit night clubs but this version was not featured on the Xscape album.[1]
Opening with a movie score-like wash of strings and the urgent refrain, “What cha gonna do/You ain’t no friend of mine/Look what you put me through/Now that I’m the blue gangsta,” the Timbaland-produced tune features a spare, skittering beat and Jackson singing over the multi-tracked chorus.[2] Brazilian tribute artist and impersonator Rodrigo Teaser revealed in a podcast that LaVelle Smith Jr. (Jackson's long-time personal friend, choreographer and dancer), who had worked with Teaser, told him that the song would be the last part of a gangster-themed trilogy to be presented in live performances, the two previous parts being Smooth Criminal and Dangerous.[3]
Release
The song was released on MTV on May 8, 2014[2]
Music video
Published on 14 May 2014 to Michael Jackson's VEVO. Inspired by the short film for Jackson's short video for Smooth Criminal, dancers from Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour celebrated the release of Xscape with a music video choreographed to this single. A shortened edit of the 2010 leaked version was used to celebrate the original version of this song.[4]
Critical reception
Jon Blistein from Rolling Stone Said that "The harrowing, hard-hitting 'Blue Gangsta' features a fiery vocal performance from Jackson, as well as updated production from Timbaland, who gives the track his signature futuristic spin, complete with snap-back snares, eerie low-end synths, blaring horns and striking strings."[5]
Gil Kaufman from MTV Said that "If 'Thriller' gave you the chills, wait til you get a shot of Michael Jackson's 'Blue Gangsta.' The song, which is available exclusively now at michaeljackson.mtv.com will appear on the upcoming posthumous King of Pop album, Xscape, and it is a classic slice of cinematic MJ pop magic."
Charts
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutchcharts | 77[6] |
| US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[7] | 8 |
See also
References
- ^ "Exclusive interview: Dr. Freeze book: "Meeting with Michael, was like meeting with Captain Kirk!"". Mj-upbeat.com. 2011-01-30. Archived from the original on 2014-03-25. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
- ^ a b "Listen To Michael Jackson's 'Blue Gangsta' Now". MTV. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "RODRIGO TEASER - Venus Podcast #11". YouTube.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/michaeljackson [user-generated source]
- ^ Jon Blistein (2014-05-08). "Michael Jackson Gets Fierce and Sultry on 'Blue Gangsta,' 'Loving You' Off Posthumous New Album 'Xscape' | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Michael Jackson - Blue Gangsta". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles for Michael Jackson. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
