Professor of Ethnomusicology at Julliard Dr. Fredara Hadley joins Pop Pantheon for the culmination of our four-part series on the King of Pop. In the final installment, DJ Louie and Dr. Hadley tackle Michael Jackson’s music post-Thriller, starting with the signature ‘80s blockbuster Bad (1987) and 1991’s successful pivot toward New Jack Swing, Dangerous. From there, Louie and Dr. Hadley unpack Michael’s personal and public decline, including the sexual abuse allegations made against him in 1993. Next they discuss his later period work, 1995's combative HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1 and 2001’s underperforming Invincible, and reckon with his unbelievably complicated legacy and enduring and seismic impact on pop music and stardom. Finally, they rank Michael Jackson in the Official Pop Pantheon.

Listen to Michael Jackson Pt. 1: The Jackson 5 (with Emily Lordi)

Listen to Michael Jackson Pt. 2: The King of Pop Rises (With Joseph Vogel)

Listen to Michael Jackson Pt. 3: Thriller (with Tom Breihan)

Listen to Pop Pantheon's Episode "Do You Still Listen to Michael Jackson and Kanye West? (with Tre Johnson & Kemi Olivia Alemoru)"

Listen to Pop Pantheon's Michael Jackson Essentials Playlist

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Buy Tickets to our Dance Party Pop Pantheon Present: Main Pop Girls of '24 in NYC on August 2!

Come to Gorgeous Gorgeous: Los Angeles at Los Globos in Silver Lake on 8/17

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