Michael Jackson’s HIStory 30th Anniversary

Michael Jackson’s 1995 double album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, is one of the most impressive album. As a double album, the first disc is known as HIStory Begins, consist of the King of Pop’s fifteen greatest hits. This includes Billie Jeans, The Way You Make Me Feel, Rock With You, Bad, Remember The Time, etc. The second disc is known as HIStory Continues, is the ninth studio album of the singer’s career. Tracks like Scream, They Don’t Care About Us, Stangers in Moscow, You Are Not Alone, Earth Song, and much more makes this album unique at the time. With a multiple genres blending greatly, as well as the features added to the albums identity. This reflects issues like environmental awareness, isolation, greed, and injustice. Several of the album's new songs pertain to the child sexual abuse allegations made against Jackson in 1993 and Jackson's perceived mistreatment by the media. Overall, it’s the most impressive album to be created.

Although HIStory is a double album, this review will mainly focus on disc two. Michael’s greatest hits are such that, and they won’t be the main focus of this album. Reason why the album is impressive is how multi-genre it is. Its genres span R&B and pop, which are genres the artist is familiar with. Tracks like You Are Not Alone, Strangers in Moscow, and History reflects those genres. It also includes hip hop with elements of hard rock and funk rock. Tracks like 2 Bad, Scream, This Time Around, Earth Song, Money, They Don’t Care About Us, D.S., and Tabloid Junkies reflects such genres. In addition, we even have ballads such as Childhood, Little Susie, Smile, as well as a cover the the Beatles track Come Together. Overall, it’s has multiple genres to play for all listeners.

To add more to the album’s impressive status, there’s many features in the tracklist. Scream noticeablely had Michael’s sister Janet Jackson, with her vocals matches her brothers raw and gritty vocals in the track. This Time Around had the Notorious B.I.G., with a rap verse that reflects paranoia and stoicism from Michael’s smooth vocals in the track. Furthermore, Slash brings his incredible guitar riffs and skills to D.S, a track that’s a diss to district attorney Tom Sneddon. 2 Bad features Shaquille O'Neal with his own verse. All in all, these features adds to the impressive reflection of the album.

Lastly, the album is Michael Jackson’s most personal works. Tracks like Childhood, where he shares his trouble childhood, and Smile, which originates from one of Michael’s idol Charlie Chapin. Continuing with such personal works are D.S., which mentioned earlier was a diss against Tom Sneddon, who prosecuted Michael of false accusations. Scream is an incredible duet with his sister, Tabloid Junkie reflects Michael’s perceived mistreatment by the media, and Earth Song brings awareness to environmental issues. Social issues were addressed as well, such as injustice with They Don’t Really Care About Us, and greed with the track Money, in which added to Michael’s distain of the mainstream media and harassment he faced due to greed from people and the music industry. This album is truly Michael Jackson’s most personal album, as there’s not many unreleased tracks from this album compared to albums like Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous. This album is truly how he envisioned it.

In conclusion, HIStory is one of the most impressive album to exist. Full of songs that ranges in different genres, from pop, to R&B, and hard rock to hip hop. Full of features like Janet Jackson, the Notorious B.I.G. and Slash bring their talents to strength the music. And being Michael Jackson’s most personal and raw performance, letting those who were against him know how he truly feels. This marks one of the most impressive album to exist, and there’s no other album like it.