pop
Sam Quealy Drops Electric New Single "Londontown" Ahead of Sophomore Album
Sam Quealy is back, and she's bringing the heat with her latest single "Londontown." The track, which dropped alongside a kinetic music video, gives fans a taste of what's coming on her highly anticipated sophomore album next year.
By Jason Sheffield4 months ago in Beat
Building a Mystery: 15 Female Artists Who Could Play Lilith Fair If It Happened Today
If you managed to keep your Hulu subscription, you might have seen a new music documentary that dropped titled Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery. While most Gen Z aged people don't know about Lilith Fair, people in my age bracket (aka, Millennials) are well aware of not just what Lilith Fair was, but the reputation that followed it.
By Jenika Enoch4 months ago in Beat
Holly H Takes the Toxic Love Playbook and Turns It Intro Pop Gold with "I Should Run"
Holly H has built something most artists only dream about – 17 million followers who actually care what she has to say. But here's what's interesting: instead of coasting on social media fame, she's doing the hard work of proving herself as a musician. Her latest single "I Should Run" doesn't just lean on her existing fanbase; it earns its place on repeat.
By Jason Sheffield4 months ago in Beat
10 Essential 2000s Indie Rock Hits
In my younger years, I spent a lot of time listening to indie and alternative rock stations on Sirius XM. This was during the 2000s indie rock boom, when soft vocals and quirky production ruled the airwaves. Most of these tracks never cracked the top 40, but they were huge in their respective genres--and now, in 2025, these songs have an added layer of nostalgia that makes them ripe for revisiting.
By Kaitlin Shanks4 months ago in Beat
El Pablo 1x Ignites Memphis Music Scene
Memphis, TN – El Pablo 1x is back, and the music world is feeling the energy. Fresh off a feature on Fox and a Midwest tour with Bubba Startz, El Pablo 1x is not just performing—he’s leading a movement. With his roots deep in Memphis, family close, and community at the heart of everything he does, he’s turning every project into a high-voltage experience.
By Independent Indie Artist Radar4 months ago in Beat
Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy: Moet Ro$e is A Rising Force
When it comes to artists who embody energy, passion, and vision, Moet Ro$e is proving herself to be a rising force you can’t ignore. From captivating performances to bold new partnerships, she is blazing her own trail in the music scene—and fans everywhere are taking notice.
By Independent Indie Artist Radar4 months ago in Beat
Unveiling the Enigma: The Hidden Secrets Behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller Phenomenon
Start writing... When Thriller Turned Music Into Mystery When Michael Jackson’s Thriller premiered on December 2, 1983, it didn’t just captivate the world—it shrouded it in mystery. The moonwalk, the iconic red leather jacket, and the unforgettable zombie dance became pop culture landmarks. But behind the spectacle lies a web of secrets, strange coincidences, and unexplained forces that transformed a single album into a phenomenon that still feels alive four decades later.
By Muhammad Riaz4 months ago in Beat
How Michael Jackson's Thriller Revolutionized Music and Shattered Barriers Forever. AI-Generated.
On a crisp December night in 1983, MTV flickered to life with a 14-minute spectacle that would forever alter the landscape of music, entertainment, and culture. Michael Jackson's Thriller wasn't merely an album or a video—it was a seismic shift that demolished racial divides, elevated music videos to cinematic art, and cemented MJ as the undisputed King of Pop. But behind the glitz and glamour lies a story of relentless ambition, groundbreaking innovation, and cultural defiance. Dive deep with me into the untold saga of how Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, and why, over 40 years later, it's still haunting our feeds, playlists, and dance floors. The Spark of Genius: Michael Jackson's Unyielding Vision for Thriller By 1982, Michael Jackson was no stranger to stardom. Fresh off the success of Off the Wall, which sold over 20 million copies, MJ could have rested on his laurels. But complacency wasn't in his DNA. He confided in legendary producer Quincy Jones that he wanted Thriller to be "the biggest album ever"—a bold fusion of pop, rock, funk, disco, and even horror elements designed to captivate every demographic imaginable. Jackson personally penned four of the album's nine tracks, infusing them with raw emotion and storytelling prowess. From the paranoia-laced beats of Billie Jean (inspired by real-life fan obsessions) to the infectious groove of Beat It, which bridged gang rivalries through music, MJ's lyrics painted vivid pictures. He once revealed in a rare interview, "I wanted Thriller to play like a blockbuster movie in your head—full of suspense, thrills, and unforgettable moments." This cinematic mindset wasn't just talk; it was the blueprint that turned an album into a global phenomenon. To fuel his dream, Jackson immersed himself in the creative process, often working 18-hour days in the studio. He drew inspiration from diverse sources: classic horror films like An American Werewolf in London, Broadway musicals, and even his own childhood fears. The result? An album that didn't just sell records—it sold dreams. Behind the Beats: Quincy Jones and the All-Star Team That Crafted Magic No epic tale is complete without a masterful collaborator, and for MJ, that was Quincy Jones. The duo, who had struck gold with Off the Wall, reunited to assemble what can only be described as a musical Avengers team. Guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen shredded a now-legendary solo on Beat It, Toto's Steve Lukather added rock edge, and horror icon Vincent Price lent his spine-tingling voice-over to the title track's eerie rap. The Thriller track itself nearly vanished into obscurity. Originally titled "Starlight" and penned by songwriter Rod Temperton, it was reimagined as a spooky masterpiece after MJ expressed his love for horror. Late-night sessions in Westlake Recording Studios became legendary: MJ practicing his signature werewolf howls, Jones layering synths and bass lines for that pulsating rhythm, and the team experimenting with sound effects to evoke a haunted house vibe. The seven-minute epic felt like a rollercoaster—blending funk grooves with narrative twists that kept listeners hooked. Innovation was key. Jones pushed boundaries by incorporating cutting-edge technology, like synthesizers and drum machines, while MJ's multi-layered vocals (he often recorded dozens of takes for one line) created a rich, immersive sound. This wasn't just music; it was audio storytelling at its peak, blending genres in a way that appealed to rock fans, disco lovers, and everyone in between. The Video That Broke the Internet (Before the Internet Existed): A Cinematic Game-Changer If the album was revolutionary, the Thriller music video was a full-blown cultural apocalypse. Directed by John Landis, fresh off his horror hit An American Werewolf in London, this $500,000 mini-movie (a fortune in 1983) transformed music videos from cheap promos into must-watch events. MJ insisted on a narrative arc: a date night gone wrong, complete with werewolf transformations, zombie hordes, and that unforgettable group dance. Challenges abounded. As a devout Jehovah's Witness, Jackson initially balked at the occult themes, fearing backlash from his faith community. He resolved it with a simple disclaimer: "Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult." Choreography, co-created by MJ and Michael Peters, featured the moonwalk's zombie twist—a move that kids (and adults) worldwide would obsessively practice. When MTV premiered it on December 2, 1983, viewership exploded. The video not only boosted album sales but also forced MTV to diversify its playlist, airing a Black artist's work in prime time amid accusations of racial bias. Overnight, music videos became an industry staple, influencing everything from Madonna's visuals to modern K-pop extravaganzas. Shattering Ceilings: Thriller's Worldwide Domination and Lasting Legacy Numbers don't lie: Thriller has sold over 70 million copies (some estimates say 100+ million), snagged eight Grammy Awards (seven in one night), and held the Billboard 200 top spot for 37 weeks. But its true power lay in unity. At a time when radio stations segregated genres by race, Thriller crossed over effortlessly, proving Black artists could dominate mainstream pop. Globally, MJ's influence was electric. Fans in Japan donned red leather jackets; European clubs pulsed to Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'; and in Africa, his humanitarian ethos inspired future icons. As Jackson himself put it, "Music is the universal language, and Thriller was my way of speaking to the world." Fast-forward to 2025: Thriller is more alive than ever. TikTok challenges recreate the zombie dance with millions of views; remixes top Spotify playlists; and Halloween without the video feels incomplete. Artists like Beyoncé (who sampled P.Y.T.) and The Weeknd (echoing MJ's falsetto) owe their blueprints to this album. It's not just nostalgia—it's evolution, adapting to new platforms while reminding us of music's power to transcend. Why Thriller Will Never Die: Keeping the King of Pop's Spirit Alive In an era of fleeting viral hits, Thriller endures because MJ captured the essence of thrill—storytelling that excites, scares, and unites. It's a testament to his genius: a child prodigy turned global icon who battled personal demons yet gifted the world joy. What's your ultimate Thriller moment? Was it nailing the moonwalk at a school dance, or does Billie Jean's bassline still send shivers down your spine? Share in the comments below—let's turn this into a MJ fan fest! If this deep dive reignited your love for the King of Pop, hit that share button on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, or Instagram. Tag #ThrillerLegacy and #MichaelJacksonForever to make it go viral. Together, we can keep his magic spinning for generations.
By Muhammad Riaz4 months ago in Beat
Five Songs that Irritate My Ears
The Five Songs That Really Irritate My Ears Some of my essay here is going to focus on the technical parts of singing and recording a song. I’ll also take a look at how these songs were received by the public and how they performed on the charts. I’m not necessarily going to say I hate or dislike any of them, but I’ll explain why they made my list of five songs that irritate my ears. For context, I was a teenager in the 1970s, I was 15 for the entire year of 1975, so most of my picks come from the late 1960s through the early 1980s.
By Rick Henry Christopher 4 months ago in Beat
