Prior to Michael being a driving force in the Muzik industry, it was Sam Cooke, who paved the way for black recording artists such as Michael, to establish his own publishing company, MIJAC Music, and start his record company, MJJ, which was a subsidiary of Epic Records back in 1994. Not was Sam Cooke, a shrewd businessman, he was one of Michael's early vocal influences as well, and it was unusual for a successful black recording record artist at that time to take control of their career and the secure the rights to their music, nor establish a successful Muzik publishing company and a successful record label. He was a true pioneer when it came to taking control; of his Muzik and publishing rights, and that was why Michael left Motown Records back in 1976 because Motown founder and CEO, Berry Gordy, wouldn't let Michael and his siblings write and produce their own songs. Just 16 years earlier, back in 1960, Sam was offered $100,000 advance to sign with RCA Records, and being the first black recording artist on the roster, after leaving Keen records. Sam and Michael were recording successful recording artists with good business acumen especially when it came to signing new musical acts on their roster.
Sources connected with the Michael Jackson/Sony deal tell TMZ ... among the 10 albums in the works is a remaster of "Off the Wall" -- with the help of none other than Quincy Jones.
We're told the plan is for Quincy to take charge of the project, which will include some never-before-heard outtakes.
Another album will feature the soundtrack to the upcoming Jackson-themed Cirque du Soleil tunjuk in Las Vegas.
There are reports circulating that Sony will release 10 original albums, but that's not true. In addition to the release of "MICHAEL" on Tuesday, we're told there will be at least one other album with original songs and at most two.
We're told the plan is for Quincy to take charge of the project, which will include some never-before-heard outtakes.
Another album will feature the soundtrack to the upcoming Jackson-themed Cirque du Soleil tunjuk in Las Vegas.
There are reports circulating that Sony will release 10 original albums, but that's not true. In addition to the release of "MICHAEL" on Tuesday, we're told there will be at least one other album with original songs and at most two.