L.A. Reid
L.A. Reid and Mariah Carey, September 23, 2005
Background information
Birth name	Antonio Reid
Born	(1956-06-07) June 7, 1956 (age 56)
Origin	Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Occupations	Record executive, Record producer, songwriter

Antonio "L.A." Reid (born June 7, 1956) is a US record executive, songwriter, and record producer. Best known as the co-founder of LaFace Records, he is responsible for signing and helping bring Avril Lavigne, Death Grips, Mariah Carey, Pink, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Kanye West, Toni Braxton, Kerli, Nicki Minaj, TLC, Usher, Ciara, OutKast, and Dido to multi-platinum album sales.^[1] He has won three Grammy Awards.^[2]

He is the President and chief executive of Hitco Music Publishing, based in Atlanta and was the chairman and chief executive officer of Island Def Jam Music Group until 2011, when he signed up to appear as a judge on the 2011 U.S. version of The X Factor.^[3][4] He is currently the Chairman and CEO of Epic Records.^[5][6]

Early life[link]

Reid was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is one of four children of Emma Reid, a seamstress and interior decorator. His father was mostly absent. He was raised in the Mount Auburn and Madisonville neighborhoods in Cincinnati's east side.^[7] Antonio gained the nickname "L.A." as a young musician when a guitar player in his band called him "L.A." because he was wearing a T-shirt that said “L.A.” in reference to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were competing against the Cincinnati Reds at the time.^[8] His first drum lessons were with his uncle, Albert Baldwens.

Career[link]

Reid's first appearance on record was with Cincinnati funk rock outfit Pure Essence who released one solitary 45 in the middle 1970s as well as garnering an appearance on local FM rock radio station WEBN's second annual LP compilation, this time as Essence. Reid then became a member of the 1980s R&B band The Deele, best known for their 1988 hit "Two Occasions", a song on the remake by LA Production and Recording Studio Music Intersection. The band had broken up before the success of the single, then reunited to promote "Two Occasions" as it rose up the charts. The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

1989–2004: LaFace Records and Arista years[link]

After The Deele disbanded, Reid and band mate Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds founded LaFace in 1989 through a joint venture with Arista Records, with funding from Arista Records creator Clive Davis.^[9] The label soon became one of the premiere destinations for popular African-American entertainers who created Black Pop music that was easily accessible to both Urban and Top 40 radio formats. Reid signed 14 year old Usher to the label, whose six album releases have sold 65 million units worldwide.^[10] Other popular acts on the label during its peak include Toni Braxton, TLC, and Outkast. Initially headquartered in Atlanta, the label played a role in building the current landscape of the Atlanta music industry.^[9]

In May 2000, Edmonds and Reid sold their remaining 50% stake in LaFace to parent company BMG. The label became an imprint of Arista Records, with Arista taking on sales, marketing, and promotional duties for its acts. At this time, Reid also succeeded his mentor, Clive Davis, as President of Arista Records. This happened after Davis refused to name a successor at the request of Arista parent company, BMG, due to the fact that Davis, who was 67, was beyond the company's mandatory retirement age.^[11] Davis went on to find success creating another BMG imprint named J Records, which signed global superstars such as Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross and Rod Stewart. Reid then took a six week executive course at the Harvard Business School^[7][12] in order to prepare himself to become CEO and President of Arista.

As President of Arista Records, Reid brought the company great success by signing artists such as P!nk, Ciara and Avril Lavigne, whose debut album Let Go sold 6 million copies in the United States. Under Reid's tenure at Arista, Usher (whom Reid originally signed at LaFace) completed production on his multi-platinum hit 2004 album Confessions, which went on to spawn 4 #1 hit singles and sell 10 million copies in the United States alone. Outkast's Speakerboxx/Lovebelow also went on to sell 10 million copies and won a Grammy Award for Album of the year.

2004–2011: Island Def Jam Music Group[link]

Following the merger of Sony and BMG, L.A. Reid was released from his contract at Arista in 2004 and quickly became the Chairman and CEO of The Island Def Jam Music Group in February 2004. Reid is noted for bringing Mariah Carey's career back to prominence with her multi-platinum 2005 album The Emancipation Of Mimi after her career had stalled from 2001-2003 with less than stellar sales and general lack of public interest for her two previous projects Glitter and Charmbracelet.

Reid has also played a role in the recent successes of artists such as Amerie, Kanye West, Rihanna (alongside Jay-Z), Bon Jovi, and most recently teenage pop phenomenon Justin Bieber. In the last few years, L.A. Reid has also been responsible for the recent high profile signings of major Pop music artists such as Janet Jackson (who left the company after her 2008 album, Discipline), Utada (who also left the company in 2010), as well as former Bad Boy rapper Shyne to the record company. However, in 2006, Reid's label dropped Lady Gaga after three months of signing her. This would eventually be the inspiration of Gaga's Marry The Night video. Reid stepped down as CEO and Chairman of Def Jam in March 2011.

[edit] 2011–present: The X Factor and Epic Records

Reid became a judge on the U.S. version of the British singing competition The X Factor, alongside its creator and former American Idol judge Simon Cowell, 80s pop star Paula Abdul and former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger (who replaced British pop star Cheryl Cole).^[3][4] In July 2011, Reid became the Chairman and CEO of Epic Records which also includes various former Jive Records artists.^[5][6][13]

Reid was assigned the Boys category throughout the competition, which was announced to him by phone whilst working in New York City, New York. He was aided by friend and singer Rihanna at the Judges' Houses stage of the competition in The Hamptons. His final four acts were Marcus Canty, Chris Rene, Astro and Phillip Lomax. Lomax was eliminated on week one of the Live Shows, with Astro being eliminated on week six. Marcus Canty came fourth in the competition and was eliminated by the public vote in the semi-final (week eight). Chris Rene was Reid's most successful act who came third overall in the competition, bested by Josh Krajcik (who was mentored by Nicole Scherzinger) in second place and Melanie Amaro (mentored by Simon Cowell) who won the show. After the season has ended, Reid is now working with Astro, Marcus Canty and Chris Rene on their music careers.

In January 2012, it was confirmed by Cowell and Fox that major changes would be made to The X Factor for season 2. It was later confirmed that Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul had been axed from the panel, with Steve Jones being axed as host. Reid is expected to return for season two.

Other ventures[link]

With the belief that good songwriting is essential to the success of recording artists, Reid formed the Hitco Publishing Group in 1996, as a joint venture with Windswept Music.^[14] While starting up Hitco, Reid was looking to connect to a wholly new market of producers and songwriters and talent spotted the young Shakir Stewart whom he saw as someone with a "a finger on the pulse of the next generation of hot producers in the Atlanta music scene".^[15] He gave the future senior vice president of Island Def Jam Music Group his first position as an inter-level creative person at Hitco.^[15]

In 2008, Reid joined the advisory board of the cosmetics line named Le Métier de Beauté, which is sold at upscale retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.^{[citation needed]}

Awards/Accolades[link]

On August 30, 2006, L.A. Reid, along with Babyface, was honored as a BMI Icon at the 6th annual BMI Urban Awards. As of 2006, he has won 18 BMI awards.^[16] Together with Babyface, Reid has produced and/or co-written penning numerous R&B hits, racking up 33 No. 1 singles.^[17]

Discography[link]

• 1984: Street Beat - The Deele - Drums, Vocals (Background)
• 1985: Material Thangz - The Deele - Percussion, Drums, Producer, Programming
• 1986: Lovers – Babyface - Mixing, Producer, Composer
• 1988: Don't Be Cruel - Bobby Brown - Producer
• 1988: Karyn White - Karyn White - Vocals (Background), Drums, Producer, Percussion
• 1988: Pebbles – Pebbles - Producer, Vocals (Background), Musician
• 1988: Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul - Producer, Percussion Programming, Drums, Composer
• 1989: Lover in Me - Sheena Easton - Producer, Percussion, Drums, Mixing, Composer
• 1989: Tender Lover – Babyface - Percussion, Stylist, Executive Producer, Producer, Drums, Composer
• 1989: After 7 - After 7 - Technical Assistance, Producer, Programming, Mixing, Drums, Percussion, Executive Producer
• 1990: Always – Pebbles - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer, Rhythm Arrangements, Drums, Remixing, Mixing, Percussion, Vocals (Background), Composer, Producer
• 1990: Boys - The Boys - Mixing
• 1990: Dance!...Ya Know It! - Bobby Brown - Remixing, Producer, Composer
• 1990: Father's Day - Father MC - Producer, Vocals (Background), Arranger, Keyboards
• 1990: I'm Your Baby Tonight - Whitney Houston - Percussion, Mixing, Rhythm Arrangements, Drums, Vocal Arrangement, Producer, Rhythm, Vocals, Arranger
• 1990: Johnny Gill [1990] - Johnny Gill - Drums, Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing, Percussion
• 1990: Shut Up and Dance: Dance Mixes - Paula Abdul - Producer
• 1991: Damian Dame - Damian Dame - Producer, Percussion, Vocal Arrangement, Drums, Reissue Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing, Rhythm Arrangements
• 1991: MTV Party to Go, Vol. 1 - Various Artists - Producer
• 1991: Cooleyhighharmony - Boyz II Men - Composer, Producer
• 1991: Bobby Brown - Bobby Brown - Composer
• 1992: Arthur Siegel Sings Arthur Siegel - Arthur Siegel - Composer
• 1992: Bobby - Bobby Brown - Instrumental, Producer, Composer
• 1992: Bodyguard - Original Soundtrack - Producer, Composer
• 1992: Takin' My Time - After 7 - Drums
• 1992: You Said - Jermaine Jackson - Programming, Drum Programming, Mixing, Executive Producer, Remixing, Producer, Percussion
• 1992: Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip – TLC - Executive Producer, Drums, Percussion, Mixing, Composer
• 1992: Boomerang - Original Soundtrack - Executive Producer, Producer, Percussion, Composer, Drums
• 1992: 1746DCGA30035 - Highland Place Mobsters - Executive Producer, Producer
• 1992: Humpin' Around - Bobby Brown - Composer
• 1993: Queen of the Night - Whitney Houston - Producer
• 1993: Remixes N the Key of B - Bobby Brown - Producer, Remixing
• 1993: Provocative - Johnny Gill - Producer, Drums
• 1993: Poetic Justice - Original Soundtrack - Producer
• 1993: Hootie Mack - Bell Biv DeVoe - Multi Instruments, Producer
• 1993: Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton - Producer, Executive Producer, Drums, Mixing
• 1993: Toni Braxton [Bonus Track] - Toni Braxton - Drums, Mixing, Composer, Producer
• 1993: For the Cool in You – Babyface - Producer, Drums
• 1993: LaFace Family Christmas [Arista] - La Face Artists - Producer, Drums, Drum Programming, Executive Producer
• 1994: When Can I See You Again – Babyface - Producer
• 1994: 30th Anniversary Anthology - The Whispers - Producer
• 1994: Tribute to Curtis Mayfield [Warner Bros.] - Various Artists - Mixing, Percussion, Producer, Drums
• 1994: Greatest Hits (1980-1994) - Aretha Franklin - Drum Programming, Producer
• 1994: Greatest Hits - The Deele - Composer
• 1994: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik – OutKast - Executive Producer
• 1994: II - Boyz II Men - Producer
• 1994: Usher – Usher - Executive Producer
• 1994: Ultimate Dance Hits '94 - Various Artists - Remixing, Executive Producer, Producer
• 1994: CrazySexyCool – TLC - Producer
• 1995: Many Ways - Usher Raymond - Executive Producer
• 1995: Take a Dip - A Few Good Men - Drum Programming, Executive Producer, Mixing, Drums, Percussion
• 1995: Brainchild - Society of Soul - Executive Producer
• 1995: Words - Tony Rich - Producer
• 1995: Soul Food - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
• 1996: Every Time I Close My Eyes – Babyface - Producer
• 1996: In the Hood - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
• 1996: Knocks Me Off My Feet [#1] - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
• 1996: Knocks Me Off My Feet [#2] - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
• 1996: Last Night [US #2] - Az Yet - Executive Producer
• 1996: My Heart - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
• 1996: Rhythm of the Games: 1996 Olympic Games Album - Various Artists - Executive Producer
• 1996: Secrets - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement
• 1996: You're Makin' Me High [US] - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
• 1996: ATLiens – OutKast - Executive Producer
• 1996: Az Yet - Az Yet - Executive Producer
• 1996: Un-Break My Heart - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer
• 1997: After 12, Before 6 - Sam Salter - Executive Producer
• 1997: Ultimate Rock Collection Gold and Platinum, Vol. 6: 1989-1995 - Various Artists - Composer
• 1997: 1997 Grammy Nominees - Various Artists - Vocal Arrangement
• 1997: For You - Kenny Lattimore - Composer
• 1997: Very Best of After 7 - After 7 - Producer, Remixing
• 1997: I Don't Want To [#1] - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
• 1997: What About Us [#1] – Total - Executive Producer
• 1997: My Way – Usher - Executive Producer
• 1997: Nice & Slow [#1] – Usher - Executive Producer
• 1997: It's on Tonight - Sam Salter - Executive Producer
• 1997: Favorites - Johnny Gill - Producer, Drums, Composer, Mixing, Percussion
• 1997: Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface - The Whispers - Composer
• 1997: We're Not Making Love No More - Dru Hill - Executive Producer
• 1998: They Don't Dance No Mo' - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
• 1998: Nice & Slow [#2] – Usher - Executive Producer
• 1998: Hymns - Corey Glover - Executive Producer
• 1998: Still Standing - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
• 1998: Birdseye - Tony Rich - Executive Producer
• 1999: FanMail – TLC - Executive Producer
• 1999: Shanice – Shanice - Executive Producer
• 1999: Live – Usher - Executive Producer, Composer
• 1999: Crown Royal - Run-D.M.C. - Executive Producer
• 1999: R&B: From Doo Wop to Hip Hop - Various Artists - Producer
• 1999: Ultimate Grammy Box: From the Recording Academy's Collection - Various Artists - Producer
• 2000: Can't Take Me Home - P!nk - Producer
• 2000: Greatest Hits - Whitney Houston - Producer, Composer
• 2000: Greatest Hits – Pebbles - Composer, Drums, Percussion
• 2000: Heat - Toni Braxton - Producer
• 2000: Shaft [2000] - Original Soundtrack - Producer
• 2000: Best of Bell Biv DeVoe - Bell Biv DeVoe - Producer
• 2000: Greatest Hits - Paula Abdul - Composer
• 2000: Spanish Guitar [Import CD #1] - Toni Braxton - Producer
• 2000: Collection of His Greatest Hits – Babyface - Drums, Drum Programming, Percussion, Producer
• 2000: Could I Have This Kiss Forever [Australia CD] - Whitney Houston - Producer
• 2000: Platinum Christmas - Various Artists - Producer
• 2000: Platinum Collection [La Face] - Various Artists - Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement
• 2000: Soul Food - Original TV Soundtrack - Executive Producer
• 2001: Love Songs – Babyface - Drums, Producer, Percussion
• 2001: Supernova - Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - Executive Producer
• 2001: Face2Face – Babyface - Executive Producer
• 2001: Weekend - Kenny Lattimore - Executive Producer, Composer
• 2001: Snowflakes - Toni Braxton - Drums, Producer, Executive Producer
• 2001: Even in Darkness - Dungeon Family - Executive Producer
• 2001: So Blu - Blu Cantrell - Executive Producer
• 2001: Love, Whitney - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Producer
• 2001: M!ssundaztood - P!nk - Executive Producer
• 2001: Big Boi and Dre Present...Outkast – OutKast - Executive Producer
• 2001: Bridget Jones's Diary, Vol. 2 - Various Artists - Producer, Executive Producer
• 2002: Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections - Cee-Lo Green - Executive Producer
• 2002: Ultimate Collection - Johnny Gill - Producer
• 2002: Don't Let Me Get Me [Australia CD] - P!nk - Executive Producer
• 2002: Let Go - Avril Lavigne - Executive Producer
• 2002: Life Goes On - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
• 2002: Full Circle - Boyz II Men - Executive Producer
• 2002: Left of Self-Centered - Butch Walker - Executive Producer
• 2002: Complicated - Avril Lavigne - Executive Producer
• 2002: Last Night [US #1] - Az Yet - Executive Producer
• 2002: Whatchulookinat - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer
• 2002: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: Motown 1980s, Vol. 2 - Various Artists - Producer, Composer
• 2002: Paradise - Kenny G - Executive Producer
• 2002: 3D – TLC - Executive Producer
• 2002: Girl Talk – TLC - Executive Producer
• 2002: Game of Love [Australia CD] – Santana - Executive Producer
• 2002: Wishes: A Holiday Album - Kenny G - Executive Producer
• 2002: More Than a Woman - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
• 2002: Family Portrait - P!nk - Executive Producer
• 2002: Just Whitney - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer
• 2003: Things That Lovers Do - Kenny Lattimore - Executive Producer
• 2003: My So-Called Life - From Zero - Executive Producer
• 2003: Essential Babyface – Babyface - Producer, Percussion, Drums
• 2003: Ultimate Kenny G - Kenny G - Executive Producer
• 2003: So Damn Happy - Aretha Franklin - Executive Producer
• 2003: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – OutKast - Executive Producer
• 2003: Ultimate Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton - Live Mixing, Producer, Composer
• 2003: Try This - P!nk - Executive Producer
• 2003: Best of After 7 - After 7 - Composer
• 2004: The Greatest Hits of TLC – TLC - Compilation Producer, Audio Production
• 2004: Confessions [Special Edition] – Usher - Executive Producer
• 2005: Pleasure & Pain – 112 - Executive Producer
• 2005: Breathe Again: Toni Braxton at Her Best - Toni Braxton - Composer
• 2005: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Bobby Brown - Bobby Brown - Producer, Composer, Audio Production
• 2005: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 - Young Jeezy - Executive Producer
• 2005: I'll Make Love to You - Boyz II Men - Producer, Composer
• 2005: Best of Soul Love: Luther Vandross/Marvin Gaye - Various Artists - Composer
• 2005: 20th Century Masters - The DVD Collection: The Best of Bobby Brown - Bobby Brown - Composer, Producer
• 2005: Other Side of Cool – Babyface - Remixing, Composer
• 2005: The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey - Executive Producer
• 2006: Definitive Collection - Bobby Brown - Composer, Producer
• 2006: Gold - Gladys Knight - Composer
• 2006: Collection [3 Disc] - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Producer
• 2006: Ultimate Collection – Shalamar - Producer, Composer
• 2006: Coming Home - Lionel Richie - Executive Producer
• 2006: Bobby - Original Soundtrack - Audio Production, Producer
• 2006: Kingdom Come - Jay-Z - Executive Producer
• 2007: Essential Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton - Composer, Producer
• 2007: I Am - Chrisette Michele - Audio Production, Executive Producer
• 2007: Ultimate Collection - Whitney Houston - Producer
• 2007: American Gangster - Jay-Z - Executive Producer
• 2007: Super Hits - The Jackson 5 - Composer, Producer
• 2007: Song for You: Live - Whitney Houston - Composer
• 2008: Super Hits – Babyface - Producer, Composer
• 2008: E=MC2 - Mariah Carey - Executive Producer
• 2008: Year of the Gentleman - Ne-Yo - Executive Producer
• 2008: Nas – Nas - Executive Producer, Audio Production
• 2008: Recession - Young Jeezy - Executive Producer
• 2008: Tender Lover/For the Cool in You – Babyface - Percussion, Drums, Stylist, Producer, Composer
• 2009: From the Heart – Babyface - Producer
• 2009: This Is the One - Utada - Executive Producer
• 2009: Can You Feel It: The Jacksons Collection - The Jackson 5 - Composer
• 2009: Gold - Bobby Brown - Producer, Remixing
• 2009: Just Go - Lionel Richie - Executive Producer
• 2009: Whitney Houston Smooth Jazz Tribute - Various Artists - Composer
• 2009: In Love & War - Amerie - Executive Producer
• 2009: Live from the Royal Albert Hall - The Killers - Executive Producer
• 2009: My World - Justin Bieber - Executive Producer
• 2009: Rated R – Rihanna - Executive Producer
• 2010: My World 2.0 - Justin Bieber - Executive Producer
• 2010: Loud - Rihanna - Executive Producer
• 2010: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West - Executive Producer
• 2010: Libra Scale – Ne-Yo - Executive Producer
• 2011: Love? - Jennifer Lopez - Executive Producer

References[link]

External links[link]

• L.A. Reid: A Day in the Life of a Music Mogul
• Antonio "L.A." Reid - Making of an Industry Mogul
• L.A. Reid at bmi.com
• L.A. Reid discography at AllMusic.com

Playaz Circle is a rap duo signed to the Def Jam Recordings record label.

Biography[link]

The duo was formed in 1997 by two childhood friends Tity Boi a.k.a 2 Chainz (Tauheed Epps) and Dolla Boy (Earl Conyers) in College Park, GA. They created the acronym Playaz which stands for Preparing Legal Assets for Years from A-Z. The duo put all their money together to release their independent album United We Stand, United We Fall. The album had features from Lil Fate, I-20 and others from the Disturbing tha Peace family. They were introduced to Ludacris by Lil Fate and soon became good friends as they all shared the same dream. Tity Boi played basketball at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama.

Unfortunately, Playaz Circle ran into bad luck. Tity Boi was shot and Dolla Boy was incarcerated. Their career was at a standstill. After hearing their misfortune, Ludacris reached out and then signed them. They have also been in a commercial with Ludacris for the "Two Miles an Hour" video. Later, Tity Boi started a solo career and created the new alias 2 Chainz.

Their highly-anticipated debut album Supply & Demand was released on October 30, 2007, and featured the hit singles "Duffle Bag Boy" with Lil' Wayne, "Betta Knock" and "U Can Believe It" with Ludacris. In January 2010, Playaz Circle filmed a music video for their single "Big Dawg" featuring Lil Wayne and Birdman at Studio Space Atlanta. 2 Chainz has recently appeared on Nicole Wray's single "I Like It", Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame's "Mud Musik" from the former two's collaboration album Ferrari Boyz, Young Jeezy's "SupaFreak" from Jeezy's fourth studio album Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, and Gucci Mane's mixtape Trap Back collaborating on the songs "Get It Back" & "Okay With Me".

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Playaz Circle on Myspace
• Playaz Circle on MocoSpace

Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul at the The X Factor USA Backstage in December 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Paula Julie Abdul
Born	(1962-06-19) June 19, 1962 (age 50) San Fernando, California
Genres	Pop, R&B, dance
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, choreographer, dancer, television personality
Years active	1978–present
Labels	Virgin (1987–1996) Mercury (1997)[1] Concord (2008) Filament (2009–present)
Website	paulaabdul.com

Paula Julie Abdul ( /ˈæbduːl/; born June 19, 1962)^[2] is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.

In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Her six number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 tie her for fifth among the female solo performers who have reached #1 there.^[3] She won a Grammy for "Best Music Video – Short Form" for "Opposites Attract" and twice won the "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography".

After her initial period of success, she suffered a series of setbacks in her professional and personal life, until she found renewed fame and success in the early years of the 21st century as a judge on the television series, American Idol, for eight years, before departing from the show. Abdul had moved on to another television series, CBS's Live to Dance, which debuted in January 2011. The series has since been canceled. Following her judging role in Live to Dance, Abdul moved to the first season of American version of The X Factor with her former American Idol co-judge Simon Cowell which premiered on September 21, 2011.^[4]

Early life[link]

Abdul was born in San Fernando, California to Jewish parents. Abdul's father, Harry Abdul, was born in Aleppo, Syria, raised in Brazil, and subsequently immigrated to the United States;^[5] her mother, Lorraine M. (née Rykiss), is originally from Minnedosa, Manitoba in Canada with ancestors from Russia and Ukraine,^[6][7] and Abdul derives Canadian citizenship through her. She has a sister named Wendy, who is seven years her senior. In 1980, she graduated from Van Nuys High School and was voted girl with the funniest laugh.^{[citation needed]}

An avid dancer, Abdul was inspired towards a show business career by Gene Kelly in the classic film Singin' in the Rain as well as Debbie Allen, Fred Astaire, and Bob Fosse.^{[8][not in citation given]}

Abdul began taking dance lessons at an early age in ballet, Jazz, and Tap. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she was a cheerleader and an honor student. At 15, she received a scholarship to a dance camp near Palm Springs, and in 1978 appeared in a low-budget Independent musical film, Junior High School.

Abdul studied broadcasting at the California State University at Northridge. During her freshman year, she was selected from a pool of 700 candidates for the cheerleading squad of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball team—the famed Laker Girls. Within three months, she became head choreographer.^{[citation needed]} Six months later, she left the university to focus on her choreography and dancing career.^{[citation needed]}

Career[link]

1982–1986: Dance and choreography era[link]

Abdul was discovered by The Jacksons, after a few of the band members had watched her while attending a Los Angeles Lakers game.^[9] She was signed to do the choreography for the video to their single "Torture".^[10] "My only problem was how to tell the Jacksons how to dance," Abdul later recalled. "Imagine me telling them what routines to do. I was young, I was scared. I'm not quite sure how I got through that."^[11] The success of the choreography in the video led to Abdul's career of choreographer in music videos.^[12] It was also due to the success of the video that Abdul was chosen to be the choreographer for the Jacksons' Victory tour.^[12]

Abdul choreographed videos for several singers throughout the 1980s, including many videos for Janet Jackson during her Control era. In 1995, Abdul released a dance workout video entitled Paula Abdul's Get Up and Dance! (re-released on DVD in 2003), a fast-paced, hip-hop style workout.^{[citation needed]} In 1998, she released a second video called Cardio Dance (re-released on DVD in 2000). In December 2005, Abdul launched a cheerleading/fitness/dance DVD series called Cardio Cheer, which is marketed to children and teenage girls involved with cheerleading and dance.

In film, Abdul choreographed sequences for the giant keyboard scene involving Tom Hanks’s character in Big. Further credits include Coming to America, Action Jackson, Jerry Maguire, The Running Man, American Beauty, Can't Buy Me Love, and Oliver Stone's The Doors.^[13] Television credits include The Tracey Ullman Show, American Music Awards, the Academy Awards, and several commercials, such as The King's touchdown celebration, as seen in a string of popular Burger King television commercials that aired during the 2005–2006 NFL season.^[13]

[edit] 1987–1994: Forever Your Girl and Spellbound

Paula Abdul, 1990

In 1987, Abdul used her savings to make a singing demo. Although her voice was relatively untrained, her exceptional dancing proved marketable to the visually oriented, MTV-driven, pop music industry. She was a tireless worker, and relied on input from her vocal coach and producers to improve her sound.

In 1988, Abdul released her pop debut album, Forever Your Girl. The album took 64 weeks to hit #1 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart—the longest an album has been on the market before hitting #1—and spent 10 weeks there.^[14][15] The album eventually became multi-platinum in the spring and summer of 1989, and it spawned five American Top Three singles, four of them #1s (three in 1989 and one in 1990): "Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", and "Opposites Attract". A remix album, Shut Up and Dance, was also released and reached #7 on Billboard's album chart, becoming one of the most successful remix albums to date. The Grammy award-winning video for "Opposites Attract" featured an animated cat named MC Skat Kat.

At the 33rd Grammy Awards, Abdul won her first Grammy for Best Music Video for "Opposites Attract",^[16] She was also nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her song "Straight Up" but it lost to Bonnie Raitt's "Nick of Time".^[16]

In the early 1990s, Yvette Marine, backing vocalist on Forever Your Girl, claimed that she sang "co-lead vocals" on the album and sued Paula and Virgin Records for compensation. After one month of court proceedings, Abdul and Virgin won the case.^[17]

Abdul's follow-up album, 1991's Spellbound, contained another string of hits, and sold 7 million copies worldwide.^{[citation needed]} The first single from Spellbound was the ballad, "Rush, Rush," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive weeks, and was noted for its music video and Rebel Without a Cause motif featuring Keanu Reeves in the James Dean role. "Promise of a New Day", the second release from the album, also hit No. 1, and was followed by the Top 10 hit "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" and two Top 20 hits: "Vibeology" and "Will You Marry Me?".^[18] The album, Spellbound, retained much of the dance-oriented formula heard on her debut album. The track "U" was written for Paula by Prince.

Abdul promoted the album through the "Under My Spell Tour", which was named by an MTV contest for fans. This tour was nearly cancelled due to an accident during rehearsals.^{[citation needed]} The tour began on schedule and ran from October 1991 to the summer of 1992. In 1991, Abdul embraced advertising and starred in a popular Diet Coke commercial in which she danced with a digital image of her idol, a young Gene Kelly.

Abdul was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 1991.^[19]

[edit] 1995–2001: Head over Heels and a music hiatus

By 1995, Paula Abdul had recovered from her battle with the eating disorder bulimia nervosa and prepared to return to the spotlight with her new album Head over Heels.^{[citation needed]} The first single off the album, "My Love Is for Real" featured a fusion of R&B and traditional Middle Eastern instruments, and was performed with Yemeni-Israeli singer Ofra Haza. Its accompanying Lawrence of Arabia-inspired music video was played in theaters across the world as a preface to the film Clueless. The single was a hit in the clubs (peaking at #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart), and made it to #28 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

The second single, "Crazy Cool", peaked at #13 on the dance charts. "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up" was the album's third and final single. To date, Head over Heels has sold 3 million copies worldwide.^{[citation needed]}

In January 1997, Abdul starred in the ABC television movie Touched by Evil,^[20] playing a businesswoman who discovers that her boyfriend is a serial rapist.^[21] Also that year, Abdul co-wrote the song "Spinning Around" with songwriter and producer Kara DioGuardi, who became a fellow judge on American Idol in 2009. "Spinning Around" was a dance-pop track intended to be the lead single on Abdul's follow-up album to Head over Heels. But the album never materialized, and "Spinning Around" was instead given to Kylie Minogue. The song was highly successful, reaching #1 in numerous countries.

While Abdul took a break from the music industry, she remained busy behind the scenes. Abdul served as the choreographer for several film and theater productions, including the 1998 musical Reefer Madness and the cheerleading scenes in the 1999 film American Beauty (she had previously also choreographed the 1991 film The Doors). Abdul also co-produced a 2001 pilot episode of Skirts, a dramatic series that would have aired on MTV about a high-school cheerleading squad; Abdul was also set to appear as the head coach. The pilot never aired.^[22]

In 2000, Abdul’s Paula Abdul: Greatest Hits CD was released by Virgin Records (with whom Abdul was already no longer affiliated). It included all her hit singles and other noteworthy tracks. The song "Bend Time Back 'Round" had previously been heard only on the 1992 soundtrack for the hit television series Beverly Hills, 90210.

[edit] 2002–2006: American Idol

In 2002, Abdul appeared as one of three judges for the reality television music competition show American Idol. Abdul, along with fellow judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson (joined by Kara DioGuardi in 2009) evaluated thousands of amateur contestants in their ability to sing. Abdul won praise as a sympathetic and compassionate judge. She seemed especially kind compared to fellow judge Simon Cowell, who was often blunt in his appraisals of the contestants' performances. When she realized that Cowell's over-the-top judging style was heartbreaking for many young contestants, Abdul was so horrified that she considered leaving the show. Although their differences often resulted in extremely heated on-air exchanges and confrontations, Cowell says he played a major role in convincing Abdul not to leave the show.^[23]

While serving as a judge on "American Idol," Abdul accepted a second assignment as reporter for Entertainment Tonight.

In March 2006, Fox announced that Abdul had signed to stay on American Idol as a judge for at least three more years. Later that year, fellow American Idol judge Simon Cowell invited her to be a guest judge at some of the early auditions for the third series of his similar UK talent show The X Factor. Abdul was present at the initial audition of the eventual winner, Leona Lewis.

[edit] 2007–2009: Post-Idol projects

Abdul at the Los Angeles Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in March 2007

Paula Abdul's second greatest-hits CD, Greatest Hits: Straight Up!, was released by Virgin Records on May 8, 2007. Virgin Records also released the music videos to all six of Abdul's #1 singles to iTunes. Meanwhile, Bravo began airing the reality television series Hey Paula, which followed Abdul through her day-to-day life. The series was produced by Scott Sternberg Productions and debuted on June 28, 2007.^[24] Abdul's behavior as depicted on the show was described as 'erratic' by comedian Rosie O'Donnell^[25] and decried by numerous fans and critics. The show aired for only one season.

The week of May 14 to May 18, 2007 (the week before the season 6 finale), Abdul broke her nose when she tried to "avoid tripping over her pet chihuahua."^{[citation needed]} She was present at the May 22 performance and the May 23 finale.

Abdul's American Idol wardrobe often included a number of necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings that she designed, and she frequently gave show contestants custom-designed jewelry.^{[citation needed]} In 2007, Paula Abdul Jewelry launched its nationwide consumer debut on QVC, with the tagline "fashion jewelry designed with heart and soul."^[26] Paula's first QVC appearance resulted in 15 sellouts of her first jewelry collection involving more than 34,000 pieces.^[27]

In January 2008, Abdul returned to the music charts for the first time in nearly 13 years with the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," the first track on the album Randy Jackson's Music Club Vol 1. The song debuted on On Air with Ryan Seacrest.,^[28] and Abdul performed it during the pre-game show for Super Bowl XLII.^[29] "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" was a modest comeback hit for Abdul, peaking at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100, #11 on iTunes and #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Abdul has reported other songs that she is working on such as, "Boom Box." Abdul also made a brief guest appearance in season 3 episode 1 of the British television Comedy-Drama Hotel Babylon, which aired in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2008.

In February 2008, it was reported she was to be working on a new album.^[30][31]

In January 2009, Abdul hosted "RAH!," a 90-minute cheerleading competition on MTV. "RAH!" featured five collegiate squads competing in a series of challenges with Abdul crowning one the winner.^[32] In May 2009, Abdul debuted her latest song "I'm Just Here for the Music" (originally an unreleased song from Kylie Minogue's ninth album Body Language) on the Ryan Seacrest Radio KIIS-FM show and performed the single on the American Idol results show. "I'm Just Here for the Music" reached #87 on the Billboard Hot 100,^[33] becoming Abdul's 15th song to appear on the chart.^[34]

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times on July 18, 2009, Paula's manager David Sonenberg told the newspaper that, "Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on ‘Idol’."^[35] This came about as a result of stalled negotiations between Paula and the show. On August 4, 2009, after numerous contract negotiations, Abdul confirmed that she would not be returning to Idol for its ninth season.^[36] The Times cited reports Abdul had been earning as much as $5 million per season and that she was reportedly seeking as much as $20 million to return.^[37]

On August 18, 2009, it was reported that Abdul was negotiating to return to Idol after not taking part in season nine of Dancing with the Stars.^[38] Two days later, Abdul's manager said that there were not any talks with Fox, but they were not ruling anything out.^[39]

Abdul claimed her departure from Idol was not about money, but that she had to stand on principle.^[40]

On September 9, 2009 Ellen DeGeneres was confirmed as Abdul's successor for Idol.^[41]

[edit] 2010–present: Live to Dance and The X Factor USA

In January 2010, Abdul presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to choreographer Julie McDonald at the 11th Anniversary show of the The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball.^[42]

In November 2010, Abdul launched and co-founded AuditionBooth.com, a website that allows aspiring talents to connect with casting directors, producers, and managers.^[43]

Abdul kicked off 2011 by serving as lead judge, executive producer, creative partner, mentor and coach on CBS' new dancing competition, Live to Dance (formerly Got to Dance)^[44] Abdul said that unlike American Idol, her new show is less about "competition" and more about "celebration."^[45] After its first season of seven weekly shows, it was cancelled by CBS.^[46]

On May 8, 2011, it was announced that Abdul would rejoin Simon Cowell on the first season of the American version of The X Factor.^[4] The judging panel consisted of Abdul, Cowell, music executive L.A. Reid, and former Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger (who replaced Cheryl Cole). The series premiered on September 21, 2011. She was the mentor for the "Groups" category. She was called by X Factor producers about the news of her category whilst at home in Los Angeles, California. During the Judges' Houses stage of the competition, Abdul was aided by guest judge Pharrell Williams in Santa Barbara, California. Abdul's contestants were all eliminated from the competition, her final act Lakoda Rayne were eliminated by the public vote on week five of the Live Shows. They were the Groups category's most successful act.

In January 2012, Abdul announced that she would not be returning as a judge for the show's second season.^[47] Fellow season one judge Nicole Scherzinger and season one host Steve Jones were axed from the show that month.^[48]

Personal life[link]

Marriages and relationships[link]

Abdul was married to Emilio Estevez from 1992–1994.^[49][50] Another short-lived marriage for Paula Abdul was to clothing designer Brad Beckerman, in 1996. They married at the carousel museum in Bristol, Conn. They divorced in 1998, citing irreconcilable differences.

On Valentine's Day 2006, Abdul appeared on Dr. Phil as part of a prime time special on love and relationships. She was set up on two dates, and Phil McGraw gave her advice.

In mid July 2007, Abdul announced that she had begun dating J.T. Torregiani,^[51] a restaurant owner 12 years her junior.^[52] She told Access Hollywood: "He is a good guy. Things are looking upwards. It's looking good right now. I wasn't even looking for someone and that's what usually happens."^[53] Paula and JT broke up in June 2008,^[54] citing their hectic work schedules.

Religion[link]

Abdul is still observant in her Jewish faith today ^[55] and is proud of her heritage. She once stated, "My father is a Syrian Jew whose family immigrated to Brazil. My mother is Canadian with Jewish roots. My dream is to go to Israel for a real holiday." In November 2006, Israeli Tourist Minister Isaac Herzog invited her to Israel, Abdul responding with a hug, adding, "I will come; you have helped me make a dream come true."^[56]

Legal issues[link]

On December 20, 2004, Abdul was driving her Mercedes on an L.A.-area freeway when she changed lanes and hit another vehicle. The driver and passenger snapped a photograph with a cell phone camera and wrote down the license plate number of the car, which was traced to Abdul. On March 24, 2005, Abdul was fined US$900 and given 24 months of informal probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor hit-and-run driving in Los Angeles. In addition to the fines, she was ordered to pay $775 for damage to the other car.^[57]

On April 4, 2006, Abdul filed a report at a Hollywood police station claiming she had been a victim of battery at a private party at about 1 a.m. April 2, according to L.A.P.D. spokesman police Lt. Paul Vernon. "According to Abdul, the man at the party argued with her, grabbed her by the arm and threw her against a wall," Vernon said. "She said she had sustained a concussion and spinal injuries."^[58]

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy[link]

In April 2005, Abdul revealed that she suffers from a rare neurological disorder called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (CRPS) that causes chronic pain.^[59]

Activism[link]

Paula is also a dog lover who raised awareness about National Guide Dog Month in May 2009 and she teamed up with Dick Van Patten to help people with blindness to have more independence through the help of guide dogs.^[60] She does not wear real fur.^[61]

Controversies[link]

This article's Criticism or Controversy section may compromise the article's neutral point of view of the subject. Please integrate the section's contents into the article as a whole, or rewrite the material. (November 2010)

Corey Clark[link]

In May 2005, ABC's news magazine Primetime Live reported claims by Season 2 American Idol contestant Corey Clark that he and Abdul had an affair during that season, and that she had coached him on how to succeed in the competition. The fact that Clark came forward at a time when he was marketing a CD and trying to get a book deal was seen as suspicious by some, but Clark maintains that his career was being prejudiced because of his relationship with Abdul and that is why he came forward with the information to clear his name. For the most part, Abdul refused to comment on Clark's allegations. Simon Cowell came to Abdul's defense, calling Corey Clark a creep and stating “It was just somebody using her to get a lot of publicity for an appalling record, full stop."^{[citation needed]} At the height of the debacle, Abdul appeared in a Saturday Night Live skit, making light of the situation.^[62] While Fox launched an investigation, Abdul received numerous calls of support from celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Kelly Ripa; Barbara Walters even addressed the camera during an episode of ABC's The View to say she was sad to be part of an operation that would report Clark's flimsy tabloid claims under the guise of a news story. In August 2005, the Fox network confirmed that she would be returning to the show, as the investigation had found "insufficient evidence that the communications between Mr. Clark and Ms. Abdul in any way aided his performance."^[63]

Substance abuse allegations[link]

Substance abuse allegations arose as the result of what some described as "erratic behavior"^[59] by Abdul during episodes of American Idol. After reading these allegations on message boards, Abdul told People magazine in April 2005 that she suffered from chronic pain for years following a "cheerleading accident" at age 17 and was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) in November 2004.^[59] Abdul says she is now pain-free following treatment, including the anti-inflammatory medication Enbrel.^[59]

Allegations arose again in January 2007 when videos circulated on the Internet of Abdul appearing to sway in her chair and slur her speech during a set of interviews.^[64] Abdul's publicist attributed this to fatigue and technical difficulties during the recording of the interviews.^[64] It was revealed on the Bravo show Hey Paula, which had followed Abdul with a video camera prior to the interviews, that Abdul had not been sleeping, perhaps suffering from some mild form of insomnia.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2007, Abdul told Us Weekly that she had never been drunk or used illegal drugs and called the allegations "lies."^[65]

In a March 2007 appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, Abdul joked that her scrutinized behavior was caused by her being "abducted by aliens."

In several interviews given in the late 2000s (decade), Paula claimed to have been left in debilitating pain after a 1992 car accident and a 1993 plane crash that required 15 spinal surgeries and which left her dependent on pain medication for years.^[66]

In May 2009, Ladies' Home Journal posted an article on its Web site that said Abdul told them she attended the La Costa Resort and Spa the previous year to recover from physical dependence on prescription pain medications.^[67] The medications, prescribed due to injuries and her RSD diagnosis, included a pain patch, nerve medication, and a muscle relaxant. According to the article, Abdul said the medications made her "get weird" at times and that she suffered from physical withdrawal symptoms during her recovery.^[67]

Later that same week, though, in an interview with Detroit radio station WKQI, Abdul rejected the article's accuracy. She told the radio station she never checked into a rehab clinic and never had a drug abuse problem.^[68]

Tours[link]

• The Club MTV Tour
• The Under My Spell Tour

Discography[link]

Studio Albums

• 1988: Forever Your Girl
• 1991: Spellbound
• 1995: Head over Heels

Filmography[link]

Film and television

As choreographer

Awards and honours[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (January 2012)

Abdul's star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame

• 1987 MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography for Janet Jackson ""Nasty"
• 1989 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for The Tracey Ullman Show
• 1989 MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video – Straight Up
• 1989 MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography – Straight Up
• 1989 MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video – Straight Up
• 1990 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for The 17th Annual American Music Awards
• 1990 16th People's Choice Awards – Favorite Female Musical Performer
• 1990 American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist
• 1990 American Music Awards for Favorite Dance Artist
• 1991 17th People's Choice Awards – Favorite Female Musical Performer
• 1991 Grammy Award for Best Music Video
• 1992 American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist
• star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

See also[link]

	Book: Paula Abdul
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

Simple English Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Paula Abdul

• List of best-charting music artists in the U.S.
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Paula Abdul

• Official website
• Paula Abdul at the Internet Movie Database
• Paula Abdul at AllRovi
• Paula Abdul collected news and commentary at The New York Times

Michael Jackson
Jackson at the White House in 1984
Background information
Birth name	Michael Joseph Jackson[1]
Also known as	King of Pop, MJ
Born	(1958-08-29)August 29, 1958 Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Died	June 25, 2009(2009-06-25) (aged 50) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	R&B, pop, rock, soul, dance, funk, disco, new jack swing
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musician, composer, dancer, choreographer, record producer, actor, businessman, philanthropist
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1964–2009
Labels	Motown, Epic, Legacy, MJJ Productions
Associated acts	The Jackson 5 Michael Jackson's Signature
Website	www.michaeljackson.com

Michael Joseph Jackson^[1] (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Often referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ,^[2] Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His contribution to music, dance, and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971.

In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller", were credited with transforming the medium into an art form and a promotional tool, and the popularity of these videos helped to bring the relatively new television channel MTV to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made him a staple on MTV in the 1990s. Through stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced numerous hip hop, post-disco, contemporary R&B, pop and rock artists.

Jackson's 1982 album Thriller is the best-selling album of all time. His other records, including Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling. Jackson is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was also inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame as the first (and currently only) dancer from the world of pop and rock 'n' roll. Some of his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records; 13 Grammy Awards (as well as the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award); 26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century"); 13 number-one singles in the United States in his solo career (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era); and the estimated sale of over 750 million records worldwide. Jackson won hundreds of awards, which made him the most-awarded recording artist in the history of popular music.^[3] He was also one of the world's most prominent humanitarians and philanthropists; personally, and through his Heal the World Foundation, he donated more than $300 million in charity, and held the Guinness World Record for having supported the most charities out of any pop star.^[4][5]

Aspects of Jackson's personal life, including his changing appearance, personal relationships, and behavior, generated controversy. In 1993, he was accused of child sexual abuse, but the case was settled out of court and no formal charges were brought. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges after the jury found him not guilty on all counts. While preparing for his concert series titled This Is It, Jackson died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication on June 25, 2009, after suffering from cardiac arrest. The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled his death a homicide, and his personal physician was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Jackson's death triggered a global outpouring of grief, and as many as one billion people around the world reportedly watched his public memorial service on live television. In March 2010, Sony Music Entertainment signed a $250 million deal with Jackson's estate to retain distribution rights to his recordings until 2017, and to release seven posthumous albums over the decade following his death.^[6]

Life and career[link]

Early life and The Jackson 5 (1958–1975)[link]

Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Indiana, showing floral tributes after his death

Jackson (center) as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1972

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, the eighth of ten children in an African American working-class family who lived in a small 3-room house in Gary, Indiana,^[7] an industrial city near Chicago. His mother, Katherine Esther Scruse, was a devout Jehovah's Witness, and his father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, was a steel mill worker who performed with an R&B band called The Falcons. Jackson had three sisters: Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet, and five brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy.^[8] A sixth brother, Brandon, died shortly after birth.^[9]

Jackson had a troubled relationship with his father, Joe.^[10][11][12] Joseph acknowledged in 2003 that he regularly whipped Jackson as a boy.^[12] Jackson stated that he was physically and emotionally abused during incessant rehearsals, though he also credited his father's strict discipline with playing a large role in his success.^[10] Jackson first spoke openly about his childhood abuse in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, broadcast in February 1993. He admitted that he had often cried from loneliness and he would vomit on the sight of his father. Jackson's father was also said to have verbally abused Jackson, saying that he had a fat nose on numerous occasions.^[13] In fact, Michael Jackson's deep dissatisfaction with his appearance, his nightmares and chronic sleep problems, his tendency to remain hyper-compliant especially with his father, and to remain child-like throughout his adult life are in many ways consistent with the effects of this chronic maltreatment he endured as a young child.^[14]