Three Michael Jackson songs have been removed from streaming services, following persistent claims they feature faked vocals. Monster, Keep Your Head Up and Breaking News are all featured on the posthumous 2010 compilation album, Michael.
They have since been the subject of a court case brought by a fan. He claims the vocals are by a session singer. Sony Music and Jackson’s estate said their removal from streaming sites had nothing to do with their authenticity.
What Michael’s estate has to say?
In a statement, they described the action as “the simplest and best way to move beyond the conversation associated with these tracks once and for all”. They continued: “The focus remains where it belongs; on the exciting news and existing projects celebrating Michael Jackson’s legacy”, including the Broadway musical MJ and a recently-announced biopic.
“The album’s remaining tracks remain available,” the statement concluded. “Nothing should be read into this action concerning the authenticity of the tracks. It is just time to move beyond the distraction surrounding them.”
Released in 2010, Michael was the first album of outtakes and unreleased music to emerge after Jackson’s death from an overdose of propofol in 2009. Even before it hit the shops, the star’s family was raising doubts over whether he had performed on all of the songs.
“I tried so hard to prevent this craziness, but they wouldn’t listen,” Jackson’s nephew Taryll tweeted. “It doesn’t sound like him,” added Jackson’s sister La Toya.
Sony responded with a statement saying it had “complete confidence in the results of our extensive research, as well as the accounts of those who were in the studio with Michael, that the vocals… are his own.”
When it was released, the back cover of the Michael album said: “This album contains nine previously unreleased vocal tracks performed by Michael Jackson. These tracks were recently completed using music from the original vocal tracks and music created by the credited producers.” However, after hearing the music, fans were suspicious about three songs, in particular.
