Michael Jackson meets Hip-Hop- collabs with Biggie Smalls, Heavy D, & Lil Kim!?

In this episode of mjfangirl, we dive into a conversation I have been wanting to have for a long time about Michael Jackson and hip hop culture. As hip hop rose from the streets to become the dominant voice of Black youth culture, Michael Jackson had to navigate a world that suddenly valued authenticity, edge, and credibility in ways pop music never had before. This episode explores what happened when the King of Pop met a culture that did not automatically bow to pop royalty.
Joined by voices from the Black Jackson Estate Podcast- Ashleigh, and Nikki, along with Randall, and Chris Lacy, we break down how that cultural shift reshaped Michael’s career. We talk through the transition from Thriller to Bad, the New Jack Swing era of Dangerous, and the more experimental and often misunderstood HIStory and Invincible years. The conversation asks whether Michael was embracing hip hop, adapting under pressure, or being actively tested by a culture that had changed the rules.

We explore Michael’s real relationships with hip hop artists like Biggie Smalls, Heavy D, Wreckx-N-Effect, Eve, and others, as well as collaborations that almost happened, including Lil’ Kim and Pharrell. We unpack behind the scenes stories from Rodney Jerkins, Michael’s admiration for Biggie and 50 Cent, and why songs like Unbreakable and This Time Around still spark debate decades later. We also examine James Brown’s influence, beatboxing, dance, and the street culture that shaped Michael’s creative evolution. If you have ever wondered where Michael Jackson truly fits in hip hop history, this episode is for you.

Recommended Listening:
• "All About the Benjamins" - Puff Daddy (samples "It's Great to Be Here")
• "It Ain't Hard to Tell" - Nas (samples "Human Nature")
• "Hey Lover" - LL Cool J ft. Boyz II Men (samples "Lady in My Life")
• "All That I Got Is You" - Ghostface Killah (samples "Maybe Tomorrow")
• Apple Music Playlist: "Michael Jackson Hip Hop Sampled"

ROUNDTABLE MEMBERS:
Black Jackson Estate ‪@theblackjacksonestatepodcast‬
  / theblackjacksonestate  
Chris Lacy :   / chrislacy1990   @ chrislacy1990
Randall - @ therocfiles / ‪@rocsmocs‬

#HipHop #NotoriousBIG #michaeljackson

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Michael Jackson & Hip Hop: Why This Conversation Matters
02:26 – Personal Hip Hop Origins (NYC, Atlanta, The South)
05:32 – From Thriller to Bad: Cultural Pressure on Michael Jackson
06:59 – Quincy Jones, Rap Skepticism & the “Hip Hop Is a Fad” Debate
09:23 – James Brown, Beatboxing & MJ’s Hip Hop DNA
10:27 – New Jack Swing & Dangerous Falling Between Eras
11:47 – Run-DMC, LL Cool J & Hip Hop Challenging MJ’s Image
14:59 – Dangerous Era Collaborations (Heavy D, Wreckx-N-Effect)
18:31 – HIStory Era: “We’re Still on the Same Track”
22:22 – Michael, Janet & Biggie at the VMAs
23:20 – Michael Jackson on Hip Hop (VIBE 2001 Interview)
27:25 – Listener Voicemails: Favorite MJ Hip Hop Collaborations
31:35 – Notorious BIG on Invincible & Unbreakable
34:15 – Was Biggie’s Verse “Never Heard Before”?
38:22 – Biggie’s Bars on MJ Songs (Lyric Breakdown)
42:00 – The Lil’ Kim Collaboration That Never Happened
46:10 – Pharrell, The Neptunes & “Super Thug”
49:41 – Could Michael Have Pulled Off Neptunes Beats?
54:55 – Michael & Hip Hop Dance
56:20 – The Moonwalk Debate
1:08:30 – Final Takeaways

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