A big voice weighs in on old problem

(FinalCall.com)---The "King of Pop" music is saying something that Black artists have been saying for years: "The record companies really, really do conspire against the artists. They steal, they cheat, they do whatever they can. Especially against the Black artists."

For Michael Jackson to say something like that, and to drive in an open top bus through the Black community with the Rev. Al Sharpton, the situation must really be serious. In addition, Jackson launched a personal attack on Sony chairman Tommy Mottola, calling him "mean, racist, and very, very devilish."

Jackson told a crowd of supporters in Harlem July 6 that Mottola referred to one of Sony�s artists as "a fat Black nigger." Mottola is the ex-husband of Mariah Carey, and reports did not say whether he confirmed or denies the statement.

Some observers say Mike is lashing out because he�s getting fidgety about dwindling revenues and is afraid that Sony execs will require him to repay some of the $25 million they sank into his "Invinsible" album project. The album only sold 2 million copies in the United States, a number far below expectations. Sony officials called Jackson�s statements "ludicrous, spiteful and hurtful."

Jackson, on the other hand, said Sony failed to properly promote the "Invincible" album.

Jackson�s representatives have expressed concerns that Sony may try to force the singer to give up his rights to the catalog of music he owns with Sony in exchange for the money he is said to owe. Jackson and Sony entered a joint venture in 1995 when he combined his catalog of copyrighted music with Sony�s, including songs he owns by the Beatles.

Whether or not Jackson�s motives for coming out on the issue are personal, his statements about the industry railroading Black entertainers are true. The recording industry graveyard is full of the bones of Blacks whose talents were ripped off by White performers like Elvis Presley or performers who were tricked by scheming execs and lawyers to sign contracts that ultimately gave away any fortune that they would earn.

That�s one reason the community should salute and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of hip hop artists who have formed their own labels and those who sold their own CDs out of the trunks of their cars to get started. At least the execs won�t get all the money in the end.

But it�s also sad that Jackson had to get himself into such a fix in order to come home. When was the last time we�ve seen our brother expose himself to the Black public in the hands-on way that he did with Rev. Sharpton?

Those grassroots and national activists who boldly stand up and challenge the status quo for justice on a daily basis are often given the cold shoulder by Blacks in high places who think they have made it. It was the money of Black consumers that gave Jackson and his brothers their start, just as it is always the efforts of the masses that give our stars their boost.

Unfortunately, sometimes the higher the stars get, the smaller the masses look. It�s only when they are on their way back down that the masses appear larger again, and the stars get their priorities straight.

The industry and many Black entertainers are discounting Jackson�s personal attacks against Mottola. That�s a subject for debate. There hasn�t been much debate on whether or not the industry has robbed Black artists.

Perhaps there are some things that are beyond dispute in this debate.

FinalCall.com