The legend of Michael Jackson continues to grow as his iconic music video for “Beat It” has reached an impressive milestone on YouTube. With over one billion views, “Beat It” becomes the third video by MJ to enter the prestigious Billion Views Club, following the successes of “Billie Jean” and “They Don’t Care About Us,” as reported by Billboard.
In addition to this achievement, Jackson’s estate recently filed their yearly documents overseeing the King of Pop’s legacy, which included various expenses incurred throughout the year. Notably, the estate made a payment of $2,500 for the restoration of a significant landmark.
According to Variety, a groundbreaking deal is currently in its final stages, with Michael Jackson’s estate expected to secure an agreement worth between $800-900 million for the late artist’s music catalog. Although specific details are scarce, Sony and another potential financial partner are looking to acquire 50% of the estate’s interest in Jackson’s publishing, music revenues, the “MJ: The Musical” Broadway show, and the upcoming biopic “Michael,” among other potential assets.
Insiders close to MJ’s estate have informed TMZ that selling 100% of the catalog is out of the question. They have made it clear that for any deal to work, even a 50/50 agreement, the estate must retain full management and control over the records.
If this deal comes to fruition, it will mark the largest music catalog purchase in history, surpassing the record set by Bruce Springsteen, who sold his catalog to Sony for $500 million.
This news comes just a week after the announcement that MJ’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will portray the late artist in the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic titled “Michael.” Expressing his gratitude, Jaafar wrote on Twitter, “I’m humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon.”
With the timeless appeal of “Beat It” and the ongoing interest in Michael Jackson’s legacy, it is evident that his impact on music and entertainment continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
