{"id":1439,"date":"2026-06-04T10:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T10:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/funkynubianrepublic.com\/convo\/2026\/06\/04\/how-michael-jackson-blurred-color-lines-on-mtv-with-billie-jean\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T10:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T10:00:05","slug":"how-michael-jackson-blurred-color-lines-on-mtv-with-billie-jean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funkynubianrepublic.com\/convo\/2026\/06\/04\/how-michael-jackson-blurred-color-lines-on-mtv-with-billie-jean\/","title":{"rendered":"How Michael Jackson Blurred Color Lines on MTV With \u2018Billie Jean\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Source: Paul Natkin \/ Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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How Michael Jackson Blurred Color Lines on MTV With \u2018Billie Jean\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\n<\/p>

It is not an unknown fact that Michael Jackson<\/a> reinvented pop music and music videos from what they once were. Yet\u2014 the entertainer still had to fight with MTV to get his videos played on their platform.<\/p>\n

By now, we all know the story: In 1982, Jackson released Thriller<\/em>, which reached global acclaim in a short span after its release. \u201cBillie Jean\u201d was released as a single early in 1983, and quickly hit No. 1 on the charts. It topped the charts for seven weeks, and ultimately helped Thriller<\/em> skyrocket, becoming the best-selling album of all time.<\/p>\n

There was no denying Michael Jackson\u2019s enormous impact, especially with the rise of Thriller<\/em>. However, the music video for the chart-topping single was denied exposure on MTV.<\/p>\n

RELATED STORY: MTV Shuts Down After 44 Years: 10 Moments That Defined an Era<\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED STORY: B-Side Bangers: Michael Jackson<\/a><\/p>\n

How It All Happened<\/h3>\n

MTV, which launched in 1981, helped to revolutionize the entertainment industry by broadcasting performers and music videos. <\/p>\n

When pitched with the idea of airing the music video for \u201cBillie Jean,\u201d MTV executives believed that Black music didn\u2019t fit in with the primarily rock demographic of the channel\u2019s viewers. At this time, no Black artist had been featured on the television channel. <\/p>\n

CBS Records President Walter Yetnikoff, who had worked with Michael and his family throughout his career, was furious about their refusal and threatened to pull all CBS artists from airing on MTV.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pulling everything we have off the air, all our product. I\u2019m not going to give you any more videos. And I\u2019m going to go public and (expletive) tell them about the fact you don\u2019t want to play music by a black guy,\u201d Yetnikoff said. <\/p>\n

MTV executives had faced several claims of racism with its refusal to air other prominent Black musicians at the time, including Rick James.<\/p>\n

After Yetnikoff\u2019s threats, MTV executives eventually gave in, and Billie Jean premiered on March 10, 1983. The music video became the first video by a Black artist to receive heavy rotation on the channel and proving that Black artists can command crossover fanbases on the network.<\/p>\n

The music video for \u201cBeat It\u201d was released weeks later on March 31, along with the explosive video for \u201cThriller\u201d later that year in December.<\/p>\n

READ MORE BLACK MUSIC MONTH STORIES:<\/strong><\/p>\n