Blue Gangsta

"Blue Gangsta" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The song is the 6th track of Jackson's second posthumous album Xscape. the song was originally written, composed and produced by Jackson and Dr. Freeze during the "Invincible" album recording session in 1998. The song was re-tooled by Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon during the recording session in 2013-2014 of the Xscape album.

Background and leak

The song was originally recorded in 1998 for the "Invincible" album but failed to make the final cut. The song was leaked between 2006 and 2010. Rapper Tempamental remixed the song without Jackson's permission and made it available on his MySpace web page in late 2006. The remix titled "Gangsta (No Friend of Mine)" featured Pras of the Fugees.^[2] After Jackson's death in 2009, the song was planned to be included on the album Michael but did not make the final tracklist. However, this version leaked prior to the release of the Michael album. This version has slightly different percussion and is longer than the original version found on Xscape. Dr. Freeze re-tooled the song without changing the original music to fit night clubs but this version was not featured on the "Xscape" album. ^[3]

Opening with a movie score-like wash of strings and the urgent refrain, “What cha gonna do/You ain’t no friend of mine/Look what you put me through/Now that I’m the blue gangsta,” the Timbaland-produced tune features a spare, skittering beat and Jackson singing over the multi-tracked chorus.^[4]

Release

The song was released on MTV on May 8, 2014^[4]

Music video

Published on 14 May 2014 to Michael Jackson's VEVO Inspired by Smooth Criminal short film, Dancers from Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour celebrated the release of Xscape with a music video choreographed to this single. A shortened edit of the 2010 leaked version was used to celebrate the original version of this song.^[5]

Critical reception

"Jon Blistein" from Rolling Stone Said that "The harrowing, hard-hitting "Blue Gangsta" features a fiery vocal performance from Jackson, as well as updated production from Timbaland, who gives the track his signature futuristic spin, complete with snap-back snares, eerie low-end synths, blaring horns and striking strings." ^[6]

"Gil Kaufman" from MTV Said that "If “Thriller” gave you the chills, wait til you get a shot of Michael Jackson’s “Blue Gangsta.” The song, which is available exclusively now at michaeljackson.mtv.com will appear on the upcoming posthumous King of Pop album, Xscape, and it is a classic slice of cinematic MJ pop magic."

Charts

Chart (2014)	Peak position
Dutchcharts	77^[7]
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)^[8]	8

References

1 2 "Michael Jackson – Blue Gangsta Lyrics | Genius". genius.com. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
↑ "Gangsta No Friend Of Mine Feat The Fugees". YouTube. 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
↑ "Exclusive interview: Dr. Freeze book: "Meeting with Michael, was like meeting with Captain Kirk!"". Mj-upbeat.com. 2011-01-30. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
1 2 "Listen To Michael Jackson's 'Blue Gangsta' Now". MTV. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
↑ https://www.facebook.com/michaeljackson
↑ Jon Blistein (2014-05-08). "Michael Jackson Gets Fierce and Sultry on 'Blue Gangsta,' 'Loving You' Off Posthumous New Album 'Xscape' | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
↑ Steffen Hung. "Michael Jackson - Blue Gangsta". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
↑ "Michael Jackson Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles for Michael Jackson. Retrieved July 3, 2014.

Michael Jackson songs

1970s	"Got to Be There" "Rockin' Robin" "I Wanna Be Where You Are" "Ain't No Sunshine" "Ben" "With a Child's Heart" "Music and Me" "Happy" "We're Almost There" "Just a Little Bit of You" "One Day in Your Life" "Ease on Down the Road" "You Can't Win" "A Brand New Day" "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" "Rock with You"

1980s	"Off the Wall" "She's Out of My Life" "Girlfriend" "The Girl Is Mine" "Billie Jean" "Beat It" "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" "Human Nature" "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" "Thriller" "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" "Bad" "The Way You Make Me Feel" "Man in the Mirror" "Dirty Diana" "Another Part of Me" "Smooth Criminal" "Leave Me Alone" "Liberian Girl"

1990s	"Black or White" "Remember the Time" "In the Closet" "Jam" "Who Is It" "Heal the World" "Give In to Me" "Will You Be There" "Gone Too Soon" "Scream/Childhood" "You Are Not Alone" "Earth Song" "D.S." "This Time Around" "They Don't Care About Us" "HIStory" "Stranger in Moscow" "Smile" "Blood on the Dance Floor" "Ghosts" "Is It Scary"

2000s	"You Rock My World" "Speechless" "Cry" "Butterflies" "One More Chance" "The Girl Is Mine 2008" "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008"

2010s	"Hold My Hand" "Hollywood Tonight" "Behind the Mask" "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" "Immortal Megamix: Can You Feel It/Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough/Billie Jean/Black or White (Immortal Version)" "I Just Can't Stop Loving You/Don't Be Messin' 'Round" "Bad (Afrojack Remix) (DJ Buddha Edit)" "I'm So Blue" "Love Never Felt So Good" "A Place with No Name"

Other	"Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" "You've Got a Friend" "My Girl" "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" "All the Things You Are" "Too Young" "Working Day and Night" "Night Time Lover" "Muscles" "Say Say Say" "Somebody's Watching Me" "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)" "Centipede" "We Are the World" "Eaten Alive" "Twenty-Five Miles" "Get It" "2300 Jackson Street" "Just Good Friends" "Come Together" "Speed Demon" "Someone Put Your Hand Out" "Do the Bartman" "Dangerous" "Whatzupwitu" "Tabloid Junkie" "Why" "I Need You" "On the Line" "We Be Ballin'" "Heaven Can Wait" "What More Can I Give" "Cheater" "Fall Again" "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008" "Beat It 2008" "Billie Jean 2008" "This Is It" "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" "Mind Is the Magic" "Breaking News" "Monster" "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" "All in Your Name" "Price of Fame" "Chicago" "Loving You" "Slave to the Rhythm" "Blue Gangsta" "Xscape" "There Must Be More To Life Than This"

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