Michael Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Often referred to as the King of Pop, he is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time. His contribution to music, dance, and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture over four decades. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971.
In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of “Beat It”, "Billie Jean”, and “Thriller” ", were credited with transforming the medium into an art form and a promotional tool, and the popularity of these videos helped to bring the relatively new television channel MTV to fame.
Jackson's 1982 album “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time His other records, including “Off the Wall” (1979), “Bad” (1987), “Dangerous” (1991), and “HIStory” (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling.
