Michael Jackson - BE@RBRICK
Michael Jackson is a beloved figure in the world of pop music and quickly became recognized as the King of Pop after his solo debut in 1971. Since he was such an iconic figure in the music industry, it is no surprise that companies were eager to form collaborations with the King of Pop. One such company was Medicom Toy, which is known for their BE@BRICK line of figures.
Michael Jackson x BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
The first BE@RBRICK figures to be released as a collaborative effort with Michael Jackson’s brand were inspired by various outfits and designs from some of Jackson’s most popular music videos. As of early 2021, four unique figures have been released in several different sizes.
Collaboration Planning and Launch
The first two figures to be produced through this collaboration were from the “Thriller” music video, Jackson’s most popular work. One figure has his standard human appearance while the second was inspired by his zombified design. Both of these figures were released in July 2019. Several months later, in December 2019, a figure inspired by Jackson’s “Bad” outfit was released as well. Following the “Bad” figure, a BE@RBRICK figure of Jackson’s werewolf design that appears in “Thriller” was released in July 2020.
BE@RBRICK Michael Jackson Bad 100% & 400% Set
These BE@RBRICK figures were inspired by Michael Jackson’s outfit that originally appeared in the “Bad” music video, which was released in 1987. The outfit consists of a black jacket and shirt with matching slacks. Much of the costume is outfitted with an impressive amount of belts, buckles, zippers, and straps, giving it a unique look. Like most other BE@RBRICK figures, these two figures have a pair of large, round ears, a rotund belly, and articulated arms and legs. The set includes the same design of Jackson in two standardized BE@RBRICK sizes: 100% and 400%, which are approximately 3” and 11” tall respectively.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Michael Jackson Bad 100% & 400% Set
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Set of 2 painted and articulated figures
- Height (Approx.): 100%: 70 mm; 400%: 280 mm
BE@RBRICK Michael Jackson Bad 1000%
This figure, much like the set mentioned above, recreates Jackson’s appearance in “Bad”. That said, one distinguishing feature that this figure has is its sheer size. While the previous 400% figure stands at around 11”, this 1000% figure is over double that with an impressive height of 27.6 inches. Aside from its height, however, it is nearly identical to the previous item.
About Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was a songwriter, dancer, and vocalist that is often considered to be the undisputed King of Pop. Although he originally began his musical career as a member of The Jackson 5, Jackson made his solo debut in 1971 and went on to redefine the genre of pop music and help break down the racial barriers in the industry. His music quickly became recognized around the world, eventually causing him to become one of the most successful and recognizable music figures in the world.
Michael Jackson Background
From a young age, music had been an incredibly important aspect of his life. His mother played both clarinet and piano and once aspired to become a musician herself. On the other hand, his father played guitar in a local rhythm and blues band named the Falcons. Aside from his parents’ musical history, Jackson was also influenced by several contemporary artists and works as he grew up. Some of these external influences were James Brown, Diana Ross, West Side Story, and Jeffrey Daniel.
Michael Jackson Background: Biography
Michael Jackson was born on August 29th, 1958 in Gary, Indiana to Katherine and Joseph Jackson. In 1964, Jackson and his brother Marlon would join The Jackson Brothers, turning the 3-person group into The Jackson 5. The reformed group would go on to become a local hit until they reached a deal with Steeltown Records, where they quickly reached national recognition with songs like “ABC” and “I’ll Be There”. Michael Jackson later left The Jackson 5 to begin his solo career in 1971, eventually leading to the release of internationally acclaimed hits like “Beat It”, “Thriller”, “Bad”, and more.
By the mid-1980s and early 1990s, Jackson had already reached international stardom. These successful times, however, were also met with controversy, as fans had begun to notice drastic changes in Jackson’s physical appearance and lifestyle. In 1993 and 2005, Jackson was accused of sexually abusing minors, though he was either acquitted of these charges or settled them out of court. In August 2009, as Jackson was preparing for a final series of concerts, he passed away due to an overdose of propofol that was given to him by his personal physician.
Michael Jackson Background: Career Highlights
Throughout Michael Jackson’s career, he broke many global records in the pop music industry that still hold strong to this day. He is the third best-selling artist in music history, succeeded only by Elvis Presley and The Beatles. 13 of his singles went on to become #1 in the Billboard Hot 100, the most of any solo artist at the time. Thriller, Jackson’s sixth studio album, is his best-selling album and is certified Triple Diamond (30,000,000+ units sold) in the United States. Jackson also holds hundreds of other records and awards, including 39 Guinness World Records, 13 Grammy Awards, and 26 American Music Awards.
Related Figures
Those interested in collecting Michael Jackson BE@RBRICK figures will be pleased to know that there are several items inspired by Jackson’s “Thriller* music video. These figures include Jackson’s original appearance, his zombified design, and his werewolf design.
Links
BE@RBRICK Michael Jackson Bad 100% & 400% Set
BE@RBRICK Michael Jackson Bad 1000%
BE@RBRICK Series
BE@BRICK Label
Michael Jackson Label