The Lesson from the Michael (2026) biopic - Take charge of your destiny

 In 1978, Michael Jackson and his brothers composed and sang a song called "Destiny". In actual fact, the album that they would release that same year would be called "Destiny". This was a year prior to Michael Jackson releasing the albums "Off the Wall" and "Thriller" four years later. Just to bring some context to the story altogether, it is worth mentioning that in 1968, Michael and his four brothers signed a contract with Motown  Records resulting in their debut album released the following year titled "Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5" which culminated in the release of their debut single "I Want You Back". This would be followed by three other notable singles, "ABC", "The Love You Save" and "I Will Be There". Other singles include "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Looking Through the Windows". Thereabout 1972, their hit-making days were drying out. This was as a result of pressures of growing up as well as the desire to produce and write their own music. While they were in the Motown label, there were no given that freedom culminating to them leaving sans one brother named Jermaine the record label and joining Epic Records.


  The Jacksons Destiny album (1978)

Where I am driving at is that the notion of gaining hold of one's destiny began the moment the Jackson 5 were signed with Motown Records. This especially was the case with Michael who started singing as young as six years of age. Aside from not having what would be considered a "normal" childhood when it came to performing with his brothers in places that would not be seen as ideal for minors at the time, he also took the time to learn about the music business (notably the writing, producing including financial aspects) further shaping him to become the person that he is known today. 

  Destiny single

Despite he and his brothers signing with the record label Epic, he took it upon himself to carve his destiny. Although the song "Destiny" is not well known song by most listeners, but I can include a few relevant lyrics that speak of the state that he was in at the time: 

                                   In this world, there's much confusion

                                   And I've tasted city life and it's not for me

                                  Now I dream of distant places

                                  Where I don't know now, it's destiny

                                  I want destiny

                                  It's the place for me

                                  Give me the simple life

                                   I'm getting away from here

                                   Let me be me


Linking it to the recent biopic, I find that there are parallels with the song. The gist of the film is a young man seeking to carve a destiny for himself from his domineering father. No doubt, family remains important to him but one has to recognise that there comes a time when one has to carve his/her own destiny. Michael recognised this the moment he realised that he could not continue being dictated by a father who seemed to think that he had his best interests. By releasing the album "Off the Wall", it came to demonstrate that he was able to make his own decisions even if it meant sacrificing his family. This would further prompt him to fire his own father to the point of releasing what most would regard as his best-selling album of all time "Thriller" (which in 2026 still remains unbeatable). Despite the existence of Spotify and other online music sites, there has been no album to date that can surpass "Thriller". This is no mean achievement for a Black artist who sought to break racial barriers that existed in music at the time. This is not to say that they still do not exist in 2026 but he could perhaps be considered one of the few Black artists of the last century to have taken the stand to challenge the racial apartheid that existed in music at that time. Perhaps in taking charge of his own destiny, he paved the way for countless other Black and other non-white artists notably Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Usher, Bruno Mars and others to shine. 






                                                                                                                   
Clips from the Michael (2026) biopic


I will not spend countless hours discussing the controversy surrounding the film for I am no film critic. I felt that I should take it upon myself to discuss the one lesson I have gathered from this film and it is to do with taking charge of one's destiny. I feel that for any human being living on this planet, it is vitally important to do so because one only lives in this world once.



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