Expert: Kurt - 11/2/2009

Question
Please answer my questions about Michael:

1) How many records has he sold?
2) How many records (Historic) has he broke?
3) What was his net worth at the time of his demise?
4) Did he make any statements about the incident, on MTV for his birthday, when the fools humiliated him and tricked him into thinking he won an award for Artist of The Millenium (which he totally deserves cuz he is!)
5) Did he actually ever win Artist of The Millennium and if so, when? Before or after the cruel/unnecessary/lame prank?

Answer
1)
- So far he has sold between 370-400 million solo records.

- About 130 million with the Jackson 5/Jacksons.

- 30 million digital singles

- 25 million Music Videos

- 4 million ring tones

Overall MJ has sold between 559-589 million.


2) The amount of records he has broken is VAST. Here is an essay explaining in full detail on how many records he has broken: http://www.maximum-jackson.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=5138

And here are some records listed by Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Records_and_achievements_of_Michael_Jackson


3) TMZ has reviewed financial documents that show MIchael Jackson's cash flow was in the red zone. Jackson's liquid cash totaled .05% of his net worth.

According to the documents obtained by TMZ, Jackson's net worth was estimated at $1,360,839,979 on July 31, 2007. It's a fortune, to be sure ... but of that $1,150,000,000 is the Sony-ATV Publishing Trust (Beatles Catalog).

As for cold, hard "Cash in Bank" -- $668,215. Jackson could blow through that amount in a trip or two to the antique store.

The other assets:

-- Real property $73,475,000 (Neverland valued at $66,875,000, Encino Home valued at $6,600,000)
-- Restricted cash $10,696,764 (this is a cash reserve to pay interest on loans)
-- Media Archival materials $20,000,000
-- MJ Publishing Trust $85,000,000
-- Professional equipment $1,000,000
-- Automobiles, antiques, collectibles & other personal property $20,000,000

Combined assets total $1,360,839,979.

As for liabilities, the big ticket item is Neverland -- $323,000,000. The description "Notes payable to Fortress are collateralized by Mr. Jackson's interest in the Sony-ATV Publishing Trust and a partial security interest in the Los Olivos, California (Neverland) property. Additionally, as of March 31, 2007, the bank holds restricted cash in the approximate amount of $7,803,621. With other liabilities, the sum comes to $331,000,000."

Jackson's bottom line net worth was listed at $1,360,839,979. But the cash flow is pretty stunning.


4) No, he did not make any public statement on the incident.


5) Yes he has won the award. In 2000, the World Music Awards gave him an award naming him the "Top Selling Pop Male Artist Of The Millennium". In 2002, the Bambi awards also gave him an award naming him the "Pop Artist Of The Millennium".

But I should let you know about the MTV incident.

MTV actually advertised on TV that MJ would be honored as the Artist of the Millennium.

Britney was told it was a Birthday cake and gift MJ was gonna get while Michael was told he was getting the Artist of the Millennium award. He wouldn't have attended on his birthday otherwise.

The Artist of the Millennium Award was mentioned on MTV's website right after the show. They took it back down within minutes of it appearing on their website, but not before a fan took a screenshot!
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/Pompous_Git/MTVcopyofproof.jpg

MTV stated MJ's award was "UNPRECEDENTED"

BUT now when he died they said that he DID win the award:
http://www.mtv.com/photos/michael-jacksons-greatest-mtv-moments/1614797/4005945/...

"Britney Spears presents Michael Jackson with the Artist of the Millennium Award at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards"

MTV have since changed their minds again a few months after MJ has passed and now say that he DIDNT win the Artist of the Millennium Award at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.
http://www.mtv.com/photos/video-music-awards-in-nyc-a-photo-history/1620655/4228...

"Michael Jackson mistakenly accepts the imaginary Artist of the Millennium award at the 2002 VMAs"