Est. 1998
Smooth Criminal Joins The Billions Club
In a groundbreaking achievement, Michael Jackson’s iconic “Smooth Criminal” music video has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. With this achievement, Michael becomes the only artist from the 20th century to have five short films reach the billion-view mark.
The song featured on his 1987 “Bad” album, and was released as a single as part of the promotional campaign for his movie “Moonwalker” in 1988. The accompanying music video, often referred to as a short film due to Michael’s ambitious visual approach, showcases him in a suave, 1930s-inspired gangster persona, famously executing the gravity defying lean that has become one of pop culture’s most iconic dance moves.
This billion-view milestone for “Smooth Criminal” joins a prestigious list of Michael Jackson videos that have also hit the billion mark, including “Billie Jean,” “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “They Don’t Care About Us.” In an era dominated by modern streaming giants, Michael’s ability to captivate new generations of fans speaks to the timelessness of his music and visionary artistry.
As Michael continues to break records, his status as a a music legend only grows stronger, proving that the King of Pop’s reign is far from over.
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