The Artist of the Millennium Award That Never Existed

August 29th, 2002. Radio City Music Hall. It's Michael Jackson's 44th birthday and MTV has something planned. August 1st, 1981, MTV launched with "Video Killed the Radio Star." In early years, the playlist was almost exclusively white artists. By early 1983, "Billie Jean" shot to number one on Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks—MTV still refused to play the video. Walter Yetnikoff, president of CBS Records, threatened: "I'm pulling everything we have off the air. I'm going to go public and tell them about the fact you don't want to play music by a Black guy." March 10th, 1983, MTV finally aired "Billie Jean." Before Michael, MTV had lost $50 million, parent company was considering shutdown. After "Billie Jean" entered rotation, Thriller sales exploded by an additional 10 million copies. By first three months of 1984, MTV posted their first quarterly profit. Rob Tannenbaum said MTV's playlist was 99% white until Michael forced his way on by making the best music videos ever seen. 1985: Michael bought ATV catalog for $47.5 million (Beatles publishing rights). 1995: Sony and Michael merged to create Sony/ATV, making Michael 50% owner. "Invincible" released October 30th, 2001, cost over $30 million, debuted number one in eleven countries, sold 363,000 first week, 6 million worldwide within months. Sony stopped promoting it months after release. June 2002: Michael protested outside Sony UK headquarters. July 6th, 2002: Michael at Al Sharpton's National Action Network called Tommy Mottola "a devil" and "racist." Seven weeks later—the VMAs. Michael was told he would receive "Artist of the Millennium" award. Britney called him "the artist of the millennium." A trophy appeared on stage. Michael gave acceptance speech. MTV's statement: "There is no such award as the Artist of the Millennium. I think some wires got crossed." MTV's website on August 29th reportedly showed "MJ receives the Artist of the Millennium Award"—next day scrubbed. August 28th, 2003: Jack Black parodied Michael's speech. June 25th, 2009: Michael died. After his death, MTV's website caption said "Britney Spears presents Michael Jackson with the Artist of the Millennium Award." SOURCES Rolling Stone - "32 Most Outrageous MTV VMAs Moments" NME - "Remember when Michael Jackson accepted a made-up award from Britney Spears?" Michael Jackson Wiki (Fandom) - "2002 MTV Video Music Awards" MJJCommunity Forums - "MTV finally admitting the truth: MJ received the Artist of the Millennium Award in 2002" Michael Jackson Beat - "Did MTV Conspire against Michael Jackson?" NikeTalk Forums - "MTV Comes Clean about Artist of the Millennium Award?" The Guardian - "Michael Jackson, imaginary artist of the millennium" (August 31, 2002) Newsweek - "What Was the Feud Kanye Mentioned Between Michael Jackson and Tommy Mottola?" Medium (Decked Out Magazine) - "How Come Nobody Ever Apologizes to Michael Jackson: The Sony Feud" idobi - "Michael Jackson Shocks Al Sharpton By Calling Tommy Mottola A Racist" True Michael Jackson - "Speech against Sony" MTV News Archive - "Know Your VMA History: Why Britney And Michael Jackson's 2002 VMA Moment Matters" Lipstick Alley Forums - "Can we talk about the 'Artist of the Millennium' Fiasco?" Billboard - "VMAs: 8 Memorable Moments at Radio City Music Hall" The Root - "How the 'Billie Jean' Video Changed MTV" Yahoo Entertainment - "Michael Jackson video director recalls smashing MTV's color barrier" The MJCast - "Thoughts on Sony"