How Michael Jackson Outsmarted the Music Industry and Bought Half of It (While Wearing Loafers)

If you thought Michael Jackson only moonwalked across stages, you’re in for a shock—because he also moonwalked right over the heads of some of the biggest executives in the music industry. And the wildest part? He did it in loafers so shiny they could blind a bat.

Yes, the King of Pop didn’t just conquer pop culture—he played chess with the music business while everyone else was busy playing checkers. While fans screamed for “Billie Jean,” Michael was busy making billion-dollar moves behind the scenes, culminating in one of the savviest (and pettiest) power plays in music history: buying the Beatles' catalog.

But that’s just the beginning.

The move that changed everything

Back in the mid-1980s, Michael had just dropped *Thriller*, the album that casually became the best-selling record of all time. At the peak of his superstardom, he could’ve kicked back and bought an island—or a planet, probably—but instead, he got business advice from none other than Paul McCartney. That’s right: a Beatle gave him the keys to the kingdom.

See, McCartney explained that real wealth in music wasn’t just about selling records—it was about owning them. Publishing rights, baby. The real bag. He even showed Michael his personal music rights portfolio like a proud dad showing off a rare coin collection.

Big mistake. Huge.

Because MJ, being a sponge for knowledge and possibly chaos, took that advice and ran with it like he was being chased by zombies in a "Thriller" remake. Soon after, he found out that ATV Music, the publishing company that owned most of the Beatles' songs, was up for grabs.

So what did Michael do?

He pulled out his sparkly checkbook and bought it. For a cool \$47.5 million.

To put that in perspective, that’s like walking into your friend’s house, admiring their couch, and then buying the entire living room. With them still sitting in it. The Beatles’ catalog included classics like “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” and “Let It Be.” All of them? Owned by Michael. And yes, that included the ones McCartney wrote.

The industry gasped. Paul reportedly did too.

A savvy moonwalker

Many saw this as betrayal. But MJ didn’t see it that way. Business was business, and he had just made one of the most gangster moves in music history. What’s even crazier is that no one expected it. This was a man known for white socks and high notes, not hostile takeovers.

But Jackson knew what he was doing. He wasn’t just buying songs—he was buying leverage, longevity, and generational wealth. And the cherry on top? Every time someone played or covered a Beatles hit, Michael got paid. Somewhere out there, he was probably humming “Can’t Buy Me Love” while checking royalty statements.

Sony enters the chat

The story doesn’t end there. In the ‘90s, Sony came knocking. They wanted a piece of the action, and Michael, ever the businessman, agreed to a joint venture. Thus, Sony/ATV Music Publishing was born. Sony brought in cash. Michael brought in The Beatles. Guess who came out on top?

Jackson retained 50% ownership and kept earning from the massive catalog, which now included artists like Bob Dylan, Elvis, and even Taylor Swift’s early works at one point. So yeah, MJ basically owned a chunk of everyone’s childhood playlist.

The man wasn’t just an entertainer. He was a quiet empire builder in a fedora.

Loafers of legend

Throughout all of this—boardroom meetings, contract negotiations, industry drama—Michael didn’t need a tie or a Wall Street vibe. He slid into rooms with a whispery voice, a glove, and loafers that had more shine than most people’s futures.

And those loafers? They were doing the moonwalk right over industry norms. Because let’s be real: who else can dominate the charts *and* the boardroom wearing dance shoes?

The legacy lives on

By the time of his passing in 2009, Michael’s music business empire was estimated to be worth over a billion dollars, thanks in large part to the Sony/ATV deal. Even in death, his estate continued to profit from that one move he made decades earlier, when he decided to stop being just the artist—and start being the owner.

And that’s the part the industry still whispers about. The kid from Gary, Indiana didn’t just become the biggest pop star in history—he became one of the smartest business minds the music world had ever seen.

So the next time you hear “Beat It,” just remember: while Michael was dancing across your TV screen, he was also dancing through your favorite artists’ publishing rights. Smooth criminal, indeed.