BTS and Michael Jackson Tribute Project Rumors: The Truth Behind the Controversy
Rumors of BTS recording a lost Michael Jackson song were quickly debunked by the late singer's team shortly after the news emerged. Studio owner Paddy Dunning initially claimed that BTS had completed vocals for a track written by Jackson in 2006 during his time at Grouse Lodge in Ireland. The song was said to be part of a tribute project featuring unreleased Jackson tracks and a documentary exploring his time in Ireland, with alleged support from Michael Jackson's Estate. However, the MJ Online Team directly refuted these claims, leading to backlash from fans who criticized the situation as "embarrassing."
Following the controversy, supporters of BTS defended the group, highlighting that the misinformation was not spread by the members themselves. BIGHIT MUSIC released a statement on August 5 clarifying that BTS is not involved in the Michael Jackson tribute project and has not visited Grouse Lodge Studio in Ireland, the rumored recording location. The label emphasized their commitment to preventing the spread of false reports and expressed gratitude to fans while reaffirming their support for BTS and their artistic endeavors.
Since Michael Jackson's passing in 2009, his estate, managed by executives like John Branca and John McClain, has been cautious about posthumous releases to protect Jackson's artistic legacy and financial interests. The estate has authorized significant projects like This Is It and Xscape, generating substantial revenue. Notably, the estate has taken legal action against unauthorized works, such as a lawsuit filed against Disney in 2018 for an ABC special that used Jackson's material without permission, underscoring their vigilance in safeguarding Jackson's name and music.
With BIGHIT MUSIC denying any involvement and the estate maintaining silence on the matter, any speculation about a BTS track on a Michael Jackson tribute album has been definitively dispelled.