
Magazine publishers know a surefire way to move issues in this economy is to put Michael Jackson on the cover and GQ is no exception. The magazine features Michael on its upcoming September 2009 issue with the tagline "When Michael Was Cool." Former Def Jam exec. and ex-beau of Michael's sister Janet, Jermaine Dupri, took umbrage to backhanded compliment to the late King of Pop.
"HOT COVER WACK AZZ TITLE. SEE THIS IS THE SHIT THAT PISSES ME OFF PEOPLE WANNA USE THIS MAN TO MAKE THEM MONEY BUT CONTINUE TO THROW LIL SNEAK DISSES. AS FAR AS ANY FAN WOULD SAY, HE WAS COOL HIS WHOLE LIFE. I SAY THAT BECAUSE THE FANS ARE THE ONES THAT’S GONNA MAKE THIS COVER SELL 3 TIMES MORE MAGAZINES THAN THE LAST ONE SO WHY TITLE IT THIS?"
I happen to agree with JD. Members of the media have been talking slick about Michael for years; the sly criticism and denial of his musical and philanthropic contributions has increased exponentially since his passing. I for one, intend fire off a letter to the editor at GQ. (I write a lot of letters, both positive and negative, to a lot of companies; some companies ignore you, but you would be surprised at the responses I have gotten.) I think it is ridiculous the story would repeat the completely unfounded claims of Ian Halperin as well as shore up Martin Bashir's Satan-like deceptive journalistic tactics.