Released as the seventh and final single from Michael Jackson's 1987 album Bad, "Smooth Criminal" arrived in late 1988 to cap off a decade of dominance.
The part of Michael's BAD World Tour stop in Landover, Maryland in 1988 that still gets me isn't the choreography. Midway through Smooth Criminal, a dancer's spit accessory popped loose, and Michael caught it on the fly…
Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal BAD Tour 1988
The best part of the Smooth Criminal behind-the-scenes material isn't the choreography. It's Michael cracking up while Brandon Adams does an impression of him. That laugh is the whole reason to watch, honestly.
Michael Jackson laughing at Brandon Adams Smooth Criminal
Michael initially mapped out a Western theme for the Smooth Criminal short film before flipping the script on that concept at the very last minute. It really shows how fluid his creative direction could be right before…
Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal theme change
That lean in Smooth Criminal has no business looking as effortless as it does. MTV gave the short film its premiere 38 years ago, and Colin Chilvers was the one in the director's chair. The whole thing anchors MJ's…
Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal short film
Ronaldo actually pulling that Smooth Criminal vibe
Ronaldo Smooth Criminal moment
Messi and Mbappe actually hit that Smooth Criminal vibe
Messi Mbappe Smooth Criminal
That Michael Jackson just hit six tracks in Spotify's Billions Club, which is wild. The list includes Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Thriller, Rock With You, and Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough.
The anti gravity lean in Smooth Criminal looks like pure magic on screen, body perfectly straight, fedora staying put. But MJ wasn't about to let it stay a camera trick; he wanted stadium crowds to see that same…
Michael Jackson anti gravity lean explained
Blue Gangsta MJ is confirmed to have the Smooth Criminal vocals, strings, guitar and bass.
Blue Gangsta MJ Smooth Criminal elements
Referencing Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal
Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal
The moment Michael Jackson debuted his first anti-gravity lean and changed live performance forever. The first time Michael Jackson leaned forward in “Smooth Criminal,” it looked less like a dance move and more like…
Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal anti-gravity lean
Michael Jackson turned the sold out Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany into a stage for absolute cinema during the HIStory World Tour. His Smooth Criminal entrance was pure theater. He arrived as the Smooth Criminal…
Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal Munich
Jonathan Moffett is Michael Jackson's drummer and he performs Smooth Criminal. In a past statement, Michael Jackson said his bass player makes mistakes, his guitar player makes mistakes, and he makes mistakes sometimes,…
Jonathan Moffett plays Smooth Criminal
Michael Jackson's rehearsal for "Smooth Criminal" is compared to the final result.
Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal rehearsal vs Results
Jonathan Moffett, Michael Jackson's drummer, plays "Smooth Criminal." Jackson once said, "My bass player makes a mistake, my guitar player makes a mistake, I make mistakes sometimes, but Sugarfoot never makes a mistake."
Jonathan Moffett Smooth Criminal
