Album: Dangerous

Introduction
"Dangerous" is the 8th studio album by American vocalist Michael Jackson, released on November 26, 1991 by Epic Records. The album, co-produced by Jackson and Bill Bottrell, marked a considerable departure from previous projects, with the King of Pop accepting a new musical direction. Influenced by contemporary R&B, hip hop, and brand-new jack swing, "Dangerous" displayed a darker and edgier noise, while still maintaining Jackson's signature pop perceptiveness.

The album, which was tape-recorded between June 1989 and October 1991, saw Jackson dealing with a varied group of collaborators like Teddy Riley, Bryan Loren, and Bill Bottrell, moving away from his veteran collaboration with Quincy Jones. "Dangerous" was an industrial success, selling over 32 million copies around the world and generating a shocking nine songs which charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Concept and Themes
"Dangerous" explores numerous themes like love, racial inequality, and social issues. The album cover, developed by Mark Ryden, portrays Jackson next to an array of circus and vaudeville images; it symbolizes the concept of Jackson as the ultimate entertainer, representing numerous home entertainment acts and efficiencies. The album art also includes African tribal figures, portraits of cultural icons, and pictures of animals, conveying the message of unity and the celebration of global variety.

Lyrically, the album touches on various elements of relationships and individual battles. Tracks like "In the Closet", "Remember the Time", and "Give in to Me" delve into the dynamics of love and desire, while "Will You Be There" explores themes of relationship and support. Jackson likewise deals with racial and societal concerns in tunes like "Black or White", "Heal the World", and the ecological anthem "Earth Song".

Musical Style and Production
"Dangerous" marked a notable shift in Jackson's musical design, owing to his work with producer Teddy Riley. The album draws from a variety of categories like new jack swing, R&B, hip hop, funk, and gospel, mixing them with Jackson's signature pop sound. This fresh approach was evident in the album's lead single, "Black or White", which incorporated hip-hop beats with rock guitar riffs.

Jackson likewise experiments with darker, more commercial noises on tracks like "Jam" and "Who Is It", whereas "Heal the World" and "Will You Be There" display his ballad-writing expertise. The album's varied production is additional reinforced by the contributions of Bryan Loren, Bill Bottrell, and Bruce Swedien, who worked closely with Jackson to achieve this innovative noise.

Business Performance and Legacy
Upon its release, "Dangerous" debuted at primary on the Billboard 200, selling over 350,000 copies in its very first week. The album produced various chart-topping songs, including "Black or White", "Remember the Time", "In the Closet", "Jam", "Heal the World", "Who Is It", "Give in to Me", "Will You Be There", and "Gone Too Soon". With over 32 million copies offered globally, "Dangerous" is one of the best-selling albums of all time.

In addition to its commercial success, "Dangerous" received prevalent critical acclaim for its ingenious noise and brave expedition of social and personal styles. The album earned Jackson a number of awards, consisting of the Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album. In retrospect, "Dangerous" is typically hailed as a pivotal point in Jackson's profession and of 1990s popular music, affecting numerous artists and forming the sound of pop and R&B in the decades to follow.