Xscape (album)

Xscape is the second posthumous album by American singer Michael Jackson, composed of previously unreleased tracks that were recorded between 1983 and 1999. It was released on May 9, 2014 by Epic Records, MJJ Music and Sony Music Entertainment, and is the tenth release by Sony and/or Motown since Jackson's death on June 25, 2009. L.A. Reid, chairman of Epic Records, curated and served as executive producer for the album enlisting Timbaland to lead a team of record producers, including StarGate, Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, John McClain, and Rodney Jerkins, to remix and contemporize the eight selected tracks. Jerkins produced the title song and is the only original song producer to work on the final productions.

Xscape
Cover for deluxe version of the album uses the same photograph but against a golden background.
Compilation album by Michael Jackson
Released	May 9, 2014 (2014-05-09)
Recorded	1983–1999 (original songs) 2013–2014 (reworked songs)
Genre	Pop[1] funk R&B[2]
Length	34:25
Label	MJJ Epic Sony
Producer	Michael Jackson Paul Anka Kenneth Edmonds Dr. Freeze Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon Rodney Jerkins Daniel Jones King Solomon Logan Cory Rooney Stargate Timbaland Giorgio Tuinfort
Michael Jackson chronology
Bad 25 (2012) Xscape (2014) Scream (2017)
Singles from Xscape
"Love Never Felt So Good" Released: May 2, 2014 "A Place with No Name" Released: August 12, 2014

The standard version of Xscape features eight tracks, each reworked between 2013 and 2014, whilst the deluxe version also includes the original versions of the songs which were recorded between 1983 and 1999, a bonus track and two videos. Xscape was promoted across the Sony group of companies; Sony Mobile used a snippet of "Slave to the Rhythm" in their advertising campaign for the Xperia Z2 mobile phone. A Pepper's ghost illusion of Jackson performed "Slave to the Rhythm" at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards in May 2014.[3]

Xscape debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was preceded by the release of its lead single, "Love Never Felt So Good", which included a newly recorded version featuring Justin Timberlake. It was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number nine. A second single, "A Place with No Name" was released later that year. Xscape was generally well received by critics and would go on to be certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Background

Officially announced on March 31, 2014, Xscape features 8 tracks which were originally recorded between 1983 and 1999.[4][5][6] It is the second such album of posthumous material to be released by Epic Records since Jackson's death in 2009.[7] The title track "Xscape" was recorded in 1999 for Jackson's tenth studio album Invincible.[8] American producer Timbaland and Epic Records chairman and CEO L.A. Reid executively produced the album,[9] with additional production from Rodney Jerkins, StarGate and John McClain.[10] Timbaland said that Reid had personally approached the producer at his home to discuss the new Jackson project.[11] Jesse Johnson, former lead guitarist of the American band The Time revealed that he had worked on elements of one song that featured Mary J. Blige, Questlove, and D'Angelo.[12] However, the track failed to be included in the final track listing of the album. To this day it is unknown what song it would've been. Reid said that they wanted to honor Jackson's legacy when naming the album, "the title of this album (Xscape) honors Michael's album naming process. He always chose a song from the album to name his projects and, beginning with Thriller, used only one word titles, each with an edgy quality to them (Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory and Invincible). This is true of the new project."[13]

Recording history

"Love Never Felt So Good" was co-written by Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka[14] and was originally recorded in 1983 as a demo with Anka on the piano. The song was also recorded by American entertainer Johnny Mathis.[15] A duet version of the song with Justin Timberlake was recorded and released as a single – the duet version of the song features percussion and breaths from Jackson's 1979 song "Workin' Day And Night".

"Chicago" (originally called "She Was Lovin' Me") was recorded in 1999 but failed to make the Invincible album.

"Loving You" was recorded in 1985 before the Bad sessions started.

"A Place With No Name" was written and recorded in 1998. The track resembles "A Horse with No Name," a hit song by American rock band America. A 24-second snippet was leaked online by TMZ in July 2009 and a full version was leaked in December 2013.[16]

"Slave to the Rhythm" was recorded during the Dangerous sessions in 1990. A Tricky Stewart remix version leaked on the internet in 2010, which was intended for the first posthumous album, Michael. Justin Bieber also recorded a "duet version" featured with Jackson's vocals, which was leaked in August 2013. The Michael Jackson Estate afterwards stated that they had not authorized the release of this recording.[17]

"Do You Know Where Your Children Are" was written and recorded during the "Bad" sessions. However, the song was later picked up and reworked for the Dangerous album but did not make the cut. The version appearing on Xscape was recorded in 1986.

"Blue Gangsta" was written and recorded in 1998 but failed to make the Invincible album. Rapper Tempamental remixed the song without Jackson's permission and made it available on his MySpace web page in late 2006. The remix titled "Gangsta (No Friend of Mine)" featured Pras of the Fugees.[18]

"Xscape" was written and recorded in 1999 during his Invincible album recording sessions but failed to make the album. The song was completed in 2001 and leaked on the internet the following year. The tune has been given a modern spin by its original producer, Rodney Jerkins, and features samples of "You Rock My World", a song recorded in the same era as "Invincible".

Promotion and singles

Two official singles, "Love Never Felt So Good" and "A Place with No Name", were released from Xscape. "Slave to the Rhythm" was the first song announced for the album, and appeared on several notable music charts due to digital downloads and streaming. "Loving You" was released as a promotional single to UK radios.

In February 2014, Sony and Jackson's estate announced a partnership with Sony Mobile that saw the release of an ad incorporating a new version of the track "Slave to the Rhythm", which was confirmed as one of the album tracks.[19] The commercial advertisement was for Sony Mobile's Xperia Z2 mobile phone.[20] The album had been aired to the UK media in the basement of a Knightsbridge hotel on March 31, 2014. The journalists were permitted to hear the album once without any electronic devices, and song titles were kept secret.[21] The entertainment correspondents for some UK media, such as Sky News,[22] London Evening Standard,[21] The Daily Telegraph,[23] Mixmag,[24] The Guardian[25] and Digital Spy[26] were invited.

On April 30, it was revealed that "Love Never Felt So Good" would be unveiled at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on May 1 as the album's first single, contradicting statements by Timbaland that suggested that "Chicago" would be released first.[11] It was co-written by Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka,[14] and features Justin Timberlake.[27] "Love Never Felt So Good" was previously recorded by American entertainer Johnny Mathis.[15] The digital download for the single became available on iTunes at 0:01 EDT on May 2, 2014 for the album version and the duet version with Justin Timberlake.[28] The release date of the single to urban radio stations confirmed as May 6, 2014.[29] On May 4, the track "Chicago" became available to Music Unlimited subscribers, being followed by "Loving You", "A Place with No Name", "Slave to the Rhythm", and "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" in the succeeding days.[30]

The Xscape standard and Deluxe Editions were available for pre-order beginning April 1 on iTunes.com/MichaelJackson and elsewhere, and available at all retailers worldwide on May 13.[31]

A Pepper's ghost[3] illusion of Michael Jackson performed "Slave to the Rhythm" at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards on May 18, 2014. The performance was choreographed by the Talauega brothers and was directed by Jamie King.[32] A day after the coverage, the "live" performance of "Slave to the Rhythm" was uploaded to Michael Jackson's VEVO YouTube channel.[33]

Following the success of "Love Never Felt So Good" on the Billboard Hot 100, the song rocketed into the iTunes Top 5 in the US, peaking at #1 in 17 countries and landing in the Top 5 in 67 countries around the world, within 24 hours of release. "Love Never Felt So Good" marks Jackson's 49th Hot 100 entry and it made multiple debuts on various radio formats charts.[34] Jackson became the first solo artist to have a single reach the top 10 in Six different decades, (1960's 70's 80's 90's 2000's & 10's).[35] "Slave to the Rhythm", which debuted at number 45 on the Billboard charts, was Jackson's 50th Hot 100 hit.[36]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	66/100[37]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[38]
Consequence of Sound	C[39]
The Guardian	[40]
Los Angeles Times	[41]
Rolling Stone	[42]
Slant Magazine	[43]
The Sydney Morning Herald	[44]
The Independent	[45]
Billboard	90/100 [46]
Entertainment Weekly	B[47]

Xscape has a score of 66 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 22 critics, indicating generally favorable reviews.[37] Prior to the album release, Xscape was played for critics at exclusive album listening parties in New York City.[48] Bernadette McNulty from The Daily Telegraph praised the album as "pristine", noting the "front-and-center presence of Jackson's voice in the mix".[23] Michael Cragg from The Guardian said Xscape feels "like an album created to showcase a handful of Jackson songs that on the whole deserve to be heard".[25] Richard Suchet from Sky News thought the album "sound[ed] more like modern-day remixes".[22] Nick Stevenson from Mixmag asserted that the album was "more like a collection of B-sides from Off the Wall than a follow-up to Invincible".[24] Michael Arceneaux from Ebony said "the upcoming project 'from' the late singer sounds like a recipe for legacy tarnishing".[49] Elysa Gardner of USA Today said that the producers on the album "ensure that Jackson's enduring strengths as a singer are represented, layering in modern electronic textures without overwhelming the distinctly slinky, shivery vocals or overall structure of the tunes."[50] Other critics suggested the product was just a way to promote Sony smartphones,[51] and had questions about the songwriting and production,[52] or with the singing.[53][54] Jackson fan Nekesa Mumbi Moody, writing for Yahoo, said that much of the album had a dated feel, with "A Place with No Name" having poor lyrics and sound. She concluded that "putting out music that falls below Jackson's standards detracts from the carefully constructed catalog he spent decades creating and protecting."[55]

Commercial performance

Xscape became Jackson's tenth UK number-one album after it debuted atop the UK Albums Chart with 47,764 first-week sales.[56][57] Currently, sales of the album in the UK stand at 135,500 copies and has been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry. The album also debuted at number one in Belgium, Denmark, France, and Spain.[58] It debuted at number two on the US Billboard charts with first-week sales of 157,000 copies in the United States.[59] In its second week of sales, the album sold 67,000 more copies. In its third week it sold 35,000 copies bringing its total sales to 259,000 copies.[60] In its fourth week, it sold a little more than 25,000 copies,[61] and the fifth week it sold a little less than 25,000 copies.[62] The album has sold 459,000 copies in the US as of January 2015.[63]

In Canada, the album debuted at number three on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 12,000 copies.[64]

Track listing

Xscape – Standard version (catalog number 88843053662)[65]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Love Never Felt So Good" (recorded 1983)	Michael Jackson Paul Anka	Jackson John McClain Giorgio Tuinfort Anka	3:54
2.	"Chicago" (recorded in 1999, during the "Invincible" sessions)	Jackson Cory Rooney	Timbaland Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b] Rooney^[b]	4:05
3.	"Loving You" (recorded in 1985, before the "Bad" sessions)	Jackson	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b]	3:15
4.	"A Place with No Name" (recorded in 1998, during the "Invincible" sessions)	Jackson Lee Martin Bunnell Elliot Straite	Stargate Jackson^[b] Dr. Freeze^[b]	5:35
5.	"Slave to the Rhythm" (recorded in 1990, during the "Dangerous" sessions)	Antonio Reid Kenneth Edmonds Daryl Simmons Kevin Roberson	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Reid^[b] Babyface^[b]	4:15
6.	"Do You Know Where Your Children Are" (recorded in 1986 during the "Bad" sessions)	Jackson	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b]	4:36
7.	"Blue Gangsta" (recorded in 1998 – 1999, during the "Invincible" sessions)	Jackson Straite	King Solomon Logan Daniel Jones Timbaland Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b] Dr. Freeze^[b]	4:14
8.	"Xscape" (recorded in 1999 – 2000 & late 2001, during the "Invincible" sessions)	Jackson Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels	Darkchild Jackson^[b]	4:04
Total length:				34:25

Xscape – Sony Xperia Lounge bonus track[66]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
9.	"Chicago" (Papercha$er Remix)	Rooney,Jackson	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b] Rooney^[b]	4:19
Total length:				38:44

Xscape – Deluxe Edition (catalog number 88843066762)[67]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
9.	"Love Never Felt So Good" (original version) (recorded in 1983)	Jackson Anka	Jackson Anka	3:19
10.	"Chicago" (original version) (recorded in 1999 during the "Invincible" sessions)	Rooney, Michael Jackson	Jackson Rooney	4:43
11.	"Loving You" (original version) (recorded in 1985 before the "Bad" sessions)	Jackson	Jackson	3:02
12.	"A Place with No Name" (original version) (recorded in 1998 during the "Invincible" sessions)	Jackson Bunnell Straite	Jackson Dr. Freeze	4:55
13.	"Slave to the Rhythm" (original version) (recorded in 1990 during the "Dangerous" sessions)	Reid Edmonds Simmons Roberson	Reid Babyface	4:35
14.	"Do You Know Where Your Children Are" (original version) (recorded in 1986 during the "Bad" sessions)	Jackson	Jackson	4:39
15.	"Blue Gangsta" (original version) (recorded in 1998-1999 during the "Invincible" sessions)	Jackson Straite	Jackson Dr. Freeze	4:16
16.	"Xscape" (original version) (recorded in 1999-2000 & late 2001 during the "Invincible" sessions))	Jackson R. Jerkins F. Jerkins III Daniels	Jackson Darkchild	5:44
17.	"Love Never Felt So Good" (featuring Justin Timberlake)	Jackson Anka	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Timberlake^[a] Jackson^[b] Anka^[b] Paugam	4:05
Total length:				73:43

Xscape – Deluxe Edition bonus DVD

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Xscape Documentary"	23:21
2.	"Xscape Documentary Outtakes"	2:40
Total length:		25:57

Xscape – Vinyl (catalog number 88843053661)[68]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Love Never Felt So Good"	Michael Jackson Paul Anka	Jackson John McClain Giorgio Tuinfort Anka	3:54
2.	"Chicago"	Cory Rooney, Michael Jackson	Timbaland Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b] Rooney^[b]	4:05
3.	"Loving You"	Jackson	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b]	3:15
4.	"A Place with No Name"	Jackson Lee Martin Bunnell Elliot Straite	Stargate Jackson^[b] Dr. Freeze^[b]	5:35
5.	"Slave to the Rhythm"	Antonio Reid Kenneth Edmonds Daryl Simmons Kevin Roberson	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Reid^[b] Babyface^[b]	4:15
6.	"Do You Know Where Your Children Are"	Jackson	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b]	4:36
7.	"Blue Gangsta"	Jackson Straite	King Solomon Logan Daniel Jones Timbaland Harmon^[a] Jackson^[b] Dr. Freeze^[b]	4:14
8.	"Xscape"	Jackson Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels	Darkchild Jackson^[b]	4:04
9.	"Love Never Felt So Good" (featuring Justin Timberlake)	Jackson Anka	Timbaland Harmon^[a] Timberlake^[a] Jackson^[b] Anka^[b] Paugam	4:05
Total length:				38:30

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer
• ^{^[b]} signifies a vocal producer

Personnel

Adapted from album's liner notes.[69]

• Michael Jackson – lead and background vocals, producer (1, 9-12, 14-16), vocal producer (2-4, 6-8, 17)
• Dayna Anderson – violin (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Paul Anka – producer and original piano (track 1), piano (9), vocal producer (17)
• Babyface – vocal producer (track 5), producer and keyboards (13)
• Paul Bailey – assistant engineer (tracks 3, 6)
• Cheryl Banks – production coordination
• Davis Barnett – viola (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Michelle Bishop – violin (tracks 5-7)
• Adam Blackstone — bass (track 17)
• Bill Bottrell — engineer (track 14)
• John Branca – executive producer
• Stuart Brawley — engineer and second engineer (track 16)
• Greg Burns — second engineer (tracks 12, 16)
• Jeff Burns — second engineer (tracks 12, 15, 16)
• Brad Buxer — keyboards (track 15)
• Demacio "Demo" Castellon – engineer (tracks 6, 17), mixing (17)
• Jeff Chestek – engineer (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Vadim Chislov – assistant engineer (tracks 6, 17), assistant mixing (17)
• Eliza Cho – violin (tracks 5-7)
• Cody Cichowski — assistant engineer (track 17)
• Nina Cottman — viola (track 17)
• LaShawn Daniels – background vocals (tracks 8, 16)
• Arlia de Ruiter – violin (track 1)
• Eddie Delena — engineer (track 12)
• Jeroen de Rijk – percussion (track 1)
• C.J. DeVillar — bass and assistant engineer (track 12), engineer (15)
• Alex DeYoung – assistant engineer (track 1)
• Chris Desmond — engineer (track 11)
• John Doelp – associate producer
• Guillame Combet — violin (track 17)
• Mike Donaldson – engineer and additional vocal editing (track 8)
• Craig Durrance — second engineer (track 16)
• Eric — drums and percussion (track 15)
• Sean Erick — horns (track 17)
• Mikkel S. Eriksen – producer, engineer, and instrumentation (track 4)
• Blake Espy – violin (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Mike Daddy Evans – production coordination
• Glenn Fischbach — cello (track 17)
• Matt Forger — engineer (tracks 11, 14)
• Rick Frazier – production coordination
• Dr. Freeze – vocal producer (tracks 4, 7), producer and background vocals (12, 15), synths, horns, and meows (15)
• Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering (tracks 1-8, 17)
• Humberto Gatica — engineer (track 12)
• Brad Gilderman — engineer (track 16)
• Mike Ging — engineer (tracks 12, 15)
• Chris Godbey – engineer (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 17), mixing (2, 3, 5-7, 17)
• Larry Gold – string arrangements (tracks 5-8, 17)
• Franny Graham — second engineer (track 16)
• Bernie Grundman — mastering (tracks 9-16)
• Fredrik Strand Halland – guitar (track 8)
• Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon – co-producer (tracks 2, 3, 5-7), producer (17)
• Trehy Harris – mixing (track 8)
• Harvey — percussion (track 16)
• Tor Erik Hermansen – producer and instrumentation (track 4)
• Jerry Hey – original horns (track 7), horns (15)
• Kevin Hissink – guitar (track 1)
• Mieke Honingh – violin (track 1)
• Jean-Marie Horvat — engineer (track 16)
• Norman Jansen – violin (track 1)
• Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins – producer (tracks 8, 16); vocal producer, engineer, and mixing (8); background vocals and mouth percussion (16)
• Perry Jimenez – assistant engineer (tracks 2, 5), engineer (7)
• Dan Johnson — second engineer (track 12)
• Brandon Jones – engineer (track 7)
• Daniel Jones – producer (track 7)
• Michael Jorgersen — violin (track 17)
• Jaycen Joshua – mixing (track 8)
• Julia Jowett – violin (track 1)
• Tommy Joyner — assistant engineer (track 17)
• A. Kilhoffer — second engineer (track 16)
• Jonathan Kim – viola (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Sarah Koch – violin (track 1)
• Wim Kok – violin (track 1)
• Rutger "Ruffi" Kroese – drum programming and assistant engineer (track 1)
• Emma Kummrow – violin (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Vera Laporeva – violin (track 1)
• Jennifer Lee — violin (track 17)
• Tamae Lee – violin (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Arend Liefkes – bass (track 1)
• Elisabeth Liefkes-Cats – violin (track 1)
• King Solomon Logan – producer (track 7)
• Jennie Lorenzo – cello (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Luigi Mazzocchi – violin (tracks 5-7)
• Steve McAuley — second engineer (track 16)
• John McClain – executive producer, producer (track 1)
• Paul McKenna — engineer (track 13)
• Ranaan L. Meyer – bass (tracks 5-7)
• Erica Miller – violin (tracks 5-7)
• Mo Horns – horns (track 8)
• Jesús Morales – cello (tracks 5-7)
• Greg Morgan – break editing & sound design (track 8)
• Cole Nystrom – assistant engineer (track 1)
• Adam Olmsted — assistant engineer (track 12), second engineer (15)
• Charles Parker – violin (tracks 5-7, 17)
• David Peijnenburg – violin (track 1)
• Dave Pensado – mixing (track 1)
• Karl Petersen – assistant engineer (tracks 5-7)
• Greg Phillinganes — Minimoog (track 15)
• Larry Phillabaum — second engineer (track 16)
• Paul Power – engineer (track 1)
• Antonio "L.A." Reid – vocal producer (track 5); producer, drums, and percussion (13); music coordinator
• Daniela Rivera – additional/assistant engineer (track 4)
• Kevin "Kayo" Roberson – bass (track 13)
• Cory Rooney – vocal producer (track 2), producer (10)
• Carlos Rubio – violin (tracks 5-7)
• Thom Russo — second engineer (track 13)
• Rafa Sardina — second engineer (track 15)
• Marcel Schimscheimer – bass (track 1)
• Leon Silva — horns (track 17)
• Renee Steffy-Warnick – viola (tracks 5-7)
• Bruce Swedien — engineer (tracks 13, 16)
• Tom Sweeney — second engineer (track 15)
• David Swope — assistant engineer (track 10)
• Phil Tan – mixing (track 4)
• Annie Tangberg – cello (track 1)
• Pauline Terlouw – violin (track 1)
• Timbaland – executive producer, producer (tracks 2, 3, 5-7, 17)
• Justin Timberlake — lead vocals (track 17)
• Steve Tirpak – copyist and assistant to string arranger (tracks 5-7, 17)
• Giorgio Tuinfort – producer, drum programming, and additional piano (track 1)
• Vera Van Der Bie – violin (track 1)
• Franck van der Heijden – orchestral arrangements and conductor (track 1)
• Bastiaan Van Der Werf – cello (track 1)
• Herman Van Haaren – violin (track 1)
• Mark Ward – cello (tracks 5-7)
• Dan Warner – guitar (tracks 2, 6, 17)
• Matt Weber – assistant mixing (tracks 2, 3, 5-7, 17)
• David Williams – original guitar solo (track 6), guitar solo (14)
• Kevin Williams — horns (track 17)
• Robb Williams — engineer (track 10)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2014) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[70] 2 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[71] 2 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[72] 1 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[73] 1 Canadian Albums (Billboard)[74] 3 Chinese Albums (Sino Chart)[75] 2 Croatian Albums (HDU)[76] 2 Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[77] 5 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[78] 1 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[79] 2 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[80] 5 French Albums (SNEP)[81] 1 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[82] 2 Greek Albums (IFPI)[83] 2 Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[84] 4 Irish Albums (IRMA)[85] 4 Italian Albums (FIMI)[86] 2 Japanese Albums (Oricon)[87] 4 Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)[88] 4 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[89] 3 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[90] 2 Polish Albums (ZPAV)[91] 4 Portuguese Albums (AFP)[92] 3 Scottish Albums (OCC)[93] 3 South African Albums (RISA)[94] 13 South Korean Albums (Gaon)[95] 6 South Korean International Albums (Gaon)[96] 1 Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[97] 1 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[98] 3 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[99] 2 UK Albums (OCC)[100] 1 US Billboard 200[101] 2 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[102] 1

Monthly charts Chart (2014) Peak position Argentine Monthly Albums (CAPIF)[103] 5 South Korean Albums (Gaon)[104] 16 South Korean International Albums (Gaon)[105] 2 Year-end charts Chart (2014) Position Australian Albums Chart[106] 66 Austrian Albums Chart[107] 56 Italian Albums Chart[108] 38 South Korean International Albums (Gaon)[109] 15 US Billboard 200[110] 36 US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[111] 7 US Billboard Top R&B Albums[112] 5

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[113]	Gold	35,000^^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[114]	Gold	7,500^*
Belgium (BEA)[115]	Gold	15,000^*
Canada (Music Canada)[116]	Gold	40,000^^
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[117]	Gold	10,000
France (SNEP)[118]	Platinum	100,000^*
Germany (BVMI)[119]	Gold	100,000^^
Italy (FIMI)[120]	Gold	25,000^*
Japan (RIAJ)[121]	Gold	100,000^^
Mexico (AMPROFON)[122]	Gold	30,000^^
Poland (ZPAV)[123]	Platinum	20,000^*
South Korea	—	12,224[124]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[125]	Gold	20,000^^
Sweden (GLF)[126]	Gold	20,000^^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[127]	Gold	10,000^^
United Kingdom (BPI)[128]	Gold	100,000^^
United States (RIAA)[129]	Gold	500,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format
Austria	May 9, 2014	Sony Music	CD digital download
Denmark
Germany[130]
Spain[131]
France[132]	May 12, 2014
United Kingdom[133]		Epic Records
Italy[134]	May 13, 2014	Sony Music
Canada[135]
United States[136]		Epic Records MJJ
Mexico[137]	May 21, 2014	Sony Music
Japan[138]		Sony Music Japan	CD
India[139]	May 12, 2014	Sony Music
Germany[140]	June 6, 2014		LP
United States[141]	June 10, 2014	Epic Records MJJ
China[142]	June 25, 2014	Sony Music China	CD

See also

• List of unreleased Michael Jackson material
• List of works published posthumously

References

1. Michael Jackson's Xscape Review – Flavorwire
2. Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (May 9, 2014). "Michael Jackson: Xscape - review". Financial Times. Retrieved December 31, 2019. plausible R&B and funk.
3. "Why Billboard Music Awards' Michael Jackson Can't Be Called a 'Hologram'". hollywoodreporter.com.
4. http://search.proquest.com/docview/1520241886
5. "XSCAPE: NEW ALBUM COMING MAY 13TH". michaeljackson.com. March 31, 2014. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
6. "New Michael Jackson album to be released in May". BBC News. 2014.
7. Chi, Chi. "Newsbeat – Michael Jackson new album Xscape: first listen". BBC. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
8. Farrar, Leah (October 18, 2011). "Michael Jackson new album Xscape release rumours". Glamour magazine. Archived from the original on April 5, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
9. http://search.proquest.com/docview/1521033395
10. Melissa Locker (March 31, 2014). "It's a Thriller: New Michael Jackson Songs Coming in May on Posthumous LP Xscape". time.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
11. Guardian music. "New Michael Jackson music to be produced by Timbaland". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
12. Wass, Mike (April 2, 2014). "Michael Jackson's 'Xscape' LP Will Contain A Song About Child Abuse & High-Profile Collabs". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
13. "XSCAPE-Long Awaited New Music From Michael Jackson – NEW YORK, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/". Prnewswire.com. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
14. Corner, Lewis (April 30, 2014). "Michael Jackson's New Single 'Love Never Felt So Good' Gets Premiere Date". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
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External links

• Official website