release day

March 10th, 1990

At 1:00 pm

It was still dark out, the streets were quiet, and the cold air cut through the silence like a knife. But for Joe, there was no place he'd rather be than right here, sitting in front of a record store in Los Angeles, huddled under a small tent with snacks and a blanket. His excitement had kept him awake all night, and now, with the break of dawn just a few hours away, he was one of the first in line to get his hands on Michael Jackson's new single.

He wasn't alone for long. By 4:00 AM, there were at least 50 people gathered outside the store. The crowd had started to grow from the original few die-hard fans, now swelling with excitement and anticipation. It felt like history was being made, and these fans—Joe among them—were there to witness it.

Joe was a devoted Michael Jackson fan. He had been one ever since he was a kid, from the days of Thriller to Bad. Now, years later, after such a long wait for new music, the moment had finally arrived. He had camped out with the hopes of getting the single before anyone else. The world had been hungry for Michael Jackson's return, and this was it—the first time in three years. The rumors, the whispers, the stories—they were all about to culminate in something big.

"Man, can you believe this?" one fan said, shivering in the cold as he passed by Joe's tent.

Joe grinned. "You know it, man. Been waiting for this for way too long. Michael's about to take over again."

"Exactly. I've been a fan since Thriller," another fan added, wrapping their arms around themselves. "This is gonna be massive."

As the sun started to rise, the crowd continued to grow. Fans were buzzing about Michael's return, discussing how the industry had been waiting for this moment. It wasn't just about the music—it was about Michael Jackson. Everyone wanted to see what he had in store.

Joe, already tired but filled with anticipation, checked his watch. The store would open soon, and he couldn't wait to get his hands on the new single.

Finally, the doors of the record store creaked open, and a few employees stepped out. The line outside quickly surged forward, eager to claim their copy. Joe, knowing he'd been first in line, made his way to the front of the store. He handed over his $10 to the storekeeper, eager to get the DVD that was now in high demand.

"Thank you, sir," the shopkeeper said, handing Joe the new Michael Jackson single on DVD. Joe carefully held the disc in his hands. He knew that in a few moments, he would be able to witness the magic that had been hyped up for months.

He couldn't help but grin as he looked at the cover. Michael's face stared back at him, his iconic image still glowing with an undeniable charm.

---

Joe quickly packed up his tent and sleeping bag, tossing everything into his car. He couldn't contain his excitement. This was the day he had waited for—the day Michael Jackson would release his new music. He got into his car, the DVD safe in his bag, and made the drive home.

Joe barely took the time to get comfortable as he plopped down onto his couch. He slid the DVD into his player and sat back. The TV screen blinked to life, and immediately, Michael Jackson's face appeared on the screen. The intro was playful, light, almost comedic as Michael sang with a smile on his face, adding a touch of his signature charm. For a moment, it felt like the old Michael—the one everyone had missed.

But then, something happened.

About a minute into the video, the beat changed abruptly. At first, Joe didn't understand what was happening. It was as if the video was on fast forward, moving into something darker, something more intense. The mood shifted in an instant.

The visuals blurred for a moment, before suddenly revealing a scene with people hanging from trees. Joe blinked, confused, but then his eyes locked on a familiar figure in the middle of the shot.

It was Tupac.

Joe nearly jumped off the couch. His eyes widened in shock. He immediately reached for the remote and paused the video, his hand shaking. He couldn't believe it.

Tupac? On a Michael Jackson video?

Joe sat there, staring at the screen. There was no mistaking it—the man on the screen had the unmistakable half-gold, half-black hair that had quickly become Tupac's signature look.

"What the hell?" Joe muttered, pressing play again. He didn't know why, but he couldn't stop himself from watching.

As the video continued, Tupac's flow took over the track. The beat was heavy, fierce, and Tupac rapped with ferocity—his voice cutting through the music like a blade. The video was dark and intense, matching the energy of his verses.

Joe sat in stunned silence as Tupac's presence on the song became impossible to ignore. He had seen Tupac's name everywhere recently. He was already a household name, a rising star in the rap world. In just a year, Tupac Shakur had gone from a relatively unknown artist to being at the forefront of the music scene.

But this?

Joe couldn't help but think back to the times when he and his friends used to dismiss Tupac's music. It wasn't that they didn't respect him, but they didn't take him as seriously as they did other artists. He was the new guy in rap—a young voice among giants. Now, hearing Tupac on a song with Michael Jackson, Joe realized just how wrong he'd been.

The verses Tupac spit were full of messages—raw, real, and cutting straight to the heart of the problems he saw in the world. Joe could feel the weight of his words. Every line Tupac rapped hit hard, like punches to the gut.

---

[Verse]

You ever seen a nigga hung with a gold chain?

I'd rather sing about the same things that we claim

Such is bashful, but niggas like a task force

Mobbin' on the streets and robbin' stores in ski masks, bruh

Niggas ask for peace in a riot, then bring violence

'Cause it's a game of cat and mouse and you gon' bleed silent

What's the justice in sayin', "Fuck it," and grab the pump?

Then kill a woman with many children? Makes you a chump

Look in all the stores you wreckin', nigga, I reckon

Think about the people who own it for 'bout a second

I know you got your problems, but brother, they got theirs

This is not a gang, quit violence and grow a pair

But sure, you'd rather hear me say, "Fuck the Black prejudice

Let's murder different races, grow hatred, and form irrelevant

Views," and etcetera, knives thrown

Damage 'em, lives blown, oblivion, all cold, oblivious

I won't dare say that you should stop the fuckin' ignorance

Murder opps, killin' shit, I'd enjoy the thrill of it

Bathe in blood of officers, different corpses, offin' 'em

Auction 'em, don't you bark at 'em, murder 'em, never heard of 'em

I could preach the peace but say, "Fuck it," and preach the murder

'Cause this ain't fuckin' life that we livin', go 'head and grab the extension

Give Death another one, uncle, cousin, brother, son

Glory to all the chosen ones that will rid you of innocence

But in a sense, innocent will soon behold the ignorance

Blasphemous, killin' our own, murderin' Black

Joe had never expected this. He had always thought of Michael Jackson as a pop star—untouchable and larger-than-life. And he had always respected Tupac, but he hadn't fully understood just how deep his music ran.

As the video played on, Joe couldn't deny it: Tupac had taken over this song.

Even though Michael was still in the mix, there was no question—Tupac had overshadowed him. The shift in the beat, the energy Tupac brought, and the powerful message in his rap made it clear.

Joe laughed nervously, shaking his head in disbelief. "I didn't see that coming," he said out loud to no one. He knew Michael had been teasing his comeback, but what Joe didn't realize was just how much Tupac's addition would make waves.

As the video ended, Joe sat back, still processing what he had just witnessed. He felt a surge of admiration for Tupac. Not only had he held his own alongside a pop legend, but he had eclipsed Michael in a way that nobody had expected.

Tupac was changing the game, and this collaboration was proof of it.

---

To be continued…

Author notes

If you guys want to listen Tupac part than go to YouTube: Tupac: riot (ai cover) by xxxtenction. Were in the video of look at me song xxxtenction surprise his fan when he rap riot as a surprise song. I got the inspired by that. The moment I say 100 power stone you guys give me fast. For that four chapters coming buuuut you know I am still going torture I am releasing all the chapter after two hours gap.

End