# Dangerous > 1991 studio album by Michael Jackson **Wikidata**: [Q44104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44104) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangerous_(Michael_Jackson_album)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dangerous ## Summary Dangerous is a 1991 studio album by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released on November 22, 1991, through Epic Records. It is Jackson's eighth studio album and represents a significant artistic evolution, blending pop, R&B, new jack swing, hip-hop, gospel, rock, and dance music genres. The album produced several hit singles, including "Black or White," "Heal the World," "Remember the Time," and "In the Closet," and is notable for its socially conscious themes and innovative musical production. ## Key Facts - **Album Title**: Dangerous - **Artist**: Michael Jackson - **Release Date**: November 22, 1991 - **Record Label**: Epic Records (founded 1953, owned by Sony Music, headquartered in Los Angeles, United States) - **Album Type**: Studio album - **Genre**: Pop music, rhythm and blues, new jack swing, hip-hop, gospel music, rock music, dance music - **Wikipedia Title**: Dangerous (Michael Jackson album) - **Sitelink Count**: 45 - **Position in Discography**: Eighth studio album in Michael Jackson's albums in chronological order ## FAQs **What record label released Dangerous?** Dangerous was released by Epic Records, an American record label founded in 1953 and owned by Sony Music. Epic Records is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, and has been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous successful artists across various genres including rock, pop, and hip-hop. **What are the notable songs on the Dangerous album?** The Dangerous album includes several notable tracks: "Black or White" (co-written and performed by Michael Jackson), "Heal the World" (written and composed by Michael Jackson, originally recorded and released in 1991), "Remember the Time" (co-written and performed by Michael Jackson), "In the Closet" (co-written and performed by Michael Jackson), "Jam" (co-written and performed by Michael Jackson), "Give In to Me" (original song co-written and performed by Michael Jackson), "Who Is It" (original song written, composed, and performed by Michael Jackson), "Will You Be There" (original song written and composed by Michael Jackson), and "Gone Too Soon" (originally written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan; first recorded by Michael Jackson). **What genres does Dangerous incorporate?** Dangerous incorporates multiple genres including pop music, rhythm and blues (a genre that originated within African-American communities in the 1940s), new jack swing (a music genre that began in 1985), hip-hop (rhythmic music accompanied by rhyming speech, originating in 1973), gospel music (a genre emphasizing Christian lyrics with roots dating to 1600), rock music (a popular music genre originating in 1948), and dance music (music intended to accompany dancing). **How does Dangerous fit into Michael Jackson's discography?** Dangerous is Michael Jackson's eighth studio album and part of his albums in chronological order as documented in Wikimedia's albums discography. The album followed his previous works and represented a continuation of his artistic evolution in the pop and R&B genres. **Why is Epic Records significant in the release of Dangerous?** Epic Records played a crucial role in releasing Dangerous as part of their diverse roster of artists. The label, owned by Sony Music, has been significant in the phonographic industry, launching careers of numerous successful artists including Michael Jackson, Shakira, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez, and Lostprophets. Their global reach and credibility contributed to the album's international success. ## Why It Matters Dangerous matters as a landmark album in Michael Jackson's career and in the broader music industry for several compelling reasons. First, it represents Jackson's continued dominance in the pop music landscape following his previous massive successes, demonstrating his ability to evolve musically while maintaining his signature sound. The album's release through Epic Records, one of the most influential American record labels founded in 1953 and owned by Sony Music, ensured maximum global distribution and promotional reach. The album's genre-blending approach was particularly significant, incorporating elements of new jack swing (which emerged in 1985), rhythm and blues, hip-hop, gospel, rock, and dance music. This fusion reflected the evolving musical landscape of the early 1990s and helped bridge different musical communities. The inclusion of socially conscious themes, particularly in songs like "Heal the World," demonstrated Jackson's increasing engagement with humanitarian issues, which would become a defining characteristic of his later work. Dangerous also showcased Jackson's collaborative efforts, with multiple tracks co-written and performed by the artist, demonstrating his continued involvement in the creative process. The album's commercial success and critical reception reinforced Jackson's status as one of the most influential figures in popular music history. The fact that it was released by Epic Records, a label with a rich history dating back to 1953 and a diverse roster spanning multiple genres, positioned the album within a legacy of musical innovation and commercial success. ## Notable For - **Release Date**: November 22, 1991, marking Michael Jackson's eighth studio album - **Genre Fusion**: Combines pop music, rhythm and blues, new jack swing, hip-hop, gospel music, rock music, and dance music - **Hit Singles**: Produced multiple chart-topping songs including "Black or White," "Heal the World," "Remember the Time," and "In the Closet" - **Record Label**: Released through Epic Records, one of America's most influential record labels founded in 1953 and owned by Sony Music - **Humanitarian Themes**: Features socially conscious content, particularly in "Heal the World," reflecting Jackson's engagement with global issues - **Artistic Evolution**: Represents Michael Jackson's continued musical evolution while maintaining his distinctive artistic identity - **Collaborative Production**: Multiple tracks co-written and performed by Michael Jackson, demonstrating his creative leadership ## Body ### Album Overview and Release Dangerous is a 1991 studio album by Michael Jackson, released on November 22, 1991, through Epic Records. As Jackson's eighth studio album, it continues his legacy of producing commercially successful and critically acclaimed music. The album was released during a period when Jackson was at the height of his career, and it served as a follow-up to his previous successful releases. The decision to release through Epic Records connected the album to one of the most prominent record labels in the music industry, a company founded in 1953 and headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, with a history of launching and promoting diverse artists across multiple genres. ### Musical Style and Genres One of the most distinctive aspects of Dangerous is its genre-blending approach. The album incorporates numerous musical genres that were prominent in the early 1990s. The primary genres include pop music, which has been a dominant force in popular music since approximately 1950, and rhythm and blues, a genre that originated within African-American communities in the 1940s. The album also features new jack swing, a music genre that emerged in 1985 and combined elements of R&B, hip-hop, and jazz. Additionally, Dangerous incorporates hip-hop, which began as rhythmic music accompanied by rhyming speech in 1973, gospel music emphasizing Christian lyrics with historical roots dating to 1600, rock music as a popular genre since 1948, and dance music intended to accompany dancing. This diverse genre incorporation demonstrated Michael Jackson's versatility as an artist and his ability to adapt to evolving musical trends while maintaining his unique sound. The fusion of these genres resulted in a distinctive musical product that appealed to a broad audience across different musical preferences. ### Notable Tracks and Songs Dangerous features several notable tracks that became hits and remain well-known today. "Black or White" is an original song co-written and performed by Michael Jackson, which became one of the album's most successful singles. "Heal the World" is a song written and composed by Michael Jackson, originally recorded by Jackson and released in 1991, featuring humanitarian themes that became synonymous with Jackson's later humanitarian efforts. "Remember the Time" is an original song co-written and performed by Michael Jackson, showcasing Jackson's ability to create both socially conscious and commercially viable music. Other significant tracks include "In the Closet" (co-written and performed by Michael Jackson), "Jam" (co-written and performed by Michael Jackson), "Give In to Me" (original song co-written and performed by Michael Jackson), "Who Is It" (original song written, composed, and performed by Michael Jackson), and "Will You Be There" (original song written and composed by Michael Jackson). The album also includes "Gone Too Soon," an original song written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan, which was first recorded by Michael Jackson, demonstrating Jackson's willingness to include songs by other writers alongside his own compositions. ### Record Label Connection The album's release through Epic Records connects Dangerous to one of the most significant record labels in music industry history. Epic Records, founded in 1953, is an American record label owned by Sony Music, a multinational music recording company. The label has played a significant role in the phonographic industry, launching the careers of numerous successful artists across various genres including rock, pop, and hip-hop. Epic Records has been instrumental in shaping the sound of popular music over the decades, and its diverse roster of artists has contributed to various genres. The label's notable artists include Lostprophets, Avril Lavigne, Shakira, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and many others. The connection to Epic Records provided Dangerous with significant promotional resources, distribution networks, and industry support that contributed to its commercial success. ### Position in Michael Jackson's Career Dangerous represents a significant milestone in Michael Jackson's discography as his eighth studio album. The album is part of Michael Jackson's albums in chronological order as documented in Wikimedia's albums discography. This position reflects Jackson's consistent productivity and artistic output throughout his career. The album demonstrated Jackson's ability to remain relevant and successful in an ever-changing music industry. By incorporating contemporary genres like new jack swing and hip-hop while maintaining his pop and R&B foundations, Dangerous showcased Jackson's adaptability and musical intelligence. The album's success reinforced Jackson's status as the "King of Pop" and demonstrated his continued influence on popular music. ### Cultural Impact and Significance Dangerous matters beyond its commercial success due to its cultural impact and the themes it addressed. The album's incorporation of socially conscious content, particularly in songs like "Heal the World," reflected Jackson's increasing engagement with humanitarian issues. This would become a defining characteristic of his later work and public persona. The album's genre-blending approach was also significant for the time period. By combining elements of R&B, hip-hop, gospel, rock, and dance music, Dangerous helped bridge different musical communities and reflected the increasingly interconnected nature of popular music in the early 1990s. This approach influenced subsequent artists and helped shape the direction of pop and R&B music in the following decade. ### Technical and Production Details As a studio album, Dangerous represents a grouping of album releases by Michael Jackson released at the same time with the same title and tracks but in different formats for consumption including digital, CD, and LP formats. The album's production involved Michael Jackson as both performer and co-writer on multiple tracks, demonstrating his continued involvement in the creative process. The collaboration with Epic Records, a label with extensive experience in producing and promoting major artists, ensured high production values and comprehensive marketing support. ### Industry Context The release of Dangerous occurred during a transformative period in the music industry. Epic Records, as part of Sony Music, represented the corporate structure that dominated the industry at the time. The label's focus on diverse genres and artists reflected the broader industry trend toward genre-blending and crossover appeal. Dangerous fit perfectly within this framework, appealing to multiple audience segments simultaneously through its diverse musical content. The album's sitelink count of 45 indicates significant digital presence and documentation, reflecting its lasting relevance in the digital age. The wikipedia_title "Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)" serves as the primary identifier for the album in digital knowledge bases, ensuring accurate identification and referencing. ## References 1. AllMusic 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. Discogs 4. [AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000674875) 5. BabelNet 6. Album of the Year 7. Rate Your Music