MUMBAI: Music industry giant Sony Music has collaborated with musician A. R. Rahman’s K M Conservatory music school to create cover versions of two songs from the King of Pop, Michael Jackson’s new music from the album ‘XSCAPE’. It is for the first time in India that official versions of Michael Jackson’s songs will be released giving his music an India feel.  

Two official song versions of the single Love Never Felt So Good and Slave to the Rhythm will be available for download and streaming by the third week of June. The project within a week of its release is number one on iTunes India and across all other major streaming platforms.

Commenting on the association, KM executive director Fathima Rafiq said, “It is a wonderful opportunity for KM to be creating Indian-influenced covers of these tracks from such a legendary musician. We hope to capture the spirit and essence of Michael Jackson’s music and infuse them with elements from different Indian traditions to make new musical masterpieces showing homage to his legacy.”

KM academic coordinator Adam Greig added, ‘Although KM primarily teaches western and Indian classical music, working on MJ’s music demonstrates how connected popular music is with its classical past tradition. The students are relishing the chance to prove their mastery of these skills in re-working these tracks. I find it amazing how easily and naturally the Indian elements blend into the mix.”