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Artwork for Faking Michael

Faking Michael

Oath! Media
Michael Jackson
Cascio Tracks
Eddie Cascio
Jason Malachi
Sony Music
Teddy Riley
Sony Music Entertainment
Vocal Authenticity
Vera Sarova
Fraud In Music Industry
Howard Weitzman
Recording Industry
Copyright Office
Vibrato
John Branca
Consumer Rights
Posthumous Releases
Music Authenticity
Jackson Family
Music Production

Following the death of Michael Jackson, an album of the pop star's unreleased songs made headlines around the world when his family and fans claimed that some of the songs on the album were fakes. Packed with explosive new evidence, Faking Michael uncovers the inside story of the music industry scandal you were never meant to hear about.

PublishesDailyEpisodes14Founded7 years ago
Categories
Music HistoryTrue CrimeMusic

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Artwork for Faking Michael

Latest Episodes

In the gripping finale of Faking Michael, the remaining pieces of the puzzle fall into place—including the biggest smoking gun of the entire series, as the actual vocalist on the Cascio tracks, Jason Malachi, offers to come clean in the middle of an ... more

Between late 2010 and early 2011, when fans spoke out against the release of the Cascio tracks, the powers that be behind the scenes tried to silence them. In this episode we hear about the extraordinary lengths that Sony and the Estate went to in an... more

Forensic evidence can be crucial in identifying whether or not a crime has been committed. In this episode we hear from several top experts regarding the forensic evidence in the case of the Cascio tracks, including a leading forensic musicologist, a... more

A connoisseur is someone with expertise in a particular subject, especially an area of art. In this episode we recap the most important testimony we’ve heard from connoisseurs of Michael Jackson’s music, while diving further even down the rabbit hole... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Vera Sarova
A dedicated fan who filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against Sony and the estate for the authenticity of the Cascio tracks
Episode: Episode 13 – The Confession
Jason Malachi
Vocalist suspected of singing on the Cascio tracks
Episode: Episode 13 – The Confession
Dr. George Papsen
Forensic audiologist with expertise in phonetics and audio authentication
Independent expert
Episode: Episode 11 – Forensics
Professor Joe Bennett
Forensic musicologist specializing in popular music analysis
Independent expert
Episode: Episode 11 – Forensics
Richard Fink IV
Vocal coach, singer-songwriter, and creator of Throga, a vocal technique used in over 100 countries
Independent consultant
Episode: Episode 11 – Forensics
Darren Hayes
Lead singer of the 90s pop duo Savage Garden, recording artist, and fan of Michael Jackson
Episode: Episode 10 – Connoisseurship
Dr. George Pabson
Expert witness with a PhD in linguistics, specializing in phonetics
Episode: Episode 10 – Connoisseurship
Tony Curtis
Producer and former collaborator with singer Jason Malachi
Episode: Episode 10 – Connoisseurship
Joseph Vogel
Author of the book Man in the Music, studying Michael Jackson's creative life and work
Episode: Episode 10 – Connoisseurship

Host

Damien Shields
Host and narrator involved in researching, writing, and narrating key episodes, with a focus on the authenticity of Michael Jackson's posthumous recordings.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 492 ratings
  • Shows what real MJ fans can do.

    Expertly researched and craftfully done. Everyone who participated in this podcast should be extremely proud of themselves.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Askani Walrus
    United States3 months ago
  • Repetitive

    Great content, but wow do they repeat information often. As the series progresses, take a drink every time you hear “as we heard in (previous episode)” and you’ll be dead quick.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    oddlay
    United States4 months ago
  • Important listen on biggest fraud in Music History

    Very thorough, detailed report on the uncovering of the Cascio tracks fraud and the characters involved. Thank you so much for putting this information out there. This story needs to be known far and wide!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnnEVMCurtis
    United States6 months ago
  • F-aking Brilliant!

    Absolutely awesome podcast! Investigative journalism at its finest! Bravo to you, sir! It was well worth the wait! Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    achWell Foley
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Eye-opening investigation

    If you want to get a glimpse into how the music business truly works, you need to listen to Faking Michael. This podcast doesn’t just tell a story - it reveals the harsh realities of an industry that can treat even its brightest stars with such disregard.

    I’m grateful to the authors for their dedication to uncovering the truth. This is a story that should reach millions. It’s eye-opening, thought-provoking, and a vital listen for anyone who wants to understand the darker side of fame and the w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elena Obabkova
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the podcast for its thorough research and compelling storytelling, emphasizing how well it navigates complex issues of authenticity in music.
Reviewers highlight the podcast's capacity to simultaneously appeal to fans of true crime and music history, drawing connections between the two fields.
Many appreciate the high production value and the emotional authenticity that resonates throughout the episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#156
Denmark/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#186
Japan/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#231
Finland/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 13 – The Confession
Q: How did Sony and the estate respond to the allegations of fraud?
They claimed they were unsure about the authenticity of the songs while also asserting that they believed them to be genuine, which the court rejected.
Episode 13 – The Confession
Q: What was the main reason for filing the class action lawsuit?
Vera Sarova aimed to challenge the authenticity of the Cascio tracks and seek to have them removed from the Michael Jackson discography due to allegations of fraud.
Episode 3 – Making Michael
Q: What did Tarrell Jackson reveal about the Cascio tracks?
Tarrell shared that the tracks attributed to Michael Jackson weren't actually his, raising serious questions about their authenticity.
Episode 5 – Weitzman’s Statement
Q: What was the outcome of the meeting regarding the authenticity of the Cascio tracks?
The outcome was largely inconclusive, with many attendees expressing serious doubts about the authenticity of the tracks, ultimately leading to more questions than answers.
Episode 7 – Mamacita Explosion
Q: What can we look forward to on your new album?
Jason indicates that his album will include various singles, which some listeners mistakenly believe to be Michael Jackson's work.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Faking Michael

What is Faking Michael about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the contentious debates surrounding the authenticity of posthumous Michael Jackson recordings, particularly those known as the Cascio tracks. Through a combination of expert opinions, fan testimonies, and in-depth investigations, it reveals the hidden dynamics and controversies that erupted after claims surfaced that some tracks on a posthumous album were not truly by the King of Pop. The investigation not only uncovers differing viewpoints among fans and experts but also illustrates the broader implications of such disputes within the music industry, touching on themes of authenticity and legacy post-death. Unique in its comprehensive approach, the series highlights the emotional stakes for both fans and family, provi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Faking Michael?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Faking Michael:

1. The MJCast - A Michael Jackson Podcast
2. A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein
3. The Charlie Kirk Show
4. The GaryVee Audio Experience
5. The Tim Dillon Show

How many episodes of Faking Michael are there?

Faking Michael launched 7 years ago and published 14 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Faking Michael?

Recent guests on Faking Michael include:

1. Vera Sarova
2. Jason Malachi
3. Dr. George Papsen
4. Professor Joe Bennett
5. Richard Fink IV
6. Darren Hayes
7. Dr. George Pabson
8. Tony Curtis

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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