Podcast Summary: "Did Sony Kill Michael Jackson?"

My Momma Told Me – January 6, 2026
Hosts: Langston Kerman & David Gborie
Guest: Chappelle Lacey

Overview

In this episode of My Momma Told Me, comedians Langston Kerman and David Gborie are joined by fellow comic Chappelle Lacey to explore the layered conspiracy theory: “Did Sony kill Michael Jackson?” The trio dives into the history of Michael Jackson’s music industry battles, Black celebrity, and the machinery driving scandal and downfall — all with a comedic, irreverent tone. Along the way, they reflect on the nature of fame, the psychological toll of industry pressure, the dynamics of Black excellence, and how power moves behind the scenes of entertainment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Banter and Setting the Stage

• The group jokes about being misunderstood (“you can’t tell if we’re good guys or bad guys”).
• Playful riffs on music shoutouts and being referenced in songs.
• Brief tangent on the size of Africa and colonial legacies in cartography.
  • Notable Quote:
    “I don’t think Africa’s gonna get its due until we re-release these maps… Not one new map. You go to every school, everywhere, it’s still the same.” — Langston, [04:41]

The Arizona Connection & Black Men, Sex, and Geography

• Chappelle, from Arizona, discusses strange sexual dynamics and stereotypes he encountered, especially regarding Black men and white women in the Southwest ([10:00-13:00]).
• Humor-infused analysis of regional culture and “MILF bars” in Phoenix.

On Marriage, Comedy, and Personal Growth

• Chappelle recently got married (“Congrats, man...It feels like it’s not supposed to happen.” — Langston, [13:44]), prompting talk about balancing careers and personal life.

Diving Into the Conspiracy: Did Sony Kill Michael Jackson?

Introduction of the Theory

• Chappelle nominates the theory: "My mama told me Sony killed Michael Jackson."
  • He clarifies that his mom didn’t literally say this, but believes the theory has cultural traction ([15:00]).
• The group acknowledges the broader trope of Black celebrities’ deaths being shrouded in suspicion: “My mom would always say, Tupac’s still alive…” ([15:06-15:14])

Michael vs. The Music Industry

• Jackson’s battle with Sony — especially his fight to own his masters and his share of the Sony/ATV catalog — forms the backbone of the theory.
  • Chappelle: “Michael was trying to do his thing...He had a percentage of Sony that I think Sony was like, Damn, bro, he got us. We need this shit back.” [19:43]
• Discussion of Michael’s “Sony Kills” protest sign ([19:26]).
• The trio explores how Jackson’s “Invincible” album (2001) never received proper rollout: “Sony did not help him on the rollout...They didn’t do anything for him.” — Chappelle, [20:16]
  • Contrast drawn with earlier epic rollouts for MJ, e.g., “Remember the Time” premiere ([20:50-21:08]).

Reputation Management & Media Manipulation

• David wonders if the abuse allegations against Michael were industry tactics to tarnish his public image after he became “too powerful” and unwilling to comply ([21:41-22:04]).
• The group unpacks how reputation is shaped as much by media as by actual behavior.
  • “I do think...if I represent a corporation, a giant organization that cannot control the way that my music is consumed and could be threatened by a dude who hates my guts, maybe I want you to...get accused of crimes.” — Co-host, [56:33]
• Parallels drawn to how scandals break only when an artist no longer serves corporate interests (Diddy, R. Kelly, Drake — [56:32-58:06]).

Breaking Down Michael’s Unprecedented Fame — and Its Cost

• Deep dive on Michael’s psychological journey from the trauma under Joe Jackson to the heights and isolation of superstardom.
  • “He lost his childhood to a man who aspired to the dream he was beating into them.” — Co-host, [26:57]
  • “Had he come out normal, we wouldn’t have had what we had.” — David, [24:54]
• Comparisons to other child stars and the mental cost of unparalleled fame ([23:50-25:04], [47:33-48:54]).
• They touch on how the structure of the music industry now ensures no single artist can accumulate as much power as Michael or Prince did in their primes:
  • “Entertainment is so fractured now. The industry will never have to deal with another person as powerful as a Michael Jackson or a Prince.” — Langston, [35:32]

Dynamics of the Jackson Family, Black Excellence, and Industry Sabotage

• Humorous, but empathetic, look at Joe Jackson’s “tough love” and the family’s legacy ([27:03-34:11]).
• Examination of sibling rivalry, especially between Michael and Jermaine.
  • “Michael would then, like, turn it into bits because of how far he had ascended past Jermaine...People would laugh in the room because they knew Jermaine couldn’t do a fuck thing about it.” — Co-host, [30:44-32:04]
  • The pattern of Jermaine’s albums releasing just after Michael’s, potentially by label design to keep him behind ([43:31-44:41]).

The Economics & Power Behind the Scenes

• Explaining how artists are exploited financially, kept in debt or dependent, and how advances mask the real money in the industry ([45:07-45:54]).
• When MJ’s estate finally sold the ATV catalog rights to Sony, it netted $1.2B — but the hosts argue Sony got it “for cheap”:
  • “Why do I feel like $1.2B is light?” — David, [54:39]
• Connecting with contemporary issues: Taylor Swift’s re-recordings as a power move against her label ([55:20-56:20]).

Systems of Power and "The Illuminati"

• Refuting Illuminati as caricature, but affirming that “protected interests” and industry conglomerates work together quietly (“Why wouldn’t they?” — Co-host, [63:43])
• “At some point, the number just equals to power...” — Langston, [64:08]
• Reflections on how easy it is for these groups to “make someone disappear” or “roll out a new artist over them” ([63:10-63:14]).

Reflections on Fame, Success, and Personal Values

• The hosts and Chappelle share their anxieties and aspirations around celebrity, agreeing they wouldn’t want MJ-level stardom ([80:25-81:25]).
  • “I just want to be good. I’m really lucky.” — Langston, [75:02]
  • “I’d be feeling like the luckiest guy in the world already.” — David, [72:37]
• Appreciation for lower-profile, controlled celebrity models (e.g. Kendrick Lamar, Daniel Tosh) ([81:52-83:59]).
  • “Sony’s not gonna kill us. I don’t even think they’re looking at us.” — Langston, [84:01]
• Sense of awe at how consumed and vulnerable the mega-famous are: “Imagine Michael in an intimate room...I don’t think it ever happened.” ([76:35-77:08])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “I don’t think Africa’s gonna get its due until we re-release these maps...” — Langston, [04:41]
• “Michael was trying to do his thing...He had a percentage of Sony that I think Sony was like, Damn, bro, he got us. We need this shit back.” — Chappelle, [19:43]
• “Even though Michael is very talented, a lot of his success has been due to timing and a little bit of luck. It could have been him or it could have just as easily been me.” — Jermaine Jackson quote, read by co-host, [41:35]
• “Quincy Jones called him Machiavellian...He was a business savage.” — Langston, [48:07]
• “The only way to become a billionaire is to diversify your portfolio to such an extent that you can be a mega millionaire in, like, eight different spaces...a Voltron of nasty shit.” — Co-host, [64:22]
• “You gotta want to go out there... Like, we talk about just having to leave the house sometimes. Like, we should really...We should really just be going out a little bit.” — Langston, [69:20]
• “I still got a roommate. You think I can...You think I’m?” — David, [65:25] (on why he’s not a power player)
• “Sony’s not gonna kill us...They’re looking at us like, I don’t even think they’re looking...” — Langston, [84:01]
• “I just want to be good. I’m really lucky.” — Langston, [75:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:41] – Africa and the size of maps, colonial narratives
• [10:00–13:00] – Sexual and cultural dynamics in Arizona
• [13:44] – Chappelle announces his recent marriage
• [15:00] – The "Sony killed Michael Jackson?" conspiracy introduced
• [19:25–21:09] – Michael’s beefs with Sony and lack of album support
• [21:41–22:04] – How allegations and image control come into play
• [23:50–25:04] – Psychological cost of Michael Jackson’s rise
• [27:03–34:11] – Joe Jackson, trauma, Jackson family dynamics
• [35:32] – How the industry ensures no new “Michael Jacksons”
• [43:31–44:41] – Solo careers, label sabotage of Jermaine
• [45:07–45:54] – Financial structures that control artists
• [54:09–54:55] – The true worth of MJ’s catalog; Sony's big win
• [55:20–56:20] – Parallels to Taylor Swift’s masters
• [63:10–63:14] – How conglomerates can erase or overshadow any individual
• [75:02] – Personal philosophies around fame and fortune
• [81:52–83:59] – Models of unobtrusive, low-key celebrity

Conclusion

This episode offers a freewheeling, highly entertaining—but deeply thoughtful—discussion of how race, power, money, and myth intersect in the Black celebrity experience. The hosts use the Michael Jackson conspiracy as a jumping-off point to probe who really holds power in the entertainment world, what it takes (and costs) to reach the zenith, and the value, as Black men and as artists, of setting your own boundaries. Their answer to whether Sony killed Michael Jackson? Maybe not literally, but the machine is built to destroy whoever it can’t control.

Final Thoughts

• Fame at the level of Michael Jackson both empowers and endangers; protection against the “machine” is almost impossible at those heights.
• For all the jokes, the group recognizes the trauma and sacrifice behind Black excellence—and the callousness of the industries that profit from it.
• Ultimately, their ideal: modest success, self-determination, joy, and the ability to leave the stage and just go home.

For more, visit the hosts and guest on social media, check out Chappelle’s tour dates, and send thoughts to mymamapodmail.com or call 844-LIL-MOMS.

[Podcast produced by Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts.]