I created an Alternative-Version for "Michael Jackson - Breaking News"

I absolutely LOVE Michael Jackson. Since ever. When my mom bought my the Michael Album in 2010, I wondered about some songs (as they didn't sound like Michael).

As I'm a hobby-bedroom-producer, I created an alternative version of "Breaking News". This song was released on this album, and Michael didn't sing it – which even had to be removed (see articles):

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62068017

So, I wanted to be creative, used Suno for the beat (edited it by a lot), put Michael voice over it, with some adlibs (even singing myself lol) and this is the result:

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My Connection to Michael Jackson

Let me tell you a bit more about why this project means so much to me. I've been a Michael Jackson fan since I was a kid. When my mom bought me the "Michael" album back in 2010, I was so excited to hear new music from the King of Pop. But something felt off about some of the tracks – especially "Breaking News".

Even as a young music fan, I could tell that some songs didn't sound like Michael. The vocals felt different, the energy wasn't quite right. It was confusing and honestly, a bit disappointing. Years later, we learned that some tracks on that album weren't actually sung by Michael, which led to them being removed from streaming platforms.

That's when I got the idea: what if I could create my own version? Not to replace Michael's work (that's impossible), but to pay tribute to him in my own way. As a bedroom producer who's been making music since 2011, I thought this could be a cool creative challenge.

The Production Process: How I Made This

Okay, let me break down exactly how I created this alternative version. I'm going to be honest about the whole process, including the parts that were frustrating and the parts that surprised me.

Starting with Suno AI

I used Suno AI to generate the initial beat. If you haven't heard of Suno, it's an AI tool that can create music from text prompts. I've been experimenting with it a lot lately (you can check out my Suno AI tutorial if you want to learn more).

For this project, I gave Suno a prompt something like: "A funky, upbeat dance track with Michael Jackson vibes, featuring punchy drums and groovy bass." The AI generated a few options, and I picked the one that felt closest to what I was imagining.

But here's the thing – the AI-generated beat was just a starting point. It definitely needed a lot of work.

Editing the Beat in FL Studio

I've been using FL Studio since 2011, so that's my go-to DAW. I imported the Suno-generated track and started chopping it up, rearranging sections, and adding my own elements.

Here's what I did:

• EQ and Compression: The AI-generated beat was a bit flat, so I added some EQ to boost the low end and make the drums punchier. I also compressed the main elements to glue everything together.

• Adding My Own Elements: I layered in some additional percussion hits, especially on the snare. I wanted it to have that classic MJ snap.

• Arrangement Changes: The original AI arrangement was okay, but I restructured it to have a better flow. I added some breakdown sections and made the chorus hit harder.

• Effects: I added some reverb to create space, and a bit of delay on certain elements to give it that classic pop production feel.

The editing process took me probably 4-5 hours spread over a couple of days. I kept going back and tweaking things until it felt right.

Working with Michael's Voice

This is where it gets interesting (and maybe a bit controversial). I used AI voice technology to recreate Michael's voice for the vocals. I know this is a sensitive topic, and I want to be transparent about it.

I took the original "Breaking News" vocals and used AI voice modeling to recreate them. The technology has gotten pretty impressive, but it's not perfect. You can still tell it's AI-generated if you listen closely, but for this tribute project, I thought it worked.

I also added some adlibs myself – yes, I actually sang some parts! (Don't judge me, I'm not a professional singer lol). I wanted to add my own touch to it, even if my voice isn't anywhere near Michael's level.

The Mixing Process

Once I had all the elements together, I spent time mixing everything. I wanted it to sound polished but still have that raw energy. I balanced the vocals with the beat, made sure the bass wasn't too overwhelming, and added some stereo width to make it feel bigger.

I'm not a professional mixing engineer, so I'm sure there are things I could improve. But for a bedroom producer project, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Challenges I Faced

Let me be honest – this project wasn't easy. Here are some of the challenges I ran into:

1. Getting the AI Beat Right

The first few Suno generations were... not great. The AI would create something that was close but not quite there. I had to regenerate multiple times and tweak my prompts to get something usable. Even then, it needed significant editing.

2. Voice Quality

Working with AI voice technology is tricky. Sometimes it would sound too robotic, other times it would have weird artifacts. I had to experiment with different settings and processing to get it to sound as natural as possible.

3. Balancing Tribute vs. Original

I wanted to pay tribute to Michael while also making something that felt like my own. It was a fine line to walk. I didn't want to just copy the original, but I also didn't want to stray too far from what made the song special.

4. Time Management

As a hobby producer, I don't have unlimited time. This project took longer than I expected, and I had to work on it in small chunks whenever I had free time. That made it harder to maintain consistency.

My Thoughts on AI Voice Technology

This project got me thinking a lot about AI voice technology and its place in music. I want to share my honest thoughts on this.

The Good:

• It allows creators to experiment and be creative in ways that weren't possible before
• For tribute projects like this, it can help preserve the spirit of an artist's work
• It's a tool that can enhance creativity, not replace it

The Concerns:

• There are serious ethical questions about using someone's voice without permission
• It could be used to create fake content or mislead people
• It might devalue the work of real vocalists

My Stance:

I think AI voice technology is a tool, and like any tool, it depends on how you use it. For this project, I used it as a tribute to Michael Jackson, not to deceive anyone or make money off his likeness. I'm transparent about using AI, and I'm not trying to pass it off as the real thing.

But I also understand why people are concerned. The technology is advancing quickly, and we need to have conversations about ethics and consent. I don't have all the answers, but I think transparency is key.

What I Learned from This Project

This was a learning experience for me in so many ways:

1. AI Tools Are Powerful But Not Perfect

Suno AI and voice modeling tools are impressive, but they're not magic. You still need to put in the work to edit, mix, and refine. The AI gives you a starting point, but the real creativity comes from what you do with it. If you want to learn more about working with Suno tracks, check out my guide on how to export Suno stems for better mixing control.

2. Tribute Projects Are Meaningful

Creating this alternative version helped me connect with Michael's music in a new way. It wasn't just about the technical process – it was about honoring an artist who meant so much to me growing up.

3. Transparency Matters

I could have just released this without explaining how I made it, but I think being honest about the process is important. Especially when using AI tools, transparency helps build trust with your audience.

4. Perfection Isn't the Goal

This version isn't perfect. There are things I'd change if I did it again. But that's okay – sometimes the best projects come from just diving in and creating, even if you know it won't be flawless.

The Result

After all that work, here's what I ended up with: an alternative version of "Breaking News" that combines AI-generated elements with my own production skills. It's not trying to replace Michael's work – nothing could. But it's my way of paying tribute to an artist who inspired me.

The track has that funky, upbeat energy I was going for, with punchy drums and a groovy bassline. The vocals have that Michael Jackson feel, even if they're AI-generated. And I added my own touches throughout to make it feel personal.

Final Thoughts

Creating this alternative version was a journey. It challenged me technically, made me think about the ethics of AI in music, and let me connect with Michael's legacy in a new way.

I know not everyone will agree with using AI voice technology, and that's okay. I respect different perspectives on this. For me, this was about creativity, tribute, and experimentation.

Please spread love, positivity and the energy of Michael. Much love to him. May he be in peace.

What's Next?

If you enjoyed this project, check out my other covers and original music. I'm always experimenting with new sounds and techniques, and I love sharing what I learn along the way.

Related Posts:

• How to Use Suno AI (Complete Guide) – Learn how to use Suno for your own projects
• How to Export Suno AI Stems – Separate your Suno tracks for better mixing
• FL Studio Samples I Use – My favorite sample sources for production

You can find more of my work on:

• My Spotify
• My YouTube Channel
• My Instagram

Have you tried creating music with AI tools? What's your take on AI voice technology? I'd love to hear your thoughts – drop a comment or reach out on social media!