Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

Music 5 years ago

Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ is a post-disco funk song recorded by American singer Michael Jackson, for his 1982 sixth studio album Thriller.

The song was written, composed and co-produced by Jackson, while the main production was handled by Quincy Jones.

It was released as the fourth single from the album on May 8, 1983 and later appeared as its opening track. After its release, the song was commercially successful as it charted within the top 20 in several countries, topping the charts in Canada and Netherlands.

In 2008, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ was re-recorded with Senegalese-born American singer Akon for the 2008 re-issue of Thriller, entitled Thriller 25. This version charted highest at number two on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.


In 2007, Barbadian singer Rihanna sampled the line “Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa” for her smash hit Don’t Stop the Music.