2000 Watts

THE STORY BEHIND ' 2000 Watts'​​

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This is the most shocking track on the Invincible album. When fans first put the CD in their players in 2001, many checked the liner notes to make sure it was actually Michael Jackson singing. It features a vocal performance so radically different from his usual style that it sparked debates that continue to this day.

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The "Deep Voice" Mystery The defining characteristic of "2000 Watts" is Michael Jackson’s voice. Known worldwide for his high-pitched tenor and falsetto, Michael spends this entire song singing in a deep, rumbling baritone.

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• The Reaction: Upon release, many casual listeners assumed it was a guest rapper or a pitched-down effect.

• The Reality: While producer Teddy Riley admitted to slightly processing the vocal to give it a "mechanical" texture, the depth is real. Michael Jackson naturally possessed a very deep speaking and singing voice (which he rarely used publicly). "2000 Watts" is the most extensive showcase of his lower register in his entire discography, dropping lower than "Burn This Disco Out" or the spoken intro of "Thriller." He wanted to sound like a machine—a subwoofer come to life.

The song’s origin story involves R&B singer and Fast & Furious actor Tyrese Gibson. Tyrese originally wrote "2000 Watts" for his own sophomore album, 2000 Watts (released in 2001). He was working in the studio with Teddy Riley when Michael Jackson called. Teddy played the demo of "2000 Watts" for Michael over the phone. Michael’s reaction was immediate: "I love it. I want it." Tyrese, stunned that his idol wanted his song, happily gave it up. He later renamed his own album 2000 Watts as a tribute to the song he gave away. If you listen closely to the background vocals, you can still hear Tyrese singing the low harmonies alongside Michael.

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Produced by Teddy Riley, the track is a high-octane blend of electro-funk and industrial pop. It was designed to push the limits of car stereo systems.

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• The Lyrics: The song is literally about sound technology. The lyrics reference "Bass note, treble, stereo control" and "3D, high speed, feedback, Dolby." It is an audiophile’s anthem, celebrating the physical sensation of loud music.

• The Sound Design: The track is filled with synthesized "zaps," robotic beeps, and heavy, distorted basslines. It sounds like the inside of a high-voltage power plant.

"2000 Watts" was the showpiece for a specific mixing technology used on the Invincible album. Michael was obsessed with "3D Audio" (specifically a technology called QSound or Dolby Headphone at the time). He wanted the album to sound immersive. On "2000 Watts," the sound effects pan aggressively from the far left to the far right. If you listen with headphones, the sound feels like it is spinning around your head. The beat feels "wide," creating a sense of physical space that matches the "2000 Watts" (high power) theme.

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Many fans view "2000 Watts" as a spiritual successor to "Scream." Both songs deal with high energy and feature industrial production. However, while "Scream" was about anger, "2000 Watts" is about adrenaline. It doesn’t have a deep social message; it is purely a "hype" track intended for gym playlists, dance floors, and driving fast.

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At the time of its release, "2000 Watts" sounded bizarre to pop radio listeners. However, looking back, it predicted the "Electro-Pop" boom of the late 2000s. The distorted vocals and heavy electronic bass pre-dated the rise of artists like The Black Eyed Peas (The E.N.D. era) and Lady Gaga. Teddy Riley and Michael were experimenting with "Club Banger" sounds that wouldn't become mainstream for another five to seven years.

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"2000 Watts" remains a cult favorite, specifically among car audio enthusiasts who use it to test their subwoofers. It stands as the ultimate proof of Michael Jackson’s vocal versatility. It reminds the world that the "King of Pop" wasn't just the man with the high voice; he was a vocalist who could growl, rap, and drop into the basement whenever he chose to.