This Time Around

THE STORY BEHIND ' This Time Around '

​

This track is historically significant because it features the meeting of the King of Pop and the King of New York: The Notorious B.I.G.

​

By 1995, Michael Jackson was looking to harden his sound. He wanted to prove that he still had his ear to the street. To do that, he reached out to the hottest rapper on the East Coast: Christopher Wallace, known to the world as The Notorious B.I.G. (or Biggie Smalls).

​

The collaboration was set up through mutual producer Dallas Austin. Michael specifically requested Biggie because he loved his voice, that deep, booming baritone that commanded attention. When Biggie got the call, he was reportedly in disbelief. He was a hardcore street rapper, and Michael Jackson was, well, Michael Jackson. Biggie later told interviewers, "I wouldn't have done it for just anybody. But it's Michael Jackson. You can't say no to Mike."

 

The recording session for "This Time Around" is legendary in hip-hop circles. Biggie arrived at the studio alone, which was unusual for a rapper who usually traveled with a large entourage (the Junior M.A.F.I.A.). He was visibly nervous. Dallas Austin recalled that when Biggie entered the booth, he was intimidated by Michael’s presence. Michael, sensing this, tried to make him comfortable, but Biggie was terrified of messing up in front of his idol.

​

Despite the nerves, Biggie delivered his verse in just a few takes. His lyrics were sharp and perfectly aligned with Michael’s theme of persecution: "N**s talkin' s**t so I guess they smart / Fast with the lips but they ain't got no heart." When he finished, Michael was thrilled. He reportedly broke into tears of joy (a common reaction MJ had when music hit him emotionally). The collaboration proved that Michael could hold his own next to a hardcore rapper without it sounding forced.

 

For this track, Michael stepped away from Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and worked with Dallas Austin, the producer famous for crafting the sounds of TLC ("Creep") and Boyz II Men.

​

Austin brought a different flavor to the album. While "Scream" was industrial rock, "This Time Around" is pure mid-90s funk-hop.

​

• The Groove: The beat is laid-back and swinging, featuring a heavy, rolling bassline that sits deep in the pocket.

• The Vocals: Michael’s delivery is distinct. He uses a lower, grittier register, almost growling the lyrics. He sings slightly behind the beat, creating a "lazy" feel that contrasts with the urgency of the words.

 

"This Time Around" is a direct sequel to "Billie Jean," but instead of a woman claiming he is the father, the antagonist here is the legal system and the media.

​

The lyrics are essentially a message to the District Attorney (Tom Sneddon) and the police who investigated him in 1993.

​

• "He really thought he really had control of me / He really thought that he could just dispose of me."

• "Listen to the words I have to say / I ain't gonna let you get away."

 

The title "This Time Around" is a warning. Michael is saying that in 1993 he was caught off guard, but "this time," he is prepared, he is angry, and he isn't going to be a victim. It is a song about regaining power after being stripped of it.

​

The Promo Single Strategy "This Time Around" was never released as a commercial single with a music video, which is why it remains a "deep cut" for many fans. However, it was released as a promotional single in the US to radio stations in December 1995.

​

Since it was a radio-only release, Sony commissioned a massive number of remixes to make it fit different formats.

​

• The D.M. Mad Club Mix: Created by David Morales, this version turned the slow funk track into a high-energy house anthem.

• The Dallas Austin Remix: This version stripped the song down to make it sound even more like a hip-hop track. These remixes became popular in clubs, giving the song a second life on the dancefloor despite the lack of a video.

 

The collaboration took on a somber tone just two years later. In March 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. He was only 24 years old. "This Time Around" remains one of the few pop collaborations released during Biggie’s lifetime.

​

Michael was devastated by the loss. He later worked with Biggie again posthumously on the Invincible album (using a recycled verse for the song "Unbreakable"), creating a strange bookend where Biggie appears on both of Michael's "angry" albums (HIStory and Invincible).

 

While often overshadowed by the bigger hits on HIStory, "This Time Around" is critically appreciated for its production. It captures the sound of 1995 perfectly, the blend of R&B gloss and hip-hop grit. It stands as a testament to Michael’s ability to adapt. He took the "victim" narrative of the tabloids and turned it into a gangster-lean funk track, recruiting the toughest voice in rap to serve as his bodyguard.