Beat It !

"Beat It" has been cited as one of the most successful, recognized, awarded and celebrated songs in the history of pop music; both the song and video had a large impact on pop culture. The song is notable for its famous video, which featured Jackson bringing two gangs together through the power of music and dance. The album thriller in which this song features, became the best selling album of all time.

"Beat It" was composed by Michael Jackson. "Billie Jean", another song by Jackson, and "Beat It", occupied Top 5 positions at the same time, a feat matched by very few artists. The music video for "Beat It" helped establish Jackson as an international pop icon.^[33][34] The video was Jackson's first treatment of black youth and the streets. Both "Beat It" and "Thriller" are notable for their "mass choreography" of synchronized dancers, a Jackson trademark.^[35]

The video, which cost Jackson $150,000 to create after CBS refused to finance it,^[30][36] was filmed on Los Angeles' Skid Row—mainly on locations on East 5th Street^[37]—around March 9, 1983. To add authenticity to the production but also to foster peace between them, Jackson had the idea to cast members of rival Los Angeles street gangs Crips and Bloods.^[38] In addition to around 80 genuine gang members,^[36] the video, which is noted for opening up many job opportunities for dancers in the US,^[39] also featured 18 professional dancers and four breakdancers.