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“Threatened”

“After a brief stay in New York, Michael moved the final few weeks of production to the warmer climes of Miami… Jerkins brought two new songs to the table, ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘Threatened’... In June 2001, after close to four years of anticipation, delays and infighting, Michael finally decided to stop recording new music and wrap up production.” (Mike Smallcombe, “Making Michael”)

Michael Jackson, “GetMusic” interview (October 26, 2001) (Original GetMusic website archived)

There's like a an array of, an encyclopedia of just great short films to make from the album. It's very exciting. I can't wait to do Threatened. It's a kind of scary one with Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone. I can't wait to get my hands on that one.

Mike Smallcombe, author, “Making Michael”

Michael and Swedien were joined in Florida by Riley, Rodney Jerkins and Brad Buxer, who all shared three rooms at the studio. Engineer Stuart Brawley was also invited back, among others. Michael and Riley continued working on the songs they’d recorded previously and Jerkins brought two new songs to the table, ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘Threatened’.

…One of the most intense editing jobs Stuart Brawley was tasked with was to assemble a rap by Rod Serling from The Twilight Zone for the horror themed ‘Threatened’. “Rodney had written a rap for ‘Threatened’ and wanted me to listen to all of the Twilight Zone episodes and find the required words to build into a rap,” Brawley said. “It was a monumental task to not only find the words and phrases, but to have them flow rhythmically.”

Rick Baker, person song is dedicated to (previously “Thriller” make-up artist), Yahoo Entertainment (October 31, 2018)

Michael and I became fairly close after “Thriller.” He came to my house a couple of times to watch movies and have dinner, and I went to his place with my wife to have dinner with Michael and Bubbles the chimp. And Michael actually dedicated a song to me! It’s called “Threatened,” and I think he was trying to make it another “Thriller,” because they cut in a Rod Serling rap. He dedicated the song to me, and then said, “I want to do a video of this song, and I want you to direct it.” I was like, “Uhhhh…”