Michael Jackson Estate slams Sexyy Red’s “Beat It” remix, calls it “Unauthorised and Misleading”

The estate of Michael Jackson has strongly criticised rapper Sexyy Red for her recent reinterpretation of the late pop icon’s classic hit Beat It, calling the usage “unauthorised” and “misleading”.

In a sharply worded statement issued this week, representatives of the Michael Jackson Estate clarified that they had not granted permission for Sexyy Red’s version of the track, which reportedly reworks the song’s original melody and theme with explicit new lyrics and a provocative title. The estate emphasised that no licence was issued for either the musical composition or the recording, distancing itself entirely from the release.

The statement further expressed concern over the nature of the adaptation, suggesting that the version could misrepresent Jackson’s artistic legacy and risk confusing audiences about official endorsements or approvals. The estate reiterated its ongoing commitment to preserving the integrity of the late singer’s catalogue and protecting how his music is used across modern reinterpretations.

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The controversy has quickly sparked debate online, with fans divided over the creative liberties taken with one of pop music’s most iconic tracks. While some defended artistic experimentation, many echoed the estate’s concerns about respecting original works, particularly those tied to culturally significant artists.

Originally released in 1983 as part of the landmark album Thriller, Beat It remains one of Michael Jackson’s most celebrated songs, known for its genre-blending style and legendary guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen. The estate’s strong response underlines the careful scrutiny surrounding any modern reimagining of Jackson’s music, especially when it involves radical stylistic shifts.

As of now, neither Sexyy Red nor her representatives have issued a formal response to the estate’s statement.