LONDON - Michael Jackson is set to make a rare public appearance at the World Music Awards in London next month, organizers recently announced.

Having sold more than 100 million albums, the forlorn king of pop will receive a Diamond Award at the industry ceremony.

WMA founder Melissa Corken said “We are thrilled to be bringing the World Music Awards to London, the music capital of the world," quickly adding "the presence of Michael Jackson is very exciting for us."

Jackson went into reclusion after his acquittal from child molestation charges in June of last year. He left the United States soon after and has spent time in Bahrain and Ireland.

The World Music Awards were held in Monaco for 15 years before moving to the United States in 2004 and 2005. This year's event at London's Earls Court Arena is to be hosted by Lindsay Lohan, with performances from Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Katie Melua and Andrea Bocelli.

Previous recipients of the Diamond Award include Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

The World Music Awards was founded in 1989 as an international awards show that annually honors recording artists based on their popularity, and worldwide sales figures, which are provided by the various organizations including record companies and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

The awards show is conducted under the patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco, Monte Carlo. Until 2003 the show was conducted in Monte Carlo.

The 2004 show was held in Las Vegas (USA) on September 15. The 2005 show was held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California with simultaneous broadcasts to North and South America, Australia, Japan and South East Asia, all of mainland China, New Zealand, all of Africa and the Middle East, and all of Europe, reaching an estimated worldwide audience of one billion viewers, in over 160 countries.

John Martinotti is an executive producer and co-founder of the show.

Proceeds from the show go to the Monaco Aide and Presence Foundation, which assist underdeveloped areas mainly in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Brazil.

The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) televised the show in the US on September 13, 2005 with featured appearances by many American and Latino pp stars such as Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, Michelle Branch, Stevie Wonder, Kid Rock, Eminem, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg.

Last year’s show also featured Patti LaBelle, Kid Rock, and Stevie Wonder performing songs dedicated to honoring the victims of Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Based on the WMA website, "The World's best-selling recording-artists in the various categories are determined after a thorough research conducted by the organization on record certifications and record company sales figures"

The national member associations of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) is the organization that provides the World music organization with the names of their overall best-selling artists and groups.

Each year, the WMS awards the best selling artist from each major country.

Legend Awards are given to artists "in recognition of their global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry". Past winners include Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Modern Talking, Ace of Base, Diana Ross, Julio Iglesias, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Cher, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Whitney Houston, Prince, Janet Jackson, Carlos Santana and Rock Bond Scorpions.

The Chopard Diamond World Music Award is a new award, given to artists who have sold over 100 million albums over the course of their careers. Past winners are Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Bon Jovi.

Apart from the world's best-selling artists in the various categories and the national best-selling artists, special millennium awards for the world’s best selling recording artist of all time were presented in 2000 to Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey in the male and female categories respectively.

To date, Mariah Carey has received 16 World Music Awards, the most WMAs for any recording artist, followed closely by Michael Jackson with 14 awards.

About The Author
Chris Nelson is a musician, song writer and a composer. His works are mostly related to modern rock, alternative, slow rock and contemporary music. For him music is his life.
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