1987 – Michael Jackson’s “Bad” Music Video Filmed in Harlem

On May 31, 1987, Michael Jackson began filming the music video for “Bad,” directed by Martin Scorsese and shot in Harlem and Brooklyn. The video was a cultural milestone, showcasing Black urban identity through the lens of pop culture and cinematic storytelling. With a screenplay written by Richard Price and choreography by Jackson himself, the video highlighted racial tension, masculinity, and transformation. “Bad” helped elevate the music video as a legitimate art form and brought Black artistry into mainstream global consciousness. Jackson’s casting of Black dancers and the choice of Harlem as a backdrop symbolized pride and resilience in Black communities. May 31 is a notable date in Black cultural history, where music, film, and identity intersected. Jackson’s work pushed boundaries not just in entertainment but in shaping how Black people saw themselves represented in media. The “Bad” video remains a powerful statement of Black style and defiant cool.