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Music’s royal family has joined forces with the queens of reality TV: Tito Jackson recruited his kin’s own legendary lineage — and the Kardashian-Jenners — to celebrate his newfound moment in the solo spotlight.
For more than half a century, the world has been under the spell of the Jacksons. With the launch of the 67-year-old’s disarming new blues album “Under Your Spell,” Tito continues the magic.
The star-studded video for his uplifting debut single — “Love One Another” — actually features cameos from a slew of familiar faces, from Chris Tucker to Magic Johnson.
But it’s also a dual A-list family reunion: Katherine, Janet, LaToya, Jermaine and Paris Jackson share screen time with Kris Jenner and Khloé and Kim Kardashian. (The latter infamously revealed to Oprah that she lost her virginity at 14 to Tito’s son, TJ.)
Why the crowd? Well, you don’t survive decades in a cutthroat industry — at least not long enough to score a late-career peak — without developing savvy.
“My arm can only go so far, but including certain celebrities who have a wide reach — like my sister, Janet, and the Kardashian family — spreads across the world,” Jackson told The Post.
“Every blues record has a big leg woman song. Back when I was a young man, big leg women were something that men really adored. I am a ‘big leg woman’ guy. I even like chicken legs.”
Tito, on the inspiration behind his song “Big Leg Woman”
“All these celebrities say, ‘Love one another,’ show the peace sign and throw a kiss. Seeing this message subliminally reminds you to be a good person. My friends were eager to show they represent love and world peace. It’s a perfect message for the world.”
Set for global release on Aug. 6, this follow-up to his 2016 R&B debut “Tito Time” is earning stellar advance praise from critics. It features a classy cast of special guest musicians, including George Benson, Joe Bonamassa, Marlon Jackson, Eddie Levert, Kenny Neal, Bobby Rush and Stevie Wonder, all mesmerizing with enchanting melodies, alluring rhythms and lyrics that evoke a greater purpose.
“We needed to be reminded as a society to love and respect one another,” the California-based Rock & Roll Hall of Famer said.
Here, the singer-songwriter, guitarist and icon sits down with The Post to discuss his new record, VP Kamala Harris’ decades-old crush and what his brother, Michael Jackson, would be doing if he was alive today.
The “Love One Another” video features cameos by Kim and Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner. Are your families close?
We have known the Kardashian family well before they were popular. Matter of fact, my youngest son, TJ, his first girlfriend was Kim. These kids grew up together, and years later my middle son, Taryll, started dating Kourtney for a few years. That, of course, made me have a relationship with Kris Jenner. They’re still friends today, so that’s great.
I love them both. They are such beautiful girls. As far as their personalities, when you know them personally, they’re warm, nice, beautiful ladies. They really are. I don’t know what their image is as far as on TV — but they are even sweeter as people. Very polite, very considerate and loving.
So, there is a world where a Jackson and a Kardashian baby could have been wreaking havoc on society?
I’ll tell you a story. When my middle son, Taryll — the one that dated Kourtney — had his first kid, Kris said to him, “You know, that’s supposed to be my grandbaby.”
The vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, famously said that she had a childhood crush on none other than Tito Jackson. What did you think about this revelation?
I thought it was very cute. It was at a time when we both were very young and the Jackson 5 was very much in the hearts of young ladies. I saw the interview on [“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”] and she basically said out of all the brothers, I was the only one left. She didn’t have a choice because her cousins [had first pick] and I was the only crab in the bucket. She had to take me, but I was delighted. It’s nice to know, but Kamala is a married lady.
If you were the president of the US, what would be your first order of business?
To love one another would be my first word. That is so important, because without love and world peace, we have nothing. It’s very much needed. But I’m not a politician.
One of your new songs is titled “Big Leg Woman.” Is Tito Jackson a leg man?
Every record that is in the genre of blues has a big leg woman song on there. Back when I was a young man, big leg women were something that men really adored. And that’s basically what I’m saying. I guess I am a “big leg woman” guy. I even like chicken legs.
“Michael would still be on top. I know that. He had that eye of the tiger. He was that good.”
Tito Jackson, on what his brother, King of Pop Michael Jackson, would be doing today
You’ve worked with so many amazing artists over the years. Are there any artists you look forward to working with in the future?
Sly Stone, I want to do something with him before he retires. I would love to do a blues type of song with Sly Stone. That would be very interesting.
Paris Jackson also appears in your new video. What advice have you given her about making it in the music industry?
Well, I can’t give her too much advice because her dad was the King of Pop. I just basically tell her to enjoy it. Don’t be concentrating on trying to make it. No matter what you do, just have fun along the way.
The 12th anniversary of Michael’s passing was on June 25. What would your brother be up to if he was alive today?
That’s a hard question to answer, because I’m not Michael, but I know that he would have some more hits in this last decade. He would still be on top. I know that, too. He had that eye of the tiger and he’s very, very creative. He probably would have changed music again. He was that good.
What is the key to the Jacksons’ longevity in the music industry?
We love what we do and we include the world into our songs — and the Jacksons have tremendous talent.
What artists are you listening to?
I enjoy all types of music from blues to country music. I have a wide variety of artists I listen to, from B.B. King to Britney Spears to Garth Brooks.
Looking back on your career with the Jackson 5, what is one of your fondest memories?
Being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame [in 1997} because I felt that all my hard work and ethics didn’t go in vain. They were worth it. I’ll be remembered musically.
What message would you share with the next generation?
If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. That’s the main thing. Believe in yourself. Many people had told the Jackson 5 that we weren’t going to be successful. “Shut up! Making all that noise in that little house. You guys aren’t going anywhere.” When Michael’s voice was changing, people would say, “You guys are finished.” What if we listened to that or believed that? You have to believe in yourself. Don’t listen to all the rhetoric and have a dedicated work ethic.
After all of these years, what will the legacy of the Jackson name will be?
Oh, that’s a good question. It’s not over until we say it’s over or as long as there’s a song for us to sing. I’m hoping people will look back and see we stood for world peace, love and harmony.
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