In 1996, Michael Jackson chose to film the "They Don't Care About Us" short video in Santa Marta, one of Rio's most dangerous favelas.
The authorities tried everything to stop him.
They feared images of poverty would hurt tourism and Rio's bid for the 2004 Olympics.
But Michael refused to look away.
The production team had to negotiate directly with Marcinho VP, the drug lord who controlled the favela.
No police went up there but MJ would.
The trafficker's response? "With Michael Jackson here, this will be the safest place in the world."
And it was. Not a single shot was fired during the entire shoot.
And then something remarkable happened.
In December 2008, Santa Marta became the first favela in Rio to receive a Pacifying Police Unit.
It was the pilot project for a new approach to policing – instead of violent raids, police would maintain a constant presence.
The results were significant.
From 2008 to 2012, violent deaths in Rio state dropped.
Santa Marta itself was transformed. A funicular railway was installed in 2008 to help residents – especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly – navigate the steep hill.
Today, the favela has become a model for community tourism.
Over 3,000 visitors come every month, 98% of them foreign tourists.
A life-sized bronze statue of Michael Jackson stands exactly where he filmed, arms open wide.
The view from the Mirante do Michael Jackson stretches across to Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer.
Local residents now work as official tour guides, telling the story of their community's transformation.
The walls are covered with murals and mosaics celebrating the King of Pop.
Social projects are funded in part by tourism income.
Local guide Mario Martins puts it simply: "The process to improve Santa Marta started with Michael Jackson."
He didn't just sing about change. He went to the places that needed it most.
And sometimes, showing up is enough to start something bigger...
Did Michael have a point? Can music really change the world?
