A leading expert on Michael Jackson and black American music, Richard Lecocq set up the mjdatabank.com website in 2001, which earned him recognition from Jackson's entourage and the artist himself. He helped write the official book Thriller 25; is the author of King, a complete portrait of the star; and was a consultant on the Bad 25 project for the Legacy label. He is editor-in-chief of JAM, a twice-yearly magazine devoted to Michael Jackson, and chairman of the MJStreet association, which promotes Michael Jackson's artistic and humanitarian legacy.