Posted by ‘STARTIN” ALL OVER AGAIN: After an absence from the Hot 100 of four years, one month and one week, Michael Jackson returns with “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008,” an update of a song that was originally a No. 5 hit a quarter of a century ago.
It is Jackson’s first title to appear on the chart since "One More Chance" peaked at No. 83 in 2003. Since "Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008" bows at No. 81, it is Jackson’s highest entry since "Butterflies" flew to No. 14 in 2002.
Back in 1983, the Epic single "Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’" was a solo effort by Jackson. The remake teams Michael with {tag Akon} and is the 47th Hot 100 hit (away from the Jackson 5) for the former and the 19th entry for the latter. Of course, Akon has only been charting since June 2004 and Jackson had his first solo chart entry on the chart dated Oct. 30, 1971, a year-and-a-half to the day before Akon was born.
While "Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008" is the first chart entry for Akon in 2008, he had an abundant nine chart entries in 2007. Jackson’s most prolific year was 1983, when the original "Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’" was one of six chart entries.
Source: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/chart_beat/bonus_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003705056