Here’s a perfect example of YouTube’s effect on the Billboard charts.
How does a live version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ wind up at #14 on the Hot 100 in 2014? Thanks to a viral video, of course.
High school junior Brett Nichols performed a dance routine to ‘Billie Jean’ in front of a packed gymnasium and footage of the performance spread across the web like wildfire.
I don’t know if the Jackson estate benefits from this clip going viral. Do they receive a cut (or the entirety) of any advertising revenue amassed by the video? Or does that money go to the people who shot and uploaded the footage?
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
I said don’t mind, but what do you mean I am the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
[Verse 2]
She told me her name was Billie Jean
As she caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
[Bridge]
People always told me be careful of what you do
And don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do cause the lie becomes the truth
[Chorus]
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
[Verse 3]
For fourty days and for forty nights
The law was on her side
But who can stand when she’s in demand
Her schemes and plans
Cause we danced on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice
Do think twice (heeee)
[Verse 4]
She told my baby we’d danced till three, then she looked at me
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were like mine (oh, no!)
Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby
People always told me be careful of what you do
And don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts
She came and stood right by me
Then the smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
She called me to her room
[Chorus]
[Outro]
Billie Jean Is Not My Lover
Billie Jean Is Not My Lover
Billie Jean Is Not My Lover
Billie Jean Is Not My Lover
Billie Jean Is Not My Lover
Billie Jean Is Not My Lover
Meet Me In Montauk 
That really does show the impact of YouTube on the charts!
As for your payment question, I assume the person who uploaded the video is getting whatever ad revenue is derived through YouTube. However, the Jackson estate could have asked YouTube to pull the video based on copyright, but not only did they not do that, the Estate apparently sent the kid Michael’s posthumous album and a trip to see the cirque du soleil show on Michael’s birthday. Clearly, that gesture was a shrewd marketing move that probably was worth more than getting a cut of the YouTube ad revenue.
I find it very strange to see him holding a microphone when he’s not even pretending to lip sync. Why not just dance?
This kid is awesome. As to what Amy said I think it was more about being able to do the dance moves like Michael Jackson… If he had two hands he wouldn’t be doing it the same way. Also at the beginning he tries to lip sync… Regardless this kid did an amazing job with the dance moves.