 Michael Jackson 's original version of " Billie Jean " was remixed by Kanye West for Thriller 25 , a 25th anniversary reissue of Jackson 's Thriller . Entitled " Billie Jean 2008 " , the remix garnered a mixed reception ; most critics felt that it was impossible to improve upon the original . Pitchfork Media 's Tom Ewing explained that a guest verse " might have added dynamics to the mix 's clumsy claustrophobia " . 
