I don't want to start an org war or anything but...

Are there any artists in the world with some class who claim Michael Jackson as the biggest influence on their art? Michael was about so much more than just dancing trashy and acting like a fool on TV.

I was thinking back to the BET awards, and man it was dreadful. I know it was a "well intended" tribute to Michael Jackson, but it kind of made me sick. All the people who were "thanking" him looked like just utter sillyness. People dressed with MJ shirts from their heads literally down to their ankles, some of them even almost made it look like, thanking Michael that night was a requirement. It made me sick that Michael's legacy has been handed down to people who look like fools on TV.

Then there is Usher and Beyonce and Justin Timberlake. Usher is way over sexual, which Michael clearly never was. Sure "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Rock With You" and "In The Closet" had sexual elements, but they weren't about getting busy. They were fun. Beyonce and Usher both are all about making these sexual songs, showing off their bodies and acting like whores/man whores on TV in the videos. That wasn't Michael. The video for "Rock With You" was pure fun, with a cool outfit and dancing. Sure the video could have been Michael topless on a bed, with some woman, singing in her ear, ala Usher style, but it wasn't.

If anything, MJ covered his body up. His glove was to hide a skin problem folks. It wasn't fashion for the sake of fashion, and it certainly wasn't to look like a man whore to the ladies watching his videos.

As for Justin Timberlake, Michael had an element of being humble that this guy (and Usher) both CLEARLY lack. Some could argue later in Michael's career he believed his own hype, but certainly when Thriller and Off The Wall were released, he wasn't writing his songs about how sexy he is, or about how many girls he can get.

I guess as an MJ fan, the bottom line is, his death left an emptyness. There won't be another Michael Jackson. No matter how many Thriller jackets Chris Brown wants to wear, no matter how many Michael Jackson armbands Usher wants to put on, no matter how many single gloves Beyonce wants to dawn, there WON'T be another Michael Jackson. If anything copying him, makes me really fed up now. I'd like to see his vintage performances, his amazing music videos be the reminder. Not artists playing dress-up, or thanking him out of some obligation be how he is remembered. I HATE that he is gone.

If anything, when Michael was alive these "artists" were trying to sell the hype that they were his contemporaries, his EQUALS. No.

The only artists who I feel like are sincere Michael Jackson followers/fans/whatever are NeYo and Will.I.Am and I just don't connect to their music, as much as I wish I could. It just isn't for me. I feel both artists lack the crossover appeal Michael was all about.

June 25th wasn't just the day Michael Jackson, The King of Pop died, it was the day the world of pop music had a big empty hole crashed into it. The King is gone, and NO ONE in the "Kingdom" is or will ever be worthy of taking his throne.

I never even imagined a world without Michael Jackson, and now, I'm living in it. While I'm not one of those MJ fans who is going to throw myself off a building or do something stupid, I will say this, musically, the world got a lot more shitty June 25th.
[Edited 7/22/09 11:23am]
[Edited 7/22/09 11:31am]

I FEEL THE SAME WAY, people like Soulja keep saying MJ is their influence but its embarrassing to MJ> i HATE THAT

Once the legends die,no torch will be passed.We will be left with second-rate wannabees and copycats.

Yeah I'm tired of it too. You're inspired by an artist by how they carried themselves and how they did their music, a simple imitation ain't gonna do it. That's why I never got the MJ "clones".

I was watching that awful Randy Jackson Dance Academy shite or whatever it's called this evening. I said to my flatmate how it's kind of ironic how Michael Jackson is credited as an inspiration for a lot of young artists and dancers, and yet he really hasn't as none of them seem to actually GET the essence of what he was all about in music and dance.

Especially in dance, as it's just boring regular street dance. They all do the same thing, aren't inspired by anything interesting or outside the box. They never really put real passion or emotion in anything and just aim to make shapes in unison as fast as possible. Never do I see anyone try and do something that will appeal to all generations and races around the world as there's always some demographic or cool style to maintain That is not and has never been what Michael Jackson was about.

It happens to all the greats. They inspire so many people, both good & bad.

The Beatles inspired Charles Manson, doesn't mean that he got what they were saying.
[Edited 7/22/09 13:54pm]

SoulAlive said:

That's exactly correct. It's always been that way. There is no heir to the MJ throne. There's no heir to Bruce's throne, or Led Zepplins, or Jimi's, or Prince's, or ANYONE's. It's always a cheap imitation, never a true step up. They were talking about Lady Caca being the new Madonna. Why do we need a NEW Madonna, we still HAVE Madonna. It's all press bullshit.

NDRU said:

Please name ONE good act that claims to have been inspired by MJ....

please....

Revolution said:

It's hard enough to name any good acts at all, don't ask for the impossible!

NDRU said:

Exactly

NDRU said:

ernestsewell said:

This is one reason why we must appreciate the legends while they are still here.When they're gone,they won't be replaced.

SoulAlive said:

I thank God I got to know the legends I did through their music and appearances. Because of that, I don't feel bitter when they leave.

Excellent post. But keep in mind, there are some talented people out there that actually get it and one day the pendulum, like it inevitably does, will swing back around. And we or future generations, may may witness the resurgence of someone that actually does get the totality of MJ, and not just the surface level stuff they think passes for his legacy.

After getting deep into stand up comedy, I thought no one would come along that really understood what Richard Pryor was doing (outside of the cursing and using the N*****), then Dave Chappelle emerged on the scene. Chappelle gets it, that's why he had the good sense to get out. Maybe, just maybe, we will have someone -- however briefly -- that will come along to preserve MJs legacy as well and push things forward. It may take a while but I do think it will happen. The only question is whether the gatekeepers will let them come on to the scene.

Revolution said:

?uestlove of the Roots, Windimoto, New Edition, Maroon 5, Q- Tip, Will.I.Am(yes, I enjoyed his solo album), Craig David, Babyface, Floetryy.....

bboy87 said:

Janet jackson