People across the globe are speaking up in tribute to the fallen King of Pop. We’ll be adding more throughout the day, so check back…
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Prince and Michael, where I come from, was our Elvis and Beatles.”
Felix Da Housecat

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MJ- Is the only person I knew of that could literally cause mass hysteria simply by his presence. I remember when I was a kid I was lucky enough to be in his presence. Then I knew why so many people fainted at his concerts. He had an energy(power) around him that you could feel, and when he danced you didn’t have to see him dance you would know with your eyes closed because you could feel his energy/power.

The Biggest Star of my time.

He helped break down some of the color lines in America.

His music still moves today.

Peter James Lee-Co-Owner/Designer for Cassette (www.houseofcassette.com)
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Yesterday when I heard the news about the passing of Michael Jackson my reaction was similar to that of Katt Williams. Because I hated the things that Michael allegedly did later in his life. I was angry at the man. The let down was unbearable. Michael couldn’t have done those things? He is KING OF POP. At parties in middle school and high school I was the guy attempting to emulate this moves on the dance floor. I was crushed.
I read an Op Ed that Rickey Kim posted on his blog. After I read it Rickey and I chatted for a bit via technology.
I realized a few things last night. I was mad at Michael because of the catastrophic let of finding out he was human and had human flaws. He was the definition of LARGER THAN LIFE.
I was not a super fan but he played a huge roll in my development into the man I am today. From the way I dance OR try to dance. To the music that I listen too. I clearly remember the entire day that lead up to the world premier of “Do You Remember.” They played music video on Fox after In Living Color. It was epic. I must say Magic Johnson looked like an idiot in that video. Back to the point.
The other thing that I realized and this is the saddest. Michael Jackson was damaged goods. His childhood can tell you all you need to know about his faults as a man, rather a grownup child. His father was a slave driver and Michael was his prize performer. Before Michael even peaked at puberty he was working full time as the front man for the Jackson 5. Later he would become the King of Pop. I don’t need to get into what he did for music. If you want the details on that turn on the news or watch the BET awards on Sunday. They will undoubtably be a tribute to the Michael Jackson.
In closing I must be true and say Michael you were the King and yesterday was a loss that this world will never forget but you also did some horrible things to those kids. I think everyman should be accountable for their actions but I do believe you never had a chance. And that bastard of a father you had fucked your life in a unfathomable way. For that I am sorry.
Kellen Roland
Agenda Show
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“He’s the Greatest Dancer”

I remember when the greatest controversy involving Michael Jackson was whether he or MC Hammer was the best dancer alive, sort of a pop precursor to the later East-West hip hop beefs. Hammer had his pants, running man, and that shaking, jumping Jim Crow move that relied heavily on the theatrics of the pant’s fabric itself, while Michael had inherited, perfected, and improved upon a James Brown inspired repertoire of spins, poses, and the inimitable moonwalk, with a one gloved crotch grab to boot. Clearly, that should have been enough; besides, one couldn’t really compare a marginal ex-ballboy cum two hit wonder with the King of Pop on any level, right? Still, the “debate” raged in some quarters–most of it emanating from the massive, raucous Hammer entourage, which clamored for a dance off that would never occur. It was acute pop cultural amnesia: couldn’t the New Jacks remember anything beyond Hammertime? Didn’t they remember “Thriller,” and the zombie nation shimmy, or “Billy Jean,” when Michael literally lit up the floor? I mean, when people say they have a patented dance move, they don’t actually mean that the USPTO has a file on them…unless of course they’re Michael Jackson, in which case patent #5255452, the “anti-gravity lean” he invented and showcased in the “Smooth Criminal” video, is duly recognized as being unique and uninfringible. Granted, any one of these songs and a dozen others were, dancing aside, instant classics, whereas poor Hammer’s musical efforts would be relegated quickly to camp status and punch lines at best. The need, though, for resolution among MJ’s fans remained: You couldn’t very well be the King of Pop while some guy trotting out his moves in adverts for potato chips and fried chicken (dancing a bit too close to minstrelsy for many) was allegedly a better dancer than you. For me, closure came in 1995 at the MTV music awards, where Michael proved he still had it, seamlessly gliding about the stage to a medley of his hits, and even taking Slash’s attempted scene stealing guitar solo overkill more or less in stride. By then he was, in many people’s eyes, miles further along the road to crazy town, but we also clearly saw that, damn, he could still move like nobody else on the planet, and his music could still move us. Now that he’s gone, that is what will remain. That’s the thing that nobody can touch.
Derek Ferguson
co-owner, Santos Party House
owner, Integrated Studios
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Michael learned pop-locking from some of the best, and no one will forget his moonwalk on the Mowtown anniversary. Michael was hip-hop:

Top 5 Michael Jackson sampled Songs:
1. Nas – “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”  (Human Nature)
2. Naughty By Nature – “O.P.P.” (ABC)
3. De La Soul – “Breakadawn” (I Can’t Help It)
4. Ice Cube – “You Know How We Do It” (Billie Jean)
5. ODB – “Got Your Money” (Billie Jean)
KeyKool
Visionaries MC/Producer
Up Above Records, President
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As an immigrant kid from South America, “Maiko Chakson” (as his name was pronounced in my household) came to symbolize a new culture I both feared and desperately aspired to assimilate. Elaborate “Beat It” dance routines performed on patches of grass in housing project yards helped define this new land, and my place in it. Maiko Chakson taught me that this is a nation of exquisite contradictions, where even I belonged sometimes. Today I cry not only for the loss of an incredibly talented artist, but for that sliver of irretrievable childhood.
Aura Bogado
Journalist
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Basically, this was the world’s greatest “living” performer and it’s a shock to see him go. Eccentricities aside, his contributions to music and pop culture are rivaled by few. Jackson’s influence will continue to linger with artists and his innovations will be referenced for years to come.
Mike Dos Santos
Apache Beat and The Homosexuals
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Michael Jackson to me is more than an entertainment icon. he is a martyr, a life influencer, an incredible generous human being whose story grew up with us like one of our own.
His music touched people’s lives through out the world crossing boundaries of gender, race, age. His influence and legacy will prolong for decades to come. R.I.P. MJ and thank you for your unselfish sharing of yourself.
Dennis Yu
Owner
Natural Selection Sales Agency
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This comes as such a devastating shock.  It really brings home the inevitability of death and the fragility of life.  One thing keeps bothering me though….what if he’s faking it, trying to burn out Kurt Cobain style!  Let the conspiracy theories fly!!
Luke Mulderink
Dim Mak
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Yesterday felt like a bad dream! I can’t believe his is gone! I used to rock a beat it jacket! i had a curl! Word!!! I used to dance in school in front of all the girls and try to do all his moves!! Thanks to him I had girls crushing on me cause I knew how to moonwalk! Miss you Michael.
Jniero Jarel

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