Michael Jackson was and forever will be the King of Pop. He opened up the doors for everyone. I remember once interviewing Mos Def and I asked him about the inception of hip-hop in mass media, how it faced the same challenges as jazz did, in the sense that jazz was at first stigmatized, then later due to persistence hip-hop too as a music genre eventually found its way in affecting the mainstream. Now while Michael certainly was not the vanguard for hip-hop, he did infuse hip-hop elements in his performance as an artist.

Mos went on to say:

“I mean we were hyped when Michael Jackson moon-walked…for real! There was nobody that was doing nothing that we were doing in popular America. When Michael moon-walked on television…you could hear people in other apartments going, ‘Ohhhhh!!’…because what it said to us was that there was someone who was watching what the hell was going on down here…and we never thought that Michael f**kin’ Jackson was gonna do anything that Negroes in the Ghettos were doing…”

Michael Jackson was a true visionary. I found a lot of personal connection with him as well. He was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, he had an overbearing father and a loving nurturing mother. His ability to connect with a large mass of people through his music set a standard which very few, if not anyone has reached. I feel particularly saddened by how his legacy was tarnished by an unforgiving media which sought every which way to denigrate this man. I cannot personally vouch for everything he has been associated with, yet I can say without a doubt, that Michael Jackson impacted this then dangly skinny 8 year old korean kid living in Reseda in the ’80s. My childhood best friend Mario and I would spend hours upon end in Mario’s hallway mirrors emulating Michael’s dance moves, and thinking how badass we were. Michael made you feel good, even to this day his music has the ability to make even the most hardened jaded cool guy at the club put down his glass and tap his foot.

A memory of my older sister, Vickey (Yes I know our names sound alike, that’s for another story in itself) practicing for her 5th grade school dance routine for “Man in the Mirror” also comes forth. I would stare at her incessant hand gestures with her one singular lace glove which she borrowed from my mom’s wedding. She would sway left and right and mouth the words, “I’m Staring With The Man In The Mirror…I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways…” My connection to Michael Jackson was strong as a child.

Yet despite Michael’s innate gift to channel into one’s soul, as an individual he never quite owned his unique identity, he was enslaved by the world around him and at times seemed in constant flux with his placement in society. Perhaps it was due to his upbringing, perhaps it was due to his inability to feel complete despite the praise. Michael never grew up, his fascination for retaining the wonderment of childhood could explain his creation of his fantasy Neverland Ranch compound where he housed his Noah’s Ark. He enjoyed playing host to countless visitors, many of whom were children; which later became the apex of dire controversy.

And it was this strange and almost surreal persona that consumed Michael which made him both something great and maligned at the same time. One thing is for certain in Michale’s passing, emotions run high. Some will acknowledge Michael’s extraordinary talent and yet others will label him as a pedophile. However even to his toughest critics, Michael’s indelible mark on American Pop Culture cannot be denied. He has very much played a significant role in how we view pop music as a movement that has global impact.

Michael Jackson died at age 50, exactly half a lifetime some would say. It’s amazing how much he influenced the world.

It hasn’t yet hit me yet.
I am beyond saddened.
Rest In Peace Michael.
You will forever be remembered.