Clearly Inspired by The King Of Pop

Michael Jackson has inspired so many current artists. In remembrance and memorial to Michael Jackson, here is a look at a few (in no particular order)...

Britney Spears
Spears has become one of the biggest selling artists in the 2000s and partly because of her tours which feature what many think Spears does best, dance. A lot of her dancing has been influenced from Michael Jackson.

Chris Brown
Brown has been labeled in some cases a younger version of MJ. Once again his dance moves catapult him towards this comparison. At the 2007 MTV VMAs he performed to "Billie Jean," in tribute to MJ.

Justin Timberlake
Timberlake has become another entertainer who's gained many MJ comparisons from his particular dancing. Along with 'N Sync, he even performed with one of his idols, MJ.

Usher
Very similar to MJ, Usher grew up in the spotlight and became the star he is today right in front of the public. As he grew up, his dancing became more respected and appreciated; from his distinctive moves such as his handstand, he's obviously been influenced by MJ.

Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo alike MJ has became a prominent and popular songwriter. As he has been dancing for some time now, he really showed off his MJ moves and swag with the live performances and music video to 2008s "Closer."

Rihanna
While Rihanna isn't really the dancing music superstar, she sampled the MJ made famous "Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa" chant in her hit "Don't Stop The Music." Following, she also used the dark eerie vibe from "Thriller" in her music video to "Disturbia."

Ciara
Unlike many others Ciara has listed both MJ and his younger sister has big influenced to her style of dance. While some label her the new era Janet, in a recent interview with ThatGrapeJuice she actually picked MJ over Janet!

Ashanti
While Ashanti isn't really compared to MJ for her dancing, she was definitely lyrically inspired by The King Of Pop. Her 2003 hit single was titled "Rock Wit You (Awww Baby)" similar to MJs 1979 hit single "Rock With You." She also remixed the song to feature a beat more similar to MJs version and a bridge featuring his lyrics.

Beyonce
Beyonce is one of the biggest females when it comes to putting on a show filled with dance routines and memorable performances. Similar to MJ's moonwalk, Beyonce's dance routine for "Single Ladies" was inspired from a past similar number she saw. She has recently claimed him as one of her heroes.

Omarion
Even though Omarion isn't currently in the spotlight as he used to be, Omarion's dancing has been clearly inspired from MJ. If you watch his videos including "Touch" you can see resemblances to how MJ would effortless move in Omarion as well.

As you can see many artists have been and continue to be influenced and inspired by The King Of Pop. Michael Jackson will stand forever as the guideline of what an ultimate global star is and should be like. And if that statement seems to big for me to make, just look at some of the extremely popular stars who have emulated Jackson in some way, shape or form. [Do you know someone who deserves to be on this list? Drop a comment, and list your name and you will receive credit if added to the list]

R.I.P. Michael Joseph Jackson
August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Barbadian Exploration: Livvi Franc "Now I'm That Bitch"

So ever since Rihanna came into super stardom, the U.S. has gotten other female variants from her native Barbados. First we had Shontelle, who had mediocre success with her song "T-Shirt" (which actually was a good catchy song to me). Sadly her follow singles "Battle Cry," and "Stuck With Each other" [featuring Akon] which actually sounded like a "Hate That I Love You" knock off (but still good), didn't receive much attention at all.

Next up from Barbados, is Livvi Franc. Who actually writes her own lyrics. Which is a plus to all of the people who always bring up the fact that Rihanna is a Def Jam puppet. Franc's debut single, "Now I'm That Bitch" features Latino Hip Hop star Pitbull, and brings a fierce attitude to men all around the world, as she claims to be 'that bitch;' but in a positive way of course.

I must admit the song is rather catchy, and already has became a U.S. dance hit. The line in the song that I must say makes the song, is not the title, "Now I'm That Bitch," it's when Livvi Franc says, "You were to fly then, so fly away now." Gotta love that line! We'll see what the future holds for this Barbadian artist. Will she become as successful as Rihanna, I doubt it, but who knows she may have a better first round than Shontelle...maybe!

BET Awards 09: Monica Outshines Keyshia Cole (Without Trying)

It was really something when Keyshia Cole and Monica sang their duet live on the 2009 BET Awards. You think since they were performing a sincere ballad that it would have been one of the nights highlight performances. Well it was for one of the two.

I personally think Keyshia Cole was up on stage trying to out-sing Monica. Which is just wrong. Monica has been in this game for so many years, and to her, Keyshia is a baby! Well too bad for Cole because she ended up sounding off, very "screamy" with her vocals; as Monica just glided through her vocals (and was even told in the post show by Foxx and Latifa to put out an album now!). Not to mention what was up with her [Keyshia's] hair-do!

BET Awards 09: Janet Speaks On Michael

Sadly, the best part of the 2009 BET Awards was actually its saddest part! Near the end of the program they've had Janet Jackson come out on behalf of the Jackson family and speak on how the family is coping and showing respect for her brother, Michael. Janet was completely shaken, and you could visibly see the pain she was going through. You could tell how close they were as siblings, and the moment was very touching.

While it was a very sad moment to see Janet like this, it was great to hear from her and hear her respects and strength she is holding for her family, in their time of need. Rest In Peace Michael Jackson, and to his family, you are in many peoples thoughts.



I must admit, as she was first being walked out by Jamie Foxx, I definitely thought she was Diana Ross.

BET Awards 09: Keri Hilson Needs More Stamina

What do you know... Once again Keri Hilson's live performance, just wasn't cutting it. She was sounding like she was out of breath once again. She never truly dances so hard (like Ciara) yet she is always out of breath.

Her performance showed her respect and love for the late Michael Jackson which was nice, but she still shouldn't have been dancing if she couldn't sing throughout it. Work on your stamina Keri!

BET Awards 09: Jamie Foxx's Intro

So Jamie Foxx's intro was pretty much paying respect to Michael Jackson. It wasn't bad, nor anything that special. It would have been nice if he had sung the part of "Beat It" that he danced to. A rather long intro which I'm sure was because of the Michael Jackson's tribute from him.

Hopefully he makes the rest of the show more memorable. I'm already upset by how many times they've bleeped out words he said, cause sometimes it's like, huh what was he saying/did he say.

BET Awards 09: LeToya's Wrong Song Choice

So LeToya recently performed on the 106 & Park Pre-Show to the 2009 BET Awards... And I have no idea why she decided to perform her months old single "Not Anymore." Besides the fact that its old, its a slow song that didn't get the crowd hyped, and will not help her set her album off right. At least she didn't make this mistake on the actual show.

It was just a really bad decision of hers, especially when she has her new uptempo single, "She Ain't Got..." which should have been performed, to help the single at radio and in sales. LeToya...bad move!