R.I.P. MJ!

So this post was defintely something that I was dreading but I knew I had to do it because it's one of the number one burdens on all of our minds and hearts right now. I have been taking the passing of Michael Jackson pretty hard, as I know many of you have as well. I mean, we all knew that MJ was a living legend among us... but to think that he would be taken away so abruptly especially since the anouncment of his upcoming world tour, it's just heart-breaking.




Yes, Michael Jackson was a controversial figure when it came to his personal life, but I choose to focus on what we all love and respect Michael for, his unmatched contributions to the music industry.

This chart gives a better visual understanding to the effect that this man has had on our music by illustrating the Michael Jackson samples found in Hip-Hop and R&B songs today.

The little boy that stole the world's heart!!

My talented friend and artist, S.Whittaker, painted this months before MJ's passing and it was always one of my favorite works by her:

Take a look at the below list of MJ samples... and this is just the beginning. Now that he's gone everyone and their mama is gonna be remaking a Michael song, so get prepared people!!:

1. Got to Be There (1971) sampled by Havoc on Be There (2007)
2. Maria (You Were the Only One) (1971) sampled by Fat Joe on Bendicion Mami (2006)
3. Ain't No Sunshine (1972) sampled by Ghostface Killah feat. Sun God on Street Opera (2006)
4. I Wanna Be Where You Are (1972) sampled by Grand Puba on I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are) (1995)
5. I Wanna Be Where You Are (1972) sampled by MURS on Can It Be (2008)
6. Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day (1972) sampled by Scanty Sandwich on Because of You (2000)
7. We've Got a Good Thing Going (1972) sampled by Cassidy on Around tha World (2004)
8. With a Child's Heart (1973) sampled by Big Punisher on You Ain't a Killer (1997)
9. With a Child's Heart (1973) sampled by Little Brother on Watch Me (2005)
10. With a Child's Heart (1973) sampled by Cyssero feat. The Game on Fire in Ya Eyes (2007)
11. We're Almost There (1975) sampled by Jadakiss feat. Styles P on One More Step (2009)
12. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (1979) sampled by Mase feat. Jay-Z, 112 and Lil' Cease on Cheat on You (1997)
13. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (1979) sampled by Baby Bumps on I Got This Feeling (1999)
14. I Can't Help It (1979) sampled by Portrait on Here We Go Again! (1992)
15. I Can't Help It (1979) sampled by Shanice on It's for You (1993)
16. I Can't Help It (1979) sampled by De La Soul on Breakadawn (1993)
17. I Can't Help It (1979) sampled by Fabolous feat. Mike Shorey on Baby (2004)
18. I Can't Help It (1979) sampled by Ryan Leslie feat. Cassie and Fabolous on Addiction (2009)
19. Off the Wall (1979) sampled by Soul Avengerz on Enjoy Yourself (2004)
20. Billie Jean (1982) sampled by Lydia Murdock on Superstar (1983)
21. Billie Jean (1982) sampled by Club House on Do It Again - Billie Jean (Medley) (1983)
22. Billie Jean (1982) sampled by Jeru the Damaja on Mental Stamina (1994)
23. Human Nature (1982) sampled by SWV on Right Here (Human Nature Remix) (1992)
24. Human Nature (1982) sampled by Nas on It Ain't Hard to Tell (1994)
25. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (1982) sampled by Kanye West feat. T-Pain on Good Life (2007)
26. The Girl is Mine (1982) sampled by Ashanti on Good Good (2008)
27. The Lady in My Life (1982) sampled by LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men on Hey Lover (1995)
28. The Lady in My Life (1982) sampled by Trae feat. Big Hawk on Swang (2006)
29. Thriller (1982) sampled by N.W.A on 100 Miles and Runnin' (1990)
30. Thriller (1982) sampled by Public Enemy on 911 is a Joke (1990)
31. Thriller (1982) sampled by The Prodigy on The Way It is (2004)
32. Thriller (1982) sampled by Herve on Cheap Thrills (2007)
33. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (1982) sampled by Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz feat. Chauncey Black on Startin' Somethin (1998)
34. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (1982) sampled by Rihanna on Don't Stop the Music (2007)
35. Say Say Say (1983) sampled by Hi_Tack on Say Say Say (Waiting 4 U) (2005)
36. Somebody's Watching Me (1984) sampled by Fonky Family on Art De Rue (2001)
37. Liberian Girl (1987) sampled by MC Lyte feat. Xscape on Keep On, Keepin' On (1996)
38. Liberian Girl (1987) sampled by 2Pac on Letter 2 My Unborn (2001)
39. Heaven Can Wait (2001) sampled by Ludacris feat. T-Pain on One More Drink (2008)

Where it all started for MJ:
We will always love you MJ, you truly are the King of Pop!

Below is the link to a really cool video that I found on the history of the Moonwalk, MJ's legendary & signature move. While this clip clearly highlights Jackson's perfection of the move, it also shows performers who came before Jackson using that same backslide move; performers such as Jackie Daniel, Timothy Solomon, Bill Bailey, all the way back to Cap Callaway in 1932.

This just goes to remind us that while we are praising the contributions of one of the greatest to ever do it, he is not the first and hopefully will not be the last! There are many unsung contributors to the arts.... Life really is a big cycle and maybe, just maybe MJ has opened up the arena for his successor.

Check out the footage here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH0FeiLHH-U

Please feel free to share your thoughts on anything related to Michael Jackson. What he meant to you, what you think his impact on the music industry is, your favorite MJ moment or how you felt when you heard the tragic news of his passing......