I just got news of Micheal Jackson's sudden death. Earlier this morning I was thinking of how a whole generation seems to be in transit (death, heaven, merging with the universal prime, or however your persuation may describe it) when I found out about Farrah Fawcette losing her battle to cancer, not even up to 24 hours later...Micheal is gone. Yes, he was Michael, before there was Jordan, before there was Tyson, he was Micheal. A phenomenon to a whole generation, an embodiment of human excellence and human imperfection all wrapped up in one. Critisize as you may or praise as you will, one thing stands, he captivated the senses of all who dare avail their person to his magic.
I remember being the coolest kid at every birthday party simply because I could do the 'moon walk' or because I could do the moves from Billie Jean. As a kid growing up in Cameroon (West Africa), Micheal Jackson was the definition of the possibilities America had to offer. Even my grandparents (may thier soul rest in piece) who had very limited awareness of pop culture knew who he was and how captivating this character/persona was.
In the words of Neil (my wife's cousin), "dude a part of pop culture just died". I have a slightly different take, A MYTH IS BORN!
His songs are one of the few that stud the test of time.So many "Pop" songs hardly stay polpular beyond the year they where published. Thriller was out in 1982 and to this day we still turn up the dial to 11 when ever we come across that song! I can't say that about pop songs like moulin rouge, the macarena or jay-z H to the izzo etc... .
ReplyDeleteI wish there where more real artist these days.
In short Michael was a 'Quality' artist and quality alwass shows in the end.
thanks for sharing Pryde - we can all relate, though some of us still cant moon walk, even after years of practice. I had so many Micheal albums on cassette dude. I played Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad and so many other albums endlessly on my walkman. Even to this day I periodically sit for hours watching Micheal videos on youtube. the most unfortunate thing is that he didn't have a happier existence - this tragic end could have almost been written - and that's what's most heartbreaking about the whole thing to me. we loved him, though we questioned his life. It would have been easy to vilify him had he not given us so much and been such a big part of our childhood. A legend was born today. Micheal live's. Music is immortal.
ReplyDeleteThings have been said about this man, whether true or not .yes , he was a confused individual, always threading the fine lines between innocence, naivity,everlasting youth,wrong doing.He led a very controversial lifestyle, mainly misguided as it may seem by the people around him who took advantage of his nature but one thing holds a steadfast truth...and it is the fact that yes there were dancers ,very good dancers maybe even better dancers before and after Michael but every crazy leg in our generation every child of the 80s who wows with moves on the dance floor owe their influence to this great performer...because in the history of time,very few have come close to captivating audiences world wide as did our now late King of Pop.all the kings are dying, Elvis the King of rock n roll, James Brown the Godfather of soul and now the the King, the legend and as my comrade Prydo rightly put it, the Myth that is the one and only Michael Jackson has left us...may his soul rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteMOON WALKER
ReplyDelete(A Tribute for MJ)
The world will never know another like you
king of pop, bestselling artist, grammy winner
arrgh, forget all the accolades
who you were was one so unique
eccentric, vulnerable, beautiful
in your heart were paper tigers, butterflies and tenderlings
Do we not know you our peter pan
Do we not see your heart shine bright
and though no one understood you
it was never our concern but Gods
You will be missed tremendously for in you we found our rhythm
maybe, just maybe all the hate was just our way of envying the child in you
that had died in us
and though you're no more, your heart and soul still remains
and we'll remember you on the place you came alive; on stage
Now you've gone to do the one thing
you were always born to do
Go moon walker, go walk on your moon!
(...and my angel of a daughter wrote me a note to comfort me, it read: "From Michael Jackson to Bernice. I know that you are sad about me dying. So I know your name is Bernice. I love you very much, MJ." Very thoughtful child, so very sweet of her)
Copyright © 2009 Bernice Angoh Lakota
He was truly the king of pop.
ReplyDeleteKeep up with your blog prydo.
Feel so sad visiting your blog for the first time with such a heavy heart. We will always remember MJ too bad it had to happen so soon. Now my bro you can share your thoughts with the rest of the world. I always knew your life would be bigger than just BUEA. I hope you use this blog to HEAL THE WORLD AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE.
ReplyDeleteMiles
I couldn't believe it when I heard the news. We lost a true legend. I remember my older brother playing those vinyl MJ records my dad had in his room. A lot of those records just remind me of my childhood. I remember being so scared the first time I watched the video thriller. Me and other kids in primary school used to compete on who could do the best moonwalk. Heal the world, Man in the mirror, I mean it's so hard to even answer the question; What is your favourite Michael Jackson record? Rest in Peace MJ. You are in a better place. You will truly be missed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there was ever a place where some kid wasn't trying to moon walk; boys and girls. I remember all the MJ moments I had as a kid from dancing to watching videos and other do or attempt the moon walk. It's so unreal and sad...
ReplyDeleteEven with all the negativity, MJ was just trying to be a friend to the world. And for many, he was all that and more. R.I.P. Mike!!