Tribute Video for my biggest inspiration, an Icon; The King of Pop – Michael Jackson.
It’s official – my childhood is over. And it took the death of an icon for me to realize this. The man who was embedded in so many of my childhood memories passed away this Thursday and took a piece of my soul with him. My memories span from Pop (RIP) giving me and my brother, Mario a good spanking at 3 years old when we tried to emulate the dance from ‘The way you make me feel’ and he thought we were “being fresh” humping the floor all the way to practicing the dance to ‘Rock My World’ at 15 years old with my best friend NahTesha at the peak of our friendship. His death hit closer to home than I ever imagined a celebrity death could.
I know it might seem like I’m exaggerating but I know what it’s like to have people all over the world relate to you and see greatness in you and still not have a soul on earth to turn to. I too, deal with issues of self-worth and I know first hand what it means to be consumed with loneliness. I experience what it’s like to suffer from Peter Pan syndrome because you grew up too fast and to find refuge in the innocence of kids because the law of love could be best understood and learned through little children. I too believe that love can heal the world. And of course, I’m misunderstood and I truly believe I can relate to Michael in a way a lot of people can’t. It breaks my heart knowing I’ll never have the opportunity to meet him to let him know what an impact he’s had on my life like I’ve always planned to.
The mainstream media makes me want to vomit focusing on the not-so-great aspects of his life instead of acknowledging and praising all the contributions he made to the entire world. This man single-handedly bridged race, genre and age gaps while also redefining the art of entertainment. He was bringing black and white together before both Barack Obama and Oprah and it’s my belief that neither of them would be where they are if he hadn’t already changed the worlds perception of black people by acting so royally and genuine. Do ya’ll understand dance, music, performances and music videos would not be where it’s at now if it weren’t for him being the innovator? He upped the ante and created the style of dance that can be found in all your favorite artist performances today. He’s the one celebrity in the world that my grandmother, my father and myself will mourn together. And lastly but not least, not only did he use his music as a tool to raise awareness about all the world issues that concerned him – he really put his money where his mouth was and donated millions.
How heart wrenching is it that someone with such great intentions who lead a completely selfless life, giving up all the things we take for granted just to entertain us ended so tragically? A deprived childhood, a society that bullied him, allegations that ruined his reputation, and a level of fame that suffocates you because coping with worldwide fame makes you become reclusive, lonely, cautious and pressured. Then death at a fairly young age? Damn, I just can’t accept that I’m never going to be able to see him live in concert. It was one of those things I just knew I’d do before I died and it breaks my heart that my dreams are shattered. And quite frankly, I’m sad that my children will grow up in a post-michael era and he’ll just be a legend to them… so unborn children – I want you to know – for the first 22 years of my life, I witnessed GREATNESS in it’s purest form. I love you Michael.
June 27th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I think we all thought it was a joke at first and were in a state of shock. I keep saying that the soundtrack of my childhood consists mainly of Mike & Whitney. Mike just seemed to have such a sweet, sweet spirit. When I finally started crying I couldn’t stop. Like you said, it’s not just another celebrity, it’s a person who’s music had a SERIOUS impact on my life.
June 28th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Yea pretty much everything you said was true chick. I was just thinking to myself..he can’t die..thats psycho..it’s like I somehow thought he’d wind up like the famous ppl on Futurama and have his head in a glass jar and still be alive lol. I the tape you were talking about and this other one where he’s with these kids..like..the movie thing. I wanted to be those kids…I wanted to like chill with him. I thought he was so cool. I remember being in the car with my mom in her 1990 honda prelude listening to every michael song. That really disturbs me that my children won’t be able to see him…that really bothers me. I was at work when someone told me..and I was like..ur lying..i don’t believe you. this dude isn’t supposed to die. The crazy part is that I don’t think during our time will there ever again be someone as large as he was. I’m just happy he was BLACK!! LOL
June 29th, 2009 at 12:59 am
it’s looking at your video yesterday that i finally managed to start crying to expulse a part of the pain out of me. You know how to express your feelings so easily that is amazing. thank you alexis**
June 29th, 2009 at 2:09 am
I won’t lie, his death hit me hard as well because just like you, I’d grown up listening to his music constantly. I remember being in my bedroom all of the time with my Michael Jackson TAPE collection lol. He was all I listened to sometimes and his music always brought me to higher places as I was going through so much growing up. I’ve always felt like he was misunderstood and people tore him down because they allowed the media to fill their heads up with poppycock. I’ve seen some clippings of Michael Jackson being interviewed and he was always so genuine and innocent and there wasn’t any acting about the way he was. I truly believe he related to children in an innocent way and people took it to another level. There are teachers and babysitters of the like who enjoy children in pretty much the same ways but they aren’t being looked down on or scrutinized. I feel terrible that his famous life made him seclude himself from everyone else and when I was watching one of his interviews with Geraldo, I was so sad when he stated that he couldn’t go and do certain things so he had to create his world within his own gates. It really broke my heart because people looked down on him for being so different but the world didn’t allow him to be like everyone else either. I could go on and on about this but I must admit that I’m really glad that Michael doesn’t have to endure anymore of the Medias bullshit and he is finally resting in peace. I’m not religious either but I believe that Jackson is one of God’s Angels.
June 29th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
awww emi
June 30th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Wow. That was a moving tribute. He will most certainly be missed. I can’t say this one hit me like Pac but I know the feeling of thinking one day I’ll meet this man and just express my gratitude for all that he’s done. How this person you’ve never met has impacted and molded your life. I was never afforded the opportunity to express my appreciation so I know how you feel. MJ will most definitely be missed. There will NEVER be another like him, EVER. Long live the King.
July 1st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Thanks for sharing AB. Nearly a week after his death, it’s still so hard to believe that he’s gone. There’s not one person who hasn’t been somehow influenced or touched by Michael’s genius. You see his moves in Latin artists like Flex, Wisin y Yandel; at the height of Ricky Martin’s Shake Your Bon Bon, the influence was undeniable. Fame killed MJ. Plain and simple. I’ll never stop listening to his music, and I’m so glad that I was never ashamed to say that he’s my favorite male singer—I wouldn’t be able to live with myself now.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
The main stream media will always clash with a icon, good vid Lexxx
July 6th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Love your video Lexi! I agreed with everything !! I