Beyoncé Remembers Michael Jackson
Three years ago, the world mourned the loss of Michael Jackson. While he’s gone too soon, the King of Pop lives on through his music and the legions of artists he inspired including Beyoncé. On the anniversary of his death, the 30-year-old singer pens a letter to her idol, thanking him for making her the artist she is today. She recalls watching a young MJ perform live and realizing the soul and swag that he possessed.
“Michael taught me that sometimes you have to forget technique, forget what you have on,” writes B, who performed the Jackson 5’s “I Wanna Be Where You Are” while auditioning for a record deal with Destiny’s Child.
Read her touching tribute to the late legend below.
When I was just starting out, my first producer used to make me listen to Michael Jackson’s live performance of “Who’s Loving You.” He would have me watch that for hours back to back to back.
What he wanted me to learn was his soul. You could hear his soul. And he was this little kid who hadn’t experienced love but he was a vessel. For whatever reason he could evoke more emotion than an adult. It was so raw and so pure. It was these little things that he did that were just swag. It’s something that’s God given.
Michael taught me that sometimes you have to forget technique, forget what you have on. If you feel silly, you have to go from the gut just let it go.
Michael Jackson changed me, and helped me to become the artist i am — thank you Michael.
Love always,
B