RIP Michael.

I heard of Michael Jackson's passing while riding on a bus in downtown Evanston. The news at first seemed outrageous, ungrounded...impossible. If nothing else, I have always imagined the King of Pop as a figure of indisputable immortality, a moon-walking mix of man and machine that would live as long as I did. MJ played a pivotal role in my life, he was one of the few artists that I could listen to in the company of my parents, and certainly the catalyst/primary inspiration for the love of dance that has stuck with me to this day. Much like many of my contemporaries who like to cut a rug occasionally, it starts and ends with Michael.

Usher, Omarion, Justin Timberlake whoever; show me a cat poppin and sliding across the stage who doesn't cite the King as their primary influence. Dude could flat out perform.

It's looking like my final research paper may in part be an homage to MJ. He was a radical in ways that are far too often left unexplored. I'm ecstatic to get the research underway, and sincerely hope it all comes together. I also want to send out my sincerest condolences to the Jackson family for their loss. Many of us were deeply pained to lose him as an artist, I can't imagine what it must have been like to lose him as a brother or son. My prayers are with you.

Let us dance in his memory, ya'll. A collective moonwalk to honor the memory of the baddest to ever do it; the smooth criminal who stole our hearts. RIP Michael, you will be missed by all.