Jam On: Music’s Best Dancers Since Michael Jackson

Five years after MJ's death, his performance legacy lives.

Thrilling Moves - Michael Jackson passed away five years ago today (June 25, 2009), leaving the world with memories of his loving heart, unmatched vocals and iconic glove. But most importantly, MJ left the world with an insatiable appetite for performance art as he was a double threat, mastering singing and dancing like no other. The impact he had on the world can be seen today in artists such as Chris Brown, Usher and Jennifer Lopez, who rely on dancing as a major part of their stage presence.Read on to check out other artists who have kept Michael Jackson's performance art legacy alive. —Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photos from left: Christopher Polk/Getty Images For Polk, Phil Walter/Getty Images, Staff/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Chris Brown - It ain't hard to tell that MJ's moves have inspired Chris Brown. Breezy has been vocal about his adoration for the late great singer since day one. But the "Loyal" singer got to officially show his respect for the King of Pop a year after MJ's death when he performed an emotional tribute at the BET Awards. Donning a replica MJ hat and his iconic glove, Breezy performed a medley of hits –– singing and dancing his way through songs like "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror."Breezy continued to show his dedication when he premiered his "Fine China" video in 2013.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake - From his moon walking moves to his falsetto, tenor and soprano vocals, Justin Timberlake can attribute Michael Jackson to many aspects of his artistry. As a member of N’Sync, JT had the opportunity to perform alongside MJ at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. JT's most recent MJ moment came with the posthumous release of Xscape; JT was featured on the lead single “Love Never Felt So Good” and appeared in the video showcasing some of the King of Pop’s best dance moves. However, Timberlake has always kept MJ's legacy alive. For his videos, JT was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, more than a decade after he shared the VMA stage with MJ.(Photo: Rosie Greenway/Getty Images)
Beyoncé - If Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, then Beyoncé is arguably the Queen. Dancing has always been a major component of Queen Bey’s career since her Destiny’s Child days. While Bey wrote a tribute to MJ on the third anniversary of his death, recalling how he influenced her as a vocalist, DC’s hit song "Bootylicious" became synonymous with MJ tributes as the trio donned MJ's signature fedora and matching single-handed glove with each performance. In addition to the nods to iconic MJ fashions, Bey, Kelly and Michelle had the MJ-like choreography down pat as well. They showcased his one-of-a-kind moves in 2001 on the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special.(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)Ciara - When Ciara stepped on the scene with her debut video for "Goodies," it was obvious that she was a fan of the Jackson household. She gave Janet Jackson-meets-Aaliyah vibes, both of whom were inspired by MJ, with her pelvis-thrusting moves. Ci Ci showed that, besides her singing abilities, her dancing skills would be her ticket to fame, as her flexibility and agility captivates audiences.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for BET)

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Chris Brown - It ain't hard to tell that MJ's moves have inspired Chris Brown. Breezy has been vocal about his adoration for the late great singer since day one. But the "Loyal" singer got to officially show his respect for the King of Pop a year after MJ's death when he performed an emotional tribute at the BET Awards. Donning a replica MJ hat and his iconic glove, Breezy performed a medley of hits –– singing and dancing his way through songs like "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror."Breezy continued to show his dedication when he premiered his "Fine China" video in 2013.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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