Happy Heavenly Birthday, MJ! Michael Jackson's Top Hip Hop Moments

From beat-boxing to rocking the stage with Jay Z.

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Moonwalking at Motown 25 - In 1983, Motown Records celebrated its milestone 25th anniversary with a much-anticipated TV special. But while millions tuned in to see moments like the Temptations vocally battle the Four Tops and the reunion of groups like the Jackson 5, the highlight of the evening was a performance by America's newly crowned King of Pop, Michael Jackson. In the middle of doing his hit "Billie Jean," Mike shook up the world when he broke out the "moonwalk," a backsliding move done by electric boogie dancers in ghettos on both the East and West coasts.   (Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images)
Battling Usher in a Dance Off  - To honor his 30th year in show biz Michael spliced moments from his 2001 two-day concert extravaganza at Madison Square Garden for his own TV event. While performing his most recent hit, "You Rock My World," he was joined on stage by Chris Tucker and Usher, whose dance skills have often been compared to Mike's. But when Usher started electric boogying around The Gloved One, Mike sensed a battle, and a dance off was issued. Let's just say, Ush got served. (Photo: Kevin Kane/WireImage)
Beat-boxing for Oprah - Oprah Winfrey scored huge when she landed the first televised interview with MJ (after years of his reclusiveness) on October 2, 1993. Along with opening up about his life, Mike also blessed O with an impromptu beat-boxing session, crafting a rhythm that would rock a party harder than Doug E. Fresh.  (Photo: Sam Emerson /Landov/Reuters)Appearing With Jay Z at Summer Jam - Jay Z almost lost major props at Hot 97's 2001 Summer Jam concert when he called MJ to the stage... and the music legend didn't appear. After a long 90 seconds, the crowd erupted into the loudest cheers of the evening as Mike made his way on stage to stand with Jay.    (Photos from left: Ron Smits/London Ent/Splash News, KMazur/WireImage)

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Moonwalking at Motown 25 - In 1983, Motown Records celebrated its 25th anniversary with a TV special. The highlight of the evening was a performance by America's newly crowned King of Pop, Michael Jackson. In the middle of performing "Billie Jean," Mike shook up the world when he broke out the moonwalk, a backsliding move done by electric boogie dancers. (Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images)

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