I Wanna Be Like Mike

Musicians who paid tribute to MJ in their own amazing way.

Nas - “The Genesis,” Illmatic (1994) - Illmatic introduces us to one of hip hop’s most cinematic rappers with an intro that contains audio clips from Wild Style, a movie that inaugurated hip hop into film.(Photo: Columbia Records)
Akon, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008"  - Akon remade this signature King of Pop party-rocker for the 25th anniversary reissue of Thriller.   (Photo: Courtesy Epic Records)
Ghost's Godly Aspirations - Ghostface called himself “Black Jesus” on a 1996 song of the same name, and he's kept the alias alive through the years. Considering he frequently wears a robe and rolls with the Wu Disciples, the nickname makes a whole lot of sense.  (Photo: MTV)
Mariah Carey, "I'll Be There” - Mariah Carey’s breathtaking cover of “I’ll Be There,” the Jackson 5’s final No. 1 single, lead her 1992 MTV Unplugged album to platinum heights and remains one of the most powerful performances in her storied career.  (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Records)Jay-Z, "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" - In a glimpse of the pair's later success with Watch the Throne, Kanye West chopped up the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” for the triumphant lead single from Jay-Z’s 2001 benchmark The Blueprint.  (Photo: Courtesy of Roc-A-Fella Records)

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Akon, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" - Akon remade this signature King of Pop party-rocker for the 25th anniversary reissue of Thriller. (Photo: Courtesy Epic Records)

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