25 Reasons We Love Michael Jackson

Why we'll always be down with the King.

Michael Jackson –Thriller (1982) - With the help of producer Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson crafted this genre-defying masterpiece which catapulted him from R&B superstar to ground/record-breaking global phenomenon and absolute King of Pop. From the danceable "Billie Jean" to the rock-influenced "Beat It" to the ghoulish title track, the Gloved One not only scored smash hits, but used the tracks to pioneer the use of music video as a means of visually pushing the interpretation of pop music.   (Photo: Epic Records)
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5. His Charity Work - Michael put his money where his music was. He donated 100 percent of the profits from "Man in the Mirror" to charity. Between 1985 and 1990, he gave $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund. All the profits from his Dangerous tour went to his Heal the World foundation, which supported charities for underprivileged children. In 2000, he actually took the Guinness World Record for most charitable entertainer.    (Photo: REUTERS/Kieran Doherty /Landov)
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6. His Music Had a Message - Mike was never content to just write dance-floor-owning hits. From “Man in the Mirror” to “Black and White” to "We Are the World (which he co-wrote)," MJ’s music took on society’s illest ills head on, with both courage and sensitivity.   (Photo: MJ Kim/Getty Images)

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