The Day I Met Michael Jackson

by Kwapi V | June 26, 2009 at 10:36 am

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Bob Marley once sang "One good thing about music, when it hits you fell no pain". There are songs that make your mind drift into day dreams and wonder endlessly in the corridors of your imagination; songs that make you tap your feet and bob your head with every kick of the snare drum and every pluck of a bass guitar string; songs that make you want to love 'her' more and songs that make you wish you loved 'him' less; those songs that lift you up when you feel down & out and those that inspire & illuminate your darkest hour, the ones that speak to the soul even when your mind isn't listening.

I always said Michael Jackson was one of the greatest things to ever happen to music; not simply because of his dancing skills, record setting concerts or platinum selling singles & albums but rather, because of my simple appreciation for work ethic, creativity and the value of doing what you love in life. This is a man that didn't simply break records but also broke barriers like being the first Black artist to be played on MTV following decades in which black music and artists had been quarantined from main stream acceptance.

True genius transcends time, race and generations much like William Shakespeare did in literature and Leonardo da Vinci did in the arts; it transcends the limitations of accepted logic and creativity much like Einstein did in science and Frank Lloyd Wright in Architecture; true genius is immortalized in human history and enshrined in memories, both owned and inherited much like the genius of Bob Marley or Ritchie Valens, people who died before my time. And that is what Michael Jackson is, the manifestation of musical genius with respect to his talents. His private life is not for me to judge, but his talents & abilities are here for me to appreciate.

I met Michael Jackson on my birthday, November 22nd, my mother told me to close my eyes and when I opened them, there he was, photographed in a bright white suit laying on the cover of an Album called "Thriller".

sincerely yours,
Kwapi
Copyright 2009

http://www.twitter.com/kwapiv

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Brian Brown (not verified)

at 10:46 on June 26th, 2009

Absolutely ridiculous - I can't believe people are seriously saying that Michael Jackson was a genius. The comparisons with Shakespeare and Leonardo da Vinci are simply laughable. I can only hope this is intended as a spoof.

Kwapi V

at 10:49 on June 26th, 2009

A genius within the context of his talents. thats why I said "Shakespeare in Literature" as well as citing every other persons field, hate him or love him, Michael was a musical genius, please always observe context before commenting.

Brenda Said (not verified)

at 11:59 on June 26th, 2009

There is no context in which the guy is a genius. You liked his music - fair enough.

Kwapi V

at 12:33 on June 26th, 2009

Genius by definition does not just pertain to intellect but can also be a reference to creative power - I do not have to like someone's music for example to appreciate their genius. I'm not a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture but I appreciate his genius, not a fan of Beethoven or Mozart but I acknowledge their creative capacity; Karl Rove is a political genius, I'm not a fan of him but I give him credit. I guess 'genius' is a term with that has to be used with an air relativity and subjectivity. Make no mistake, Michael Jackson was a creative power; 4 decades of it; enough #1 singles and records to prove it and the dance choreography to rubber stamp his creativity.

Nick carter (not verified)

at 14:51 on July 1st, 2009

You got yourself in a hole with this one - stop digging!

Babel-Fish

at 17:48 on June 26th, 2009

It's to do with how he sold his self and his weirdness, talent and magical performances that makes some of us see him a a genius of the world of music.

Anne Fern (not verified)

at 14:52 on July 1st, 2009

You can't seriously claim MJ was a genius AND hold onto your dignity

Michael I love you (not verified)

at 07:39 on July 22nd, 2009

A child and a man who can sing in a variety of genres (listen to all his albums), perform like no other (watch all his videos and better still, his live performances), write and compose music thats been popular over FOUR DECADES can only be called a muscial genius in my book.

sivakaran

at 11:13 on June 26th, 2009

Michael was a musical genius. The truth is controversies/lifestyle overshadowed his talent.

Amy Judd

at 12:28 on June 26th, 2009

I like the personal opinion piece about Michael Jackson - thanks for sharing your thoughts about the singer.

senthil5000

at 16:43 on June 26th, 2009

Apart from his musical talent he also got great message in all his song lyrics. From a poor family he has come all the way to be king of Pop music.

francislholland

at 09:39 on June 27th, 2009

Your writing, your story-telling, are excellent. Many of us met Michael Jackson as you did and we will always miss never forget him.

Have tears come to your eyes over the death of Michael Jackson. Vote in this poll.

francislholland

at 09:46 on June 27th, 2009

Michael Jackson had a genius intellect in the area of music, publicity and making money, as well as having a profound ability to understand and touch the emotions of others with his singing and dancing.

He wasn't perfect and sometimes we laughed at and ridiculed him. But who hasn't been laughed at and ridiculed, particularly if s/he is a public figure?

Kwapi, I would urge you not to waste your time responding to idiotic comments from people who are only trying to provoke you, and who do not have the sensitivity to understand that now is not the time to debate and harrass those of us who are publicly grieving.

You've written an excellent account of your personal experience. Let your account stand on its own, and let the critics embarrass themselves as they will.