Well, Epic Records is biting the bullet and releasing a posthumous Michael Jackson album called “Xscape.” The world-renowned singer/songwriter, who passed back in 2009 while preparing for his ‘This Is It’ comeback tour, has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on generations of music lovers and performers. Here’s a list of five young artists who have taken Jackson’s stylings to heart.
Jaden Smith
He may draw more inspiration lyrically from his father, but the production on junior Smith’s music is like a darker, grimier take on Jackson’s space age-like production on albums like ‘Off The Wall’ and ‘Thriller.’ That and this jacket screams MJ.
Miley Cyrus
Previous antics taken into account, Cyrus as a performer was influenced greatly by Jackson and his work. In fact, she has a tattoo of the word “BAD,” stylized in bold red like it was on the cover of the album of the same name from 1987.
Justin Beiber
Where the hell else did those dance moves come from?
Sean Kingston
The ‘Beautiful Girl’ singer looked back on Jackson at the time of his death as someone who “gives shows.” Anyone else remember the song “Beat It?”
Elle Varner
She’s certainly said as much in the past, but it’s clear that the LA-born multi-instrumentalist took Jackson’s fearless approach to music to heart in her own work.