While Michael Jackson's music was undeniably influential to a lot of artists, he is a product of the MTV generation. What does that mean? Michael Jackson was a video artist and took pride in making his videos into cinematic masterpieces.
Though music videos are on the decline, they are still being made, and thankfully a lot of them push the envelope. Here are some of the best videos in recent years that have done Michael proud. They feature not only great visuals but give the King of Pop plenty of shout outs.
The Mitchell Brothers "Michael Jackson"
The 2007 Calvin Harris-produced single by the British duo the Mitchell Brothers is probably the most obvious Michael Jackson-influenced video of the bunch. The song is basically a tribute to the King of Pop and the desire "to be like Michael Jackson."
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Heads Will Roll"
The video is only about a month old, but definitely not the newest one of the list. The Michael Jackson reference is a little less obvious. Yeah Yeah Yeahs still manage in incorporate plenty of Jacksonisms including a Thriller-like werewolf, Billie Jean-style dancefloor and plenty of Jackson's signature moves. The calls to "Dance 'til your dead" make this tribute somewhat awkward considering the circumstances.
Peter, Bjorn & John "It Don't Move Me"
The Swedish trio whistled its way to popularity in 2006 with "Young Folk." Recently, they released the second single off their latest album Living Thing. Presumably made before Jackson's death, the video features a lanky white guy who seriously thinks he's the King of Pop himself.
Justice "D.A.N.C.E."
It's easy to forget that Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." is just one big tribute to Jackson. Vocals that eerily sound like a young Jackson, references to countless Jackson songs (i.e. "P.Y.T.," "Black or White") and a groove straight out of Off the Wall.
