Jam On: Music’s Best Dancers Since Michael Jackson

Five years after MJ's death, his performance legacy lives.

Thrilling Moves - Michael Jackson passed away five years ago today (June 25, 2009), leaving the world with memories of his loving heart, unmatched vocals and iconic glove. But most importantly, MJ left the world with an insatiable appetite for performance art as he was a double threat, mastering singing and dancing like no other. The impact he had on the world can be seen today in artists such as Chris Brown, Usher and Jennifer Lopez, who rely on dancing as a major part of their stage presence.Read on to check out other artists who have kept Michael Jackson's performance art legacy alive. —Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photos from left: Christopher Polk/Getty Images For Polk, Phil Walter/Getty Images, Staff/Getty Images/Getty Images)

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Thrilling Moves - Michael Jackson passed away five years ago today (June 25, 2009), leaving the world with memories of his loving heart, unmatched vocals and iconic glove. But most importantly, MJ left the world with an insatiable appetite for performance art as he was a double threat, mastering singing and dancing like no other. The impact he had on the world can be seen today in artists such as Chris Brown, Usher and Jennifer Lopez, who rely on dancing as a major part of their stage presence.Read on to check out other artists who have kept Michael Jackson's performance art legacy alive. —Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photos from left: Christopher Polk/Getty Images For Polk, Phil Walter/Getty Images, Staff/Getty Images/Getty Images)

Chris Brown - It ain't hard to tell that MJ's moves have inspired Chris Brown. Breezy has been vocal about his adoration for the late great singer since day one. But the "Loyal" singer got to officially show his respect for the King of Pop a year after MJ's death when he performed an emotional tribute at the BET Awards. Donning a replica MJ hat and his iconic glove, Breezy performed a medley of hits –– singing and dancing his way through songs like "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror."Breezy continued to show his dedication when he premiered his "Fine China" video in 2013.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Chris Brown - It ain't hard to tell that MJ's moves have inspired Chris Brown. Breezy has been vocal about his adoration for the late great singer since day one. But the "Loyal" singer got to officially show his respect for the King of Pop a year after MJ's death when he performed an emotional tribute at the BET Awards. Donning a replica MJ hat and his iconic glove, Breezy performed a medley of hits –– singing and dancing his way through songs like "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror."Breezy continued to show his dedication when he premiered his "Fine China" video in 2013.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Justin Timberlake - From his moon walking moves to his falsetto, tenor and soprano vocals, Justin Timberlake can attribute Michael Jackson to many aspects of his artistry. As a member of N’Sync, JT had the opportunity to perform alongside MJ at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. JT's most recent MJ moment came with the posthumous release of Xscape; JT was featured on the lead single “Love Never Felt So Good” and appeared in the video showcasing some of the King of Pop’s best dance moves. However, Timberlake has always kept MJ's legacy alive. For his videos, JT was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, more than a decade after he shared the VMA stage with MJ.(Photo: Rosie Greenway/Getty Images)

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Justin Timberlake - From his moon walking moves to his falsetto, tenor and soprano vocals, Justin Timberlake can attribute Michael Jackson to many aspects of his artistry. As a member of N’Sync, JT had the opportunity to perform alongside MJ at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. JT's most recent MJ moment came with the posthumous release of Xscape; JT was featured on the lead single “Love Never Felt So Good” and appeared in the video showcasing some of the King of Pop’s best dance moves. However, Timberlake has always kept MJ's legacy alive. For his videos, JT was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, more than a decade after he shared the VMA stage with MJ.(Photo: Rosie Greenway/Getty Images)

Beyoncé - If Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, then Beyoncé is arguably the Queen. Dancing has always been a major component of Queen Bey’s career since her Destiny’s Child days. While Bey wrote a tribute to MJ on the third anniversary of his death, recalling how he influenced her as a vocalist, DC’s hit song "Bootylicious" became synonymous with MJ tributes as the trio donned MJ's signature fedora and matching single-handed glove with each performance. In addition to the nods to iconic MJ fashions, Bey, Kelly and Michelle had the MJ-like choreography down pat as well. They showcased his one-of-a-kind moves in 2001 on the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special.(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)

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Beyoncé - If Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, then Beyoncé is arguably the Queen. Dancing has always been a major component of Queen Bey’s career since her Destiny’s Child days. While Bey wrote a tribute to MJ on the third anniversary of his death, recalling how he influenced her as a vocalist, DC’s hit song "Bootylicious" became synonymous with MJ tributes as the trio donned MJ's signature fedora and matching single-handed glove with each performance. In addition to the nods to iconic MJ fashions, Bey, Kelly and Michelle had the MJ-like choreography down pat as well. They showcased his one-of-a-kind moves in 2001 on the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special.(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)

Ciara - When Ciara stepped on the scene with her debut video for "Goodies," it was obvious that she was a fan of the Jackson household. She gave Janet Jackson-meets-Aaliyah vibes, both of whom were inspired by MJ, with her pelvis-thrusting moves. Ci Ci showed that, besides her singing abilities, her dancing skills would be her ticket to fame, as her flexibility and agility captivates audiences.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for BET)

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Ciara - When Ciara stepped on the scene with her debut video for "Goodies," it was obvious that she was a fan of the Jackson household. She gave Janet Jackson-meets-Aaliyah vibes, both of whom were inspired by MJ, with her pelvis-thrusting moves. Ci Ci showed that, besides her singing abilities, her dancing skills would be her ticket to fame, as her flexibility and agility captivates audiences.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for BET)

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Omarion - Not only does Omarion have a set a pipes to make the ladies swoon, but his dance skills are just as solid. Dancing since the age of five, his days bump-bump-bumpin' with B2K solidified his place as a double threat. But one of his most notable dance performances came with his solo hit "Touch." The music video featured the acrobatic dancer pulling moves straight out of MJ’s catalogue. The now-MMG affiliate took his career as a dancer even further with an appearance in You Got Served.(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Omarion - Not only does Omarion have a set a pipes to make the ladies swoon, but his dance skills are just as solid. Dancing since the age of five, his days bump-bump-bumpin' with B2K solidified his place as a double threat. But one of his most notable dance performances came with his solo hit "Touch." The music video featured the acrobatic dancer pulling moves straight out of MJ’s catalogue. The now-MMG affiliate took his career as a dancer even further with an appearance in You Got Served.(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Usher - The list would not be complete without Usher. With the release of his second album, My Way, came a series of hit singles with accompanying videos highlighting Usher's talent as a dancer. He immediately was called the "next Michael Jackson" thanks to his ability to mirror many of MJ's memorable moves –– not to mention his vocals. "I studied his moves, studied them down to a T," Usher told MTV in 2009, following Jackson’s death. Prior to that, he shared the stage with the King of Pop in 2001 for a dance-off on the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special. Usher has said that without MJ, there would be no him, and that's not hard to believe.(Photo: Christie Goodwin/Redferns via Getty Images)

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Usher - The list would not be complete without Usher. With the release of his second album, My Way, came a series of hit singles with accompanying videos highlighting Usher's talent as a dancer. He immediately was called the "next Michael Jackson" thanks to his ability to mirror many of MJ's memorable moves –– not to mention his vocals. "I studied his moves, studied them down to a T," Usher told MTV in 2009, following Jackson’s death. Prior to that, he shared the stage with the King of Pop in 2001 for a dance-off on the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special. Usher has said that without MJ, there would be no him, and that's not hard to believe.(Photo: Christie Goodwin/Redferns via Getty Images)

Aaliyah - It was as if her sultry and mature vocals came secondary to her dance skills. With the help of famed choreographer Fatima Robinson, Aaliyah kept even the most skilled dancers on their toes. She continuously incorporated rigorous dance routines into her music videos and had the world trying to impersonate her moves in "Are You That Somebody?," "More Than a Woman" and the final video she appeared in before her death, "Rock the Boat."(Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect)

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Aaliyah - It was as if her sultry and mature vocals came secondary to her dance skills. With the help of famed choreographer Fatima Robinson, Aaliyah kept even the most skilled dancers on their toes. She continuously incorporated rigorous dance routines into her music videos and had the world trying to impersonate her moves in "Are You That Somebody?," "More Than a Woman" and the final video she appeared in before her death, "Rock the Boat."(Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect)

Mya - Way before she released her debut album in 1998, Mya was classically trained in tap and various other dance styles. Aside from being one of the top pop vocalists of the late '90s, the Grammy Award-winning artist was known for her sharp and graceful dance routines, like in her "My Love Is Like...Wo" video. She even took her talents to Season 9 of Dancing With the Stars, coming in at second place.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Mya - Way before she released her debut album in 1998, Mya was classically trained in tap and various other dance styles. Aside from being one of the top pop vocalists of the late '90s, the Grammy Award-winning artist was known for her sharp and graceful dance routines, like in her "My Love Is Like...Wo" video. She even took her talents to Season 9 of Dancing With the Stars, coming in at second place.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Janet Jackson - Her brother’s talents were not exclusive. Janet Jackson has staple moves of her own. From her Control days, Janet displayed an uncanny ability to dance, and 1989's Rhythm Nation 1814 would go on to influence many female performers to come. But while Janet paved her own lane as a double-threat, she had to attribute some of her routines to her older brother. Michael and Janet teamed up for "Scream" in 1995 and showcased a Jackson sibling dance-off that would go down in history. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Janet Jackson - Her brother’s talents were not exclusive. Janet Jackson has staple moves of her own. From her Control days, Janet displayed an uncanny ability to dance, and 1989's Rhythm Nation 1814 would go on to influence many female performers to come. But while Janet paved her own lane as a double-threat, she had to attribute some of her routines to her older brother. Michael and Janet teamed up for "Scream" in 1995 and showcased a Jackson sibling dance-off that would go down in history. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Britney Spears - Britney Spears dominated the screen as a teenager with the release of her ...Baby One More Time (1999) and Oops...I Did It Again (2000) albums. With catchy hooks and average vocals, Brit Brit used her athleticism as a dancer to catapult her way to stardom. Each hit single she released was accompanied by a video featuring her slaying the dance floor. Spears was even among several celebs to share the stage with MJ when the two performed "The Way You Make Me feel" at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special revue show in 2001.(Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

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Britney Spears - Britney Spears dominated the screen as a teenager with the release of her ...Baby One More Time (1999) and Oops...I Did It Again (2000) albums. With catchy hooks and average vocals, Brit Brit used her athleticism as a dancer to catapult her way to stardom. Each hit single she released was accompanied by a video featuring her slaying the dance floor. Spears was even among several celebs to share the stage with MJ when the two performed "The Way You Make Me feel" at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special revue show in 2001.(Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Jennifer Lopez - Before she was Jenny from the Block, Jennifer Lopez was a Fly Girl on the '90s hit comedy sketch show In Living Color, dancing her way to center stage. When she embarked on a music career in 1999 with the debut of her first single "If You Had My Love," J.Lo made it clear that heavily choreographed and poignantly executed dance routines would be a staple of the evolution of her performance art. Being that she once worked as a background dancer for Janet Jackson, she was bound to get the MJ bug, too.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Jennifer Lopez - Before she was Jenny from the Block, Jennifer Lopez was a Fly Girl on the '90s hit comedy sketch show In Living Color, dancing her way to center stage. When she embarked on a music career in 1999 with the debut of her first single "If You Had My Love," J.Lo made it clear that heavily choreographed and poignantly executed dance routines would be a staple of the evolution of her performance art. Being that she once worked as a background dancer for Janet Jackson, she was bound to get the MJ bug, too.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Jason Derulo - Jason Derulo is known to put on a great show, complete with impeccable vocals and innovative dance routines. He pushes the envelope when it comes to performance art and literally broke his neck in January 2012 while practicing a stunt for his tour. He paid homage to the King of Pop in 2011, performing Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and adding his own flare to MJ's iconic crotch grab.(Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

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Jason Derulo - Jason Derulo is known to put on a great show, complete with impeccable vocals and innovative dance routines. He pushes the envelope when it comes to performance art and literally broke his neck in January 2012 while practicing a stunt for his tour. He paid homage to the King of Pop in 2011, performing Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and adding his own flare to MJ's iconic crotch grab.(Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Clear Channel)