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MICHAEL JACKSON'S DANCE INFLUENCES
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One of the most categorically incorrect assumption is that Michael “stole” his dance moves from white artists. This is absurd when you consider Michael’s consistent acknowledgment of all dance legends that he was inspired by particular focus on black dance legends as highly influential. The focus here is on the most common legends MJ has recognized throughout his career.

Michael Jackson studied, respected, and was inspired by dance legends. affirming “study the greats and become greater. He refined his own signature style over 40 years — and became GREATER.

This isn’t a slant towards his predecessors, any good teacher would tell you that — the art of mentorship comprises building students’ confidence, skills, freedom, and developing their critical thinking enough so they cultivate their own distinctive style and path.

Who were Michael’s Dance Influences?

Michael was heavily influenced by a range of iconic dancers, first and foremost by legendary black choreographers/dancers such as Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., the Nicholas Brothers & Soul Train dancers.
Michael consistently honored his black predecessors as influential. Other influences he revered and spoke of include some white legendary dancers, Bob Fosse, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly — it’s a common misconception that MJ liberated the style of white icons: historical context of white icons is rarely spoken of, these white legendary dancers get all the credit when they were heavily influenced by legendary black dancers with jazz, vaudeville, old Hollywood style — black icons such as Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson who created the movement of tilted hat tip, isolations, Nicholas Brothers, Josephine Baker, Sammy Davis Jr. Katherine Dunham and the Harlem Renaissance dancers — so it would be MORE accurate to identify Michael’s style directly connected to black ancestral legends who set the tone.

Nicholas Brothers

As a teenager, Michael was a student of black dance history, particularly the Nicholas Brothers. When he was with J5, he admired the Nicholas Brothers’ pioneering tap dancing, working directly with them to learn their technique of flash dancing. He had a deep love for tap dancing and was quite disciplined in mastering the fine art of rhythm, percussive and technical footwork, which he would later enhance and incorporate into his own unique core style.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Michael often cited Sammy Davis Jr. as one of his inspirations who shaped his career, admiring his showmanship from an early age. He saw Sammy as a role model and mentor, particularly emphasizing his discipline, style and powerful artistry. Over the years, he would develop a style that held elements of Sammy’s showman artistry, tap influence and storytelling expertise.

Fred/Gene/Fosse

Michael adored old Hollywood, a respectful nod to Fred as a mentor, his & Gene’s debonair seduction style through the art of tap, partnering, and villain character storytelling. MJ developed a hybrid style blending his own influential style of modern pop, jazz, and street dance, swing, theater, contemporary, hip hop characterized by sharp, synchronized movements — you see this heavy influence of several choreographers in BAD and Billie Jean, including MJ’s own core style. Michael distinctly honored old Hollywood, legendary breakdancing concepts and core black jazz styles. Smooth Criminal as an example was heavily influenced by vintage swing and gangster aesthetics, featuring historical black artistry concepts, theatrical, precise, and fluid motion.

Bob Fosse comes up all the time as an influence on MJ: sure, MJ did incorporate some elements of Fosse-esque style into his jazz repertoire, but where do you think Fosse got his style from?
Dancers are influenced by a great deal of artists, it’s relevant to consider how Fosse was influenced — key influences for Fosse were Astaire & Jerome Robbins. Jerome was influenced by Jack Cole, who, interestingly, when you trace it back, was directly influenced by black legends, Nicholas Brothers and Berry Brothers.
All roads lead back to the legendary black dance artists, influencing the dance industry.

See the actual link now? 🤔

What about the Moonwalk?

This is one of the crazier assumptions. Michael consistently recognized that he didn’t invent the moonwalk, he popularized it adding a very distinct creative style.

Michael didn’t just throw down a standard moonwalk and leave it— he was highly discipline and constantly evolving as a choreographer. He crafted his footwork over decades, building on his own creative work into a legendary danceprint. No two illusions/improvisations are truly the same. There’s no reason to EVER conflate his dancecraft/work ethic with other artists.

Historically, the moonwalk illusion was based on versions as far back as the 1930’s by black dance icon, Cab Calloway, one of Michael’s great influences aka, the buzz, although it’s widely reported to have first appeared with Bill Bailey’s 1940’s backslide. There were versions of this in 1950’s and 1960’s also. Breakers in the 70’s continued components of this in street dance, and it was Jeff Daniel, the popper, who taught the backslide to Michael. Michael crafted his own version, showcased a distinctly contemporary fluidity to the illusion and popularized moonwalk.
Black dance history facts. The convenient erasure is insane.

(Some) people seem to conveniently forget how distinctly innovative Michael’s whole creator approach was to performance art: the shoes he wore, the socks to highlight the intricate details; it was never just about moves, it was HOW he interpreted footwork, and particularly how audiences were able to see the storytelling nature of his illusion art.

James Brown

I adore that the biopic captured baby Michael respecting dance legends, teaching himself James Brown’s style. MJ incorporated his shuffle style throughout his career ADDING a seamless quality and tap art. This is what it means for a dancer to learn from the greats and cultivate their own unique signature style.

Breakdancing

Michael spoke frequently about seeing breakdance moves from black youth street dancers in the 70’s and early 80’s perfecting the art of sliding/gliding illusion, and learned directly from legendary choreographers such as Jeffrey Daniel, “Boogaloo Shrimp” Lamar Williams, Bruno “Pop ‘n Taco” Falcon, Electric Boogaloos and Charles “Robot” Washington These influences helped shape his robotic style which he popularized as a teen. As an adult, Michael would go on to create his own core style comprising ticking, popping, locking and robotic movement, seamlessly moving between breakdancing styles

Mime Influence

Michael developed an expertise in mime storytelling throughout his stage and short film career, influenced by Marcel Marceau, Charlie Chaplin with his early years enchanted by old Hollywood silent films. This is one of the most significant artistic touches he shaped throughout his career — advancing the art of mimeography in dance storytelling.

LINK TO MICHAEL JACKSON'S DANCE INFLUENCES - a medium article -

NEXT UP:
What’s not spoken about nearly enough is Michael as an elite influencer in choreography, his mystique, reverence and humility prevail.

What (some) non dancers fail to understand is how dance works. Dancers learn styles whether it’s self-taught or traditional classes.

Only an elite few emerge as innovators and enter the dance hall of fame. Michael did: his contribution as a dancer was so significant, he is the only recording artist to do so.

Michael paved his own way in dance — this should be the most relevant conversation here.

Next article will focus on Diversity and Versatility of Michael’s choreography and HIS legendary influence as a dance artist.

medium.com/p/f8b17a7a8912…