Jay-Z, Young Jeezy Lead Hip-Hop Tributes To Michael Jackson

Los Angeles Laker and sometimes rapper Ron Artest also chimes in with the track ‘Michael Michael.’
By Kyle Anderson

Jay-Z

Photo: Randall Michelson/ WireImage

The musical tributes continue to pour in for Michael Jackson. In addition to his official memorial ceremony earlier this week — which featured performances from the likes of Mariah Carey, Usher and John Mayer — the hip-hop community also came forward with a few live tributes.

In Chicago on Tuesday night, Jay-Z opened his show with a photo montage of Jackson accompanied by the Jackson 5′s “I Want You Back” (which Jigga famously sampled for his 2001 Kanye West-produced Blueprint hit “Izzo (H.O.V.A.).” He then addressed the sold-out crowd: “If you take anything away from this concert, take this tonight. Let’s not wait to mourn death — let’s celebrate life. It’s my theory. I believe that if Michael Jackson had seen love all over the world, he wouldn’t be on the other side right now.”

Jay wasn’t the only rapper saluting Jackson. During his Download Festival set in London, Young Jeezy told the crowd, “I got another homie who’s resting in peace right now,” before encouraging the audience to sing along to “I Want You Back.” His DJ interrupted that to drop in the intro to “Billie Jean” before scratching his way into “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” “Now that’s how you represent, man,” he said before launching back into his set.

And in addition to paying tribute to Jackson by changing his jersey number, new Los Angeles Laker and sometimes rapper Ron Artest recorded “Michael Michael,” which premiered on 50 Cent’s Web site. The acoustic-guitar-aided track features a chorus of “I cry for Mike,” references a handful of Jackson songs and contains the lyric “Only the good die early.”

Expect to see more rappers tipping their hats to Jackson in the coming weeks, especially on the mixtape circuit (with 50 Cent and Cookin’ Soul already weighing in).

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit “Michael Jackson Remembered.”

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