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Questlove Debates 'Beyonce Is the New Michael Jackson'

Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:30PM by Ronnie Reese
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Roots drummer and music director Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson has set the Internet ablaze-again-with a recent Twitlonger essay on why, to him, Beyonce is the new Michael Jackson. The topic originated in the wake of Jackson's June 2009 death when Quest, hip-hop journalist Dream Hampton and Fuse TV host Toure proclaimed that the new "Monarch of Pop" was none other than the former Destiny's Child member and current Mrs. Shawn Carter.

"Anyone wondering who's the King of Pop after the great Michael Jackson need look no further than Beyonce, the reigning Queen of Pop," said Toure on Twitter this past weekend. "Is Beyonce as talented as MJ? [Of] course not. Is Beyonce ahead of everyone alive -- biggest black singer, No. 1 black woman in Hollywood, global icon -- yes."

For Questlove and other music historians, Jackson's role as King of Pop and America's greatest black cultural icon meant that there was an experimental "trial run" to many of his accomplishments.

"Thriller' breaking open has more to do with the LONG overdue accolades America has FINALLY given Black artists after eighty years of injustice," Questlove writes. "Threatening to shut MTV down if they don't play 'Billie Jean' has MORE to do with the inequity [of] social problems of America than it did [with] 'Billie Jean' being a brilliant song."

There will never be another Michael Jackson, but who Jackson was is just as important as what he pioneered for those who followed him, including Beyonce. "She has surpassed the Grammy quota," he explains. "Her videos are studied, copied, parodied, and other '-ieds.' She's her own empire. She writes her own material."

Questlove also notes that Beyonce is universal in that she appeals to all races, the gay community and everyone from "housewives and hoes."

"She can ACTUALLY SING; and dances with the best of them," the drummer adds. Read Questlove's full statement here.

Filed under: Hip-Hop News, R&B News, Say What!
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Dancer

I love Beyonce, but as good as she is, there can only be one Michael Jackson in the world. Think or all the reords he broke and set? Beyonce is a fantastic preformer, but Michael was a Genius. At the age of fity he had already been sing 45 years, although he wasn't sing in public for a little while later. There will never be another MJ.

March 23 2010 at 1:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

shell12

HEEEELLLLLNAAAWWWWW,you will never get another Michael Jackson,Bey aint even close.Don't get me wrong ,she is talented and I've seen her live twice,and I am very proud of her accomplishments but she can't be the queen of nothing with Aretha Franklin still walking around here.She will eventually earn a title ,but the next Michael Jackson,not.There were none before him there will be no more after him,long live the KING OF POP.

March 20 2010 at 9:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

halabalu

Are you kidding! Beyonce can't hold a candle to MJ!
There is nothing unique about her. Yes, she can sing. But, her dancing is jerky, unpolished and, at times, unbelievable vulgar.

March 15 2010 at 11:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply