Something I just noticed while watching Michael Jackson’s beat it video

I think Beat It wasn't as great a dance video for MJ as stuff like Smooth Criminal (probably my favorite), Thriller, and parts of Remember the Time (whoever thought showing Magic Johnson's jacked up feet in that video was a good idea should be shot). But even in stuff like Thriller, there are zombies that are probably out-dancing MJ. Peters was a professional dancer and MJ was an entertainer. The fact MJ held his own with a lot of professional dancers speaks volumes. BTW, Peters died not too long after that video from what I recall.

On a side note, I just also found out Peters was the "dance instructor" in Lionel Richie's "Hello" video. I never even noticed that. Even after watching it, he looks so different from when he was in Beat It.

 

I just noticed Sengun was in the video with Michael.

 

emjay was the tru blek-but-identified-as-white og. respek.

 

Not many people know that

 

MJ also named his son after the kid.

 

Fun fact, the intro to Beat It was a straight unaltered preset patch from the Synclavier II:

 

First time I ever heard of a Synclavier was when Stevie Wonder mentioned it on the Cosby Show :

It's amazing how many modern dances owe their existence to dancers from years ago. Fosse was a badass. He was the "influence" for Beyonce's Single Ladies video :

 

[cont'd]

Jackson's Smooth Criminal video is probably my favorite video of his and much of his style and that video was influenced by Fred Astaire :

 

Michael can sing and dance at the same time
Breh

 

MJ continues to inspire da yuth breh

this kid is from Houston

 

Pretty sure Michael Peters choreographed the dance for Beat It.

It's not unusual for choreographers and backup dancers to be better dancers than an artist. What would be unusual is if they could also pick up a microphone and sing with the big dick energy that MJ did.

 

I like this dude’s MJ dancing , you can tell he’s a real fan

 

Hakeem is the greatest rocket of all time and Michael Jackson is the greatest entertainer of all time
Those things have never changed
@Jontro

 

Nah, I think the white guy did an amazing job dancing and selling the arrogant attitude. You don't see skilled white people on screen anymore.

 

This Norwegian guy is the best impersonator I've ever seen, a lot of people can imitate the dance steps, but this guy has the mannerisms down. He looks old and its weird seeing those moves out of that person, but that just kind of adds to the overall effect.

 

...those guys are lucky that George Santos had to call in sick the day of the shoot.