As fans of Michael Jackson begin mourning the death of the “King of Pop,” reflections upon his legacy begin to reverberate around the world.
But his songs didn’t only break new ground in music itself. According to The Associated Press, he also broke race barriers across entertainment mediums such as MTV.
Radio stations around the nation celebrated his life with hours of songs of the beloved entertainer, as did some coffee shops and baseball games.
But his celebrity status as a world icon was also plagued with child abuse scandals and numerous jokes of his plastic surgery operations.
Even amid the allegations and criticism, he continued to entertain as he’d done since he was 11, awing audiences with his music and moves. With so many contributions to musical culture and the entire entertainment industry, it seems his image as an entertainer would prevail over his numerous problems.
Will Michael Jackson’s legacy in the public’s eye be more known for his career as a whole and its contribution to culture, or for the final few years tainted with trials?