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Michael Jackson was the sole reason I started singing and dancing in the first place and I credit him with getting me started in the music business. I remember being in front of the TV practicing my dance moves, my timing and my performance style to all his videos. Everyday I grow more in love with music and it started with the love for Michael Jackson.

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“Ben” was the first song I ever performed. I remember my mom telling me she wanted me to perform that. She sang that song as a kid. Its a high song – sounds like a girl singing. Thinking of that performance makes me smile cause it made my voice really high – it was my best impression of Michael performing that song when he was a kid.

Michael paved the way for me and a lot of other African American performers. We were not played on MTV at all and he was the first one to be played. He knocked down that barrier and made it possible for us to be accepted and be given to the main stream. He provided us with that opportunity.

He has been able to break down barriers and reinvent himself time and time again. My mom listened to him, I listened to him growing up and now kids today still listen to him and are inspired. When he passed it was a sad day for me. Michael was everything to me growing up. His legacy will always live on and be remembered.

-Jason Derulo | follow me @jasonderulo