Michael Jackson’s influence on dance history is undeniable, with one of the most iconic moments in his career being the debut of the moonwalk during a live performance of “Billie Jean” in 1983.
Though the move had already been popularized among West Coast street dancers, particularly through the street dance style known as popping, Jackson’s performance elevated the moonwalk to a global phenomenon. The moonwalk, which involved a gliding motion that made it seem as though the dancer was effortlessly floating backward, was a move rooted in street dance culture, but Jackson’s execution of it brought it to the mainstream in a way that few others could have.
The moonwalk was not entirely Jackson’s creation. As Tony Basil, a member of the popular dance troupe The Lockers, pointed out, groups like The Electric Boogaloos had been performing the move on shows like Soul Train long before Jackson showcased it to a national audience. According to Jackson’s own memoir, he learned the move from street dancers, practiced it in private, and polished it in the studio. His perfectionism and remarkable control over his body allowed him to execute the moonwalk with a fluidity and precision that made it seem effortless, setting him apart from others who had performed it in less polished forms.
Jackson’s ability to make the moonwalk his own lies in his unmatched dancing style. Known for his mastery of robot-style movements and isolations, he incorporated these techniques into his choreography, elevating the moonwalk to a level of artistry that had never been seen before. His meticulous approach to dancing and his natural rhythm made the moonwalk a signature move that captivated audiences worldwide. When he performed the moonwalk on national television during the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever special, it sent shockwaves through the music and dance world, making the move instantly recognizable and imitable by fans across the globe.
But Michael Jackson’s impact on dance went far beyond the moonwalk. He played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the West Coast street dance culture, which included popping and locking, and the East Coast breakdancing community that was central to the early days of hip-hop. The moonwalk fit seamlessly into the demanding, gymnastic style of breakdancing, which featured spins, fast footwork, and other acrobatic movements. Jackson’s ability to combine these elements with his own unique style made him a dance icon and helped to shape the future of performance dance in pop music.
Jackson’s breakthrough in the dance world coincided with the rise of MTV in 1981. The advent of music videos provided performers with a new platform to express their songs and artistic vision through visuals. Jackson revolutionized music videos, turning them into a medium for high-art choreography and storytelling. Before Jackson, music videos were simple promotional tools, but Jackson’s videos for songs like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller” brought choreography to the forefront, showcasing his incredible dance skills and elevating music videos into artistic short films.
The “Billie Jean” video, in particular, was a milestone in both dance and music video history. Jackson’s smooth, graceful movements, including the iconic spins and moonwalk, paired with his perfectly rehearsed choreography, showcased his natural talent as both a singer and dancer. His attention to detail and the visual storytelling of the video helped solidify his place as a groundbreaking performer. In videos like “Beat It” and “Thriller,” Jackson was not only a captivating dancer but also a master storyteller, using his choreography and the collective movements of his backup dancers to add depth to the narrative.
Perhaps the most impressive example of Jackson’s dancing mastery came with the “Smooth Criminal” video in 1988, where he introduced a gravity-defying move in which he leaned forward at a nearly 45-degree angle, seemingly defying the laws of physics. This move, which became one of Jackson’s signature moves, was aided by special shoes that were patented to latch onto the floor, allowing him to perform this impossible feat. This moment, combined with Jackson’s smooth, fluid style and his ability to tell a story through dance, solidified his place as not just a pop icon, but a revolutionary figure in the dance world.
Jackson’s influence can still be seen today in the performances of artists like his sister Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, and Beyoncé, all of whom have incorporated dance into their live shows and music videos. Jackson set the foundation for a new era of performance artists, proving that dance was not just an accessory to music but an integral part of the performance experience. His innovative choreography and groundbreaking use of music videos to showcase dance set a standard that continues to inspire dancers and musicians around the world.
In the end, Michael Jackson’s legacy in dance is just as rich and significant as his musical contributions. He redefined what it meant to be a pop star, elevating dance to new heights and influencing generations of performers to come. His ability to blend street dance with mainstream pop culture, his technical precision, and his flair for storytelling through movement earned him the title of the King of Pop—and, without a doubt, the King of Dance.
