While BET is/was definitely scrambling to ensure that Sunday’s BET Awards provides a tribute to Michael Jackson that is worthy of his life and influence on the music industry and the world, it seems like the artists themselves are then willing to sacrifice their performances to ensure they offer proper homage as well:
Artists who have worked on their performances for weeks are changing them last-minute to honor Jackson, Hill said.
“To change it up in three days is something that’s not easy but they’re all willing and looking forward to it,” he said Friday. “There’s a direct line from Ne-Yo to Michael Jackson. There’s a direct line from Beyonce to Michael Jackson. There’s a direct line from Jay-Z to Michael Jackson. I think they’ll want to pay tribute in their own way.”
Hill said he expects acceptance speeches to be dedicated to Jackson’s memory and the influence he had on the artists.
“This is going to be the first gathering of people who really cared for and were influenced by him since his death,” Hill said. “It’s a tall order for us but we have every intention of paying respect to Michael Jackson.”
I’m impressed.
Usually their are months to plan for these type of tributes, so it’s a testament to MJ’s legacy that so many artists are willing to scrap their shows that they’ve ben perfecting for weeks just to honor a man that had been out of the spotlight for so long. I for one can’t wait for this year’s BET Awards, something that I can’t believe I’m saying. As one article put it, it will definitely be Tivo worthy.
