In a world where celebrities are often hyped as the biggest, the best and the most brilliant, calling Michael Jackson as The King of Pop hardly seems enough to describe a 40-year career of iconic firsts.
Jackson sold an estimated 750 million records, won 13 Grammy awards, holds the record for best-selling album with Thriller, and was responsible for turning music videos into the pieces of art to which we're accustomed today. His influence on music and popular culture made his face and name among the most recognisable in the world.
His dancing, his music, his videos and his look had children then and now copying every part of his iconic style in the school playground. Thriller was such a pioneering piece of work that fans would buy it and learn the dance moves at home.
As a black artist, he literally changed the face of the music industry, which was predominantly white. He was the first black singer to appear on MTV, and paved the way for many black artists breaking into the business.
Many of today's musicians admire Jackson for his originality. Often described as the definitive showman, it is hard to imagine what pop might have been without him.
We look at some artists who owe much of their success to the King.
