Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50.
Jackson was pronounced dead at about 2:26 p.m. PDT (2126 GMT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.
Jackson's sudden death had been reported earlier by U.S. media, which said he was taken ill at his home and rushed to the hospital by paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived.
Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.
He transformed music videos and his lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart", his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."
Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.
Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."
"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
SOLD-OUT SHOWS
Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months. The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.
"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy in a statement.
"He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim."
There were concerns about Jackson's health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.
Outside the hospital in Los Angeles about 200 fans and reporters gathered on Thursday, waiting for confirmation of Jackson's death or condition.
Some fans were crying and hugging each other, and others were climbing atop fences to get a better look at a microphone stand where a news conference was supposed to take place.
"I hope he's gone to God, and I hope that he's free of all the troubles he's been plagued with," Tonya Blazer, 50, who said she had been a fan going back more than four decades to his days as a child star.
"I just feel like I'm paying tribute to him," said Dawn Burgess, 42, a fan who said she had posters of Michael pinned to her bedroom wall when she was a child.
CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR
Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys -- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael -- first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.
Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released "Thriller" in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.
The next year, he unveiled his signature "moonwalk" dance move while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.
In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.
Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.
New Yorkers and tourists in the city's Times Square were shocked at the news of Jackson's death.
"I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really, really sad," said Nicole Smith, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, New York, in Times Square. "My mother was a fan. I listened to his music."
"I'm shocked. I thought someone was lying to me when I first heard it. I was a fan from when he was a little boy and then he got weird," said Sue Sheider, 51, a teacher from Long Island.
Mwili wa mtoto mchanga wa umri wa miezi miwili umeokotwa ukiwa kwenye dampo la taka pale Mwananyamala Jijini.
Kamanda wa Mkoa wa Kipolisi Kinondoni, Mark Kalunguyeye, amesema tukio hilo limejiri majira ya saa 4:00 asubuhi pale Mwananyamala Kwa Msisiri Jijini.
Akasema baada ya kupata taarifa kutoka kwa wasamaria wema, polisi walifika eneo hilo na kuukuta mwili huo ukiwa umefungwa kwenye taulo na kisha kuviringishwa na khanga juu yake.
Akasema baada ya kuhakikisha hakuna mtu aliyemuona, mwanamke aliyefanya unyama huo aliutupa mwili huo kwenye dampo hilo kabla ya kuingia mitini.
Kamanda Kalunguyeye akasema Polisi wapo katika msako mkali wa kumtafuta mwanamke huyo ili afikishwe katika vyombo vya sheria.
Katika tukio jingine, watu wawili wamekamatwa na polisi baada ya kudaiwa kukutwa na madawa ya kulevya.
Akasema, watu hao walikamatwa majira ya saa 1:00 asubuhi eneo la Stendi ya Mbezi wakiwa na kete nane za madawa ya kulevya.
Akawataja watu hao kuwa ni Evance Jackson. 20, na Rajabu Jumanne, 21.
Akasema, watu hao watafikishwa Mahakamani haraka baada ya kukamilika kazi ya kuwahoji kuhusiana na tukio hilo.
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Kamanda wa Mkoa wa Kipolisi Kinondoni, Mark Kalunguyeye, amesema tukio hilo limejiri majira ya saa 4:00 asubuhi pale Mwananyamala Kwa Msisiri Jijini.
Akasema baada ya kupata taarifa kutoka kwa wasamaria wema, polisi walifika eneo hilo na kuukuta mwili huo ukiwa umefungwa kwenye taulo na kisha kuviringishwa na khanga juu yake.
Akasema baada ya kuhakikisha hakuna mtu aliyemuona, mwanamke aliyefanya unyama huo aliutupa mwili huo kwenye dampo hilo kabla ya kuingia mitini.
Kamanda Kalunguyeye akasema Polisi wapo katika msako mkali wa kumtafuta mwanamke huyo ili afikishwe katika vyombo vya sheria.
Katika tukio jingine, watu wawili wamekamatwa na polisi baada ya kudaiwa kukutwa na madawa ya kulevya.
Akasema, watu hao walikamatwa majira ya saa 1:00 asubuhi eneo la Stendi ya Mbezi wakiwa na kete nane za madawa ya kulevya.
Akawataja watu hao kuwa ni Evance Jackson. 20, na Rajabu Jumanne, 21.
Akasema, watu hao watafikishwa Mahakamani haraka baada ya kukamilika kazi ya kuwahoji kuhusiana na tukio hilo.
FANI ya muziki wa taarabu nchini imepata pigo kubwa baada ya kumpoteza mtunzi na mwimbaji mahiri, Nasma Khamis, maarufu 'Kidogo'.
Nasma, 57, ambaye anakumbukwa kwa baadhi ya nyimbo zikiwamo, Mtu Mzima Ovyo alifariki usiku wa kuamkia jana jijini Dar es Salaam.
"Hebu tueleze una kitu gani ee cha kututambiaa, ebu tuambie una kitu gani ee cha kuturingiaa, tema mate chini nyuma hujioni ee wanakukimbia, kaona mambo yako huku taarabu imo taarabu imo kaona mambo yapo huku wee! utaumiza roho yako....wadudu wadogo wadogo wananyevua nyevua," hayo ni baadhi ya maneno katika wimbo wa 'Mtu Mzima Ovyo' ulioimbwa naye Nasma.
Kulingana na ndugu zake, Nasma alifariki saa sita usiku kwenye Hospitali ya Temeke alikokuwa amelazwa kutokana na kusumbuliwa na malaria.
Baba mdogo wa marehemu, Hamis Mohamed 'Kaniki' aliiambia Mwananchi nyumbani kwake, Kinondoni Hananasif, Dar es Salaam ambako kumewekwa msiba huo kuwa Nasma alikuwa akisumbuliwa na shinikizo la damu mara kwa mara, lakini wiki iliyopita alilazimika kulazwa Temeke kutokana na hali yake kuwa mbaya na uchunguzi ulionyesha alikuwa na malaria.
" Siku nne zilizopita alilazwa Temeke lakini jana hali yake ilibadilika na saa sita usiku akafariki, Mungu ndiye anayetoa na yeye ndie anayechukua"alisema mzazi huyo.
Alisema Nasma ambaye ameacha watoto sita, wanne wa kike na wawili wa kiume atazikwa leo kwenye makaburi ya Kisutu.
Akizungumzia msiba huo, msanii mwingine mahiri ambaye alitajwa kuwa mpinzani wa Nasma, Hadija Kopa alisema, "Nimepata taarifa leo (jana), nasikia uchungu sana ni mwenzetu tulikuwa naye, Mungu amlaze mahali pema peponi." Alisema upinzani wake na Nasma ulikuwa ni wa kazi na si wa ubaya kama watu walivyodhani.
"Upinzani wetu ulikuwa ni wa kazi na si wa ubaya na kama ni ubaya kinapotokea kitu kama hiki lazima uweke tofauti pembeni ni kitu kikubwa cha kuhuzunisha, katangulia mbele za haki hatuna budi kumuombea Mungu amlaze mahali pema peponi.
Msanii huyo ambaye alikuwa akiishi Tabata Kinyerezi, Dar es Salaam atakumbukwa kutokana na nyimbo zake zenye vijembe walivyokuwa wakitupiana na mwenzake, Hadija Kopa na kuifanya fani ya taarabu kutamba miaka ya '90 kiasi cha kuitwa rusha roho.
Baadhi ya nyimbo ambaye zilimzolea sifa msanii huyo na hazitasahaulika masikioni mwa watu ni pamoja na ule wa 'Mwanamke Mazingira ', Subira Heri Mpenzi na Sanamu la Micheline.
Wakati wa uhai wake, Nasma aliimbia vikundi mbalimbali kama vile, Egyptian, Babloom, Tanzania One Theatre na Muungano Culrural Troupe. Mpaka mauti yanamkuta msanii huyo alikuwa akifanya shuguli zake binafsi.
The fourth season starts with Michael avenging Sara's "death", before learning that Gretchen did not kill her as he thought. Michael also learns the truth about Whistler, that he has secretly been working alongside Mahone to take down the Company. A Company operative takes Whistler's life shortly after this. Sona has burned down and Sucre, Bellick and T-Bag have escaped during the chaos. After returning to Chicago to look for Sara, Michael is arrested and recruited by Don Self (Michael Rapaport), a Department of Homeland Security agent, to help bring down the Company in exchange for his freedom. Lincoln, who was arrested in Panama is transferred to Chicago along with Mahone, Sucre, and Bellick with whom a deal is made. Also joining the group are Sara, who escaped from Gretchen which resulted in Gretchen's own imprisonment by the Company, having failed to secure a valuable item, and Roland (James Hiroyuki Liao), a hacker who was assigned to help them after getting arrested for identity theft. Together, they devise a plan to retrieve Scylla, believed to be the Company's 'little black book', from the Company that will help to destroy it. In the meantime, Wyatt (Cress Williams), an agent from the Company, attempts to track down Michael and Lincoln. Mahone later murders Wyatt as revenge for murdering his son Cameron. Bellick sacrifices his life in order to save the Scylla break-in. When the group eventually succeeds in stealing Scylla, Self betrays them and tries to sell Scylla, but fails. Right before the mid-season break, it is revealed that Michael and Lincoln's mother is still alive and has obtained Scylla. The 2nd part of the season began on April 17. In the episode "SOB", Michael's mother Christina tells them that Lincoln is not really his brother. She then frames Lincoln and Michael for the killing of the son of India's Prime Minister, in order to precipitate a war between China and India, from which she will profit by selling weapons technology from Scylla to both sides. At the end of the episode "Cowboys and Indians" Michael has acquired Scylla, but Lincoln has been captured by Christina's security and Sara is taken by The General, so Michael must choose between exchanging Scylla for either Sara's life or Lincoln's. In the final two episodes, Michael manages to save Sara by luring the company away from her, then they rescue Lincoln by blowing up the area where he is held. They manage to get help from ex-secret service agent Paul Kellerman and his old friends in order to bring Scylla to the UN. Everyone gets exonerated except for T-Bag, whom the gang decide to send back to Fox River and Krantz, who is sent to the electric chair. The series end with a coda that flashes forward four years to the team meeting to mark the anniversary of Michael's death after the events of the TV movie "Prison Break: The Final Break" in which Michael sacrifices his life to facilitate Sara's escape from prison.
The third season follows both Michael inside Sona and Lincoln on the outside in Panama. Sona is a prison that has been run by the inmates and guarded only from the outside since a riot the year before. Burrows is quickly contacted by Gretchen Morgan (a Company operative who was in charge of operations in Panama) who kidnapped his son LJ (Marshall Allman) and Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies), the woman Michael loves. He is told that The Company wants Scofield to break James Whistler (Chris Vance) out of Sona. The season follows Michael and Whistler's trials in formulating an escape plan, as Michael has to deal with extreme tension and as Lincoln deals with the Company's operative Gretchen Morgan (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe). Sucre gets a job at the prison to aid Michael in his escape plan. When Lincoln attempts to rescue Sara and LJ following a clue provided by Sara, Gretchen claims to have beheaded Sara and sends Lincoln a head in a box as a warning. As the season ends, the pair manage to escape along with Mahone, and another inmate McGrady leaving behind several accomplices including T-Bag and Bellick. Sucre's identity is discovered by a prison guard and is thrown into Sona just after the escape. LJ and Sofia (who was captured for a guarantee that Whistler would go with her) are traded for Whistler, and Michael is out for revenge against Gretchen for Sara's death.
The second season begins eight hours after the escape, focusing mainly on the escapees. Series creator Paul Scheuring describes the second season as "The Fugitive times eight" and likens it to the "second half of The Great Escape". The fugitives split up and journey to locations across the country with the authorities close behind them as they each pursue their individual goals. Brad Bellick (Wade Williams) gets fired from the prison where he worked as a guard and chases after the inmates himself for the reward money. Several of the escapees reunite in search of a large cache of money buried long ago by another prisoner. Federal agent Alexander Mahone (William Fichtner) is assigned to track down and capture the eight fugitives, but is revealed to be working for The Company, which wants all eight men dead. When Sara discovers her dead father, Governor Frank Tancredi, she meets with Michael, remaining with him as the brothers try to bring down the current President, a Company member. To ensure the brothers' safety, Sara allows herself to be arrested and faces trial. During the trial, the testimony of former Secret Service agent Paul Kellerman, who used to work for the Company-controlled President, exonerates Lincoln and Sara. Several of the escapees are killed or recaptured, but the brothers make it to Panama. Michael, T-Bag, Mahone and Bellick are arrested by the Panamanian authorities and imprisoned at the PenitenciarÃa Federal de Sona.
