World reacts to his death (Micheal Jackson)

The news stunned nearly everyone, from the young man in Colombia who was named after the King of Pop, to Malaysians who named a soy drink after him, to a generation of people around the world who have tried to moonwalk.
Michael Jackson’s death announcement interrupted many programmes, called for many reactions, with even world leaders weighing in. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called it lamentable news, though he criticised the media for giving it so much attention. Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who had met Jackson, said: “We lost a hero of the world.”

MJ and Lisa Marie Presley,

his ex wife of the mid-1990s

View our photoslide on the times of Michael Jackson: ::CLICK HERE::

Ugandans
Oscar Kihika
I grew up in the days of the Jackson Five. He was an inspiration. He was a phenomenon in his own right and raised the bar in the entertainment industry. He was a perfectionist, talented and yet still worked hard to improve in his field. His work will live on forever.

Michael Ross
He is an icon and the greatest entertainer irrespective of the hard times he went through as a child and, later, the charges of molestation and bankruptcy. He believed in humanity, equality and love for all. He loved children because it is the childhood he never had. His music touched me and other musicians such as Raymond Usher and Ginuwine. I am going to talk to my manager to hold a memorial or concert in his honour.

Joe Tabula
He gave his audience what was unquestionably good. He believed in teamwork and this made his works perfect. There was misinformation about him like his skin disease forced him to do plastic surgery, but people thought he did not want to be black. His death is a great loss and we might not get a musician like him.

Tshaka Mayanja
He was the most complete artiste ever. He had it all – he sold out albums and he worked with others. He associated himself with the best amongst the musicians and producers.

Pastor Martin Sempa
I am contemplating holding a memorial service. His choreography, boldness, and break dancing were moves we imitated and I used to do the Moonwalker. But he was obsessed about his face and it created a successful musician whose physical appearance we regretted. As a pastor, his passing should cause us to reflect on ourselves and we to live upright.”

International
Lisa Marie Presley, his ex wife of the mid-1990s
I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.

Janet Jackson, sister
I am grief stricken and devastated and flying back to California to be with the family.

Michael Levine,
a lawyer who represented Jackson in 1993 case of molesting a child
I must confess I am not surprised by today’s tragic news. Michael has been on an impossibly difficult and often self-destructive journey for years. His talent was unquestionable but so too was his discomfort with the norms of the world. A human simply cannot withstand this level of prolonged stress.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Governor of California
Michael was a pop phenomenon who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity. Though there were serious questions about his life, Michael was undoubtedly a great entertainer and his popularity spanned generations and the globe

Quincy Jones,
music producer who collaborated with him on three of his best-selling albums, Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad
He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him.

Pop star Madonna
I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired MJ. The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live forever. My heart goes out to his children and family members.