MICHAEL JACKSON - JAY-Z HAILS JACKSON'S LEGACY

JAY-Z HAILS JACKSON'S LEGACY

Rap mogul JAY-Z wishes MICHAEL JACKSON had been feted more for his career achievements while he was still alive - because it could have changed the way the King of Pop lived his life.
Jackson died on 25 June (09) after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Rumours about his tragic passing have swirled ever since, with some reports suggesting a prolonged addiction to prescription painkillers could have contributed to his untimely demise.
Jackson was famed for being a recluse, rarely stepping out in public and preferring to shy away from the limelight by living his life behind closed doors.
But Jay-Z is convinced Jackson would have been more willing to embrace the public and live a less shielded life if people had shown the same admiration for him during his lifetime as they have since his death.
Paying tribute to the Thriller hitmaker at his concert in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday (02Jul09) - one week after Jackson's passing - Jay-Z called on fans to remember the musical genius of the late superstar as a montage of his hits was played on the video screens.
He then expressed his remorse at Jackson's death, saying, "I believe if we let him know how much we loved him while he was here, he'd still be here."
Jackson will be remembered at a special memorial ceremony at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Tuesday (07Jul09), with hundreds of thousands of fans expected to descend upon Hollywood to pay their last respects.