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BALDWIN HILLS, LOS ANGELES () — A group of elementary school students in Baldwin Hills is going viral after performing a special tribute to Michael Jackson as part of a school arts fundraiser for Black Music Month.
Nearly 30 students at Baldwin Hills Elementary School donned some of the pop icon’s most recognizable outfits and danced to his hit song “Jam” during the school’s 90s-themed spring program. The annual event supports arts education, and this year’s performance quickly went viral on Instagram.
Malinda Jackson, a 4th grade teacher, part-time dance instructor and longtime Michael Jackson fan, organized the routine. She said the students had just three weeks to learn the choreography.
“A lot of our students have never taken a dance class, but here they are,” she said. “I’m tapping into what’s inside of them.”
For many of the children, the experience was both challenging and inspiring.
“They taught me to push myself more and keep dancing,” said 10-year-old Carter Crump. “I got really excited and I was like, ‘This is for you Michael.'”
Liberty Williams, 11, said she overcame initial nerves to embrace the performance.
“At first, I’m shy doing it but once I, like, get in the mood, I’m like, ‘Alright, I got this,'” she said.
Ethan Turner, 9, described dance as a powerful outlet. “I love dancing,” he said. “I like how you get to let out your feelings. Either when you’re mad or you’re excited, and you just let all of your energy out.”
Malinda Jackson was also joined by former student Francis Bucknor, who helped choreograph the routine. Sixteen years ago, Bucknor performed in his own school production of “Thriller,” and he called his return a meaningful milestone.
“It’s a full circle moment for me,” Bucknor said.
The performance’s momentum online has been fueled in part by renewed interest in Michael Jackson’s music following the success of the blockbuster movie “Michael.” According to Billboard, the singer’s catalog has returned to the charts, making him the first artist to achieve chart presence in every decade since the 1970s.
“This is how he lives forever … it’s by passing it on to the next generation,” she said.
The viral clip has drawn global attention, with Michael Jackson fans praising the students and their teacher for honoring the late artist’s influence.
“If he could sit in this auditorium, he would have been sitting front row with a big smile on his face. I know he’s beyond proud of all these kids,” Bucknor said.
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