Obama, Ethiopians and world pay tribute to Pop Star Michael Jackson

(JT) Many Africans paid tribute to Michael Jackson, praising him as a legendary artist who transcended cultural, racial and generational barriers. However some Africans "questioned his bizarre personal life and alleged he tried to disown his black identity" according to AFP.

Jackson is also remembered in Africa through the 1985 "We are the World" song to raise aid for the famine in northern Ethiopia (then-provinces of Eritrea & Tigray).

Mahmoud Dirrir, Ethiopia's tourism and culture minister, stated "In big Ethiopian cities, many people will have a special feeling towards his death."

"Apart from his personal behaviour, he will be remembered as an icon, especially for his song calling for us to leave this world a better place for future generations," Dirrir said.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign affairs said Ethiopia expressed sorrow over the untimely death of Michael Jackson. Sending condolences to his family, the ministry said  "Michael Jackson will continue to have a special place in the hearts of Ethiopians for his unforgettable humanitarian work during a very difficult time for them."

Ethiopian radio and television as well as local FM stations in Addis Ababa are playing his music since Friday morning.

According to Ethiopian Politics (EP) website, Ethiopian artist, Solomon Tefera said “I was really shocked by the news about the death of Michael Jackson who proved to the world that people of African descent can make great contribution to music in the world. I cannot say that Michael Jackson is dead, he will be with us for the coming so many years with his best works.”

U.S. President Barack Obama called Michael Jackson, the 50-year-old "King of Pop" who died suddenly on Thursday, a "spectacular performer" and a music icon, according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

Gibbs also said Obama believed some aspects of Jackson's life were "sad and tragic" and offered his condolences to the musician's family.

(Photo: Rev. Al Sharpton and Michael's father Joe Jackson)

Michael's father Joe Jackson said "we're going to miss the great superstar, the biggest known in the world." He stated that this worldwide praise should have come before his son died, saying the attention "should have been done while he was alive so he could enjoy it."

• Other statements around the world about the death of Michael Jackson

Michael's sister "Janet Jackson is grief-stricken and devastated at the sudden loss of her brother," her manager Kenneth Crear said in a statement to MTV News.

A family statement read by Jermaine Jackson said "My brother, the legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25, at 2.26 pm. It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy are known. The personal physician who was with him at the time attempted to resuscitate my brother, as did paramedics who transported him to the hospital.Upon arriving at the hospital at approximately 1.14 pm, a team of doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of one hour and they were unsuccessful.Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time, and may Allah be with you Michael."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy voiced admiration for Jackson's ability to stir "emotion from different kinds of people all over the world" and said he would always remember the singer's "Moonwalk" dance. "I felt great emotion firstly because a page has turned and I found it quite distressing to see these images of a young Jackson with his childish face and hair and colour that had not changed," Sarkozy said.

President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela called the star’s death ‘lamentable news,’ although he criticised the media for giving it excessive coverage

Former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, who had met Jackson once, said: ‘We lost a hero of the world.’

The former Philippine first lady, Imelda Marcos, said she cried on hearing the news. "Michael Jackson enriched our lives, made us happy,’ she said in a statement. ‘The accusations, the persecution caused him so much financial and mental anguish. He was vindicated in court, but the battle took his life. There is probably a lesson here for all of us.’

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said in a statement "This is very sad news for the millions of Michael Jackson fans in Britain and around the world"

California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement: “Today, the world has lost one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry. From his performances with the Jackson 5, to the premiere of the ‘moonwalk’ and ‘Thriller,’ Michael was a pop phenomenon who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity."

In Japan, TV commentator Dave Spector said, "Many Japanese fans were not just loyal to Michael - they worshipped him. This is going to be a tremendous loss especially to them."

Lisa Marie Presley (daughter of rock great Elvis Presley and who was married to Michael Jackson in the mid-1990s) said "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."

Justin Timberlake -- who like Jackson is known for both his singing and dancing -- said in a statement that the world had "lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music."

Pop star Madonna said "I can't stop crying over the sad news ... I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his 3 children and other members of his family.."

Singer Mariah Carey said " i feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever."

Tennis champion Serena Williams said that Jackson remained a "complete icon...Everyone listens to his music. You think of the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. They are lifetime icons that are never forgotten. Everyone of every colour and race is a huge Michael Jackson fan."

Rev Al Sharpton, a leading US civil rights campaigner and friend of Jackson said “As a friend of Michael’s for the past 35 years, I call on people from around the world to pray for him and his family."

Famous film director Steven Spielberg said "Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson."

"For a long time, he was unquestionably the most famous person on the planet," said Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association

Rev. Jesse Jackson wondered how Michael Jackson died a day after visiting the Jackson family. "It's abnormal...We don't know what happened. Was he injected and with what? All reasonable doubt should be addressed," he said.

Actor Ashton Kutcher said “RIP. Sending love and light to family and friend but especially his kids. Plea to the press to respect his wishes of maintaining the anonymity of his children. I plea to the public to refuse to consume media that does not respect the anonymity of Michaels children.”

(Photo: New York's Apollo Theater where Michael began his career)

Musician Alicia Keys said "We all know him in one way or another. In some way he has touched us, been the voice of one of our sweetest memories. And what a wonderful, genuine, compassionate, soft-spoken giant so full of love....He gave us love, excitement, one-of-a-kind moments in a mundane world. I can't believe he won't be with us here on Earth anymore. But long from now, when we are all dust, he will still never be forgotten. To the best that ever did it! You are loved, admired and respected forever."

US Singer Beyonce said: "I have Michael Jackson to thank for being my teacher, my hero...The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music."