Michael Jackson served as inspiration to contemporary artists

"When my artist Akon was asked to work with Michael, it was both a privilege and an honor for both of us," Stephens says. "The time spent with Michael in the studio watching him create a masterpiece was like nothing I've experienced. He would listen to what Akon was offering, then put his spin on it to make it better. He was the ultimate professional and perfectionist."

Jackson's influence runs deep, particularly in Atlanta's music scene. The rhythmic nuances and melodic fluidity of his music and his twitchy, tightly stylized dance moves set the foundation for the urban-pop boom that took off here in the 1990s.

"He's the most inspiring. His performances I watched while growing up are a great part of what inspired me to become an artist, dancer and choreographer at the start of my career," Stephens said. When working with other artists, Stephens would take "bits and pieces of Michael Jackson videos and performances and apply them to Diddy, Usher and Ciara."

Jackson may have never gotten a shot at stardom had it not been for an Atlanta connection: Motown soul legend Gladys Knight.

The discovery of Michael and his brothers was often credited to Diana Ross. But it was actually Knight who first mentioned the act to Motown owner Berry Gordy two years earlier after the group won the legendary amateur night at Harlem's Apollo Theater.

Once at Motown, the act was christened the Jackson 5, and the hits came immediately, starting with 1969's "I Want You Back." The star of the group was clearly Michael, whose style was highly developed even then. At Motown, he learned to craft a song and sell a lyric.

Jackson quickly developed into a master pop craftsman after he and his brothers (sans Jermaine) left Motown for Epic Records in 1976. But the piquant, hard-edged pop-soul hybrid that would later heavily influence the Atlanta music scene didn't gel until Jackson's 1979 solo release "Off the Wall." Collaborating with Quincy Jones and songwriter Rod Temperton, Jackson created some of pop's best confections, including the tough but exuberant "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and the mellow "Rock With You."

Usher is perhaps the most obvious star whose sound and performance style were patterned after Jackson's. Although he lacks the pop icon's range, Usher combines a sense of boyish vulnerability and mannish assertiveness that marked Jackson's best work. And as for his dance moves, Usher lifts liberally from Jackson, as does Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown and every other male dancer born after 1978.

The advent of music videos and MTV and Jackson's superstar ascent coalesced around 1982 when the artist released "Thriller."

His videos were high-concept, big-budget events with dancing street gangs and grooving zombies. Pavement lit up under his feet in "Billie Jean." Precise, flamboyant choreography anchored each clip. That inspiration can be seen in any Usher or TLC video.

At the time of his death, he was preparing for a comeback. Although he hadn't produced a hit in years, Jackson's legacy had long been cemented.

"Mike was an amazing person. He made stops in time that give our life bookmarks," said platinum-selling Atlanta R&B singer Lyfe Jennings. "We would never remember certain things in our life the way we do without his reference points.

"I can honestly say he had a hand in me becoming a musician, and I could never thank him enough."

The loss of Jackson is tremendous, Stephens said. "We all emulated him. He taught us all to be the best. Now, we wonder, 'who will we follow?' "