Michael Jackson is perhaps the most impersonated celebrity of all time when it comes to dance. His host of signature dance moves were so unique, so Michael Jackson, and so difficult to master.
Since the pop legend passed away in 2009, it’s all the more important for the world’s talented individuals to honor his name through his music. There are some incredible Michael Jackson impersonators out there – some who sound just like him, some who look just like him, and some who sing just like him.
Many of the best dancers have mastered Jackson’s signature moves, like the moonwalk, the crotch grab, the anti-gravity lean, the spin, the kick, the toe stand, and the robot. But using Jackson’s moves as inspiration to create dance choreography for a whole song is something else entirely.
One person who was prepared for the challenge was Dylan Mayoral of Urban Dance Camp. This young man choreographed a dance to Jackson’s “Workin’ Day and Night”, which has been cleverly designed to honor the legend without Dylan outright copying his moves.
Dylan is one of the many talented performers at the Urban Dance Camp. Described on YouTube as the “world’s leading dance intensive education”, the dance camp is an international workshop that brings together some of the world’s most talented dancers, choreographers and YouTube stars for a whole host of classes.
With 2.37 million subscribers, Urban Dance Camp’s YouTube channel regularly showcases snippets of dances produced by some of its top performers. It’s common for the channel’s videos to rack up thousands of views overnight – and Dylan Mayoral’s Michael Jackson performance was no different, with 600,000 views and counting.
It’s easy to see why Dylan’s performance has taken off so spectacularly. He’s mastered Michael Jackson’s pulsing, body-popping, stop-and-start moves, from from the tiniest movements of his fingers to his whole-body rolls.
Not only is he incredibly talented, but Dylan’s energy is captivating to watch. When he jumps, he jumps higher than you’d think was possible. His leg extensions are insane. He moves at twice the speed you would expect anyone to be able to move at.
Though he might be clearly mimicking Jackson’s style, his own personality comes through so clearly in his moves and his facial expressions. He grins and pulls goofy faces throughout the dance, and truly looks like he’s having a good time.
Dancing at such a pace and with such precision must take incredible effort, but we can’t see any sign of it on his face.
“Workin’ Day and Night” was a great choice of song by Dylan. The tune, written and produced by Jackson, is the third track from Jackson’s fifth studio album, “Off the Wall”. It was released in 1979, and still remains popular today.
When Dylan finishes, the crowd in the room erupts into a cheer. His fellow dancers show their appreciation by throwing their hats onto his makeshift stage, and he appeases them by taking a mock bow. What a performance!
His online audience can’t get enough either, with the hundreds of commenters only having positive things to say about Dylan.
One person wrote:
“This what Dancing is all about! Just having fun.”
Someone else wrote:
“I will pay to anybody, who can advise how to stop watching this video again and again… And again… And again…”
They’re right – Dylan’s dancing is pretty addictive to watch! You can take a look at his cool moves in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
