Justin Timberlake on Jackson: I'm "Lucky" to Have Memories

Justin Timberlake continues to mourn the loss of Michael Jackson.

Timberlake has performed with the King of Pop, including an 'NSYNC duet with Jackson at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. Timberlake was so influenced by Jackson that he also wore a fedora and glove and showed off Jackson-esque dance moves in his "Cry Me a River" video.

"The thing about Michael is the memories," Timberlake tells MTV U.K. "I'm lucky enough to have memories — actually, physically — with him onstage and off."

See photos of Michael Jackson and his kids through the years

He says the way the entire world has reacted to Jackson's passing is a "testament to how big a deal it is, obviously, because he's created so many cultural photos in people's minds with his music that he was and always will be the King of Pop."

Look back at Michael Jackson's life

"To create the things that he created with his music is untouchable," Timberlake goes on. "He opened the minds of the world to be able to do that through his music... [it's] a feat not accomplished by many people, maybe only a handful of people. I don't think anyone ever did it like him."

Revisit Michael Jackson’s most unforgettable moments

Jackson - who died June 25 at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest -
"opened the minds of people about music," Timberlake said. "He opened the minds of people about culture. Even if it was this much in your conscious, he helped with segregation. His music did that and not a lot of people can say that. Michael was the baddest!"

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Published 7/1/09 by

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