Michael Jackson Mural

East Village

& why it made the Carpe City list

The Michael Jackson mural is one of many hidden gems in the East Village. It’s just one street shy of Alphabet City, which seems like a missed opportunity for any “ABC” lover. (Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves…)
Famous Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra painted this vibrant mural featuring Michael Jackson as a young Jackson 5 child star next to an older version of himself. The colorful geometric shapes are indicative to Kobra’s style.
Kobra has painted 18 murals (and counting!) around New York City and over 500 murals globally. A favorite of ours is his David Bowie mural in Jersey City, NJ which can be seen when entering Manhattan through the Holland Tunnel.
Eduardo Kobra strongly supports his mural, despite the allegations of Michael Jackson’s sexual abuse. He argues that Jackson is “part of the world’s music history” that should not be erased.
Kobra says his mural is about Michael Jackson’s strive for satisfaction and his transformation “from black to white, kid to adult, from natural to unnatural.”

Michael Jackson was responsible for creating the Moonwalk…. This is False! The moonwalk dance move has a history dating back to the 1930s. In fact, Jeffery Daniel, a ‘70s era dancer on Soul Train, personally taught Michael Jackson this famous dance move.
Michael Jackson was the first black artist to be aired on MTV…. This is True! His “Billy Jean” music video was the first MTV video by a black artist.
Michael Jackson was bald and had to wear wigs…. This is True! While it may be hard to believe, Michael Jackson had to wear wigs after an accident while filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984. A firework work went off early which caught his hair and jacket on fire. The incident left him with second and third degree burns on his face and scalp. His 2009 autopsy revealed that his scalp had been tattooed black to match his wigs. Also, his lips were tattooed pink, as well as his eyebrows tattooed black.
Michael Jackson had a thing for superheroes…. This is also True! It is widely known that Michael Jackson had a childish side to him. However, Michael Jackson took it a step further by trying to purchase Marvel Comics when it filed for bankruptcy in the 90s. Jackson hoped to play the beloved Spiderman, but, unfortunately for him, the role went to Tobey Maguire. He even tried for Patrick Stewart’s role as Professor X in the movie X-Men.

Billie Jean by Michael Jackson – Check out the Moonwalk around the 3min mark!