I finally watched most of it last night during the encore. It wasn't as horrible as I've heard about on the radio, etc., but I could definitely tell it was rushed.
I thought Jamie/T-Pain, Ne-Yo, KeKe Palmer, Keyshia Cole & Monica, the tribute to the O'Jays (though Trey Songz was outclassed), and the O'Jays all gave strong performances. Out of the rappers, Jay-Z did the best. Didn't watch Maxwell.
It seemed like they had problems with the microphones/sound systems, with New Edition in the opening and with some of the rappers. Overall, in the shadow of Michael Jackson it just reinforced to me how lacking many of today's stars are. Keri Hilson's performance felt ad hoc. Soulja Boy hurt my ears. Drake and Lil Wayne were also uninispired. Ciara was trying, but that song wasn't in her comfort zone.
As much as I love New Jack Swing, Keith Sweat didn't sound that good, Aaron Hall was out of breath, Ralph Tresvant was off key, Ricky Bell couldn't be heard in the first song, but did better on the BBD number, and then Bobby and his tongue. Didn't watch all of Beyonce's performance. I wish she had done a Michael Jackson song or incorporated some MJ song into her performance.
I think the O'Jays put on a show that everyone of the newer acts should've been paying close attention to and emulating in the future. They had the vocals and the moves right.
But I got to give them credit for trying to put together a tribute show in three days, though I think it might've been best to just acknowledge MJ at the show in some way and then do a better planned show in the future.
