Michael Jackson tribute from SA’s YouTube drummer

July 2, 2009 - PRLog -- SA YouTube drummer Cobus Potgieter, who has the support of more than 50,000 fans and 15 million views worldwide on the social network channel, joins millions of fans today when he pays tribute to the legendary pop star.

Potgieter, a 22 year old from Bloemfontein, will upload a four-part drumming tribute on YouTube tonight to a fan base which comprises an ardent following from the United States and Denmark.  

The tribute is the first for Potgieter who says that he is very “OK” that he has chosen Michael Jackson.

Potgieter chose Black or White, his personal favourite, as the lead track, because it is impossible not to feel its groove.  

“This track is unbelievably rhythmic with the vocals and lyrics making it easy to connect with the soulfulness of the artist.  Furthermore, it has an ‘awesome’ message.”

The other Michael Jackson tracks are Beat It, Billie Jean and Smooth Criminal.

Potgieter says that the tribute to Michael Jackson, the musician, is respectful of his influence on music which will be felt forever.

“Admittedly he had done some questionable stuff but he is only human like all of us.  We are human and flawed,” he adds.

Potgieter got the news of Michael’s death while being on Twitter on Monday.

“My first reaction was that ‘it couldn’t have been true’. I thought it was a hoax but checked Google which confirmed it was true,” he explains.

As for Michael Jackson’s influence on his music, Potgieter admits that it was before his time but believes that his music now enjoys, has MJ influences, directly or indirectly. He believes that this tribute may bring further appreciation of Michael’s impact on music, particularly at a rthymic level.

Potgieter, who is now accredited as one of YouTube’s top 100 musicians (his ranking today is 97), began playing the drums at 16 years and uploaded his first drum cover, Nsync’s Pop, in late 2007. Since then he has created several drum routines to songs made famous by Linkin Park and Blink 182  The Nsync track has been the fans’ most favourite until recently when Red’s Jumpsuit Apparatus took poll position.

Potgieter has taken time off from completing his engineering studies to pursue his drumming career and “crack the big time”.

He is hopeful after securing sponsorships from Canadian drum manufacturers Jobeky, which have developed and branded an acoustic drum set, the LDS series to Potgieter’s specifications with SDG following with the electronic drum kit. Cymbal manufacturers TRX are also sizeable sponsors. Other sponsors include South African audio outlet Audiosure and the Johannesburg-based Music Connection.