Filmmaker and longtime Brooklyn resident Spike Lee brought his annual Michael Jackson birthday celebration back to Fort Greene Park on Saturday, August 29, continuing a tradition that combines music, dancing and community celebration.
The free event, known as “BK Loves MJ,” ran from noon to 7 p.m. and featured music by Brooklyn DJ Spinna. Jordan Brand also joined the celebration as a sponsor. The gathering attracted Michael Jackson fans, dancers and Brooklyn residents for an afternoon dedicated to the late pop star’s music.
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Lee has hosted the celebration for years as a way of marking Jackson’s birthday on August 29. The event has grown into a popular Brooklyn tradition, bringing together fans of different generations and turning Fort Greene Park into an outdoor dance floor.
The filmmaker’s connection to Jackson goes beyond the annual party. Lee directed the music video for Jackson’s 1996 song “They Don’t Care About Us” and later worked on the 2012 documentary Bad 25, which examined the making and impact of Jackson’s landmark Bad album.
This year’s celebration also came during renewed public interest in Jackson’s music, with a new generation discovering his work while longtime fans continue to celebrate his influence on popular music.
The return to Fort Greene was particularly fitting for Lee, who has long incorporated Brooklyn’s neighborhoods, people and culture into his work. His films, including Do the Right Thing, have helped make Brooklyn an important part of his artistic identity.
The annual gathering has also become an opportunity for the community to celebrate Jackson’s music collectively rather than simply marking his birthday. With live DJ sets, dancing and a free outdoor setting, the event continues to blend Jackson’s global musical legacy with the distinctly Brooklyn atmosphere Lee has helped champion.
For fans and residents, the return of “BK Loves MJ” offered another opportunity to celebrate Jackson’s music while keeping one of Lee’s most recognisable Brooklyn traditions alive.
