Usher closed out the first day of the Essence Music Festival on July 1, with a rousing two hour performance in which he paid homage to the late Michael Jackson.

Shocking the audience with his entrance, the Grammy winner emerged from a platform in the middle of the New Orleans Superdome high above the crowd, before breaking into his set.

Amidst four costume changes, and nearing the end of his show, Usher honored the two year anniversary of Jackson’s death. “Six days ago marks the death of Michael Jackson,” he said. “I’d like to pay tribute to him, is that all right with you guys?”

He asked before breaking into a dance sequence to the King of Pop’s hits ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,’ ‘Rock With You‘ and ‘Billy Jean,’ while trying his hand at mimicking Jackson’s moonwalk.