Ne-Yo channels King of Pop on late singer's b'day

Ne-Yo performed “Smooth Criminal,” ”I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” and “The Way You Make Me Feel” on Wednesday night at New York’s Gotham Hall, imitating Jackson’s signature dance moves and vocal tones.

The R&B singer said in an interview ahead of his performance: “You just don’t do a Michael song, you try and do the best you can.” He also said he learned how to sing because of Jackson and that the icon’s musical influence was “tattooed” on his heart.

Singer Melanie Fiona also performed at the Pepsi and Billboard event. The Grammy winner belted covers of “Bad” and “Dirty Diana.”