The entertainment world is mourning the loss of the most successful musician of all time, the late Michael Jackson.

Celebrity friends, fans and entertainment entities are reacting to the news of Michael’s sudden death of a heart attack in Los Angeles this afternoon.

“Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement Thursday. “To say an ‘icon’ would only give these young people in Harlem a fraction of what he was. He was a historic figure that people will measure music and the industry by.”

-Singer Dionne Warwick: “The news of the passing of Michael Jackson comes as a heartbreaking shock for me. Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with. We have lost an icon in our industry and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and children in this hour of sorrow that they are now going through. He will live on in my memory and most definitely through the music he shared with so many.”

-Wyclef Jean: “Michael Jackson was my Music God. He made me believe that all things are possible, and through real and positive music, you can live forever! I love Michael Jackson. God Bless him.”

-Rev. Al Sharpton: “A friend of Michael’s for the last 35 years, I call on people around the world to pray for him and his family in the hour.I have known Michael since we were both teens, worked with him, marched for him, hosted him at our House of Justice headquarters in New York, and we joined together to eulogize our mutual idol, James Brown. I have known him at his high moments and his low moments and I know he would want us to pray for his family.”

-The Recording Academy: “Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim. A 13-time GRAMMY recipient, Michael’s career transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news and our hearts go out to his family and to music lovers around the globe who mourn this great loss.”

-Beyoncé: “This is such a tragic loss and a terrible day. The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the king of pop! Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about how many moments in life that take your breath away. For anyone who has ever seen, felt, or heard his art, we are all honored to have been alive in this generation to experience the magic of Michael Jackson. I love you Michael.”

Via Twitter:

-Diddy: “Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life!! He made me believe in magic. I will miss him!”

-Demi Moore: “I am greatly saddened for the loss of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Especially for their children!”

-MC Hammer: “I have no words.. I loved Michael Jackson.. RIP.”

-John Mayer: “I truly hope he is memorialized as the ’83 moonwalking, MTV owning, mesmerizing, unstoppable, invincible Michael Jackson.”

-Miley Cyrus: “michael jackson was my inspiration. love and blessings”

-Pete Wentz: “I have never felt this before in my life. I could measure my childhood 2 now on an mj growth chart. if this is true. Rip. The last legend”

-Solange Knowles: “Thank you Michael Jackson for being my FIRST of many! My mother took me to my FIRST concert, I was only two years old. I fell in love.”

-Josh Groban: “Definitely a “Where were you when…” day. Lost a great artist who had great demons … may he finally rest in peace.

-Kim Kardashian: “Music will never be the same…”

-Kelly Rowland: “Michael you left such a legacy on this earth, have touched SO MANY!!! We thank you for such a driving inspiration in music & our lives!!”

-Perez Hilton: “It’s days like this that put it all into perspective. If you’re reading this right now, you are blessed to be alive. Hug your family.”

-Busta Rhymes: “MY DELAYED TWITT IS AS A RESULT OF STILL BEING IN DIBELIEF…MICHAEL JACKSON UR THE GREATEST TALENT EVER KNOWN 2 MANKIND.R.I.P. & GOD BLESS.”

-Tyrese Gibson: “I can’t believe I’m about to write this Michael Jackson May God Bless your SOUL WE LOVE YOU FOREVER REST IN PEACE I’m sad this is horrible”

Michael Jackson is survived by his parents Joe and Katherine, his eight sibilings, and three children; Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and 6-year-old Prince Michael II.