Jaafar Jackson’s Colombian Roots Reveal Michael Jackson’s Ties to Latinos

As entertainment newcomer Jaafar Jackson steps into one of the most anticipated music biopics in recent years, many fans are learning more about the Jackson family’s unexpected connection to Latin America.

Jaafar is the nephew of Michael Jackson and the actor portraying him in the upcoming film Michael he is proudly half Colombian through his mother, Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, who was born in Bogotá, Colombia!

But Jaafar’s Colombian heritage is just one part of Michael Jackson’s broader relationship with Latinos and Latin America. From collaborating with Afro-Latina musicians to recording music in Spanish, Jackson’s career crossed paths with Latin American culture in ways many fans may not realize.

Here are three lesser-known facts that highlight Michael Jackson's ties to Latin American and U.S. Latino culture.

Who was Michael Jackson’s Latina collaborator?Sheila E - Legendary Afro-Latina Drummer

Many musicians have played alongside the King of Pop, Michael Jackson throughout his career. However, one of them is a legend. Sheila Cecilia Escovedo (aka Sheila E). This American singer, songwriter, musician, and actress is the daughter of African American Juanita Gardere and the legendary Pete Escovedo. Often considered one of the greatest percussionists of her generation, she has played a wide range of genres like R&B, funk, jazz, pop, synth-pop, Latin pop, and salsa.

Born in Oakland, California, Sheila celebrates her Mexican heritage through her uncles Alejandro, Javier, Mario, and Coke Escovedo, who are musicians as well. Not only that, but she’s also the aunt of Nicole Richie, the daughter of Peter Michael Escovedo.

In 1979, she had a key music role in Michael Jackson’s hit “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. On The Jennifer Hudson Show, she explained how she was called into the studio by Quincy Jones to add percussion, where she famously improvised the sound by filling two bottles with water. Her contribution helped define one of Michael’s first major solo hits from the Off the Wall album.

Did Michael Jackson Record a Song in Spanish?

This soft rock duet with icon Siedah Garret was the first single from the artist’s seventh solo studio album, Bad (1987), and would become the first of five number-one hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. But did you know there’s a Spanish version by Michael?

Under the name “Todo Mi Amor Eres Tú”, this song has moved millions of Spanish-speaking lovers across the world. It was adapted into Spanish by Panamanian singer-songwriter Rubén Blades, a king of Latin music who had a great experience working with Michael. They spent three intense days in the studio, going over Spanish phonetics, stress, and intonation. Apparently, some producers initially believed the voice wasn’t Michael’s because the accent sounded too natural.

“[Jackson was] a dedicated student, very concerned with correct pronunciation,” Blades said, according to TVN Noticias.

After working together, Michael personally proposed that Blades record a full album in Spanish with him. But unfortunately, the idea was put on permanent hold due to tours and global commitments,

Jaafar Jackson - Michael’s Half-Colombian Nephew

The Jackson family clan is a big one, with Michael and his nine siblings: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, Rebbie, La Toya, Janet, and Brandon (Marlon’s twin, who died shortly after birth). Imagine the number of children and grandchildren!

However, one of Michael’s nephews is making a big splash: Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermain Jackson and the star of his uncle’s biopic. Is Jaafar Jackson Latino? Yes! The mother, Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza Jackson, was born in Bogotá, making Jaafar half Colombian!

Alejandra Jackson, an entrepreneur studied fashion design and marketing at UCLA and started her own company, Alejandra Jackson Designs, focusing on Colombian and Peruvian textiles. Alejandra delivered a TEDx Talk:

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A post shared by Alejandra Jackson (@alejandrajackson)

Apart from Jafaar, there’s his younger brother Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson and Donte Jackson, the adopted son of Katherine and Joe Jackson. But there are two other siblings to consider: before marrying Jermaine, Alejandra dated Randy, his younger brother, when they were in their 20s. That relationship resulted in two children together: Genevieve Katherine Jackson and Steven Randall Jackson, Jr. Despite being divorced since 2008, Jermaine and Alejandra have never stopped supporting Jaafar in his projects, such as the portrayal of his late uncle in Michael, which premiered on April 24. 

In an interview with TODAY:

“There’s definitely a responsibility that you feel going into something this big, and the scope, and to tell it in a cinematic way. There are so many moments that I wanted to nail and make sure I had the true essence and that feeling. I had to feel it to make sure I believed in it first,” Jaafar Jackson

These three stories from Michael’s life help us understand how deep his ties are to Latin American culture. Apart from his several world tours and performances, his career crossed paths with many Latin American artists who, all in all, had a big impact on his music. 17 years have passed since his death, but his memory lingers in the hearts of his U.S. Latino and Latin American fans.

Resumen en español

El artículo presenta tres datos poco conocidos sobre la relación de Michael Jackson con América Latina: su colaboración con la percusionista afro-latina Sheila E., su grabación en español de “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” junto a Rubén Blades, y su vínculo familiar con Colombia a través de su sobrino Jaafar Jackson. Estos aspectos muestran una conexión cultural más profunda con la región, tanto en lo artístico como en lo personal.