QUICK TAKES - June 27, 2009

Artists such as Beyonce, Wyclef Jean and Ne-Yo were scrambling Friday to change their performances for the BET Awards on Sunday to honor Michael Jackson.

The awards show, hosted by Jamie Foxx from the Shrine Auditorium in downtown L.A., will be dedicated to Jackson because of his influence on music and pop culture, said Stephen Hill, an executive producer for the awards. Jackson died Thursday afternoon at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented Los Angeles home.

Artists who have worked on their performances for weeks are changing them last-minute to honor Jackson, Hill said.

“To change it up in three days is something that’s not easy, but they’re all willing and looking forward to it,” he said. “There’s a direct line from Ne-Yo to Michael Jackson. There’s a direct line from Beyonce to Michael Jackson. There’s a direct line from Jay-Z to Michael Jackson. I think they’ll want to pay tribute in their own way.”