Jonathan Moffett Wowed With Incredible Drumming In “Smooth Criminal” Rendition

Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett, the longtime drummer for Michael Jackson, showcased his incredible funkiness in a studio recording of “Smooth Criminal” captured by Drumeo. With mesmerizing precision and an abundance of funk, Sugarfoot delivered a masterclass in groove.

Listening to Sugarfoot play is incredibly satisfying, as every beat is flawlessly executed with a driving groove that is hard to resist. Instead of replicating the repetitive programmed drums from the original recording of “Smooth Criminal,” Sugarfoot added his own style to the song, incorporating rhythmic interest on the hi-hat and tasteful fills.

With his subtle yet masterful touch, the veteran drummer elevated the song without ever overshadowing it. Check out the video below:

In this performance, Sugarfoot showcased more skill on the hi-hat alone than most drummers could demonstrate on the entire drum kit. The sound guy’s huge smile at the 30-second mark said it all – he was clearly blown away by Sugarfoot’s talent.

Kudos to Drumeo for capturing the performance so well and delivering a tight mix that beautifully showcased all the intricate details Sugarfoot added to the song.

The “Smooth Criminal” playthrough became a massive hit on YouTube, garnering nearly 58 million views. Drumeo took notice and invited the master sticksman back multiple times, including for performances of other Michael Jackson hits like “Billie Jean”, “Beat It” and “Jam” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin.”

A YouTube viewer praised his talent by saying, “The symbol smash and grab at the end is lightning fast, it’s incredible. If nothing else; that move alone shows how talented Moffett is. World class drummer.

Another also commented, “God that looks so good! He makes the entire song look effortless, despite there’s no doubt thousands of hours of blood, sweat, and tears he needed to put in to get this good. That’s the mark of a master.”