LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) – Michael Jackson, often referred to as “The King of Pop”, died at the age of 50 on Thursday afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest, news reports say.

Jackson was taken to UCLA hospital in Los Angeles after a 911 call at 12.21 p.m. local time. When paramedics arrived at his home in Holmby Hills they performed CPR but were unable to revive him. Streets surrounding the hospital were blockaded by police with yellow tape.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Both OK! Magazine and TMZ.com confirmed his death.

Jackson took to the stage as a child star and set the world dancing to the thumping rhythms of his music in the 1970s. He was planning a comeback this year.

Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.