Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett isn’t just a drummer — he’s the sonic architect behind the greatest moments in music history.
When Michael Jackson moonwalked across the globe, Jonathan was the thunder beneath his feet. From the explosive energy of the Destiny, Triumph, and Victory tours to the awe-inspiring spectacle of HIStory and This Is It, Moffett was there — not behind the scenes, but driving the show with every strike of his sticks.
He lit up the 1988 Grammys with Michael Jackson, powered the star-studded Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration in 2001, and gave heartbeat to Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour. He also performed with Madonna during her groundbreaking Live Aid set in 1985 — a show broadcast to over 1.9 billion viewers across 150 countries, making it one of the most iconic performances in music history.
Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett (far left) at the 2025 Joy Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, personally invited by the Saudi Royal Family to headline the event. Also pictured: Morgan Freeman, Christina Aguilera, his excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, Anthony Hopkins, Martin Lawrence, Hans Zimmer, Matthew McConaughey, Kiefer Sutherland, and other global icons celebrating music and film excellence.
With Madonna, he didn’t just power her live shows — he helped shape the sound of a generation. Jonathan’s thunderous groove drove her most iconic tours, including The Virgin Tour, Who’s That Girl, and the groundbreaking Blonde Ambition Tour. His legendary drum fill on the intro of “Like a Prayer” remains one of the most recognizable in pop history. His work on hit albums like True Blue and Like a Prayer secured his place on numerous gold and platinum records — not just as a live performer, but as a studio force behind the sound of pop royalty.
Jonathan was also the driving beat behind the Yarbrough & Peoples classic “Don’t Stop the Music” — a drum performance that has been sampled over 45 times by major artists across genres. As a songwriter and producer, he penned “All Dressed Up” for the soundtrack of the iconic film Coming to America. He’s brought his signature groove and precision to recordings and tours with Elton John, Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie, George Michael, and a galaxy of icons — each trusting him with both their studio sound and live legacy.
🎥 This clip is from Jonathan’s powerful live performance at the 2025 Joy Awards, where he honored the late Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson as one of the evening’s few headlining performers. He delivered the tribute using his very own SweetBeats “Duo” sticks, combining power, control, and stage presence in one iconic performance.
From multi-platinum records to sold-out arenas and primetime television, Jonathan’s presence is etched into the DNA of pop culture. His drumming pulses through some of the most celebrated recordings of our time — and his showstopping performances have lit up stages and screens alike, from The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live to Good Morning America and The Arsenio Hall Show.
Today, that same energy, finesse, and fire that defined a generation lives on through his personal creation: SweetBeats — a drumstick crafted from decades of experience, built for the next legends in the making.
Jonathan Moffett pictured with His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh of Saudi Arabia — a powerful symbol of the global impact and respect Jonathan has earned throughout his legendary career.
🥁 In this clip, Jonathan performs “Smooth Criminal” using his own custom Duo drumstick design — originally created in partnership with ProMark, and now available exclusively through his own brand, SweetBeats. Fusing power and precision into a single stick, this 2018 Drumeo performance has become one of the most viral drum videos on the internet, amassing millions of views across platforms.
“SweetBeats let me express the full story of every beat — from thunderous power to whispered finesse. They’re the only sticks I trust to tell my story.”
— Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett
Your rhythm deserves more than ordinary.
Still not sure? Read "The Story Behind My Double-Tipped SweetBeats Sticks" for the full backstory from Jonathan himself.
