As violence in Baltimore swelled on Monday night, one man channeled his inner Michael Jackson to tell everyone to "beat it."

NBC reporter Shomari Stone captured footage of Dimitri Reeves dancing in the street, singing along to Jackson's 1982 hit song.

Michael Jackson question. Many ask where MJ music was coming from during protest. Answer. VIDEO #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/0z5yZGfXbN — Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) April 28, 2015

Riots erupted across the city after the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died while in police custody. While smoke billowed and buildings were set aflame, the musically-inclined performer was spotted breaking it down on top of a truck.

The dancer's choice of song is no coincidence. Jackson's original video centers on a fight, which he ultimately breaks up for its unnecessary violence. Its lyrics also resonate strongly with the ongoing protests this week, and so many others like it: "You're playin' with your life/ This ain't no truth or dare/ They'll kick you, then they beat you, then they'll tell you it's fair/ So beat it."

Spread love and peace never violence..... — Dimitri Reeves (@Dimitri_Reeves) April 28, 2015

On Twitter, many wrote that Reeves' impressive impromptu dancing has helped spread smiles and created a sense of calm.

Chaos all around him, and Michael Jackson dancer busted out the meanest moonwalk of all time #Baltimore pic.twitter.com/FcXWoM3Jns — Master Tesfatsion (@MasterStrib) April 28, 2015

@Dimitri_Reeves you the first political dancer — 524 (@SOWAVYROB) April 28, 2015

@Dimitri_Reeves is really spreading a positive message out there, please be safe in these crazy times brotha — NEGUS (@Cautionboys) April 28, 2015