The world is waking up this morning to news that Michael Jackson has died.

The 50-year-old icon of popular music died in hospital after suffering a heart attack at his LA home.

Paramedics called to his home found Jackson was not breathing. He was given CPR as the ambulance raced to hospital, a fire department captain told reporters.

The singer was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital in Los Angeles in a deep coma, city and law enforcement officials said.

Jackson was pronounced dead at about 10.30pm British time after arriving at UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles in full cardiac arrest.

A post mortem is expected to be held later today.

kmfm is paying tribute to the singer by playing the King of Pop's songs throughout the day and reading out tributes from fans.