Akon begs to differ with Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am.
The singer says the release of Michael Jackson’s new CD is not disrespectful to the memory of the late pop star.
Hold My Hand, a duet Akon recorded with Jackson, was released Monday. It is available for sale via digital download on the Jackson’s website.
When Will.i.am discovered last year a Jackson CD would be released posthumously, he told The Associated Press, “He [Jackson] was a perfectionist and he wouldn’t have wanted it that way. I don’t think that should ever come out. Now that he is not part of the process, what are they doing? Why would you put a record out like that? Because he was a friend of mine, I just think that’s disrespectful. What’s wrong with what he already contributed to the world?”
Akon said in a statement on Jackson’s website, “The world was not ready to hear Hold My Hand when it leaked a couple years ago. We were devastated about it. But its time has definitely come; now in its final state, it has become an incredible, beautiful, anthemic song. I’m so proud to have had the chance to work with Michael, one of my all time idols,”
Hold My Hand is the first single from Jackson’s album MICHAEL. The CD is slated for a Dec. 14 release and features other notable collaborators, including Lenny Kravitz and 50 Cent.
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