Will.i.am’s Disagreement With Akon Over Michael Jackson’s New Album

Akon might be singing the praises of Michael Jackson’s upcoming new album, but Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am told Access Hollywood he believes the late singer wouldn’t be happy with the music.

“Me and Michael were close, we worked together for three years and I remember him calling me on the phone upset that a song had leaked, a song was released…he was upset about that,” will.i.am told Access’ Shaun Robinson at the 2010 American Music Awards on Sunday, referring to “Hold My Hand,” a duet with Akon. “All the songs that are coming out now were around when he was alive, so why didn’t he put them out then? He was a perfectionist, and this might be a Michael Jackson album, but it’s not Michael Jackson’s album.”

Shaun also asked about will.i.am’s verbal spat with Akon over the album, after the Peas singer Entertainment Weekly that releasing the Jackson album was “disrespectful.”

Akon responded to the criticism, telling TMZ, “I don’t see anything disrespectful about it. He got his people taking care of it. We all did records that we actually worked on together on the album. These records would have come out whether he was alive or dead, so I think this actually to helps keep his legacy alive.”

“You had that gentlemen’s disagreement with Akon?” Shaun asked.

“No, he had a disagreement… I had an alignment with Michael Jackson and he was upset that that song was leaked,” will.i.am told Shaun. “I was close to [Michael] and he was upset about it, so disagree, or not agree… he was upset.”

The late singer’s album, “MICHAEL,” will drop on December 14.

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