Label Hopes to Skirt Controversy With Michael Jackson-Akon Duet

By Sarah Crow Posted Nov 12th 2010 12:01PM

New Michael Jackson Duet Scheduled For Release on Monday

Over a year after his untimely passing, Michael Jackson is still cranking out singles. The King of Pop's latest posthumous venture is a collaboration with Akon entitled 'Hold My Hand,' Reuters reports. An unfinished copy of the 2007 song was leaked on the internet in 2008, but fans will be able to purchase the finished work as it was meant to be heard starting Monday.

"The world was not ready to hear 'Hold My Hand' when it leaked a couple years ago. We were devastated about it," says Akon.

'Hold My Hand' will be the first official single off Jackson's soon-to-be released album, 'Michael,' which drops on Dec. 14. The release follows the online release of 'Breaking News,' another track from the album though not an official single. While many critics have alleged the vocals on 'Breaking News' do not belong to the late star, reps for Epic, Jackson's record labely, have asserted that the vocals are indeed Jackson's.

Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for the Jackson estate, released a detailed letter Thursday offering proof that the vocals are legit. Weitzman said that six former producers who worked with Jackson had listened to an a cappella version of the song and "all confirmed that the vocal was definitely Michael."

In addition to the collaboration with Akon, rocker Lenny Kravitz and rapper 50 Cent are also featured on two tracks on 'Michael.' A source says of the album, "An esteemed group of producers [worked] along with Michael Jackson. While primarily focused on songs that Michael worked on recently, there are also earlier compelling tracks."

50 Cent weighed in on his involvement, tweeting, "[M]ichael reached out to me to do this song before he passed it (sic) going to be the biggest thing ever. hes the one we got our idea from."

Tags: Akon, duet, michael jackson, music

Comments

(3)

Friday 12 November

By Pina

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Can't Wait. I love Michael Jackson!! Rest in Peace :(

By Tell It Like It Is

People should understand, Michael stated whenever he released an album, he always wrote more songs than needed. Thank God, in lieu of tragedy, there is excess. Immortalize him. Make him a Saint. Fans "love him more". Sony bring it on. Please. "Forever Michael"!!!!!!!!

By neverlandprincess

I LOVE YOU MORE ~MICHAEL~ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

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