S. Samuel
Konvict Muzik head Akon has responded to Black Eyed Peas' frontman Will.i.am's remarks about the new Michael Jackson remake album, Michael, being disrespectful to the late singer's legacy.
While respecting Will’s stance, Akon said the new album will help keep Jackson’s music alive.
“I think that’s probably will’s opinion,” Akon told TMZ of the Black Eyed Peas frontman’s statement. “Me personally, I think that’s keeping his legacy alive, if you ask me. 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. I honestly disagree with that.” (MTV)
Last week, Will stated that completing unfinished Jackson songs was not honoring his legacy.
“Whoever put it out and is profiting off of it, I want to see how cold they are,” he says, “to say that what [Michael] contributed during his life wasn’t enough. He just wasn’t any ordinary artist. He was a hands-on person. To me it’s disrespectful. There’s no honoring…Michael Jackson songs are finished when Michael says they’re finished. Maybe if I never worked with him I wouldn’t have this perspective. He was very particular about how he wanted his vocals, the reverb he used…he was that hands-on.” (Entertainment Weekly)
A few days prior, the Jackson estate released a statement on the album’s release.
“There is nothing more important to the Estate than Michael’s music, his legacy and his fans. As the Michael album was being put together, it was decided to bring Teddy Riley on board to work on several songs, including “Breaking News,” a song Michael recorded with Eddie Cascio and James Porte in late 2007 while living at the Cascio family home with his children. Riley produced and submitted “Breaking News” to Sony for inclusion on the album. At that time, no one ever mentioned that the vocals we heard on the Cascio songs, which were basically in demo format, might not be Michael. It was known, however, that the background vocals were a combination of Michael and James Porte.” (Hip Hop N More)
A tracklisting of songs from the album was revealed online earlier this month.
1. “Hold My Hand” (Duet with Akon) 2. “Hollywood Tonight” 3. “Keep Your Head Up” 4. “(I Like) The Way You Love Me” 5. “Monster” feat. 50 Cent 6. “Best of Joy” 7. “Breaking News” 8. “(I Can’t Make It) Another Day” feat. Lenny Kravitz 9. “Behind the Mask” 10. “Much Too Soon” (Michael)
Michael is set to drop Tuesday, December 14th.
Check out a recent Akon interview down below:
