Will.i.am Talks About Working With Michael

"This album will either come out absolutely amazing, or it will be something useless—and no one will care. There’s no middle ground." That’s what will.i.am says about Michael Jackson’s new album. Will, a core member of the Black Eyed Peas, has had a very busy year. He has produced songs for singers such as Snoop Dogg, Fergie, Justin Timberlake, and Nas, and he was nominated for a Grammy for Producer of the Year. But now his focus is on working with Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson’s new album has been promised for release later in the coming year. Will explains how this collaboration came together: “Michael called me, and I thought someone was messing with me. From the other side of the phone, I heard someone say, ‘Hi, I’m Michael.’ And I said, ‘Oh, well… okay, good joke—stop it already!’ Then that same voice said, ‘I wanted to congratulate you for your success. It’s okay if I call you a few days at four o’clock in the afternoon?’ After that, Michael called me every day at four o’clock.” In an interview with Billboard, he said: “We had many phone conversations, and we exchanged fresh and different ideas and thoughts. We talked about everything. We also discussed how Michael could use new recording techniques in his songs.” Will says about Michael: “He still sings like a bird. He can do anything. I think we have a real opportunity to do something.” Reports have also come in about the possibility of DJ Whoo Kid, G-Unit, Chris Brown, Akon, and Usher collaborating with Michael on his new album. Chris Brown said about it: “We had the chance to meet him at the World Awards in London, and now we’re talking with his management team to see when we can go into the studio with him to record his album. It’s an honor and a blessing to be able to work with the King. He’s one of the reasons I got into the music business.” Source: eMJey / Billboard.com