Although 'Hold My Hand,' Akon's duet with Michael Jackson was just released as the first official single of the upcoming album, "Michael," the singer says that he will never release any unfinished material the two worked on.
Akon says 'Hold My Hand' was completely finished before the King of Pop passed away and that is the only reason it is included on the new album. Speaking to MTV News he said, "I'm definitely excited about our single, because that was finished, complete, and I'm happy with the outcome. And I know [Michael] was [happy] 'cause we were there finishing the song together, so I'm really happy about what we accomplished on that record 'Hold My Hand.'"
Speaking about the concept of the song Akon said, "We was trying to find the unity, like what can we possibly translate that can bring the world together? It was a song I was previously working on that I eventually let [Michael] hear, and when he heard it, he fell in love with it. We clicked instantly when it came to it. That was the main concept: Let's figure out something we can leave behind, in 20,000 years later it can still be relevant."
It's a theme that ran throughout the work he and Jackson did together, not that anyone will ever get the chance to hear any of it.
"Me and Mike worked on a lot of concepts before he passed. 'Hold My Hand' was one of the records that was actually fully complete; the rest of the records are incomplete. They're just ideas, concepts, harmonies and stuff like that which the world will probably never see 'cause I wouldn't want to put it out unfinished," he explained. "I know at the end of the day if it wasn't fully complete, I don't think he would see it released that way.
Majority of the concepts we worked on, they were all international, worldwide," he added. "It was always the point of which everyone has to find some kind of relativity in it. That was always a challenge, and we found concepts that would do it. We just never got the chance to finish the songs, but 'Hold My Hand' was a prime example."
Akon says 'Hold My Hand' was completely finished before the King of Pop passed away and that is the only reason it is included on the new album. Speaking to MTV News he said, "I'm definitely excited about our single, because that was finished, complete, and I'm happy with the outcome. And I know [Michael] was [happy] 'cause we were there finishing the song together, so I'm really happy about what we accomplished on that record 'Hold My Hand.'"
Speaking about the concept of the song Akon said, "We was trying to find the unity, like what can we possibly translate that can bring the world together? It was a song I was previously working on that I eventually let [Michael] hear, and when he heard it, he fell in love with it. We clicked instantly when it came to it. That was the main concept: Let's figure out something we can leave behind, in 20,000 years later it can still be relevant."
It's a theme that ran throughout the work he and Jackson did together, not that anyone will ever get the chance to hear any of it.
"Me and Mike worked on a lot of concepts before he passed. 'Hold My Hand' was one of the records that was actually fully complete; the rest of the records are incomplete. They're just ideas, concepts, harmonies and stuff like that which the world will probably never see 'cause I wouldn't want to put it out unfinished," he explained. "I know at the end of the day if it wasn't fully complete, I don't think he would see it released that way.
Majority of the concepts we worked on, they were all international, worldwide," he added. "It was always the point of which everyone has to find some kind of relativity in it. That was always a challenge, and we found concepts that would do it. We just never got the chance to finish the songs, but 'Hold My Hand' was a prime example."
The two artists did "quite a few songs" together, but they were never released. One evening in the studio, sitting at a baby grand piano, LL asked MJ, "In the 'Smooth Criminal' -- how'd you lean forward like that?"
MJ, sitting cross-legged atop the piano, replied: "We had a Swami come in ... He did a ritual and he leaned forward, and we all leaned forward together." LL told George Lopez, "I was like, 'Really?' He was like, 'No, silly!'"
The 'NCIS: Los Angeles' star then divulged a story he'd never told before -- about farting in front of the King of Pop.
VIDEO LINK: link
Ne-Yo, a self-described M.J. fanatic, does a wonderful job being true to himself without turning this into a corny carbon copy. I can see Jackson’s influence. But there’s no crotch-grabbing plagiarism. The smooth mid-tempo cut is the third single from the singer/songwriter’s forthcoming album, Libra Scale. Check out the video to see if Ne-Yo’s charming ways, wizardry, and smooth steps actually win the girl over after the jump.
See the video here:link
LMP just posted a message on her MySpace page describing her recent visit to Michael's grave site at Forest Lawn. Presley -- who was married to MJ back in the '90s -- says she believes Michael "deserves more" than the "few bouquets, candles and gifts" that currently surround Michael's grave.
Presley -- who notes Michael's infatuation with sunflowers -- is calling for fans to send a "Sun Shower" to the tomb because, "I know how much he loved and appreciated being showered with Gifts and flowers by his fans."
Presley suggests that if every fan sends "one silk sunflower" to the site, "the whole area around him and in front of him ... could be filled up in no time."
Debbie Rowe was at Michael Jackson's mausoleum in Glendale, crying hysterically and hugging fans.
The emotional gathering occurred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where a bunch of Michael Jackson fans meet on the third day of every month and bring cards, gifts and letters from fans around the world ... this according to LisaBurks.com.
Turns out Debbie- Michael's ex-wife- showed up to Forest Lawn as the meeting was in full swing, and started hugging MJ's fans and crying.
The emotional gathering occurred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where a bunch of Michael Jackson fans meet on the third day of every month and bring cards, gifts and letters from fans around the world ... this according to LisaBurks.com.
Turns out Debbie- Michael's ex-wife- showed up to Forest Lawn as the meeting was in full swing, and started hugging MJ's fans and crying.