New Michael Jackson single debuts as a stream today

Michael Jackson’s ‘Michael’ album cover.

LOS ANGELES, Nov 15 – On the heels of the release of a controversial new Michael Jackson song, “Breaking News,” on November 8, a new single from his upcoming posthumous Michael album will debut as a stream in his official website today.

Senegalese rapper Akon wrote the new track, “Hold My Hand,” and recorded it with Jackson in Las Vegas in 2007. An unfinished version of the single leaked two years ago, but Akon has since completed the final production.

“The world was not ready to hear ‘Hold My Hand’ when it leaked a couple years ago,” Akon said in a statement. “We were devastated about it. But its time has definitely come; now in its final state, it has become an incredible, beautiful, anthemic song. I’m so proud to have had the chance to work with Michael, one of my all-time idols.”

Other collaborations on the new album include US recording artists 50 Cent and Lenny Kravitz. Michael, which releases December 14 via the label Epic, was coproduced by Jackson and culled mostly from material recorded in three years leading up the his death in 2009.

Also in the works are plans to transform Jackson’s iconic music video “Thriller” from 1983 into a feature with director Kenny Ortega, who directed Jackson’s concert film This Is It and High School Musical. In addition, the acrobatic dance troupe Cirque du Soleil is creating live shows inspired by Jackson’s music, similar to its productions based on The Beatles and Elvis songs, scheduled for the fall 2011.

Jackson is recognised as the most successful entertainer of all time by the Guinness Book of World Records. His 1982 album Thriller is the best-selling album of all time, selling an estimated 110 million copies so far. – AFP