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50 Cent to Appear on New Michael Jackson Album

Posted Nov 14th 2010 2:30PM by Latifah Muhammad
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Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic

50 Cent has joined forces with Michael Jackson for a song appearing on the King of Pop's posthumous release, 'Michael.' According to the track listing, 50 is one of only a few features on the album which is full of previously recorded Jackson tracks. "Michael reached out to me to do this song before he passed," 50 explained on his Twitter page Friday (Nov. 12). "It[s] going to be the biggest thing ever. Heís the one we got our idea from."

The album also features the Lenny Kravitz assisted track '(I Can't Make It) Another Day,' and the Akon duet 'Hold My Hand' that has been chosen as the album's lead single. The song was recorded back in 2007 and chosen as the first single after estate holders found a handwritten note from Jackson requesting that it be released first. "The world was not ready to hear 'Hold My Hand' when it leaked a couple years ago," Akon said. "We were devastated about it. 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."

As previously reported, fans questioned the authenticity of Jackson's voice on the leaked track 'Breaking News,' which producers maintain is the singer's voice. Although it has not be confirmed if 50's song will become a single, the completed version of Jackson's duet with Akon the will be released via MichaelJackson.com at 12AM EST Monday (Nov. 15).

This new album marks the first new material from Jackson in nine years. In the days leading up to his death, the pop icon was prepping for his final performances in London. Whispers of a new album had been in the works for years, as Jackson was said to have been working with other music industry big wigs, like Ne-Yo and Will.i.am. With increased interest in his brand steadily rising since his death, Jackson's estate signed a seven-year record deal with Sony Music worth an estimated $250 million. The deal allows the record company to distribute as many as Jackson 10 projects including albums, DVDs and videogames.

'Michael' is slated for release on Dec. 14.