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will.i.am, rapper/singer/songwriter, CraveOnline interview (June 12, 2009) (archived)
CRAVEONLINE: You do so many things, where do you get your energy from?
Will.i.am: Thinking about where I was 15 years ago. 15 years ago I was 18, 19 years old and not that I was in a bad place, but it was a scary place because I was transitioning from a dream and that dream not happening, being depressed, poor, so that’s what keeps me going. They say, “Hey, they want you to fly to New York to do a benefit raising money for kids. You wanna go?” F*ck it, let’s go. Hey, Michael Jackson wants us to come back. Michael Jackson wants you to give him a beat. Michael Jackson wants to do a feed? Yeah, he wants you to fly to Ireland, be there for a week. That’s where I go.
CRAVEONLINE: How was that experience with Michael Jackson?
Will.i.am: That felt like a dream. You’re there in Ireland. It’s green hills. It’s Michael Jackson. You’re in the cottage making beats, dance beats. He’s like dancing and sh*t. I’m like, “I’m hungry.” He says, “Why don’t you take the horse? Take the horse and pick apples. It’s wonderful. We love doing it. The horses love going apple picking.” I’m like, “All right, I’ll f*cking go.” I swear to God. I’m on a f*cking horse. Michael Jackson’s like, “Wow, it’s great.” The horse is picking apples. I’m like picking apples and junk, putting them in a bag. I’m like wow, this is like picking apples with Michael Jackson on horseback. Look at that sh*t, right?
CRAVEONLINE: Will that be a good comeback?
Will.i.am: The dude keeps breaking records. He holds the highest amount of records that you could sell. No one’s ever going to sell that amount of records. Why? Because there are no more record stores. So you’re never going to beat his records. Never, ever, ever in the history of records in life. Not even you, never. How about that? How about no one’s ever going to outsell Michael Jackson at selling records because the record industry is over. Game over. There’s no more record stores. With no more record stores there’s no more pressing plants. With no more pressing plants, there’s no more charts. Now he broke another record. What’d he sell? A million tickets? It was like 500,000 in an hour. The thing broke down basically. The dude’s like, “Okay, why don’t you just like?”
CRAVEONLINE: But can he perform still?
Will.i.am: He was in my house. It’s one thing you hear rumors, but when the guy’s in your house, laying on your floor as you’re playing beats. He’s like, “Will.i.am, I love this beat.” He’s laying and his feet are up on the chair, he’s kicking his feet. I’m like dude, Michael Jackson’s laying on my floor. Michael Jackson’s laying on my floor. He’s testing his voice and three hours has passed. He’s just mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi, mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi. He’s doing both voice testing just to sing for five minutes. He’s testing his voice for three hours to sing for five minutes. I don't know. Fergie don’t do that sh*t. Usher don’t do that sh*t. None of the people that you think still got it do that. I’ve seen it, in my house.
CRAVEONLINE: Is that because he’s more fragile?
Will.i.am: No, that’s because he’s a perfectionist and he just likes testing his voice. “I just love, you know, this is all we have is flesh and bones. That’s it. It’s just flesh. That’s all we got. I want to protect it and take care of it, because this is my voice. This is my thing.” That’s right. I’m like dude, can we record now? Because it’s three hours, and it’s only going take five minutes. “No, I just want to warm it up.” Like dude, that’s hot. It’s warmed up. But I don't know what he’s going to use from what we’ve done, but I have memories, the stuff I did on Thriller 25 is up. If he uses any of the original things that we’ve done, great. If he didn’t, I have my memories and the things that we’ve done is awesome. I learned so much from the dude. He’s cool. And he has it. I’ve seen it. He mi mi mi’d for three hours. Perfect pitch.
CRAVEONLINE: Will you be there at the concert?
Will.i.am: I don't know but I know that one time I was in Vegas and he’s like, “Oh, I heard you’re in Vegas.” I was like, “Yeah, we have a show tonight. Can you come?” “What time you guys go on?” We go on at 9 o’clock. I swear to God, “Oh, rats.” He said rats. “Oh, rats, I can’t. I’ve got to put the kids to sleep.” All right, well after we perform with the Peas, I’m performing with Prince. You should come to the show. So Prince invited me to perform with him at the Palms. Maybe you can come see me perform with Prince. So Michael Jackson says, “Oh really? I’d love to. Call Prince and see if it’s cool.” I call Prince’s assistant. She’s like sure. So I’m like, “Yo, Mike, it’s great.” Come on, dude. This sh*t ain’t real. To me, that that happened, it sounds like a big ass lie, right? Yeah, I’ll just call Prince and then bring Michael Jackson but it’s the realest sh*t. So, I’m late. I’m late. I’m in the cab, like aw, man, what a time to be f*ckin’ late. I’m always late and I’m late for Michael Jackson to see me perform with Prince. So I hop off the cab and I’m running in Las Vegas. I’m running and people are like, “Wyclef!” I’m like f*ck you, right? Then I run and I get to the place and I perform for Prince and I walk off stage and Michael’s there. He’s like, “That was awesome.” Mind you, we were already in Ireland. He’s like, “That was awesome. I didn’t know you rapped.” I was like, “What? You don’t know I rap? I’m in the Black Eyed Peas.” “I didn’t think it was you that was the rapper. I thought it was the other guy.” I was like, “No, that’s me, dude.” “You’re awesome, that was awesome. We need to do something like that on my record where you rap and I sing.” Yeah, but that was a great experience to have Mike see me perform with Prince. It was nuts. That’s great, cool.
Ellen interview (April 27, 2016)
Ellen: Michael Jackson and Prince did not get along which I did not know that, but you took Michael to see Prince or you took Prince to see Michael, which was it?
will.i.am: So one time, Black Eyed Peas had a show in Vegas, and we got to Vegas and I get a phone call from Michael, and he says, "It's Michael, and I heard you guys are performing tonight." I was like, "Yeah we go on at 9 PM." He's like, "Oh rats, I got to put the kids to sleep." "Well, later on, I'm performing with Prince, I'm probably going to do this little number with Prince at the Rio", and he said, "I'd love to do that, but I don't know if I can do that." I was like, "Why?" He was like, "Oh, I dunno, Prince and I always have been at odds with each other." I was like, "Oh no, let me call him on the phone and I'll call you right back. I think everything will be great." So I hang up the phone, call this lady named Ruth, who then would put me in contact with Prince. I was saying, "Michael Jackson wants to come to the show, can you put him in a VIP section where no one knows he's there?" So Prince said, "Oh yeah, we can arrange that." So I get off the phone, called Michael Jackson and said, "It's set, everything's gonna be great." We walk him to the VIP room. We get off the stage, [goes to] sit down with me, Prince and his manager, and Chris Tucker. So then Prince is playing the bass, walks off the stage, walks to our area, our section where Michael Jackson's at. Now say, for example, you (Ellen) are Michael Jackson, I'm Prince. [Proceeds to imitate playing bass in Ellen's face] And goes off to the stage, right? And so Michael Jackson's like, "What's up with Prince playing the bass in my face?"
Graham Norton Show (May 13, 2016)
Graham Norton: You brought Michael Jackson and Prince together?
will.i.am: Yeah, so one time we had a show in Vegas and Michael Jackson called. "Hey it's Michael. Yeah, so I heard you guys are doing a show tonight." "Yeah we go on at 9 o'clock." "Oh, rats, I got to put the kids to sleep." So I was like, "Well, I'm performing with Prince later on at 12:00." So, anyways, Michael came to see me rock with Prince, and it was a magnificent night to see. It was me, Chris Tucker, Michael Jackson watching Prince rock on stage. So, to make a long story short, Prince steps off the stage and plays the bass in Michael Jackson's face, rips the freaking bass, ten different pieces. To make a longer story shorter, Michael Jackson leaves and goes home and says, "Meet me in the house for breakfast." So I go to his house for breakfast, knock on the door, first words, he says, "Why was Prince playing the bass in my face?" "Oh, Prince, he's just being nice" "No, Prince, he's always been a meanie." But, bless their hearts, they were so passionate and we lost a great…
Mirror article (June 30, 2009)
It's the record the world longs to hear but it has been kept under lock and key since Michael Jackson’s shock death.
Now 3am has been given the inside track on Jacko’s secret recordings from the last man to work with him: Will.i.am.
e caught up with the Black Eyed Peas star, who produced the King of Pop’s long-awaited new album, in the backstage VIP area at Glastonbury.
And we couldn’t believe our ears as he told us of their plans for Michael’s comeback and new sound.
He said: “It was going to be out of this world. It’s something Michael has never done before – a dance music album.
“I was very proud of it. But he was very protective and kept it under lock and key.
“After we made it I had to hand back every demo.
“He was a perfectionist and didn’t want anyone to hear it until it was ready.”
Frontman Will.i.am spent nearly a year working with Jacko on the new material in a studio in Ireland.
He told us how he is struggling to come to terms with the death of his friend and about their bizarre last phone call days before Michael died of a heart attack, aged 50.
Holding back tears before the Black Eyed Peas gig on the Jazz World stage, Will said: “The last time I spoke to Michael was on Father’s Day.
“He called me to wish me happy Father’s Day even though I don’t have any children.
“He said, ‘I just wanted to call and say have a good day anyway.’
“I told him, ‘OK, I will grab my crotch and wish myself happy Father’s Day for all my unborn children.’ He laughed and said, ‘You’re so funny.’
I tried calling him last week but he was always in rehearsals. It’s so sad. He was my friend and the biggest inspiration of my life. I’m going to miss him.”
Will also told how Michael’s choreographer turned up at his DJ gig at the W Club in Wandsworth, South-West London, last Saturday.
Will said: “He came over and told me Michael wanted to get the Peas to open his gigs at the O2.
“Man, that would have been so amazing. Imagine us together on stage. Awesome.”
“ContactMusic” (January 6, 2011) (archived cache)
Black Eyed Peas frontman WILL.I.AM yearns for fans to hear the songs he recorded with the late Michael Jackson before he died, because the collaborative experience was "awesome".
The hip-hop star was one of a handful of producers who hit the studio with the Thriller legend in the months leading up to his untimely death in preparation for his big pop comeback.
But Jackson passed away in June 2009 and will.i.am vowed to keep the unfinished tracks under wraps out of respect for the perfectionist.
The rapper recently blasted the release of Jackson's first posthumous album, Michael, insisting the superstar would never have wanted fans to hear the songs before they were officially complete.
He said, "Whoever put it out and is profiting off of it, I want to see how cold they are. To say that what (Jackson) 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.
"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."
And although will.i.am wishes he could showcase some of his work with Jackson, he is adamant it will never happen.
He tells London newspaper Metro, "I actually wish the songs could come out but that's like wishing Michael was alive - and I know he didn't want them to (be released unfinished).
"Working together was awesome. Michael was meticulous, mega-critical: 'Turn that snare down, bring that microphone down - can you bring me some ice?' And it was dope (amazing). I swear to God, that happened."
DipDive video blog post (June 26, 2009) (archived) (mirror)
I wanna take this time to say thank you to Michael Jackson. Thank you for coming into my life with such beautiful music. Thank you for bringing me joy and bringing the planet joy. Thank you for giving me escape Thank you for helping define me, and my dreams. When you're in the ghetto surrounded by crime and violence... it... you gave me escape. I escaped from all the drama around me, listening to your music. Thank you, Michael Jackson. Thank you for your dedication, thank you for your music, thank you for the dreams. I used to dance wanted to dance like you. I used to draw pictures of you. Thank you for letting me work with you. Thank you for reaching out, and trying to teach me things about the music industry, and how cool people can be but at the end of the day, lovin' and appreciatin' the craft, and appreciating the fans. Thank you for flying me to Ireland, to work with you. Thank you for coming to the show and talking to me on the telephone, and answering phone calls, and callin' me up on Father's Day, knowing that I don't have a dad. Thank you so much. Thank you for being a friend, you didn't have to wanna know me, but you got to know me. Thank you. We have all lost a great artist-a light to the world, a true talent. I will always remember you. You're one of the most strongest people I've ever met. You've undergone so much scrutiny, so much criticism, from either wicked journalists who have nothin' better to but criticize. You have seen the music industry rise and fall. You were not just the King of Pop; you were the King of the Industry. You were the King of the Music Industry. There will never be an artist that would impact the world the way you have; there will never be an artist who sells as many records as you; never. There're no record stores, how could there be? There will always be Michael Jackson copycats. Thank you so much, you have made the world a wonderful place, you have brought us joy. And we thank you for that. And we will pray for you and your family, we will always love you. Thank you, Michael Jackson.
DipDive blog post (June 26, 2009) (archived)
michael jackson has inspired me beyond words...
i would not be making music if it wasnt for michael jackson...
he taught me to be original....
he taught me to be courageous...
to dare to invent...
to dare express...
to dare to entertain in the name of my inner dreams...
he taught me to give to the world...
to show the world "the world"...
because in reality...
the world has know idea about "the world"...
he taught me to connect...
he taught me to reach...
he was so kind...
he reach out to me...
and i am so blessed to have worked with him...
i am so proud to have witness and been apart of his last interview....
i am so proud...
and i am so sad to have lost a friend...
we have all lost a light...
he was a true gift to the world...
thank you michael jackson...
Will.i.am
Now that the record-breaking deal with Sony is signed and sealed, Michael Jackson’s estate now faces the arduous task of culling the diverse collection of unreleased and/or unfinished tracks recorded during the 2007-2009 sessions. Already leaked on the Internet is Akon and Michael’s syrupy sweet ballad “Hold My Hand,” co-written by Claude Kelly, who has crafted hits for R. Kelly, Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus. will.i.am’s contributions includes the Latin jazz-tinged scorcher “The Future,” an infectious dance track reminiscent of Off the Wall; the aforementioned, soul-stirring James Brown salute “Miss You,” and “The King,” an all-star number that was to feature a legion of performers who were inspired by Jackson. “I said to MJ, ‘Let’s do a song with everyone that you have obviously influenced,” Will explains. “‘A collaboration with you as the King, and all of your subjects, like Ne-Yo, Usher, Omarion and Chris Brown.’ Everybody was signed off on the track.”
“Digital Spy” (January 10, 2011) (archived)
Michael Jackson would have worked with Cheryl Cole were he still alive, will.i.am has reportedly claimed.
According to The Sun, the Black Eyed Peas star suggested a collaboration to Jackson and was confident one would have occurred had the pop superstar not died in June 2009.
will.i.am said: "I told him Cheryl was the hottest thing in the UK and could sing and dance - basically, she was the complete package. He would have worked with her, no doubt, and it would have been something special.
"They are both total perfectionists when it comes to their work so it would have been something really big. It's just a shame it can never happen now."
He added: "There are still lots of great artists waiting to work with Cheryl when she gets over to the US - The Peas, Justin Bieber and Usher.
"But her and Michael would have created something that would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
"Michael was excited about everything I told him about Cheryl. It could have been one of the great collaborations of recent history."
“Access Hollywood” (January 5, 2012) (archived)
Will.i.am’s work with the late Michael Jackson is music the world might never hear – unless one specific person comes asking.
The Black Eyed Peas guru began working with Jackson in 2006 and quickly formed a close bond with the King of Pop. Due to his untimely death in 2009, the final tracks they collaborated on were never blessed by Jackson, something that has kept them away from the public’s ears.
“Because we became friends, I don’t want to be an opportunist,” Will.i.am told Access Hollywood Live’s Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Thursday when asked about his work with the late pop star.
Will.i.am has been approached about releasing the tracks, but told Billy and Kit that only one person could get him to drop their collaborations.
“Now if his mom called me and said, ‘We got to do this,’ then yes,” he explained.