Will.i.am spoke about Mike recently on Access Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- Will.i.am has worked with a host of artists over his career — from Michael Jackson to Britney Spears — but he’s hoping for a superhero styled pairing in is future – with “Iron Man” himself, Robert Downey Jr.


“I would like to work with Robert Downey, Jr.,” Will.i.am told Access Hollywood Live’s Billy Bush and Kit Hoover, in an interview set to air on Thursday, January 5.


Robert is well known for his acting chops, but Will, who will later this year release the album, “willpower,” said the actor has an amazing vocal range.


“That guy sings,” the Black Eyed Peas guru said of RDJ. “He’s got crazy gymnastic skills with the vocals.”


In yet another superstar collaboration, Will.i.am was closely associated with Michael before the King of Pop’s untimely death in 2009, and the producer/artist said their time together was a major highlight of his life.


“My moment was working with Mike, seeing Mike, and being his friend,” Will told Billy and Kit.


And their relationship extended far beyond the studio.


“We would talk on the phone, he would call me for Father’s Day, call me on Mother’s Day, birthdays, things like that so it surprised me just how down to earth — as big as he is — how down to earth he was,” Will said.


Will.i.am’s new single, “T.H.E (The Hardest Ever)” featuring Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger, is out now.


For more with Will.i.am, tune into Access Hollywood Live on Thursday.

Click to expand...

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- 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.

Click to expand...

Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am refused to accept cash from Michael Jackson when the two superstars teamed up to record new material in Ireland in 2006 - because the chance to work with the King of Pop was payment enough.


The hitmaker and producer turned down Jackson's generous offers of flights and accommodation because he didn't want to become one of the many hangers-on who took advantage of the Thriller singer.


The I Gotta Feeling star says, "A week before the trip, he was like, 'My manager is gonna call you to make sure all the travel stuff (is taken care of). Do you fly commercial or private?'


"I was like, 'Don't worry about my flights; I'll pay for my flights... So many people have taken advantage of you in the past... it will be my honour to take myself there and let's just make music to make music. You don't pay for my flight, I won't charge you my fees and if we make good music then the song will make (me) money.'


"He's had a history of people just taking advantage of his success and camping out in the studio and charging him outrageous rates."


And will.i.am doesn't want to take advantage of his friend now he's not around to OK the release of music the duo worked on in Ireland.


After opposing the release of a posthumous album of Jackson material in the months after the singer's death in 2009, will.i.am insists only a call from the King of Pop's mum will make him rethink his stance on not releasing the new music.


He tells news show Access Hollywood Live, "When they (record executives) released the last stuff they called me, but no... For me, I've got my moment; my moment working with Mike and seeing Mike and being his friend and because we became friends, I don't wanna be an opportunist.


"If his mum called me and said, 'We gotta do this...' then yes."

Click to expand...

MsCassieMollie said:

"When they (record executives) released the last stuff they called me, but no... For me, I've got my moment; my moment working with Mike and seeing Mike and being his friend and because we became friends, I don't wanna be an opportunist.


"If his mum called me and said, 'We gotta do this...' then yes."

Click to expand...

MsCassieMollie;3572916 said:

http://www.accesshollywood.com/william-will-only-release-michael-jackson-songs-at-request-of-jacksons-mother_article_58649

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.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

MsCassieMollie said:

Michael Jackson | Will.I.Am Worked With Michael Jackson For Free | Contactmusic

He tells news show Access Hollywood Live, "When they (record executives) released the last stuff they called me, but no... For me, I've got my moment; my moment working with Mike and seeing Mike and being his friend and because we became friends, I don't wanna be an opportunist.


"If his mum called me and said, 'We gotta do this...' then yes."

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

The Brown Gangsta said:

Sad how he wants to protect these tracks from "opportunists" and he's giving the power to release these songs to one of the biggest opportunists to emerge since June 2009. Guess we'll hear those songs pretty soon. I knew they would get out eventually, I just hope they were worth the wait.

Click to expand...

arnspecs said:

Can someone tell Paris or Taj to tell their Grandma to call Will.i.am to tell him to release them tracks! haha

Click to expand...

Krshna28 said:

Now that's a change of tune...........

Before => Never
Now => Only if MJ's mum asks me really nicely!!!!

Click to expand...

The Brown Gangsta said:

Assuming that Katherine eventually gives Will the go ahead, I wonder if the tracks will be completed in a similar manner to "This Is It" (i.e. Having the brothers provide backing vocals and finger snaps)

Click to expand...

Big Apple2 said:

Yep!

Katherine Jackson will give her approval, BUT the caveat will be that her "boys" need to be on any new recordings that feature Michael Jackson.

She could also SUGGEST that her "boys" open up for any Black-Eye Peas tour. LOL!

She wants her "boys" back on top by any means necessary, in my opinion.

Click to expand...

morinen said:

I wish he mentioned John Branca instead of Katherine

Click to expand...