Middle Age Hollywood

Finally, one man has the moral fortitude to turn down big money and protect Michael Jackson's legacy – and it's the auteur behind I Gotta Feeling. Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am, who collaborated with Jackson before his death, has criticised plans to release the singer's unfinished music. "He wouldn't have wanted it that way," Will.I.Am said. "Freaking parasites!"

"I don't think that should ever come out," the musician, producer and songwriter told the Associated Press this week. "How you gonna release Michael Jackson when Michael Jackson ain't here to bless it? ... That's bad." Referring to Jackson as his friend, Will.I.Am said the late singer was a perfectionist who oversaw every aspect of his recordings. "Now that he is not part of the process, what are they doing? Why would you put a record out like that?"

Will.I.Am first collaborated with Jackson on 2008's 25th-anniversary reissue of Thriller, producing remixes of The Girl Is Mine, Beat It and Pretty Young Thing. The Black Eyed Peas frontman later joined R Kelly, Ne-Yo and Akon as one of several musicians contributing to Jackson's comeback album. Frank DiLeo, Jackson's manager, recently cited Will.I.Am's songs among the list of unreleased tracks that could appear on a new Jackson compilation, due in November. If included on the posthumous release, Will.I.Am would earn a fortune in royalties.

"So what?" Will.I.Am said. "How much can you suck from [Michael's] energy? ... What's wrong with what he already contributed to the world?"