Yep the rumours were true!! As reported on a previous blog Michael Jackson has collaborated with Akon for one of his new singles. Ok so the previous blog was just speculation, but now there's substance to it :-) The new version of Wanna Be Starting Something is now hitting the airwaves and you can hear it below:

So what is it like? Well as noted in my previous blog I was sceptical and somewhat disappointed to hear about the possibility of a Thriller re-release instead of a brand new album so I didn't have high expectations for the collaborations (even though the names Akon, Will.I.Am, Chris Brown etc are pretty impressive). Result after hearing Wanna Be Starting Something 2008... I love it!!

The style adapted is very different to the original, it is a bit more contemporary than pop. The piano in the background works well (reminds me a bit of Alicia Key's style) and Akon's sound will appeal to a whole new audience. The younger generation who may have never listened to Michael may now find themselves digging through the archives for the original version of this song.

For those of you who want to hear what Michael sounds like, you may be slightly disappointed. Akon dominates the lyrics with just a little bit of Michael, but for others that's maybe a good thing! 'Ma ma se' sounds a bit more like 'ama se' from Akon and it works well bringing this in earlier in the song than the original. It is the

Ma Ma Se,
Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa,
Ma Ma Coo Sa

part that became the most famous and with Rihanna using a sample of this in her latest single Please Don't Stop The Music it bodes well for re-establishing Michaels' credibility as a world star.

Looking forward to hearing the next single and I hope that the concert rumours are also true!

Aooo

Gareth

Update (5/2/08): You can now pre-order Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 album which is a cd and dvd combo set >>