Will.i.am Won't Release Michael Jackson Collaborations Without Family Approval

6 January 2012, 18:22 | Updated: 6 January 2012, 18:26

The 'Don't Stop The Party' rapper has refused to release any of his work with the 'Earth Song' singer without approval from the Jackson family themselves.

Will.i.am has claimed he would only release his Michael Jackson collaborations if asked by the late singer's family.

The Black Eyed Peas rapper starting working with the 'Billie Jean' singer way back in 2006, but Michael had yet to give final approval on any tracks before his death in 2009.

Will.i.am says he has been asked to release some of their music together in the past,  but refuses to do so unless the Jackson family give their approval.

"Because we became friends I don't want to be an opportunist," he told Access Hollywood Live! This week. "Now if his mom called me and said, 'We got to do this', then yes."

The 'Don't Stop The Party' rapper also spoke about his friendship with the late king of pop, and revealed his favourite thing about the singer.

"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.i.am will release his fourth album '#willpower' in February and unveiled the music video for current single 'T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)' back in December.