Jackson teams with Peas rapper for next album

[b]Jackson teams with Peas rapper for next album[/b] November 1, 2006 NEW YORK — Michael Jackson and Black Eyed Peas producer-rapper will.i.am have begun collaborating on new material for Jackson’s as-yet-untitled album, due late next year via the Bahrain-based Two Seas Records. The pair recently entered a studio in Ireland. ”I like what he is doing and thought it would be interesting to collaborate or just see how the chemistry worked,” Jackson told ”Access Hollywood” in an interview. ”I think he’s doing wonderful, innovative, positive, great music.” The new offering will be the pop star’s first release since 2001’s ”Invincible,” which bowed atop the Billboard 200. Jackson, who lives in Bahrain, says he has been writing in the interim. ”I want to give the world escapism through the wonder of great music and to reach the masses,” he says. Jackson will make a rare appearance at the World Music Awards on Nov. 15 in London to receive the Diamond Award, for selling more than 100 million albums. source: Chicago Tribune