London: Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am refused to accept cash from pop legend Michael Jackson when the two teamed up to record new material in Ireland in 2006 – because he says the chance to work with Jackson was payment enough.
The 36-year-old 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’ hitmaker, reported Daily Express.
“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,” Will.i.am said.
The hip hop star didn’t release the music album which the duo recorded as he doesn’t want to take advantage of Jackson because he is not around and insists only a call from the King of Pop’s mother will make him rethink his stance on not releasing the new music.
“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.” (PTI)