Akon responds to will.i.am's Michael Jackson album criticism

Akon has hit back at will.i.am for calling the release of Michael Jackson's forthcoming posthumous album "disrespectful".

The Black Eyed Peas singer slammed Sony Records for releasing 'Michael', due out on December 14, because the songs were part-recorded prior to his death then finished after his passing.

Akon, who features on 'Hold My Hand', the first single to be lifted from the album, argued that the songs are keeping the late singer's legacy alive.

"I think that's probably Will's opinion," he told The Sun. "Me, personally, I think that's keeping his legacy alive. I don't see anything disrespectful about it. He got his people taking care of it."

He added: "We all did records that we actually worked on together on the album. These records would have come out whether he was alive or dead, so I think this actually helps to keep his legacy alive. I honestly disagree with that."

will.i.am had said: "Whoever put it out and is profiting off of it, I want to see how cold they are. To me it’s disrespectful. There’s no honouring."

'Hold My Hand' is released on November 28.