What began as Will.i.am's snappy remarks towards Sony Music for releasing the upcoming posthumous Michael Jackson album 'Michael' has become a war of words. Akon, who is featured on the album and worked with MJ while he was alive, has spoken out against the Black Eyed Peas frontman, who claimed that the impending release is "disrespectful."

"Me personally, I think it's keeping the legacy alive. I don't see anything disrespectful about it ... these albums would have come out if [MJ] was alive or dead so I think this helps to keep his legacy alive," Akon told TMZ yesterday while at LAX airport. "[I] honestly disagree."

Most recently, the Senegalese singer appeared on the track 'Hold My Hand,' a cut off the upcoming release. "It was amazing. He was an incredible person. Really creative. That was really a dream come true of mine. I'm glad I enjoyed the moment of it," he said of working with the King of Pop. "That was epic."

Will.i.am has been vocal about his feelings on "Michael," claiming that MJ was a perfectionist and that it would be disrespectful to his artistry to release the unblessed records. "Whoever put it out and is profiting off of it, I want to see how cold they are to say that what [Michael] contributed during his life wasn't enough," he said. "He just wasn't any ordinary artist. He was a hands-on person. To me it's disrespectful. There's no honoring."

'Michael,' which also features guest appearances from 50 Cent and Lenny Kravitz is due in stores Dec. 14.

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