Jan 4 2010 03:23 PM ET

Michael Jackson: Lenny Kravitz confirms leaked 'collaboration' is genuine

Filed under: News and tagged: ,

Lenny Kravitz has just released a video statement confirming that the leaked track “Another Day” is indeed a collaboration between himself and Michael Jackson. “The version that’s out is…not mixed, but it is the track,” says the singer in the video. “The song was recorded by Michael and myself. I produced it for him, I wrote the song, and I played all the instruments on the track. It was one of the most amazing musical experiences that I’ve ever had. It was done by two people who had respect for each other and who loved music.” Kravitz also says he has no knowledge as to the identity of the DJ who can be heard on the song.

A portion of “Another Day” leaked to the net over the weekend, and it was widely reported that the track was a collaboration between Jackson and Kravitz. Following Jackson’s death, Kravitz told an interviewer that he “got to work with Michael on a track that has not been released.”

So what happens to the song now? TMZ is reporting the track was “never meant to see the light of day” and that Jackson’s label Sony wants to have the song pulled from the Internet. In Kravitz’s video statement, meanwhile, the rocker says that he would “like to see this thing straightened out as soon as possible” so that fans can “hear the track in its entirety, the way it was meant to be.” You can see the video in full below.

What do you think of Kravitz’s statement and of “Another Day” itself? Is it deserving of a proper release?

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

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Photo credit: Jackson: Kevin Mazur; Kravitz: Radim Rotek/PR Photos

Comments (30 total) Add your comment
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  • Mythbuster

    Just one more has-been trying to hook his fading star to the posthumous coattails of Michael Jackson…

    • nothing

      Just one more blogger that will never even obtain a “has been” status…

    • cthemusic

      In response to Mythbuster. Sure Kravitz may not be selling as many albums as he he did in his heyday, but that doesn’t diminish the fact he is crazy talented. Stop searching for the negative and seek out the positive. This sounds like an amazing collaboration and I can’t wait to hear the official release!

    • NYJ

      @mythbuster,
      Hate to break it to ya but considering he put out 1 album of new music in the last 18 years or so, it would appear MJ was the has-been trying to be relevant again (MJ was never shy about using “hot” artists to boost his own profile- McCartney, VanHalen, Slash, etc…)

      • topoopon

        You just might be right about Jackson’s career there NYJ. —Kravitz rocks too.

      • psychoanalyzer

        uh, technically, in the last 15 years he put out two major albums, HIStory which sold 20 million albums and Invincible which sold about 10 million albums, a remix album, Blood on the Dance Floor, which is the best-selling album of remixes of all time, two greatest hits compilations CDs, the Essential Michael Jackson and Number Ones, and a tribute single to the 9/11 victims. I’m sure I’m forgetting something in addition to all that. All in all, I’d say MJ had a rough last 15 years, but he did more than just sit around and play single dad to his 3 kids all day. Oh and yes, can’t forget the 3 children he raised on his own during that time…

  • Ian

    Not a bad song. I’m sure it’ll see a release along with the songs Jackson was working on for his next album.

  • Sally in Chicago

    I like the song…it’s on Youtube…classic Michael.

  • Partylikeapumpkin

    Karvitz leaked it trying to regain his fame. He went into too much detail about his role. It sounds like he was happy to promote himself.

    HE DID IT!

  • paige

    lenny kravitz makes crappy music

    • %

      Paige makes crappy post remarks.

      • Gen W

        I bet paige thinks Justin Beiber is “just the bestest singer ever”!

    • Kevin

      MJ liked his music. I guess that paige and MJ don’t like the same type of music.

    • fopaa

      Paige has no taste in music

  • cirk

    people are so ignorant. the only people i think that are exploiting, and has always exploited MJ’s celebrity are tabloids and the news media. Kravitz actually met the guy and worked with him. MJ actually liked his work. So how would he be using him for his own personal gain.

  • OmnyRa

    I don’t know where you heard that Lenny was a “has-been” but his last album released in 2008 peaked at a very respectable #4 on the charts, his most recent tour in 2009 supporting the anniversary of his first album grossed 27.2 million with a 96% sellout rate, AND he just had a supporting role in one of the most talked about movies of 2009, “Precious”. Lenny’s doing just fine.

    • mishka

      Don’t waiste your time, dear.
      How do you expect people “partying in the usa” to know anything about real music?

  • blondy

    loved the song
    mj puts life into his songs
    they should release the song as soon as possible

  • Heilige Bimbam

    @ NYJ,
    Are you for real? When Jackson was introduced to McCartney, he was 20 years old, and had started working on his FIRST solo album, ” Off The Wall” and you call Jackson washed out at the beginning of a meteoretic career? Although two of his brothers were good guitar players, he preferred to put together a band of his favourite players to accompany him, Slash was just one of many. That is common practice, as Jackson did not belong to band. Maybe you should read a good book about Jackson’s phenomenal career. Your comment is not only ignorant, but outrageous.

    • Sara

      Word!!

    • OmnyRa

      Heilige, looks like you missed the meat of his comment and snagged on the McCartney crumbs. MJ had been absent from the scene for quite some time and I was getting worried he was done. He was more popular for the issues surrounding him (claims, kids, lawsuits, bankruptcy) than for his music. I was disappointed that Invincible didn’t get the credit or airplay it deserved, but NYJ is right aside from the artists he mentioned as trying to help MJ’s career. I think Biggie, Santana and Justin are artists that could replace others on NYJ’s list. I’m not joining this MJ vs Lenny topic cause I love them both!

      • psychoanalyzer

        Mmm…I can see where Heilige is coming from though. That comment was kind of insulting. MJ didn’t “use” , McCartney, Van Halen, and Slash to boost his career. He asked for their help, they joined him (and they could’ve said no but who turns down the hottest musical act around), helped him out and if anything, also helped their own careers. IMO, I think it’s awesome when 2 hot artists from different genres of music come together and do amazing tracks. They show music truly has no limits or standard interpretation. Also, I’m not joining in the MJ vs. Kravitz either — it’s not about one versus the other. They’re both awesome in their own right, but not going to lie…it gets old and tiring when another musician who worked with Michael before he died comes out with a new track and says, “Here’s my track with MJ.” I mean, where was this music when he was alive? Sure, it might not have been as well received back then but part of me also believes it stayed in his (MJ’s) vault because he wanted it there. Just my thoughts.

  • Heilige Bimbam

    correction:
    “meteoretic” should read “meteoric”

    • Jay

      Meteors don’t rise; they fall.

      • +anya

        Haw haw

  • Dialdancer

    From the bit I heard last night the combined vocals of MJ & Lenny is BAD and will be a hit if release. Seems like Sony is still trying to hold MJ’s music back?

  • Preston

    How come the Lenny Kravitz song with Michael Jackson didn’t land on his Invincible album? That could have ventured Michael into an artsy rock direction versus the urban sounds that dominate the album. It would be exciting to hear how this rare song would come out, even if Sony is blocking it from being released on a CD or something.

    • Sally in Chicago

      It appears there are two labels involved. Lenny was probably on Label X and Michael on Label Y….this is probably a legal issue that can be negotiated and the song will be released as well as a lot of other songs.

  • Sally in Chicago

    Here’s what I guess happened. Lenny isn’t on Sony label, and MJ is/was. There’s a legal tussle going on with every artist that worked with MJ, whether his work will be released on Sony or on another label. As soon as that’s worked out, all his work will be released.
    I suspect that Lenny leaked it to put pressure on Sony….I can’t see what label he’s on by his website, he could be an independent artist now.

  • eric

    I like the song. Reminds me a little of ‘Dirty Diana’ and I like the electro-drum beat. And to all who diss Lenny Kravitz, go choke on your father’s penis you worthless douchebags.

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