Akon's duet with Michael Jackson is finally set to hit the airwaves - Hold My Hand has been chosen as the first single from the late star's upcoming posthumous album.

Bosses at the Sony record label are preparing to release Michael, an album of previously unheard material, which will hit stores in December (10). And Akon has announced a track he wrote with the late superstar in 2007 - which was leaked on the internet a year later (08) - will act as the record's first official release. In a statement he says, "The world was not ready to hear Hold My Hand when it leaked a couple years ago. We were devastated about it. But its time has definitely come; now in its final state, it has become an incredible, beautiful, anthemic song. I'm so proud to have had the chance to work with Michael, one of my all time idols."

The album will also feature collaborations with 50 Cent and Lenny Kravitz, who the star had been working on new material with before his death in June last year (09).

Hold My Hand will go on sale on Monday (15Nov10). (MJ&LR/PR/KD)

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