Apple Picking

Starpulse.com’s Fred Topel has interviewed Will.i.am about working with Michael last year when he was in Ireland.

During the interview, Will.i.am was very enthusiastic about Michael’s work ethic and his leisure time activities and spoke of how Michael took him out on horseback to pick apples. “He (Michael) says; “Why don’t you take the horse? Take the horse and pick apples. It’s wonderful. We love doing it. The horses love going apple picking.” I’m like; “All right, I’ll f’ing go.” I swear to God. I’m on a f’ing horse. Michael Jackson’s like, “Wow, it’s great!” The horse is picking apples. I’m like picking apples and junk, putting them in a bag. I’m like wow this is like picking apples with Michael Jackson on horseback. Look at that s… right?”

He went on to speak about the songs he worked on for ‘Thriller 25’ which were included on that album, but added that other projects had not yet been released. “If he uses any of the original things that we’ve done, great. If he didn’t, I have my memories and the things that we’ve done is awesome. I learned so much from the dude. He’s cool.”

Will.i.am then spoke of Michael’s techniques prior to recording with him saying; “He was in my house. It’s one thing you hear rumors, but when the guy’s in your house, laying on your floor as you’re playing beats, he’s like, ‘Will.i.am, I love this beat”. He’s laying and his feet are up on the chair, he’s kicking his feet. I’m like dude, Michael Jackson’s laying on my floor. He’s testing his voice and three hours has passed. He’s just “mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi, mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi”. He’s doing both voice testing just to sing for five minutes. He’s testing his voice for three hours to sing for five minutes. I don’t know. Fergie don’t do that s…. Usher don’t do that s….None of the people that you think still got it do that. I’ve seen it, in my house. That’s because he’s a perfectionist and he just likes testing his voice. I’m like, ‘Dude, can we record now? Because it’s three hours, and it’s only going take five minutes.” “No, I just want to warm it up”. “Like dude, that’s hot. It’s warmed up”. And he has it. I’ve seen it. He “mi, mi, mi’d” for three hours. Perfect pitch.”

Source: starpulse.com & MJWN