SINGER Will.i.am has launched an impassioned defence of Michael Jackson, saying the child abuse allegations are part of a “racist smear campaign”. He also equated the playing of Jackson’s songs to buying from Bayer, a German firm he said made chemicals “to kill all the Jews” during the Holocaust. The Voice coach and Black Eyed […]
SINGER Will.i.am has launched an impassioned defence of Michael Jackson, saying the child abuse allegations are part of a “racist smear campaign”.
He also equated the playing of Jackson’s songs to buying from Bayer, a German firm he said made chemicals “to kill all the Jews” during the Holocaust.
The Voice coach and Black Eyed Peas star suggested allegations against Jackson are part of a “smear campaign” and “just the black artists” are targeted.
Documentary Leaving Neverland aired in January, featuring interviews with Wade Robson and James Safechuck, both befriended by Jackson at the height of his fame at his Neverland ranch in California.
Will.i.am – who was the last person to work with Jackson before his death – has claimed the recent accusations of child sexual abuse levelled at the singer are financially motivated but said he is “torn” by the testimonials of Wade Robson and James Safechuck.
The singer has defended the continued playing of Jackson’s back catalogue, claiming it would be “hypocritical” not to listen to his music.
He has compared Jackson’s work as a singer to a German chemical company involved in the Holocaust.
Speaking of playing the music of an alleged abuser, Will.i.am said he can think of a “thousand” worse crimes that are tolerated without reparations being sought.
We live in a very, very, very, very hypocritical, double-standard, fake society
Will.i.am
He said: “We live in a very, very, very, very hypocritical, double-standard, fake society.
“I can name a thousand other products that we still buy, still use, that are owned by folks that have done the most horrendous things to people, millions of them, and we don’t take their products from the market.
“You’re not talking about banning Bayer that made the chemicals to kill all the Jews.
“You’re not talking about real shit and yet you want to flex on a song?
“Bayer is really responsible for chemicals that killed millions of people but they’re headache medicine now.
“Are you going to ridicule them for their past? Are there reparations that need to be done for that?”
Are you not supposed to do anything with anyone who ever did anything ill in the past?
Will.i.am
He added: “Imagine every country that ever had slaves, people said never travel to those countries because of what they’ve done in the past.
“Are you not supposed to do anything with anyone who ever did anything ill in the past?”
Speaking at Elstree Studios ahead of The Voice semi-final, Will.i.am suggested that only black artists are targeted by smears, despite the conduct of “a lot of other folks”.
Will.i.am said he wanted to release his duet work with Jackson when the situation was “healthy” and would not release music opportunistically when the singer was making headlines.
Bayer has been contacted for responses to Will.i.am’s comments.
Michael Jackson died in June 2009 after he was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005.
He had strongly denied all allegations of sexual abuse made against him.
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