KANYE WEST - KANYE TO PRODUCE MICHAEL JACKSON ALBUM

Rap megastar Kanye West could perform production duties on Michael Jackson's new album, he has claimed.

After nearly ending the career of one fellow performer - 50 Cent promised to retire from solo recording if West's Graduation album outsold his release of Curtis, which it comfortably did - the Chicago rapper could be charged with reviving that of another, the Sun reports.

According to the Stronger star, he is to add his golden touch in the studio to the Thriller's first studio release since 2001.

"I'm working on stuff for Michael Jackson," he told the newspaper. "If I like a person's outlet or what a person brings to the table then I'll speak to them."

West is reportedly to join Will.i.am at the mixing desk, though the Black Eyed Peas star was initially sceptical that Jackson's offer was real.

"Ok so he called me on the phone, out of the blue and I didn't believe it was him," Will.i.am said in a recent interview with blogger Archna Sawjani.

"I was like come on who is this," he continued, "how did you get my number? Stop playing around.

"So he was like 'No it's really me, it’s Michael.' And I still didn't believe it was him and was like 'Dude seriously I got to go'."

It is thought that Akon and Ne-Yo will also produce tracks for the new album, due for release in 2008.