Michael Jackson's new album will be released online, his studio collaborator Will.I.Am has claimed. The Black Eyed Peas star is convinced the eccentric superstar is talented and famous enough to make his comeback record a hit through internet sales alone and doesn't need the backing of a major label.

He said: "Michael is the one act who doesn't need a record label. He can do it all through social networking sites."

Will.I.Am - who is behind hits like Shut Up and Where Is The Love - believes, despite Jackson's long absence from charts, the new record will be a huge success.

He said: "We sat there in Ireland writing song melodies that are gonna affect people emotionally and rhythms that are gonna make people dance."

Apart from Jackson, Will.I.Am - real name William James Adam Jr. - has collaborated with a host of top international music stars. His worked with rapper Busta Rhymes on The Big Bang album and collaborated with his Black Eyed Peas bandmate Fergie on her debut solo record The Dutchess.

He also worked on a number of tracks featured on Justin Timberlake's worldwide hit album FutureSex/LoveSounds. He is currently working on the Pussycat Dolls' new album Double The Trouble.