Pop singer Fergie has joined an already stellar line-up of guest artists for the 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson's Thriller, the world's biggest selling album of all time.  Alongside new remixes of classic Jackson tracks by musical contemporaries Kanye West, will.i.am. and Akon, Fergie has added her signature vocals to a new version of "Beat It", entitled "Beat It 2008," produced and mixed by her fellow Black Eyed Pea will.i.am. 

According to Sony BMG's press release yesterday, its branch Epic/Legacy Recordings will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller with a newly expanded deluxe edition of the phenomenal record-breaking pop culture touchstone, available in the US on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. The album will be available worldwide the week of February 11, 2008.

The Michael Jackson Thriller 25th anniversary celebration kicks off in December 2007 with the release of a new single and continues throughout 2008 with a multi-faceted global marketing campaign featuring high-profile television, radio and online events around the world.

The Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition will include the original album in its entirety as well as seven bonus tracks and a DVD featuring Michael Jackson's groundbreaking short films. The newly expanded version of Thriller premieres six tracks previously unreleased in any form: "Beat It 2008" with Fergie; a new Kanye West remix of "Billie Jean"; a new 2008 version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with Akon; will.i.am remixes of "The Girl Is Mine" and "P.Y.T."; and "For All Time," a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson himself.

Originally released in the US 25 years ago on November 30, 1982 by Epic Records, Thriller, Michael Jackson's sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones, rocketed the former child-star lead singer for the Jackson 5 into the stratosphere of international superstardom. Introducing the "robot" and the "moonwalk" into the international lexicon of clubland dance moves via the pulsing sounds of Thriller, Michael Jackson revolutionized all aspects of mainstream pop culture -- from radio airwaves to the newly emerging art form of music videos -- becoming the world's most popular entertainer in the process.

The original Thriller sold 104 million copies worldwide and spent an astounding 80 consecutive weeks in the American Top 10, 37 of those at No.1. Seven of the album's original nine tracks became Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. In February 1984, Michael Jackson held a record-breaking 12 Grammy nominations, going on to win eight, which stands as the record for most Grammy Awards to be won by anyone in a single year. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement that remains unsurpassed to this day.

Besides the anniversary celebration, Michael Jackson is reportedly making a new album with various musicians such as Kanye West, will.i.am, Akon and Ne-yo, and considering a short world tour, according the latest issue of JET, one of most famous black magazines in the US. The pop star will hopefully start all his projects next year.

(China.org.cn December 19, 2007)