Akon speaks on the Michael Jackson few knew

In an exclusive interview with theGrio, Grammy-nominated artist Akon became the latest star to share his memories of Michael Jackson. Akon collaborated with Jackson on the remake of his classic "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" last year.

"He was an idol to me. I grew up listening to everything he has done and I felt like I knew everything about him," Akon said. "What was ironic was when we met for the first time, he knew everything about me."

Akon spent time at Jackson's home in Las Vegas last year while working on the unreleased song "Hold My Hand" and said he got to know Jackson well.

"You see how the media portrays him and then you see him behind closed doors and he's a completely different person," he said. "I always wanted people to see the great man that he had come to be."