Will.I.Am Explains Tulisa 'Scream & Shout' Claims

EXCLUSIVE! BEPs star also reveals what he's getting Cheryl for Xmas...

09:32, Monday, 17 December 2012

Will.I.Am has hit back at reports suggesting that Tulisa recorded vocals for his latest hit Scream & Shout before Britney Spears.

Over the weekend, it was claimed that Scream & Shout – Will’s collaboration with Britney, which entered this week’s singles chart at No.2 – was intended for Tulisa’s debut album The Female Boss.

However, when MTV.co.uk caught up with the Black Eyed Peas star at the launch party of his i.am+ foto.sosho, Will was keen to set the record straight.

When asked about the speculation, Will admitted: "She [Tulisa] wrote to that song [Scream & Shout] before I did – this is the truth.

“But the producers of the beat – two brothers from Belgium called Lazy Jay – didn’t want her to have it, so I wrote to it and Britney is the only person I ever had in mind.”

Will.I.Am is in the country at the moment filming the second series of The Voice alongside fellow coaches Tom Jones, Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue, who all agreed to return.

Despite this year’s series of The X Factor suffering its lowest ratings since 2006 and none of The Voice stars enjoying chart success, Will hopes the British public aren’t becoming bored of singing talent shows.

He stated: “It would be sad if they were over, because then what does the music industry have? It’s the only thing we have left and unfortunately we need them all.

“Shows like The X Factor, The Voice, American Idol, Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent are the real record companies.

“One Direction came from X Factor so they’ve produced hit monsters, so it’s not over when you’re still finding monster talent.”

And what has Will bought his best friend Cheryl Cole for Christmas this year? “I’ve got her a custom i.am+ in a cool Cheryl colour.”

Will.I.Am’s i.am+ foto.sosho camera accessory for iPhone 4/4s is available exclusively at Selfridges.

By Ben Lowe @mtvuknews