MICHAEL Jackson’s child sex allegations were part of a scam to damage his image and steal his multi-million dollar music catalog, claims Akon.

The rapper – a former friend of the oddball superstar – insists the singer is innocent of all the allegations of child molestation stacked against him.

Rapper Akon insists Jacko is innocent of the shocking sex abuse claims against himCredit: Vlad TV
And he dismissed the King Of Pop’s shocking pedophilia charges as “propaganda” used in a elaborate scheme to gain control of his huge publishing empire.

While not going into financial details, Akon claims multiple parties wanted a cut of MJ’s own catalog as well as the Sony ATV catalog – which featured The Beatles hits.

Jackson’s staggering move to outbid Sir Paul McCartney for the Fab Four’s music rights was the envy of the record industry when he splashed out $47m in 1985.

After the Thriller singer landed the huge music portfolio, Akon says that others wanted to seize that power from him.

In the last 18 months, Jackson’s legacy has been destroyed by claims from two former child friends.

Jackson’s legacy has been tainted by claims of sexual abuse in recent yearsCredit: Rex Features

Wade Robson and James Safechuck claimed the singer abused them as kids in Leaving Neverland – pictured with director Dan Reed (middle)
James Safechuck and Wade Robson outlined their alleged grooming and abuse in the Netflix documentary ‘Leaving Neverland.’

Safechuck claims he was sexually abused by the King of Pop for years after meeting him when he was nine years old in 1987 while filming a Pepsi commercial.

Robson also claims the Thriller singer preyed on him as a child and cataloged a string of sex assaults in the TV expose.

Jackson maintained he was innocent of sexually abusing young boys right up until his death in 2009.

Representatives for Jackson’s estate later issued a statement condemning the documentary.

And Akon also stood by his former friend and former music collaborator in an interview with Vlad TV.

He said: “All that was propaganda because Mike was doing so much big things in the publishing world.

Jackson pictured with accuser James Safechuck in 1988Credit: Rex Features

The superstar maintained his innocence up until his death in 2009Credit: Rex Features
“I always felt like in the music side he was buying out a lot of great real estate. And he would not sell it back or would not offer no options for it to be sold

“Then of course his own catalog… there was a fight around that.

“What Michael was more about is power because he was super smart and understood what real value meant to America.

“So he had access to a lot of American value, and he owned it. And if he did not own 100 per cent he owned it fifty per cent.

“And at some point they are gonna want to have the option to buy it back or control it to an extent, and Mike would not just allow it.

“And that is when a lot of propaganda and all these whispers started coming out about him,  that is clearly not true.”

Jackson’s estate handed over the rights to the Sony ATV catalogue for $750m in 2016.

Much of the alleged abuse was said to have taken place in Neverland Credit: Rex Features

Akon collaborated with Jackson on the song Hold My Hand Credit: Rex Features
Akon described the tragic star as “super funny, cool , cool to the fans.” and insisted he was heterosexual.

The rapper, who co-wrote ‘Hold My Hand’ with Jacko, added: “Mike liked women.

“We had some real conversations and I got to know his type –  he liked models, tall and slim models – you know what I am saying?”

Akon also spoke on how Jackson choreographed everything that he wanted the outside world to see.

He said: “The only thing I really react to is that the world never saw Michael as his true self.

“They always see the choreographed Mike – the Mike he wanted you to see.
He choreographed everything about himself as an artist.”

Akon says he loved going out with Jackson, when the Grammy winner was often dressed in disguise.

On one occasion MJ, in disguise, took photos of fans with Akon for twenty minutes and they  didn’t recognize him.

“Michael was just giggling, taking the pictures and tripping off.”

On Wednesday, we reported how Akon is spending $6 million to make Black Panther’s fictional African city of Wakanda a reality.

Construction will begin next year on the pricey project based in Diamniadio Lake City in Senegal.

©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)

Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/