"Stop Playin'" (also known as "Stop Play") is a cancelled, unreleased collaboration between T-Pain, Usher and Michael Jackson. (
listen)
Background[]
The three artists came together to work on "Stop Playin'" in 2008.
On June 3, 2008, a version by Usher and T-Pain without Jackson's vocals got leaked online. According to T-Pain, it was released by the person in charge of the reference demo, who "got too excited" about being on a song with the artists.[1][2]
In the intro, Michael is name-dropped and the recording includes an open verse, where the King of Pop was supposed to provide his vocals.
Due to the song getting leaked. Jackson unfortunately gave up on it and decided to discontinue its development. His vocals were never recorded.
| “ | We could've had the greatest fucking song of all time. [...] It was like a producer or a reference artist. And he leaked the song that we were doing. [...] When Michael Jackson's team found out the shit was leaked, it was like 'I don't wanna do it anymore'. | ” |
–T-Pain in a chat with The 85 South Show, 2021[3] | ||
| “ | Yeah, that pissed me off. Not gonna lie to you. | ” |
–T-Pain discussing the leak, January 23, 2024[2] | ||