Hold My Hand (Michael Jackson and Akon song)

Hold My Hand is a duet recorded by Michael Jackson with singer-producer Akon. The track was recorded in 2008 and issued after Jackson's death as part of a posthumous release in 2010. Presented as a stand-alone single and as part of a posthumous collection, the song received international radio play and entered several national charts, including reaching the top ten in the UK Singles Chart (see chart).

The recording pairs Jackson's familiar vocal timbre with Akon's contemporary production style. Musically the song is often described as a mid-tempo pop/R&B ballad with soulful and gospel-tinged harmonies. Lyrically it centers on themes of solidarity, comfort and asking for support—metaphors of hand-holding are used to express emotional connection and communal reassurance.

Production and authorship credits list Akon among the writers and producers, and the collaboration drew attention both for its cross-generational pairing and for the way studio production shaped Jackson's posthumous output. Because it was released after Jackson's death, the single prompted discussion among fans and critics about how much of the final vocal and arrangement reflected recent work by the artist versus studio completion after his passing.

Upon release in 2010, the song was promoted as the lead single from the posthumous project and attracted mainstream airplay. Chart performance varied by territory; it performed strongly in some markets and more modestly in others. No live performances by Jackson exist for the single due to its posthumous release.