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Kanye West has fuelled speculation that will.i.am will produce U2's forthcoming album by apparently confirming the news on his blog.

Will.i.am sparked rumours of an unlikely collaboration with the rockers after telling MTV he had been in contact with frontman Bono, and that it would be "a dream come true" to work with the band.

And now West has taken to his blog to announce that hip-hop star will.i.am is indeed set to produce material on U2's forthcoming LP, which was originally slated for release in September but has since been delayed until 2009.

West writes: "Will.i.am is producing U2's next album. I'm sure it will be dope as s**t judging from the crazy beats he's done in the past 3 years!"