[Smithy]

Michael Jackson's complete back catalogue of music has been stolen by hackers.

Sony Music's Jackson archive was illegally hijacked and more than 50,000 digital files were downloaded as part of a massive operation.

The tracks taken included his unreleased collaboration with Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am.

Record company bosses paid $250 million (157,908GBP) to Jackson's estate in 2010 for the collection, which included unheard material from when he made his Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad albums.

A source told the Sunday Times: "Everything Sony purchased from the Michael Jackson estate was compromised.

"It caused them to check their systems and they found the breach. There was a degree of sophistication. Sony identified the weakness and plugged the gap."

The catalogue is also said to include a duet with the late Freddie Mercury from Queen.

wonder if/when it'll leak