The 42-year-old singer, writer and producer said in a statement that he was working on an autobiography with David Ritz that will "tell it like it is".

He has a lot to talk about. He's one of the best-selling recording artistes in history but also one of the most controversial.

The book promises to go through all his drama, including child pornography charges that ended with an acquittal.

The autobiography is untitled right now, just like his new CD. It's scheduled for release by Tavis Smiley's SmileyBooks in 2011.