‘The Essential Michael Jackson’ drops 4 places in the Australian Album Chart this week at #50.

It remains at #44 in the Australian Physical Album Chart this week.

Source: ARIA

Even though Ne-Yo is only on his third album, he has already established a theme that runs through all of his work. Each album has to have at least one song that pays homage to his musical icon, Michael Jackson.

“Anybody who has been following Ne-Yo from the start knows that I’m a huge, huge Michael Jackson fan.”

The MJ tribute on Ne-Yo’s upcoming album Year of the Gentleman, which is due to drop in August, is a club-thumping number called “Nobody.” While “Closer,” Ne-Yo’s current hit, is about a dancefloor hookup between two strangers, “Nobody” presents a different scenario. Here’s how Ne-Yo describes it:

“Say she didn’t give you anything, but instead she just started dancing, and it was the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen. It’s like she’s untouchable, like it would be a sin to touch her or dance with her, with what’s going on with her right now.”

When Ne-Yo played the track for the King of Pop, with whom he’s currently working, he got a positive response.

“He told me that he likes the way I do Michael Jackson. I asked him what he meant by that, and he said, ‘When you do that, it doesn’t feel like you’re trying to copy me or trying to be me. It feels like you’re complimenting me.’ And that’s what I’m doing. It means the world [to me] that he liked it.”

Source: MTV

In an interview to PEOPLE, designer Christian Audigier (Ed Hardy) said that he is planning to launch a new fashion line together with Michael Jackson this fall. He said that the two have teamed up to collaborate on this project:

“It’s the merging of the King of Pop with the king of fashion. Something explosive is going to happen.”

Fraser Ross, the owner of Kitson, a trend fashion shop on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles (USA) which is also represented on the web, has already agreed to carry the line exclusively:

“Michael Jackson is an international pop icon who has had a huge following throughout his career. I think people will think it’s hip to wear his line. Through all his ups and downs people still love him. He still has a huge fan base.”

Source: People, MJFC-USA

‘Thriller 25th Anniversary’ drops 16 places on the UK Albums Chart this week to #87.

Source: BBC Radio 1

‘The Essential Michael Jackson’ re-enters the Australian Album Chart this week at #46.

It also rises 3 places in the Australian Physical Album Chart this week at #44.

Source: ARIA

‘Thriller’ rises 12 places in the Irish Album Chart this week at #66.

Source: IRMA

Australian Fans are invited to the ONLY official Australian launch party to celebrate Michael Jackson 50th Anniversary at Club Swans, Potts Point - Sydney.

“Be Part of History” - Friday 29 August, 7.30pm at Club Swans. Limited tickets to this VIP event - Book Early, Tickets at Club Phone 80612300 or through Ticketek.

Source: SonyBMG Australia

SonyBMG in Australia is inviting Michael Jackson fans to compile ‘King of Pop’, a 50th birthday album for Michael Jackson.

From June 21st and for three weeks, fans can visit the specially created website mj50.com.au and vote for the tracks they want to see appear on the ‘King of Pop’ album.

The album will feature the Top 30 Jackson songs picked by the fans, plus a new megamix from Jason Nevins.

‘King of Pop’ will be released in Australia only on August 29th, Jackson’s 50th birthday.

Click Here for more information and to choose your favourite Tracks.

Source: SonyBMG Australia, Undercover

On Sunday, Oscar winner Stan Winston, who was famous for his special effects (’Jurassic Park’, ‘Aliens’, ‘Terminator’, ‘Edward Scissorhands’), died at the age of only 62. He died at his home in Malibu surrounded by family after a seven-year struggle with multiple myeloma (a form of cancer).

Working with the very best directors, such as Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and Tim Burton, in a career spanning four decades, Winston created some of the most memorable visual effects in cinematic history and was a pioneer in merging real-world effects with computer imaging. He also worked with Michael Jackson as director and co-producer on the movie ‘Ghosts’.

Stan Winston is survived by his wife, Karen, a son, daughter, brother, and four grandchildren.

Source: Associated Press

Hip-Hop producer Swizz Beatz has claimed that he is working on the production for a Michael Jackson tour.

Although details have yet to be confirmed about Jackson’s tour plans, it’s been widely reported that the singer will announce live shows in 2008.

Speaking to MTV, Beatz claimed that he woould be working on the dates, although he didn’t specify any more details.

“I’m probably gonna be producing his tour and everything,” he said.

Click Here to read the complete interview.

Source: MTV