There will be a Michael Jackson line of perfumes, but it won’t be coming from Michael’s father, Joseph. I can tell you exclusively that the Michael Jackson estate is in negotiations right now to market its own brands through a conventional big time cosmetics company. The perfume has been created, the bottles are being deisgned, and a name is being decided upon. It will not be called “Thriller,” says a source who’s working on the project.

But it’s not a bad idea. Neither are “Bad,” “Dangerous,” “Invincible” or “Off the Wall” (the latter could be body spray!). What’s NOT happening: a line of perfumes from Michael’s father, Joe Jackson.

Indeed, the estate is spending extra time shutting Jackson senior down as he makes pronouncements about new businesses he’s dreaming up to exploit his late son’s likeness. Recently, Jackson proclaimed on his website that he and a German firm – UD Group International – a firm with ties to Michael’s one time manager Dieter Wiesner, had somehow gotten the rights in that country to Michael’s name. However, the Jackson estate insists this isn’t true, and that they are contacting their German lawyers to set matters straight.

On the website, Joe Jackson can be seen hocking his own line of “champagne,” and carrying on about his new ventures. He tried to launch his own perfume line during the Cannes Film Festival, but that’s been scotched. He also told this reporter about his plans for Neverland style hotels. “That will not be happening,” said an estate source. “We think Joe knows all these things are pipe dreams. He just likes to do the traveling and get the attention,” said my source.

Meanwhile, the Estate is looking forward to opening night in Montreal on October 2nd, when Cirque du Soleil unveils its Michael Jackson show. Tickets are on sale in several cities. After Montreal, the show heads to Las Vegas. What’s happening here is really interesting: in death, Michael Jackson is now becoming a big, big business, bigger than he could have envisioned.

Source: Showbiz411.com

The Estate of Michael Jackson have issued a statement today regarding the Aaron Carter ‘drugs story’, and also commented on La Toya and her new book:

Fans have asked the Estate to elaborate on its decision to respond to some of LaToya Jackson’s comments as she promoted her new book, as well as its decision not to respond formally to a false and erroneous report out of Australia that allegedly quoted Aaron Carter as saying he and Michael used drugs together.

If someone severely misrepresents the facts surrounding Michael’s Estate and makes serious, reckless and false accusations that go unanswered, it demeans and maligns Michael’s memory and legacy, and may also potentially hurt the business of the Estate, thereby affecting the future earnings that benefit Michael’s beneficiaries.

When a tabloid report like the Aaron Carter story occurs, involving claims made by people who knew Michael during his life, the Estate always must ask the same questions: how credible is the source; can it be verified; and would issuing a public response only put an unwarranted spotlight on a questionable, negative story about Michael the Estate has no desire to publicize?

In this case, the Executors knew the account came from a marginal celebrity gossip site, and was conducted by a journalist with a long history of controversy involving Michael and his family. Furthermore, the Executors also knew Aaron Carter had previously denied the allegations to People magazine, something that was noted to any media who asked the Estate about the report. In the end, the Estate believes the story took care of itself: Aaron Carter’s decision to refute it himself was the best solution, in that it called the most attention possible to the credibility of this story. Any benefit from the Estate calling out irresponsible media reportage could then possibly be outweighed by the detriment of even more media spotlight on a bogus story.

As for LaToya Jackson, the Estate felt compelled to respond to irresponsible and untruthful statements that were defamatory, and which grossly misrepresented facts that are in the public court record. LaToya was going on many television shows, repeating some of the same bogus info, and the Estate felt it important to try and contain any additional/future damage beyond that which had already been done, and, sadly, which had already started to be repeated as fact by other media to promote their sites or sell their news reports.

It’s probably an impossible task to make decisions that everyone likes. Some will agree, some will disagree, but in the end, it is the ultimate responsibility of the Co-Executors to fulfill their obligations per Michael’s wishes by doing what they think best in each and every instance, to protect, preserve, and grow Michael’s legacy and memory for Michael and his fans, and to protect, preserve and grow the Estate for its beneficiaries.

MJOnline
The Official Online Team of the Michael Jackson Estate™

There has been much speculation and many media reports surrounding alleged quotes from singer Aaron Carter on the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson. When a reported interview made headlines over alleged quotes from Carter, the singer quickly denied that he had ever said any of the things that he was being quoted as saying. According to a new update made by the singer via Twitter, Aaron Carter will reportedly be featured on E! News today in an interview in which he will be discussing the Michael Jackson story.

Aaron Carter retweeted a message posted by an E! News correspondent, stating: “RT @kenbakernow: Thanks for coming in to @enews and setting record straight @AARONCARTER. Interview airs Wed on the show!”

There were several fans that were shocked by the reports when they were broken in the media, and now that it has been announced that Aaron Carter will be appearing on the news show, it is certain that fans will be tuning in to watch what he has to say about the story.

Source: Examiner

Lloyd’s of London has gone to court… asking a judge to let the company off the financial hook, claiming it doesn’t owe the Michael Jackson Estate $17.5 million on grounds MJ was a fraud.

The company issued the multi-million dollar policy to cover the doomed “This Is It” tour for losses.

But Lloyd’s claims it doesn’t have to honor the policy for 2 primary reasons:

1. Michael Jackson and AEG allegedly lied about Michael’s medical history — specifically, MJ said he had not seen a doctor other than a cosmetic MD since June, 2005.

2. Michael did not disclose he was taking prescription drugs prior to and at the time of his death -including Propofol.

Lloyd’s is asking the court for a declaration that the policy is null and void as a result of the alleged fraud.

Source: TMZ

Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, owned by Sony Corp. (SNE) and Michael Jackson’s estate, submitted a bid for Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) ahead of yesterday’s deadline, two people with knowledge of the auction said.

Sony/ATV made a joint bid with billionaire Ronald Perelman and Guggenheim Partners LLC, said the people, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Warner Music yesterday called a board meeting with the aim of picking a buyer in 48 hours, people said then.

The entry of Sony/ATV increases the number of known bidders to three after billionaire investor Ron Burkle decided to walk away last week. Len Blavatnik, a former Warner Music director, and brothers Tom and Alec Gores also submitted bids ahead of the deadline, people familiar with the offers said yesterday.

Sony/ATV’s bid is in the $3 billion range offered by Blavatnik and the Gores brothers, one person said. The company, headed by Martin Bandier, is interested Warner Music’s publishing business, while its partners are focused on recorded music, one of the people said.

Will Tanous, a spokesman for New York-based Warner Music, and Liz Young, a spokeswoman for Sony Music in New York, had no comment. Christine Taylor, a spokeswoman for Perelman’s MacAndrews & Forbes in New York, didn’t respond to requests for comment. Jeffrey Kelley, a spokesman for Guggenheim in Chicago, declined to comment.

Warner Music, which began seeking offers in January, fell 3 cents to $7.37 at 4:15 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The stock has climbed 31 percent this year.

Ownership Breakdown

The record company, home to artists including Cee Lo Green and the Black Keys, has long-term debt of $1.94 billion, according to company filings.

Eight of Warner Music’s 13 directors are executives of Thomas H. Lee Partners LP and Bain Capital LLC, two Boston-based private-equity firms that together hold 51 percent of the company’s shares, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Providence Equity Partners owns 8.3 percent and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Edgar Bronfman Jr. owns about 7 percent.

Source: Bloomberg

Music producer and Michael Jackson friend Rodney Jerkins says the King of Pop planned to “shock the world” with his comeback — and that Michael said of his plans, “Wait until we show them what’s next.”

Fans itching to get more music from the late Michael Jackson may be in for a treat. Super producer Rodney Jerkins revealed that he will release a new album of previously unheard material from the King of Pop. Jerkins, who spoke with VladTV about the album, was mum on an official release date but confirmed that the project would eventualy see the light of day. “You know there is a lot of red tape, but it’s definitely going to happen,” he said.

Jerkins produced several tracks for Jackson, including the 2001 single ‘You Rock My World,’ which went on to become the last big hit single of his career, “I worked with Michael for years,’ Jerkins continued. “It was definitely a goal of mine as a kid. When I first wanted to be producer, at 11 years old, on a Iittle piece of paper [I] was like, ‘One day I wanna work with Michael Jackson.’ I just believe that God granted my wish.”

Source: The Boombox

Rumour has it Sony & The Michael Jackson Estate have a new MJ album planned before the year is out. Tentatively titled “Legacy”, the rumoured tracklisting is as follows:

The Gloved One
Blue Gangster
Burn 2night
Someone Put Your Hand Out
Color Of My Soul
Slave To The Rhythm
I’m Still The King
Water
Place With No Name
Peaceful Journey

This is yet to receive any official confirmation, but the tracklisting does look good if the project makes it to fruition.

Exclusive: Michael Jackson, even in death, remains in the middle of the current musical chairs deals in the declining record industry.

For all these years, Michael’s MiJac Publishing has been administered by Warner Chappell, part of what is now Warner Music Group. MiJac includes not only Michael’s hits that he wrote, like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” but a vast number of other hits including those of Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield, and Sly and the Family Stone.

Warner Chappell doesn’t own MiJac but it administers the rights to it and collects hefty fees. With WMG for sale, and talk of Warner Chappell being sold off, MiJac would seem like an integral part of their story.

But there’s a hitch that I can reveal to you: MiJac is leaving Warner Chappell and going to become part of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the company that Michael Jackson’s estate co-owns with Sony and contains the Beatles catalog.

According to sources, this arrangement was written into the MiJac contract with Warner Chappell years ago. It would be triggered by the release of the next Jackson album–in this case, the recent “Michael”–and the repayment of loans.

The move by MiJac to Sony/ATV is a big deal for many reasons. With both WMG and EMI Music for sale Sony/ATV could be kicking the tires of each company’s publishing divisions for purchase. But Warner Chappell might be less interesting to Sony ATV considering they’re already getting Mi Jac. And without MiJac, Warner Chappell–which just had a down quarter–might not look so good to other potential buyers.

What may happen now: the newer, and very hot, BMG Music Rights will likely make a play for EMI Music Publishing. EMI Music–the record company, which has the Beatles albums in its catalog–the physical albums and box sets–could then be merged with another record company like Sony Music or, more horrifyingly, Warner Music.

Source: Showbiz 411

With all the circus and “hackings” going on of the Michael Jackson sound–notsomuch’a-like, Jason Malachi’s websites and social networks, we came across this on YouTube.

This is by far the best comparison video we have heard to date. Finally solid proof it really is Malachi on Breaking News, Monster, Keep Your Head Up & Stay?

We’d love to hear form you if you still think not!

Falsetto Yoghurt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSLov7zYrSc

EDIT: It’s been pulled from YouTube – but listen here

Time to drop the bomb.

As if there weren’t already a HUGE stack of evidence suggesting that the Cascio family are liars who hired an impersonator (likely Jason Malachi) to imitate Michael on the songs “Breaking News”, “Keep Your Head Up”, “Monster”, and other unreleased but leaked songs like “Stay”, this new piece of evidence should seal the deal.

Now. We’ve heard since the beginning that Prince Michael Jackson and Paris Jackson did not believe the songs were real. One main argument by the people who do believe they are real is that we didn’t hear this directly from them, and the information may have been filtered through another family member who could be seen to have motives to sabotage the projects in order to try and get control of the Estate. I didn’t buy any of this for a second, because frankly, the songs to me are OBVIOUSLY not Michael singing. Furthermore I’ve spend much of the past few months debunking every argument these “believers” have made, from the people with no studio experience who still tried to claim to the vocals don’t sound like Michael because they are “processed” or were recorded in a “budget studio”. As I have extensive experience in these areas as an artist myself, I was able to thoroughly debunk every excuse.

Yet, despite an ever growing list of people like 3T, Randy Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Cory Rooney, Rodney Jerkins and more saying the songs were not real, despite the lack of any evidence from the Cascios, and despite the fact that Jason Malachi (a known impersonator)’s tone, pronunciation and vibrato are identical to the person on the Cascio songs, frustratingly there are STILL people who believe it’s Michael.

Now, this must be considered. Prince Michael and Paris stated DIRECTLY, ON CAMERA during the taping of their appearance on Oprah, that the songs were NOT Michael. And they were THERE. Prince was nearly 11 years old when the stayed with the Cascio family. More than old enough to know what’s going on and be observant of every aspect of what his father was doing.

For some reason – theories suggest Harpo TV’s close association with Sony – this was EDITED OUT of the broadcast. But unfortunately for Oprah, the contents of the interview were given to the media and reported worldwide, prior to the airing of the edited broadcast.

Three to five of the 10-12 tracks on Michael, out December 14 on Sony, were allegedly recorded at the New Jersey home of producer Eddie Cascio in 2007, when Michael and his children stayed there for four months working on remixes for the 25th-anniversary reissue of Thriller. Michael’s son, Prince Michael, said this week that none of what he heard recorded then matches what he hears now on Michael, and that he believes the Cascio cuts were recorded posthumously by a Michael soundalike. Prince’s sister, Paris, corroborated these claims—as did Michael’s mother, Katherine, during an Oprah interview. Joe Jackson, Michael’s dad, also protested the songs via a statement by his attorney.

This is significant, not just because the children WERE THERE during the stay at the Cascios, but also because they have absolutely zero motive for lying. It can be said that other family members, do. Particularly folks like Joe and Randy who have been accused of exploiting Michael in the past. However, the children are the primary beneficiaries of the Estate regardless, and always will be.

People will make up their own minds regardless. But my position since the first second I heard the vocals on “Breaking News” on the online stream, as a fan for over 20 years, were that it wasn’t Michael. My position as someone who makes a living with his ears is that Jason Malachi’s voice is identical to the imposter on the Cascio songs. But at the end of the day, nobody knows Michael’s voice better than his children. Add that to their presence during the time that Michael stayed with the Cascio’s, and that means their opinion of the songs holds more weight than anyone.

Will the perpetrators ever admit to the forgery? Perhaps not. But as far as I’m concerned – it is not difficult to see what’s going on. Shame on the Cascio family for selling out their friend, shame on them AND Sony for trying to deceive the world.

Source: S-Endz

Has Jason Malachi’s official website been hacked too?

We’ll let you decide…

Screenshot taken 18/01/2011, Check out the reference to “Michael Jackson’s” MONSTER in the footer!

Ever since the release of “MICHAEL” the new ‘Michael Jackson’ album last year rumours have circulated regarding the ’3 Cascio’ tracks; Breaking News, Monster & Keep Your Head Up. The tracks had the fan community divided over the fake vocals contained on the track.

Many fans suspected the imposter vocalist was Jason Malachi despite Jason, Sony, The Estate & producers such as Teddy Riley all denying the vocals were fake.

Today however, it seems we may finally have the truth!

On (what may be) Jason Malachi’s Facebook page, he posted the following status:

Jason Malachi finally admits what we already knew..

Sheesh guys, I guess it’s time to confess. I’ve lied to many people, including someone today, but…. It was me. It was me who sang Breaking News, Keep Your Head Up, Monster and Stay.

I had a agreement with the record company, but now the cat is out of the bag. Sorry to all my fans, and fellow Michael Jackson fans.

Jason Malachi

The real deal, or a fake FB account – what do you think?

Ex-Jason Malachi manager and producer, Tony Kurtis has recently set up a YouTube account and released statements confirming what the majority of the fan community already knows: that Jason Malachi IS featured on the new ‘Michael Jackson Album’, “MICHAEL”.

Specifically, on “Breaking News” as well as the suspected “Monster” too.

He has comprised in a video, raw Jason Malachi vocals along-side the Michael *cough*Jason Malachi*cough* Jackson raw / acapella vocals from “Breaking News”.

If you still beLIEve “Breaking News” is Michael, why not have a listen to the evidence here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRfzf8KT2sc

We think you’ll agree it sounds famiLIAR.

Listen to the newly leaked MJ track “Slave To The Rhythm” on YouTube before its pulled: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83NCm9iuyAY

Source: The Twittersfere

Speaking during an interview with an Atlanta Radio Station last night, Teddy Riley revealed that the NEXT project planned in The Michael Jackson Estate/Sony deal is an album of Duets.

“Mike has like, oo, I would say like 50 songs, from what I heard, that he laid down. That he laid down only the first verse and a chorus so its not finished.

So the next project will be getting some real stars in to come and sing a second verse and help finish the songs. Stars with real substance.”

No indication of time scales for release was given during the interview.