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| Michael Jackson News 'Red Dragon' director Brett Ratner has revealed that Michael Jackson asked him to direct the music video for 'Invincible', which Ratner says is the 'next single'; "Michael Jackson has asked me to do his new video, so I'm hoping I can fit it in before I start production on 'Superman'. We're good friends. (sings)'You are not alone!' The new single is called 'Invincible'. Kind of like 'Dangerous'! But actually I'm going to put Michael Jackson for sure into 'Rush Hour 3'. What Joe Pesci was to 'Lethal Weapon', he's going to be to 'Rush Hour 3'. He'd love to be in the movie!" source: MJ News International According to a MTV News report, published on the music channel's Web site, What More Can I Give is an official smash! KTU Program Director Frankie Blue, a longtime friend of Michael's, wouldn't reveal to MTV exactly how he got the song, but he insists the King of Pop had nothing to do with it. Marc Schaffel, the executive producer of the single, said at least 200 copies were sent to artists who participated and their representatives and that the song has since surfaced on the Internet. "It's a loose train; there's no stopping it," Schaffel told the network. KTU and sister station WJTM were the first to play MJ's You Rock My World last summer, but they were asked by the singer's record label to stop playing it soon after. As of Wednesday afternoon, nobody associated with the song ? not Music Fighters (a Tokyo company claiming ownership), Sony Music, Schaffel nor Jackson ? had contacted Blue. "I don't know if anyone even knows who owns it," he said. Schaffel said his company claims the rights to the song per an agreement with Michael. Music Fighters, he said, was involved in a deal that was never completed. Still, he pointed out, Sony and other labels could send a cease-and-desist order because not all of the artists on the song have been cleared. KTU said it has received countless phone calls and about 200 e-mails a day from listeners thanking the station for playing the song and asking where they can get it. It was also one of the most requested song of the day (for each of the last two days) and played during the station's Top 8 at 8 countdown. "This song is a gift to the world," Blue said. "Michael and everyone donated their time for it, and it deserves to be heard. The song is called What More Can I Give and I can give the world a song they can cling onto and hopefully make them think about what they can give." Why What More Can I Give was shelved depends on who you ask. Some say the song was withheld when Schaffel's background in pornography came to light, though Schaffel believes the real reason is because the label didn't want the song to overshadow Jackson's Invincible album. "Maybe this will give someone the push to put it out," Schaffel said, "because now would be the time. Otherwise, the more it proliferates the more it defeats the purpose, and there's no way it can raise money." What More Can I Give which the King of Pop and some of the collaborators have performed only once ? in October at a Washington, D.C., concert ? also features Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Usher, Nick Carter, Shakira and several others. Michael also performed Man in the Mirror at the show. Although the song was written as a response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, Blue said he believes it's still relevant today. "We were angry after the first 9/11," he said. "After the second 9/11, we are coming together. People need a song like this right now." Blue pointed out that MJ's previous charity single, We Are the World, was popular for years after the song was recorded, even in the weeks after September 11. source: MJ News International "Jacko's backo." That was how Fox News columnist Roger Friedman began his Fox 411 gossip column today. The reason behind the statement? The King of Pop is starting a new label. According to Friedman, sourcing an article that appeared this morning on the music trade site Hitsdailydouble.com, Michael's new label is being financed through a deal with Opus Media. According to Opus Media's SEC filing (as reported by Friedman): "The Label Agreement contemplates that ToolTrust and MJJ Ventures will form a California Limited Liability Company to operate a music label, tentatively called "Neverland Records." ... "The Label Agreement provides recording artist Michael J. Jackson with discretion to grant or deny approval of any artist seeking to sign a recording agreement. Mr. Jackson also shall have final approval of all creative elements in connection with master recordings and videos. Ultimately, however, Mr. Jackson's level of participation with the music label (or none at all) shall be determined at his sole discretion. MJJ Ventures may "opt-out" of the Label Agreement if the music label is unable to secure a distribution deal or the music label has not substantially satisfied any material goals set forth in its business plan. Mr. Jackson may opt-out for any reason after three years. In any such case, ToolTrust is obligated to buy out MJJ venture's interest in the music label." According to the same filing: "The Company is in immediate need of funding to complete the music label venture described above and to carry out day-to-day operations, including funding of the online medical records business. If the Company does not secure financing to sufficiently fund operations, it may lose all amounts paid to MJJ Ventures. There can be no assurance that financing will be available when needed or on terms acceptable to the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue as a going concern, or achieve material revenues and profitable operations." In concluding his column, Friedman suggested that Invincible producer Rodney Jerkins will be in charge of the label, which may be distributed by Clive Davis' J Records (Since, J Records is not a music distributor, MJNI is not given much credence to this claim) It is also not clear how this deal will affect Michael's own future recordings. More to come! source: MJ News International
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