Akon July 03, 2008 , 10:25 AM ET Mariel Concepcion, N.Y. Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Claude Kelly wrote the recently leaked Akon song "Hold My Hand" featuring Michael Jackson, but he confesses hearing the legendary singer's voice on the track the first time was a total surprise to him. "I wrote the song and gave it to Akon with the intention of it going to maybe Whitney Houston, but Akon said he wanted to cut it himself. I thought, 'It doesn't get any bigger than this'," the 27-year-old New York native tells Billboard.com. "A few months after, Akon plays the song for me and all of a sudden I hear Michael Jackson's voice. I was literally shaking by the time the song was over." The track, which is in contention to be the first single from Akon's new album, due late this year, has since been pulled off the Internet. As per when an actual Michael Jackson album will be released, Kelly says a date hasn't been set yet. What has been confirmed, as per Kelly's manager Michael "Make" Mentore from Star Power Media/Make Moves Management, is that the track will appear on both Akon and Jackson's albums. Since penning the collaborative track, Kelly has been tapped to work not only with Akon and Whitney Houston but also with Jennifer Hudson, Frankie J, Brandy, New Kids On The Block, Toni Braxton, recent Def Jam signee Unique and Leona Lewis, including the latter's second single, "Forgive Me," which will be released in the coming weeks. He also wrote the entire debut solo album for Corbin Bleu from "High School Musical" fame. As a child, Kelly took piano and flute lessons and sang with local choirs. He attended Brooklyn College of Music in 1999, and in 2002 wrote his first song, which was placed in a Bathing Ape compilation released in Japan. His first major placement came with "Daddy's Little Girl" from Frankie J's 2006 album "Priceless." In the future, Kelly says he hopes to work with the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, Usher, Chris Brown and Kelly Clarkson, among others. He also plans on delving into country and rock music as well.

Source: www.billboard.com

The Big Apple MJ Fan Network will be hosting a party to celebrate Michael Jackson's 50th Birthday. Event: Michael Jackson 50th Birthday Party: An Evening of Elegance and Cultural Affair.  When: August 23, 2008  Time: 8pm-12 Midnight

TRIBUTE is paid to Michael Jackson at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre next week. Thriller Live, the first multimedia concert specially created to celebrate the career of one the world's greatest entertainers, has been put together by Jackson biographer Adrian Grant...

It's not quite Neverland, but the all-singing-all-dancing Jackson clan is leaving California for a holiday home in the heart of the English countryside. Tito Jackson, 54, has rented a spacious five-bedroom barn conversion in the Devonshire town of Appledore in South West England and will be joined by his sons Taj, 34, Taryll, 32, and T.J., 29, who make up the band 3T, as well as his superstar Jackson Five siblings.

KING OF POP (CATALOG): In its original run, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was on The Billboard 200 for 122 weeks, 37 of which were spent at No. 1. With the re-entry of a silver anniversary edition, the rechristened "Thriller 25" (Legacy/Epic) is in its 112th week on the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart and is No. 1 on that tally for the first time.

Considering its status as a catalog release, the new 25th anniversary reissue of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (Epic/Legacy) was ineligible to chart on The Billboard 200 this week. But it does bow at No. 1 on the Top Pop Catalog Albums tally after selling 166,000. The project includes reworked "Thriller" tracks by Akon, Kanye West, Fergie and will.i.am.

Source: Billboard.com

Source: http://www.kidk.com/news/entertainment/15542482.html

TO CELEBRATE both Thriller LIVE, the UK tour and the 25th anniversary of "Thriller" the album we have teamed up with our friends at Columbia. You could win a pair of tickets to the brilliant show on the May 15 at the Hammersmith Apollo.

You will also win dinner for two at a fantastic London restaurant and a nights accommodation in the luxurious K-West hotel & Spa courtesy of Flying music. If that's not enough we will also throw in Michael Jackson's back catalogue courtesy of Sony BMG including: Off the wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, Invincible, The Girl is mine 2008 and Thriller 25. Flying Music presents a brand new production of Thriller LIVE, which tours the UK for the third time this spring. Created by renowned biographer Adrian Grant, Thriller LIVE is a full budget mega-show that takes the audience on a journey through the music of the World’s Greatest Entertainer.

This year is especially significant as it is the 25th anniversary year of the world’s biggest selling album: THRILLER...

source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/fun/competitions/article739674.ece

After a long and frequently dramatic time away from the music industry, Michael Jackson is releasing his first new music in seven years. To mark the 25th anniversary of his record-breaking album Thriller, the man once known as the King of Pop is releasing a new version of the hit The Girl Is Mine. Originally a duet with Sir Paul McCartney, Jackson has re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Pea’s Will.i.am. Jackson was booked to perform at the World Music Awards in London but managed only a few faltering notes. His latest comeback attempt is more ambitious. The Girl Is Mine will be on shop shelves on January 28, followed by a new edition of Thriller, featuring remixes by hip-hop heavyweights Akon and Kanye West, on February11. Then in March the singer starts a three-month-long UK tour.

Click here to listen to a clip from Michael Jackson's newversion The Girl Is Mine