Following recent comments by Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine about plans for a Jackson 5 tour next year, the King of Pop himself has released a statement asserting that he will NOT be taking part:

“My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them,” he said. “I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon.”

The statement comes in response to his brother Jermaine Jackson’s recent comments at a TV industry function in Sydney, where the musician said the Jackson 5 has plans to reunite next year.

Jermaine Jackson was in Australia yesterday (Oct. 29) to help launch a new “greatest hits” TV channel for Foxtel. “This has been a long time coming for the Jackson family to get back together,” he told the Australian Associated Press.

“It is just the timing, so what we’ve been doing is working on the music and all the logistics. It is going to be more like a family affair, Janet’s going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5 … Michael, Randy and the whole family … We’re in the studio, we’re planning on being out there next year.” {Source}

Ouch. I’ve long thought that something wasn’t quite right among the Jackson’s and I guess this confirms it. Anyway, I guess hearing from MJ’s own mouth that he is planning a solo stage comeback gives us something to look forward to.

Your thoughts?

The joint video for popular Lil’ Wayne cuts ‘Mrs Officer’ and ‘Comfortable’ premiered a few hours ago. Not that I really expected anything different, but the Bobby Valentino featured vid is kinda run-of-the-mill. This, however, is unlikely to affect Wayne, as he remains one of the hottest commodities in the Hip-Hop game.

What you think of the video?

After a brief hiatus, R&B crooner Ginuwine is back set to release his first major-label album in 2009. Check out the report via Billboard:

Ginuwine is set to return in the first quarter 2009 with a new single and album. The as-yet-untitled project will be released by Notifi Records, with distribution through Warner Bros. Notifi is headed by CEO Ira Dewitt.

In addition to singer/songwriter/producer Tank, who is executive producing the album, Ginuwine is collaborating with Next founding member RL and Harold Lilly Jr., among others.

“Everything is still in the works,” Ginuwine tells Billboard.com. “I don’t want to rush anything. I’m just working on various songs and definitely hoping to work with others like Polow da Don and Timbaland. However, at this point I can say the music will reflect a maturing Ginuwine. I’m not the same young man I was when I first got into music. ”

Ginuwine was 21 when he hit big in 1996 with “Pony,” his first crossover hit (No. 1 R&B, No. 6 pop). The single garnered the Washington, D.C. native a contract with 550 Music/Epic and propelled his Timbaland-produced debut album, “Ginuwine — The Bachelor,” to multi-platinum status.

This ought to be interesting. I personally haven’t enjoyed any of Ginuwine’s records since he stopped working with Timbland, so I definitely welcome their potential reuniting.

Will you be checking for a new Ginuwine album?

A short snippet of a new Christina Aguilera track called ‘Dynamite’ surfaced earlier today. Set to feature on her forthcoming greatest hits LP ‘Keeps Gettin’ Better: A Decade of Hits’, the cut, to put it bluntly, sounds rubbish. Really leaves a lot to be desired.

Judging by the new material I’ve heard from Xtina thus far, it appears as if her best days may be behind her. Since the dizzy heights she achieved with her ‘Stripped’ LP she has yet to deliver anything nearly as good IMO. SMH…

Hit or miss?

R&B songstress Brandy performed her current single ‘Right Here (Departed)’ on MTV’s TRL just a few moments ago. Put simply, Ms. Norwood nailed it! The stage presence, the adlibs, the everything! She really sounded on-point – the vocals were awesome. Her LP ‘Human’ drops December 9th via Epic/Koch.

Randomness: This definitely redeems her last live showing of the track a few days ago at the Monsterjam concert.

What do you think of the performance?

The Pussycat Dolls hit up Dancing With The Stars last night to perform their current single ‘Whatcha Think About That’, along with Missy Elliott.

Though I think the song is appallingly bad, it wasn’t as crap a performance as I anticipated. That said there a few bones I must pick with their showing (don’t worry, it won’t be long LOL); what happened with the camera during Missy’s part? I’m a Missy fan but she kinda sorta ish looked like a mess (where’s her album, by the way?). What’s more, it was painful watching Melody doing the runs. Not because she was bad, quite the opposite, she was awesome – it’s more evidence as to why she shouldn’t be taking a back-seat to Nicole.

What do you think of the performance?

During hubby Jay-Z’s set at Power 105.1 show last night at New Jersey’s IZOD Center, Beyonce made a surprise appearance – giving short performance of her hotter than hot new release ‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’. Clad in all black and backed by two dancers (not the one’s from the video unfortunately), Ms. Knowles definitely wet my appetite for the inevitable barrage of live performance we’ll be seeing from her over the next few months. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

T.I.’s video for Rihanna assisted single ‘Live Your Life’ premiered on BET’s Access Granted literally within the hour. Epic, cinematic and befitting, the vid really is a winner. I must say I’ve been liking the song a whole lot more as of late; something the video, I’m sure, will ensure continues.

Tidbit: While Rihanna did look damn near flaw-less (she really is a stunner), she still moves oh-so-stiffly. Just thinking out aloud…

What do you think of the video?