MICHAEL ROCKS RADIO'S WORLD, ALBUM DUE OCT. 30

It's not quite the way Epic Records planned it, but the new Michael Jackson song, "You Rock My World," produced and co-written by Rodney Jerkins, is all over the airwaves and the Internet, forcing the label to rush-release the tune to radio. The song was penned by Rodney and Michael with Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels and Nora Payne, with a video directed by Paul Hunter. The album, Invincible, which sources say cost upwards of $30 million to record, will come out in North America on Oct. 30 and around the world the day before.

"Invincible contains some of Michael Jackson's finest work to date," commented Sony Music Entertainment Chairman/CEO Thomas D. Mottola. "Michael continues to grow as an artist and, together with his talented co-writers and co-producers, he has created a fresh body of music that is destined to take its place alongside the greatest recordings in Pop history. Music lovers around the world will be surprised and delighted by the power, depth and range of Invincible."

"The release of this new album is a global event," said Epic Records Group Chairman Dave Glew. "As a singer, composer, producer, arranger and musician, Michael Jackson is one of the most talented and influential artists in the history of recorded music. From 'You Rock My World' to 'Speechless,' Invincible is a towering musical achievement that breaks new ground for this pioneering artist."

"'You Rock My World' represents the very best of Michael Jackson," commented Epic Records Group President Polly Anthony. "Simply put, this record is a global smash!"

The initial single from the King of Pop's first studio record of new songs since '91's Dangerous was leaked by unidentified sources to Clear Channel's WKTU and Frankie Blue. Although Epic expressed its displeasure, Blue repeatedly aired the tune last weekend in between ticket giveaways for Jackson's "30^th Anniversary Celebration: The Solo Years" shindig slated for Madison Square Garden Sept. 7 and 10, and it immediately got picked up as an MP3 on Internet file-sharing services like Morpheus. Fellow Clear Channel station KIIS-FM's Rick Dees then started playing the song also.

The action is forcing the label to put out the cut to radio earlier than planned, while initial reaction has been strong. The track is being delivered for broadcast tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. EDT (3 a.m. PDT) via satellite and DG Systems, so expect it to be all over the airwaves by the weekend.

For all you radioheads, the DG Systems ISCI number is MJYRMW and will be available in the station DG Systems box at 6 a.m. EDT. The satellite feed will be available at the same time at the following StarGuide III coordinates: Satellite GE8, Transponder 23, ABC NY (provider), Sat Srvcs 10 (service).

Let the games begin.