As expected, Michael Jackson [ tickets ] pleaded not guilty to molestation and other charges on Friday (4/30) in Santa Maria, CA.

Jackson's lawyer entered the plea, and the pop singer reportedly nodded in agreement when Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville asked, "Is that your plea?"

After his court appearance, Jackson issued a written statement thanking his supporters and repeating his claims of innocence.

"I have complete confidence in my defense team, and believe that at the end of these legal proceedings, I will be fully exonerated by a jury of my peers," he said.

The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger [ tickets ] and Dave Stewart [ tickets ] of Eurythmics have composed theme music and written three original songs for the upcoming Paramount Pictures film "Alfie," which stars Jude Law.

According to a press release, Jagger and Stewart plan to record the songs "Old Habits Die Hard," "Blind Leading the Blind" and "Let's Make It Up" at Abbey Road Studio 2 in London. They'll also team with composer John Powell to work on the film's score.

The movie is expected to reach theaters later this year.

Hip-hop duo Slum Village [ tickets ] will release a new album, "Detroit Deli--A Taste of Detroit," on June 29. Its first single, "Selfish," was produced by Kanye West.

Dirty States of America--a DVD that is being billed as the first official southern hip-hop documentary--and a companion soundtrack are due to reach stores in July.

Among the acts who help to tell the story are 8-Ball, Scarface, David Banner, Goodie Mob, Lil Jon [ tickets ], Petey Pablo and Trick Daddy.