Hitmaking producer Rodney Jerkins has not been fired by current client Michael Jackson, despite various reports and rumors to the contrary.

Jerkins, who's helped create hits for Whitney Houston ("It's Not Right, But It's Okay") and Brandy and Monica ("The Boy Is Mine"), among others, is still producing and writing songs for Jackson's long-awaited LP, as he has been for over a year, according to a statement issued by a Jerkins representative.

Jackson's manager, Jeff Kwatinetz, corroborated those sentiments in the same statement, saying, "Of course [the rumors are] not true, it's just silly Internet gossip.

Michael Jackson's first studio album of all-new material since 1992's "Dangerous" is expected to be released by the end of the year.

Other recent projects for the Grammy-nominated Jerkins include tracks for the next Spice Girls album, his new group So Plush, and a duet between Whitney Houston and George Michael for Houston's greatest hits album.