Contrary to rumors that recently surfaced, Beyoncé's sophomore album, B'Day, is still set for release on Sept. 5. The songbird's father/manager, Mathew Knowles, has released a heated missive defending his daughter against the gossip. "It is apparent there is a consistent plan by some to create chaos," writes Mathew. He further states that the promotional schedule for B'Day will continue as planned.

Once Sean Paul wraps touring with Mariah Carey, he plans to begin recording an album for an early 2007 release. "There's a [new] song . . . called 'Sufferer,'" he says of his recent material. "It's talking on behalf of the sufferers -- kids who are not spoken for." Meanwhile, Sean hopes to release "Never Gonna Be the Same" this fall as the fourth single from his album The Trinity.

Eminem has teamed up with sneaker giant Nike to create limited-edition Air Max Nike kicks for his Marshall Mathers Foundation and youth charity organization ninemillion.org. The rhyme-spitter will auction off 64 pairs of his specially customized shoes on eBay beginning Aug. 31. "It's one of the hottest lines that Nike ever produced," says Em. "So I'm honored to make my own contribution."

Gnarls Barkley's debut album, St. Elsewhere, has been certified platinum for more than 1 million shipments in the United States. The disc remains firmly planted in the upper reaches of the Billboard 200 tally. Meanwhile, the Gnarls boys have canceled five European concerts because singer Cee-Lo's vocal cords are strained from "nonstop performances for the last three months," according to a press release.