Britney Spears' long-threatened single could be released as early as next week. Whether Ne-Yo had a hand in producing the album from which it will be culled is another matter. As is whether the whole of Spears' entourage will be under subpoena by the time the tune is unleashed on the world.

"Gimme More," the reputed first single from the onetime pop princess' long-gestating fifth studio album, could debut as soon as next week, according to EW.com. The site claims that neither of the two songs that have already leaked online under the guise of being the comeback track are the real deal.

According to one source who's been privy to the career-fixing track, the song is described as "an uptempo club cut" and "funky" and is produced by Timbaland protégé Nate "Danjahandz" Hills, who has scored hits for the likes of Justin Timberlake and T.I.

Further boosting the credibility of the single's existence is the fact that the music video Spears was shooting in July, around the time of her disastrous OK! cover shoot, was also produced under the name "Gimme More."

EW.com also reports that the so far untitled album from which the single comes is still aiming for a fall release and will likely get put out with little to no promotional backing. Not that she needs any.

The forthcoming album is already a talking point for at least one loose-lipped artist, who claims he penned between six and eight songs specifically for Spears' album—none of which are guaranteed to wind up on the disc.

"I have no idea what's going on with Britney Spears right now," Ne-Yo told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS FM radio show Wednesday.

The rapper-producer told Seacrest he gave Spears first dibs on the tracks "before she shaved her head and went into rehab again."

"When that happened, I lost all contact with her A&R people, with her label," he said, adding it came to the point where her representatives were no longer returning his calls. "I was like, I guess they weren't interested no more."

At that point, Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger heard two of the Spears-bound tracks and recorded—and, more important, paid for—the songs. Ne-Yo claims Spears' people suddenly renewed their interest in the tracks "Happily Never After" and "Save Me From Myself."

"I'm like, uh, hold on. Y'all didn't cut me no check."

As for whether Spears will record any of the remaining tracks Ne-Yo wrote, he said they've been made available to her, but he didn't know whether she would take him up on the offer.

As for advice for the troubled tabloid target: "She gotta remind people why they loved her in the first place. She's got to get people's mind off their personal life and get their mind back on the music."

If that's the case, she has her work cut out for her.

The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating a car accident that took place in Venice, California, Monday night. That's when Kevin Federline's former Israeli commando subpoena server, Aaron Cohen, attempted to serve a member of Spears' entourage, Sam Osama Lufti, with papers requiring him to testify in the duo's child custody case.

According to the police report of the incident, obtained by TMZ, Lufti recognized Cohen and promptly revved his silver Mercedes SL, smashing into Cohen's Buick. Lufti then reportedly smashed into a Range Rover before taking off. The LAPD is currently investigating the incident as a potential assault with a deadly weapon (meaning, the vehicle) charge.

At least one member of Spears' former posse is a little better at avoiding getting slapped with a subpoena. Larry Rudolph, the singer's former manager, told Seacrest this week he's been in hiding from Federline's legal team, as he wants to avoid being made to testify in the case for as long as possible.

"Despite the things that Britney has publicly said about our relationship in the past, I truly understand where she's coming from and why she's said the things she said about me postrehab and I don't take it personally," he wrote in a statement to That Other Blog. "As her former manager, I know and understand Britney better than anyone, I know what makes her tick, and I understand everything she's going through. With that being said, my loyalty will always stay strong with Britney."

"I have consulted with my lawyers and I do understand that eventually the time will come when they will find me, but until then, I'm trying to avoid being brought into this mess. She's going through so much right now, and I wish Britney the best."