A previously undiscovered collection of cassettes and DAT tapes featuring unreleased Michael Jackson songs has come to light, according to RadarOnline.com.
The tapes, dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, were found in a storage unit by Musgrove, a former California Highway Patrol officer who is now a stay-at-home dad.
Discovery Details
Musgrove learned about the storage unit in Van Nuys, California, through an associate who had purchased it. The unit was previously owned by Bryan Loren, a music producer and songwriter who worked with Michael Jackson. Loren’s current whereabouts remain unknown.
The collection includesย 12 unreleased songsย believed to have been created between 1989 and 1991, during the lead-up to Jackson’sย Dangerousย album.
Musgrove expressed his excitement about the find, stating, “I’ve searched fan sites, and while some of these tracks are rumored to exist, others seem entirely unknown.”
He described the experience of listening to the tapes as chilling and fascinating, revealing moments of Jackson joking and discussing his creative process in the studio.
Notable Tracks
Among the discovered tracks is “Don’t Believe It,” which captures Jackson’s frustrations with the media. Another song titled “Seven Digits” refers to morgue identification numbers, as explained by Jackson on the tape.
Additionally, there’s “Truth on Youth,” which appears to feature a rap duet between Jackson and LL Cool J.
The recordings also contain snippets of conversations between Jackson and Loren, providing insight into their working relationship.
Legal Complications
Despite the significance of this discovery, the tapes are currently secured in a facility managed by Musgrove’s attorney. Earlier this year, Musgrove offered them to the Jackson estate; however, the estate declined to purchase them.
A representative clarified that the tapes are duplicates and not original masters since the originals are stored in the estate’s vault. “The ownership and rights to these recordings belong to MJJP Records,” the spokesperson stated.
“These DAT copies cannot be legally sold or distributed for commercial purposes.”Musgrove believes that the collection could be worth seven figures and is considering offering it to a major auction house.
Context of Discovery
This discovery comes at a challenging time for the Jackson family, who recently mourned the death of Tito Jackson, Michael’s older brother and a member of the Jackson 5.
Tito passed away on September 15, 2024, reportedly from a heart attack. Michael’s children were among those who attended his funeral.
Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, from acute propofol intoxication. His legacy continues to resonate with fans around the world. It remains uncertain whether these newly discovered tracks will ever be released to the public.
