According to the Hollywood Reporter and other sources, Gregg Musgrove, a retired police officer, recently unearthed a treasure trove of unheard Michael Jackson recordings in an abandoned storage unit in Van Nuys, California. The tapes include unreleased material and inner session recordings of the famed “King of Pop” during a standard recording session between the late 1980s and the early 1990s.

The Discovery of Michael Jackson’s Recordings

The story begins when Gregg Musgrove receives the tapes from an associate’s storage unit. The unit formerly belonged to Bryan Loren (presumably), a well-known music producer who worked with Whitney Houston and Sting. Musgrove uncovered the tapes while reviewing the storage unit’s contents, realizing their significance as he sorted through the materials. The discovery was unexpected, turning what began as a routine purchase into an extraordinary find for fans and collectors of Michael Jackson’s music. Although the treasure trove of recordings and audio has never been published, it provides a fascinating look at the star singer.

Musgrove told The Hollywood Reporter that he has “gone to all the fan sites. Some of the songs are rumored to exist, and some have been leaked a little bit.” He continues, “A couple aren’t even out there in the world.” The valuable collection contains five recordings, some complete and some works in progress. 

Unreleased Tracks and Studio Moments

Jackson recorded 12 cassettes and digital audio tapes (DAT) of previously unreleased material between 1989 and 1991 before the smash record Dangerous in 1991. However, the recordings have not been released publicly because Jackson’s estate, privately owned since his untimely death, will not disclose them. The estate has recently proclaimed that they own the recordings but that “nothing commercial or otherwise can be done with the DAT copies.” His estate has previous knowledge of the songs, stating that they are not rarities but has also said that they are not for sale. 

Insights from Jackson’s Estate

Jackson’s estate has released a public statement concerning the recordings, “The Estate of Michael Jackson was presented with DAT copies NOT master recordings of Michael’s music, and we confirmed that the actual master recordings were in fact already located in the Estate’s vaults,” a rep told THR. “It should be clear to all that ownership and rights of exploitation to the recordings remain vested in MJJP Records and that nothing commercial or otherwise can be done with the DAT copies.”

To explain why Jackson’s recordings were not made public, LL Cool J has recently said, “They weren’t good enough. We definitely made songs together. We made music together. One of them leaked a while ago; it was called ‘Serious Effect.’ That was one. But there was some other stuff, and it just didn’t get there. Sometimes, the art don’t get there. It just doesn’t get there… Being able to hang out with Mike and work with Mike and be in the studio with him, it was dope.”

The Tracks in Question: Titles and Themes Explored

The cassettes contain 12 musical recordings and audio of the late singer speaking to and joking with the producer. The tapes are believed to have been made around 1989, and many are unheard of, though some are rumored to have been leaked. 

One of the most startling tracks is “Don’t Believe It,” a song addressing Jackson’s supposed sexual assault allegations. The tapes also include “Seven Digits,” a reference to bodies in a morgue, and “Truth on Youth.” The latter track is a duet with LL Cool J and a rare glimpse into the king of pop rapping. How much Musgrove paid for the tapes is unknown. But he is expected to auction them off, which will fetch a hefty price.