12 unreleased Michael Jackson songs discovered in abandoned storage unit

Michael Jackson has made us groove to his amazing beats and songs which remain classic till date. Now, a previously undiscovered collection of cassettes and DAT tapes featuring unreleased Michael Jackson songs has come to light, according to RadarOnline.com. 

The tapes, which date 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.

Musgrove learned about the storage unit in Van Nuys, California, through an associate who had bought it. The unit had once been owned by Bryan Loren, a music producer and songwriter who worked with Michael Jackson. Loren's current location remains unknown.

The collection features 12 unreleased songs thought to have been created between 1989 and 1991, during the lead-up to Michael Jackson's Dangerous album. "I've searched fan sites, and while some of these tracks are rumored to exist, others seem entirely unknown," Musgrove shared. "Hearing them gave me chills—it's amazing to listen to Michael Jackson joking and discussing his creative process in the studio."

The collection includes a track titled "Don't Believe It," which captures Jackson's well-known frustrations with the media. Another song, "Seven Digits," is described by Jackson on the tape as referring to morgue identification numbers. Additionally, there's "Truth on Youth," which seems to feature a rap duet between Jackson and LL Cool J.

The recordings also feature fragments of conversations between Jackson and Loren, shedding light on their working relationship.

Although the discovery is notable, the tapes are now secured in a facility managed by Musgrove's attorney. Earlier this year, they were offered to the Jackson estate, which declined to purchase them. A representative for the estate explained that the tapes are duplicates, not original masters, as the originals are already stored in the estate's vault.

"The ownership and rights to these recordings belong to MJJP Records," the estate's spokesperson clarified. "These DAT copies cannot be legally sold or distributed for commercial purposes."

Musgrove, however, is confident the collection could be worth seven figures and is contemplating offering it to a major auction house.

The discovery coincides with a challenging period for the Jackson family, who recently grieved 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 the family members who attended his funeral to pay their respects.

Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, from acute propofol intoxication, leaving behind a lasting legacy that still resonates with fans around the world. It remains unclear whether these newly discovered tracks will ever be released to the public.