Twelve unreleased Michael Jackson songs were found in an abandoned storage unit in California. The tapes, uncovered by “treasure hunter” Gregg Musgrove, offer a rare glimpse into the King of Pop’s unreleased catalog.
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A treasure trove of Michael Jackson songs
Musgrove, a former California Highway Patrol officer, told The Hollywood Reporter he made the discovery in the San Fernando Valley. Inside the storage unit, he found cassette and digital audio tapes containing a dozen unheard tracks by Jackson.
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The unit once belonged to singer and producer Bryan Loren, known for producing the 1990 hit song “Do the Bartman” for “The Simpsons.” According to Musgrove, Loren’s current whereabouts are unknown.
Tracks unlikely to reach the public
Unfortunately for fans, the songs are unlikely to be released. Musgrove told The Hollywood Reporter that Jackson’s estate declined to purchase the tapes for undisclosed reasons.
In a letter, the estate clarified that neither Musgrove nor any future buyer would own the copyrights to the recordings. Without copyright ownership, the songs cannot be shared publicly.
Snippets and collaborations
Despite the legal roadblocks, snippets of the songs have reportedly leaked on fan sites. One track, titled “Don’t Believe It,” appears to address certain media stories about Jackson.
Another song, “Truth on Youth,” features a rap duet between Jackson and LL Cool J. The rapper spoke to Variety in September about working with Jackson, saying, “His talent speaks for itself.”
Tapes secure, future uncertain
As of Thursday, Dec. 12, the tapes are being stored in a secure facility under the control of Musgrove’s attorney. However, he plans to bring the collection to four major auction houses, estimating their value to be in the seven-figure range.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
The King of Pop is moonwalking back into the spotlight! This time, with some unreleased tracks found in an unlikely place.
Gregg Musgrove began “treasure hunting” after his career as a California Highway Patrol officer. He made the find of a lifetime in an abandoned storage unit in California’s San Fernando Valley. Inside, he uncovered a trove of cassette and digital audio tapes containing twelve unreleased Michael Jackson songs.
The storage unit previously belonged to singer and music producer Bryan Loren, best known for producing the Simpsons’ 1990 hit “Do the Bartman.” According to Musgrove, Loren’s current whereabouts are unknown.
But bad news for MJ fans, these tracks won’t be hitting the airwaves anytime soon—or at all for that matter. Musgrove says in this exclusive from The Hollywood Reporter that Jackson’s estate declined to purchase the tapes for unknown reasons. In a letter, the estate clarified that Musgrove—and anyone who might purchase the tapes—does not own the copyright. Without copyright ownership, the songs cannot be released publicly.
Musgrove also tells The Hollywood Reporter that fan sites have leaked snippets of some of the tracks. One song, “Don’t Believe It,” appears to address rumors about Jackson in the media.
Another track is called “Truth on Youth,” and it’s a rap duet between Jackson and LL Cool J. The rapper spoke to Variety in September about collaborating with Jackson in the past, saying, “His talent speaks for itself.”
As of Thursday, the tapes are in a secure facility under the control of Musgrove’s attorney. He does plan on taking the collection to four major auction houses in the future, estimating the find’s value to be in the seven-figure range.
Media Landscape
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