Unreleased Michael Jackson Music Discovered in Storage Unit

Recently, twelve unreleased tracks by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, were discovered in an abandoned storage unit in California. This significant find, which has the potential to form a complete album, stems from a unit previously owned by music producer Bryan Loren.

The storage unit was auctioned off after Loren failed to pay the rental fees. A self-taught treasure hunter, Gregg Musgrove, came across the intriguing contents of the unit. Unlike typical abandoned storage units that usually feature old furniture and random items, this one offered a gem in the form of unheard Michael Jackson recordings.

Musgrove shared an inventory of the findings, including images, with the US publication The Hollywood Reporter. He expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m listening to this stuff, and I would get goosebumps because nobody’s ever heard this stuff before.” Musgrove also mentioned hearing Jackson’s voice in the recordings, which made the experience even more unique and thrilling.

Michael Jackson, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 50, was surrounded by controversy in his later years due to allegations of sexual abuse. Despite these controversies, his legacy as a commercial music icon continues.

Unfortunately, while the newly found music could delight fans worldwide, the likelihood of its release is slim. Musgrove reached out to the Jackson estate about purchasing the tapes but was informed they did not wish to buy them. Moreover, legal counsel indicated that copyright over the recordings remains with the estate, leaving these tracks in a state of legal uncertainty.

The inventory of tapes includes a studio mix master of a song titled Son of Thriller and a rap duet with LL Cool J named Truth on Youth. In total, the collection features 16 tapes, displaying several versions of various songs, suggesting these recordings were made during Jackson's work on his Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991.

The situation reflects a unique aspect of American culture: in the US, a storage unit can be deemed abandoned 60 to 90 days after rent has not been paid. At this point, the contents can be auctioned to the highest bidder, who hopes to strike gold in hidden treasure.

Since Jackson's death, his estate has actively sought ways to capitalize on his legacy. They have released a number of projects, such as the interactive game Michael Jackson: The Experience, a series of unreleased albums including Xscape, and a Broadway musical titled MJ The Musical, which debuted in 2022. Furthermore, a biopic titled Michael is planned for release in April 2025, featuring Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson, Michael’s nephew, in the leading role.

music, discovery, Jackson