A remarkable discovery has surfaced in the world of Michael Jackson fans: a trove of previously lost recordings from the late King of Pop, dating back to the period between 1989 and 1991, just before the release of his Dangerous album.

Yet, despite the excitement surrounding these unreleased tracks, one song is reportedly so personal that the Jackson Estate has refused to allow it—and the others—to see the light of day.

An Accidental Discovery in an Abandoned Storage Unit

The recordings came to light quite by chance. Gregg Musgrove, 65, a former police officer, stumbled upon a collection of unreleased Michael Jackson tapes while searching through a storage unit in the San Fernando Valley.

The unit had recently been bought by a friend, and inside lay a set of audio tapes once owned by Bryan Loren, a singer and producer who worked with Jackson in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Loren’s current whereabouts remain unknown, but his voice is believed to appear on some of the recordings, engaging in candid conversations with Jackson about the music-making process.

Musgrove told The Hollywood Reporter that some of the songs were known to fans and even partially leaked before, but several tracks had never been heard publicly. “I’ve gone to all the fan sites,” he said. “Some of [the songs] are rumoured to exist, some of them have been leaked a little bit. A couple aren’t even out there in the world.”

Glimpses Into the Creative Process

More than just unfinished songs, the tapes contain snippets of Michael Jackson talking through the songs and sharing insights about their creation. According to Musgrove, hearing Jackson joke and discuss his music with another voice—presumed to be Loren—was an emotional experience that gave listeners goosebumps.

Among the discovered recordings are twelve full tracks alongside fragments of other unreleased material. Notably, one song titled Don’t Believe It appears to touch on the intense media scrutiny Jackson faced during his career, hinting at personal struggles behind the star’s polished image. Another track, Seven Digits, reportedly references morgue identification numbers, an eerie and dark theme that Jackson explains during the tape.

Perhaps most surprising is a rap duet called Truth on Youth, featuring Jackson rapping alongside hip-hop legend LL Cool J. This rare glimpse of Jackson’s rap skills adds a fresh dimension to his artistic range, which fans have rarely seen explored.

The Estate’s Firm Stand: No Release

Despite the historic nature of the find, hopes for an official release of these lost tracks are slim. When Musgrove initially approached the Jackson Estate with the tapes, they conducted their own investigation but declined to purchase them. The Estate sent Musgrove a letter stating they do not own the rights to these particular recordings and that the tracks can never be released publicly.

The Estate also told The Hollywood Reporter that the tapes are not “new” per se, as the masters already exist in their archives. This suggests that while the recordings themselves are rare, the Estate considers them part of their existing collection and under strict control.

What’s Next for the Tapes?

Currently, the tapes remain secured in a storage facility under the care of Musgrove’s attorney. Musgrove has plans to bring them to major auction houses next year, potentially putting these unheard pieces of music history on the open market—though without Estate approval, their commercial future remains uncertain.

For Michael Jackson fans, the discovery offers a bittersweet glimpse into a hidden chapter of the artist’s creative journey—a peek behind the curtain at music that might never officially be heard. It also underscores the enduring complexity of the King of Pop’s legacy, where even lost treasures can remain out of reach.