Latest Insights on Michael Jackson’s Unreleased Songs Following Recent Major Discovery

After nearly 35 years since they were first recorded, previously unreleased tracks by Michael Jackson have surfaced from a cache of cassette tapes. Renowned for his prolific output, Jackson’s legacy includes a wealth of unreleased music that continues to emerge years after his passing in 2009. While fans have been aware of some of these tracks due to previous discussions or polished releases by the Jackson Estate, newer discoveries have surprised even the most devoted followers.

One notable instance was the release of Jackson’s 2014 posthumous album, Xscape, which featured remixed versions from various producers like Timbaland alongside original recordings. Although this collection stirred debate among fans, the Jackson Estate continues to explore ways to commemorate Jackson’s career. Recently, additional unreleased tracks from the iconic Thriller album were shared to mark its 40th anniversary, and now, yet another fascinating assortment of previously unheard songs has been uncovered.

Discovery of New Michael Jackson Songs

Origins of the Recordings: Dangerous Album Sessions

Michael Jackson performing with his arms wide open

According to a report by THR, an individual named Gregg Musgrove recently uncovered a collection of tapes containing unreleased music recorded during the early 1990s, specifically between 1989 and 1991, when Jackson was immersed in his Dangerous album project. The remarkable find includes 12 fully completed songs that could easily form a short album. These tapes were found in a storage unit once owned by music producer Bryan Loren, who collaborated with Jackson during this period.

Musgrove reached out to fan communities to gauge familiarity with the song titles, discovering that even dedicated fans were unaware of several tracks. While some titles may ring a bell due to past leaks, the tapes contain full versions of songs that listeners have never experienced before. This rediscovery represents a significant event, particularly given the time elapsed since Jackson’s death.

Full List of Newly Discovered Unreleased Songs

Complete Tracks and Additional Snippets

Michael Jackson in the Beat It music video

The 12 unreleased tracks showcase a range of styles and themes. Among them are well-known titles like “She Got It,””Work That Body,”and “Serious Effect,” which some fans may recognize from past leaks. However, the collection also includes a host of unfamiliar titles, adding intrigue and excitement to the discovery. Below is a detailed list of the songs found on these tapes, along with their completion status:

Unreleased Michael Jackson Songs from the Tapes
Song Title	Complete?
“Don’t Believe It”	Yes
“Seven Digits”	Yes
“Can’t Come Back”	Yes
“Son of Thriller”	Yes
“Truth on Youth”	Yes
“She’s Got It Baby”	N/A
“All the Truth You Need”	Yes
“Call It Off”	Yes
“She Got It”	Yes
“Man In Black”	No (chorus only)
“Work That Body”	Yes
“A Pretty Face Is”	No (chorus only)
“To Satisfy You”	Yes
“Pressure”	Yes
“Serious Effect”	Yes

Musgrove shared his experience listening to these tracks, stating that he was filled with “goosebumps”knowing that no one else had heard them before. He also provided context for a few songs: “Don’t Believe It”appears to address the media and public perception, a recurrent theme in Jackson’s work during that time, while “Seven Digits”carries a darker undertone referencing morgue body identifications.

A Unique Track Featuring Jackson Rapping

A Rare Rap Performance from Michael Jackson

Among these tracks, one particularly stands out: it features Jackson performing a style he rarely showcased in his officially released music—rap. On the song “Truth on Youth,”he teams up with LL Cool J, an artist confirmed to have collaborated with Jackson in the past. Although Jackson experimented with rap-infused rhythms on several of his albums, this track represents a complete foray into the genre.

The title “Truth on Youth”suggests a thematic exploration fitting Jackson’s dedication to addressing critical social issues, particularly those affecting children, a subject with personal significance to him. Such lyrical themes resonate throughout his later works, including “The Lost Children”from the Invincible album. This new song could have provided an intriguing insight into his perspective on youth culture at the time.

Unlikelihood of Release for These Unreleased Gems

The Jackson Estate’s Tight Control Over Releases

Sadly, it appears that the likelihood of these new Jackson songs being released is slim. This is primarily due to the stringent policies enforced by Jackson’s Estate, which has a history of tightly guarding unreleased material. Typically, such music is reserved for select occasions—as evidenced by previous releases like Xscape, Bad 25, and Thriller 40.

While there is speculation that the Estate may someday choose to release some of these songs for a significant anniversary of the Dangerous album, the immediate future looks bleak for fans hoping to hear these new tracks. Given that Jackson did not authorize their release during his lifetime and opted against including them in his original music catalog, it seems logical to conclude that he intended for these works to remain private.

Interestingly, Musgrove informed the Estate about the existence of these tapes but opted not to buy them, adhering to the understanding that the Estate retains copyright over the original recordings. As it stands, the Estate appears resolute in keeping these tracks under wraps for the foreseeable future, although fans still hold on to hopes of one day hearing this unreleased material from Michael Jackson.

The ongoing discussions surrounding the unreleased works of departed artists like Jackson raise important questions about creative ownership and posthumous releases. As fans continue to seek out new content from their favorite artists, the future of unreleased music remains a complex and evolving narrative.

Source & Images