LL Cool J’s Collaboration with Michael Jackson: Unreleased Songs Discovered

In an exciting yet bittersweet turn of events, unreleased songs from the collaboration between LL Cool J and Michael Jackson have been discovered. These tracks, recorded between 1989 and 1991, were unearthed by former California Highway Patrol officer Gregg Musgrove, who recently purchased a storage unit in Van Nuys, California. The unit previously belonged to music producer Bryan Loren, who Musgrove has been unable to locate. Inside, Musgrove found several DAT tapes containing rare MJ songs, including one titled “Truth on Youth,” which is labeled as a duet rap with LL Cool J.

While this discovery is a treasure for fans, the songs will likely remain unheard. Michael Jackson’s estate has confirmed that the tapes are not master recordings but rather DAT copies, which means the rights to exploit them commercially are firmly held by MJ’s estate. A representative from the estate stated that the actual master recordings of these tracks are already secured in their vault, and no commercial use will be allowed for the discovered DAT tapes.

Despite the legal hurdles, Musgrove plans to auction the tapes, though they won’t be made available for public release. This discovery adds another layer to the intriguing history of LL Cool J and Michael Jackson’s collaboration.

LL Cool J has previously opened up about his time working with Michael Jackson, revealing that while they did record together, the songs never met his expectations. “We definitely made songs together. We made music together,” LL explained in an interview in October. “One of them leaked a while ago, it was called ‘Serious Effect.’ That was one. But there was some other stuff, and it just didn’t get there.”

LL also reflected on the experience of working with the King of Pop, recounting the time Jackson threw cake at him while they were at Neverland Ranch. One memorable moment involved Jackson sitting atop a piano while LL Cool J played, with the two discussing the iconic “Smooth Criminal” lean. Jackson humorously explained how they achieved the effect by joking about using a shaman, adding a touch of the surreal to their creative process.

LL Cool J’s relationship with MJ, though short-lived in terms of musical output, clearly left a lasting impact. In a September interview with Complex, LL Cool J spoke about how much he admired Jackson. “For me, he’s the king. I’m a Michael Jackson fan, b. His talent speaks for itself,” he said. Their connection was not only rooted in mutual respect but also in Jackson’s deep appreciation for hip-hop.

Despite the unreleased nature of these tracks, LL Cool J’s collaboration with Michael Jackson remains a significant part of his career, reflecting the rare bond between the two legendary artists. While the world may never hear the full extent of their collaboration, the discovery of these tapes serves as a reminder of the magic that could have been. The allure of what might have been created when two iconic figures from different worlds came together continues to captivate fans.

In the end, while the physical copies of these DAT tapes will likely remain locked away in legal limbo, the history of LL Cool J and Michael Jackson’s brief but intriguing partnership will continue to spark curiosity. The stories behind these collaborations, from the cake-throwing incidents to the mysterious “Smooth Criminal” lean, further add to the mystique surrounding the two artists and their shared time in the studio.

Though fans may never hear the completed songs, LL Cool J and Michael Jackson’s bond — both as musicians and as individuals — continues to resonate. For LL, the opportunity to work alongside the King of Pop was a moment of personal and artistic growth, one that continues to influence his legacy in hip-hop and beyond.