Michael Jackson’s Estate Battles to Block Sale of Unreleased Music.
Michael Jackson's estate is seeking to prevent an auction house from selling unreleased music by the legendary pop artist.
Gotta Have Rock and Roll is set to auction two cassette tapes, which they assert contain 12 previously unreleased tracks recorded by Jackson in the 1980s and 1990s, according to TMZ. The auction will commence with a starting bid of $85,000, although the auction house anticipates that the final sale price could range from $150,000 to $200,000.
In response, Jackson's estate has raised concerns regarding the authenticity of the tapes, describing the auction as a "sad attempt by an auction site to mislead the public." They argue that the cassettes are simply copies of the original master recordings, to which the estate holds the rights. Consequently, any purchaser of the cassettes would not possess the rights to reproduce or publicly perform the music, as they lack the original rights.
Dylan Kosinski, president of Gotta Have Rock and Roll, acknowledges the estate's assertions but contends that this situation only enhances the value of the cassettes. The unreleased tracks were reportedly recorded by Jackson in collaboration with producer Bryan Loren, who subsequently provided the copies to the auction's consigner.
Despite the objections from Jackson's estate, the auction is set to proceed as planned.
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Upon Michael's passing in June 2009, it was revealed that his estate was encumbered with debts exceeding $500 million. The executors were compelled to liquidate certain assets to address these financial obligations. His children—Prince, Paris, and Blanket Jackson—received 40% of the remaining estate, while another 40% was allocated to his mother, Katherine Jackson. The final 20% was earmarked for charitable organizations benefiting children.
Certain family members, particularly his father Joe and some siblings, raised concerns regarding the authenticity of Michael's 2002 will, alleging that it had been forged. This led to legal disputes between Katherine Jackson and the estate's executors concerning various financial matters.
Since his death, Michael's estate has generated substantial revenue, totaling approximately $2 billion. Income streams include music sales, licensing agreements, posthumous album releases, and projects such as the documentary "This Is It," which grossed $260 million.
Currently, the estate is valued at over $1 billion, positioning Michael as one of the highest-earning deceased celebrities on an annual basis.
The Jackson family has every right to challenge the unauthorized sale of Michael’s unreleased music. These recordings are part of his legacy, and their release should be handled with care and respect, not auctioned off to the highest bidder.
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Michael spent his life perfecting his art, and his estate should have full control over how his music is shared with the world. The attempt to profit off these tapes without consent is not only unethical but also a betrayal of his artistic vision. The Jackson family’s fight to protect his legacy is justified, ensuring his work remains respected and intact.
