A tape collection of many unreleased Marvin Gaye songs found in the city Ostend, Belgium. According to the BBC, it remained hidden for more than 40 years.

The collection, believed to contain 66 demo songs, was in the possession of musician and producer Charles Dumolin, at whose home the Prince of Soul stayed in 1981 as he tried to overcome his cocaine addiction. When the musician died in 2019, the recordings were passed down to his family, along with a number of notes, lyrics and the legendary artist’s clothing.

For this unique collection, a debate has begun as to whether the family has the right to keep it. According to Belgian law, the material becomes the property of the person who owns it after 30 years, regardless of how it was acquired. The law, however, does not apply to the copyright, which belongs to the singer’s heirs in the United States.

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“The films belong to the family because they were left in Belgium 42 years ago. Marvin gave them to them and said, “Do whatever you want with them,” and never came back. This is important”said the family’s lawyer, Alex Trappeniers, adding: “We can open a time capsule here and share Marvin’s music with the world. It’s very clear.”

Gaye began his career in the 1960s and became a superstar in the following decade with classic hits such as “What’s Going On” and “Let’s Get It On”.

One day before his 45th birthday on April 1, 1984, he was fatally shot by his father, who had abused him as a child, after a heated argument.