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A former sound engineer for Eminem, Joseph Strange, has been charged with stealing and illegally selling the rapper’s unreleased music for around $50,000 in Bitcoin. The 46-year-old Michigan resident now faces serious legal consequences, with potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a hefty $250,000 fine.
Strange, who worked with Eminem from 2007 to 2021, was one of only four people with access to the rapper’s highly secure, password-protected studio archives. Despite this level of security, songs that Eminem recorded between 1999 and 2018 began surfacing online, raising alarm bells within the rapper’s team.
In January 2025, employees at Eminem’s Michigan-based studio discovered that unfinished and unreleased songs had made their way to various websites, where they were being sold to eager fans. Some tracks even appeared on platforms like YouTube and Reddit, further exposing the breach.
The FBI launched an investigation and tracked down multiple buyers who had purchased the leaked songs. These individuals confirmed that Strange was the source of the stolen music. One fan revealed that he had paid $1,000 in Bitcoin for two unreleased tracks, while a larger group of Eminem enthusiasts collectively raised $50,000 to acquire about 25 songs.
A major breakthrough came from an Eminem fan known online as “Doja Rat,” a 31-year-old from Canada who had participated in buying the leaked tracks. After contacting Fredwreck—one of Eminem’s longtime producers and associates—Doja Rat provided crucial information that helped authorities identify the seller.
Fredwreck, who was furious about the leaks, had previously posted a now-deleted message warning the perpetrator that they would be found and dealt with according to “street law.” His frustration was shared by many within the music industry, as the leaks caused significant financial and artistic damage.
During a search of Strange’s residence, the FBI uncovered thousands of stolen music files, along with handwritten lyric sheets by Eminem, which were locked away in a safe. Investigators also discovered a VHS tape containing an unreleased Eminem music video, suggesting that Strange may have planned to continue profiting from stolen content.
In a statement to The Detroit Free Press, a representative for Eminem described the situation as a serious breach of trust. The leak wasn’t just a financial blow—it undermined the rapper’s creative process. Many of the stolen songs were experimental tracks that were never intended for public release.
Beyond damaging Eminem’s legacy, the leaks impacted numerous collaborators and music industry professionals who had invested time and effort into these projects. The unauthorized sale of unfinished work stripped the artist of the ability to refine and release the music on his own terms.
Now facing charges of copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods, Strange will have to answer for his actions in court. While some fans were able to get their hands on rare Eminem tracks, the long-term consequences of this betrayal serve as a stark warning to those who attempt to profit from stolen content in the music industry.