Former Eminem employee faces serious jail time after allegedly stealing and selling over 300 unreleased songs from the rap icon for Bitcoin payments.
Joseph Strange, a sound engineer who worked for Eminem from 2007 to 2021, has been charged with copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods after allegedly swiping unreleased music from the artist’s secure studio. Federal investigators discovered that Strange allegedly distributed more than 25 of Eminem’s unreleased tracks without permission, selling them to various buyers including one who paid a whopping $50,000. The theft was uncovered when the stolen music began appearing on Reddit and YouTube, prompting Eminem’s team to contact the FBI in January.
The Inside Job That Betrayed America’s Rap Icon
As if our judicial system didn’t have enough criminals to chase, now they have to waste precious resources tracking down thieves of rap lyrics. But this isn’t just any common theft – this is an inside job from someone who was trusted with the keys to the kingdom. Strange, apparently not living up to his last name, was one of only four employees with password-protected access to Eminem’s unreleased material stored in a safe at the artist’s Ferndale, Michigan studio. That’s the kind of betrayal that makes you question if anyone can be trusted these days.
The FBI’s investigation revealed that Strange wasn’t just peddling a couple of forgotten tracks – he allegedly claimed to possess over 300 songs and handwritten lyric sheets spanning Eminem’s career from 1999 to 2018. When agents raided Strange’s residence, they discovered hard drives containing these unauthorized copies. What’s particularly galling is that Strange had signed a severance agreement specifically prohibiting him from distributing Eminem’s work. But apparently, contracts and basic professional ethics meant nothing when Bitcoin payments started rolling in.
Follow the Digital Money Trail
The financial records tell the story that Strange likely hoped would never come to light. The FBI identified multiple buyers, including someone operating under the not-so-subtle alias “Doja Rat,” who allegedly forked over $50,000 for exclusive tracks. Another group of fans purchased songs for approximately $1,000. This isn’t just some harmless file-sharing between music enthusiasts – this is organized, profit-motivated intellectual property theft that the perpetrator tried to disguise through cryptocurrency transactions.
“Protecting intellectual property from thieves is critical in safeguarding the exclusive rights of creators and protecting their original work from reproduction and distribution by individuals who seek to profit from the creative output of others.” – Julie Beck, Acting U.S. Attorney
The investigation was triggered when Fred Nasser, a producer for Eminem and Dr. Dre, made a social media post that prompted a fan to reveal chat messages with a buyer of the tracks. It’s a reminder that in today’s connected world, there are fewer and fewer places for criminals to hide. The files had been transferred from a studio hard drive to an external drive in late 2019 and early 2020, according to investigators, showing this was no impulsive act but a calculated scheme carried out over months.
More Than Just Money at Stake
If convicted, Strange faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for copyright infringement, plus an additional ten years for interstate transportation of stolen goods. His attorney predictably claims these are just “untested allegations,” but the evidence paints a damning picture. What’s truly infuriating is that this isn’t just about financial loss – it’s about an artist’s right to control their own creative legacy. In a world where property rights are increasingly under attack, at least our justice system is still taking intellectual property theft seriously.
“Eminem and his team are very appreciative of the efforts by the FBI Detroit bureau for its thorough investigation which led to the charges against Joe Strange. The significant damage caused by a trusted employee to Eminem’s artistic legacy and creative integrity cannot be overstated, let alone the enormous financial losses incurred by the many creators and collaborators that deserve protection for their decades of work. We will continue to take any and all steps necessary to protect Eminem’s art and will stop at nothing to do so.” – Dennis Dennehy
This case should serve as a stern warning to anyone thinking about stealing creative content in the digital age. The FBI’s involvement underscores the seriousness with which these crimes are now treated. Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson emphasized that the FBI is committed to “safeguarding artists’ intellectual property from exploitation by individuals seeking to profit illegally.” It’s a rare moment when the federal government’s priorities actually align with protecting legitimate property rights instead of finding new ways to infringe upon them.
