Eminem's Former Sound Engineer Charged with Stealing and Selling Unreleased Music
A former sound engineer for Eminem faces federal charges for allegedly stealing and selling unreleased music from the rapper's vault. Joseph Strange, 45, who worked with Eminem from 2007 to 2021, is charged with criminal copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods.
Eminem wearing black jacket, looking serious
Photo Credit: Eminem by EJ Hersom for DoD News Features / CC by 2.0
The FBI investigation began in January after Eminem's studio employees in Ferndale discovered unreleased tracks online. The leaked content included password-protected music stored on secure hard drives, which only four employees had access to, including Strange.
According to the criminal complaint, Strange allegedly sold the stolen music to an individual using the name "Doja Rat" for approximately $50,000 in Bitcoin. The transaction was discovered after Eminem's associate Fredwreck posted a warning about the leaks on social media, prompting a fan to come forward with evidence.
During a search of Strange's home, FBI agents discovered:
- Handwritten lyric sheets and notes from Eminem
- A VHS tape containing unreleased music
- Additional unreleased material
Eminem's spokesperson, Dennis Dennehy, emphasized that the leaked songs were unfinished studio efforts never intended for public release. He acknowledged the FBI Detroit bureau's thorough investigation and highlighted the significant damage caused to Eminem's artistic legacy and financial interests.
Acting US Attorney Julie Beck stressed the importance of protecting intellectual property rights, while FBI Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson confirmed their commitment to preventing illegal exploitation of artists' work.
The case underscores the ongoing challenges artists face in protecting unreleased material, particularly from internal threats. The investigation remains active as authorities work to preserve creative integrity and intellectual property rights in the music industry.