Eminem’s Former Engineer Charged With Selling Unreleased Music For $50,000 In Bitcoin

Joseph Strange, a former sound engineer for Eminem, has been charged with stealing, leaking, and selling the rapper’s unreleased music for approximately $50,000 in Bitcoin. The charges, which include criminal infringement of a copyright and interstate transportation of stolen goods, were announced by the Acting United States Attorney Julie Beck and Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Detroit Field Office, Cheyvoryea Gibson. If convicted, Strange faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

According to court records, Strange sold about 25 songs that Eminem wrote between 1999 and 2018. The FBI was able to identify and locate several individuals who bought the unreleased music, with some fans reporting that they purchased songs directly from Strange. One fan mentioned paying about $1,000 for two songs, presumably in Bitcoin. These individuals were not charged.

Strange worked for Eminem between 2007 and 2021 and was one of only four employees with access to the studio’s password-protected hard drives containing Eminem’s music. Employees of the rapper’s studio in Michigan contacted the FBI in mid-January 2025 after discovering unreleased music online and for sale on various sites. The music was also played on platforms like YouTube and Reddit.

A significant development in the case came from a tipster who used the screen name Doja Rat. This individual, a 31-year-old man from Canada, informed the FBI that he had made the purchases beginning in the summer of 2024. Doja Rat had raised the $50,000 from a group of Eminem fans. During a search of Strange’s home, the FBI found thousands of music files, several of Eminem’s handwritten lyric sheets in a safe, and a VHS tape of an unreleased music video. It is presumed that Strange intended to make more sales in exchange for Bitcoin.

In a statement to the press, the rapper’s representative described the leak as “significant damage caused by a trusted employee to Eminem’s artistic legacy and creative integrity.” The incident resulted in “enormous financial losses” to many creators and collaborators. The representative also noted that these songs were “experiments” and “studio efforts never meant for public consumption.”

This case highlights the vulnerabilities in the music industry, particularly when it comes to digital assets and the potential for unauthorized distribution. The use of Bitcoin as a payment method for stolen music adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, as it involves tracing cryptocurrency transactions. The FBI’s ability to identify and locate buyers, as well as the tip from an Eminem fan, played a crucial role in solving the case. The outcome serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures in protecting intellectual property and the potential consequences for those who violate copyright laws.