Ex-Eminem Employee Admits Selling Unreleased Songs
Joseph Strange, a former Eminem employee, pleaded guilty to criminal copyright infringement for selling at least 10 unreleased tracks for $50,000. He faces up to five years in prison and sentencing is set for Jan. 27, 2027.
Joseph Strange worked for Eminem from 2007 to 2021 and could reach the artist’s files. Prosecutors say he sold at least 10 unreleased recordings between July and August 2024 for $50,000. After a leak surfaced in 2025, Eminem’s representatives contacted the FBI, which is still investigating. The Justice Department estimates the infringement at $750,000 or more. Strange’s sentencing is set for Jan. 27, 2027, and the charge carries a maximum five-year prison term.
The case sits among other disputes over stolen unreleased recordings. Ariana Grande brought a July lawsuit tied to unauthorized access and leaked material, while a man pleaded guilty to taking drives holding Beyoncé tracks from a choreographer’s rented vehicle during the Cowboy Carter tour.
The plea could sharpen how music teams vet staff access to unreleased material, since leaks may harm artists’ release plans and fan anticipation. Industry workers may face stricter file controls, while listeners could see fewer premature leaks. The case may also signal that copyright enforcement can reach insiders, potentially deterring others who consider selling private creative work.