Eminem’s Team Speaks Out After Ex-Employee Charged for Leaking Unreleased Music

In a rare public statement, Eminem’s team has condemned the actions of a former studio engineer accused of leaking over two dozen unreleased songs from the rapper’s archives. The leak, which included music recorded between 1999 and 2018, has sparked legal action and raised concerns about the security of high-profile artists’ work.

The Allegations

Joseph Strange, who worked at Eminem’s Ferndale, Michigan studio from 2007 to 2021, has been charged with criminal copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods. Prosecutors allege that Strange stole unreleased Eminem tracks and sold them to a Canadian buyer for approximately $50,000 in Bitcoin. Reports suggest that fans pooled their funds to finance the purchase, unknowingly participating in an illegal transaction.

The leaks first surfaced online in January 2025, catching the attention of Eminem’s team and music industry insiders. A deeper investigation traced the source back to Strange, leading to an FBI search of his home. Authorities discovered original handwritten Eminem lyric sheets, a VHS tape with unreleased music, and thousands of audio files belonging to Eminem and other artists.

Eminem’s Team Responds

Eminem’s representatives didn’t hold back in their response, calling the leaks a betrayal of trust that caused “significant damage” to the rapper’s legacy and creative integrity.

“We will continue to take any and all steps necessary to protect Eminem’s art and will stop at nothing to do so,” a spokesperson told People magazine.

The unauthorized release of unfinished tracks not only tarnishes Eminem’s creative vision but also disrupts the artist’s plans for future releases. Many of the leaked songs were either incomplete or intended for private archives, making their public distribution particularly damaging.

The Investigation & Legal Consequences

Authorities say digital evidence was key in identifying Strange as the source of the leaks. Forensic experts traced Bitcoin transactions linked to the leaked songs back to him. Additionally, system logs at Eminem’s studio showed that files had been removed between 2019 and 2020, with an external hard drive being connected at the time.

If convicted, Strange faces up to 15 years in prison. His attorney, Wade Fink, has called the charges “untested”, emphasizing that his client, a married father of two, had a long-standing career in the music industry before his firing in 2021. However, Fink has not clarified the exact reasons behind Strange’s dismissal from Eminem’s studio.

The Broader Impact

This case highlights the risks artists face in the digital era, where leaked content can spread instantly. While musicians rely on trusted teams to safeguard their work, even tight security measures can be breached when insiders choose to exploit their access.

For Eminem, an artist known for maintaining strict control over his releases, this breach is particularly devastating. His fans, who have eagerly awaited new music, now find themselves in a moral dilemma—excited about the leaks but aware they came at a heavy price.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Eminem’s team remains firm in their stance: no one gets away with compromising the artist’s legacy.