Eminem's Former Employee Charged With Leaking Rapper's Music
A former employee of Eminem has been charged with leaking the rapper's music online.
Joseph Strange, who worked for the Grammy-winning rapper from 2007 to 2021, has been charged with criminal infringement of a copyright and interstate transportation of stolen goods in connection with the sale of Eminem's unreleased music, according to U.S. attorney Julie Beck.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
On 'Hot,' K-Pop Stars Le Sserafim Explore Love and Perseverance: "We Are Going to Give Our All"
Ed Sheeran Teases New Single "Azizam," First New Album Since 2023
How to Stream 'Opry 100: A Live Celebration' Online for Free
On Jan. 16, the FBI was contacted by an employee at Eminem's — real name Marshall Mathers — studio in Ferndale, Michigan, after they found the 'Houdini' artist's unreleased music that he was still working on listed for sale on various websites, according to the criminal complaint. 'The employees recognized this as an image taken directly from a hard drive in the Ferndale studio,' the news release stated.
The FBI eventually tracked down those who purchased Eminem's unreleased music and they identified Strange as the seller.
'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,' Beck said in a statement.
If convicted of criminal infringement of a copyright, Strange faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As for the charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods, he could face a maximum of 10 years in prison.
A trial cannot be held on felony charges in a criminal complaint, so following an investigation, officials will determine whether to seek a felony indictment. Special agents of the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency are investigating the case.
'This investigation underscores the FBI's commitment to safeguarding artists' intellectual property from exploitation by individuals seeking to profit illegally,' said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. 'Thanks to the cooperation of Mathers Music Studio, FBI agents from the Oakland County Resident Agency were able to swiftly enforce federal laws and ensure Joseph Strange was held accountable for his actions.'
Eminem returned with new music last year, including his album The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) which earned a Grammy nomination for best rap album at the 2025 ceremony. His single 'Houdini' was also nominated for best rap performance and best music video.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More
Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2024: Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Olivia Rodrigo and More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bakersfield man accused of killing estranged wife makes first court appearance
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man accused of killing his estranged wife last month at a house in east Bakersfield made his first court appearance Monday, more than a week after he was first scheduled to be arraigned. Rafael Estrada, 44, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, four counts of willful cruelty to a child, spousal abuse, allowing or causing injury to an elder or dependent adult, recklessly evading a peace officer, driving a vehicle in the opposite direction of traffic and resisting arrest. Several prior arraignment dates were postponed. No reason for the postponements was given in court. Court Commissioner Samantha Allen ordered Estrada held without bail. His next hearing is scheduled June 20. Around 8:30 p.m. on May 28, deputies were called to a house in the 2400 block of Monterey Street to reports that a man had seriously injured his wife. They arrived and found Taylor Danay Dominguez Estrada, 32, with 'severe trauma,' according to sheriff's officials. She was declared dead at the scene. Family members have told 17 News that Rafael Estrada showed up to a party uninvited and slit his wife's throat in front of at least one child. Rafael Estrada was spotted by sheriff's helicopter driving away in a white truck before deputies arrived, officials said. Deputies located and chased the pickup until the pursuit ended about 10 miles away in the 9900 block of Ramos Avenue. Officials said a K-9 was used to take Estrada into custody. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Little Rock man with dishonorable discharge gets 12-year federal sentence for gun possession
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A Little Rock man received a 12-year sentence in federal prison on Friday. Officials with the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas said 26-year-old James Charles Hart of Wynne received the sentence as the result of a Dec. 7, 2023 complaint. He was indicted in January 2023 for being a dishonorably discharged person in possession of a firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm. Little Rock man gets 20 years in federal prison for drugs, guns Hart pleaded guilty on Jan. 6 to the first charge, possession of a firearm by a dishonorably discharged person. In addition to the 12-year sentence, the judge sentenced Hart to three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Officials said Hart was dishonorably discharged from the Navy in August of 2021 after being convicted in a court martial of advocating supremacist and extremist doctrine, ideology and causes, larceny of military property, and selling firearms without a license. The court martial found that his conduct included advocating for killing military members and encouraging others to take up the cause and recruit others. During the court-martial, Hart told the presiding judge that he was not kidding when he made those statements. Former Monroe County district judge sentenced to federal prison for obstruction Hart was told that as someone with a dishonorable discharge, he was not allowed to own guns. In April 2023, however, FBI investigators found that Hart entered a home's driveway dressed in a tactical vest and carrying an AR-style rifle. He told the homeowners he was patrolling the neighborhood for looters and they told him to leave, officials said. The FBI arrested Hart in December 2023. During subsequent search warrants of his house and car, investigators said they found 'numerous' handguns, shotguns, AR and AK-patterned rifles, and 'NFA weapons,' a class of weapons including machine guns and sawed-off shotguns. They also reported finding thousands of rounds of ammunition, ammunition magazines, ballistic helmets, body armor, gas masks, and tactical gear. Central Arkansas felon gets 30 years in federal prison after gun, drugs guilty plea Officials said searchers also found Confederate and Nazi flags. Officials said a search of his phone revealed Hart was planning a robbery in Tennessee in partnership with militia members. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Legendary '80s Rocker, 75, Stuns Fans With 'Smoking Hot' Shirtless Performance
Legendary '80s Rocker, 75, Stuns Fans With 'Smoking Hot' Shirtless Performance originally appeared on Parade. When we picture folks at age 75, we probably have an unfair stereotypical perception of how they'll look, act and move. Iconic musician and actor Rick Springfield will absolutely dismantle every preconceived notion you have about this age, and a fan's latest video can prove it. In the video, Springfield appears ageless in both appearance and sound, rocking out to the hit that catapulted him to fame in 1981 "Jessie's Girl." The star previously told Yahoo!Life last year he credits his ageless appearance to a rigorously healthy lifestyle. Cutting back on alcohol and working out every day are two key moves in his quest to remain youthful, along with a very healthy diet.'The hardest thing is looking in the mirror and going, 'Wow, that wasn't there when I was in my 30s…' and going, 'I look like my mom,'" he said of aging. 'So I never think of myself as a real 75.' Neither do his fans."Guys living his [third] life," commented one fan. "Saw him when he was 69. Looks just as good!" "Um, what is happening here? Where did he find the fountain of youth," asked another. The Australian musician and actor hit number one for two weeks in the U.S. on the Hot 100 singles chart after "Jessie's Girl" and received a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1981. While new music isn't confirmed to be on the horizon, Springfield is currently playing shows and making appearances. All in all, we bet "Jessie's Girl" has some major regrets. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Legendary '80s Rocker, 75, Stuns Fans With 'Smoking Hot' Shirtless Performance first appeared on Parade on Jun 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
