Eminem's former employee, accused of selling the rapper's unreleased songs, sentenced to prison

Eminem's former employee, Joseph Strange, has been accused of stealing and selling unreleased music that was released earlier this year.

According to media reports, federal prosecutors have charged Joseph Strange with copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods after he allegedly sold the rapper's music to individuals who uploaded more than 25 songs online in January.
Eminem's longtime spokesman Dennis Dennehy said the rapper was pleased with the latest developments in the case.

“Eminem and his team greatly appreciate the efforts of the FBI Detroit office for its thorough investigation that led to the charges against Joseph Strange,” he said.

He further stated that he would take all necessary steps to protect Eminem's music.

"The significant damage caused by a trusted employee to Eminem's artistic legacy and creative integrity cannot be overstated, let alone the huge financial losses suffered by the many creators and collaborators who deserve protection for their decades of work. We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect Eminem's art and nothing will stop us," the spokesperson explained.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Variety, Strange was Eminem's former music producer from 2007 to 2021, working at a recording studio in Michigan. He had access to the music that had been leaked to the public.

After the songs surfaced online in January of this year, several studio employees contacted the FBI after discovering that the unreleased music was available online.

The FBI identified several individuals who purchased the unreleased music, including one named Doja Rat, who said he paid Strange $50,000 (46,000 euros) for the songs.

Doja Rat stated that Strange claimed to have over 300 songs. The FBI also identified several other individuals, including Kali Kush and ATL, who were involved in the group purchase of Eminem's songs.

FBI agents raided Strange's residence on January 28 and seized hard drives containing copies of Eminem's unreleased music. Financial records revealed payments to Strange for music sales.

The complaint alleges that more than 25 of Eminem's songs, recorded between 1999 and 2018, were leaked online without his consent. Furthermore, Eminem's manager, John Fisher, told FBI officials that Strange did not have the authority to possess the files.

If convicted of copyright infringement, Strange faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 (230,000 euros). He also faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison if charged with interstate transportation of stolen goods. /Telegraph/