A former sound engineer for Eminem is in hot water after allegedly stealing and selling unreleased Eminem tracks for Bitcoin.
The Great Eminem Music Heist
Joseph Strange, who worked for Eminem from 2007 to 2021, is accused of selling 25 unfinished songs to a Canadian buyer for around $50,000 worth of Bitcoin. Prosecutors say he took the music illegally from Eminem’s studio, Effigy, in Michigan. The FBI got involved after some of the stolen songs showed up on YouTube and Reddit.
Not Guilty Until Proven So
Strange’s lawyer, Wade Fink, points out that the charges are just allegations at this stage. He emphasizes that Strange is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Eminem’s Team Speaks Out
Eminem’s spokesperson expressed serious concern about the theft, highlighting the significant financial losses and damage to Eminem’s reputation. They stressed the huge financial impact on everyone involved in creating the music.
Serious Charges
Strange faces some serious charges: copyright infringement (up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine) and transporting stolen goods across state lines (up to ten years in prison).
Bitcoin Connection
Interestingly, the investigation revealed Strange was heavily into Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining, and he specifically requested payment in Bitcoin.
Not the First Leak
This isn’t the first time Eminem has dealt with leaked music. Back in 2002, unreleased tracks from “The Eminem Show” were sold online, forcing an earlier album release.
The Price of Bitcoin
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $84,139.
