Former Employee Sells Unreleased Eminem Tracks: Fans Torn Over "Want to Listen" Incident
Unheard tracks from a favorite artist—such words can stir the hearts of many music fans. But what if those tracks were taken and sold without the artist's knowledge?
In a case involving unreleased tracks by rapper Eminem, a former employee who had worked for many years admitted to copyright infringement. German news media ntv reported on October 22, 2026, and the U.S. Department of Justice also released details of the case on the same day.
At least 10 audio files were sold for approximately $50,000, and the number of accesses after the leak exceeded 8 million.
This incident highlights not only the issue of illegal music sales but also the gravity of taking away the creator's decision on when and how to release their work.
Former Employee with 14 Years of Service Accessed Unreleased Tracks
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the defendant who admitted guilt is Joseph Strange, 48, a resident of Michigan. He worked for Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, from around 2007 to 2021.
His job included building and supporting the operation of computer systems for storing music, and he had access to password-protected hard drives. These contained music at various stages of production, not intended for public release.
Without permission, the defendant duplicated audio files and sold and transmitted at least 10 of them to buyers over the internet between July and August 2024. The total amount was about $50,000. Eminem himself was unaware of and did not authorize these transactions.
It is important to note that "at least 10 audio files" does not necessarily mean "10 completed new songs." This case involves materials in progress, and explanations suggesting an entire album was stolen go beyond the confirmed facts.
The Spread After the Leak, Indicated by Over 8 Million Accesses
The sold tracks were eventually made available online and accessible on several public streaming services.
According to ntv, Eminem's staff contacted the FBI in January 2025 after discovering the unreleased tracks circulating online. The investigation involved interviews with some buyers, leading to the identification of the seller.
The U.S. Department of Justice, based on data obtained from multiple distribution providers, stated that as of November 2025, access to the leaked files exceeded 8 million times.
However, this number does not indicate that 8 million people listened to the tracks. Also, the number of plays cannot be directly translated into the loss amount from legitimate sales.
Nonetheless, the transition from a limited sale to widespread distribution cannot be overlooked. Once data is copied, it does not necessarily remain with the original transaction partner. It can spread to other posts and distributions without the creator's knowledge.
"Up to 5 Years" Is Not a Confirmed Sentence
Strange admitted to criminal copyright infringement. Sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2027, with a statutory maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.
At this point, a five-year sentence has not been confirmed. The actual sentence will be determined by the court, considering sentencing guidelines and other factors.
When conveying the severity of the case, it is important to distinguish between "the maximum possible sentence" and "the sentence actually imposed."
Anger and "Guilt of Listening" Seen on Social Media
Reactions on social media related to this incident are not just simple criticisms. They intersect with criticism of the person who betrayed trust and the fans' own hesitation drawn to the unreleased tracks.
Here we introduce reactions on Reddit posted around the time of the incident's discovery and prosecution in 2025. These are not voices gathered immediately after the guilty plea in October 2026, nor do they represent the opinions of all fans.
In the hip-hop community in March 2025, there was surprise at the actions of a long-term employee and mentions of Eminem's strict response to the leak.
The focus is more on "betrayal by someone close" than mere data theft. The music, accessible because of the person's role in supporting the production site, was sold against the artist's wishes.
On the other hand, in Eminem's fan community in April 2025, there were posts from fans who had been listening to music through legitimate purchases and official distributions, expressing guilt for being captivated by the leaked tracks, which did not contribute to the artist's revenue.
This is an emotion that cannot be captured by simply agreeing or disagreeing with the leak. The more one loves the work, the more they want to experience the unreleased tracks. However, that desire does not always align with the artist's wishes.
Unreleased Tracks Are Not Necessarily "Sleeping Masterpieces"
Unreleased tracks often carry an enticing image of "hidden gems." However, there is not just one reason for them being unreleased.
In general, recordings in progress may contain provisional lyrics, experimental arrangements, and unused vocal styles. For the creator, they may be more of a record of thoughts and trials than finished products.
Regarding this incident, the U.S. Department of Justice explained that the commercial release of the tracks was neither imminent nor certain. However, some work was being done for future release.
Thus, the explanation that "a soon-to-be-released work was leaked" is insufficient. The creator still had the discretion to decide whether or not to release it.
Even if a recording is valuable to fans, it may not be the sound the artist ultimately wants to deliver as a finished work. Unauthorized release erases that distinction.
The Difference Between "Available" and "Official" Familiar to Japanese Fans
This issue is not limited to famous overseas artists.
Japanese music fans may also encounter unknown source tracks through short videos on social media or recommendation sections. Descriptions like "unreleased," "phantom track," or "leaked demo" may pique curiosity.
What to consider is that being able to play something online is different from the artist approving its release.
Before listening, check for official announcements. Refrain from purchasing or reposting tracks of unknown origin. Instead of spreading the excitement of discovery, take a moment to pause. What fans can do doesn't always require special knowledge.
For creators, this incident also raises questions. Sharing materials for collaboration is necessary, but having access does not mean one can privately duplicate and sell them.
While it's not possible to determine which specific management procedures were problematic based on public information alone, it's clear that the creative environment relies on both technology and human trust.
Choosing to Wait for Release Because You Love the Music
This incident features eye-catching figures like the $50,000 sale price and over 8 million accesses.
However, there are things that cannot be expressed by those numbers alone: the time to re-record, the decision to shelve a work, the freedom to postpone a release, and the space to experiment with trusted colleagues.
The desire to listen to unreleased tracks is natural for fans. Holding that desire and supporting the unauthorized sale or spread of music taken without permission are separate considerations.
Respecting the works of a favorite artist means not only enjoying the released music but also entrusting the handling of unreleased music to the artist.
The Eminem track leak incident has once again highlighted the distance between our desire to "listen" and the creator's intention of "how to deliver."
Sources and References
ntv: Incident of Unreleased Eminem Tracks Sold by Former Employee
Sale amount, employment period, FBI notification, sentencing schedule
https://www.n-tv.de/leute/Ex-Mitarbeiter-von-Eminem-klaut-unveroeffentlichte-Musik-id31448792.htmlU.S. Department of Justice: Official Announcement on Former Employee's Guilty Plea (October 22, 2026)
Defendant's name, unauthorized duplication and sale details, access numbers, status of unreleased materials, maximum sentence, and sentencing schedule confirmed as primary sources.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-eminem-employee-pleads-guilty-criminal-infringement-copyrightjustice.govReddit・r/hiphopheads: Discussion on Former Employee's Prosecution (March 2025)
Referenced reactions to the surprise at the actions of a long-term employee and Eminem's response to the leak. Individual posts were treated as social media reactions, not as grounds for fact-finding.
https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/1jf2o4m/reddit.comReddit・r/Eminem: "Guilty Conscience" (April 2025)
A post by a fan who continued to make legitimate purchases, describing the joy and guilt of listening to leaked tracks. The main text summarized the gist in Japanese.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Eminem/comments/1jybond/reddit.com