Eminem and LeBron James have joined forces for an upcoming documentary on Paramount+ that delves into the history of music piracy. The streaming service recently released a trailer for “How Music Got Free,” a documentary highlighting the technological disruption that transformed the music industry in the late 90s and early 2000s.
The film explores how file-sharing technology, paired with the growing demand for new music, influenced a generation to engage in music piracy and be lauded for it. Premiering at SXSW in March, the documentary, co-produced by LeBron James and Eminem and directed by Alex Stapleton, features appearances from Eminem himself, as well as 50 Cent, Timbaland, Jimmy Iovine, and more.
In the trailer, Eminem reflects on his initial confusion about the internet, admitting, “When Napster came about, I didn’t understand the internet yet. I thought Yahoo was a person.” “How Music Got Free” promises to provide a fascinating and humorous view of the era, shedding light on the impact of technology on the music landscape.