Music Leaker “King Bob,” aka Noah Urban, Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Massive Unreleased Tracks Scheme
In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through the music industry, Noah Urban, widely known online as “King Bob,” has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft.
Urban, 23, gained notoriety over the past several years as one of the most prolific online music leakers, illegally obtaining and distributing unreleased tracks from some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Juice WRLD, Young Thug, and Travis Scott. In addition to his prison sentence, Urban has been ordered to pay $13 million in restitution to artists, labels, and other victims affected by his actions.
The U.S. Department of Justice described Urban’s operation as “one of the largest music-leak schemes ever uncovered in the United States,” highlighting the sophisticated methods he used to infiltrate private servers, hack email accounts, and steal unreleased recordings.
How the Scheme Worked
According to court documents, Urban led an underground network of hackers and leakers that operated between 2019 and 2023. Prosecutors say the group specifically targeted record labels, artist management companies, and private cloud storage accounts used by producers, engineers, and artists.
Federal investigators revealed that Urban and his co-conspirators gained unauthorized access to private databases by using phishing emails, stolen passwords, and social engineering tactics. Once inside, they downloaded hundreds of unreleased songs, demos, and stems.
These files were then sold on encrypted marketplaces or leaked to fan communities, often for cryptocurrency payments. Authorities estimate Urban personally profited over $1.8 million from these illegal activities, though the overall financial damage to the industry exceeded $13 million, leading to the significant restitution order.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Torres, who prosecuted the case, described Urban’s scheme in court:
“This wasn’t a case of a teenager accidentally stumbling upon a few files. This was a coordinated criminal enterprise designed to exploit the music industry and profit from intellectual property theft on a massive scale.”
The Artists Affected
Urban became infamous in online fan circles for leaking high-profile songs months — sometimes years — before their official release. Among the most notable tracks affected were:
- Playboi Carti – Multiple songs from his long-awaited Whole Lotta Red project were leaked, leading to creative and financial setbacks for the rapper.
- Lil Uzi Vert – Nearly two dozen tracks surfaced online ahead of Eternal Atake, forcing last-minute changes to the album’s rollout.
- Juice WRLD – Several unreleased songs were leaked posthumously, upsetting both fans and the late rapper’s estate.
- Travis Scott, Young Thug, and Future – Dozens of unreleased collaborations were stolen and circulated online.
In many cases, these leaks disrupted album rollouts, impacted chart performance, and cost labels millions in marketing adjustments. Music executives described Urban’s actions as “devastating to the creative process” and “financially destructive.”
The Investigation and Arrest
The FBI began investigating Urban in early 2022 after several major record labels reported widespread leaks of unreleased material. Authorities tracked the breaches to a network of Discord servers and Telegram groups where Urban — using the alias “King Bob” — was selling and distributing stolen tracks.
In July 2023, federal agents executed a search warrant at Urban’s home in Orlando, Florida, seizing multiple devices containing thousands of unreleased songs and communications linking him to other hackers.
Court records reveal that Urban initially attempted to deny his involvement but later reached a plea agreement after prosecutors presented overwhelming digital evidence, including chat logs, cryptocurrency transactions, and server records tying him directly to the leaks.
The Sentencing
During Thursday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Eleanor Whitaker condemned Urban’s actions, calling them “a calculated assault on intellectual property and creative rights.”
“Music is not just entertainment — it is an artist’s livelihood,” Judge Whitaker said. “By stealing and distributing unreleased material, Mr. Urban deprived countless creators and companies of revenue, control, and trust.”
Urban was sentenced to:
- 10 years in federal prison
- 3 years of supervised release following his sentence
- $13 million in restitution to affected artists, producers, and labels
He was also ordered to forfeit more than $450,000 in cryptocurrency assets traced to illegal sales of stolen material.
Reactions From the Music Industry
The case has sparked widespread discussion among artists, producers, and executives about the growing threat of online leaks in the digital age.
A spokesperson for Atlantic Records, one of the labels heavily impacted by Urban’s activities, released a statement praising the outcome:
“This case highlights the seriousness of intellectual property theft and the damage it can cause to artists, producers, and fans. We are grateful to law enforcement for holding Mr. Urban accountable and protecting the integrity of the creative process.”
Fans, meanwhile, have been divided. While some expressed sympathy for Urban, others criticized him for harming the very artists he claimed to admire. Social media platforms lit up with debates over the ethics of leaks and the consequences of sharing unreleased music online.
A Warning for the Future
Legal experts say Urban’s sentencing sets a major precedent for future cases involving music leaks and cybercrime. The ruling sends a clear message that authorities are prepared to pursue severe penalties for those who profit from hacking and distributing unreleased material.
Cybersecurity analyst Ryan McAdams explained:
“For years, leakers operated in a legal gray area, thinking they could hide behind screen names and encrypted channels. This case shows that federal investigators are now treating these schemes as organized cybercrimes, not harmless fandom.”
Music industry insiders have also called for stricter security protocols to protect unreleased material, including stronger encryption, multifactor authentication, and tighter controls over who has access to high-value recordings.
The Bottom Line
The sentencing of Noah Urban, aka “King Bob,” marks the end of one of the most damaging music leak operations in recent history. While his online persona once made him a cult figure among certain fan communities, his actions cost artists millions, disrupted creative plans, and undermined trust within the industry.
With 10 years in federal prison and $13 million in restitution, the ruling serves as a powerful warning to anyone considering profiting from stolen intellectual property: the digital trail always leads somewhere, and the consequences are severe.
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