When Lady Gaga's new single "Applause" leaked a week ahead of its official release on August 19, the singer's little monsters rushed to her aid by starting an anti-piracy campaign online to keep the song under wraps.
On Saturday, many of Gaga's fans shared a link created by her record label, Universal Music, where people can report any unauthorized distribution of content.
"@ladygaga @DJWS Report all the #APPLAUSE leaks to this website: privacypolicy.umusic.com/piracy/ please and thank you #TrueMonster #MonstersUnite," one follower wrote, which Gaga and nearly 2,500 fans retweeted. One fan even bragged about notifying the label about 500 infringing links in a single evening, reports the Guardian.
However, once the damage was done, Gaga made the decision to rush-release the single to radio stations and Apple's iTunes Store in the US, with other countries to follow.
"A pop music emergency is underway 911 ... summon the monster troupes," she wrote Monday, reports the New York Daily News.
"Due to hackers an abundance of low/high quality leaks ... we issue this pop music emergency ... monsters spread the word," she tweeted. "My new single 'Applause' is out today and can be heard on United States radio in 15 minutes. International radio to follow."
When the song, which is her first single off the highly anticipated album "ARTPOP," first leaked Gaga was not happy and expressed her disappointment on Twitter.
"Lord, in HEAVEN WHY," she tweeted Aug. 10. "YOU JUST COULDN'T WAIT THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR ONE SATURDAY."
Take a listen to the single below: