• by Boredlisted

Atlanta, GA — In a shocking breach of creative security, multiple digital files containing unreleased Beyoncé music, setlists, and confidential tour plans were reported stolen from a rental vehicle used by her team during the Atlanta leg of her Cowboy Carter tour.

According to an official police report filed with the Atlanta Police Department, the theft occurred on the evening of July 8 between 8:09 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. A black Jeep Wagoneer, parked inside a garage near the popular Krog Street Market, was broken into when a suspect shattered the trunk window and stole several high-value items.

Among the stolen items were five digital storage drives containing exclusive, watermarked tracks and internal documents related to Beyoncé’s ongoing tour. Two personal laptops, AirPods, two suitcases, and an estimated $2,000 worth of clothing belonging to Beyoncé’s longtime choreographer Chris Grant and dancer Diandre Blue were also taken.

The incident has raised alarm within the entertainment industry, especially considering Beyoncé’s history of keeping her musical projects tightly guarded until release. Her surprise 2013 self-titled album and 2016’s Lemonade famously dropped without prior announcement, making the loss of these files a major blow to her creative control.

“Really, really important information was in there,” a man can be heard saying in a 911 call released by the Atlanta Police Department. “I work with someone who is, like, of a high status.”

Police confirmed on Monday that they have identified a suspect and secured an arrest warrant, though they have not disclosed the individual’s identity. Investigators were able to track some of the stolen electronics, including a laptop and AirPods, as they “pinged” locations across Atlanta, indicating movement likely in a vehicle. Security footage from the garage entrance has also captured the break-in.

As of now, neither Beyoncé nor her representatives have issued a public comment. Representatives for Chris Grant and Diandre Blue also did not respond to press inquiries.

A Troubling Pattern in the Music Industry

Unfortunately, Beyoncé is not the first artist to face the threat of stolen intellectual property from a vehicle.

In 2022, Lana Del Rey reported that her car was broken into in Los Angeles and her laptop — which contained her new album and an unpublished book — was stolen. Similarly, UK artist Raye disclosed last year that her songwriting journals were inside her stolen vehicle, leaving her without material for a second album.

Music legend Tom Waits also faced a theft in 2002 when working tapes of his album Alice were taken and ransomed back for $3,000.

With the music industry increasingly dependent on mobile technology and on-the-go production, artists continue to face vulnerabilities, even at the top of their careers.

What’s Next for the “Cowboy Carter” Tour?

Beyoncé just wrapped a four-night engagement at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and is expected to head west to Las Vegas for the final two shows of the Cowboy Carter tour — her country-inspired evolution that has captivated global audiences since its launch.

Despite the security scare, fans are hopeful the tour will continue without interruption. However, the stolen unreleased Beyoncé material may present a risk of unauthorized leaks — something her team is undoubtedly working swiftly to prevent.

For now, the pop icon remains silent, but her fanbase is buzzing with concern, waiting for updates on whether the stolen content has surfaced or been recovered.