Unreleased music by Beyoncé was among several personal items stolen from a rental car in Atlanta, just days before her four-night stop in the city as part of the Cowboy Carter tour.
According to a police report, hard drives with unreleased songs, set lists for past and future shows, and tour production plans were taken.
The theft occurred on 8 July when Beyoncé’s choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue briefly left their rented black Jeep Wagoneer parked near a food hall.
Upon returning, they found the vehicle’s rear window smashed and two suitcases missing.
Inside those bags were five USB drives containing unreleased tracks, show notes, and backstage planning materials.
Also stolen were a laptop, luxury clothes, and a pair of AirPods. The dancers informed police the stolen items included sensitive information related to Beyoncé’s tour.
Police tracked some of the missing electronics using device tracking software and found two faint fingerprints at the scene.
An arrest warrant has reportedly been issued, but the suspect’s identity has not been revealed, and it remains unclear whether the stolen materials have been recovered.
Beyoncé is known for her tight control over unreleased content. In past projects, she has kept music under strict secrecy.
Even collaborators sometimes don’t know if their contributions will make the final cut. Beyoncé’s previous albums, such as her self-titled 2013 release, have been launched with little notice to reduce chances of leaks.
The Cowboy Carter tour celebrates the legacy of Black artists in country music.
Beyoncé’s album of the same name was released earlier in 2024 and later won a Grammy Award for album of the year.
The Atlanta leg of the tour ran from 10 to 15 July, with Beyoncé performing to sold-out stadiums. On one of the nights, her husband Jay Z made an unannounced appearance on stage.