Beyoncé’s unreleased music stolen from car during Cowboy Carter tour
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Beyoncé performing on stage during her Cowboy Carter tour, days after unreleased music was stolen from her team’s vehicle in Atlanta.
Beyoncé’s unreleased music stolen from car during Cowboy Carter tour
Sensitive materials stolen in Atlanta vehicle break-in
Unreleased music by Beyoncé has been stolen from a rental vehicle in Atlanta, just days before her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter tour stop in the city. According to police, hard drives containing unreleased songs, tour set lists, and confidential plans were taken in a theft that has shocked the artist’s inner circle.
The materials were in the possession of her choreographer and a dancer, who had parked their rental Jeep Wagoneer near a food hall. When they returned, the rear window had been smashed and two suitcases were gone.
Police confirm arrest warrant issued
Atlanta police confirmed that an arrest warrant has been issued, but the suspect’s identity has not been disclosed. The investigation revealed “five jump drives containing watermarked music, unreleased content, and footage plans for shows past and future,” along with other items such as a laptop, AirPods, and designer clothing.
Police used device tracking information to follow the stolen electronics and lifted light fingerprints from the vehicle, though it remains unclear whether any items have been recovered.
Beyoncé’s history of guarding against leaks
The incident is especially alarming given Beyoncé’s strict measures to prevent music leaks throughout her career. After previous leaks of early albums like Dangerously In Love and 4, she famously pioneered the “surprise drop” with her self-titled 2013 album, released without prior announcement.
The album, kept secret under the code name “Lily,” was released exclusively on iTunes, becoming the fastest selling album in the platform’s history at the time. On set, no music was played during video shoots to maintain secrecy.
Artists work under lock and key
Those working with Beyoncé often don’t know if their contributions will make it onto her albums. Post Malone, who appeared on the 2024 track Levii’s Jeans, described collaborating with Beyoncé under strict conditions including a representative physically guarding the only copy of the track.
Fans have shown fierce loyalty in return. When Renaissance leaked two days early in 2022, supporters refrained from listening and urged others to do the same. Beyoncé later thanked them with a handwritten note, expressing gratitude for their unity and patience.
Tour continues despite breach
Despite the breach, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour has continued in Atlanta, where she began her four-night stop on July 10. Her husband Jay Z made a surprise appearance on the third night, delighting fans.
Choreographer Christopher Grant, whose vehicle was targeted, has previously worked with global artists like Shakira. Dancer Diandre Blue recently appeared with Beyoncé in her 2024 Super Bowl commercial, where she dropped two singles from Cowboy Carter the Grammy winning album that explores the Black origins of country music.
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