Unrecoverable Loss: Burglars Gain Access to Unpublished Beyoncé Tracks, Making Them Invaluable Thefts
In the heart of Atlanta, during Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour, an unexpected incident took place. On July 8, 2025, thieves broke into an SUV rented by Beyoncé's choreographer, Christopher Grant, and dancer, Diandre Blue [1][3]. The robbery resulted in the theft of several items, most notably five thumb drives reportedly containing unreleased, watermarked Beyoncé music, and other sensitive data [1][3].
The theft occurred at a parking garage at Krog Street market, and it was not just Beyoncé's vehicle that was targeted. The Menendez Brothers, known for their DJing prowess, also had a record bag with USBs containing unreleased music stolen while they were performing at Fabric [2].
This robbery is a significant issue for Beyoncé, as her recent albums have been 'surprise' releases. Collaborators and songwriters often have no idea whether their contributions have made the final cut until the album is released to the public [4]. Beyoncé's self-titled album in 2013 and subsequent releases have been surprise releases, with recording done under strict security [5].
The investigation into the theft is ongoing. Police found two very light sets of fingerprints and used Apple's Find My service to track stolen MacBooks and AirPods, which led them to a 2025 Hyundai Elantra [1]. However, it remains unclear whether the unreleased music has been accessed or leaked [1].
As of the latest reports in late July 2025, no publicly confirmed recoveries or suspects have been announced [1][2][3]. Representatives for Beyoncé have not responded to requests for comment regarding the stolen thumb drives [3].
In a strange twist of events, earlier this summer, Heart had a custom-built Telecaster and mandolin stolen from a stage in Atlantic City, but they were later recovered [6].
The music industry continues to grapple with the challenges of security and privacy, as artists strive to protect their creative works from theft and leaks. The investigation into the theft of Beyoncé's unreleased music is a testament to these ongoing struggles.
Sources: [1] Atlanta's Channel 2, 2025. [2] NME, 2025. [3] Variety, 2025. [4] Billboard, 2021. [5] Rolling Stone, 2013. [6] Ultimate Classic Rock, 2022.
The theft of five thumb drives containing unreleased, watermarked Beyoncé music and other sensitive data from Christopher Grant and Diandre Blue's SUV during the Cowboy Carter tour is a significant issue for Beyoncé, especially since her recent albums have been surprise releases. The Menendez Brothers, known for their DJing prowess, also had stolen USBs containing unreleased music while performing at Fabric.
