Two men, identified as a choreographer and a dancer for Beyoncé, reported the theft of hard drives containing unreleased music during a stop in Atlanta on July 8, 2023. The theft occurred while the men, Christopher Grant and Diandre Blue, parked their rented 2024 Jeep Wagoneer at the Krog Street Market for about an hour. According to the Atlanta Police Department, the vehicle’s rear window was broken, leading to the theft of two suitcases containing personal belongings and sensitive materials related to the singer’s ongoing Cowboy Carter tour.
The police report indicates that among the stolen items were hard drives that held unreleased music, concert set lists, and footage plans for upcoming shows. These hard drives included watermarked music, a digital identifier used by artists to safeguard their work against piracy. Additionally, a 13-inch MacBook Air was reported missing. It remains unclear whether the hard drives were stored inside the suitcases at the time of the theft. Interestingly, the police report assigned a placeholder value of $1 to each of the stolen hard drives.
Investigation Underway Following Theft
Atlanta police officers dusted the vehicle for fingerprints, resulting in two faint prints, while security cameras captured the break-in. A pair of AirPods Max headphones, which can be tracked through GPS, led investigators to a suspicious individual. Currently, the identity of the suspect remains unknown, according to Officer John Predmore, a spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Department.
The incident was first reported on Monday by Atlanta television station WSB. The Krog district where the theft occurred is known for its mixed-use properties and vibrant food hall, making it a popular destination. A representative for Beyoncé has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the theft.
On the night of the theft, Beyoncé was scheduled to perform at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking her fourth concert in five nights in Atlanta. The Cowboy Carter tour has garnered significant attention, highlighting the importance of security for artists and their teams during such high-profile events.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the break-in to come forward, emphasizing the potential implications of the stolen materials on the music industry and the artist’s upcoming projects.
