Suspect Arrested Over Stolen Hard Drives of Beyoncé’s Tour Music

A man identified as Kelvin Evans was arrested in the Atlanta area in connection with the July theft of hard drives and other items belonging to Beyoncé’s team, including unreleased music. The arrest brings clarity to the case, though investigators say the stolen data has not yet been recovered.

What Happened

On July 8, 2025, Beyoncé’s choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue parked a rented SUV in a garage off Krog Street in Atlanta. While they were attending dinner nearby, someone broke into the vehicle, smashed a window, and stole two suitcases. Among the missing items: five thumb drives containing watermarked and unreleased Beyoncé tracks, set lists (past and future), footage plans for her tour, plus laptops, designer sunglasses, and high-end headphones.

Arrest and Current Status

Kelvin Evans was arrested on August 26 in Hapeville, Georgia. He is now held in Fulton County Jail, charged with entering an automobile with intent to commit theft, along with a parole violation. Bond has reportedly been set at $20,000.

Despite Evans being in custody, none of the stolen drives or related files have been recovered. Police uncovered surveillance footage from the parking garage, traced some stolen items via tracking software, identified a suspect vehicle (a 2025 Hyundai Elantra), and found “very light” fingerprints at the crime scene. But the core materials, Beyoncé’s unreleased music and tour plan, remain missing.

For most people, this feels like a high-profile burglary. But for artists and their teams, this is more than a property crime; it’s a violation of creative control and intellectual property. Unreleased music, tour plans, and set lists are the kinds of things that shape an artist’s brand and revenue. If leaked, they can lead to massive financial and reputational damage. As one industry observer told me: “Los­ing data like that undercuts months—if not years—of work.”

Also, this incident highlights the growing risk for touring artists. High-value gear and sensitive files are often transported in rental vehicles, hotels, backstage areas, and locations that are logistically challenging to secure. Small oversights (leaving a laptop or thumb drive in a visible suitcase, parking in a less-secure lot) can have huge consequences.

Where It Stands

• Evans is being held in jail; charges have been filed.

• Stolen material remains unlocated.

• Beyoncé’s team has not made any public comment.

Analyst Perspective

Legal experts caution that proving intent and damage in such cases can be complex. Even if the music is never published or leaked, the theft itself is punishable under Georgia law. For creative professionals, this case could set a precedent around how sensitive digital content is stored while on tour.

One person familiar with the investigation said, “The suspect vehicle being traced, the tracking of laptops and headphones, those are strong leads. But without recovering the digital assets, the bigger harm remains.” Installation of more robust security protocols for artists seems likely in the wake of this.

Kelvin Evans’s arrest may mark a turning point in what was a frustrating and scary loss for Beyoncé’s team. But until the drives with the unreleased music are back, the damage they could cause remains a threat. As digital theft becomes more common, artists and their teams will need to double down on how they protect creative work, not just from piracy, but from basic theft.

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