A court in Atlanta imposed this Tuesday a firm sentence against Kelvin Evans, 40 years old, who pleaded guilty to stealing Beyoncé’s unreleased music. Evans faced charges for breaking and entering and car theft, but accepted a deal with the prosecution that reduced his sentence to two years in prison, followed by three years on probation, for a total of five possible years.
Details of the July 2025 theft
The incident occurred two days before Beyoncé began the Atlanta leg of her tour Cowboy Carter. Evans broke into a rented car used by choreographer Christopher Grant and a dancer. He smashed the rear window and took suitcases with USB units and hard drives containing Beyoncé’s unreleased music, watermarked tracks, tour plans, song lists, and equipment like MacBook laptops, headphones, and luxury clothing.
Investigation and partial recovery
The Atlanta police arrested Evans in August 2025 after an exhaustive search. They recovered the laptops, but the material with Beyoncé’s unreleased music never reappeared, despite searches at the thief’s sister’s house. Evans, known locally as the ‘King of Thieves’ for his past record, avoided a trial by pleading guilty on May 12, 2026.
Impact on the Cowboy Carter tour and security context
Beyoncé did not issue public statements about the theft, but the case highlights vulnerabilities in the security of artistic equipment during massive tours. In 2025, Cowboy Carter generated millions of dollars in revenue, and the loss of Beyoncé’s unreleased music sparked speculation about possible future leaks. FBI statistics indicate that vehicle thefts in Atlanta increased by 15% that year, affecting celebrities.
- Stolen items: USBs with Beyoncé’s unreleased music, laptops, and more.
- Penalty: 2 years prison + 3 years probation.
- Material status: Still missing.
This verdict closes a chapter in a theft that could have compromised future projects by the artist. The Beyoncé’s unreleased music represents a lost creative treasure, and local authorities reinforce patrols in event areas to prevent similar incidents.
