EXCLUSIVE: Stolen Laptop Allegedly Contains Beyoncé’s Secret Afrobeats Album Plans — But Don’t Expect a Leak Anytime Soon
Last weekend in Atlanta, something very un-Beyoncé-like happened: a laptop was stolen from a car belonging to one of her longtime choreographers—and what was on it has the BeyHive buzzing and Beyoncé’s legal team (probably) on full alert.
According to multiple reports, the stolen laptop contained “secret” and unreleased music and choreography footage from none other than Queen Bey herself. And while most of us would assume that kind of content would be under Fort Knox-level protection, the laptop was apparently left vulnerable enough for someone to swipe it in a smash-and-grab.
But here’s where things get messy (and possibly criminal):
The Blackmail Attempt?
This week, a group claiming to have “found” the laptop reached out to Media Take Out through encrypted messaging platforms—offering to sell the unreleased material, which they claim includes brand-new Beyoncé music and video footage of choreography likely intended for her next album.
That’s already messy—but it gets juicier. According to the group, Beyoncé’s next era is going full Afrobeats.
What the Alleged Footage Reveals
The team behind the attempted sale claimed that the new Beyoncé material is entirely Afrobeats in style. It features choreographed visuals, staying true to Beyoncé’s performance roots, and includes major cameos from top Afrobeats stars, although no specific names were confirmed. The sound and visuals are said to be “unlike anything Beyoncé has done before.”
They believe this material represents the post-Cowboy Carter era, possibly slated for a 2026 album drop. And while it’s easy to be skeptical about these claims, artistically it makes a lot of sense. Beyoncé’s been exploring new genres with every project. Renaissance gave us house, disco, and ballroom culture. Cowboy Carter took her deep into country roots and American folk storytelling. So Afrobeats in 2026? Not exactly far-fetched—and kind of perfect.
US rapper Jay-Z and US singer-songwriter Beyonce attend the world premiere of Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” at the Dolby theater in Hollywood, California, December 9, 2024. (Photo by Lisa O’CONNOR / AFP) (Photo by LISA O’CONNOR/AFP via Getty Images)
Legal Lines Not to Cross
Before anyone gets excited: Media Take Out needs to make it perfectly clear that we declined the offer. Possessing or distributing stolen intellectual property is a serious crime—and if there’s anyone we don’t want legal problems with, it’s Beyoncé and Jay Z’s legal team. We don’t want ANNNNNNY smoke with them.
So while the temptation was real (yes, even in Bitcoin), we never saw, possessed, or even smelled the footage. And because the messages were encrypted, we don’t know WHO has it.
What This Could Mean for Beyoncé’s Next Era
If the team of “finders” are telling the truth, Beyoncé could be gearing up for her most globally collaborative and rhythmically rich project to date. Afrobeats is already dominating charts around the world, and having Beyoncé step into the genre could elevate it even further into mainstream Western consciousness.
And if the stolen laptop contents are real, her team is already be moving quickly to the rollout.
Bottom line: no leaks (yet), but Afrobeats Beyoncé might be closer than we think. And if it’s all true, 2026 just became the most anticipated music year in a long time.
Stay tuned—and don’t be surprised if Beyoncé drops a surprise track just to remind the world who’s in charge.
