A high-stakes legal battle has broken out in Nigeria’s music industry over the ownership of Burna Boy’s catalogue. These are specifically the master recordings of his early songs. They include breakthrough hits such as ‘Like to Party’ and ‘Tonight.’
The dispute involves three parties: 960 Music Group, Aristokrat Music, and Burna Boy’s own imprint, Spaceship Music.
Why Are They Fighting Over Burna Boy’s Catalogue?
The cause of the legal battle is a 2024 deal in which Aristokrat Music (the label that signed Burna Boy in 2011) allegedly transferred his early masters and intellectual property to Spaceship Music (the singer’s current label run with his mother, Bose Ogulu). 
960 Music, which owns a 40% stake in Aristokrat, claims this transfer was conducted without proper consent or board approval. They believe this deal effectively sidelined its ownership rights. 960 Music has now taken the fight to the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. They seek to nullify the sale and have the contested assets returned.
The company argues that the transaction violated corporate governance standards and deprived its shareholders of rightful assets. An unnamed 960 Music executive stressed that the deal “moved the IP under the radar”. The music group has now asked the court to “bring those assets back.”
The case has also drawn criminal charges against Aristokrat’s founder, Piriye Isokrari. Prosecutors allege diverted proceeds from the sale for personal use and a breach of his fiduciary duty to partners.
For Burna Boy, the catalogue is foundational to his legacy and long-term earnings. If the court sides with 960 Music, Spaceship could be forced to surrender rights to these early hits back to Aristokrat’s original stakeholders.
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What This Legal Fight Teaches the Music Industry
This dispute over Burna Boy’s catalogue highlights the importance of clear contracts, corporate governance, and shared ownership rights in the music business. Artists, managers, and labels alike can learn that improperly handled catalogue deals can lead to:
- Years-long litigation,
- Uncertainty over royalties, and
- Damage to reputations.
Music catalogues are fast becoming more valuable. So, this legal battle brings attention to the need for transparency, legal clarity, and respect for shareholder rights.
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