Grammy-winning Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy is caught in a major legal storm over ownership of his early music catalogue, as one of the music industry’s most significant intellectual property disputes unfolds in Nigerian courts. What was intended as a victory—securing full control of his early masterworks—has instead become a complex legal nightmare threatening to strip the artist of some of his most iconic hits.
The Core Dispute
The conflict centers on a transaction completed in May/June 2024, when Aristokrat Music, the label that launched Burna Boy’s career in 2011, allegedly sold the singer’s historical intellectual property and master recordings to Spaceship Music—his current label co-owned with his mother and manager, Bose Ogulu. The transaction seemed straightforward: the artist would finally own his early works, a goal pursued by many global superstars seeking creative and financial independence.
However, 960 Music Group, which owns a 40% stake in Aristokrat Music, has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the sale, claiming it was excluded from the transaction and alleging the sale was executed without its knowledge, consent, or required board approval.
The Legal Challenge
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, describes the catalogue as Aristokrat’s “crown jewel asset.” The Force Criminal Investigation Department has filed charges against Piriye Isokrari, founder of Aristokrat Records, after investigating allegations of fraud raised by 960 Music, accusing him of diverting proceeds from the multi-million dollar sale for personal use and failing to follow corporate governance rules.
The allegations are severe. Beyond procedural violations, 960 Music claims breach of fiduciary duty, with assertions that Isokrari struck a private deal with Spaceship Music that excluded his partners. Essentially, 960 Music argues that one cannot unilaterally sell assets when you only have management authority, not ownership control of a company where others hold significant equity.
The Stakes for Burna Boy
The implications for the Grammy Award winner are considerable. While the 2024 deal was likely intended to give him total control over his early masters—a goal for many global superstars—the alleged procedural failures by Aristokrat have placed those masters in legal limbo.
If the Port Harcourt court rules in favor of 960 Music, Spaceship Music could be forced to relinquish rights to some of Burna Boy’s defining early hits, including “Like to Party” and “Tonight”—the songs that launched his international career. These tracks would revert to Aristokrat’s original stakeholders, leaving the artist without control over his formative work.
Why This Matters Beyond Burna Boy
This case has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s booming music industry. The lawsuit speaks to fundamental questions about corporate governance, artist rights, and transparency in entertainment deals. As neither Burna Boy’s management nor Aristokrat Music has publicly commented on the case, the industry watches closely to see how Nigerian courts will handle intellectual property disputes of this scale.
The outcome could establish important precedents for how catalogue acquisitions are conducted and what protections minority shareholders have in music label transactions. For an industry where artists increasingly seek to own their masters, the decision will send critical signals about the legal framework protecting these deals.
The Waiting Game
As the Federal High Court examines the evidence, Burna Boy’s early catalogue remains suspended between two competing claims of ownership. Whether he will maintain control of the masters he sought to acquire, or lose them to the complications of corporate procedure, remains to be determined. What was meant to be a milestone in his career autonomy has instead become a cautionary tale about the importance of proper corporate governance, even when the ultimate beneficiary—the artist—is one of Africa’s biggest musical talents.
