The fight over Burna Boy’s early music catalogue has taken a serious turn, with Warner Music Group now facing possible legal action in Nigeria.
At the center of the dispute is the ownership of the Afrobeats star’s early master recordings, the songs that helped launch his global career. What was once seen as a straightforward business deal has now evolved into a complex legal battle involving multiple parties and millions of dollars.
The Ownership Dispute
The issue traces back to a deal in mid 2024, when Aristokrat Records, Burna Boy’s former label, reportedly sold his early catalogue to Spaceship Music, his current label which he co-owns with his mother.
The agreement would have handed Burna Boy full control of his early projects, including L.I.F.E released in 2013 and Redemption released in 2016.
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However, 960 Music Group, which owns a 40 percent stake in Aristokrat Records, claims the sale was done without proper approval. According to them, the deal was carried out privately without informing key stakeholders, effectively cutting them out of their share in the catalog
Warner Music Drawn Into the Case
The situation has now escalated to involve Warner Music Group. A Lagos based law firm representing 960 Music has formally notified the company, demanding that it immediately stop all distribution, promotion, and monetization of the disputed songs.
They have also asked Warner to halt any new licensing deals and preserve all financial records linked to the catalogue.
With these demands reportedly ignored, 960 Music is now preparing to include Warner as a defendant in the ongoing legal proceedings in Nigeria.
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Criminal Allegations Surface
The case has also taken a criminal dimension. The Force Criminal Investigation Department has filed charges against Piriye Isokrari, the founder of Aristokrat Records.
He is accused of diverting funds from the sale for personal use and breaching his duties to business partners by allegedly finalizing the deal without proper authorization.
What It Means for Burna Boy
For Burna Boy, the deal was meant to mark a major milestone, giving him full ownership of the music that shaped his early success.
But if the courts rule in favor of 960 Music, the agreement could be cancelled. That would mean Spaceship Music losing control of the catalogue, throwing the ownership of his early hits into uncertainty once again.
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