Legal Battle Erupts Over Burna Boy’s Early Music Catalogue

Legal battle erupts over Burna Boy’s early music as Spaceship Music and 960 Music clash; Aristokrat founder faces charges

A heated legal battle has emerged over the ownership of Afrobeats star Burna Boy’s early music catalogue, involving his former label and current management team.

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The dispute, which began in mid-2024, has escalated into lawsuits filed in the Federal High Courts of Lagos and Port Harcourt, alongside criminal charges.

The conflict centers on the sale of Burna Boy’s master recordings and intellectual property.

Aristokrat Music, the label that signed Burna Boy in 2011, allegedly transferred his early works to Spaceship Music, the imprint run by the singer and his mother, Bose Ogulu.

However, 960 Music Group, which holds a 40 per cent stake in Aristokrat, claims the deal was executed without their consent or board approval.

960 Music has petitioned the Port Harcourt court to nullify the sale, arguing that the transaction violated corporate governance rules and excluded shareholders from a decision affecting key company assets.

This has left Burna Boy’s breakout hits, including Like to Party and Tonight, in legal uncertainty.

Beyond civil litigation, the Force Criminal Investigation Department has charged Aristokrat founder Piriye Isokrari with fraud.

He is accused of diverting proceeds from the sale for personal use, breaching fiduciary duty, and making a private deal with Spaceship Music that excluded partners.

For Burna Boy, the dispute complicates ownership of his early recordings.

A court ruling in favor of 960 Music could return these works to Aristokrat’s original partners, potentially removing them from Spaceship Music’s control.

Also read: Burna Boy’s Sister Reveals Why He Prefers Touring Over Studio

Separately, Burna Boy has publicly praised Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti as the only musician greater than him, a statement that resurfaced recently amid debates on the legacies of Fela, Burna Boy, and Wizkid.