Burna Boy Faces Legal Battle Over Music Catalogue Ownership

Burna Boy, a Grammy Award-winning Nigerian artist, is currently in a legal battle with his former record label, Aristokrat Records, regarding the ownership of his early music catalogue. The dispute centers on allegations that Aristokrat Records, along with its investor 960 Music Group, conducted unauthorized transactions involving Burna Boy's intellectual property rights linked to his early hit songs.

The controversy is tied to a 2024 agreement that reportedly intended to transfer ownership of these works back to the artist. Aristokrat Records, credited with launching Burna Boy's career in 2011, is facing a lawsuit filed in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which seeks to nullify the sale and compel the return of the intellectual property assets.

The investor, 960 Music Group, holds a 40% equity stake in Aristokrat Records and claims that the transaction was concluded without proper shareholder consent. Additionally, a criminal investigation has been initiated against Piriy Isokrari, the founder of Aristokrat Records, following allegations of fraud and financial misconduct.