Legal Dispute Over Burna Boy's Music Catalogue Intensifies

A legal dispute involving 960 Music Group and Aristokrat Music has raised concerns over the ownership of Burna Boy's early music catalogue. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, seeks to nullify a multimillion-dollar sale of Burna Boy's intellectual property, which was allegedly conducted without the knowledge and consent of 960 Music Group, a minor shareholder in Aristokrat Music.

The transaction, which occurred between May and June 2024, transferred ownership of the master recordings to Spaceship Music, a company owned by Burna Boy's mother and manager, Bose Ogulu, who holds a 40% equity stake in Aristokrat Music. 960 Music Group claims that the sale undermined their rights as minority shareholders and has triggered a criminal investigation against Piriy Isokrari, the founder and CEO of Aristokrat Music, for alleged fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The outcome of this case could compel Spaceship Music to relinquish rights to Burna Boy's foundational catalogue.