War brews over Burna Boy’s early songs as secret multi-million deal hits court

Fresh legal trouble is brewing around Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy after a major shareholder in his former record label moved to void a controversial multi-million dollar catalogue deal.

According to a Channels TV report monitored by PM News, 960 Music Group is asking the court to nullify the alleged sale of Burna Boy’s early music catalogue, claiming the transaction was carried out without its knowledge or approval.

The dispute centres on a 2024 deal in which Aristokrat Music, the label that helped launch Burna Boy’s career, allegedly transferred ownership of the singer’s early intellectual property and master recordings to Spaceship Music, the imprint linked to Burna Boy and his mother, Bose Ogulu.

However, 960 Music, which reportedly holds about 40 per cent equity in Aristokrat Music, claims the move violated corporate governance rules.

According to the document, the company argues that what it described as the label’s “crown jewel” assets were sold off without board authorisation or shareholder consent.

The dispute has now moved beyond civil litigation into criminal territory, with the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) reportedly filing charges against Aristokrat founder Piriye Isokrari following investigations into alleged financial misconduct linked to the catalogue transaction.

He is accused of fraudulent conversion and breach of fiduciary duty, with claims that proceeds from the alleged sale were diverted or handled outside official company structures.

960 Music alleges the deal was structured privately with Spaceship Music in a move that sidelined existing partners.

The case could have major implications for Burna Boy’s control over his early hits.

Industry watchers note that global stars increasingly push to regain ownership of early masters, but legal disputes around how those rights are transferred can stall or reverse such moves.

If the court rules in favour of 960 Music, ownership of some of Burna Boy’s breakout-era songs could revert to the original partnership structure pending further legal direction.