A legal battle is on the horizon over the ownership of Burna Boy’s formative music catalogue, setting the stage for a court decision that could redefine control of some of the Afrobeats superstar’s earliest hits.
On February 9, 2026, 960 Music Group instituted legal proceedings challenging the transfer of Burna Boy’s early master recordings from Aristokrat Music to Spaceship Music, the imprint operated by the singer and his mother, Bose Ogulu. The claimant is asking the court to void the transaction, arguing that it was executed without its consent and in violation of corporate governance procedures.
The disputed deal, said to have been concluded around May or June 2024, involves recordings widely credited with launching Burna Boy into national prominence, including “Like to Party” and “Tonight.” In its filings, 960 Music Group describes the catalogue as Aristokrat’s “crown jewel asset,” contending that its disposal required broader authorisation than was obtained.
Aristokrat Music signed Burna Boy in 2011 and managed the release of his early projects. However, 960 Music Group, which owns a 40 per cent equity stake in the label, claims it was neither informed of nor consulted about the sale of the intellectual property and master recordings to Spaceship Music.
According to court documents, the company maintains that the transaction lacked board approval and was carried out without the knowledge of all shareholders. It argues that no individual executive had the authority to unilaterally transfer assets of such strategic and financial importance.
The case is now before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, where 960 Music Group is seeking a declaration that the sale is null and void, as well as an order directing that the catalogue be returned to Aristokrat Music.
