A authorized dispute over Burna Boy’s early music catalogue has intensified, with Warner Music Group now going through strain to droop distribution actions and probably be drawn into ongoing authorized proceedings.
Lagos-based regulation agency, Creative Legal, appearing on behalf of 960 Music Limited, mentioned it has formally notified Warner Music Group over the alleged switch of Burna Boy’s early catalogue, particularly the albums L.I.F.E (2013) and Redemption (2016).
The agency said that it’s demanding the quick suspension of all distribution, advertising and marketing, monetisation, licensing and associated industrial actions tied to the works.
According to a spokesperson for Creative Legal, Warner Music has but to answer the petition.
“We are considering all options right now, including adding them to the suit if they do not engage reasonably,” the spokesperson mentioned.
The attorneys argue that 960 Music Limited, which owns a 40 per cent stake in Aristokrat Records, Burna Boy’s former label, was neither notified of nor consented to the alleged project of {the catalogue} from Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited to Spaceship Music Limited, which is related to the artist and his mom, Bose Ogulu.
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They additional contend that the transaction was executed with out board or shareholder approval, and is at the moment the topic of civil proceedings earlier than the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt (Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/188/2024: 960 Music Ltd v. Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited & Ors.).
The reliefs being sought embrace the nullification of the project and a refund of the proceeds.
In addition, legal proceedings have been instituted over the identical transaction (Charge No. FHC/L/1087/2025: Commissioner of Police v. Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited & Anor.), with allegations of fraudulent conversion and associated offences.
Creative Legal has formally requested Warner Music to droop all actions regarding {the catalogue}, chorus from coming into into new agreements, protect monetary and royalty information, and supply written affirmation of compliance inside seven days of receiving the discover.
However, Barrister Justin Ige, managing companion at Creative Legal, confirmed that the agency had not acquired any formal response after the deadline had elapsed and is awaiting additional directions from its consumer, 960 Music Limited.
The dispute, which escalated in February, centres on claims that Aristokrat Records allegedly offered Burna Boy’s historic masters to Spaceship Music in mid-2024.
960 Music, nonetheless, insists the sale was illegal and has challenged the transaction in court docket.
The case additionally consists of allegations in opposition to Aristokrat Records’ chief government, Piriye Isokrari, who’s going through accusations of fraud, monetary misconduct and breach of fiduciary responsibility, together with claims that sale proceeds had been diverted and that the corporate did not safe mandatory approvals.
If the court docket guidelines in favour of 960 Music, management over Burna Boy’s early catalogue, together with a few of his hottest tracks, might be affected, probably inserting the possession of the masters in authorized uncertainty.
