Warner Music Group (WMG) is facing growing legal pressure as a dispute over the early catalogue of Burna Boy intensifies.
Creative Legal, acting on behalf of 960 Music Limited, has asked WMG to stop all distribution, marketing, and monetization linked to the artist’s early works. The firm also requested that all royalty records and financial data be preserved during the legal process.
The dispute focuses on Burna Boy’s early projects, L.I.F.E (2013) and Redemption (2016). According to 960 Music Limited, which holds a 40 percent stake in Aristokrat Records, the catalogue was transferred to Spaceship Music in mid-2024 without board approval or shareholder consent.
Spaceship Music is closely linked to Burna Boy and his manager, Bose Ogulu. However, 960 Music claims the deal breached corporate governance rules and lacked transparency.
WMG has not responded to the notice. Legal representatives say the company may be added to the lawsuit if it fails to engage.
The dispute is now before multiple courts. Civil proceedings at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt seek to cancel the transfer and recover proceeds. At the same time, criminal charges in Lagos include allegations of fraudulent conversion.
The case also names Piriye Isokrari, who faces accusations of breach of fiduciary duty and financial misconduct.
If the court rules in favor of 960 Music, ownership and distribution rights to Burna Boy’s early hits could change. For now, the case remains unresolved, leaving the catalogue in legal uncertainty.
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