Ferdinand Ekechukwu
On February 9, 2026, news broke that 960 Music Group is suing to void the sale of Burna Boy’s early catalogue, alleging that Aristokrat Records founder Piriye Isokrari illegally sold the assets to Spaceship Music in mid-2024 without its consent or the knowledge of 960 Music label, which holds a 40% stake in Aristokrat. Aristokrat Music signed Burna Boy in 2011, where he made some of his breakout songs including “Like to Party” and “Tonight”.
The lawsuit alleges fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and illegal conversion of assets, leading to a police investigation. 960 Music claims the sale of the “crown jewel” assets (early master recordings and intellectual property) was completed without their knowledge, consent, or necessary board authorization. The suit accuses Isokrari of bypassing corporate governance to orchestrate a “private deal” with Spaceship Music, co-owned by Burna Boy and his mother, Bose Ogulu.
The lawsuit alleges that proceeds from the multi-million dollar transaction were diverted for personal use or moved outside of official company accounts. The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) is involved, with charges filed against Isokrari for financial misconduct and breach of fiduciary duty. The legal action in the Federal High Courts in Lagos and Port Harcourt aims to nullify the sale and return the rights to the original, shared ownership structure.
Having full ownership of catalogue is a goal many global stars actively pursue. For Burna Boy, the dispute presents a complicated outcome.
The 2024 deal was widely understood as a move to give the Grammy-winning artist full ownership of his early recordings. However, if the courts favour 960 Music, Spaceship Music could be forced to relinquish the catalogue. That would mean Burna Boy’s breakout hits returning to the original partners behind Aristokrat, undoing the very ownership shift the deal was meant to achieve.
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