The Lagos court hearing the dispute between 960 Music Group and Aristokrat Records over ownership of Burna Boy’s early music catalogue hit another wall on Monday when the defendant failed to appear. Again.
Aristokrat Records and its founder, Priye Isokrari, were absent from court, along with their legal representatives, bringing proceedings to a halt before they could properly begin.
The matter was stepped down and could not proceed, marking the latest in a pattern of non-appearances that has stretched what should have been a straightforward legal contest into a drawn-out affair.
Netng was present in court and observed representatives of 960 Music Group alongside their legal team, ready and waiting to proceed, but the defendant’s absence made the day a non-starter.
Now, the court has moved to close off the evasion. In a significant procedural development on Tuesday, the court approved substituted service — meaning that Aristokrat Records and Priye Isokrari can henceforth be served with court documents via WhatsApp and other electronic means.
The order effectively removes the ability to claim non-receipt of legal notices, a tactic that has contributed to delays in the matter. If they don’t appear after this, they cannot claim they didn’t know.
The case has been adjourned to June 10, 2026, when both parties are expected to appear for a substantive hearing.
At the heart of the dispute is a catalogue of music recorded by Burna Boy in the early years of his career — before the Afrobeats superstar became one of the most decorated artists in the world. 960 Music Group, which claims to have invested in the label in exchange for 40% equity, is asserting ownership over that catalogue.
The stakes are significant: the recordings in question form the foundation of a career that has since produced Grammy wins, sold-out arenas, and a global fanbase. What they are worth now is a very different figure from what they were worth when the agreements were first made.
The implications of the outcome extend far beyond the two parties. How Nigeria’s courts adjudicate early-career music contracts and catalogue ownership claims will be watched closely by artists, labels, and investors across the industry.
For now, June 10 is the date. And this time, there is no excuse for not being there.
Netng will continue to monitor all developments.
The post Burna Boy early catalogue: Judge orders substituted service as Aristokrat Records, Priye Isokrari evade court again appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
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