Grammy-winning Afrobeats and Afro-fusion superstar Burna Boy has been at the centre of high-profile legal disputes related to his music and business affairs, sparking fresh conversations about intellectual property, artist contracts, and rights over creative works.
One of the most prominent cases involves a copyright infringement lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Haitian music legend Fabrice Rouzier claims that Burna Boy and French-Haitian singer Joe Dwet File used substantial parts of Rouzier’s 2002 song Je Vais without permission for their 2025 track 4 Kampe II.
The lawsuit, launched in early 2025, seeks significant financial compensation and an order to remove infringing copies from circulation.
According to court filings, Rouzier alleges that key musical and visual elements from his original work were incorporated into 4 Kampe II without proper licensing or consent.
If the court finds in his favour, Burna Boy could be ordered to pay damages and royalties to the Haitian artist.
Another major legal issue involves the ownership of Burna Boy’s early music catalogue.
In February 2026, media reports confirmed that 960 Music Group, which owns a 40pc stake in Aristokrat Records, filed a lawsuit in the Federal High Courts in Lagos and Port Harcourt to challenge the 2024 sale of Burna Boy’s back catalogue.
Aristokrat Records originally helped launch Burna Boy’s career, and the catalogue in question includes foundational hits such as Like to Party and Tonight.
The group argues that the sale to Burna Boy’s imprint, Spaceship Music, was conducted without its approval and therefore should be voided.
They claim the transaction was executed without the required consent of all shareholders.
This dispute has escalated beyond a civil lawsuit; authorities have also reportedly opened a criminal investigation into possible financial misconduct related to the catalogue sale, potentially involving fraud charges against individuals associated with Aristokrat Records.
Despite these legal challenges, Burna Boy has continued to maintain a strong presence in the music world.
His songs consistently chart internationally, and he remains one of Africa’s most-streamed and awarded artists.