Peedi Picasso, CEO of Aristokrat Records, has explained why he declined to renew Burna Boy ‘s contract.
He claimed the singer wanted big money, a Porsche and gifts that could not be recovered financially.
His comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with fans discussing Burna Boy’s talent, early music career and reported catalogue purchase.
Burna Boy’s rise to international stardom has resurfaced in an online discussion after Peedi Picasso, the CEO of Aristokrat Records, explained why he chose not to renew the singer’s contract.
Picasso said the demands for a bigger financial package, a Porsche and other gifts influenced his decision. He also revealed that his experience with Wizkid and EME made him cautious about building his record label around one artiste.
Why Aristokrat Records refused to renew Burna Boy’s contract
According to Picasso, Burna Boy’s demands included financial benefits and gifts that the record label could not easily recover its money from
He also recalled that the singer’s mother had encouraged him to trust her son. However, the record label boss said the experience involving Wizkid and EME influenced his decision to take a different approach.
Picasso explained that he did not want the future of Aristokrat Records to depend too heavily on one artiste, even if that artiste had the potential to become a major star
“His mom told me to trust him, but after what happened with Wizkid and EME, I didn’t want to build my label around one artiste.”
His account has drawn attention to the business decisions record label executives face when working with talented artistes whose careers are still developing.
Peedi Picasso praises Burna Boy’s early success
Despite the decision not to renew the contract, Picasso spoke highly of Burna Boy’s international potential and early achievements.
He pointed to the singer’s 2013 album, L.I.F.E, as evidence that Burna Boy had begun making an impression beyond Nigeria early in his career.
Picasso said:
“Burna Boy has always been the biggest artiste internationally. When he dropped L.I.F.E in 2013, he debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Reggae chart and in the UK Underground chart Top 20. Only Wizkid’s ‘Superstar’ comes close.”
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His comments have renewed conversations about Burna Boy’s early days at Aristokrat Records and how the singer eventually established himself as a major international music star
Fans react to Burna Boy’s record label history
Social media users shared different views following Picasso’s remarks. While some praised Burna Boy for knowing his worth, others highlighted Aristokrat Records’ contribution to his early career.
@Hakeem_Oni wrote: “Burna boy sabi him worth like mad.. even bought his music catalog from aristokrat dor millions of dollars
I Stan a man that knows his worth. Odogwu no be nickname. 💯”
@TweeterRadio wrote: “Mojeed – westernized west African Ozone – Last night in Lagos/ superiority complex Burnaboy – LIFE
Aristokrat gave us good music ☺️☺️☺️☺️”
@LotaBillz wrote: “But even without being told, it was as clear as the sky that burna boy was destined for greatness. His kind of song and niche was totally different and they were all club bangers. Odogwu is a genius and aristocrat for don dey Jollof by now.”
@NEIGHBOR NG™ wrote: “But he bought back his music catalog from you na
Why you come dey do interview lol 😊”
@LindaContent wrote: “You made the right choice. The odds of Burna becoming what he became today were 1 to a million. He’s an exception not the rule. Hard work and talent is never enough in that industry”
@spiritualcode77 wrote: “Funniest thing I still jam Burna music with aristokrat this morning lol”
Watch the video here:
“I didn’t renew Burna Boy’s contract because he wanted big money, a Porsche and gifts that weren’t recoupable. His mom told me to trust him, but after what happened with Wizkid and EME, I didn’t want to build my label around one artiste.”
— Peedi Picasso, Aristokrat Records CEO https://t.co/2vgLYJwOdo
— carter🌚 (@carter8f) October 27, 2026
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