Grammy-winning Nigerian musician Burna Boy has disclosed that American R&B singer Toni Braxton receives 60% of the streaming royalties generated by his hit song, Last Last. This revelation has drawn attention to the financial arrangements behind the popular record, which became one of Burna Boy's biggest international hits after its 2022 release. The song prominently samples Toni Braxton's 2000 hit single He Wasn't Man Enough.
According to Burna Boy, the American singer's 60% share applies specifically to streaming royalties and not the song's entire earnings. He made this clarification during an appearance on the American podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game, hosted by Gillie Da King and Wallo267. Burna Boy expressed no regrets about the arrangement, stating that he had always wanted to incorporate Braxton's classic R&B record into one of his songs.
Burna Boy credited Nigerian music producer Chopstix for helping transform the idea into the hit record, describing the creative process as one of the most special experiences of his music career. The song's success can be attributed to the combination of Burna Boy's modern style and Braxton's timeless classic. Last Last was released in May 2022 and became a major international success.
The song is one of the signature tracks on Burna Boy's sixth studio album, Love, Damini, released in July 2022. Burna Boy had previously disclosed that Last Last had made him more money than any other song in his career at the time. The original song, He Wasn't Man Enough, was released by Toni Braxton in 2000 and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2001.
The revelation has once again brought attention to music sampling, copyright ownership, and royalty-sharing arrangements in the global music industry. It highlights how classic records can continue generating income years after their original release. This has sparked conversation among music fans and industry professionals about the importance of fair royalty arrangements.
Burna Boy's decision to use Braxton's sample was his idea, and he is satisfied with the outcome. He even expressed hope that Braxton would attend one of his shows in the future. The collaboration has been beneficial for both artists, with Braxton receiving a significant share of the streaming royalties.
The story of Last Last and its royalty arrangements serves as a reminder of the complexities of music sampling and copyright ownership. As the music industry continues to evolve, it is essential for artists and producers to understand the importance of fair and transparent royalty arrangements. This will ensure that all parties involved in the creative process are fairly compensated for their work.
Key points
- Burna Boy's hit song Last Last samples Toni Braxton's 2000 hit single He Wasn't Man Enough.
- Toni Braxton receives 60% of the streaming royalties from Last Last, while Burna Boy receives 40%.
- The song's success has sparked conversation on music sampling, copyright ownership, and royalty-sharing arrangements in the global music industry.
