Burna Boy Reveals Toni Braxton Receives 60% of 'Last Last' Streaming Royalties

Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy has revealed that American R&B star Toni Braxton receives 60 per cent of the streaming royalties generated by his hit song, 'Last Last', following the use of elements from her 2000 classic, 'He Wasn't Man Enough'.

The revelation has attracted renewed attention after reports revisited the singer's explanation of the royalty arrangement and the creative process behind the successful record.

Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, originally discussed the arrangement during an appearance on the American podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game, hosted by Gillie Da King and Wallo267.

During the conversation, the African Giant explained that using Toni Braxton's song was an idea he had considered for some time before Nigerian music producer Chopstix helped transform it into the instrumental foundation of 'Last Last'.

According to the singer, he had always wanted to incorporate the sample into one of his records because he believed it could produce something special.

He praised Chopstix for his contribution to the production, describing the creative process as one of the memorable experiences of his music career.

Toni Braxton Receives 60 Per Cent of Streaming Royalties

One of the most discussed aspects of the arrangement is the percentage of royalties allocated to Braxton.

Speaking about the agreement, Burna Boy disclosed that the American singer receives 60 per cent of the streaming royalties associated with 'Last Last'.

He expressed no dissatisfaction with the arrangement, explaining that his priority was creating a successful record rather than concentrating entirely on the share of royalties he would personally receive.

The singer also expressed hope that Braxton would eventually attend one of his performances.

However, the 60 per cent figure requires an important distinction. Burna Boy later clarified during an appearance on Shopping for Sneakers that Braxton's share concerns streaming royalties rather than the song's entire earnings from every source.

He also revealed that 'Last Last' had generated more money for him than any other song in his career at the time, despite the royalty arrangement.

How 'Last Last' Became a Global Afrobeats Hit

Released in May 2022, 'Last Last' became one of the defining records of Burna Boy's career.

The song combines Afrobeats rhythms with elements of Braxton's 'He Wasn't Man Enough', a popular R&B record released in 2000.

Its lyrics explore heartbreak, disappointment and emotional recovery, themes that connected with listeners across different countries.

The track appeared as the seventh song on Burna Boy's sixth studio album, Love, Damini, released in July 2022.

The album also featured international collaborations with artists including Ed Sheeran, J Hus, Kehlani and Khalid.

The success of 'Last Last' further strengthened Burna Boy's international profile and demonstrated the growing influence of Nigerian music in the global entertainment industry.

Toni Braxton's Influence on Contemporary Music

Braxton remains one of the most recognisable voices in American R&B, with a career spanning several decades.

Her original recording, 'He Wasn't Man Enough', earned her the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

The song's appearance in Burna Boy's record introduced elements of her earlier work to a younger generation of Afrobeats listeners.

The arrangement also demonstrates how sampling can connect different musical generations, allowing established recordings to find new audiences through contemporary production.

A Lesson in Music Sampling and Collaboration

Burna Boy's explanation provides an interesting example of how music sampling works within the international music industry.

When artists incorporate elements of existing recordings into new songs, the necessary rights and royalty arrangements can determine how revenue is distributed among the relevant rights holders.

For 'Last Last', the arrangement allowed Burna Boy to build a new hit around a familiar R&B recording while acknowledging Braxton's contribution.

Ultimately, the song remains one of the major highlights of his catalogue, while its royalty arrangement continues to generate conversations about creativity, ownership and the business of making music.