Talent manager Nana Poku Ashis has stated that the good old days of cassettes and CDs were far more rewarding for musicians than the current era of streaming platforms.
Speaking on Hitz FM, Ashis argued that even though technology has changed the way people consume music, cassettes and CDs provided a straightforward system for both artistes and distributors.
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According to him, there is even a possibility that cassettes could find their way back into the music market.
Explaining his point, he said the advantage of physical formats was that artistes could quantify sales and know exactly how much money they were making.
He contrasted this with the challenges musicians face with streaming platforms, where royalties are calculated differently across the various digital service providers (DSPs), leaving artistes with less income than expected.
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“Cassettes and CDs generate more money. Because if you sell one unit, you know you have sold one unit but with the royalties, I still don’t understand the whole streaming thing. Everybody has a breakdown of how they are doing it.
“The DSPs are making more money as it stands than even the musicians and it’s a headache. Even for the elite, they are complaining. But back in the days, if I have one cassette and I’m selling it for GH¢10 okay the distributor takes GH¢2, I know I make GH¢8.
“It’s about how you find your distribution, once you can plug into your distributors and it goes around the country or globe, no stress. It still has its limits because now the shops that used to sell cassettes are no longer there, people have moved on…the avenues might be a problem,” Ashis stated.
.@TheRealAshis shares why cassettes could make a comeback — and the pros and cons#ShowBizReview pic.twitter.com/Gh76btl9GO
— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) August 20, 2025
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