Ghanaian comedian and event MC, Lekzy DeComic, has sparked a conversation on the seeming disappearance of compact discs (CDs) and pen drives from official music distribution channels in Ghana, questioning why musicians are no longer tapping into that market.
In a recent Facebook post, the comedian expressed surprise at the thriving business of music piracy after observing unauthorised vendors selling CDs and pen drives loaded with local songs in traffic. He noted that several motorists were seen purchasing the pirated content.
“If people are out here selling musicians’ songs on CDs and pen drives and I just saw a few cars actually buying from one guy, then why aren’t musicians themselves selling CDs anymore?” he asked.
He added that the dominance of streaming platforms has not reached all sections of the public and insisted that physical formats still hold value.
“Charley, not everyone understands this streaming thing, so others are cashing in big time,” Lekzy wrote.
His post has stoked debate on the relevance of CDs in the Ghanaian music industry, especially at a time when piracy remains rampant and streaming royalties are still relatively low for many artistes.
Some industry players argue that CDs may no longer be trendy, but they are still a valid and potentially profitable distribution tool.
Music producer and sound engineer Kaywa had previously stated that physical copies of albums offer an intimate connection with fans and can be sold at events to create memorable experiences. Similarly, veteran musician Akosua Agyapong once noted that CDs, when properly branded, serve as collector’s items and contribute to merchandise revenue.
Another creative personality who has been very vocal about not discarding CDs and pen drives in music and movie productions is filmmaker Socrate Safo.
Safo, the former Director for Creative Arts at the National Commission on Culture, once emphasised the profitability of physical formats.
He said, “Compare the profit musicians gain from 100 people streaming your music to how much you earn from selling CDs and you will realise that CD sales are more profitable. Consumers are still there.”
About a week ago, a popular radio presenter also took to Facebook to mock up-and-coming artiste Wan‑O for selling his music at the Accra Mall—a comment that sparked backlash from fans who argued that grassroots sales are part of the hustle and should be encouraged.
Despite the surge in digital platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, and Boomplay, the issue of access and digital literacy remains a challenge in Ghana. Many consumers either lack the know-how or the internet bandwidth to engage with streaming fully, making physical sales a potentially untapped market.
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A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer.
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The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections.
A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. Even the all-powerful Pointing has no control about the blind texts it is an almost unorthographic life One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because there were thousands of bad Commas, wild Question Marks and devious Semikoli, but the Little Blind Text didn’t listen.
His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame.
It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. Drops of rain could be heard hitting the pane, which made him feel quite sad.