Media personality and blogger, Kobby Kyei, has stressed the urgent need for Ghana to establish proper systems that will help musicians monetize their catalogues and secure their financial future.
In an interview on Starr Showbiz on Starr 103.5 FM on Saturday, August 30, 2025, Kobby Kyei described the current state of affairs as worrying, especially for veteran artistes who contributed immensely to Ghana’s music heritage but continue to live in hardship due to the absence of structured digital revenue streams.
“Most of our legends have difficulties accessing their own works. Some of their songs have been uploaded by other people, making it difficult for them to cash out. And we are talking about millions of cedis that could change their lives if the right systems were put in place,” he said.
He explained that while younger artistes have been quick to embrace digital platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, many of the older generation of musicians have been left behind due to limited orientation. This, according to him, has created a widening gap in the industry.
Kobby Kyei further disclosed that some veteran musicians have resorted to handing over their catalogues to younger people to manage. However, without a transparent and regulated framework, many end up being exploited. “It is not just about giving your catalogue to someone. The question is, are these managers breaking it down in a way that the artiste understands and ensuring that they get exactly what they deserve?” he quizzed.
The blogger also urged the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) to step up its mandate by prioritizing digital education and orientation for both old and new artistes. “MUSIGA must work towards making sure the welfare of our musicians is solidified. One of our biggest problems is that we always wait for the thing to become big before we catch up. We should be proactive in helping our legends monetize their music now, not later,” he emphasized.
Kyei also touched on the perception that MUSIGA is only for older artistes, arguing that this mindset has discouraged younger talents from getting involved. He believes that until MUSIGA becomes attractive to the youth and embraces partnerships with international tech companies, Ghanaian musicians will continue to lose out on revenue opportunities.
Highlighting examples from successful acts such as Stonebwoy and Black Sherif, Kyei explained that these artistes were able to properly monetize their works by partnering with international platforms and distributors. He, therefore, called on industry leaders to look beyond electing only musicians to head the union, advocating instead for leaders who are business-oriented and digitally inclined.
“Not every leader must be a musician. We need people who understand the business, who can strike the balance between the old analogue way of doing things and the new digital landscape,” he stated.
Kobby Kyei finally urged universities offering music-related programmes to incorporate music business and entrepreneurship into their curriculum, insisting that Ghana must start producing graduates who understand not only how to play or read music, but also how to manage it as a profitable venture.
He concluded by stressing that the sustainability of Ghana’s music industry depends on intentional reforms that protect artistes’ intellectual property, ensure proper digital monetization, and create a balance between older and younger generations in the industry.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
