Sarkodie Drops Harsh Truths About Why Old Musicians Are Broke

• Sarkodie says no veteran artiste should beg for money if the music industry had proper structures.
• He compared music’s earning potential to real estate, stressing its long-term financial strength.
• Many veteran musicians lost out due to bad contracts that stripped them of catalogue ownership.
• Weak industry regulations in Ghana worsened the situation for older artistes.
• He called for investment and monetization reforms to protect current and future musicians.
• Sarkodie also shut down rumours that he had sold his catalogue, explaining he only switched distributors.
• He maintains independence and control over his music business.

Ghanaian rap heavyweight Sarkodie has issued a bold statement on the state of the music industry, stressing that no veteran artiste should be reduced to begging for financial help if the right structures were in place.

Speaking at the Kumasi Rising Music, Media, and Tourism Dialogue on September 25, 2025, the award-winning rapper highlighted how music royalties and catalogues, if properly managed, can generate steady income rivaling even the real estate business.

According to him, the financial crises many ageing musicians face today trace back to bad contracts. He explained that in the past, artistes often signed away their entire catalogues for meagre sums, leaving them with no ownership rights or long-term benefits.

Sarkodie pointed out that Ghana’s weak regulatory system made it easy for such exploitation to occur. If the industry had stronger protections, he argued, the country’s musical icons would be financially secure rather than dependent on handouts.

The rapper stressed that investment and monetization remain the two pillars that could transform Ghana’s creative sector, ensuring that today’s rising stars do not end up like their struggling predecessors.

At the same event, moderator Serwaa Amihere pressed him on rumors that he had sold his own catalogue. Sarkodie dismissed the claims, clarifying that he remains independent and only shifts distribution partners as part of his business strategy. He revealed past work with Ditto and noted that he has since moved to another company, retaining full control of his music.

Sarkodie’s remarks added fuel to ongoing discussions about ownership, royalties, and the sustainability of careers in Ghana’s entertainment industry.

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