King Paluta Disputes Rex Omar’s Musicians’ Earnings Claim

Ghanaian artiste King Paluta has challenged assertions by GHAMRO Board Chairman Rex Omar that the overwhelming majority of musicians in the country are not earning income from their craft.

Speaking in a recent interview on Joy Prime, Rex Omar claimed that nearly “97% of Ghanaian musicians are not making money.” He explained that although talent is abundant in Ghana’s music industry, the business framework required to sustain artistes financially is largely absent.

“The business aspect of it that will sustain them is zero,” Rex Omar stated. According to him, many artistes venture into music driven by passion but struggle to generate revenue due to a lack of structure, monetization strategies, and proper management.

His remarks sparked debate within the creative space, with some industry players and commentators weighing in on the issue. Media personality C-Real supported the claim in a social media post, suggesting the figure could be even higher.

However, King Paluta has strongly disagreed with the narrative that the industry is broadly unrewarding. In response to C-Real’s post, the artiste questioned the statistics and pushed back against what he described as a sweeping generalization.

“I really don’t understand this. Of course I am making money. Why are we making it look like the game hasn’t been good to us? I still no dey barb. Who are the 99%? People are listening to you and you are not making money? Ano dey barb,” King Paluta wrote.

His comments suggest that while some musicians may be struggling, others are successfully monetizing their work and benefiting from the industry.

The exchange has reignited conversations about the economic realities of Ghana’s music scene, particularly the gap between talent and business acumen. While Rex Omar emphasizes structural weaknesses within the industry, King Paluta’s response highlights the experiences of artistes who say the system is working for them.

As the debate continues, stakeholders are likely to revisit discussions around royalties, digital streaming, management structures and broader reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s music business ecosystem.