In the midst of The Life of Pablo still being available only for streaming on Tidal, Kanye took to Twitter to give a few thoughts on the death of physical copies. Calling the unconventional packaging of Yeezus “an open casket to CDs,” Kanye claims that he’s done with CDs forever.
Ye’s statements definitely open up some interesting questions about CDs in the future of the industry. Physicals are making up an increasingly diminishing percentage of the market, and even the RIAA recently conceded that streams take an important spot in music sales. With more streaming services making it easier to have more music in your hands, could we be witnessing the generation that sees CDs go the way of vinyl, of cassettes? Imagine a world where CDs are the retro technology sold in Urban Outfitters.
Of course, only time will tell if Ye sticks to this, especially since CDs have yet to be completely phased out of the market. In the meantime, hold on to those Yeezus copies. They could be collectors items one day.
