In previous publications I have debated over the challenges and strategies of the Cuban discography at present, in which elements dealing with large-scale production or the permanence of old-fashioned platforms come together.
Although in a speed race with great financial resources the technological ordeal is imposed on the world through the global industry, in our case it is slowed down by the mere fact that our institutions continue to prioritize the subsidy, and bet on the cultural product beyond a retribution, at least immediate or expeditious.
In the early 1990s, the collapse of the European socialist model coincided with the historic advent of the digital disc replacing the vinyl format. Consequently, our record industry plunged into an impasse. Around 30 years later, the global record industry is faced up with a similar extinction, without clear signs of formats of succession.
We recognize the digital phenomenon as the threat to the physical production, but that universe with its infinite possibilities have pluralized the consumption depending on various factors that are clearly monitored by the industry. In Cuba many debates have revolved around this fact. While some claim for the complete migration to the digital world, others favor the physical storage as the only Noah’s Ark in the universe that surrounds us.
To illustrate the phenomenon related to music consumption, we can mention that for more than 8 years Apple Mac computers have not contained optical lenses, and other manufacturers (Lenovo, Toshiba, etc.) have followed this trend, imposing digital consumption with stores and platforms designed for this purpose.
Cuba already has a similar consumption system, Sandunga, but there are still many possibilities to be exploited and to implement a greater complementation of related services as we continue to expand the use of the Internet and payment gateways, so a total leap into the digital universe I do not think it is consistent for the moment.
However, beyond all forms of resistance, I think that despite being a discography oasis in the physical format, we should be aware that the doomsday of records is closer.
