Egypt’s cash-strapped Cassette Producers Society is studying the possibility of lowering the pay of singers starting next winter season.
The society claims such steps are necessary because of two seasons of plummeting cassette sales.
Singers’ earnings have skyrocketed, according to the producers, with stars like Amr Diab and Mohammed Fuad pocketing 6 million pounds.
Hani Shaker, Ehab Tawfiq and Mustafa Amar have brought home 5, 4 and 3 million pounds respectively, while Hisham Abbas has reportedly received $650,000. Samira Said, Nawal Al Zughbi and Latifa have earned $600,000 each as payment for their work with the producers, said the society.
According to the Qatari daily Al Rayah, this high pay has increased the album price to 10 pounds, leading to the spread of home computers and Internet subscriptions in the Arab World.
The society also complained that rising subscriptions to broadcasting and satellite music networks had cut into their profits - Albawaba.com
