Vinyl: Not Just an Accessory, But a Culture

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Vinyl: Not Just an Accessory, But a Culture

4 Jul 2025

You come home to your friends — the table is packed with delicious bites, the tall candle in the centre flickers, and everything feels just right… Except for one thing: the music. That is when someone walks over to the record player, carefully slides a vinyl out of its sleeve, and places it on. Just like that, the vibe is complete.

Now, imagine if they had just switched on the TV. Or said something like, “Hey, Siri, play some music.” It wouldn’t be the same. Nothing terrible — but vinyl? It changes everything.

Vinyl has made a major comeback. And it isn't just a passing trend — it is part of our culture. One that brings people together. How? Why? Let’s dive in — together with our resident music expert, Kito Jempere!

How did it all start?

Quick story before we dive in: the earliest version of vinyl — the flat disc record — was actually invented back in the 1800s. But it wasn’t quite vinyl yet (the sound wasn’t great, and the material was far from smooth).

The vinyl records we know today appeared in the late 1940s, and from there, they took over. For the next few decades, vinyl was everywhere — in record stores, homes, cafés, fancy lounges, and underground clubs. And then… they disappeared. Or at least, almost. By the late 1980s, vinyl faded out as cassettes and CDs took over.

But not for good. Nearly 30 years later, vinyl made its big comeback — and this time, it is here to stay.

What made vinyl come back?

I know — it might sound a bit strange (honestly, I used to think it was kind of a silly reason too… until I looked into it more). The big comeback moment? It all started with Record Store Day, which launched in 2007.

On that day, major artists began releasing exclusive vinyl editions of their work — sometimes their very first vinyl pressings. That pulled fans into the world of records, and suddenly, vinyl wasn’t just for jazz heads or old-school collectors. Pop, rock, hip-hop — it all started showing up on vinyl. It became more relatable, more accessible, more exciting.

Source: camoinassociates.com

What Kept It Going?

Bringing vinyl back is one thing. Keeping it alive and popular? That is a different story. So what kept it on the cultural radar?

Nostalgia

Yes, it is really that simple — just nostalgia.

Many of those who fell in love with vinyl in the 2010s grew up with records in the background — maybe not as the main format, but always there. Kids who listened to vinyl with their parents are now adults, and that connection stuck. Vinyl became a thread that tied them back to a time that felt slower, more tactile, more personal.

Vinyl has always been part of my life. In the early 1990s, my dad was a big fan of playing full albums on vinyl. CDs were already huge back then, but our house was still full of records.
He was the one who taught me to appreciate music as a complete experience. For him, an album wasn’t just a bunch of songs — it was a story, meant to be heard from start to finish.
I can still picture the setup: a chair placed right in the middle of the room, perfectly aligned with the Technics speakers. That’s where you’d sit, totally immersed in sound. Some of the records were old Soviet pressings, others were imported — pretty rare for that time.— Kito Jempere, DJ and Creative Director of The Sandy Times

Digital Burnout

Vinyl offers something no social media ever can — a sense of calm and slowing down. You can’t just skip from track to track. You have to pause, sit with it, and really listen.

The Pandemic

In 2021, vinyl sales shot up by 68%. And really, no explanation needed — people were stuck at home, craving new hobbies, new sounds, and a different kind of connection. Vinyl gave them that.

A Sense of Timelessness

Unlike digital files, vinyl feels permanent. It ages well, it carries weight, and it lasts. For many, owning a record is like owning a piece of time — something to pass down, not just consume.

And honestly, we all want to leave something behind. So why not vinyl?

The thing is, the digital world is built on ones and zeroes — a code that can disappear at any moment. I have lost entire music libraries over the years because of a corrupted hard drive or some random digital glitch. And once it is gone, it is gone forever. But vinyl? As long as you keep it out of direct sunlight and treat it right, it’ll last a lifetime.

And actually, I am against selling vinyl. To me, a record is a part of your journey, your identity. Selling it feels like giving away a piece of yourself — like erasing your own memory. I truly believe my collection should only ever be passed on to one person in this world: my son.— Kito Jempere

It is not about the result, it is about the process

Have you noticed how brands these days love playing with the idea of "the unboxing experience"? The mystery, the anticipation, the moment of sharing something special. Vinyl is doing the exact same thing — but with even more soul.

First — your vinyl collection is basically a reflection of who you are. It becomes personal.

My style has always been quite eclectic, so my collection was built purely on emotion. I liked all kinds of music — completely different genres — and I’d mix them freely in my DJ sets. As a result, my shelves ended up filled with a bit of everything.
Over the years, that emotional approach naturally shaped itself into a few clear styles and subgenres that I now collect more intentionally.— Kito Jempere

Second — vinyl is all about aesthetics. The cover is part of the experience. Many releases feature artwork or photography done in collaboration with well-known artists and creatives — so you're basically getting two pieces of art in one.

I see vinyl differently — not like CD disks or any other things. For me, every record comes with a story — where I found it, which country, what kind of shop. Maybe it was a dusty warehouse, a fashion store, an online find, or a gift from an artist. There are so many ways a record can enter your life, and each one in my collection holds a little memory.And the best part? Vinyl keeps evolving.
That story adds emotional weight to the music. When I play it as a DJ, it isn’t just sound — it’s feeling. The audience might not know the backstory, but they feel the energy.
Maybe I bought a record in 2009 for one track, but now, in 2025, I rediscovered a different one I never really noticed before. That is the magic — the music grows with you.— Kito Jempere

Third — it is a memory holder. A lot of collectors find their “treasures” while travelling — tucked away in small, local record shops, far from tourist crowds. Every vinyl comes with a story.

Fourth — it is mass, but not mass-produced.

Is it accessible? Yes. In Dubai, a vinyl record might cost around 100 AED. Do you need any special knowledge to start? Not at all. Just listen to something you like — and buy it. Simple. But here is the twist: even though it is available to anyone, vinyl still feels niche. You are part of a smaller circle, a quiet community. Maybe that is why vinyl feels so special right now — they’re widely available, yet still feel rare.

(We may have uncovered the reason behind Labubu’s popularity, though I am not trying to compare the two.)

What are the most expensive vinyl records?

Wu-Tang Clan – Once Upon a Time in Shaolin

Sold for 2 million dollars (2015); resold for 4 million dollars (2021)

Bob Dylan – "Blowin’ in the Wind" (One-off acetate, 2022)

Sold for 1.8 million dollars(2022)

The Beatles – The Beatles (“White Album” No. 0000001)

Sold for 790,000 dollars (2015)

Source: engadget.com; suaramas.com; vinylpoint.ru

Bonus: Vinyl Quiz

As said before, vinyl is never just about the music — it is about where you found it, the cover art, and the memories it holds. And since we are still living in a very visual world, here is a quick visual quiz with Kito Jempere — a peek into his personal vinyl collection.

— Which records in your collection mean the most to you?