Random music news for Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Fancy a designer baby? Read this. Then read music news for April 28, 2026. It’s much less creepy. BONUS: If you love whales… (Via Sean)
Read MorePayola
Spotify sued, accused of “modern payola”
In most of the world, it is illegal to pay money for special promotion for music without being transparent about it. This practice, known as “payola,” is almost as old as recorded music
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There’s a new payola crisis emerging with American radio and it’s all Donald Trump’s fault.
Payola, the practice of paying money for radio airplay has been around since at least the 1950s. After things blew up after a notorious DJ conference in Miami in 1959, payola was exposed
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There’s another payola scandal in American radio
I’ve been in the radio business in Canada for almost 44 years, many of them working at the highest levels of programming. In all that time, I’ve never, ever been offered any kind
Read MoreRandom music news for Friday, February 21, 2025
Do you remember your dreams? A new study explains why or why not. As for music news on February 21, 2025… More music news? Go here. BONUS: There’s a new AI service called
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Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry, episode 021: The Great American Payola Scandal (Part 2)
In 1960, after months of testimony and investigation, it was made illegal for anyone to bribe an American radio station or any of its employees to play a record. Payola was forbidden under
Read MoreUncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry, episode 20: The Great American Payola Scandal (Part 1)
In a fair and just universe, we would live in a meritocracy. The best and most talented would naturally rise to the top and be properly recognized and compensated for their contributions to
Read MoreSpotify has a new paid-for promotion tool. Is this good business or payola ickiness?
It is illegal to pay a radio station to play your song without telling the audience you’re getting money for it. That’s called “payola.” Meanwhile, it’s completely legal for a record label to
Read MoreRandom music news for Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Scientists have counted up all the ants on Earth. The number is approximately 20 000 000 000 000 0000. That means there are 2,000 time more ant on Earth than there are stars
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The US Government is wondering about the legality of this Spotify feature
The American recorded music industry has had a payola problem for decades. To be clear, it is illegal for someone to pay for access (and to accept such payment) for things like radio
Read MoreRandom music news for Tuesday, April 13, 2021
There’s now a board game for cats. Please enjoy. And now, music news for April 13, 2021. Here’s an ask for all music fans: Write the government asking for more COVID support for
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