MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

We all know the Myspace can be manipulated, the government calls this “fuzzy math”. MTV’s TRL can be manipulated as well….

Taken from FOX News:

“Nevertheless, the record company persisted. A series of e-mails in June 2005 shows what was happening — a manipulation of MTV’s “Total Request Liveâ€? show that airs every afternoon and can seriously affect a new record’s fortunes.”

UMG, according to Spitzer’s reports, was spending money at radio stations and for “TRL� to “stuff the ballot box� (my words) and turn losers into winners.

The memo series is all about one subject: “We are hiring a request company starting Monday to jack TRL for Lindsay…Guys this is a no win situation how should I respond…there is no airplay we have been pursuing…â€?

Even more troubling, but not surprising, is a group called Dream originally found by Sean “Diddy” Combs. A July 2003 e-mail tells the story:

“Okay, this is not fun for me. I’ve been consumed all day with calls with etc bitching about our radio picture on Dream. Confidentially pop has spent $196,000 and r/c has spent $72,000 … This is embarrassing a total lack of accountability. We have gotten ripped off beyond belief, we better turn this thing around or it’s our a**. That’s almost $300,000 and they are looking for some heads…bad bad bad…If I find out that deals were cut with lack of airplay and overnight spins starting with the nationals, as they say heads are gonna roll, including mine.â€?

“Of course, the record companies are not alone in creating this atmosphere of payola. The radio stations have encouraged and accepted it.”

Seriously, if your going to put that type of money into a song, please..make sure its a “hit”, or somewhat of a “hit”. No excuse for that!

Â

Twitter
Facebook
Newsletter
Recent Posts
  • How Real Artists Compete With Built-In Algorithms
  • Looking Ahead: What Independent Artists Should Watch in the Year Ahead
  • Music News for Independent Artists: Late December Reality Check
  • N.A.N.A Turns Inward With Dark Pop Single “Love Letter”
  • Matt Hansen Delivers Global Pop Momentum With “COMPASS”
  • Alexa Kate Finds Clarity and Calm on “Forever”
  • Music Business News
  • Lauren Presley Returns With an Intimate Piano Reimagining of “People Leave” for Its One Year Anniversary
  • ARSADI Unveil a Bright New Chapter With “Neon Moonlight”
  • Grace Luv Steps Into Her Power With “Misery Luvs Company”
  • Ava Della Pietra Brings a Cozy Twist to a Holiday Classic With “Last Christmas”
  • Natalie Shay Finds Luck on the Road With “Four Leaf Clover”
  • Echo The Screen Makes a Stunning Debut With “Frankenstein”
  • Lou Emery Unleashes Emotional Turbulence on “House of Cards”
  • Ava Franks Captures the Rush of New Love on “Every Day”
  • GOODTWIN Returns With Their Most Infectious Release Yet On “Fool”
  • Goldfrapp Returns With A Stunning Rework Of “Beautiful”
  • Estella Dawn Unloads a Gut-Punch of Dark Pop on “You Didn’t Text Me”
  • Bella D. Drops Fierce Debut “G.R.I.T.” – A Grungy Electro-Pop Anthem
  • Bailey Coats Returns with Her Comeback Anthem “BLAME”
  • Sienna Melgoza Continues Her 2025 Hot Streak with “Hate It When I See Ya”
  • ZØYA – Alone, But Not Lonely (EP Out Now)
  • Anna Liz Debuts with Soulful, Americana-Tinged Single “Across The Lake
  • GoldCry Reveals Her Haunting New Single “Counterfeit”
  • LIZ Returns with the Glittering, Hyperpop Fantasy “Likey”
  • Blueboy Debuts with Emotional Pop Single “Rodeo
  • Estella Dawn Finds Her Voice in “Conversations”
  • Sports Capture the Glow of Endless Love on “Keep Falling In Love”
  • CATBEAR Return With the Empowering Electro Bedroom Pop Anthem “It’s Okay”
  • Interview with Alyssa Caroline: Igniting a New Chapter with “Fire To Ash”
  • Follow

    Home

         

    About

         

    Contact

         

    Daily Readership

    Copyright 2026 Kings of A&R     Website Design by PaleBird