Ghanaian DJ speaks in support of ‘payola’

His statement comes several months after a South Africa media personality was sacked for payola, which refers to the practice of taking money from artists in return for airplay. South African DJ Chilli M (real name, Vukani Masinga) was fired from the South African Broadcast Corporation after receiving gifts for putting songs on the station’s playlist.

At the time of the sack, the SABC planned to take Chilli M to court to “remind the public that there is a process at all its 18 radio stations to submit music and would like to encourage members of the public not to engage in payola…”

The South African station’s statement means its employees will perhaps refrain from payola or not admit it public. The situation is different in Ghana where Merqury Quaye of Hitz FM said the practice can be seen as payment for music promotion.

“As a DJ, it is my prerogative to play this song or that song,” he said. "I play what I feel my listeners would love but when it comes to you actually trying to get your song to a level, its promotion and you need to pay for your promotion you need to invest in your promotion.”

He added that, “we will continue to take payola because this is promotion. If I have to go out of my way to keep pushing your song to the masses, it is called promotion.” Quaye is host of Cruise Control on Hitz FM, Ghana. He also founded the annual Ghana DJ Awards.

While the argument continues about feasible it is to stamp out payola from the music industry, Ghanaian artist Stonebwoy, in an interview from last year, said he has never had to pay for rotations. "No, I’ve not paid payola to any presenter or Dj before," he said. "The thing is, every good song will sell itself with little push."