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Halsey, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes Named In Alleged Payola Scandal: Report

Paying radio stations to play certain artists’ music or to have them in heavy rotation is a practice that has been banned in the industry, but that doesn’t mean that there still aren’t deals happening under the table. “Payola” or pay-for-play deals are not only illegal but frowned upon, however on Monday (October 5), Rolling Stone published an exposé where they aired out the teams of a number of top-selling artists. According to the publication, these artists’ labels have been making shady deals with certain radio stations behind closed doors.

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Rolling Stone claims that they obtained over 2,500 text message correspondences between various industry professionals and Steve Zap, an independent radio promoter. Zap used to work for labels like MCA Records, Virgin Records, and Warner Records, and the relationships he formed along the way reportedly continued into his radio career. Texts allegedly show Zap telling radio stations not to take orders from a label directly because “they don’t pay me sh*t,” while billing others for rotation in certain time slots.

“Can we do Flora cash and Khalid,” one text reportedly read about the duo and singer. “Promise them 35 spins each. Will cover that cash giveaway.” In another Zap wrote, “Michael Franti to 35 spins,” followed by “Getting free show.” Another text stated, “Can we move Ellie c Goulding to a steady 40 a week? And x-ambassadors to start 5 a day. We need beach swag.”

In a statement, Zap denied that he’d done anything wrong, adding that these texts were sent out by one of his former employees who recently lost their job. Zap added that he provides a place for artists to receive airplay. “I try to sell radio station program directors on the merits of my clients’ music, and to make friends with program directors at various stations — always within legal bounds.”

“You say that I requested airplay and awarded [a station] with ‘consideration,’ and that such linkage is established by text messages,” Zap added. “The actual texts, though, do not support your characterizations. In the texts, no specific consideration is linked with any specific instance of airplay. Therefore, allegations that I purchased airplay through quid pro quo agreements would be reckless and extremely damaging.”

The artists themselves reportedly didn’t have anything to do with Zap or his alleged dealings with record labels, but Zap is said to have helped increase visibility for artists like Ed Sheeran, Marshmello, Halsey, Backstreet Boys, Ellie Goulding, Shawn Mendes, Panic! At the Disco, and Dua Lipa. It’s expected that there are dozens of other artists who could have benefitted from such behaviors, as well.

[via]

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DJ Akademiks questions if Lil Durk will get bond as the racketeering case goes on

Lil Durk’s legal battle is about to take another big step, and DJ Akademiks is already sharing his expectations for what could go down when the rapper returns to court in November.

Durk is in custody, awaiting his next VICAR case in which authorities say he was running a criminal enterprise. His next trial was set for October 5, but recent developments have called into question when those proceedings will occur.

Durk’s murder for hire trial recently resulted in a not guilty verdict in November. Regardless of that outcome, he remains in custody because the separate racketeering related charges remain unresolved. Durk’s attorneys have asked for the new hearing and have been ordered to appear by U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, which also must submit a fresh bail report.

Against that backdrop, legal commentator Bradford Cohen had previously suggested Durk could eventually get bond. That view ties in with Durk’s not-guilty verdict in the earlier case, and the argument that the outcome could make it harder to sustain the remaining allegations.

DJ Akademiks sees things a bit differently. In a recent livestream, Akademiks predicted that Durk would not get a bond at the Nov. hearing. He believes the charges will stick and cites the seriousness of the allegations in the VICAR case as his reasoning. He also doesn’t appear to expect the rapper to be released from jail anytime soon as the case moves forward.

Akademiks’ prediction concerns the bond hearing, not Durk’s chances at trial. Durk’s legal situation remains unresolved for now. His recent acquittal has altered the circumstances of his arrest, but the separate racketeering case still looms over the rapper as both sides prepare for the next phase.

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Celebrity

DJ Akademiks Resurrects 2015 Drake vs. Meek Mill Beef With Alleged Nicki Minaj Backstory

DJ Akademiks is digging up hip-hop history buried for 10 years as he offers his supposed explanation for how the Drake/Meek Mill feud came to a head in 2015. The back-and-forth between Akademiks and Meek Mill has resurfaced the conversation. Akademiks returned to the long-running Drake-Meek beef on his stream last night, saying a comment by Nicki Minaj had something to do with what happened between the two rappers.

According to Akademiks, Meek and Minaj were shopping at a designer fashion store when they got to the register. He says that when Meek told her he didn’t have the cash to pay for Minaj, she allegedly told him he would never be Drake. Akademiks also claims Minaj left the store on her own, and then Meek went on X, and what happened next started the infamous feud with Drake.

The account remains an allegation, not a confirmed explanation. The information provided has not been independently verified, and ultimately only those involved, including Minaj and Meek Mill, could confirm the story’s authenticity.

The beef between Drake and Meek Mill started in 2015 and has become a staple in hip-hop conversation. Meek struggled after the fallout, while the beef became a defining moment in Drake’s career. However, the two eventually made up and collaborated on “Going Bad,” signaling a return to a more cooperative relationship despite the rivalry’s tension.

Now that Akademiks and Meek are throwing shots again, the events of 2015 are back in the conversation. By reflecting on the feud, Akademiks has added another possible piece of context to a story that has been a hot topic in hip-hop for years.

Whether his version of events is what actually happened, however, remains unresolved. Currently, the designer-store story isn’t factual, but it is Akademiks’ version of the events surrounding the beef.

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