DJ Funkmaster Flex confirmed Payola allegations by rapper Drake against Universal Music Group (UMG) and other music entities. The influential New York disc jockey declared “Drake is 100% right!”
As you know, Drake filed pre-lawsuits recently accusing UMG, Apple and iHeart Radio of conspiring to overinflate public interest in Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” Drake also accused Apple Music and iHeart Radio of accepting money (payola) to boost music streams.
“DRAKE IS 100% RIGHT!” Flex wrote on X.
Funkmaster Flex listed Payola amounts paid for radio play including $350,000 for pop radio, $250,000 for urban radio, $100,000 for mix shows, and between $3,000 to $5,000 a week for a local DJ to play just one song.
Flex implied that payola is the reason why we don’t hear talented artists on the radio anymore.
“THIS IS WHY INDEPENDENT ARTIST DONT RISE TO THE TOP!” he wrote.
Flex distinguished himself from others, saying he doesn’t accept Payola to play songs on the radio.
“ALL YOU ARTIST KNOW I AINT NEVER TAKE A DIME FROM YOU, YOUR MANAGER OR YOUR LABELS! (BOMB HAS NO PRICE).”
DRAKE IS 100% RIGHT! NATIONAL PLAY!
(PER SONG) DRAKE DONT $ FOR PLAY!
POP / CHR RADIO: $350k
URBAN RADIO: $250K
MIXSHOW: $100K
LOCAL MIXSHOW DIRECTOR: $40k
LOCAL DJ: $3K-5K PER SONG!
(DJS ON THE RADIO 5 DAYS A WEEK)THIS IS WHY INDEPENDENT ARTIST DONT RISE TO THE TOP!
ALL YOU…
— Funk Flex !!!!! (@funkflex) November 26, 2024
