The Time’s article went on to state that in the coming months, authorities plan on expanding the Payola probe into the Latin and Urban music division of other major labels as well. I immediately find two dire consequences within this particular situation, with a common denominator called "fairness."

1. First of all, I deplore the thought of ‘Payola’. The mere idea that radio station personnel, having chosen a particular format to which artists and labels submit appropriate FREE product that costs them, but benefits the station in attracting bonafide advertisers, then having the station exercise its muscle by demanding secretive additional compensation, kicks my Chill Factor into Sub-Zero overdrive.

Payola is unfair and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, no matter who is convicted of it. I say that so well without even breaking a sweat because, you see, briefly back in the ‘80’s, I was a cop, but that’s another story. However, the department even allowed me to carry a baton, badge, and a .45 with real hollow-point ammo, which I thought was really cool.

Payola says, "Mr. DJ, money can buy everything, including Love…and I would LOVE for you to add and play my record, no matter how much it sucks artistically. Now, how much did you say that will cost me?"

Contrastly, the majority of independent artists who DON’T have the financial resources, or the moral devoidness to even entertain the idea of Payola participation, but who DO have appropriate high quality product, go largely unheard.

Let me, in no uncertain terms, say that Payola is the bully

on the commercial musical playground that should be immediately spanked, then sent home to bed, without dinner.

2. The second consequence I find is a disturbing appearance of what could be construed as potentially overt racism in the Time’s article. Let’s revisit the statement once again that says, "In the coming months, authorities plan on expanding the Payola probe into the ‘Latin’ and ‘Urban’ music division of other major labels as well."

Is anyone else, beside my other multiple personalities, getting the same perception I am getting? Is anyone reading between these lines of brevity? In the United States, both "Latin" (generally of Hispanic orientation) and "Urban" (generally of Black/African American orientation) are considered to be socially classified as "minorities."

And I am, in fact, speaking of this investigation being led by the U. S. Attorney’s office.Furthermore, are U.S. authorities insinuating that Payola occurs ONLY within "Latin" and "Urban" music markets by singling them out in their response? What about Rock, Pop, Classical, or Country music markets (generally, considered "White" markets)?

Are U. S. authorities simultaneously, insinuating that Payola does NOT occur within these particular markets through their omission of them in their response? The Time’s article makes no assertion whatsoever that the U. S. Attorney’s office even intends to, mildly or remotely, investigate the Rock, Pop, Classical, or Country music markets to any degree.

Unless there is an across-the-board, all-out, fair investigation of ALL music markets, this ‘Payola’ investigation by U. S. authorities, in my opinion, is nothing more than a proverbial witch-hunt on these particular minority markets. And, as such, this action, or reaction, depending on whether you are standing at the North Pole or South Pole, reeks of the creation of a deep social rift within the only comprehensible language left that we all commonly understand…Music.

Alas, even at the crest of the new Millennium, adults simply can’t seem to master the art of coloring within the lines, no matter how well defined they are by the age-old adage, "Do Unto Others, As You Would Have Them Do Unto You."

Editor’s Note: A man who swears that Darth Vader is his long lost uncle from Houston, Kenny Love is also a National Record Promoter and National Press Publicist. Get complete information on his Services, Fees, and even Client Testimonials by sending an Email request to