3 chapters across the catalog
An archival recording features Barney Ales pressuring distributors to ensure Diana Ross's single "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" reaches number one on the Billboard and Cashbox charts. Ales uses veiled threats, stating that more than just a hit record is at stake. The segment explains the importance of "calls from the field" in manipulating chart positions during the 1970s.
The hosts discuss how the "algo" has replaced the radio DJ as the primary tool for music discovery and control. They argue that modern playlists on platforms like Spotify are subject to a new form of payola, where artists must pay for placement. This consolidation of power makes it difficult for independent talent to rise without corporate backing.
Adam and Moe discuss the reality of "payola" in the music industry, particularly in urban radio and strip clubs. Moe explains that sliding cash to DJs in clubs like Magic City served as a launchpad for new tracks; if the dancers liked the music, it was a guaranteed hit. The hosts critique the "mind trap" that funnels young talent into these specific, often depraved, marketing channels.
