Chilli M fired over ‘pay to play’ claims

Chilli M fired over ‘pay to play’ claims

Chilli M has been fired over ‘payola’ claims and the SABC plans on opening a criminal case against the DJ, also known as Vukani Masinga.

In case you didn’t know, ‘payola’ references the exchange of money, gifts, or favours for playlist spots on local radio.

The tradition of greasing the wheels of radio is as old as the invention itself. Pay to play has had a significant role in the modern music business. Therefore it is not too surprising that a claim, such as the one Chilli M has been fired over, has been made.

Chilli M co-hosted Ukhozi FM’s weekday midday show ‘Nethezeka NoKhozi’ and has been with the station since 2012. He was reportedly fired from his job after he admitted to having accepted “some form of enticement in exchange for playlisting music”.

With the new 90% local policy, the SABC is facing a potential problem with the furthering of the pay to play issue.

SABC says…

“The SABC has terminated with immediate effect, the contract of Mr Vukani ‘Chilli M’ Masinga’. The termination follows an investigation into allegations of payola. Mr Masinga admitted to accepting some form of enticement in exchange for playlisting music of the people who enticed him. The corporation has also taken a decision to institute a criminal case against all parties who were involved. The SABC would like 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 and should they encounter such challenges to bring it to the attention of the organization. The organisation will continue to have a zero tolerance for fraud and corruption.” Said SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng 

According to reports by Sunday Sun, kwaito group Street Boys claimed that Chilli M had charged them R7 500 to play their song on the radio station.

Sourced