A former executive at one of Australia's three major record labels has come forward with explosive allegations about chart manipulation, payola schemes, and the artificial creation of "hit" songs that have shaped the Australian music landscape for decades.

Speaking exclusively to Eyeisghiai under condition of anonymity, the executive - who we'll call "Marcus" - worked for 12 years at a major label before leaving the industry in disgust earlier this year.

The Chart Manipulation Machine

"People think the ARIA Charts reflect what Australians are actually listening to," Marcus explains. "The reality is far more calculated and artificial than anyone realizes."

According to Marcus, major labels employ several tactics to artificially boost chart positions:

  • Bulk buying: Labels purchase thousands of their own releases through shell companies
  • Streaming farms: Networks of fake accounts stream songs on repeat 24/7
  • Bundle manipulation: Albums bundled with concert tickets to inflate sales figures
  • Radio programming: Direct payments to ensure heavy rotation

"I've seen labels spend $200,000 in fake purchases just to get a song into the top 10. Once it's there, the real audience follows because they think it must be good."

— Anonymous former record label executive

The Payola Problem

Perhaps most shocking are Marcus's revelations about modern payola - the practice of paying radio stations to play specific songs. While officially banned in Australia, Marcus insists it continues through sophisticated workarounds.

"It's never direct cash anymore," he explains. "Instead, labels offer 'marketing partnerships,' sponsor station events, provide exclusive artist interviews, or make charitable donations to causes the station supports. The end result is the same - our songs get priority airplay."

Marcus claims to have personally witnessed payments exceeding $50,000 to ensure a single reached heavy rotation on major Australian radio networks. "One campaign I worked on involved a struggling pop star whose label was desperate for a hit. We essentially bought her way onto Triple M, Nova, and 2Day FM."

The Algorithm Game

With streaming now dominating music consumption, labels have adapted their manipulation tactics for the digital age. Marcus reveals that his former label employed teams specifically to game Spotify and Apple Music algorithms.

"We had entire departments dedicated to playlist manipulation," he says. "Create thousands of fake playlists, populate them with our target song plus popular tracks, then use bot networks to stream them constantly. Spotify's algorithm thinks the song is organically popular and starts recommending it to real users."

The practice has become so sophisticated that labels share bot networks and coordinate campaigns. "It's like a secret society where everyone knows everyone else is cheating, but nobody talks about it publicly."

Manufactured Viral Moments

Social media "viral" moments aren't as organic as they appear either. Marcus describes elaborate campaigns designed to create the illusion of spontaneous popularity:

  • Hiring influencers to create "authentic" content featuring new songs
  • Paying for coordinated TikTok challenges and dance trends
  • Creating fake controversies to generate media coverage
  • Astroturfing social media discussions about artists

"That viral TikTok dance that 'organically' launched that pop star's career last year? My team spent three months and $150,000 making it happen," Marcus reveals.

The Cost of Speaking Out

Marcus chose to leave the industry after becoming disillusioned with the artificiality of it all. "I got into music because I love artists and want to help them reach audiences. But what we were doing was the opposite - we were manipulating audiences and pushing artificial products."

He claims that multiple colleagues share his concerns but fear speaking out due to strict non-disclosure agreements and industry blacklisting. "Anyone who talks gets sued into oblivion and never works in music again. The labels have perfected the art of silence."

Industry Responses

When contacted for comment, representatives from the three major labels operating in Australia declined to respond to specific allegations. However, ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) issued a statement defending chart integrity:

"ARIA charts are compiled using robust methodologies that account for various forms of consumption across physical, digital, and streaming platforms. We continuously review our processes to ensure accuracy and prevent manipulation."

— ARIA Spokesperson

However, industry watchdog Music Ethics Australia has called for a parliamentary inquiry into chart manipulation practices. "These allegations, if true, represent a betrayal of both artists and consumers," says spokesperson Dr. Jennifer Walsh.

The Independent Alternative

Marcus's revelations shed light on why independent Australian artists often struggle to gain mainstream recognition despite creating quality music. "The system is rigged against anyone who can't afford to buy their way in," he explains.

Independent artist Sophie Chen, whose folk-rock album received critical acclaim but little commercial success, tells Eyeisghiai: "It's heartbreaking to know that talent and hard work matter less than marketing budgets and manipulation tactics."

What This Means for Music Fans

For Australian music lovers, Marcus's revelations raise uncomfortable questions about the authenticity of mainstream success. "Next time you hear a song everywhere you go, ask yourself: is this actually popular, or is it just being forced into your consciousness?"

He suggests music fans diversify their listening habits: "Seek out independent artists, explore community radio, and be skeptical of anything that seems too perfectly packaged. Real music still exists - it's just harder to find through the noise."

As the music industry continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: the battle between authentic artistry and manufactured success is far from over.

Tags:

Music Industry ARIA Charts Record Labels Chart Manipulation Payola Streaming