Payola is a practice in the music industry where record labels or artists pay radio stations or DJs to play their songs more frequently. This can lead to certain songs gaining more airplay than they might otherwise receive, influencing public popularity and sales. Payola is considered unethical and, in many places, illegal because it undermines fair competition and can mislead listeners about what music is genuinely popular. The term "payola" originated in the 1950s and has been associated with various scandals involving radio stations and music executives. Regulatory bodies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have established rules to combat payola, requiring transparency in how music is promoted and ensuring that listeners receive a fair representation of available music.