Why do DJ’s choose to give regular airplay to say, Rihana’s or Miley Cyrus’ music over some other equally talented singer?
The mistaken impression is that a DJ has any choice in the matter, on the vast majority of radio stations airing today. They have songs in rotation. This rotation is played over and over again. It’s a rare thing to even encounter a DJ having enough discretion to actually play a request, unless that request is in the rotation. This is controlled from the central office of an entity that owns many radio stations. The end result is stultifying homogeneity. I’ve taken to listening to college stations when I listen to radio just because it can be surprising. There are no surprises on the vast majority of commercial radio.
“You can’t see nudity on the radio...” < /National Lampoon Radio Hour >