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Capital Xtra’s DJ Tiiny will “accept consequences” following payola scandal

By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 3 February 2021

DJ Tiiny has issued a statement on social media after it emerged that he had requested payment in order to secure plays on his weekly show for radio station Capital Xtra. That sort of thing is very much not allowed under UK broadcasting rules.

Last week, producer J Beatz posted a screengrab of an email he had received from the DJ on Twitter. In it, Tiiny – who is Stormzy’s tour DJ – offers to premiere a track on his show and playlist it for two subsequent weeks, in exchange for £200.

The DJ’s show was then removed from the Capital Xtra schedule on Sunday and his profile was subsequently deleted from its website. The station and its parent company Global have, however, not commented directly or confirmed that his departure is permanent.

Tiiny himself has now issued a statement via social media, saying: “Over the last couple of days I have learnt a much needed lesson. I was given an incredible opportunity within radio [but] carelessly and irresponsibly took advantage of my position”.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and fully accept the consequences as a result”, he continues. “I am very sorry to everyone this has affected and to those I have let down”.

It’s not clear how long Tiiny had been requesting payments like this and how many artists or labels, if any, had stumped up the cash. The Sun reports that Global has launched an internal investigation.

Ofcom rules prohibit any “commercial arrangement that involves payment, or the provision of some other valuable consideration, to the broadcaster [that] may influence the selection or rotation of music for broadcast”.

If found in breach of these rules, broadcasters can face fines or ultimately lose their licence.