Pedro Habano has released a new single titled "Payola" on May 15, 2026, available on all major digital platforms. The song, which runs nearly five minutes, draws on the golden era of 80s and 90s salsa with brass arrangements and clave percussion. The term "payola" historically refers to the illegal practice of record labels paying radio stations for airplay, a scandal that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s. Habano uses this concept to explore the idea that everything in life comes with a cost.
"I didn't want to focus on the negative," Habano said. "What I wanted was for people to relate to the idea that everything in life has a price. We pay tuition to study. We pay for gas to get around. And in love, most of the time we also pay — one way or another — for the love we receive. That's not a bad thing — it's simply the human condition." The lyrics include the line "Life is a payola and everything comes with a price," which serves as the song's central theme.
The production pays homage to artists like Willie Colón, Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, and El Gran Combo. Habano, a Puerto Rican artist born in Río Grande and based between Medellín and Miami, has over 300,000 followers across digital platforms. His music spans salsa, merengue, bachata, and urban pop, with Colombia and Mexico leading his international audience according to Chartmetric.
The track's release comes at a time when the music industry continues to grapple with issues of payola and influence. Habano's approach turns a controversial subject into a danceable track that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences. "In this life nobody gives you anything for free. The only thing that's free is the lesson," the song concludes, offering a perspective that resonates beyond the music business.