to each his own. Our ego as a record label would be unfazed the worst we can say is thanx but no thanx. If you can get your bread from someone willing to pay you, more power to ya. stack it. we don't pay unknown artists cash for appearances.
We pay them in terms of expozure such as names on the promotional product, the actual cd and the promotion of the album which helps to spread the artist's name. So yes we end up paying by the ink we give and the footwork we do. We're not forcing anyone to send us songs, but if you feel the need to be exposed a little more via contributing a song to us (that we actually use)... do the damn thang.