Final answer:
Chuck Berry and Chess Records were part of the early rock and roll era where 'payola' was a common practice to persuade DJs like Alan Freed to heavily rotate songs such as 'Maybellene' on the radio.
Step-by-step explanation:
The collaboration between Chuck Berry and Chess Records to promote 'Maybellene' by providing incentives to DJ Alan "Moondog" Freed is an example of the practices within the music industry during the birth of rock and roll. Freed, who was instrumental in popularizing the genre, allegedly received a form of payment known in the industry as payola. This was a common, though controversial, practice where record companies would provide monetary or other material inducements to radio DJs and station personnel to play specific songs and thus influence the music charts.
Chuck Berry's hit, 'Maybellene', was significant as it demonstrated the cross-pollination of musical styles. Berry, an African-American artist from St. Louis, took inspiration from various music traditions, including western swing, to create a new form of rock and roll. His ability to appeal to a broad audience helped bridge cultural divides, as exemplified by the popularity of 'Maybellene' in heavy radio rotation.