diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index e5c8ed5..8f44b0f 100755
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -481,11 +481,15 @@ async def process_radio_track(video_link, video_id, title):
     )
     stdout, _ = await curl_proc.communicate()
 
+    unique_id = None
+    azura_path = None
+
     try:
         response = json.loads(stdout.decode())
         unique_id = response.get("unique_id")
+        azura_path = response.get("path") or response.get("file")
 
-        if not unique_id:
+        if not unique_id or not azura_path:
             search_cmd = [
                 "curl",
                 "-s",
@@ -509,33 +513,19 @@ async def process_radio_track(video_link, video_id, title):
                 and "rows" in search_data
                 and len(search_data["rows"]) > 0
             ):
-                unique_id = search_data["rows"][0].get("unique_id")
+                unique_id = unique_id or search_data["rows"][0].get("unique_id")
+                azura_path = azura_path or search_data["rows"][0].get("path")
             elif isinstance(search_data, list) and len(search_data) > 0:
-                unique_id = search_data[0].get("unique_id")
+                unique_id = unique_id or search_data[0].get("unique_id")
+                azura_path = azura_path or search_data[0].get("path")
 
-        if unique_id:
-            req_cmd = [
-                "curl",
-                "-s",
-                "-X",
-                "POST",
-                f"{base_url}/api/station/{AZURACAST_STATION_ID}/request/{unique_id}",
-                "-H",
-                f"X-API-Key: {AZURACAST_API_KEY}",
-            ]
-            req_proc = await asyncio.create_subprocess_exec(
-                *req_cmd,
-                stdout=asyncio.subprocess.DEVNULL,
-                stderr=asyncio.subprocess.DEVNULL,
-            )
-            await req_proc.communicate()
-            print(f"✅ Queued on radio: {title}")
-        else:
-            print(f"⚠️ Uploaded, but no unique_id returned.")
     except json.JSONDecodeError:
-        print(f"❌ Failed to parse AzuraCast response")
+        print(f"❌ Failed to parse AzuraCast upload response")
+
+    # 1. Add the track to the "Currents" playlist FIRST
+    # AzuraCast rejects requests for files that aren't assigned to any active playlist.
+    target_path = azura_path if azura_path else filename
 
-    # Add the track to the "Currents" playlist immediately
     try:
         pl_cmd = [
             "curl",
@@ -561,7 +551,7 @@ async def process_radio_track(video_link, video_id, title):
             payload = {
                 "do": "playlist",
                 "playlists": [currents_id],
-                "files": [filename],
+                "files": [target_path],
             }
             json_path = os.path.join(DATA_DIR, f"assign_{filename}.json")
             with open(json_path, "w") as f:
@@ -587,10 +577,43 @@ async def process_radio_track(video_link, video_id, title):
 
             if os.path.exists(json_path):
                 os.remove(json_path)
-            print(f"✅ Auto-assigned to 'Currents': {title}")
+            print(f"✅ Auto-assigned to 'Currents' (Path: {target_path})")
     except Exception as e:
         print(f"❌ Failed to auto-assign playlist for {title}: {e}")
 
+    # 2. Issue the Play Next Request SECOND
+    # Now that the file is legally in a playlist, AzuraCast will accept the request.
+    if unique_id:
+        req_cmd = [
+            "curl",
+            "-s",
+            "-X",
+            "POST",
+            f"{base_url}/api/station/{AZURACAST_STATION_ID}/request/{unique_id}",
+            "-H",
+            f"X-API-Key: {AZURACAST_API_KEY}",
+        ]
+        req_proc = await asyncio.create_subprocess_exec(
+            *req_cmd,
+            stdout=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE,
+            stderr=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE,
+        )
+        req_stdout, _ = await req_proc.communicate()
+
+        try:
+            req_resp = json.loads(req_stdout.decode())
+            # Check the JSON response directly so we don't lie about success
+            if req_resp.get("success") or req_resp.get("code") == 200:
+                print(f"✅ Queued on radio to play next: {title}")
+            else:
+                print(
+                    f"⚠️ AzuraCast rejected the request for {title}: {req_stdout.decode()}"
+                )
+        except json.JSONDecodeError:
+            print(f"⚠️ Failed to queue {title}. API returned: {req_stdout.decode()}")
+    else:
+        print(f"⚠️ Uploaded, but no unique_id returned to make the request.")
+
     if os.path.exists(filepath):
         os.remove(filepath)