Chapter 137: Big News
"How does it feel to attend the Grammys for the first time?" Taylor asked, holding his hand.
"A bit nervous," Link replied. "I just messed up a couple of lyrics on stage. Did you notice?"
"No, but there are cameras here. I'll watch the TV broadcast later and should be able to see it." Taylor pointed to the cameras at the edge of the stage.
Link sighed, realizing his mistakes would be broadcast and potentially criticized.
"It's okay. It's your first time singing in front of so many professional singers. You did great. I was nervous too," Taylor comforted him.
Link nodded, acknowledging his courage in performing before hundreds of top singers.
"Link, you should apologize to Kanye."
Suddenly, a wave of gasps swept through the audience. All eyes turned to Link and Taylor, making them the center of attention.
"Link, Lil Wayne said you should apologize to Kanye." Lady Gaga tugged on his sleeve, pointing to the black singer on stage holding a golden gramophone trophy.
Lil Wayne, a famous rapper, had won four awards at the Grammys. He was known to be friends with Kanye West and had previously criticized Link's album as being too formulaic.
Now, during his acceptance speech, Lil Wayne was thanking Kanye and demanding an apology from Link.
This made Link uncomfortable. He couldn't confront Lil Wayne on stage, but he also didn't want to let the comment slide.
"Link Baker, you shouldn't have attacked Kanye's illness. I think it was very disrespectful. You should apologize to him," Lil Wayne said into the microphone.
Link smiled, shook his head, and gave Lil Wayne a thumbs up, then turned it upside down. He wanted to give him the middle finger but decided against it due to his public image.
Lil Wayne cursed and tried to continue speaking, but the host, Ellen, intervened and escorted him off stage.
Several black singers in the back row also started cursing at Link, but he ignored them. He didn't want to cause a scene at the Grammys.
"Honey, don't listen to them. You did nothing wrong," Taylor said, holding his arm tightly.
"Don't worry, I'm not that impulsive," Link assured her.
Kanye West returned to the stage to accept another award. "Hey, Lil, I told you not to mention that kid," he said into the microphone.
Link whispered something to Taylor, buttoned his suit, and left the audience, heading for the exit.
The audience erupted in murmurs. Link's departure during Kanye's speech was clearly a sign of disrespect.
The black singers started shouting again, and some were escorted out by security.
The award ceremony was disrupted for a few minutes before it resumed.
...
Outside the Hilton Hotel, reporters swarmed Link, asking about his early departure and his response to Lil Wayne and Kanye West's demands for an apology.
Link expressed his disappointment with the Grammy Awards for allowing personal feuds to be aired on stage. He also criticized the Grammy committee for awarding artists who lacked basic manners and respect.
When asked if he would apologize, Link stated that it was Lil Wayne and Kanye West who owed him an apology for spreading false rumors about his album sales.
He further accused them of exploiting the current political climate for their own gain and questioned their right to speak for the entire black community.
The reporters were stunned by his bold statements, but Link refused to answer further questions and left in a car.
...
In the car, Andrea criticized Link for his impulsive behavior, warning him about the potential backlash from the black community.
Link remained unfazed, confident in his ability to handle any repercussions. He believed that his actions would ultimately benefit him by garnering support from those who opposed Kanye and Lil Wayne.
Mandy agreed with Link's approach, arguing that it simplified the situation and made it clear who was in the wrong.
Andrea eventually came around, realizing that Link's actions could indeed work in his favor. However, she cautioned him to be careful, as the situation was still delicate.
Link acknowledged the risks but remained determined to stand his ground. He was willing to take risks to achieve his goals in the music industry.
The car sped away, leaving behind a frenzy of reporters and a brewing media storm.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was tense. Andrea couldn't help but worry about the potential consequences of Link's outspokenness.
"Link, this isn't just about Kanye and Lil Wayne anymore," she said, her voice laced with concern. "You've dragged the President into this. The black community won't take this lightly."
Link leaned back in his seat, a nonchalant expression on his face. "They can't do anything to me," he said confidently. "Whether they attack me in the media or try to suppress my career, I have ways to deal with it. If they go too far... I can always emigrate. With my abilities, I can thrive anywhere."
Andrea frowned, reminded that Link wasn't just a singer. He was a world champion boxer and an Olympic gold medalist, someone who had brought honor to America. If this incident led to his emigration, the new President would face significant backlash.
"You'll lose the support of your black fans," she warned.
Link chuckled. "Black fans?" He paused, as if pondering the concept. "Annie, do you really think those guys who listen to hip hop and rap all day would like my music?"
He didn't believe he had a substantial black fanbase. Even if he did, it wouldn't be much. Most of his supporters, like Taylor's, were from the lighter-skinned demographic.
He knew that Taylor's future conflict with Kanye stemmed from a complex mix of entertainment industry politics, racial tensions, and personal animosity. His actions today were partly intended to ignite that fire.
"Link, I support what you did," Mandy interjected. "Lil Wayne and Kanye were wrong to attack you on stage. Regardless of what the media says, they were the ones who crossed the line. You handled it perfectly."
Andrea shook her head. "It was still too extreme. Link, the news portrays you as an intelligent person. You could have used a more subtle approach, not this scorched-earth tactic."
"Yes, there were other options," Link admitted. "But they would have taken too long. By confronting them directly and making a big deal out of it, I've forced their hand. They either reconcile with me or continue to attack me in the media and my career. If they choose the latter, it will only escalate the situation, making both sides look bad. I doubt the new President wants to see that happen."
Andrea slowly began to understand Link's strategy. By aligning himself with the lighter-skinned demographic and painting Kanye and Lil Wayne as aggressors, he could gain a significant advantage in the media and potentially win over a large portion of the white left.
"Link, be careful," Andrea warned. "They're not easy to deal with."
Link nodded, acknowledging the risks. In post-2008 America, the black community held significant power in various sectors, including sports, entertainment, and politics. His actions could easily make him a target.
But he also knew that to make a name for himself in the global music scene, he had to take risks. This was just one of them.
The Grammy Awards ceremony continued, but the atmosphere was undeniably different. The incident with Link had cast a shadow over the event, leaving a lingering tension in the air.
Backstage, the organizers were in a frenzy. The news of Link's departure and his scathing comments had already reached the media, and the phones were ringing off the hook with inquiries from journalists and concerned parties.
Meanwhile, the online world was abuzz with discussions about the incident. Social media platforms were flooded with opinions, debates, and memes, with hashtags like #GrammyDrama and #LinkVsKanye trending worldwide.
Some praised Link for his courage and honesty, calling him a hero for standing up against what they perceived as arrogance and entitlement from the hip-hop community. Others criticized him for being disrespectful and divisive, accusing him of playing the race card for personal gain.
The black community, in particular, was divided. Some felt offended by Link's remarks, viewing them as an attack on their culture and identity. Others acknowledged the validity of his criticism, pointing out the need for greater accountability and respect within their community.
As the night went on, the controversy only intensified. News outlets ran stories with sensational headlines, fueling the debate and widening the divide between Link's supporters and detractors.
The Grammy organizers tried to downplay the incident, releasing a statement that emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the music industry. However, their attempt at damage control was largely overshadowed by the ongoing media frenzy.
In the midst of the chaos, Link remained calm and collected. He knew that he had taken a risk, but he also knew that it was a calculated one. He had confidence in his talent and his ability to weather any storm.
He also knew that this was just the beginning. The battle lines had been drawn, and the war for public opinion had begun. He was ready for it.