Hood
Craig Kellman, sat at the head of the table. He was flanked by senior VPs and marketing directors, all eager to discuss the latest developments in their roster of artists.
"Alright, let's get started," Craig began, glancing at the agenda on his tablet. "First order of business: Arell Rose. I think we can all agree he's surpassed our expectations."
The room murmured in agreement. All eyes turned to a large screen on the wall displaying charts and graphs tracking Arell's meteoric rise.
"Fair Trade is sitting at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100," said Julia, the head of marketing. "And it's climbing steadily. His streaming numbers are through the roof, and his social media engagement is off the charts."
"We didn't expect this kind of traction so quickly," added Tom, the A&R executive. "We knew he had potential, but this is something else."
Craig leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Clearly, we need to reassess our strategy. Arell's brand, Infinity, is also taking off. We've only got a distribution deal with him right now, but we need to secure a more comprehensive agreement. We need to be putting more resources into him."
Julia nodded. "We should be looking at a multi-album deal, along with a significant increase in marketing spend. We need to capitalize on this momentum."
Tom interjected. "If we're going to invest heavily, we need to protect our interests. That means having some leverage. In case anything goes south, we need dirt on him."
A few eyebrows raised around the table, but no one openly objected.
Craig nodded slowly. "Agreed. We need to cover all bases. Arell has been getting close to Diddy. If we can get him to one of Diddy's parties, that might help solidify our relationship with him and we may be able to push him to do some compromising things."
Julia smiled. "I'll reach out to Diddy's people."
"And while we're at it," Craig continued, "we need to ensure his music stays in line with what's been working. His current style, the edge, the negativity—it sells. We don't need him going positive on us anytime soon."
Tom leaned forward, his expression serious. "Arell's appeal lies in his authenticity. We need to make sure he stays in the zone that resonates with his audience. If he starts preaching positivity, we could lose that raw, relatable edge."
Julia tapped a few notes into her tablet. "Understood. We'll monitor his content closely and make sure any shifts in direction are guided appropriately."
Craig looked around the table, his eyes meeting each of his team members'. "Alright, let's get to work. We need to lock Arell down and make sure he's got everything he needs to keep climbing. This is our opportunity to shape a superstar."
<>
Arell was in the zone, working hard in the studio, finally able to focus after everything that had happened. This had been some of his best music yet, every track he produced had been rated above 80, a telling sign that he was in the zone.
He pressed play on the track he had been perfecting:
[Reference Track: Lil Uzi Vert (Neon Gutz)]
"Extraterrestrial swag, I transcend the terrestrial plane
Draped in fabrics so rare, they ain't got a name
Diamonds dance on my chest, a constellation of wealth
Pink Dust got me ascendin', I'm outside of myself
Whip game ridiculous, paint job meticulous
Every move calculated, my wins are continuous
Stacking paper to the heavens, no time for hesitation
My ambition's on ten, no need for meditation
From project hallways to penthouse balconies
Life's a movie and I'm the star, no need for casting me
Pink Dust floatin', high off success
Never settle for less, always aim for the best
Young and rich, diamonds dancin' on my wrist
Money talks, bullshit walks, don't get it twisted
In the club poppin' bottles, livin' life lavish"
[Chorus]
"Neon dreams and Pink Dust schemes
We're illuminated, seams gleam
Cash rules everything, cream on cream
Living life vivid like a lucid dream
Elevated minds, we reign supreme
Neon nights, Pink Dust dreams
Breaking barriers, busting seams
Real recognize real, we're the cream"
[Verse 2]
"Alien swag, I'm not from Earth (Woah)
Designer fits from birth (Yeah)
Neon aura, I'm worth a milli (Mill')
Pink diamonds, wrist so chilly (Brr)
Lamborghini, color silly (Skrrt)
Stack my money to the ceiling (Racks)
They can't see me, John Cena (Hey)
I'm a leader, not a dreamer (Facts)
Pink Dust got me levitatin' (Woah)
Haters mad, we celebratin' (Yeah)
On Mars with Elon, no waitin' (Zoom)
My life a movie, no fakin' (Cut)
Gucci, Prada, I'm draped in (Drip)
Your girl callin', I'm taken (Bye)
Neon guts, I'm illuminated (Glow)
Future's bright, we made it (Yeah)
Drip narcotic (Drip, Drip)
Pink Dust got me supersonic (Zoom)
Fly attire, style iconic (Fresh)
Bank account, numbers astronomical (Racks)
Neon dreams, vision futuristic (Future)
Moves calculated, flow ballistic (Pow)
From Chiraq nights to neon lights (Glow)
Pink Dust elevate us to new heights
Crystals on my neck, glacier
Whip game proper, street racer (Vroom)
Penthouse views, sky scraper
Livin' large, flavor savior
Pink Dust in my veins, I'm elevated
New level unlocked, we celebrated (Win)
Neon guts, we illuminated (Bright)
Infinity, we dominated (Gang)"
[Bridge]
"Glowin' different
Vision shiftin'
Pink Dust liftin'
Neon gifted
Can't resist it
We been winnin'
Cash infinitely printin'
New dimension, we in it"
[Chorus]
"Neon dreams and Pink Dust schemes
We're illuminated, seams gleam
Cash rules everything, cream on cream
Living life vivid like a lucid dream
Elevated minds, we reign supreme
Neon nights, Pink Dust dreams
Breaking barriers, busting seams
Real recognize real, we're the cream"
[Outro]
"Neon aura, Pink Dust flowing (Yeah)
Minds elevated, we keep growing (Up)
Future's ours for the knowing (What)
Pink Dust, keep it glowing (Glow)"
Arell leaned back in his studio chair, letting the last notes of Pink Dust fade out. He had been in a groove, cooking up beats and laying down bars. The smoke from his joint curled lazily into the air, mixing with the sound of his music. He took another drag, feeling the tension in his body melt away.
After a while, Arell decided to take a break. India had arrived in Atlanta, and he wasn't going to let the chance to meet her slip by. There was no way he was letting her come to his mansion, so they had agreed to meet up at a restaurant. He grabbed his phone and sent a quick message to Cam and Jamal, asking them to roll with him.
A few minutes later, they all piled into Arell's Subaru. It was a decent car, but he had been thinking about upgrading for a while. Maybe today would be the day. Fair Trade had been bringing in a lot of money, and he could probably afford to go car shopping.
As they drove, Arell mentioned his plan to Cam and Jamal. "I'm thinking about getting a BMW," he said, his voice casual. "Fair Trade has been doing numbers, and I can definitely afford it now."
Cam nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Hell yeah, man. You deserve it. You've been grinding hard."
Jamal agreed, leaning back in his seat. "A BMW would be a nice upgrade. That Subaru's been good to you, but it's time to level up."
They pulled into the parking lot of a trendy restaurant, and Arell's heart skipped a beat when he saw India waiting outside. She looked stunning, as always, and she waved when she saw him.
"Hey," she said, smiling as he approached. "You look good."
Arell chuckled, feeling a little self-conscious. "Thanks, India. You look amazing."
They walked into the restaurant together, Cam and Jamal trailing behind them.
They found a table and settled in, ordering drinks and food. Arell and India chatted and flirted, their conversation easy and relaxed. India took out her phone and started snapping pictures of them together, laughing as Arell made funny faces for the camera.
"You're such a goof," she said, showing him the pictures.
"Only for you," Arell replied, winking.
After they finished eating, they decided to take a stroll through the mall nearby. India looped her arm through Arell's, leaning close as they walked. They stopped at a few stores, checking out clothes and shoes. India found a pair of sneakers she liked and insisted on buying them for Arell.
"You spoil me," he said, shaking his head as she handed the cashier her card.
"Only because you deserve it," India replied, smiling.
As they walked through the mall, more and more people started to recognize Arell. Fans approached him, asking for photos and autographs. He obliged, posing for pictures and chatting with them briefly. India watched with amusement, clearly enjoying the attention.
"You've got quite the following," she said as they continued walking.
As India excused herself to use the restroom, Arell waited near the food court with Cam and Jamal. He was scrolling through his phone when a guy in his early twenties approached, phone out and recording.
"Yo, J. Cole! J. Cole, what's good, bro?" the guy called out, getting uncomfortably close to Arell.
Arell looked up, confused. "Nah, man. I'm not J. Cole."
The guy persisted, grinning at his phone. "Come on, don't be like that. Spit some bars for us, Cole!"
Arell shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Cam and Jamal. They tensed, ready to step in if needed.
"Look, I'm not J. Cole. I'm Arell Rose. Different person, different artist," Arell said firmly.
The guy laughed. "Arell Rose? Never heard of you. Come on, just one verse, Cole!"
Cam stepped forward. "He said he's not J. Cole, man. Back off."
The guy held up his hands, still recording. "Alright, alright. My bad, 'Arell Rose.' Keep it real, bro." He walked away, laughing to himself.
Arell shook his head. "People are weird, bro. Like, how you gonna insist I'm someone I'm not?"
Jamal nodded. "Some folks just want attention, man. Don't let it get to you."
India returned, looking concerned. "Everything okay? I saw that guy bothering you."
Arell shrugged. "Yeah, it's cool."
They continued their mall walk, chatting and window shopping. After a while, India checked her watch.
"I hate to cut this short, but I've got to head out," she said. "I have a few photo shoots lined up. But hey, why don't you come by my hotel tomorrow? We could hang out, maybe order room service?"
Arell hesitated. "Maybe. I'll see what my schedule's like."
India smiled. "No pressure. Just let me know." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before heading off.
As they watched her leave, Cam nudged Arell. "She's into you, man."
Arell grinned. "Yeah, I know. It's complicated though."
They walked through the mall a bit more, discussing the encounters they'd had.
"Man, that J. Cole guy was wild," Jamal said, shaking his head. "But did you see how many people recognized you? You're blowing up, bro."
Arell nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yeah, it's crazy. Speaking of blowing up, let's go check out some BMWs."
They headed out to Arell's Subaru and made their way to the BMW dealership in Atlanta. As they pulled into the lot, a salesman named Mike approached them with a wide smile.
"Welcome to BMW of Atlanta! How can I help you gentlemen today?" Mike asked.
Arell stepped forward. "I'm looking to buy a new car. Want to see what you've got."
Mike's smile widened. "Absolutely! Let's start with our 3 Series models and work our way up."
They walked through the lot, Mike pointing out various features of each car. Arell nodded politely, but his attention was caught by a M5 in the distance.
"What about that one?" Arell asked, pointing.
Mike's eyes lit up. "Ah, the M5. Excellent choice. Let me show you."
As they approached the M5, Arell circled it, admiring the lines. "Damn, I need that right there. Like, I need that right there."
Mike launched into his pitch, detailing the car's specs and features. Arell listened intently, occasionally glancing at Cam and Jamal, who were nodding approvingly.
After test driving the M5, Arell was even more convinced. "This is definitely a contender. Can you write down the details for me?"
Mike eagerly jotted down the information. As they were about to leave, Arell paused.
"You know, ever since I was young, there's one car I've always wanted," Arell said. "A Hellcat."
Cam raised an eyebrow. "For real? I thought you were all about the luxury rides."
Arell grinned. "Man, sometimes you just want raw power, you know?"
They thanked Mike and headed to a nearby Dodge dealership. There, they met Sarah, who showed them to the Hellcats.
Arell whistled as he saw the car. "Now that's what I'm talking about."
After another test drive and info session, Arell had the details for the Hellcat written down as well.
As they drove back, Arell was deep in thought. "I gotta talk to Geoffrey first. Get the accounting straight before I make any moves."
Jamal nodded. "Smart move. But man, either of those cars would be sick."
Cam leaned forward from the back seat. "Why not both?"
Arell chuckled. "Maybe, man. We'll see."
Cam suddenly remembered something. "Hey, what about those chains? Didn't you say you had J Soulija's chains?"
Arell's eyes widened. "Oh, shit. Yeah, I almost forgot about those." He turned to Cam. "Check the bag under your seat."
Cam reached down and pulled out a heavy black duffel bag. Inside, nestled among various items, were the chains.
"Damn," Cam said, lifting them out. "These are serious."
Arell grinned. "We heading to the hood right now. I was meaning to give those chains away."
Jamal raised an eyebrow. "Right now?"
"Right now," Arell affirmed, pulling out his phone and calling Sahbabii. "Ay, we pulling up. Got something for the youngins."
A short drive later, they arrived in the heart of the neighborhood. Kids and teens were scattered around, some playing basketball, others just hanging out. As Arell, Cam, and Jamal stepped out of the car, a buzz of excitement rippled through the crowd.
Sahbabii, or Saheem, was there to greet them. "Yo, what's good?" he said, dapping them up. "What you got for us, man?"
Arell pulled out the chains, holding them up for everyone to see. "Thought the youngins might appreciate them."
A chorus of appreciative "oohs" and "damns" rose from the crowd. Sahbabii shook his head in disbelief. "You serious? These gotta be like forty thousand each."
"Yeah, but they ain't mine," Arell said with a grin. "They yours now."
The young kids looked up at Arell with wide eyes. "For real?"
"For real," Arell confirmed. "These chains are yours."
A round of excited chatter broke out as the kids took turns holding the chains, posing for pictures, and showing them off to their friends. They were ecstatic, and the older guys were equally impressed.
Sahbabii nodded. "These chains gonna do a tour through the trenches. Everyone gotta see this."
Arell felt a deep sense of satisfaction watching the kids' faces light up. He had grown up in similar circumstances and knew how much moments like this meant.
As they continued to hang out, they talked about the recent music video shoot and how excited they were to be part of it. They dapped each other up, took more pictures, and enjoyed the moment.
They spent the next couple of hours on the block, sharing stories and connecting with everyone.
Before they left, Sahbabii pulled Arell aside. "Hey, thanks for everything, man. You don't know how much this means to everyone here."
Arell nodded. "I do, Saheem. I do."
They drove back to the mansion, the mood in the car light and upbeat. Arell was happy, but also reflective. He thought about how far he had come and the impact he could make. As they pulled into the driveway, he made a mental note to do more for the community.