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Convict to King

Arell Rose, finds an unexpected path to redemption in a mysterious RAPPER System that grants him a host of different abilities and challenges to overcome. The system's main goal? to create the best rapper alive. Can this troubled teen navigate the obstacles thrown in his way and truly become a legend in the music industry?

AmSincere · Película
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151 Chs

June 11th

@MeekMill: Dreams Worth More Than Money dropping JUNE 11TH! Label came through for the fans. We bout to take over summer 2015 💯🔥 #DWMTM

@RickRoss: My brother @MeekMill bout to shake the game up. June 11th, mark your calendars. This ain't just an album, it's a movement. Maybach Music taking over 🏎️💨 #DWMTM #MMG

@Arell_Rose: 🤨

@Drake: @Arell_Rose @MeekMill June 11th lookin soooooo spicy 🌶️ #DWMTM #WISHES

@NICKIMINAJ: So proud of you @MeekMill 😘 Your hard work is paying off. Can't wait for everyone to hear this masterpiece. Dreams really do come true 💕 #DWMTM #YoungKing

@NICKIMINAJ: Yo @Arell_Rose that football kit jacket is FIRE 🔥 Any chance a girl can get her hands on one? Pretty please? 😍

@Arell_Rose: @NICKIMINAJ I got you dw

@Diddy: To see kings like @MeekMill elevating themselves and their art, that's what it's all about. You're a blessing to the community, young king. Let's keep spreading love and positivity. I'll make sure we celebrate your contributions properly 🙌🏾🖤 #BlackExcellence

@Diddy: You know what, @MeekMill? I'm feeling extra generous today. How about we link up after your album drops and I'll personally show you how proud we all are of you? Maybe a little yacht party in Miami? Just you, me, and a few close friends. We'll pop some Ciroc, watch the sunset, and toast to your success. What do you say, king? Let's make it a night to remember 😉🥂 #CirocBoys

@DJ_Khaled: They don't want you to drop on June 11th @MeekMill BUT YOU DOING IT ANYWAY! That's that LION ORDER! WE THE BEST! 🦁🔑 #DWMTM #WeTheBest

@ComplexMusic: Meek Mill's "Dreams Worth More Than Money" gets surprise June 11th release date change from June 29th. Is this a response to recent industry shifts? 🤔

@TheShadeRoom: #TSRExclusive: Sources close to Meek Mill's camp say the June 11th release date for #DWMTM was pushed by Atlantic Records, distributor of Maybach Music Group to "make a statement". But a statement to who? 👀 Swipe for more tea! ☕️

@HipHopDX: Breaking down why Meek Mill's "Dreams Worth More Than Money" June 11th release is a power move [LINK]

@XXL: 5 Reasons Why Meek Mill's June 11th Album Drop Could Change The Game [LINK]

@InfinityOfficial: Summer drop line-up is on its way and it's our biggest yet! 🌞

- Exclusive sports line collab with @PUMA

- Fresh "Crayon" jacket designs with bold new colorways

- Limited edition Football kit inspired denim jacket (Only 500 made!)

- Introducing our revolutionary new line: Eternal Denim

Get all the juicy details here: [LINK] #InfinityFashion #SummerVibes

@InfinityOfficial: The wait is over. Eternal Denim isn't just a new line, it's a new era of fashion. Engineered for ultimate comfort and style, these jeans are built to last. Available June 15th. Are you ready for eternity? #EternalDenim #InfinityFashion

@indialove: Image: [India is wearing the limited edition denim jacket while Arell is in the background playing with Ares]

@Pharrell: Had to bless @Arell_Rose with something special. When art recognizes art, magic happens. This chain tells a story - your story. Keep shining, young visionary. [VIDEO]

@ComplexStyle: @Pharrell just gifted @Arell_Rose a custom chain that's giving major N.E.R.D vibes, but with a twist. The attention to detail is INSANE. Zoom in to see the story it tells! 🔍🔥

@HYPEBEAST: @Pharrell's gift to @Arell_Rose isn't just jewelry, it's wearable art. We break down every element of this masterpiece. [LINK]

@TheShadeRoom: #TSRUpdatez: Cardi B gets into heated argument with Swift on Love & Hip Hop: New York 👀 [LINK]

@LouisVuitton: Celebrating rising stars. We're honored to gift @Arell_Rose a selection from our latest jewelry collection. True talent deserves true luxury. #LVMenFW15

@chartdata: .@Arell_Rose is close to breaking history with three records in sight.

- Most Simultaneous Charting Singles for a New Artist (R: 5 Singles Charting Simultaneously)

- Top 10 Hits as a New Artist (R: 4 Singles in the Top 10)

- Fastest Ascent to Multiple Billboard Entries (R: 3 Singles in the Top 10)

@XXLMagazine: BLM co-founders address Arell Rose controversy in exclusive interview

In a recent sit-down, Black Lives Matter co-founders Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi shared their thoughts on Arell Rose's recent Hot 97 comments.

Cullors stated, "While we appreciate young voices speaking out, we have to be careful about perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Rose's comments, though possibly well-intentioned, risk oversimplifying complex issues in our community."

Garza added, "It's crucial to understand that systemic issues can't be boiled down to a few bars. We need nuanced discussions that don't demonize our own people."

Tometi concluded, "This situation highlights the need for more intergenerational dialogue. We can't dismiss the experiences of our youth, but we also can't ignore the historical context of these issues.

<>

Arell hadn't planned on coming to the studio today. The invitation was casual enough when Pharrell had mentioned it last week, but what Pharrell didn't mention was that this wasn't just a small session—it was a packed madhouse.

He had figured he'd be in the studio helping Pharrell mess around with some beats, keeping things lowkey, but this? Nah, this was a full-blown event. The studio was filled with producers, engineers, and rappers at every turn, from Pusha T to 2 Chainz, and even Chance the Rapper posted up in a corner.

Kanye was deep into working on his album The Life of Pablo. Every inch of the room buzzed with people collaborating, throwing out ideas, tweaking sounds. Arell, though, stayed in the background, sticking close to Pharrell and Rocky.

He wasn't really interested in the circus. He was only here because he'd wrapped up business before he even flew out to L.A., and India had an appointment with her OB-GYN. So he had nothing else to occupy his time today except watching the Monaco Grand Prix on his phone.

"Yo, so Lewis Hamilton's not in the lead?" Rocky leaned over, glancing at the screen while playing around with a hook on the setup in front of him.

"Nah," Arell muttered, eyes still half on the race. "I figured he would be."

Rocky sighed, then turned back to the track. "Check this out. I'm tryna get this hook right, but it's not sitting where it needs to be. Something's off."

Arell shifted his focus to Rocky's screen, listening to the playback. Rocky was known for his effortless cool, but he was stuck on this. "The semitone ain't the issue," Arell said after listening closely. "Your voice needs more layers. Double it, drop the pitch down an octave, slow it a bit—it'll give it that haunting feel."

Rocky gave him a look, intrigued. "You sure?"

"Watch," Arell said, taking the controls. He tweaked the layers, deepening the sound of the vocals, making them more atmospheric, more soulful. The hook slowed down, reverberating through the speakers like a whisper that lingered.

"Love... Lust... Hoes..."

The hook sounded alive now, like it had finally come into focus.

Rocky's eyes widened. "Yo, that's crazy. Exactly what I needed."

The energy in the room subtly shifted. Kanye, who had been working on his side, turned to listen more closely. The beat dropped back in, and Kanye nodded, his eyes locking onto Rocky's setup.

"Wait, that's tough," Kanye said, stepping over to where they were. "That hook's something serious, Rocky. You gotta put that on one of your tracks."

Arell leaned back in his chair, keeping his expression neutral. Here comes swiper again, he thought, expecting Kanye to claim the hook for himself.

But surprisingly, Kanye didn't. He just nodded, still appreciating the vibe.

Rocky gave a smile, and Kanye moved back to his side, seemingly satisfied. For once, Arell could breathe easy. But the tension between him and Kanye was still thick. Pharrell knew it. Of course he did, he spoke to Kanye about it apparently. But both of them were too proud to address it head-on. Arell had waited for Kanye to make the first move since it was Kanye who had messed up. But it seemed Kanye wasn't the type to admit mistakes easily.

Pharrell tapped Arell's shoulder. "You good?" His tone was casual, but Arell could tell he was checking in.

"Yeah, all good," Arell muttered, glancing at his phone. The Monaco Grand Prix was still on. Rosberg was maintaining his lead.

Just as he was settling back into his corner, fiddling with some drums Pharrell had asked him to tweak, Arell noticed something weird in the track Pharrell had playing, Father Stretch My Hands? The beat felt off—like it wasn't doing the chorus any justice. The drums were weak. He glanced down at the credits. Metro Boomin?

"Leland did this?" Arell asked aloud, He couldn't let one of his boy's beats flop like this. So, without thinking too much, he started tweaking it. Deepening the kicks, adjusting the high-hats, adding a bounce that gave it more weight.

Within a few minutes, he'd taken the beat from flat to something with a pulse.

He hit play again. And just like before, the room went quiet.

Heads turned, every single person in the studio looking in Arell's direction. He barely noticed, too focused on getting the mix right. His phone sat forgotten on his lap, the Grand Prix continuing without him. But by the time the beat played through, the silence in the room became deafening.

When he finally glanced up, everyone—from Rocky to Pharrell to Pusha T to Kanye himself—was staring at him.

"What?" Arell asked, removing his headphones.

Rick Rubin, sitting in the back with his arms crossed, leaned forward, eyes wide in approval. "That's solid, man," Rick said, his deep voice cutting through the silence. "You just fixed that whole section."

Kanye, who had been hovering near them the whole time, walked over, his eyes locked on Arell now. "Yo, did you just fix the drums on that? Like that?"

Arell shrugged, playing it off. "It just needed a foundation, something to carry the chorus better."

Kanye looked at him like he'd just uncovered some hidden treasure. "That's crazy. I've been trying to get that right for weeks."

The tension between them, though still present, seemed to crack a little. Kanye wasn't being combative.

"Can you show me what you did?" Kanye asked, his voice more respectful than Arell expected.

Arell didn't hesitate. "Yeah, sure."

He went back to the machine, running through the tweaks he made to the drums, showing Kanye how he'd adjusted the low-end, added depth to the high-hats, and smoothed out the transitions. He could feel Kanye's eyes on him the entire time, watching closely, absorbing everything.

When Arell finished, Kanye was nodding. "Man, that's exactly what it needed."

"Appreciate it, man," Kanye said, stepping back but still hovering around. "That's fire."

Arell nodded, acknowledging the compliment. "All good."

Kanye dapped him up, a brief connection that sealed the moment without too many words. Arell then turned back to his phone, where the Monaco Grand Prix nearing its end.

Just as he was about to slip his phone into his pocket, it buzzed again. Expecting it to be India—she'd been checking in throughout the day—he glanced down at the screen, ready to wrap things up for the night. But instead of India, the name "Thugger" flashed across the screen, and Arell's brows furrowed in curiosity.

Thug? What does he want now? He swiped open the message and quickly scanned through it.

Thugger: Yo, I know we got some other stuff to clear up, but I need your help with something. I've been keeping an eye on my lil bro named Dominique. He's caught up with a probation violation, and they tryna hit him with two years. Shit's serious, and I don't want him to go to prison. He's been getting his life straight, you feel me? QC and I been working with him, and I think he's got potential for real—real talk, we got some stuff going on at Rich Gang right now but he could do big things with QC and your label, but he needs to stay out the streets. Think you could talk to your manager, get him some help? I know you know some people in law that could knock some time off. We tryna keep him out here, not locked up. Let me know.

Arell leaned back in his seat, his mind already processing the message. Dominique. It seemed familiar despite having never heard much about him yet. If Jeff was vouching for him, that meant something. Jeff had a knack for spotting raw talent, and Arell had a deep respect for that—especially since Thugger had been one of the people who really gave him a boost when he was coming up.

I owe him, Arell thought. I never really returned that favor.

He also knew how much getting caught up in the system could derail a life. If this Dominique was getting into something big, then two years could be enough to throw it all away before it even started. Plus, Thug was right—Geoffrey could for sure get this probation violation worked out or, at the very least, knock off some time.

Arell tapped out a quick reply.

Arell: I got you, bro. I'll see what we can do. We'll knock off some time for sure. Dominique gonna be good. And yeah, we can talk about getting him in the mix with us. I'm down to help.

He sent the message and slipped the phone into his pocket just as it buzzed again—this time, it was India. He opened it, smiling at the emoji she'd sent, followed by:

India: I'm starvinggggg. Let's get dinner?

Arell chuckled under his breath. He didn't need much convincing

He stood up, catching Pharrell's eye across the room. Pharrell was in the middle of a conversation with Rick Rubin but broke away with a smile when he saw Arell approaching.

"Dipping out?" Pharrell asked, giving him a nod.

"Yeah, India's hitting me up just gone done with her checkup and she's hungry," Arell replied with a smirk. "Gotta handle that."

Pharrell chuckled, reaching out for a quick dap. "Smart man. Don't keep her waiting."

Arell dapped him up, the respect between them unspoken but always present. "Appreciate you, bro. For real."

"Always," Pharrell said. "We'll catch up tomorrow. Studio's open for you anytime."

As Arell made his way through the crowded room, producers, rappers, and engineers parted like the Red Sea. Even those he hadn't spoken to dapped him up on his way out, even if they didn't know him personally, they knew of him.

Pusha T gave him a quick fist bump. "Good looks on that fix, man," he said, nodding toward the machines where Arell had worked his magic on Kanye's track.

"Appreciate it." Arell replied smoothly, keeping it cool as he moved past.

As he reached the door, Rubin, following from behind, gave him a strong shoulder tap, his approval heavy in the gesture. "Keep doing what you're doing, kid. That ear of yours is special."

Arell nodded and just as he was about to step out, Kanye—who had been floating from one conversation to another—made his way over. There was a moment of tension, but it quickly dissolved when Kanye extended his hand.

"Good session, man. That fix you did—seriously, respect," Kanye said.

Arell dapped him up, giving a small nod. "All good, bro. Glad it helped."

The handshake lingered just long enough to suggest that while they weren't exactly cool there was a measure of cordiality between them. Kanye then pulled back, flashing a smile.

"Catch you on the next one," Kanye added, turning back toward the mass of people in the studio.