Chapter 274: Death Row Records

"Ready to act now?" In the dimly lit dance floor, Arthur, holding Liv Tyler, heard her say she was going to star in her debut movie, The Silent Fall, a low-budget indie thriller!

"Yeah, I came from New York to Los Angeles specifically to develop my career in Hollywood," Liv Tyler said while leaning against Arthur's chest, her breath hot against his neck.

A while later, Arthur left with her personal phone number. No matter what, being entangled with Liv Tyler wasn't ideal now. In the future, it would be left to fate.

As for hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg, he was destined to come into Arthur's grasp eventually.

It was time for Galaxy Records to have its own record label!

...

In North Hollywood, Arthur browsed through the information he had gathered on Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

There's no need to say more; with P. Diddy on the East Coast and Dr. Dre on the West Coast, his status was well established.

Snoop Dogg, originally named Calvin Broadus Jr., was 22 years old and a gang member from Compton who had just been released from prison last year.

Currently, he was a signed artist to the hip-hop label Death Row Records!

Soon after, Arthur summoned his first assistant, Anna Walker, handed her the Death Row Records files, and instructed, "Establish Galaxy Records and find someone to negotiate with the owners of Death Row Records. Galaxy is acquiring this hip-hop label. And I want Death Row Records to be managed by you."

Anna Walker glanced at the files. "Boss, are you interested in hip-hop music?"

Arthur smiled, "I'm interested in pop, rock, jazz, country - all of it. Since Galaxy Records primarily focuses on movie soundtracks, why not experiment with acquiring a hip-hop label? Anyway, Death Row Records has only been around for a year and a half, so it won't cost much. Plus, Galaxy is a shareholder in BET, the Black Entertainment Television network, so we have promotional advantages in hip-hop music."

Anna Walker nodded, "Understood. I'll start arranging it as soon as possible."

As for whether they could acquire it, Arthur wasn't worried at all. How could gangsters resist the lure of money?

...

At the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, after the press conference for Speed, Nicole Kidman had just gotten off the phone with her good friend Naomi Watts when she noticed Arthur Smith.

She quickly approached him, "Arthur, what have you been busy with lately? You're the producer of Speed. The movie is premiering next month. Aren't you worried?"

Arthur looked at Nicole Kidman's slightly curled blonde hair draped over her shoulders, her beautiful face full of jest. He hugged her, "Do I not have time now?"

Nicole Kidman blew into Arthur's ear and seductively said, "I'll be waiting for you in the hotel's bathtub tonight!"

Arthur smiled and nodded, "With Speed about to premiere, the promotional activities are in full swing. There's no problem, right?"

"Mhm, it's fine. Both Johnny and I need the exposure right now, especially me. I'm not very famous yet, so participating in more movie events is beneficial," Nicole Kidman was very clear about her current position. Galaxy was investing heavily in marketing Speed.

She had confidence in Arthur and, of course, in the movie!

"Arthur, I haven't seen you since the Oscars. I heard you went to Florida with Winona?" Nicole Kidman laughed again.

"Yeah, we went for a few days," which allowed Arthur to catch Jim Carrey. "By the way, Johnny has a movie premiering soon, right? He seems pretty busy."

"Mhm, yes, his film Benny & Joon premiered last week. And he recently acquired a bar in Hollywood, which is now being renovated!"

Listening to Nicole Kidman, Arthur knew she was talking about The Viper Room. As for Benny & Joon, it didn't leave much of an impression on him.

But he knew Johnny Depp's movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape, co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was set to release later this year!

"Mhm, I have to meet someone here in a bit, so I'll find you later," Arthur said, patting Nicole Kidman's buttocks.

...

In a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills.

On the sofa, Nicole Kidman sat disheveled in Arthur's arms, passionately kissing him.

Arthur's large hands roved over the woman's delicate body, from her thighs to her soft chest, feeling Nicole's increasingly rapid breaths!

"Mmm, it seems like it's time," Arthur suddenly glanced at his watch, looked at the passionate woman in his arms, and smiled, "Nicole, you go take a shower first; I need to meet someone next door."

"Who are you meeting, really..." Nicole Kidman gave Arthur a sideways look, "Be quick about it!"

Arthur nodded, his hand on her chest took the opportunity to lightly pinch, "Of course."

Soon, Arthur arrived at another room in the Four Seasons Hotel to meet the then 28-year-old Dr. Dre.

"Good evening, Mr. Smith," Dr. Dre, originally from the slums and involved in gang violence and drug trafficking, had engaged in many illegal activities.

A few years earlier, Dr. Dre had formed a rap group with a few others, gaining some fame but eventually disbanding due to internal discord.

Arthur looked at Dr. Dre, shook the contract in his hand, and smiled: "I've had people buy shares of Death Row Records from rappers like The Dick Griffey and others. Now, Death Row Records is just a hip-hop label under Galactic Records Holdings, and as for the nearly 25% shares you have, they are still yours. I want you to manage Death Row Records. You have been a pioneer in West Coast rap. Do you have confidence?"

Dr. Dre nodded, "Actually, there are many excellent rappers on the West Coast. With Galaxy Records supporting me, I'm confident."

"But?" Arthur looked at Dr. Dre's hesitant expression and directly asked, "Whatever it is, just bring it up!"

Dr. Dre sighed, "Rap music is tied to gangs, and many people have unsavory backgrounds. With your high status, Mr. Smith, why would you venture into hip-hop music?"

Dr. Dre wasn't a youngster; he had released singles and albums, earning some money, and he was striving to climb the ladder. However, compared to someone as privileged as Arthur Smith, the gap was enormous!

Arthur smiled, and together with Dr. Dre, he went to the window overlooking the Beverly Hills nightscape. "The nightly cost of this hotel ranges from $150 to $1500. Many people only make $2000 a month. Everyone wants to vacation and have fun at such a five-star hotel. I couldn't afford it before, but now I have a long-term suite here!

Now, why do you think that is?"

"Why? Because you have money," Dr. Dre responded.

"Yes, because I have money," Arthur looked at the scenery outside the window, "A few years ago, my college tuition came from my parents' insurance settlement. I spent it on a new Ford sedan. Fortunately, I dropped out and spent a few years achieving my current accomplishments!"

Dr. Dre's mouth twitched, "Mr. Smith is a national idol now. There's no young person who doesn't admire your current achievements."

"So, the focus now is that I want to make money, a lot of it. Since there's a market for hip-hop music, I'll enter it," Arthur said and turned to look at Dr. Dre, "Now, your opportunity has come. You don't want to be called a drug dealer, and rapist forever. Becoming a millionaire changes things.

Do you still want to live in the slums with those zombies? Still want to hide like a rat when you see the police? Still want to be treated differently even when you go to church?

The hip-hop music market is vast. Now that we're entrusting Death Row Records to you, with money and resources at your disposal, how much you earn depends on your abilities!"

Dr. Dre breathed heavily, "Of course I want to elevate myself. I want to live in rich neighborhoods, dine elegantly in high-end restaurants, and become part of the elite."

"Great, the West Coast hip-hop market still has a lot to explore. Keep a long-term vision and pay attention to your identity," Arthur said as he lit a cigarette, "Maintain your image well. The higher you climb, the more you need positive press. Aim for Death Row Records to be number one on the West Coast.

Recruit more new talent and get more people working for us. The young man, Snoop Dogg, I saw with you at the bar seems promising; he seems to be suited for this!"

Dr. Dre nodded, "He's indeed a natural rapper. This year, Death Row Records plans to release an album for him."

"Great. When the company nurtures talent, it should expect returns from them. With BET Television promoting Death Row Records, it will be twice as effective," Arthur added with a smile, "I heard the hip-hop scene is chaotic; you can handle that, right?"

"Don't worry, it's no problem. The black community has always been chaotic, and deaths are common," Dr. Dre explained, "Last year's riots killed quite a few people, and many were arrested as well!"

"As long as there's no problem. I don't care about other matters, only the profits of Death Row Records. Just don't be used as someone's pawn," Arthur said, extinguishing the cigarette, "Last year, many black people died, but your contributions were significant as well.

You helped Rodney King and his team secure at least a few million dollars in government compensation. Rodney King's legal team is now continuing to sue the government. Although his demand for tens of millions in compensation won't happen, they will definitely secure a few million dollars!"

Dr. Dre took a deep breath, "I'll use Death Row Records to gradually acquire other record companies. And make Death Row Records the brightest gem on the West Coast!"

...

By the time Dr. Dre left, an hour and a half had passed. Arthur and Dr. Dre had chatted for that long. Arthur wanted Death Row Records to dominate the West Coast hip-hop scene. Whether Dr. Dre could meet Arthur's expectations was still unknown.

"No matter, Death Row Records is just a piece I'm playing with," Arthur didn't care, immediately returning to the room where Nicole Kidman was.

*****

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