Discussions.

Arell and Geoffrey settled back into the Subaru, the hum of the city fading as they drove away from the Puma building.

"Man, that meeting was intense," Arell said, leaning back in his seat. "I can't believe we actually pulled it off."

Geoffrey grinned, his eyes glinting with excitement. "We did more than pull it off. We set ourselves up for some serious success."

Arell nodded, replaying the terms of the deal in his head. "So, just to make sure I got it all straight, we're doing a collaborative shoe with Puma and also a basic wear line under Infinity. Two separate deals, right?"

"Exactly," Geoffrey confirmed. "The shoe deal is straightforward. Puma is going to design a custom sneaker with your input, and we'll get a 15% royalty on all sales. Plus, the $150,000 advance to get things rolling."

"And if the sales hit over $10 million in the first year, we get another $200,000 bonus, and our royalty rate jumps to 20%," Arell added, remembering the key milestones. "That's a lot of pressure."

Geoffrey shook his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "It's pressure, but it's also motivation. Puma believes in us, and they're putting their money where their mouth is. As for the basic wear line under Infinity, that's another solid win."

Arell raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but remind me how that part works?"

"We get to maintain full creative control over Infinity's basic wear line," Geoffrey explained. "Puma will handle distribution and marketing. In return, we split the profits 50/50. It's a joint venture, but they're letting us lead the creative direction."

"Right, right. And no upfront advance for the Infinity line, but their marketing budget is pretty generous." Arell said, tapping his fingers on the dashboard.

Geoffrey nodded. "Correct. They're committing significant resources to push the line, which means we'll get a lot of exposure. And with your name attached, the potential for growth is huge."

Arell let out a low whistle, feeling the weight of the opportunities ahead.

Geoffrey smiled, his excitement matching Arell's. "And remember, this is just the beginning. We've got the initial funds and the partnerships. Now, it's about execution and keeping the momentum going."

Arell nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Yeah, you're right. We need to keep pushing. Oh, and what about the music video we talked about?"

Geoffrey's eyes lit up. "I'm already on it. We'll use the new song to announce the partnership. We can feature the Puma gear and tease the Infinity line. It's going to be a perfect launchpad."

Arell grinned, feeling the pieces falling into place. "So, what's next?"

Geoffrey leaned back, thinking. "First, I'm setting up some interviews. We've got to keep the momentum going and let everyone know about the new deals. Then, we need to set up the label officially."

"Sounds good," Arell said, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "What about performances?"

Geoffrey glanced at him. "I want you to slow down a bit after these three shows."

Arell frowned. "Why? The demand is high, and I don't want to lose momentum."

Geoffrey smiled. "I get it, but there's a reason. You need to start working on your album."

Arell's eyes widened. "Oh yeah, one of a kind. It would be good to have more people working on it, though. I can't do it all myself."

Geoffrey's expression softened. "I've got some people in mind. Mia, for instance."

Arell looked iffy at the mention of Mia. "Mia, huh? I'm not sure about that."

Geoffrey continued. "Either way, Devon has been learning a lot about producing. He's been putting in the work and could really help out."

Arell looked surprised. "Devon? Really? I didn't know he was into producing."

Geoffrey nodded. "Yeah, he's been taking it seriously. And remember that DJ you spoke to at the Tabernacle? He's got some skills. I think you'll meet more people along the way too."

Geoffrey then added, "You also have that quest."

Arell's eyes drifted to the system screen. "Yeah, I do."

Active Quest

Mission: To be the best

Description: Achieve the following goals before the end of the year:

Maximize Skills: Increase all rapper stats to at least 80.

Complete the Album: Finish a full album.

Billboard Success: Get a song in the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Collaborate with Legends: Collaborate with at least three renowned artists in the industry.

Media Domination: Secure interviews and features in at least three major music publications or media outlets.

Sell Out Shows: Perform at two major venues with sold-out audiences.

Rewards: [Hidden]

Punishment: If these objectives are not met by the end of the year, all stats will be reduced by 40 points and the system will shut down permanently.

Arell's eyes scanned the Quest system details, the weight of the mission pressing down on him. "This quest is serious," Arell said. "I need to be in the lab, like, constantly."

Geoffrey nodded. "We can make this happen, but it's going to take a lot of work. First things first, we'll need to get you a vocal coach and other experts to help you refine your skills."

"Absolutely," Arell agreed. "And I've already got one of the renowned collaborations lined up. Young Thug and I have been planning a studio session."

Geoffrey's eyes lit up. "Your song with him could also possibly help with the Billboard goal, too."

Arell glanced back at the Quest system, the rewards hidden and the punishment daunting. He couldn't afford to fail. "Let's get to work, Geoffrey. We've got a lot to do, and about nine months to do it."

Geoffrey clapped him on the back. "Let's make it happen, Arell. To the top."

<> 

Belcalis also known as Bacardi, lounged on her couch in her modest Bronx apartment, scrolling through her phone. The early 2015 winter wind rattled the windows, but inside, the room was warm and filled with the comforting noise of a reality TV show playing in the background.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her concentration. She glanced at the screen, an unfamiliar number flashing. With a mix of curiosity and scepticism, she answered.

"Hello, this is Belcalis," she said, her voice tinged with its usual fiery energy.

"Hello, Belcalis. This is Geoffrey, Arell Rose's manager," came a smooth, professional voice. "Arell has been following your work on social media and would love to fly you out for a show."

Belcalis sat up, her interest piqued. "Wait, Arell? The rapper? The one with beef with little Reese?"

"Exactly," Geoffrey confirmed. "He's really impressed with you and would love to meet you. We'll take care of all the arrangements."

Belcalis blinked, processing the unexpected invitation. "Okay, but why me? What's he thinking?"

"Arell sees a lot of potential in you and believes your unique style and personality special to his brand. Plus, he's a fan of your energy and charisma." Geoffrey explained.

Belcalis pondered for a moment, her mind racing. "Alright, that sounds good. When do you want me to come out?"

"We're looking at two days from now, if that works for you," Geoffrey replied. "I'll send you all the details via email. We'll make sure you have a comfortable stay."

"Okay, I'm in," Belcalis said, still a bit incredulous. "Thanks for reaching out, Geoffrey."

After hanging up, she called out to her sister, Hennessy, who was in the next room. "Henny! You won't believe this!"

Hennessy entered the room, curiosity written all over her face. "What's up, sis?"

"Arell Rose's manager just called," Belcalis said, still in a bit of shock. "They wanna fly me out for a show. Like, what?"

Hennessy's eyes widened. "Arell? The Arell? Girl, you better go! This could be huge for you! If you play your cards right, you could get his help to start making music."

Belcalis was sceptical. "I doubt he'd help me like that."

Hennessy crossed her arms. "Well, make sure he does. And if you're not enough to convince him, then two of us will."

Belcalis raised an eyebrow. "We?"

Hennessy grinned mischievously. "If he's not persuaded by just you, then we'll show him what he's missing, maybe even we could bring our other homegirls.

Belcalis laughed, shaking her head. "Mhm, you messy. But maybe you're onto something."

The sisters shared a conspiratorial smile, the plan forming in their minds as they thought about the possibilities that lay ahead.

<> 

In a sleek boardroom high above the bustling streets of Manhattan, a group of Atlantic Records executives sat around a large table. The walls were lined with platinum records and photographs of legendary artists who had once sat in this very room.

"We need to talk about Arell Rose," One executive, Mark, began, tapping a folder in front of him. "His buzz is off the charts and he's not just a one-hit wonder."

A young executive, Karen, nodded. "His social media presence is massive, and the beef with Lil Reese has only amplified his visibility. He's everywhere right now."

Mark leaned back in his chair. "We need to make a move quickly, he's got a wall of offers lined up. Yet still, he's unsigned, and that's a rare opportunity for us. We should arrange a meeting with him and his manager, Geoffrey."

Another executive, Tom, interjected. "We should also consider leveraging our connections to get him those major collaborations and media features."

Karen added, "And let's not forget about a potential album. If we sign him and support his album production, we can ensure it's a hit. We have the resources to make it happen."

Mark nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's put together a proposal. I want to see a draft on my desk by tomorrow morning. We need to show Arell that we're the best option for his career. Time is of the essence."

Karen spoke up again, "I've been following his performances and his interaction with fans. He's got that star quality, the kind that resonates on a massive scale. We need to capitalize on this before any other label does."

Tom nodded. "I'll reach out to some of our top producers and see who would be interested in working with him. If we can line up some big names, it will sweeten the deal."

Mark stood up, signalling the end of the meeting. "Let's get to work. I want this to be the smoothest and most appealing offer we've ever put together. Arell Rose is a goldmine waiting to happen, and we need to be the ones to unearth it."

The executives nodded, the urgency clear in their expressions. They knew that signing Arell Rose could be a game-changer, and they were determined to make it happen before anyone else could swoop in. As they dispersed, the atmosphere was charged with the anticipation of securing one of the most promising talents in the industry.

<> 

Arell and Geoffrey were still cruising through the city, the hum of the Subaru blending with the rhythmic beats of the music playing on the radio. Arell had his seat reclined, scrolling through his phone, occasionally nodding to the rhythm of Blue Balenciagas. The familiar strains of his song filled the car, a reminder of how far he had come.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a notification from Instagram. Curious, Arell opened the app and saw a direct message from none other than Young Thug.

Young Thug: "Yo, you free to pull up to the studio in an hour?"

Arell's eyes widened in excitement. This was the collaboration he had been waiting for. He quickly typed out a response.

Arell: "Bet. Where at?"

Within seconds, the location details pinged back. Arell turned to Geoffrey. "Geoffrey, looks like I'm about to get a part of the quest ticked off. Young Thug just invited me to the studio."

Geoffrey's eyes lit up. "That's good, you have a lot of free time right now. Where's it at?"

Arell showed him the message, and Geoffrey nodded, changing their route to head towards the studio.

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R18? Or No?

Who would you like to see in the studio?