Chapter 18 #5
“Y’all scared?” B-Syde asked.
“Hell yeah. The only thing that allows me to sleep at night is having my pride in check. I’m not about to compromise that by getting in the ring with her.”
“Damn, they’re scared to step up. She must be nice,” Asao said, nodding.
“We’re about to find out?” Samari pushed away from him but Asao caught her wrist.
“I know you’re feeling yourself but that’s not a good look.” He tossed his chin toward the ring, offering a cocky grin. Samari was talented as hell but Fyre wasn’t singing songs. She was dropping bars.
“I’m not about to compete against her, I’m going to sing with her.
If she’s on your label, that means she’s on my album.
You might as well get a test run.” She blew him a kiss and pushed through the crowd, climbing into the ring.
He watched Samari speaking to Fyre who looked confused at first but then she smiled, nodding before she dapped Samari.
After Fyre dropped her hand, Samari reached for the mic B-Syde held and said something to him. He shot a glance in Asao’s direction, smiling smugly, and reached for the mic, which Samari handed over.
“Since the ladies got y’all running scared. I’m going to let this be the last round before we clear out to let them set up for the fights. Step up if you’re trying to be in the cypher.” He circled his finger in the air and a track started.
Asao watched as Fyre dropped her head, bobbing it in time to the beat. When she was ready, the mic lifted to her mouth and she went in.
Hand to hand número uno I’m like BIG prime
Way more thorough than you tail tucking rappers in line
I thought this was competition
I only see me and mine
Fyre grinned and pointed to Samari before continuing.
Washed up, hung up and dried out here recycling lines
Maybe I’ll throw a verse for you, hope my teachings align
Kobe in these early mornings
At that free throw line
Flow so divine you would’ve thought pigs were flying
You forever saying you’re grand
Golden pen in your hand
But always sweating my flow
I’m Queen of your land.
Scared to step to a real one
Exist in the shadows of Prime
This a brutal way to find out that ya moms been lying
Everybody don’t get a trophy
Gotta earn it with your flow B
She hyped you ’cause she love you
You see the real when I roll through
Never have, never will, touch the chosen emcee
Dropping fries in my bag your only proximity
While Samari and Fyre did their thing, B-Syde crossed the warehouse and posted up on the wall next to Asao. They watched the ladies performing, remaining silent until B-Syde spoke up.
“I know you’re gonna sign her after this. The two of them together is a good look, but if nothing else, she needs a feature. That right there is going to make you a lot of money.” He motioned toward the ring and Asao nodded to agree.
“She’s nice with it. You know what she’s trying to do?” he asked, already mentally processing what he could do with a talent like Fyre.
“She has a few offers but hasn’t made a decision. If you put one on the table, she’ll go with it.”
“We’re not offering money,” Asao confirmed.
“Maybe not up front, but the money will be there. You’re not going to fuck over an artist who trusts you with their career and ownership is money. That’s how you plan on doing things, right?”
“Yeah. That’s the plan.” The goal was to make sure every artist on Track Killaz had ownership.
Business first, so Asao would be sure there was a return on the label’s investment, but the endgame was for each artist they signed to walk away with the knowledge to successfully navigate as an independent when they were ready.
Each one would have ownership of their full catalog.
The more success Asao, Dom, and Niles could foster, the more artists they could bring in over time.
The label would make their money off writing, production, and touring.
“What’s her story?”
Asao understood that pending her circumstances, she might want a quick cash payout, but if she could give them time to put money in her pocket, they had a better chance of getting her to sign a contract.
“She’s hungry but not in a way that will make the decision for her.
I’m telling you, Sao, put an offer on the table.
But if nothing else, have a conversation to see where her head is.
That’s money.” He glanced at the ring and Asao did too.
He watched Samari and Fyre claiming the attention of everyone in the building for a minute before he nodded to agree.
“Definitely money.” His attention then landed solely on Samari who had her hand over her stomach, head back, mic angled in the air, fisted at the base where she held it near her mouth. She smirked because she was in her element.
Your sexy ass is about to have me checking muthafuckers heavy… Asao thought before his eyes moved to the crowd.
Everyone was hype as hell, fully engrossed and locked in on the two women moving around the ring.
He liked that Fyre had a sensual vibe to balance the rawness of her lyrics.
She was sexy but in a way that would work without using sex to sell records.
He wanted talent, not just a body and a pretty face.
“You can’t even fake that shit.”
Asao delivered a cocky grin but his eyes never left Samari when he responded, “What’s that?”
“How fucking gone she has you.”
Samari sang lyrics he knew were for him based on the way her eyes met his and the curve of her lips when they were delivered.
A real man can handle a real woman
Competition be damned
He’s gonna step when I step
Hold me up, I hold him down
You muthafuckas are weak
Keep your eyes off the prize
I’m reppin’ a big stunner
I’m his, he’s mine…”
The corner of his lips curved and a hand massaged his beard before he responded to his boy. “Yeah, she got me. I don’t need to pretend she doesn’t.”
“Make it mean something, Sao. I know you don’t think you deserve that, but if the universe is blessing you, it’s a sign you do.
Don’t fumble that shit.” B-Syde pushed away from the wall, removed a blunt from behind his ear, and motioned toward the stage.
“Let me get ready to shut this down. You staying for the fights?”
Asao shook his head. “Nah, we’re heading out. Do me a favor…”
B-Syde removed a lighter from his pocket and blazed the end of his blunt, responding after his lungs were full. “What’s up?”
“Bring them outside. I’m trying to avoid the crowd, but I want to holler at your girl.”
“I got you since you got her.” He motioned to Fyre before he turned back to his boy and added, “And these papers are fire as fuck. Slow, even burn. Taking all my fucking money.” B-Syde held up the blunt before he walked away.
Asao nodded in acknowledgment. The deal to have his name attached to natural rolling papers was proving to be lucrative.
B-Syde crossed the warehouse feeling at he. He would do whatever he could to get Fyre on with the right team. B-Syde respected her hustle and didn’t want to see the talent she possessed wasted or mishandled. Asao would be a good look to ensure neither happened.
Asao dapped his boy and dipped out of the building.
Once the night air settled around him, he posted up against his Jeep, waiting on B-Syde to safely deliver the woman who had his heart.
There was no sense in denying her ownership because his actions would ultimately prove to the world he was no longer a free agent.
Ten minutes later, Samari was in his line of sight with her arm linked through Fyre’s.
They were laughing and smiling, telling of the bond already forming.
B-Syde was close behind them, head on swivel to make sure neither were in harm’s way.
If his boy trusted him with the care of his lady, B-Syde wouldn’t be caught slipping.
“You left me,” Samari pouted playfully, stopping in front of her man.
His eyes traveled from the top of her head down to her feet before they locked in on her beautiful face.
“You were in the care of someone I trust with my life. He’s a hitta, Mari. You were good.”
She cut her eyes at B-Syde then motioned to Fyre. “She’s good, right?”
Asao nodded and gave his attention to the woman next to his girl. Their arms were still linked. Samari was presenting a united front. He extended a closed fist to Fyre which she met with her own.
“You’re nice.”
“I know.” She smiled arrogantly, which made him chuckle. “And coming from you that’s the ultimate compliment, so thank you.”
“You trying to do more than this or you comfortable where you are?” he asked, gauging where her head was.
“If you’re offering, I want more. I’ve heard about Track Killaz. Dom is nice with his beats, you have the respect of the city, and I’m trying to be a part of something like that.”
“Aight, let’s talk then. You have a team?”
She frowned and he clarified, “Management?”
There was always someone who noticed potential and was either trying to make sure the possessor of that potential won or the alternative was them trying to eat off that potential.
They pushed to get a check and that could be a problem.
He wanted to know what obstacles he would be faced with in the pursuit of getting Fyre to the next level.
“No, I don’t fuck with anybody like that. It’s just me.” She frowned and cut her eyes at B-Syde, hoping he wouldn’t have put her in the center of a foul situation. Asao’s reputation was solid but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t fuck her over.
“My boy isn’t on any bullshit, and even if he was, I’m right there with you. My name is attached to the label.”
Fyre frowned, glancing at Asao who nodded confirmation. “We’re keeping it in the family.”
She relaxed. “Let’s talk then. Mari has my number.”