Billy's music began to gain recognition during June, reaching July 2000. His single entered the Billboard list at position 84, a small success but a significant milestone for an unknown artist. This list is just an average of popularity compiled by a company in the 2000s, based on sales numbers and radio plays captured by a data-collecting machine. Position 84 was a stroke of luck, but luck is an increment. In total, 13,234 copies of the single have been sold in the United States, marking Billy as a new promising talent. Jerry Wexler's strategy is to craft a song with all available resources while waiting for the album plan, which is still up in the air. But he promises quality songs.
Above, there were powerful singles like "Try Again" by Aaliyah, "Be with You" by Enrique Iglesias, and "Everything You Want" by Vertical Horizon.
From Atlanta Records, no more marketing will be done. It's enough and satisfying to collect and cover all expenses with the sale of the single, which barely manages to cover a substantial part.
On the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles list, the song "Love Yourself" was among the top spots during the three weeks it started gaining popularity in the United States. This is uncommon; most singles are released by people with experience in the music industry. The album cover, cassette, and vinyl depict a clear image of a silhouette in a suit against a dark background with the name in white.
Billy was completely oblivious to the news from the outside world, which wasn't very frequent, especially for his style of music. Everything was overshadowed and forgotten by the daily routine of multiple exercises.
It was night, and among the bars, Joseph was dozing off, always falling asleep like a child. He slept a lot, ate little, and always seemed sickly with his pale skin, yet his strength was immense for such a slim boy.
Billy checked his system:
Status: Billy Carson.
Singing: (23/80) Level 4: Semi-professional.
Piano: (6/20) Level 2: Novice.
Guitar: (17/20) Level 2: Novice.
Rating: Global.
2,345,340/8,340,000.
Numbers: Followers.
18,993.
Number of albums sold.
13,234.
Songs:
"Like Stone" - Audioslave. "Celebra la Vida" - Axel. "Love Yourself" - Eminem. "Enemy" - Imagine Dragons. "Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes. "Somewhere Only We Know" - Keane. "Clint Eastwood" - Gorillaz. "The Middle" - Jimmy Eat World. "Can't Stop" - Red Hot Chili Peppers. "Teenagers" - My Chemical Romance. "Chop Suey!" - System of a Down. "Be Yourself" - Audioslave. "In Too Deep" - Sum 41.
Billy was very excited. Although his position was still far from the top thousand artists, he was already considered a notable artist, surpassing more than half the world. Small achievements are enough to measure oneself. In the coming months, the list will certainly shrink. Tomorrow, Billy can escape the correctional facility for another three days; Jerry's work has become easier after the success and good reviews. In less than 12 hours, he can put all the songs that have been provided into action.
The system's reminder:
["What are you waiting for, superstar? Create your album; you have to unleash your superstar talents. Your balance is in the red, but you can pay the system later... With these songs, you will achieve success."]
Shortly after, he listened to the songs. He knew some, but it was the sheer power of the system that called him to wake up. The lyrics were perfect, the composition was perfect. They were hit songs, very catchy, with great lyrics that would surely mark a before and after in what is considered music. A good song on a record is enough for a band to stand out from the others; two good songs are enough for the record to leave a mark on people's minds. However, if all the songs are special, it is possible that the success of the record can be remembered for a long time.
On June 23, in three days, he would turn 15. He felt healthy; his body was much taller than in his past life, measuring 173 cm at such a young age. He took care of himself, exercised with all his might, and even better, discovering music was inspiring. The vibe that encouraged his heart for every sung lyric was stronger than any drug, substance, emotion, or hobby he engaged in. Unleashing his emotions in every song was like transposing a part of his soul, a beautiful state, brushing against an immaterial barrier.
As for organizing his album, the name would surely be "Strong". He wanted to start with the softer, more melodic songs, and end with the most explosive ones above rhythm. "Teenager" and "Chop Suey" were the last on his list of chants, due to the strength and irreverence of the songs sung with force and style.
The lyrics had already been sent on a Sunday with his mother, and the song's rhythms with Billy's specifications on a recorder, which Jerry would keep as a precious memory and much more advanced, presented to the masses, about the talent of the boy at such a young age.
He counted not only on a beatbox, fast and powerful, solid with the way he thought about rhythm, with many thoughts and even with an imagination, narrating stories of each song and the feelings that came to him. In a tape of almost an hour and a half, Billy intertwined the limits of his album "Strong".
The night was serene; the warmth of the day breathed enough to cover the cold of the night, and in less than 12 hours, he would be with his mother to record the album and the rest of the songs. Moments like these are what define our subsequent hours.
He fell asleep.
He woke up the next day to the normal, agitated noise of the children who used to be openly decompressed in their silence. The noise was a natural state for them, as for all who belonged to the penitentiary.
-Hey, you look exhausted, - said Joseph, from the top bunk, with his body facing down, a head with long cascading locks, with blue and green touches visible.
-I have to appear in court to define my sentence, and honestly, I've been thinking of ways to avoid telling the judge to go to hell. Also, your snoring didn't let me sleep, -said Billy.
The laughter of Joseph, the boy, didn't wait; he was a very calm guy who always took everything lightly. Even in a fight, he couldn't help but act carelessly. One of the reasons why kids avoided hitting him was that it was disastrous to hit someone and see him laughing. The distance from crazy Joseph was just a cherry on top; crazy people didn't follow rules and patterns; it was common for them to be scared of reprisal from the kid. Like in Connor's case, who didn't warn when he was going to attack, people expected some blow, but the dirty-haired boy waited until people were calm; he surprised them and like a pit bull, he didn't let go of his victim until they stopped moving.
-You're a crybaby, Carson, -- said Joseph, rolling over and standing up from the top bunk. -- Let's go eat something; I haven't eaten since yesterday's lunch, - said the boy.
-Sure, I was thinking of taking a shower, but it's better to shower at the motel, you know, hot water, and my mother will bring shampoo. I hate washing with that rough sling alone, - said Billy.
-Whatever you say, brother, - said Joseph, ignoring any extra words Billy might say.
Fred was playing "bumper cars" with another guy his height. The game consisted of hitting each other until someone gave up; the blows went to the arms or the stomach of each player. It was a severe, hurtful game that Billy had played with Jimmy and Sam because Fred was in another league.
-HEY! Big guy, let's go eat, - shouted Billy from the door.
-I'm coming - replied Fred, receiving a blow, to respond with another with a tremendous force, which made Billy pursed his lips, at the guy who fell to the ground and held his arm. - I think I won, - he said aloud.
-Damn, guys, you broke his arm, - said Billy.
-I hit him softly, - said Fred, with his homicidal instincts. Very similar to a Dolph Lundgren.
-Well, damn it, - Joseph replied, taking the lead; Jimmy and Connor joined them shortly after.
...