Tyler woke up the next day, his mind still racing with thoughts of how to avoid getting noticed by Rico's gang as he made his way to the studio.
As he approached, Tyler couldn't help but notice how popular Jax had become. His name was on everyone's lips even though they didn't know how he looked, and the buzz around "Resurrection" was undeniable. This should've been the start of Tyler's career so far, but instead, it felt like a trap. His former gang members were probably following Jax's every move, and if they caught a glimpse of Tyler, it could mean serious trouble.
Stepping into the studio, Tyler took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. Jax was already there, leaning back on a couch, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as Tyler walked in and gave him a nod. "You ready for this, Ty?"
"Yeah, man," Tyler replied, trying to sound confident, though his mind was racing. "We gotta talk about that video, though."
Jax raised an eyebrow. "You good my bro? What's going on?"
Tyler hesitated, then sat down next to Jax. "I've been thinking... With 'Resurrection' blowin' up, there's a chance people from my past might recognize me, especially if we do a video. You know how it is. Some of them used to follow you real close, and they'll be watchin' everything you put out."
Jax leaned forward, his expression serious. "You worried about getting spotted?"
"Yeah, man. I ain't tryna get caught up in no old drama. I just wanna make music, but I gotta stay low-key."
Jax nodded thoughtfully. "I get it. We can work something out. Maybe keep your face out of it or do something creative with the shots. We'll make sure you stay under the radar."
Tyler felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Appreciate that, Jax. I just can't afford to slip up right now."
Just then, the door to the studio opened, and Kai walked in. "Yo, Ty," Kai said, dapping him up before turning to Jax. "So what you motherfuckers got for me this time?"
"Yeah, I've been workin' on somethin'. It's about this girl I had a crush on when I was younger, but I could never tell her. I was caught up in some things, and... well, it's complicated," Tyler said, remembering some things from the past.
Kai raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds deep. Let's hear some of it."
Tyler took a deep breath, then began to read the lyrics he had scribbled down:
"....She had a smile that could light up the block,
But I was too lost, trapped in that hustle and lock.
I'd watch her from the shadows, too guilty to speak,
Caught in a cycle, my conscience too weak..."
He paused, looking up to gauge Kai's reaction. Kai nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "That's got some real emotion, man. You can feel the struggle in it. Let's get you in the booth and see how it sounds on the mic."
Tyler stepped into the booth, the mic in front of him, and the soundproof walls blocking out any interference.
Kai's voice crackled through the headphones. "Whenever you're ready, man."
Tyler closed his eyes, picturing that dark-haired girl from his teenage years, and began to rap:
"She was the light in my dark, a beacon I could never touch,
Caught in the hustle, my heart wrapped in too much.
Every time I saw her, guilt hit me like a brick,
Wishing I was better, but I was too deep in the mix..."
His voice echoed in the small space, the words heavy with the weight of his past. As the beat flowed, Tyler lost himself in the rhythm, letting the pain, regret, and longing pour out of him. For a moment, it was just him, the mic, and the memories he had buried for so long.
When he finished, there was a brief silence before Kai's voice came through the headphones again. "That was fire, Ty. We're definitely onto something here. I just gotta make some edits on the beats," Kai said, a rare tone of excitement in his voice.
Tyler stepped out of the booth, a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration washing over him.
As they wrapped up the session, Tyler's phone buzzed with a new notification from the system. He glanced at it, seeing the message: "Quest Update: Record your first single - Complete. New milestone unlocked: Plan your first music video."
Tyler's heart sank a little as he read the words. The system was relentless, always pushing him forward, but the stakes were getting higher. A music video meant exposure, and exposure meant risk.