Tyler's phone buzzed early in the morning, pulling him from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes and squinted at the screen, seeing a message from Jax.
Jax: Yo, Ty. Video shoot today at 3 PM. Meet us at the warehouse on 14th Street. We got everything set up. Let's make this happen.
Tyler stared at the message, it was time for him to put his plan into action. He quickly got dressed, grabbed a hoodie and a cap to keep a low profile, and headed out. The city was alive with its usual hustle.
As he approached the warehouse, Tyler could see the crew already setting up. It was a large, abandoned building with high ceilings and graffiti-covered walls— a perfect fit for the gritty, raw vibe of the "Resurrection" song.
Jax spotted Tyler and waved him over. "Ty, you made it. This is gonna be sick."
Tyler nodded, trying to mask his nerves. "Yeah, man. Let's do this."
Jax led him inside, where the lead director, a tall, intense-looking guy with a sharp beard and a beanie, was overseeing the final preparations. The set was a blend of old-school hip-hop elements—turntables, boom boxes, and a few vintage cars positioned strategically around the space.
The director noticed Tyler and walked over, his eyes scanning him up and down. "You must be Tyler. Jax told me about your situation."
"Yeah," Tyler replied, his voice steady. "I can't afford to be recognized. We talked about some ideas—keeping my face out of the shots, using abstract visuals."
The director nodded thoughtfully. "We can work with that. I'm thinking we keep the focus on the movement, the energy of the performance. We'll use close-ups on your hands, your silhouette, and maybe even some slow-motion shots to emphasize the lyrics. We can also use shadows and lighting to create a sense of mystery."
Tyler felt a surge of relief. The director seemed to understand exactly what he needed. "That sounds perfect. As long as my face stays out of it."
"We got you covered," the director assured him. "We're gonna make this video pop without compromising your anonymity."
The crew moved quickly, setting up cameras and lighting as the director walked Tyler through the scenes. They planned to shoot in segments, starting with wide shots of the entire set, followed by close-ups of Tyler rapping, but always keeping his face obscured. The idea was to create an atmosphere that matched the intensity of the track, with Tyler's presence felt more through his energy and the visuals than through a direct image of him.
As the shoot began, Tyler found himself slipping into the zone. The beat of "Resurrection" played through the speakers, reverberating off the warehouse walls. He moved to the rhythm, letting the music guide him. The cameras followed his every motion, capturing the raw emotion of his performance without ever fully revealing his identity.
The director's voice echoed through the warehouse, guiding the crew and Tyler with precision. "Alright, let's get that silhouette shot! Tyler, stand here, back to the light. Perfect. Now, let's get some movement—throw your hands up, let's see that passion."
Tyler followed the instructions, throwing himself into the performance. He could feel the energy of the song, the rawness of the lyrics coming through in every take. The cameras caught the intensity in his body language, the subtle nuances in his movements. It was like he was telling his story through every gesture, every breath.
As the day turned into evening, the crew moved to the final shots. The director wanted to capture the ending of the song with a dramatic flair—a slow-motion shot of Tyler walking away, his figure silhouetted against the dimming light, leaving the viewer with a sense of mystery.
"That's a wrap!" the director finally called out as the last shot was taken. The crew began to pack up, the energy in the room still buzzing from the intense shoot.
Tyler felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration as he sat down on a nearby crate. Jax walked over, a satisfied grin on his face. "You killed it, Ty. This video's gonna be fire."
"Yeah, it felt good," Tyler admitted, though the weight of his situation still lingered. "Thanks for lookin' out for me, Jax. I couldn't have done this without you."
Jax clapped him on the back. "We're in this together, man. Now all that's left is to see how the world reacts."
But even as they talked, Tyler's mind was already spinning with thoughts of what would come next. He knew the video would attract attention, and that meant more eyes on him—more chances for someone from his past to recognize him.
But for now, he pushed those fears aside. The video was done, the track was solid, and he had a plan.