The next day, Tyler strolled into the Black Gold Records office, wearing his usual casual look—hoodie, joggers, and a cap pulled low. He always felt like he was being watched whenever he came here.
His recent fame had made him more paranoid than usual, especially about the paparazzi. The last thing he needed was his face plastered all over the blogs, and he was already trying to stay out of old gang business.
Jamal was waiting for him in the lobby, his expression serious but not tense. They dapped each other up, and Jamal led Tyler into one of the label's conference rooms.
The space was sleek and modern, with a large glass table and minimalistic décor. Jamal closed the door behind them and motioned for Tyler to sit down.
"Alright," Tyler said, leaning back in his chair. "What's this big thing you wanted to talk about?"
Jamal sat across from him, tapping his fingers lightly on the table before speaking. "So, you remember Kiana, right?"
"Of course. We met just last week."
"Yeah, well, it looks like she's serious about that collab. But I'm not just talking about a remix, man. This could be way bigger. Cynthia, her manager, and the label—they're pushing hard for a full joint project. Something that could make waves."
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "A full project? Like an EP or something?"
"Exactly," Jamal nodded. "An EP. Kiana's been falling off for the past two years, but with your buzz from Heart on a Sleeve and the success you're having right now, this could be the comeback she needs.
And for you? It could take you to a whole new level. People already respect your pen game, but this could put you in a different category."
Tyler sat in silence for a moment, processing the information. An EP with Kiana would be major. But it also came with a lot of pressure—more than he was used to.
He thought back to the industry sharks, to the whispers about how ruthless things could get. This could be a great opportunity, but it could also be a trap if he wasn't careful.
"You sure about this, Jamal?" Tyler asked cautiously. "I mean, the label's cool and all, but why would they push me and Kiana together like that?"
Jamal shrugged. "Honestly, bro, I think they see dollar signs. Your rise has been meteoric, and Kiana... well, they want her back on top. They're putting a lot on this project, but they know what you can bring to the table."
Tyler sighed. "And what do you think?"
Jamal leaned back, giving Tyler a long look. "I think it's a gamble. But it's the kind of gamble that could set you up for real success. And I'll be here every step of the way to make sure nothing shady goes down."
Tyler stared at Jamal for a moment, appreciating the loyalty his manager was showing. Jamal didn't know everything about Tyler's past, but he didn't need to. He had Tyler's back, and that was what mattered.
"Alright," Tyler said finally. "Let's see where this goes."
Later that night, back home, Tyler sat in front of his laptop again, but his thoughts were all over the place. The idea of an EP with Kiana was both exciting and nerve-wracking.
The pressure was real, but so was the potential. He opened up a new project file in his DAW, trying to lay down a few fresh beats. His production stats might be lagging, but he was determined to improve.
As he worked, his phone buzzed again—another message from Jamal.
Jamal: "Just talked to the label. They want to set up another meeting with you and Kiana next week to finalize details. You in?"
Tyler smiled slightly.
Tyler: "I'm in. Let's make it happen."