Iexhaled and shifted on my feet while Chandler cast her laptop to the large television in the center of our parents’ living room. Rome hit me on my back. I glanced at him but his eyes were focused on the television.
Dashawn and my pops were standing damn near beside me while they talked. Lee and Alan were both eating, nursing beers, and laughing near the entrance to the living room. Hazel sat on the couch with my mom, both of them holding one of my nieces.
Everyone who mattered and could show up had shown up for me today and I appreciated that shit.
“Alright. We’re going to record. I’ll post it and we’re off. Are you ready?” Chandler asked.
“Man, Chandler. You’re the only one stressed about this shit.” I smirked.
“Alright. Then let’s do it.”
“One take,” I said confidently.
Chandler smiled and lifted her phone.
“Three… Two…”
She pointed at me and I grinned.
“What’s up? This is Drix dropping in to let y’all know the rumors are true. Your boy is starting his own label, TrillLoyalty Music, and I’m currently accepting new artists. If you’re interested and think you have what it takes, feel free to shoot us an email. I’m a rapper and I love rap, but I’m accepting all genres of music, whether that’s R&B, country, rock, or whatever. I ain’t got no picks and chooses. If the music is good, it’s good, and if it’s not, don't come over here playing in my emails.” I grinned. “And since I’m announcing shit, I guess now is as good a time as ever to announce I have a mixtape and an album coming through. My new mixtape,Trill Stories Volume 1, will be made up of eleven songs, each featuring a new artist on my label, which leads me to the final announcement. I’m only signing nine people right now. I want to give my label and my artists all the attention and support they need. So if you want a label that’s down to help you figure out your sound and invest in you as an artist, come check out the winner’s circle.” I winked. “If you’re interested, send a short snippet about yourself, why you think you can be a part of the label, and of course, recorded content of you performing. The email to do that is linked below. A’ight, y’all. Peace.”
Chandler slowly lowered the phone and nodded. “Alright then, Berlin.”
“What do you think?”
“I think it was good.”
“Then let’s do it.”
Chandler posted the video on my label’s official Skroll page, linking it to my artist page as well, then attached it in an email to people who’d subscribed to get notifications when I dropped new shit. I crossed my arms as I stood in front of the television.
“Myome,” Rome said.
“What?” My head snapped to the side at the mention of my wife’s name.
“I’ve got her on the phone.” He held it toward me and I grabbed it.
She and Charm were on the camera, their faces damn near pressed together. They both screamed the second they saw me.
“Congratulations!”
“Thanks, y’all.” I grinned.
They were on their opening tour and apparently with another act to buffer things, Myome and Charm were having a great time. Retta apparently really got along with the other act so she was easier to work with because she wasn’t being miserable twenty-four-seven.
Myome was supposed to be home when my website and shit went live for the first time but their tour had done so well they’d added dates. Of course I wouldn’t tell her to tell them no.
Even if she couldn’t show up physically, I knew she supported me.
“How do you feel?”
“Excited,” I admitted. “I’m excited.”
“As you should be. Berlin, this label is going to be huge,” Myome said.
“Yeah. You’re going to do amazing shit with it,” Charm added.
“I hope so.” I exhaled.