The Music system

Chapter Five; Don't Mess With Me

Jamal stared at the new mission displayed before him.

[MISSION: SURPASS A RISING ARTIST ON THE NEW YORK MUSIC TRENDING CHART.]

[TARGET: ZACK EFFRON.]

[REWARD: $100,000 + RANDOM MUSICAL ABILITY.]

He rubbed his chin.

"Surpass Zack Effron?"

A smile slowly appeared on his face.

"Now, that's something I would love to do."

He immediately opened the trending music chart on his phone.

Zack Effron was currently ranked number three in New York, with his latest single, When the World Forgets You, occupying the position.

His song had accumulated millions of streams within a few days.

Jamal stared at the numbers.

"Millions of streams..."

He shook his head.

"Well, let's see how long you can hold that position."

[DING!]

[HOST, YOUR CURRENT POPULARITY IS STILL TOO LOW.]

[RECOMMENDATION: INCREASE YOUR PUBLIC EXPOSURE.]

Jamal sighed.

"How exactly am I supposed to do that?"

Before he could continue, his phone rang and he immediately saw that it was Derek.

"Hello?"

"Jamal! Where are you?"

"At home. Why?"

"Have you checked your social media?"

Jamal frowned.

"Not really. What's happening?"

Derek laughed excitedly.

"Your song is spreading! Someone uploaded your performance, and it's already getting hundreds of thousands of views. People are asking about you everywhere."

Jamal sat upright.

"Seriously?"

"Yes! And that's not even the best part."

"What else?"

"There's a music event happening tonight at Manhattan Entertainment Hall. Several upcoming artists will be performing, and some big record executives will be there."

Jamal raised an eyebrow.

"Okay. What does that have to do with me?"

"I spoke with the event organiser. I managed to get you a performance slot."

Jamal's eyes widened, "You did what?"

"You're going to perform tonight!"

Jamal immediately stood up, "Derek, are you serious?"

"Of course! But there's one problem."

"What problem?"

"You'll only have five minutes on stage. And before you ask, no, they aren't paying you."

Jamal chuckled.

"That's fine. I just need the opportunity."

"That's what I thought. Be there by seven."

The call ended.

Jamal looked at his phone. A performance in front of music executives?

This was exactly what he needed.

********

[ MANHATTAN ENTERTAINMENT HALL.]

The building was already crowded when Jamal arrived.

Expensive cars were parked outside, and several young musicians were walking through the entrance with their managers.

Jamal adjusted his black jacket and entered. A woman stood behind a registration desk.

"Good evening. Name?"

"Jamal."

She checked her list.

"Jamal what?"

"Just Jamal."

The woman looked up. Her brows squeezed.

"Are you performing tonight?"

"Yes."

She checked again before handing him a small identification card.

"You're number seventeen. Your performance is scheduled for 9:30 PM."

"Thank you."

He took the card and walked towards the backstage area.

However, before he could reach the door, someone bumped his shoulder.

"Watch where you're going!"

Jamal turned.

A tall young man wearing a white designer jacket stood before him. Two other men followed closely behind.

Jamal frowned.

"You're the one who bumped into me."

The man laughed and simply folded his long arms.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked

Jamal looked him up and down.

"Should I?"

The two men behind him burst into laughter.

The young man's expression darkened.

"You're funny."

"Thank you."

"What's your name?"

"Jamal."

The man paused.

Then he smiled mockingly.

"Oh! You're that street singer."

Jamal's expression changed slightly.

"Have we met?"

"No, but I've seen your ridiculous videos online. You're the guy who thinks he's better than Zack Effron, right?"

Jamal sighed.

"Here we go again."

The man stretched out his hand.

"I'm Brandon Cole. You might want to remember that name."

Jamal glanced at his hand but didn't shake it.

"Should I?"

Brandon's smile disappeared.

"You're quite confident for someone who sings on the streets."

"And you're quite talkative for someone I don't know."

One of Brandon's companions stepped forward.

"Hey! Watch your mouth!"

Jamal turned towards him.

"Or what?"

"Do you want a problem?"

Jamal chuckled.

"Funny. I came here to sing, not exchange insults with people who can't mind their business."

Brandon stepped closer.

"Listen carefully, rookie. This industry isn't for everybody. You don't just walk in here and expect people to treat you like a superstar because a few strangers watched your video."

Jamal stared at him.

"Then why are you so worried about me?"

Brandon's jaw tightened. Before he could respond, a voice interrupted them.

"Brandon! What are you doing?"

A middle-aged man approached and Brandon immediately stepped back.

"Nothing, sir. Just welcoming our new celebrity."

The man glanced at Jamal.

"You're Jamal?"

"Yes."

"I'm Richard. I manage the performers tonight. Your slot is still confirmed, but I expect you to follow the event rules."

Jamal nodded, "Of course."

Richard turned towards Brandon.

"And you should stop disturbing other performers. We have enough problems to deal with tonight."

Brandon rolled his eyes.

"Whatever."

He walked away with his companions while Jamal watched him leave.

"Who is that guy?"

Richard sighed.

"Brandon Cole. He's one of the rising artists signed to Effron Entertainment."

Jamal's eyebrows rose.

"Effron Entertainment?"

Richard nodded.

"Yes. Zack's company."

Jamal laughed quietly.

"Of course."

Richard studied him.

"I heard about what happened between you and Zack. I suggest you keep your head down tonight. Some people don't like seeing new faces get attention."

Jamal smiled.

"Then they should get used to it."

****************

8:45 PM.

The event was already in full swing.

Several singers had performed, and the audience was enjoying themselves.

Jamal sat backstage, scrolling through his phone.

His song had crossed 180,000 views.

[DING!]

[BEGINNER'S CHALLENGE PROGRESS: 36%.]

[TIME REMAINING: 18 HOURS.]

He nodded.

"Not bad."

Suddenly, Derek appeared beside him.

"Jamal!"

He looked up, "What's up?"

"Have you seen who's here?"

"Who?"

Derek leaned closer, "Zack Effron."

Jamal's fingers stopped moving.

"What?"

Derek nodded towards the entrance.

"He's here with his fiancée. Apparently, he's one of the special guests."

Jamal slowly stood up.

"You're kidding."

"I'm not. I just saw him."

Jamal looked towards the entrance and there he was.

Zack walked into the hall wearing an expensive black suit. Ranita was holding his arm, dressed in a beautiful red gown.

Several people immediately surrounded them. Cameras flashed as reporters approached.

"Zack! Over here!"

"Congratulations on your latest success!"

"Are you planning another album?"

Zack smiled and waved while Ranita looked equally pleased.

Then her eyes suddenly landed on Jamal.

Her smile disappeared.

She whispered something into Zack's ear and he turned.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither of them moved then Zack smiled.

He whispered something to Ranita before walking towards Jamal.

"Well, well, well."

Jamal folded his arms.

"Look who's here."

Zack stopped in front of him.

"I heard you've been making noise."

Jamal chuckled.

"Funny. I was about to say the same thing."

Zack glanced at Derek.

"Is this your manager?"

Derek frowned, "Excuse me?"

Zack ignored him and he turned back to Jamal.

"Listen, I thought we had already settled this matter. Why are you still trying to get attention using my name?"

Jamal laughed.

"Your name? You mean the name of the man who stole my song?"

Several people nearby turned towards them.

Zack's expression changed.

"Watch your mouth."

"Or what? You'll steal another song?"

Derek quickly grabbed Jamal's arm.

"Easy, man."

But Jamal wasn't interested in backing down.

Zack stepped closer.

"You really think you're somebody now because a few people watched your little video?"

Jamal stared directly into his eyes.

"No. I think I'm somebody because I wrote that song you're currently making millions from."

Ranita finally stepped forward.

"Jamal, can you stop embarrassing yourself?"

He turned towards her.

"Interesting. I was wondering when you would join the conversation."

She folded her arms.

"You need to move on. Whatever happened between us is over."

Jamal laughed bitterly.

"You're right. It's over. But stealing my work and pretending you did nothing wrong is another matter."

Ranita rolled her eyes,"You're still talking about that song?"

"Of course I am. You think I'll forget?"

"Jamal, please. You're making yourself look desperate."

He shook his head.

"Desperate? You know what's desperate? Sleeping beside a man you don't love because he has money."

Ranita's face changed and her hand flew into the air before she could stop herself.

"How dare you!"

Zack immediately moved between them.

"That's enough!"

He pointed at Jamal who had his had over his face.

"Apologise to her."

Jamal laughed, "You can't be serious? She just slapped me!"

"Apologise!"

"Or what?"

Zack clenched his jaw, "You have no idea who you're messing with."

Jamal stepped forward. His face burning with anger.

"And you have no idea what you've started."

The atmosphere became tense.

Several people had already brought out their phones to record.

Brandon, who had been standing nearby, suddenly walked towards them.

"What's happening here?"

Zack glanced at him.

"Nothing. Just an idiot looking for attention."

Brandon laughed.

"Is this the famous Jamal?"

He looked at Jamal.

"Man, I thought you would be taller."

Jamal shook his head.

"Do all Zack's employees have a problem with me?"

Brandon's face darkened, "Watch your mouth, rookie."

"You're beginning to sound like a broken record."

A few people laughed.

Brandon's expression twisted. Without warning, he shoved Jamal's shoulder.

"Who do you think you are?"

Jamal staggered backwards but quickly regained his balance.

Derek immediately stepped forward.

"Hey! Don't touch him!"

Brandon raised his hands.

"What? I barely touched him."

Jamal looked at him, "Do that again."

Brandon smirked, "Or what?"

He shoved Jamal a second time. This time, Jamal grabbed his wrist.

"Didn't you hear me?"

Brandon tried to pull away.

"Let go!"

Jamal tightened his grip, "I said don't touch me."

One of Brandon's companions rushed forward, but Derek stepped between them.

"Nobody needs to fight here!"

Security guards quickly arrived. Each of them holding a baton to stop the rising fight.

"What's going on?"

Brandon immediately released his hand and pointed at Jamal.

"He attacked me!"

Jamal stared at him in disbelief.

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Get him out of here!" Brandon shouted.

One of the guards approached Jamal.

"Sir, you'll have to leave."

Jamal frowned.

"Why me? He was the one who pushed me!"

"Please don't make this difficult."

Zack stood behind Brandon, smiling.

Ranita looked at Jamal with an expression of satisfaction.

"You should have listened when people advised you to stay away from us."

Jamal stared at her.

Then he laughed.

"You know what? Keep smiling. Both of you."

He turned towards the guards.

"I'll leave. But before I do, I want everyone here to know something."

The room gradually became quiet.

Jamal looked directly at Zack.

"That song you keep performing? The one everyone thinks you wrote?"

Zack's smile faded while Jamal continued.

"I wrote it. Every lyric, every melody and every single word. And I have the original recording to prove it."

Zack stepped forward.

"Shut your mouth!"

Jamal ignored him.

"You can pay people to silence me. You can threaten me. You can even throw me out of buildings. But you cannot steal my talent."

Several people began recording.

Jamal pointed at Zack.

"Enjoy your stolen success while it lasts. Because I'm coming for everything you took from me."

The hall erupted in whispers.

Zack's face turned red.

"Get him out!"

The guards escorted Jamal towards the exit.

But just before he reached the door, Richard rushed towards them.

"Wait!"

Everyone turned.

Richard looked at Jamal.

"Your performance is next."

Jamal stopped, he looked at Richard, then at the guards.

Zack immediately interrupted.

"He's not performing tonight."

Richard frowned.

"Excuse me?"

"I said he's not performing. He's causing trouble."

Richard shook his head.

"Zack, this is my event. He's on the performers' list, and unless he has broken any official rule, he's entitled to his slot."

Zack's expression hardened.

"Do you know who you're talking to?"

Richard nodded.

"Yes, I do. And I would appreciate it if you allowed me to run my event."

A few people exchanged glances while Jamal slowly smiled.

He turned towards Zack.

"Looks like you'll have to listen to my music after all."

*************

9:30 PM.

The announcer stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next performer is a young singer who has recently attracted attention online. Please welcome... Jamal!"

A few people clapped while others remained seated.

Jamal walked onto the stage. He adjusted the microphone and looked around.

The bright lights made it difficult to see the entire audience, but he could clearly identify three people seated near the front.

Zack, Ranita and Brandon.

All three were staring at him.

Jamal smiled.

"Good evening, everyone."

A few people responded.

He continued.

"My name is Jamal. Some of you might have seen my videos online, while others probably have no idea who I am."

A few people laughed.

"That's alright. I'm still working on that part."

More laughter followed.

Jamal looked towards Zack.

"But there's something I want to say before I perform."

Zack's expression changed.

Jamal continued.

"Some people believe that success belongs to those who already have money, connections and famous friends. But I believe talent deserves a chance, no matter where it comes from."

He paused.

"This next song is called Rise Above. I wrote it myself, and I hope you enjoy it."

The instrumental began. Jamal closed his eyes. Then he started singing.

His voice filled the hall.

At first, the audience listened quietly. But then, people began moving closer to the stage.

A woman near the front raised her phone. A man nodded his head to the rhythm.

Derek watched from backstage, smiling.

Jamal continued, allowing every note to flow naturally.

By the time he reached the chorus, several people were singing along.

The atmosphere had completely changed.

Even Richard, who had listened to dozens of performances that evening, found himself staring at the stage.

"Where did this guy come from?" he whispered.

Jamal finished the song with a powerful final note.

For two seconds, the hall remained silent. Then the entire audience erupted with a loud noise.