The Music system

Chapter Four; An unexpected opportunity

Jamal stared at the message on his phone.

Global Star Records.

He had heard about the company countless times. It was one of the biggest record labels in New York, representing several successful musicians.

And now, its talent director wanted to meet him.

He read the message again before slowly sitting up on his bed.

"Is this actually happening?"

He quickly typed a reply.

Jamal: Hello, Mr. Hayes. Thank you for reaching out. I'm interested in hearing what you have to offer.

He sent the message and dropped his phone beside him.

A few seconds later, it vibrated.

Victor Hayes: Excellent. Can you come to our office tomorrow morning? I'd like to discuss your music career personally.

Jamal smiled.

"Tomorrow morning it is."

Just as he was about to put his phone away, another blue screen appeared.

[DING!]

[BEGINNER'S CHALLENGE PROGRESS: 12%.]

[CURRENT SONG VIEWS: 60,000.]

[REQUIRED VIEWS: 500,000.]

[TIME REMAINING: 35 HOURS.]

Jamal's smile disappeared.

"Sixty thousand?"

He quickly opened his music page.

The number was indeed increasing, but it was still far from his target.

He scratched his head.

"At this rate, I'll need a miracle."

[DING!]

[HOST, YOUR SONG HAS ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF SEVERAL MUSIC LISTENERS.]

[POPULARITY IS INCREASING.]

[NEW FOLLOWERS: 4,850.]

Jamal leaned back against his pillow. At least things were moving in the right direction.

He opened the comment section and began reading.

"This guy deserves more attention."

"His voice is amazing!"

"Someone should get him into a proper studio."

"I have listened to this song ten times already!"

Then he came across another comment.

"Isn't this the same guy who accused Zack Effron of stealing his song?"

Jamal's expression changed. He clicked on the comment.

Another person had replied.

"Yes! I saw a video of him arguing with Zack's management. Apparently, he was offered money to keep quiet."

Jamal shook his head.

"People really have nothing better to do."

He locked his phone.

He wasn't going to waste his time arguing with strangers.

Soon enough, the truth would speak for itself.

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

The following morning.

Jamal stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his black shirt.

He had spent part of the previous evening buying a few decent clothes. He wasn't particularly interested in expensive fashion, but he didn't want to walk into a major record company looking like someone who had just crawled out of bed.

After putting on his jacket, he checked his phone.

8:15 AM.

His meeting was scheduled for nine.

He grabbed his backpack and headed outside. He flagged a taxi down and was soon on his way to Global Star Records.

Jamal stepped into the building and immediately noticed the difference between it and Zack's company.

The reception area was spacious, with beautiful decorations, expensive furniture and several framed photographs of famous musicians.

A large screen displayed music videos from some of the company's biggest artists.

He approached the receptionist.

"Good morning."

"Good morning. How may I help you?"

"I'm here to see Mr. Victor Hayes. My name is Jamal."

The woman checked her computer.

"One moment, please."

After a few seconds, she smiled.

"Mr. Jamal?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Hayes is expecting you. Please take the elevator to the seventh floor. Someone will attend to you."

"Thank you."

Jamal walked towards the elevator. For a moment, he couldn't help smiling.

A few days ago, he had been begging a small music producer to listen to his song.

Now, he was walking into one of the biggest record companies in the country.

His life was changing.

And he intended to make the most of it.

"Jamal! Welcome!"

A middle-aged man stood up as soon as Jamal entered the office.

He had a neatly trimmed beard and wore a grey suit.

"I'm Victor Hayes."

Jamal shook his hand with a smile plastered on his face. "Nice to meet you, sir."

"Please, have a seat."

Jamal sat opposite him while Victor picked up a tablet from his desk.

"I listened to your song several times last night."

"Really?"

"Yes. Rise Above, right?"

Jamal nodded and Victor smiled. He stared at the screen in front of him and nodded.

"Interesting title. Even more interesting lyrics."

He played a short part of the song while Jamal listened quietly.

"You have a good voice," Victor continued. "But what impressed me most was the emotion behind your performance. You don't sound like someone trying to impress people. You sound like someone who has something to say."

Jamal smiled slightly.

"Thank you."

"Tell me something. How long have you been singing?"

"About five years professionally, although I've been interested in music since I was a child."

"And why haven't you signed with a record label?"

Jamal chuckled, he slightly adjusted himself on the leather chair he sat on. "Nobody wanted to sign me."

Victor laughed.

"Well, that's about to change."

He placed the tablet down.

"I want to offer you a recording contract with Global Star Records."

Jamal's expression changed.

"A contract?"

"Yes. We'll provide professional recording facilities, promotion, music production and access to our distribution network."

Jamal leaned forward.

"That sounds interesting."

"It is. However, we need to discuss the terms."

Victor opened a document.

"Our initial offer is a three-year contract. The company will receive seventy percent of your music revenue, while you'll receive thirty percent."

Jamal blinked.

"Seventy percent?"

Victor nodded.

"That's our standard arrangement for developing artists. We'll be investing heavily in your career."

Jamal remained silent. He wasn't an expert in music contracts, but something about the offer didn't sit well with him.

Before he could respond, his system suddenly appeared.

[DING!]

[NEW OPPORTUNITY DETECTED.]

[GLOBAL STAR RECORDS.]

[COMPANY RATING: A.]

[CONTRACT EVALUATION: UNFAVOURABLE.]

[WARNING: THE HOST IS ADVISED NOT TO SIGN UNDER THE CURRENT TERMS.]

Jamal's eyebrows moved slightly and he looked at Victor.

"Would it be possible to have a lawyer review the agreement before I make a decision?"

Victor nodded.

"Of course. Take your time."

Jamal smiled.

"Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity."

Victor studied him for a moment before nodding.

"Good. I like artists who understand their value."

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

Meanwhile, at Effron Entertainment.

Zack sat on a large sofa, scrolling through his phone.

Ranita was beside him, examining a diamond bracelet he had bought for her.

"Baby, what do you think?"

She raised her wrist. Zack glanced at it and smiled.

"Beautiful. It suits you."

She smiled and leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

"You're the best."

His phone suddenly rang and he saw it was Martin.

"What is it?"

"Have you seen what's happening online?"

Zack frowned, "What are you talking about?"

"That Jamal guy."

His expression immediately changed.

"Jamal?"

"Yes. The guy who came here a few days ago."

Zack sat upright.

"What about him?"

"His new song is gaining attention. It's already getting thousands of views, and people are beginning to recognize him."

Zack scoffed.

"So? Let him enjoy his fifteen minutes of fame."

"There's something else."

Martin paused.

"He has attracted the attention of Global Star Records. Victor Hayes contacted him yesterday, and they've arranged a meeting."

Zack's smile disappeared.

"Global Star?"

"Yes."

He immediately grabbed his phone and searched for Jamal's music page.

There it was.

A video of Jamal singing on the streets.

Zack clicked on it and for a few seconds, he watched without saying anything.

Then his expression darkened.

"Why is this bastard still making trouble?"

Ranita turned towards him.

"What's wrong?"

Zack ignored her. He opened the comment section.

Several people were praising Jamal's voice.

Some even claimed that his version of the song he had stolen from Jamal would never match the original.

Zack's jaw tightened, "Martin, I want you to find out everything about him."

"Already working on it."

"And contact the people who uploaded those videos. I don't want this nonsense spreading."

Martin hesitated.

"Understood."

The call ended shortly.

Ranita moved closer. She slowly placed her hand on his. "Is something wrong?"

Zack tossed his phone onto the sofa.

"It's that useless ex-boyfriend of yours."

Her expression changed.

"Jamal?"

"Yes. Apparently, he's trying to become famous."

Ranita laughed.

"Don't worry about him. He doesn't have what it takes."

Zack looked at her. His brows arched.

"I hope you're right."

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

Back at Jamal's apartment.

Jamal sat on his bed, examining the contract Victor had sent him.

He had already contacted a lawyer who promised to review it.

Then his phone vibrated.

[DING!]

[BEGINNER'S CHALLENGE PROGRESS: 24%.]

[CURRENT SONG VIEWS: 120,000.]

[TIME REMAINING: 29 HOURS.]

Jamal smiled.

"Not bad."

He opened his banking application. His balance was still above eight thousand dollars.

For the first time, he had enough money to breathe without worrying about his next meal but he wanted more.

If he was going to be on the same level with Zack that he needed more than eight thousand dollars.

He opened his music page again and noticed a new notification. It was a message from an unfamiliar account.

Unknown: Jamal, we need to talk.

He frowned.

Jamal: Who is this?

The reply came almost immediately.

Unknown: Someone who can help you become successful. I represent Zack Effron.

Jamal's smile disappeared.

Another message arrived.

Unknown: My client is willing to offer you $200,000 if you stop making accusations against him and remove your recent song from the internet.

Jamal stared at the message.

Two hundred thousand dollars.

The same people who had offered him one hundred thousand dollars were now doubling their offer.

He slowly placed his phone on his lap then he laughed.

"Interesting."

He typed his reply.

Jamal: Tell your client that I have no interest in his money.

He sent the message and waited for a few seconds later before another notification appeared.

Unknown: You should think carefully before making enemies in this industry.

Jamal's smile vanished.

He stared at the message for a moment before replying.

Jamal: I already have enemies. That's why I'm here.

He blocked the account.

Then he opened the Magic Music World system.

[DING!]

[HOST'S POPULARITY IS INCREASING.]

[CURRENT CHALLENGE PROGRESS: 24%.]

[NEW SPECIAL MISSION DETECTED!]

Jamal's eyes widened.

"Another mission?"

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

[TARGET: ZACK EFFRON.]

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

Jamal stared at the notification.

Then a slow smile spread across his face.

"Well, this is going to be interesting."

He looked at Zack's picture on his phone.

"Let's see how long you can enjoy my stolen success." he said tapping the screen of his phone as he laced back on the bed.

Jamal shut his eyes. He was not only on his way to sucess but he was going to make Zack and Ranita regret double crossing him.