Bab 14: Legends

I leaned against the bar, watching the scene unfold around me. The upscale New York City club was alive with energy—people mingling, making deals, living large. I wasn't here to relax, though. My mind was on business, and not just any business. Tonight, I was here to talk to someone who could shift everything for Imperial Records: 50 Cent. The man with a reputation on the streets, and a rising name in the industry.

I scanned the room and found him surrounded by his crew, confident and larger than life. I could tell he wasn't like other artists I'd met before. His aura had power. But I wasn't going to let that intimidate me. If I wanted to take Imperial Records to the next level, I needed to make this deal happen.

I pushed off the bar, walking toward him. Every step was measured, calm, but purposeful. I wasn't rushing, but I wasn't hesitating either.

"Yo, 50," I called out as I approached.

He turned toward me, his gaze scanning me quickly before settling into recognition. "You that kid? The one who's been on those world tours?"

I nodded. "That's me. Jaxon Gale." I offered my hand, and he took it with a firm shake. "But I'm not just an artist anymore. I've got my own label now—Imperial Records—and I think you've got the kind of talent that can change the game."

50 gave me a skeptical look. "A label, huh? What makes you think you can offer me something I ain't already got?"

This was the moment I had to sell it. Not just the label, but the vision. "I'm offering you 85% of your profits," I said. "No tricks, no hidden fees. I take 15% for management, promotion, production—just the basic stuff. And I'll throw in a $1.3 million signing bonus. No strings."

His face shifted slightly, going from casual interest to serious consideration. "Eighty-five percent? Most labels don't give artists anything close to that."

"That's because most labels want control," I replied, meeting his gaze. "But I'm not here to control you. You keep your career. You make the decisions. I'm just here to amplify what you're already doing."

50 was quiet for a second, weighing the offer. Then a slow smile crept across his face. "You serious about this?"

"Dead serious," I said, my tone steady. "You get the deal of a lifetime, and I get one of the best rappers in the game on my label. Sounds like a win-win to me."

He leaned back, nodding slowly before reaching out his hand again. "Alright, Jaxon. Let's make some history."

As our hands locked, sealing the deal, I felt the weight of the moment hit me. This was going to be huge. "Welcome to Imperial Records, 50."

Flashback — August 25, 2001

That day is burned into my memory. I was backstage at a concert in New York, relaxing before my set, flipping through the channels on TV. But something felt off. You know that gut feeling, like something bad is about to happen? I couldn't shake it.

I closed my eyes, trying to focus, and that's when I saw it—like a vision. A plane, high in the sky, losing control. Its engines were failing, and the whole thing was spiraling downward. The panic inside the cabin was palpable, but it was Aaliyah's face I saw the clearest.

My heart started pounding. Aaliyah. She was on that plane.

I didn't have time to think. I reached out with my powers, my control over wind and air, over the very sky itself. The energy flowed through me, and I found the plane, wrapping it in an invisible cushion of air. I slowed its fall, forcing the descent to be gentler than it should have been.

The plane still hit the ground. There was no stopping that. But it wasn't the catastrophe it should have been. Aaliyah was alive. They all were. But even though I had saved them from physical harm, the trauma of the crash was something I couldn't erase. Aaliyah—she was strong, but even strong people carry scars.

-end-

Two years later, after the world had finally heard that Aaliyah was making her recovery, I found myself in New York again, this time at one of her comeback concerts. She had been through so much, but seeing her up there on stage, it was like she hadn't missed a beat. The same smooth grace, the same sultry energy. It was like watching someone rise from the ashes.

After the show, I knew it was time. I wasn't just some fan showing up to pay respects. I had something to offer her—a chance to come back stronger than ever, but on her terms. I made my way to the VIP area, where she was relaxing after the performance. Getting backstage wasn't hard; people knew who I was by now.

When I approached her, she looked up, and for a second, I wasn't sure if she recognized me. Then her eyes lit up in surprise. "Jaxon Gale, right?"

I nodded, smiling. "Yeah, that's me."

She tilted her head, curious but cautious. "What brings you back here?"

I could feel the weight of what I was about to say. This wasn't just business—it was personal. "I've always been a fan of yours," I began, keeping my voice steady. "But I'm also here because I run my own label now—Imperial Records. And I think you deserve more than what most labels will offer."

She crossed her arms, intrigued. "What kind of offer?"

"I'm offering you 80% of all your future profits," I said, watching her expression carefully. "I'll take 20% for management, production, and promotion. And I'll give you a $1.2 million signing bonus. No strings attached."

Her eyes widened. "Eighty percent?" She seemed genuinely shocked. "Most people in this business wouldn't even offer half that."

"I know," I said, meeting her gaze. "But I'm not like most people. I believe in your talent, and I want to make sure you're in control of your career. I know what happened—what you went through—and I want to make sure you're never in a position where someone else has that kind of control over your life again."

She was silent for a moment, clearly thinking it over. I could see the gears turning in her mind, the way she was processing not just the numbers, but what it meant for her future. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a smile. "You're different, Jaxon. I like that."

I shrugged. "I just want to see real talent thrive."

Aaliyah extended her hand, and I took it. "Alright. Let's do this."

I couldn't help but think about how far I'd come in such a short time. I was just 15, but my label was already building a roster of legends. From saving Aaliyah to now working with her and one of the biggest names in rap, I knew one thing for sure—Imperial Records was going to change the game.

And I wasn't done yet.