章 33: Launch
June 10th, 2021
Universal Music Group, Los Angeles
The excitement in the Universal office was palpable. The marketing team had gathered for their weekly strategy session, but today was different—today was the day they launched Ethan Jones into the stratosphere. The release of Shape of You, his first official single, was only hours away, and the entire team was working overtime to make sure everything was in place. The pressure was mounting, but mistakes weren't an option. Universal had placed a massive bet on Ethan, and now it was time to prove that the gamble would pay off.
Ethan sat across from Rebecca, the head of PR, his phone screen glowing with notifications from fans and influencers already buzzing about the upcoming release. His heart raced. He had spent months uploading YouTube videos, countless hours in the studio, but this—this was the moment that could change everything.
@ArianaGrande
"Okayyy, @EthanJonesMusic. I've heard the sneak peek of Shape of You and it's gonna be EVERYTHING. Today, y'all!! 🚨💥"
#ShapeOfYou #EthanJones #PopStarVibes
Bella T:
Shape of You is just 2 hours away from officially dropping. I'm in tears!
Find All:
Thanks to @EthanJonesMusic, I got 1 million new followers, so you know I'll be blasting this track when it officially drops.
Greg:
@ThotQueen I came back to where we first met. Thanks for the free link.
Rap is Life:
Why is everyone acting like this is a new song? We've already heard it everywhere and it's mid. This guy is an industry plant.
"We're all set, Ethan," Rebecca said, tapping her tablet with satisfaction. "The buzz on social media is massive. Everything's in place. All that's left now is for the world to hear the track, and we're going to blow them away."
Ethan nodded, trying to keep his cool. He had always dreamed of this moment, but now that it was here, it felt almost surreal. "Do you think people will like it?" he asked, the doubt creeping in despite all the encouragement from his team.
"You're underestimating yourself," Rebecca said with a reassuring smile. "You're not just any artist. You've got the talent, the personality, and the backing of one of the biggest names in the business. Trust me—this is just the beginning."
"Plus, the song already has a solid fan base," Bill added from across the room.
Max Martin walked in then, his presence instantly commanding attention. His reputation for creating hit after hit was legendary. "Everything looks good, Ethan," Max said, his voice steady. "Now, we just make sure the rest of the world knows it."
Ethan gave a small smile, the weight of the moment still settling over him. He wasn't just about to release a song; he was about to step into a whole new level of stardom. The world would be watching—and the pressure was on.
Two hours later, the song was released.
Meanwhile, in New York City...
At Sony Music Group, Rob Stringer sat in his office, eyes fixed on the tablet in front of him. The numbers were already flooding in for Ethan's single—millions of streams in just a few hours. He had seen this kind of success before with other artists, but the speed of Ethan's rise still managed to surprise him. This kid wasn't just a YouTube sensation anymore. He was becoming a legitimate threat.
"Kevin," Rob said, his voice calm but firm. "Get me everything on Ethan Jones. I want his numbers, his fanbase, the buzz surrounding him. I need to know how we're going to deal with this. We can't just focus on Polo's album anymore. This is bigger than we thought."
Kevin Kelleher, the Chief Operating Officer, stood at the door with a clipboard in hand. "Already on it, Rob. I'll have the full report for you within the hour."
Rob's mind raced as he thought about their next move. Sony had Olivia at the top of the charts, Beyoncé and H.E.R. poised for Grammy wins, and Harry Styles as a favorite for Best Pop Solo Performance. But now, a kid from YouTube was threatening to take everything by storm. This was no longer just about keeping pace—it was about staying ahead of the curve.
Back at Universal Music Group, Los Angeles...
Ethan sat in the studio, headphones resting around his neck. Shape of You had already made a massive impact, but now his thoughts were turning to the future. The next single, Sing, was just around the corner, and the pressure to maintain the momentum was already starting to weigh on him.
"Great job on the launch," Jessica said, dropping into a chair beside him. "But the real work starts now. We've got even bigger plans for you, Ethan."
Ethan's mind was racing. Just a few months ago, he was recording in his bedroom, uploading videos to YouTube. Now, he was sitting at the pinnacle of the industry. But he knew better than anyone that staying on top would be the hardest part.
"Let's make sure the album is even bigger," he said, his voice filled with determination.
Max Martin leaned in from across the room, his face serious. "It will be, Ethan. But remember—this is about more than just the music. It's about the brand. We're building something huge here. Stay focused, and you'll go far."
Ethan nodded, his resolve firming up. He wasn't just playing the game anymore—he was here to win it.
As the team huddled around him, discussing strategy for the upcoming releases and appearances, Ethan realized something he hadn't fully grasped until now: he wasn't just a player in this game—he was a force to be reckoned with.
P.S Please check out my new book The Next big thing thanks
クリエイターの想い 
David_Adetola
David_Adetola Creation is hard, cheer me up!
I wanted to strecth it all out but i decided against that after this would add some reactions to the track then the talk show and then the album remember to vote at my kofi link for the album
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