章 166: **Chapter 165: Rapper**
"How does it feel?"
Outside the Metropolis Theater, Link asked the silent Selena. Since meeting MJ, Selena had turned into a quiet, speechless person, speaking very little.
Selena tugged at his hand, blinking her big eyes. "It feels strange. It wasn't as great as I imagined, but he's a really nice person. I don't know how to rate it."
Link smiled gently. "It's normal. Idols are like the moon—beautiful from a distance, but up close, you see a more real side. That doesn't take away from their greatness."
Selena nodded, looking up at him with her sparkling eyes. "Will you become a big star like MJ in the future?"
Link thought for a moment and shook his head. "I'll be a big star, but not like MJ. His fame is unmatched, and no one from the past or present can compare. But his life is so restrictive. Even if he goes out with a girl, people will gossip. It's not much fun.
I'd rather be someone like Bill Gates—famous worldwide but not burdened by too much pressure, living a more relaxed life."
"So your goal is to become a billionaire?"
"Yes!"
Link said with a light smile.
"Then I want to be a billionaire too."
Selena said, clenching her little fist.
"You can do it."
Link smiled, remembering that Selena would also earn a few hundred million dollars with her successful albums and investments when she moved into the music industry.
But thinking about how the little girl next to him would become a billionaire, Link felt he needed to work harder so as not to be outdone by her.
"Link!"
As they were about to get in the car, a voice called out from behind. Kanye, accompanied by Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and more than ten other Black men, approached, looking as intimidating as a scene from "New York Gangsters."
Link patted Selena's shoulder and turned to Kanye. "Is there a problem?"
"Link, we won't have conflicts with you in the future, but you can't provoke us anymore, and don't mention me in the media. I hate it when people use my name for publicity."
Kanye took off his sunglasses, revealing his brooding face.
Behind him, several Black men also crossed their arms and lifted their chins, looking as if they didn't care about anyone.
Link noticed that Kanye's face, revealed without the sunglasses, resembled Dwyane Wade from the Miami Heat. He smiled and said, "Understood. But I want to give you a heads-up. I've been working on a couple of rap songs recently and plan to collaborate with Eminem. I hope that doesn't count as provocation."
"You're doing rap music?"
Kanye's brooding face showed some surprise.
"Hahaha!"
"This guy says he's going to do rap?"
"So funny. He dares to say he's going to do rap right in front of us."
The Black men behind laughed heartily, with some clutching their stomachs and laughing uncontrollably.
Link smiled indifferently. Rap music was traditionally seen as a domain of Black artists, and others were often considered rap novices, except for rare talents like Eminem. As a new pop singer mentioning rap in front of top rap artists did seem laughable.
He looked at Kanye and asked, "If I collaborate with Eminem or other rappers, that shouldn't count as provocation, right?"
Kanye gave him a curious look and waved his hand. "Do as you like!"
He then led the group of Black men into a white stretch limousine.
As they got in, someone said, "That guy says he's going to do rap."
The vehicle immediately erupted in loud laughter, with some slapping the seats and others stomping their feet.
Even the usually gloomy Kanye was grinning widely.
Link shrugged, thinking he might have a talent for stand-up comedy. While most people might tell jokes, not everyone could make manic-depressive individuals laugh. He could.
"Link, are you really going to do rap?" Selena asked.
"Of course. While I'm young, I want to try different things to see our potential."
"Go for it! I support you!"
Selena cheered with her little fist.
Link smiled gently, started the car, and drove away from the Lincoln Center.
——
At Link Music, Link sent a collaboration invitation to Eminem's music studio through the company's channels.
He also passed along a draft of the song "Lighters" for Eminem to review.
The rap lyrics were quite positive and the melody and rhythm were great—one of Link's favorite classic rap songs. He believed Eminem would be interested upon seeing the score.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in!"
Link set down his pen and rubbed his forehead.
A few days ago, Ivaca had asked him to write a few more songs for a deluxe edition of the album.
After consulting with Graham, Graham thought releasing a deluxe edition would increase sales and be a good promotional strategy.
Link had to come up with a few more songs.
Ms. Anna, dressed in a blue-gray business suit, entered carrying several folders, looking like she was there to assign tasks.
"Boss, here's the work arrangement for this week."
Anna placed a folder on the desk.
Link looked at the folder, feeling like it was a Pandora's box. Once opened, it would bring trouble, so he was a bit reluctant to look inside.
"Is there a lot of work this week?"
"Not too much."
Ms. Anna smiled.
Link opened the folder with his pen and glanced inside. It was packed with papers, resembling an elementary school schedule, but with more content.
First, last week's "The Fighter" had surpassed 2 million copies sold in the U.S., earning double platinum status. The Recording Industry Association of America would hold a small ceremony on Monday to certify the album, which he needed to attend personally.
On Friday, the company would hold a party to celebrate his album's double platinum status, which he also couldn't miss.
"Sea Chase 2" was officially premiering this Thursday. He needed to attend several premiere events, which were contractual obligations from when he took on the role. These couldn't be skipped.
However, due to his current fame, the film's distributor hoped he would participate in more promotions, agreeing to pay him no less than $200,000 for each event.
On Monday, he would check in at New York University to discuss participation in the World University Games.
There were two advertising shoots on Tuesday and Friday.
Two media interviews were scheduled for Wednesday.
On Saturday, Lady Gaga invited him to dinner to discuss music, and Dino asked him to watch a boxing match.
On Sunday, he had a meeting with director Woody Allen to discuss a script and was invited to go bowling with Leonardo DiCaprio.
In addition to these temporary arrangements, he had several fixed tasks: daily boxing practice, recording studio sessions for his second album, practicing MJ's songs, and possibly being called in for live rehearsals.
Link felt this folder was even more terrifying than Pandora's box—there was no time for rest this week.
"This isn't much?"
Link frowned.
Anna smiled. "I've seen Ms. Ivaca's schedule. It's twice as packed as this."
"She's a workaholic; I'm not."
Link flipped through a few other documents. Besides two contracts needing signatures, there were three script invitations.
The first was for "Twilight Saga 2," inviting him to audition for a supporting role as a vampire, with a fee of no less than $1 million.
The second was for "Underground Boxer," inviting him to audition for the lead role, with a fee of $1 million.
The third script was "Blood and Bone," another boxing film, inviting him to audition for the second lead role, with a fee of no less than $500,000.
Link scanned the documents and said, "Anna, no more boxing films in the future. I've already done one. Repeating this type of role will not only lose its freshness but also create a stereotype for the audience, which isn't good for long-term development. I'll consider the first script."
The "Twilight" series was hugely popular in the U.S., and the films made stars out of Kristen and the other lead actors.
Getting a role in such a film could boost popularity, but given Link's current fame, playing a supporting role wouldn't significantly enhance his profile.
So, whether to take the role depended entirely on his availability.
"Okay!"
Ms. Anna nodded, collected the files, and left the office.
Link shook his head and continued working.
(End of Chapter)
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