Chương 149: OutKast
@Akademiks: BREAKING: Meek Mill barely edges out Arell Rose for #2 spot. The gap? Just 12K units. This gotta sting 😭
@TheShadeRoom: Oop! Old tweets from @Arell_Rose surface discussing Black identity in hip-hop. Social media divided 👀 #TSRReacts
@XXL: EXCLUSIVE: Internal emails reveal major labels scrambling after @Arell_Rose's unconventional success
@MeekMill: Numbers don't lie. Been doing this. Y'all comparing a MIXTAPE to an ALBUM? 😂 #DWMTM
@RickRoss: Some of these new artists need history lessons. Real bosses move in silence. #MMG
@djkhaled: They don't want you to succeed! Congrats @MeekMill! ANOTHER ONE! 🔑
@TheShadeRoom: #TSRExclusive: Sources claim @Arell_Rose's comments about Black identity "deeply troubling" to industry executives 👀
@MeekMill: Y'all praising dude who don't even respect our culture. Wake up.
@ComplexMusic: Industry veterans question @Arell_Rose's stance on Black representation in hip-hop after Hot 97 interview resurfaces
@HotNewHipHop: "Resurfaced clips from Arell Rose's Hot 97 interview spark heated debate on Black identity in hip-hop 👀"
@TheShadeRoom: "#TSRExclusive: Sources close to @MeekMill say the artist is 'disappointed' in how certain narratives are being pushed in the culture 🤔"
@MeekMill: "Some of y'all forgot what this culture built on. Can't just come in here disrespecting the foundation 🤷🏾♂️"
@RevAlSharpton: We must be careful not to let legitimate discourse become a weapon against our youth. These conversations require nuance.
@thisisrory: Working on a think piece about the Arell Rose situation. This runs deeper than music.
@Charlamagne: The same industry that exploits our culture now wanna play moral police? Make it make sense.
@XXL: @Arell_Rose's past charitable work comes to light amid controversy:
- Funded single mother's house purchase
- Covered child's medical bills
- Started youth music program
- Donated to Atlanta schools
@WORLDSTAR: Woman shares story of @Arell_Rose paying for her son's medical bills: "He didn't want publicity. Just wanted to help." 🙏
@TheShadeRoom: #TSRUpdatez: Multiple sources confirm @Arell_Rose covered 75% of Chicago family's medical expenses through private fundraiser
@XXXTentacion: They tryna tear down a real one. @Arell_Rose helped me when nobody else would. That's FACTS. 🖤
@Breaking911: DEVELOPING: Anonymous source accuses @Arell_Rose of sexually assaulting India Westbrooks. #MeToo movement responds
@truth_speaker2015: "Time to expose the truth about Arell Rose. What really happened with India? Why is she really staying in that toxic relationship? #MeToo"
@TMZ: EXCLUSIVE: Source claims @Arell_Rose "manipulated" @indialove. Story developing...
[Leaked Email]
From: WilliamMorris@talent.com
To: India's.Manager@rep.com
Subject: Opportunity
We'd love to discuss a potential reality show opportunity. Major network, Kardashian adjacent. Time sensitive. Call me.
Best,
William
@SpeakHerTruth: Shocked and disgusted hearing about @Arell_Rose forcing himself on India. #MeToo isn't just a hashtag; it's accountability
@JFW: It's horrifying what power and fame can do. No excuse for abusing your partner! Stand with India. #MeToo
@theterchatter: Y'all, if these rumors are true, @Arell_Rose needs to face the full consequences. No one is above accountability
@DrivenWomenSpeakUp: When will men stop thinking they can control us? India's silence speaks volumes. We hear you, girl. #MeToo #TimesUp
@Wooklo: disappointed hearing about @Arell_Rose. This is why #MeToo is so important. Women deserve to feel safe, especially with someone they trust.
@Peez: I hope India knows she doesn't have to be silent. The world will stand with her if she's suffering. #MeToo
@AntiAbuseNetwork: Abuse is abuse, no matter how popular you are. If these rumors about @Arell_Rose are real, he must face consequences.
@TravisScott: Don't be deceived
@indialove: Y'all really trying to play with my man's name like this?
@indialove: I've stayed quiet watching y'all drag this man's name through dirt. But accusing him of THAT? Using MY name? For your agenda? I'm about to air ALL the DMs. Y'all about to learn today.
@indialove: @MeekMill since you wanna play games... why don't we talk about how you DL… lets talk about that [Deleted]
@indialove: Ya'll so lucky this man doesn't want to damage my career. But since y'all wanna know so bad - Arell is the most respectful, loving person I've ever met. These accusations are DISGUSTING. I'm pregnant because we're in LOVE. Simple.
@Pharrell: [1/7] I rarely speak on industry politics. But watching this systematic attempt to destroy a young king's character demands a response. I've known Arell for months and in that short little time I've watched him grow not just as an artist, but as a man
@Pharrell: [2/7] This is a man who spent his who creates opportunities for young artists without asking for a dime in return.
@Pharrell: [3/7] The same man who shows up at community meetings without cameras. Who actually LISTENS.
@Pharrell: [4/7] Y'all quick to believe accusations but won't talk about how he's recently built multiple businesses in Atlanta. How he's providing jobs for these struggling black families. How he's quietly providing mentorship for kids in Atlanta's roughest neighborhoods.
@Pharrell: [5/7] The industry loves to build you up just to tear you down. But what they don't understand is that some trees have roots too deep to shake. So before y'all try to tear down this young king, remember: success looks different these days. And that scares people who profit from the old way. In an industry where people do things for clout, Arell's different
@Pharrell: [6/7] "To the young king @Arell_Rose - keep your head up. Real ones know your heart. Keep pushing culture forward. Keep breaking barriers."
@Pharrell: [7/7] "And to those orchestrating this campaign... karma comes with interest. ✨"
@Kanye: The system will always try to destroy what it can't control.
@Forbes: BREAKING: Infinity Fashion hits $23M in sales after 6 months. Sources estimate @Arell_Rose's net worth exceeds $100M
@BusinessInsider: Infinity's rapid rise reshaping fashion industry. European expansion planned for Q3 2015
@WWD: Infinity projects $32M in sales by June end. Unprecedented growth for new fashion brand
@HYPEBEAST: Infinity's marketing strategy studied at Harvard Business School. Case study forthcoming.
@MeekMill: TONIGHT. 9PM EST. "REALITY CHECK" DROPPING. TIME TO EXPOSE FAKE ONES. 🔥
@RickRoss: Studio. Tonight. Teaching moment. 🏎️ #MMG #BossUp
@DJ_Drama: Just heard that Meek Mill track... oh man 😳 Industry ain't ready for this one
@Akademiks: Ay @Arell_Rose they coming for your neck tonight my boy 💀
@XXL: BREAKING: Meek Mill announces surprise track "Reality Check" dropping 9PM EST. Sources say it's "career-ending" material 👀
@ComplexMusic: The summer just got hotter. @MeekMill vs @Arell_Rose about to be legendary 🔥
[Email Snippet - Leaked]
From: Craig Kallman
To: Major_Label_Executive
Subject: RE: Arell Rose Situation
All hands on deck for this. If Meek's track hits like we think it will, be ready to move. The narrative is already primed.
@hotnewhiphop: 4 HOURS until @MeekMill drops "Reality Check" 👀 Hip-hop holding its breath.….
The amber liquid in Arell's glass caught the evening light filtering through the windows, casting honey-colored shadows across his face. On the massive curved TV screen before him, a Netflix documentary about ancient civilizations played, though his mind had drifted far from the narrator's soothing voice. His phone lay face-down on the marble coffee table, deliberately placed there an hour ago after he'd grown tired of the endless stream of notifications.
The system screen still glowed faintly at his side, the rewards from the mixtape charting, which all were more grand than the last, tallied in neat rows. He'd barely glanced at them, though a small smile played at the corners of his mouth.
"I still can't believe you're just sitting here watching TV." India's voice carried a mix of amusement and exasperation as she padded into the living room, barefoot in yoga pants and one of his oversized hoodies. "They literally tried to destroy your whole career, accused you of—" She cut herself off, jaw tightening. "And you won't even let me tweet about it."
Arell took another sip of wine, savoring its complexity. "What would tweeting accomplish?"
"Justice?" India settled onto the arm of his chair, her fingers automatically finding their way to the back of his neck. "Truth? I mean, they straight up tried to paint you as some kind of monster, baby. And for what?"
He reached up, catching her hand and bringing it to his lips. "Exactly. For what?"
On his laptop, a new email notification popped up. Another major label trying to poach his collaborators. Next to it, the folder containing his response track sat untouched. Fifty's verse was vicious, exactly what everyone would expect from him. The whole track was a tactical nuclear weapon, carefully crafted to end reputations.
And yet.
"I've been watching," he said quietly, eyes still on the documentary where an archaeologist was explaining how entire civilizations had risen and fallen, leaving nothing but dust. "Seeing who stands where. Who moves in silence, who moves for clicks."
India's fingers tightened slightly in his. "I saw Swae didn't say anything. Rocky either."
"Mm." Arell nodded. "But Dolph hit me privately."
His phone buzzed again, screen lighting up with new notifications. India reached for it, but he caught her wrist gently. "Let it be."
"How are you so calm about this?" She shifted to face him fully. "Arell, they're trying to—"
"To what?" He met her gaze steadily. "Get engagement? Views? They don't even know me, India. Never met me, never had a conversation. Just got their marching orders and fell in line." He shook his head. "It's all manufactured. You know what's real? The fact that my tape is outstreaming their album."
"But your reputation—"
"Will speak for itself." He gestured at his laptop. "You see those numbers? That's real. You see those emails? Labels scrambling because they know what's coming. They're playing checkers, trying to provoke a response. Meanwhile..."
His phone lit up again. This time, he did glance at it.
@MeekMill: 20 MINUTES. Me, Game, Ross. Time to end this façade. 🔥 #RealityCheck
@TheGame: Tonight we separate the real from the fake. No more hiding. 💯 #RealityCheck
@RickRoss: Some lessons cost more than others. Class in session. 🏎️ #MMG #RealityCheck
The notifications cascaded: retweets, quotes, flames. The entire industry holding its breath, waiting for blood in the water. Arell watched the numbers climb, engagement soaring, and suddenly found himself thinking of Dr. Chen's office, of their last session.
"What does victory look like to you?" she'd asked, her voice gentle but probing. "Not what others expect it to look like – what does it look like to you?"
His response track sat there, loaded with ammunition, ready to devastate. Fifty's verse alone would set the internet on fire. But as he watched the countdown tweets roll in, something crystallized in his mind.
"You know what's funny?" he said, setting his wine glass down. "They're so busy trying to prove something, they don't even know what game they're playing."
India raised an eyebrow. "And what game is that?"
Arell reached for his laptop, but instead of opening the response track folder, he pulled up a different file. One he'd been working on quietly, away from the studio, away from the noise. "The long game."
His phone continued to buzz:
@Akademiks: YO THIS BOUT TO BE CRAZY!
@TheShadeRoom: Fans counting down to #RealityCheck! Will @Arell_Rose survive this? 😳
@ComplexMusic: The biggest diss track of 2015 drops in 15 minutes. How will @Arell_Rose respond?
@HotNewHipHop: Get ready for the track of the year! #RealityCheck about to change the game 🔥
Arell watched the frenzy build, a strange calm settling over him. The path forward was suddenly crystal clear. "You know what's stronger than a diss track?"
India shook her head, still watching him with curious eyes.
"Living well." He smiled, then reached for his phone. As the countdown reached its final minutes, with the entire industry waiting for Meek's track to drop, Arell composed a single tweet.
@Arell_Rose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Arell set his phone down and turned back to India, whose expression had shifted from confusion to understanding. "You never needed that response track, did you?"
He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Sometimes the biggest flex is showing them what they could never touch."
Arell Rose smiled. Let them drop their track. He was already ten moves ahead.
The documentary droned on, describing how empires fell not through external forces, but through their own weight. Through getting caught up in battles that didn't matter, while the real victory lay elsewhere.
His phone kept buzzing, but he didn't need to look. He already knew what victory looked like.
It looked like this.
—
The silence hit first.
Across a dozen streaming setups, reaction channels froze mid-sentence as Arell's tweet landed. ImDontai's mouth hung open, his usual energetic commentary dying in his throat as he processed the URL.
"Hold up..." he whispered, leaning closer to his screen. "Chat, y'all seeing this? Is this man really about to—" His eyes widened. "NAH. NAH."
B.Lou nearly fell out of his chair, while Zias just shook his head in disbelief, a grin spreading across his face.
"This man really just—" Zias couldn't even finish the sentence. "While everyone waiting on Meek's track, he just—"
@Arell_Rose: OutKast.
The streaming sphere erupted.
"OH MY GOD!" Dontai screamed, nearly knocking over his setup as he lunged for his mouse.
In his dimly lit room, Shaq's usual composed demeanor cracked. "Y'all seeing this?" he addressed his stream, voice thick with anticipation. "Man really waited for them to announce their track, then hit 'em with his own joint?" He shook his head slowly.
The beat dropped.
[Reference Track: Ether by Nas (Or Euphoria as it was what i had in mind while writing orrr Meet The Grahams for the most accurate flow)]
OutKast
Let's, let's
Let's, let's
Heyyy Ya
Heyyy Ya
Heyyy Ya
West of love is where I'm ready to goooo.....
Life force on life support, these parasites keep feeding
Bleeding me dry, but I'm the one they accusing of bleeding
Needing space from these face-eaters, grace-defeaters
They speak in tongues, but their actions are the real speakers
Impulse buyers of my time, leaving my account with no results
Consult the book of the dead, but can't read between the lines
Defined by what they consume, guess that makes 'em fine dining
Brain dead, but still talking, walking contradictions
Afflictions of the living, giving in to soul evictions
Restrictions on my spirit, but I'm ghost-riding the whip
Slipping through their fingers like a poltergeist, I dip.…
Feel pain? Me too
The silent fights, them nightmares, that circle ain't what it seems
When validation's a mirage, I'm steady buildin' my dreams
Watched mama pop pills in the bathroom, me too
Sleeping in the car with no food, me too
Fight after fight? Me too
Teachers saying I won't make it through, me too
But unlike you I ain't fake it new
I kept it real, you made it cute
They say pain feels different when you're feeling it too
Got labeled as a monster, yeah, before the truth
Funny how the media paint me as the villain
When half these rappers got cases that they still pending
Melanin rich, melatonin poor, American dream's insomnia
Civil Rights movement in my REM sleep, Martin's vision - I saw
My grandmother taught me treat women with respect
Started from the bottom, yeah, both parents dipped
Jewish on my father's side, American pride
Y'all tried to use that against me, but I won't hide
My heritage is strength, not something I deny
Y'all brought my family in it, that's where I draw the line
But I won't stoop to levels where the sun don't shine
Could speak on all your cases, but I'll let that slide
Some things better left unsaid, let wisdom be my guide
Started from Mill-ions now we here at rock bottom
Riding coattails so long you forgot how to walk proper
Dream chasers turned to clout chasers, that's when the plot rotten
Used to be inspired by you, now I see through your top doctors
Used to watch Fresh Prince before I knew what Banks meant
Now I'm watching grown men banking off fake defense
Y'all so desperate for attention, it's getting intense
Like officers trading badges for rap credentials, make it make sense
Huh?
Used to wonder why the industry keep testing
Till I realized evil comes in different dressings, addressing
Love tried to flip me like pages, but I'm no fiction
Six degrees of separation led to wrong predictions
They say I did her wrong, but truth don't need correction
Drake didn't take her to the 6, that's misdirection
Speaking of Love, funny how you switch affections
Going Bad like Williams Roberts, that's a double blessing
But I ain't scared of paper tigers or their accomplice
Caught between two ages like a paradox, or should I say Kylie?
Catherine Howard to King Henry, that's the parallel I draw
Tudor dynasty to modern times, the pattern's raw
Tyga, you're... well, let's keep it playing
Umm, how could I address this? Do morals adhere to this?
Hmm? I mean I'm cool black chillin with some white stripes
A hunter hides his habits, prowlin' shadows in his dark life
Just another masked move, same appetite, same spin
Keep it friendly to the cameras, play it coy, play it calm Tyga
If you got stripes don't let them be shown' brodie
Can you let her get past that sweet sixteen brodie?
Oh you rep Chiraq, Oh you got stripes like that brodie?
Can I have some Brodie?
'Cause Game said that Arell be runnin from 300, he for sure ain't banging no set Brodie
Think it's fun in the young, got 'em trapped in a grin homie
It's chess with innocence—you play like pieces pinned homie
Two stripes down, this ain't fashion, it's who you choose to be
Time'll catch those paws reachin'—ain't no lies underneath
They tweet rent was due but your time has expired
Living large in public while the landlord gets tired
Makes sense that you mess with minors in more ways than one
Both your age and your bank account stay on the run
Yeah, rap been twisted lately, but the silence is loud to me
They sing "Stop the Violence" while they profit off the casualties
Speakin' on love but dodgin' smoke, that's the easiest hypocrisy
You break the code, no honor left in these new philosophies
Don't aim your Drake at me then forget about Cassidy
How you losing battles twice, both in views and in clarity
Your whole squad moving backwards like Benjamin's tragedy
Documented bipolar, switching sides like it's seasonal
First Blood then Star Trak, now your legacy's lethal
Got Alzheimer's with loyalty, forget who put you on
Same disease got you thinkin' you wrote 'In Da Club' all along
Told me watch my back, that's why I keep revolving
These LA stories got me tired of plot twists evolving
You still writing chapters while I'm closing novels, huh
Speaking street fiction but your pen game hollow, huh
Now you seeing why I kept that chair spinning
'Cause backstabbers only strike when you ain't looking
Documentary over, credits rolling
Cedar Block veterans know what happens when Pirus see red
Claim 300? Spartans all end up dead
When ARs sing, that's when LA history gets revealed
Blood runs cold when Cedar turns to Cedarside
Then documentary shooting the last, last slide
You ain't built like that, more Lifetime than street life
When that steel spark, turn your whole block to streetlights
We've started from correction now we here, ain't that strange?
Two Roberts in this story, both of them deranged
One's a CO turned boss, other lost his name
When pink slips had him running from his claim to fame
They say I'm too mature for nineteen, that's alright
Some chase teenage dreams in the dead of night
History repeats itself like Edgar Allan Poe
Dark tales of ravens and the rent they owe
But truth don't need no cosign when the facts exist
They gather four deep but can't stand on their own
Don't need Draconian to defend the Iron Throne
It could be 30, I'd use the extensions straight for the Dome
They say Love conquered all, that's why ya'll really rock MMG
Half your net worth in chains just to hide what's underneath
Your whole image a facade, guess that's why they call you Meek
First you screaming trigger fingers now it's just twitter fingers
Wonder if Nick knew back then what Love did to make you bitter
Speaking of Memory Lane, funny how you forget to mention
How you went from 'Dreams and Nightmares' to Sweet Dreams with Diddy?
But did he do it quietly? I met him, he's kind of shaky
Oh the bisexual rap-per tryna chat to Arell?
Blocked.
Oh please, don't try to cease and desist me
Oh officer, how can you use my words as testament against me?
They talking proof but all I see is Photoshop for Photo op
One's drugging college kids, one's lurking outside of high schools
Different types of predators but both deserve the same tools
You claim you got the receipts but every screenshot's blurry
How can 'evidence' always come in such a hurry
Speaking of receipts, let's talk about them club payments
When you was buying teenagers bottles, that's some sick arrangements
Used to be the trenches, Meek, Nicki's au pair
DC told me how you used to run them Philly streets
Now you running back to Nicki, begging on your knees
Say you got proof? Better check them dates though
'Cause every story that you telling got more holes than J-Lo
Speaking about receipts, let's talk about them text chains
How you manufacturing evidence like them fake chains
Every time you drop a screenshot, it's more pixelated
Than them fake DMs that got you so frustrated
This done already becoming Times New Roman affairs
Man, why is a rapper with a washed up hairline chatting to… AR?
You can now refer to me as Prince Adam
Minds like MetroCards, swipe for the train of thought
Pen game surgical, no need for the chain and cross
They say my unborn child... that's a line they crossed
Some boundaries sacred, that's a price they lost
Truth hits different when it's backed by facts
Stumbling on words when the Marshal's back
Made a business off mislead, sold pain as plain ambition
They took "love" and made it commerce, left out hope or recognition
Hide insecurities behind a brazen claim to be the GOAT
Drowned in jewels, cars, but can't stay afloat in what they wrote
How many more heroes of self can the culture tolerate?
Stacked them tales up high, still they fall like a paperweight
Hidin' truth in the lines, spendin' all the rent on clout
Fame's a shiny devil—see how fast it pulls 'em out
But it's the fabric underneath, where legacy truly sits
Holdin' firm, unscathed by trends or Twitter's fickle fits
They talk hate, throw love, but I see what's truly beneath
Silent truths buried in the beats they never choose to breathe
And for the conscious rappers who's thoughts he's been burying?
We pray for Oxytocin, embrace compassion on a soul he'll behold
And If they come again?
I'll beat him on the drop, make him drop again
Until he's sober, as of right now? I know its game over
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