章節 180: **Chapter 179: Public Relations (For the Alliance Leader, Additional Update 610)**
"Isn't this a bit too much?"
In the Brooklyn area, at the Black Gold Music Club, Eminem looked at Kanye and the others and said, "Link has already made concessions. You guys shouldn't keep targeting him. Continuing this way will only harm everyone. Don't forget the rap battles of the '90s; both sides suffered massive losses in the end."
"Em, do you think Link's concessions are sufficient? The fans are right. He's just promoting his single and riding on your coattails. Are you okay with that?" 50 Cent asked.
Eminem shrugged. "What Link has done is already fair. The song was originally supposed to be a collaboration between him and me. Now he's withdrawn and handed it to someone I recommended. That's enough of a concession. Their statement mentioning that Mars is someone I recommended is just to avoid dragging me into this. I don't mind being mentioned. Besides, the fans are right. Mars and Bobby are newcomers. Their song won't affect the charts significantly. What are you still worried about?"
Lil Wayne, with his dreadlocks, stood by the mic and said, "Em, the situation is different now. It's the fans targeting Link, not us. We can't stop them."
Eminem shook his head. "I've said before, reconciling with Link would be easy. All you have to do is publicly say you like his songs or that you're a fan. That would calm the fans down and stop the conflict."
"Em, are you joking? If we say we like Link's songs, our fans will call us weak," T.I. said, shaking his head. For rappers, maintaining their image is crucial as it affects album sales.
Lil Wayne continued, "Also, Em, you're forgetting someone."
"Who? Can you not hold that damn microphone while talking? Our ears aren't deaf," Eminem said, rubbing his ears.
Lil Wayne shrugged and put down the mic. "Wiz Khalifa. He's from the West Coast, and Snoop Dogg's protégé. After Tupac's death, West Coast rappers rarely top the charts. His collaboration with Link, which topped the rap charts for two weeks, feels like he's pissing on our heads. Even if we agree, can the fans accept it? Jay-Z recommending me, Kanye, and T.I.'s new songs last week and choosing to release early also has something to do with this."
50 Cent added, "Link, as a pop singer, is deliberately releasing rap songs to provoke us. He knows we have a conflict with the West Coast and still collaborates with West Coast rappers. That's double the provocation. We're right to confront him."
Eminem realized the situation was more complicated. It wasn't just about Link and Kanye; it was now intertwined with the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.
Eminem sighed. "You guys prevented me from collaborating with Link. Now he's working with West Coast rappers. How is that his fault?"
"Em, arguing about who's right or wrong doesn't help now. The war has started, and we have to continue winning," Lil Wayne said, raising his fist.
"Well said, Lil!" 50 Cent, T.I., Drake, and others cheered, raising their fists.
Eminem felt the group was becoming more dangerous. He looked at Kanye West, who was looking despondent. Kanye was the backbone of East Coast rap, with a background in academia, having studied in China, and was one of the few in the group with a scholarly background.
"Kanye, you should know that this situation can't escalate any further. Shouldn't you do something?" Eminem asked.
Kanye frowned and said, "Do what? That bastard Link is riding on my coattails and now yours. It's despicable. I suggest you stay away from him."
Eminem sighed, "Can you stop talking about coattail riding? Link is a sports star and a major singer with international fame. Does he need to ride on our coattails?"
"Well, that's because he's riding on my coattails. When he released his album earlier this year, he was a nobody. If it weren't for him causing a stir by creating controversies with me, who would have known a singer named Link?" Kanye said, frowning.
Eminem covered his face, realizing that Kanye was impossible to reason with. He looked at Kanye and Lil Wayne, shrugged, and said, "Do whatever you want. I'm going back to the studio to record. I'm too busy these days to take calls, and you guys don't need to invite me out for drinks."
Eminem waved and left.
Lil Wayne watched him leave and shook his head. "Em is white, so he still leans towards Link."
"Shut up!" Kanye shouted angrily. "Damn it, put that damn microphone down. And Em is our friend. Stop talking behind his back."
Lil Wayne shrugged, dropping the mic. "I know. I was just kidding."
"Humph! Stop making these kinds of jokes. I didn't intend to escalate things with Link. It was you who went to the Grammy stage and made things worse. I didn't plan to release a song early when Link did. You're the one who persuaded me. Now things are this bad, and you have a big responsibility."
Lil Wayne spread his hands, smiling bitterly. "Kanye, you're wrong. That wasn't my intention."
"Humph! Keep your fans in check. MJ's comeback tour is about to start. Let's give MJ some respect, okay?" Kanye glared at everyone, swearing a few expletives before leaving the club.
Lil Wayne shook his head and muttered, blaming Link for the mess.
—
"Link, there are many negative comments online lately. Some people are trying to label you as a racist again. In response to this situation, we've had a meeting and come up with a more suitable plan. Would you like to hear it?"
On the way to the boxing gym for training, Link received a call from Ivanka.
"What's the plan?"
Link asked. As a celebrity, he didn't want to be labeled with such a tag, as it would severely limit his career development.
"We suggest you find a Black girlfriend. Considering you already have a girlfriend, we're prepared to arrange a Black model for you and spread rumors about you two. How do you feel about that? If you're worried about Taylor's reaction, I can personally explain it to her," Ivanka said.
Link was stunned. "You must be joking."
Ivanka's voice was calm as she said, "But this is indeed the most effective way to clear your name."
"Yeah, clear the racist label and get branded as a scumbag instead. This terrible idea is something I can reject with my little toe. Is this really the best plan you came up with after a big meeting?" Link asked, feeling helpless.
Ivanka was silent for a moment, but Link could faintly hear laughter before she continued, "Okay, that was actually my idea, but do you have a better plan?"
Link shook his head. "I'm an artist. It's your job as the president to clear my name and build a positive reputation. Why are you asking me?"
"Alright, I'll contact Dynasty Promotions and work with them on public relations to help clear your name. For now, don't make any public responses. Also, remember to take bodyguards with you when you're out. Many of the rap fans are criminals, so be careful."
"I understand!"
Link glanced at Bob and Wallace, who were sitting in the front seats.
Bob, of Mexican descent, is 45 years old, has served four years in the military and six years as a police officer. He moved to America ten years ago and now works as Link's driver.
Wallace, of German descent, is 42 years old, served five years in the Marine Corps, worked for twelve years in security at the Gold Shield Defense Company, and now works as Link's bodyguard.
Both are bodyguards arranged by Link Music and Dynasty Promotions and have gun permits.
Link wasn't too worried about safety; he didn't believe anyone would attempt an assassination. However, to avoid any accidents, he spent most of his time training in the gym after matches.
He was eager to find out whether the slowdown in his strength and speed was due to reduced training time, a plateau, or physical limitations, and whether there was a solution.
After all, no matter the environment, a healthy body and strong abilities are the foundation of one's career and livelihood.
Becoming stronger was more important than making millions of dollars.
He was very clear about that.
(The End of This Chapter)
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Ilham_Yamin Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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