The Unusual Suspects Book 2

Charles

I had been chillin in the studio with Cinco for the past few hours. I'm glad I took the time to get to know this young man. At first I was a lil skeptical and then I realized he just needed some structure for real. I hated to hear the stories about the kids who were forced into selling drugs or the gang life because of their parents. Like they never had a choice. But for your own father to drop some crack rocks in your hand and tell you to sell them or you couldn't come home at age 11 was wild as fuck. Like why ruin him like that? All my artists have crazy stories, but his by far was the most disturbing I've ever heard. I could actually tell that this wasn't the life he wanted to live. I wanted to give him the deepest individuality speech, but I'd be a hypocrite. This cat done seen just about the same amount of craziness that I have in 4 less years.                              
"I don't know man, I can't complain about the life I lead. Shit, it ain't like I got cancer." he shrugged as he sat back after explaining everything to me.   "Bruh...you been through some shit. I could tell that because of how you rap. But the reality of it, is you can't change your past, but you can change your future. Don't allow your past to control what you have coming. I can get you out these streets, but are you able to stay out? See Cinco, I can relate to you more than you can imagine. But I'm offering you something that I couldn't even get myself. But I'm extending my hand G. Are you willing to leave that shit behind you?" I asked him. He looked up at me and contemplated it for a moment. "You don't have to give me an answer right now. But when you're ready and I mean really ready to take control of your life, I got you. This studio shit is just the tip of the iceberg, you gotta go further." I told him and he looked between me and Rodney and then looked down.    "Look, there's no wrong reaction. We just know what you're up against. Look at me, I let the game go to give the studio my undivided attention. I was similar to you, but I made it up out because someone gave a fuck about me. We're offering you the same thing. When I was your age, I never thought I'd see my age honestly. Anything can change if you give it your focus, dedication, and stay motivated." Rodney told him.             
"The ball is in your court." I told him. Just then Keyz and Shakes walked in.     
"Hey shorties, what's going on?" I asked as I directed my attention to them both.
"So I was just curious, you know how we talked about us being a duo, right?" Shakes asked me.      "Yes ma'am." I said as I took a seat.          
"So does that mean we have to do everything together?" she asked me.       
"Naw. Yall don't see Big Boi and Andre 3000 doing that. You're free to do things outside of each other. I mean yall don't even have to do the duo thing." I said.    
"Naw you tweaking! We are most definitely okay with being a duo, we're just trying to make sure we could branch out if we wanted." Keyz said.         "I'm not one of those types of bosses. I don't want to control your artistic expression. Real talk, I don't get anything if yall don't get anything. I want yall pulling from all streams. Music, battles, appearance, modeling, hell shoe deal...whatever avenue opens up, take it. I'm supportive of all that. I don't own yall." I explained.                          "Maybe just 20% of your masters, but yall are individuals." Rodney piggy-backed off of what I was saying to them.                  
"Wait...really?" Cinco said to me.              
"What?" I asked him.                                        
"So we can do whatever, the percentage of the masters are the only thing you own?" he asked.  "Yeah your contracts were very fair with it. I'm not trying to dog yall, I want everybody happy and paid." I did sincerely. Most people wanted to base their wealth on someone else's, I couldn't get with that. Of course I front everything for them in the beginning, I don't collect revenue until my artists do. I wanted to give them an ounce of hope especially since they barely had faith.     
"Yeah when my dad looked over the contract, he said yall were being really fair." Shakes said to me.                              
"Always. I mean at some point, yall may want to leave the label and I'll respect whatever choice you decide to make, but be mindful, most other people aren't like me. Keep that in mind."             "Seriously, he's right. I've been in plenty of studio making beats, mixing and mastering and what have you and never have I seen anyone operate like him. He's what the industry doesn't want for real because this is setting a new precedent. They look at yall like money bags and he's trying to let you secure yours. It's different." Rodney added.       
"So Rodney, you still do stand-up?" Keyz asked him and we all laughed.                     
"I sure do. How you know about that youngin?" he asked her.                                 
"My dad told us you used to be a comedian." Shakes said to him.                 
"Damn bruh you a has-been now?" I said jokingly to him and he laughed.   
"Stop playing Big C, I'd hate to use you as material for my set." he teased and they all laughed at him. I could appreciate the energy here. We would all laugh, talk shit, lift each other up, and carry on. The studio gave me old school Barbershop vibes, but with women too. This type of interaction was for sure priceless and I wouldn't trade this feeling for nothing. Just then I felt a hand slide across my back and I looked and seen Iris standing there smiling.        
"Hey My Love." I said to her.                        
"Hey, yall big chllin in here I see. Without me." she said as she looked in my eyes and made a pouty face.             
"We chilled out, you know you always turn it up a notch." I said as she sat down on my lap.                "Of course because what's fun without a little Iris?" she said and everybody laughed at her wild ass. That's my baby.