The Unusual Suspects Book 2

Iris

Me and Chuckie had just walked out of the biggest meeting of our lives and we were far too excited at this point. We definitely nailed a tour for half of our roster. We got Aries and Riek headlining. Influx, Diamond, Paradox, Onyx, and Araya all as opening acts. Not to mention we were able to sneak in Cochise in a couple spots too for the R&B side. I had never felt this happy in my life, we were really doing this music shit. We were so anxious as we got back to the studio and everyone was there. We were all in one room to announce everything.
"So...I know yall probably wondering what this is about. We got some great news for most of you and some more info for the rest." I said.     
"So, it's time that we take yall more mainstream. We have a 12 city tour planned. So, drum roll please." They all were beating on everything around them.
"Congrats to our headliners Aries & Riek!" Chuckie said and they looked so shocked. But they all congratulated them. "But it wouldn't be complete without Influx, Diamond, Onyx, Paradox, and Ms. Araya!" He announced and they all ended up happy at that news as well. "Also we have 5 guest appearance spots opening for Cochise during the tour." I said and Shakes and Cochise ended up hugging each other.
"But as for the rest of you...it doesn't stop there. Yall will become the faces of the battle scene. So, Shakes, Keys, and Cinco please start getting yourselves ready to be front & center." Chuckie told them and they all looked shocked.            "Last, but certainly not least, Depth...come here my baby." I said as she stepped up. "You also have a different type of tour opening up as well. Spoken Word needs their poster child and they chose you Beautiful!"   
"Are you serious, me?" she said.             
"Yes you, Gorgeous!" Riek said as he walked up to her and kissed her. "You deserve it more than you know." he told her and we all zoomed in on that moment there. There was so much excitement going around this room.        
"But with great reward does come a lot of work. So there were some requests that were put in. So Influx and Diamond..." Chuckie started. "Yall seem to be the 'It' couple, so your fans want a ballad." he said and we watched them look at each other.                                            
"Say less." Kev said.                                        
"Cool. Now Aries & Riek...Riek they loving the whole rockstar thing and they want to see more of you. So it's either more live play or you're submitting verses. Either way, front and center. Aries, keep killing it. You worked for this! Onyx...my heavily requested mami. They really want you to make a battle track. So be sure to create something to get em buzzing. Paradox, they was feeling you at the battle. So I need a track that shows more of the bars you got in you. Araya...you know the industry sees you as the Ashanti type. Kill these hooks baby!!" I said!          "You know I'm on it Love!" Araya said as she got excited.                                                   
"To our shorties: Shakes, Keyz, and Cinco, yall gotta get ready to show up and show out. Keyz you are now the main host. Shakes and Cinco run the actual battles. You will still have the ability to compete as well. Just stay disciplined because realistically everyone wants to be in your shoes. Secure your spot." Charles said.           
"And Depth...honey listen they want to see more of your new look. So be you, but remember you are sexy and vibrant Love." I told her.                      "So Cochise brody, whether you decide to out yourself or keep that as a mystery is up to you. But they want you of course shown as a sex symbol." Charles told him.                                          "Them gym sessions with Riek and Jay paid off then." he said and we all laughed.                               "Told you, it was coming." Riek said to him as they shook hands.                           
"Any questions anyone?" I asked.               
"I do have one." Keyz started. "So I'm the main host, so basically I become the face of the battle scene?" she asked and we both smiled at her.         "Yessss. You left quite the impression on your debut. They loving it. You earned every bit of it. The beauty of it is this is all because of you. Not because your Influx's little sister on anything." I said. 
"Though my name hold weight, don't forget that." Kev spoke up and we all laughed for a moment.     "Facts, but while we're on the topic, we do have a specific opportunity that's just for you bruh. We'll discuss it with you, but your name holding weight is big facts there." Charles told him and he nodded.                                                                  "Okay, so are we at capacity for talent?" Cinco asked us.                                                
"About that, I think with the 12 that we have here, we're kinda at our max. Now, we do plan on hiring another person to fill a position like ours, but we do want to give each artist room to flourish and we don't want to shortchange anyone."
"Okay, so what if it was more to add onto me? Like a duo or group?" I looked over at Chuckie and him at me.                
"We're open to that possibility." Chuckie told him and for the first time we actually seen Cinco smile.                   
"Bet!"                                                                   
"So my thing is, being as though you're new and upcoming in the industry, are yall even sure you'd be okay for me to even reveal my sexuality?" Cochise asked us.                                      "Listen I wouldn't give a fuck if you dyed your body purple and wanted to look like Barney, you have raw ass talent. I'm okay with being the guy that signed the gay guy. I don't care about that shit. I care about yall. Be your own version of you and own your shit." Chuckie said.    
"And to piggyback off of what he said, we're not trying to conform to anyone else's standards. We let yall have creative control over your own music. So why would we want to control your personal lives? We're for you, not the industry." I said.                                              
"So let's create yall!" Rodney said sounding like a proud parent but ready to work.