Fireworks 3 and 4

Fireworks: Forever Chapter One

    The conference hall was packed, seats filled with a mix of industry talent and the executives who represented them. A stage at the front of the auditorium was spectacularly lit. Quiet, contemporary music played over the speakers in the large, open area. That music was nearly drowned out by all of the voices involved with multiple conversations at once. 

    Cardi B could be spotted, seated near the front surveying her makeup in a compact mirror. Her husband was only a few steps away, in an intense business discussion with 2Chainz. 

    Taylor Swift and her athlete boyfriend Travis Kelce were seated in the front row, leaning in close for a very public display of flirtation.

    Justin Bieber couldn't seem to sit still, and bounced from group to group, occasionally interjecting with his own two cents. His wife aimlessly scrolled through her phone while tagging along, once in awhile chiming in agreement with his flights of fancy.

    The room was filled with familiar faces that were dominating the current music charts, regardless of their record label loyalty. Similarly, the executives milling about onstage were from a number of different record labels. Columbia Records, Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, Sony Music, Interscope, Universal Music, Virgin, RCA...everyone who was anyone in music was there in that room. Meetings like this generally happened on a much smaller scale. Each label might host meetings with their artists, but a meeting on this large of a scale was unprecedented.

    None of the artists had been provided with the specific reason for the meeting. All reasons given were purposefully vague. The meeting was required, and intended to discuss the future of music. That is all they were told. But since the meeting was marked as being required, plans were changed. Interviews were postponed. Appearances were rescheduled and vacations were pushed back. Required meant required. There was no calling in sick.

    Nicki Minaj and her entourage swooped in, providing nothing short of an entrance fit for a queen. A pair of sleek shades hid her eyes from view. 

    The only notable faces missing were Beyonce, Jay-Z, Drake, and Mia Thomas. Mia Thomas was wrapping up a tour and Drake had been popping up randomly throughout her tour. That was the reason given for their absence.

    A tall, slender man with thinning gray hair tapped on top of the microphone in his hands. From the stage lighting to the auditorium seating, it all gave the familiar vibe of a TED talk. "Welcome, all," he said into the microphone.

    Most of the chatter came to a halt, and everyone shuffled around to find their seats. 

    "This is a huge turn out. Thank you to everyone for rearranging your very busy schedules."

    "As if we had a choice," Lady Gaga muttered to her assistant while shifting in her seat.

    Having overheard her, Rihanna giggled.

    The executive onstage continued speaking, since he hadn't heard the retort. "Most of you already know who I am. Even if you're signed to another record label, most likely you've seen me at the industry parties, or maybe we were one of the labels you considered signing with. My name is Michael Orensky. One of many suits here at SMG. This is one of the few events where which label you're signed to doesn't matter. A quick look to your left or right will reveal some of your artist friends who are signed to a different label than you are. We're all here in this same room, because despite differences in labels, we're all a part of the same industry. That is what this meeting is about today: the industry."

    Nicki restlessly chewed gum. "I'm already bored," she muttered under her breath.

    "Throughout the duration of this meeting, I will request that no one has their phones out," Michael stated. "We considered confiscating phones at the door, but decided against that - for the sake of time. This meeting is confidential. It's not something you can go around talking about with just anyone. What you hear within these walls today can only be discussed with others who were within these same walls with you. That includes the few artists who are missing in action."

    The screen behind him illuminated and displayed a collage of social media posts. 

    He turned and acknowledged the screen. "The question on everyone's minds, no doubt, is why are you all here? What was important enough that you had to rearrange everything, just to attend this meeting? You're all here because of this." Gesturing towards the screen, he moved to stand beside it. "I'm sure most of you recognize the artists shown in these social media posts. They're talented artists. Popular artists. Independent artists."

    Completely disregarding the drawn out speech, Travis Kelce glanced at Taylor out of the corner of his eye. Then, wearing a cocky smirk, he rested his hand on top of her forearm. The fingers of that hand soon started to dance up the length of her slender arm.

    Without tearing her gaze away from the executive on the stage, she smiled.

    "The one thing all of the artists in this room have, is that you're all signed to a label," Michael continued. "Sadly, Russ wasn't invited to this meeting. He's more the cause of it, and he's one of a growing number of artists that are unbound by contract. More power to him, right? And those like him? There's room at the table for everyone to eat, am I right? That's a phrase I've heard a lot of lately."

    Seated in the fourth row, Doja Cat frowned and folded her arms over her chest.

    "It's a novelty, being able to believe that everyone has a spot at the table," Michael said. "The truth is, there isn't enough room at the table for everyone to eat. I know we want to believe that. I know we want to cheer on artists like Russ, who remain untethered to any label. Shit, I'm quite sure some of you want to be Russ. Cut out the middle man record label and earn all of those profits for yourself. Why not, right? But are we ready for a healthy dose of truth today? Because if we are, that healthy dose of truth would be that if artists like Russ continue to multiply and steal the spotlight from artists who are signed, money would be taken out of your pockets. Some of the luxuries you've been enjoying would need to be cut back. Right now, we are in a very precarious position...teetering on the brink of obsolescence. In meetings I've had with the other label heads, I know that multiple diversions have been attempted. Nicki and Cardi, your manufactured beef - which somehow became a real one - you two have amped up the heat, for the sake of public consumption. Taylor and Travis, I'll be damned if I don't see you on every single social media app or site I have the patience to scroll through. Doja, the drama and conversation you manage to stir up is unique to say the least. Same goes to you, Lil Nas. All of you were given assignments to help entertain the public. Redirect their attention back to the art and artists who really matter. As all of you know, your duties as an entertainer don't stop when you step off that stage. They don't end when you walk out of that interview. Your role as an entertainer follows you wherever you go. You have a duty to consistently entertain and engage with your fans. Keeping them engaged is what keeps their attention. It's what keeps them spending. It is the interest of everyone in this room, that we keep those fans spending. It could be the end of our lifestyles as we know them, if we don't."