Page 5

juice

. . .

Tapping on the soundboard I told Trell, the engineer. “Run that back for me.”

Closing my eyes I listened to the music and tried to catch a vibe.

Earlier this week I’d linked with Noble and did my thing over the beat he had given me.

Majik hit me up saying he wanted me to lay down a verse on my label mate Sahdiah song she was working on.

So, I showed up early enough to be able to do my part before my session later on with Noble.

Not gone lie I felt honored like hell to even be given that opportunity. Sahdiah had been signed to the label for a lil minute and was working on her fourth album. The song he wanted me to hop on was about a girl chasing a past love.

“Right there.” I told Trell. “Go back to that run and let me hear it again.” The track stopped and started a second or two before Sahdiah’s sultry voice hit one of those old school runs. “That shit sounds good as hell.”

“Sahdiah got a voice like no other.” Trell praised.

“Hell yeah.” I agreed. After having him start that section over a few more times I hopped in the booth and did my thing.

Sahdiah was singing about her past while I rapped about my future. Since that night at Stax, Nariah had been on my mind heavy. There was something tantalizing about her that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

I was trying so hard not to watch her ass when she walked off but the way her hips swayed, I couldn’t peel my eyes from her. Me being lost for words or even checking for a female was a rarity, so that right there let me know lil mama was something special.

I was hoping lil mama that Tito linked with ain’t let me down. I told her if she got Nariah to come through, I’d toss her a few dollars.

Letting my thoughts spew through my words I professed my interest in the mysterious woman whose presence I was determined to be in.

Once I finished cutting my rhyme, I slid my headphones off and left the booth.

Sitting back at the sound board I waited for Trell to do his part before requesting him to play the song from the beginning.

The studio door opened causing me to toss my head back to see who had entered the room.

“You just did that?” Noble asked, stepping over to where I was seated with Kamp trailing behind him.

“Yeah. Majik hit me up about it.”

“That’s what’s up.” He leaned in and dapped me up. “Wanted the two of you to meet.” He pointed at Kamp. “Got some shit I’m cooking up for your album and want Kamp’s input.” He let me know.

“What’s up Kamp.”

“Can’t call it brother. Welcome to the label.”

“Thank you, man.”

Turning to Trell, Noble patted him on the back. “Trell, give us the room for a second.”

When Trell got up Noble sat in his seat and turned to me.

“The four tracks we laid down last night went up this morning. Collectively it was decided that War would be your debut song. Everyone agreed with how raw and gritty the lyrics are and think we should lead with that. It’s real and authentic and we’re not trying to launch you as some gimmick rapper. ”

“I had a feeling it would be that one.”

War was the song I worked on with Noble so I already had a feeling that it would be the preferred one. Tito thought they would go with Jehovah because of the story behind it but I kind of figured they wouldn’t roll that one out first.

“Now that we’ve gotten that figured out it’s time to put that final spin on it so we can get it out there. The quicker we can get a buzz going the quicker we can get you on stage.”

“That makes me happy man.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Is Tito in the building? I got some things I need to go over with him.”

“No but he will be later. My session doesn’t start for another three hours. I just came to do this for Majik first.”

“Bet. Well, we gone get out of here and let you do your thing. When Tito get here the two of you stop by my office and we can talk business.”

“Will do.”

“You got your money?”

“I did.” I smirked. “It’s sitting handsomely in the bank.

” The label had given me a million dollars for signing and the money had cleared but I hadn’t spent shit.

To be honest I was scared to touch it. The deal was solid so I wasn’t worried about going broke or owing nobody in the long run because the way my contract was set up the label would recoup theirs on the back end, but still.

I had never seen that much money ever in my fucking life.

I was in the beginning stages of living out my dream and still couldn’t believe the shit.

“Spend some money, you earned that fair and square. Treat your fam to something nice. If you keep working the way you are there’s more where that came from.” Noble let me know.

“Preciate ya man.”

“Ain’t nothing. We up though. Fuck with me later. I’mma send Trell back in.”

“Aight.”

When Trell made it back into the room I sat with him while he mixed the track and as soon as it was done, he sent it over to A&R for approval. Since I ain’t have nothing to do I decided to go grab Ma Dukes and treat her to a quick lunch before my next session.

Leaning back in my chair I glanced around the menu trying to decide on what I wanted to eat. “What you gone order?”

“Hell, I don’t know. You got me at this fancy restaurant knowing I’m not used to nothing on this menu.”

“Paschal’s ain’t fancy Ma Dukes.” I chuckled.

“Too fancy for me. I would’ve been okay with Ted’s.” Sitting the menu down on the table she folded her hands together. “How’s everything going down at your label?”

“Good…better than I thought. They decided on my first single.”

“Is that right?”

“Ummhmm.”

“Well, when they gone drop it?”

“Soon. And as soon as those streaming checks start pouring in I’mma buy you a house.

” With the money the label had already given me I could buy her a house, but Ma Dukes told me I should wait until the money was pouring in consistently.

I understand her reasoning so I ain’t fight her ‘bout it.

“Where you wanna stay?” I asked and took a sip out of my water.

“I don’t wanna be too far from the city.”

“Come on Ma.” I groaned. “I’m tryna move you out the hood.”

“And I’m okay with that. But I still don’t want to be too far out. Douglasville got some nice houses out there.”

“Douglasville huh. I’ll have Tito start looking so we can narrow down some areas.”

“Good. Now Julius.” I knew she was getting ready to be all motherly just by her calling me by my first name. “You ‘bout to start making some different kind of money now. You know I let you do your thing and keep my opinions to myself. But with this type of money and fame it’s easy to get caught up.

You talking about moving me out of the hood, but you need to be getting up out of there yourself.

Them boys out there know you’re about to start getting paid and will come after you.

You got to watch them and the ones you hang with.

The same homeboy that you’ll break your neck for will be the same one walking around with hate in his heart ‘cause he ain’t you.

Them streets don’t love you baby boy. Get you a new spot out there where them white folks don’t play games and don’t let too many know where you at. Keep them green niggas out of your face and them groupies out yo pockets.”

“Ain’t no females checking for me Ma Dukes. At least not the one I’m tryna get with. And you know yo baby boy stay strapped and keep his head on a swivel.”

“And just like I know—so do they. Don’t get comfortable is all I’m saying.”

Ma Dukes was spilling some real shit. I knew plenty of niggas who got killed by one of the niggas they ran with. It’s the reason I minimized my circle when my music started to pop off.

The only niggas that could get anything out of me was Tito, Lucas, and Byron, the three of them were the only ones I fucked with like that. I could lightweight kick it with a nigga and not fuck with him too tough. I still planned on taking heed to her warning though.

“You know what Ma Dukes, you right. I’mma make sure I watch my back.”

“That’s all I’m asking for. You my only child I want you to bury me and not the other way around.”

“I hear ya. Now let’s order so I can get you back to the crib and myself back to the studio.”

“Okay.” She smiled.

As soon as I entered the packed club, I spotted my target standing in the middle of a section with her arms folded across her chest and her head tilted to the side.

Her stance was reminiscent to the one she gave me when I tried to push up on her.

It looked like the nigga she was standing over was spitting game and good thing she ain’t look interested cause I was gone show my ass.

“Why I gotta chase you around town just to see that smile on your face.”

“What the fuck?” She shrieked and turned around. When she realized it was me who just whispered in her hear her tense face relaxed. “Not you again.”

“Yeah, me again. What’s up wifey.” I smirked and stood with my feet shoulder width apart. “I thought you was coming to the studio with your girl.”

“I never said I was coming.”

“That ain’t what she said.”

“Well, she lied.” She shrugged and turned back to her customer. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

Grabbing her by the elbow I stopped her before she could walk off. “Put me up in your section.”

She stared at me a few seconds like she was thinking about it before pushing out. “Mine are all booked.”

“Well tell that fat nigga to make room for me.”

“That’s gone cost you.”

“Ooh you must think I’m one of them other niggas.” I chuckled. Pulling a knot from the pocket of my jeans I held it out to her. “Which section you want me in?”

Rolling her eyes she snatched the wad of bills from me and stuffed them in her apron. “Come on.” Nariah pushed past me and walked away. Like a trained dog in heat, I followed behind her with my bottom lip tucked between my teeth.

“What you drinking on?” She probed once she’d seated me in the empty section.

“I’m not drinking tonight but if that nigga gone trip then bring whatever out.”