The contestants buzzed with anticipation as the next song appeared on screen. The previous tracks had already exceeded expectations, leaving them anxious to discover which song would be assigned to them.
However, when the next producer's name flashed across the screen, there was an almost unanimous reaction from the trainees, excitement, awe, and a growing sense of competition.
The screen displayed the name Bruno Mars.
Gasps rippled through the room, followed by excited murmurs.
Prince immediately recognized the name. Bruno Mars was a global sensation, his hit songs, even in Prince's old world, had made waves. Grenade, Just the Way You Are, The Lazy Song, Marry You, all chart-topping classics that had cemented his status as one of the best.
At the front of the room, Kitty and Dexter exchanged knowing smiles, fully aware of the effect the name alone had on the contestants.
Then, Bruno Mars himself appeared on the screen. "Hey, everyone! Bruno Mars here, and I'm thrilled to introduce the song you'll be performing—Uptown Funk."
The energy in the room spiked.
Bruno's assistant chimed in. "Bruno's signature style shines through in Uptown Funk. This track is a funk-pop and boogie fusion with strong influences from 1980s funk, R&B, and the Minneapolis sound. Inspired by legends like James Brown, and Morris Day & The Time, the song boasts funky guitar riffs, a bold brass section, and an undeniably catchy bassline."
The screen displayed the song's title in bold letters, and a wave of excitement rolled through the contestants. Everyone in the industry knew, landing a Bruno Mars song was like getting a golden ticket. Even just starting with it felt like a major step toward stardom.
As the chorus played, the room instantly filled with infectious energy. Contestants watched in awe as the dancers on the screen executed intricate footwork with confidence and flair while effortlessly delivering the vocals. The sheer groove of the song was irresistible.
CJ leaned forward, practically vibrating with excitement. "This is it. We have to get this song."
"Damn," Rocky muttered, eyes locked on the screen. "I want to perform this one."
Bryce, who had been relatively quiet, nodded in agreement. His usually composed demeanor faltered as he, too, was drawn into the song's allure.
Prince remained outwardly calm, but deep inside, something sparked. Out of all the songs so far, this was the one he felt connected to the most. He had listened to it countless times before, and unlike the others, he knew exactly how to approach it.
But judging by the reactions around him, he wasn't the only one who wanted it.
Even after the teaser ended, conversations about Uptown Funk dominated the room. The excitement refused to fade.
However, the energy shifted as the screen displayed the final song.
The title: Book Boyfriend by Decayed Souls.
The room went still for a moment, then whispers rippled through the contestants.
"Wait, what?" someone muttered.
Decayed Souls was a name none of them recognized.
"Who the hell are they?" one contestant said under his breath, disbelief clear in his voice. "I didn't even know there was a band like that."
"Yeah," another agreed. "Same here."
"I don't care," someone else scoffed. "My mind's already set on Uptown Funk. I need that song."
The murmurs faded as the beat finally kicked in.
Prince's ears perked up immediately.
The intro alone was catchy, smooth with a playful, almost mischievous edge. It felt different from the other tracks, lighter but confident, like it knew exactly what it was doing.
Then the band's voice came through the speakers. Their faces never appeared on screen, only their logo pulsed softly with the rhythm.
"This song plays on something a lot of girls can relate to," the voice explained. "That habit of falling for fictional men, the so-called book boyfriends, characters written to be charming, attentive, and just a little too perfect."
There was a hint of amusement in the narrator's tone.
"The song was written from a personal place. It's inspired by my wife and her love for those fictional boyfriends she finds in books. It's not jealousy, not mockery. It's playful, self-aware, and honest. A look at how fantasy and real relationships can collide in small, relatable ways."
Prince frowned slightly as he listened. Something was off. Some parts of the lyrics were either missing or weren't quite the same as the version he remembered from his old world.
Then, they clarified the reason.
"But here's the catch, some parts of the song are intentionally left blank. A real singer knows how to make a track their own. So, this is your chance. The performing contestants will have to incorporate their own verses into the song."
A ripple of surprise ran through the room.
Contestants who had initially been excited about the song were suddenly second-guessing it.
They wouldn't just have to perform it. They had to write for it.
Learn the track, adapt to its style. Then craft original verses to match its energy.
No thanks.
Many looked away, their interest visibly fading. It was too much pressure. Too much responsibility.
But Prince?
Prince felt something different.
A slow realization crept up on him.
This song…
This might be exactly what they needed.