"You guys did a great job!" Kelly couldn't suppress the smile on her face and applauded repeatedly. "I already have the picture of your wedding in my mind. It seems my initial choice was very correct!"
Leon couldn't hide his awkward look, while Miranda was still immersed in the role state, staring at him with a wicked smile.
"Want to have lunch together?"
"Maybe another day, I have a lot of things to do recently."
"Don't even have time for lunch? I know a very good Italian restaurant, just nearby."
"Coke and burger suit me better. Simple, delicious, and fast to eat."
Facing the beauty's warm invitation, Leon chose to slip away.
Her having a boyfriend was a secondary reason.
The main reason was that with a woman like Miranda, you clearly know she has many tricks, but no matter how you guard against them, she always succeeds.
By the time you realize it, it's already too late.
This is an irresistible flower butterfly.
On the other hand, Leon needed to convene an all-hands meeting of Apocalypse Music before the Grammy Awards ceremony.
The time was set for three o'clock this afternoon.
At first, people around him warned him not to extend his tentacles too far, but he didn't listen.
Now, with the company's configuration of fewer than five people, just the record company business alone was overwhelming.
In addition, he had promised Robbie to create at least two new songs for her new album, and the promotion plan for Ariana's debut single hadn't been decided yet...
He regarded this meeting as a summary of the past and a plan for the future.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, inside the Apocalypse Music office, this small meeting officially convened.
Except for Robbie and Cardi B who were busy touring outside, everyone else was present.
On the radio company side, except for DJ Marcus of Lion's Den Radio, other DJs were also present.
In more than two months, Leon followed his original plan, canceling radio channels with poor data and diverting listeners to Lion's Den Radio.
Therefore, only five DJs were present. If counting T-Ray of Chester Bad Boy Radio, it should be six.
Obviously, this gangsta producer who was severely backstabbed by Leon couldn't appear here.
"As of now, the physical record sales of Miss Robbie's single Faded have exceeded 1 million copies, and the sales of Ariana's Señorita on streaming platforms have also exceeded 700,000." Aisha was the first to report work. As the employee with the most professional business ability in the company, she even rushed to make a PPT last night.
During this period, Leon earned nearly $1.5 million from the sales and copyright revenue of these two songs, and his current net worth exceeded $6 million.
But after a two-month bonus period, the record sales of Faded also began to decline significantly.
"Very good, this is the first platinum record of Apocalypse Music." Leon casually handed over the record certification matter to Bonnie, asking her to apply to the RIAA.
Phil joked half-seriously: "If I calculated correctly, you are only one step away from being a millionaire now... so why not hire a few more people?"
"This company still looks like a workshop until now. I think Bonnie is so busy she doesn't even have time to date."
"It seems you know my financial situation better than I do." Leon rolled his eyes at Phil, and the other party dared not make another sound.
However, these words made some sense.
Not hiring people before was to save money, limited by shallow pockets at that time.
But now funds were abundant. In terms of movie filming, with Robinson's investment, he no longer had to consider the dilemma of capital chain rupture.
Recently, there was still at least $1.5 million in sales dividends from the Demons album lying in Roc Nation's account that hadn't been transferred.
Since the "Record Store Shooting Incident," Jay-Z's remittances were no longer as punctual as before.
But just as Phil said, as long as Roc Nation transferred the record sales dividends, Leon would soon properly step into the millionaire club.
He knocked on the table and said to everyone: "The company indeed urgently needs to expand personnel now. I decided to establish three departments, each expanding to three personnel."
"These three departments are the Planning and Promotion Department, the Marketing and Sales Department, and the Finance Department..."
Due to her outstanding work ability, Aisha had long won Leon's trust, so the job of Financial Executive should naturally be handed over to her.
As for the other two departments, suitable candidates probably needed to be recruited again.
Everyone expressed approval for the Boss's arrangement, except Phil.
He questioned indignantly: "Haven't you ever considered keeping a position for me?"
Although the old geezer's character was rotten and sometimes he spoke without thinking, his work ability was indeed unquestionable.
Whether a manager is excellent depends on how many job opportunities he can create for the artist. In his hands, Cardi B completely became a machine printing money through commercial performances.
"If you agree to sell your Phil Management Company to me, I can consider setting up a separate Artist Management Department for you." Leon twirled the signature pen in his hand, revealing a cunning smile.
Phil wilted instantly. Since latching onto Leon, this cash cow, he earned at least tens of thousands of dollars every month.
His eyeballs rolled in his sockets, as if thinking of something. "If you can agree to sign with Warner Music, I don't mind selling my old bones directly to you."
Leon's first reaction was: Why does Phil always want to sell me to Warner?
Is it just to get kickbacks from it?
"Listen, no matter which company I decide to sign with, that will be after August. My relationship with Jay-Z is sensitive now." Leon looked serious. "Maybe I'll just sign my own label."
"Don't, man... don't do stupid things!" Phil waved his hands repeatedly. "Although your company has achieved some results, it can only be considered a small enterprise in the industry. Just like Leonard said, Warner has more than a dozen labels of this scale under its umbrella... The resources of big companies and small companies are not on the same level at all. Think about it, if you sign with Warner, maybe you can get resources equal to Madonna and Linkin Park..."
"The three biggest shareholders of Spotify are Universal, Warner, and Sony... If you want to get massive exposure on streaming platforms, it's almost impossible without having some relationship with the three major record companies."
Phil's words sounded like PUA. Leon had neither a platinum record nor presentable awards.
He completely didn't think he could get resources matching superstars like Madonna.
"We'll talk about this later..."
Phil still didn't give up. "Don't wait any longer! The streets of New York are full of rumors unfavorable to you. Waiting longer might lead to trouble."
"Warner agreed to pay a termination fee for you, a figure that can satisfy Jay-Z. You can leave Roc Nation anytime!"
Leon looked troubled. Waiting until the contract expired in August, the chance of parting peacefully with Roc Nation was very slim.
Escaping from the hands of Jay-Z, the "Harlem Godfather," without paying any price was almost impossible.
After thinking again and again, he still decided to put this matter aside for now.
No matter how complicated the situation would be after the contract expired, now was definitely not the time to change camps.
"Marcus, have you heard of internet radio?"
Leon shifted the topic to the radio business. Since acquiring more than a dozen radio stations in New York, this sector had always been his worry.
"Internet? Of course I know. I never buy discs to watch movies now..." Marcus shrugged. "Fxxk, the internet is full of pirated copies, don't have to spend a cent."
"No, I mean are you interested in doing programs on the internet? For example, recording a podcast program?" Leon explained.
"You mean like Joe Rogan, bragging and chatting with guests in front of a microphone, answering everything in the world?"
"Exactly, just like that!" Leon snapped his fingers. "In fact, there is no difference in program format between internet radio and traditional radio, only the listening habits of the audience have changed..."
He had systematically investigated this matter.
Internet radio means listeners don't need specific equipment to listen to programs.
The advantage of podcast programs lies in pre-recording; listeners can listen anytime without waiting for a specific time.
iHeartMedia could rise to become a giant in the radio industry within just two years, besides relying on the support of backers behind the scenes, it also owed credit to seizing the internet dividend.
Phil interjected from the side: "Fxxk... there's nothing the internet can't do now. Since you want to get involved in the media industry so much, why didn't you buy a social media company back then? Like Twitter?"
Leon rolled his eyes at him: "Put down that damn wine glass... I think you're drunk."
Although Twitter hadn't gone public yet, its valuation had exceeded one billion dollars.
Probably no one in the entire entertainment circle had the financial power to swallow such a behemoth.
However, he did seriously consider investing in a social media company. After Steve Jobs promoted smartphones, Silicon Valley exploded with a second internet craze, with momentum approaching the wave in the early millennium.
Now, in Silicon Valley and Massachusetts, the number of various small programs released every day was dozens if not hundreds. Only a few could get angel investment, and the elimination rate was shockingly high.
No one could know which software would ultimately occupy a certain market share.
The idea of internet radio and podcast programs wasn't complicated. With The Joe Rogan Experience becoming popular all over the US, more and more podcast programs were eroding the business of traditional radio stations at an amazing speed.
Although Marcus was conservative, he also understood there was no essential difference between the two.
It was nothing more than changing the channel of exchanging greetings with listeners' ancestors from radio waves to the internet.
"Anyone else have anything to say?" Leon was a bit tired, putting his hands behind his head and rocking the swivel chair. "No one speaking? Then let's call it a day."
"Wait a minute boss..." Ariana, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke up.
"What do you want to say, Little A? It's okay, you can say anything."
"I..." Ariana's exquisite face suddenly turned red like a ripe persimmon. "I wrote two songs during this time. I want to ask everyone to take a look... can they be put into my first album?"
Leon stared at Ariana with extremely skeptical eyes.
This girl's first single's physical record was just about to be released, and she was already thinking about the album.
What kind of work could a seventeen-year-old girl write?
In order not to hurt Ariana's self-esteem, Leon still decided to let her hand over the lyrics and score.
The Way——
[I'm thinking, 'bout the way]
[I'm thinking, 'bout the way]
[I love the way you make me feel]
[I love it, I love it]
Leon looked at the lyrics with black lines all over his head. Just as he thought before, this was completely high school level lyric writing.
Nevertheless, he still comforted: "Your lyrics are written very well, with a kind of pure beauty... I will hand it to Max tomorrow to take a careful look."
"Thank you very much! If there's anything that needs improvement, please tell me in time, I will work hard..."
Just then, Phil suddenly leaned over hurriedly: "Let me see what this girl wrote?"
Taking the notebook and reading for more than ten seconds, he sneered mercilessly: "Showing this kind of thing written by a kid to Max is simply wasting his time."
As soon as the words fell, Ariana's expression instantly turned from sunny to cloudy, burying her head low, falling into deep self-doubt.
Phil seemed unaware of what he said, still chattering endlessly, "Creation is not something anyone can do. I advise you to save your energy, girl... As long as Leon appreciates you, will you lack works?"
"Shut up!"
Leon glared fiercely at Phil before the old geezer quieted down.
But no matter how he comforted Ariana afterwards, this girl remained silent.
Even after the meeting ended, she didn't speak to anyone and drove away lonely.
Rubbing a seventeen-year-old girl's self-esteem on the ground in front of a group of people, Leon couldn't help cursing Phil as a scumbag.
After returning to the apartment, Leon wanted to call Ariana to comfort her.
But after calling twice in a row, no one answered.
He suddenly had a bad premonition. In the past, no matter what time, this girl would never refuse his calls.
On the contrary, she would call Leon every night to share what she saw and heard today and her inspiration, progress made in dance or singing skills.
A seventeen-year-old girl is easily imprisoned by negative emotions like confusion and depression when her self-esteem suffers a blow.
"This fool shouldn't be so fragile..."
"Fxxk, she'll be fine in two days... hope it won't affect her performance state these few days."
Leon thought: If Ariana's performance state is bad, the promotion effect will be discounted.
This would lead to record sales being affected, which in turn would affect his own income.
Since the call didn't get through, Leon didn't bother to toss around anymore. Having been busy for so many days, he was physically and mentally exhausted.
Ring ring——
At eleven o'clock at night, his phone rang.
The caller was Ariana.
Leon rubbed his eyes, spat a "F-word" lightly, and answered the phone.
The sound coming from the other end instantly drove away all his drowsiness.
It was the most tragic crying he had ever heard, so much so that it evoked some vague memories in his heart.
In the East, the crying at a funeral shed was no more than this.
"Stop crying first, okay? Your work is really great..."
"Listen, everyone's musical taste is different. You will ruin your voice crying like this."
"Phil, that bastard, doesn't know how to appreciate. I swear this is a Grammy-level work, guaranteed by my character!"
After coaxing for five minutes, Ariana's crying finally eased a little, turning into bursts of even more torturous sobbing.
"Fxxk! I've had enough!"
"Listen Little A, if you still feel sad, call your brother, your parents, or your boyfriend..."
"Anyway, call whoever you want, I need to rest now!"
As soon as the words fell, the sobbing on the other end of the phone stopped instantly.
Realizing he was too extreme, Leon quickly changed his attitude, but no matter what he said, there was no response from the other end.
Beep beep beep——
Ariana hung up the phone.
Leon tried calling many times again, but no one answered.
His sleepiness was also exhausted. Lying in bed with vacant eyes, "Fxxk... who does this girl think I am? Her father?"
At this moment, a melody appeared in his mind.
Inspiration Refresh on the 11th.
In the MV image, a young couple stood back to back with heads lowered.
We don't talk anymore
We don't talk anymore
We don't talk anymore
Like we used to do
We don't love anymore
What was all of it for
We don't talk anymore
Like we used to do