Page 42 of Love U Down II

“A’ight.”

I hung up and stepped onto the elevator.

I helped Genie get her son settled in the studio next door and introduced her to my mom when she arrived. Then I gave them the room so they could talk for a little while I got Shade back in the booth.

I made sure he felt cool with his verse then let him out.

“Alan, you’re producing me,” I announced.

“I got you.”

He slid his chair closer to the soundboard and I dapped Dashawn as we brushed past each other for me to head in the booth and him to head out.

By the time I felt good about my verse and came out of the booth, Genie and Allison were both in the studio.

“Genie, you ready to work?” I asked.

“Yeah. I’m ready.”

“Alright. This is my producer, Alan. He’ll play the verses already recorded then loop the instrumental so you can write.”

“Okay.”

“And uh, that’s my baby brother and singer Rome, and my best friend and rapper Dashawn.”

“Nice to meet you.” She shook each of their hands.

“Cool. You can sit here.” I plucked up my ashtray and pulled out the chair I’d vacated at the soundboard.

She walked over and sat down. Alan immediately started talking to her about the beat.

He didn’t have the voice for rapping, but he wasn’t half bad at this producing shit. He knew what sounded good. He just didn’t have any skills with a pen.

I collapsed on the large couch toward the back of the room and waved Allison over.

“Let’s talk.”

She took a deep breath then walked over and perched herself on the couch beside me.

“Alright.” She rubbed her hands on her skirt.

“Why you look so damn nervous?” I chuckled. “I offered you the job already. This ain’t a real interview. Lighten up. We’re negotiating.”

“So the original offer isn’t on the table anymore?”

“I’ll match what they’re paying you and I’ll guarantee you a twenty-five percent increase in salary in five years if you make it that far.”

“But?”

“Do you just specialize in girl groups?”

“No,” she scoffed. “Of course not. I just discovered Radiant Reverie, so I felt like I needed to make sure they had everything they needed to make it.”

“I want you to start our A&R team.”

“You serious?”

“Yeah. I mean, I’ve got my rappers on lock. I can take care of me, Dashawn, Shade, and Genie for the most part. Rome is going to take care of R&B, which is just him right now any fucking way. I want you to handle everything else.”