Rhythm and Ray: A DJ’s Journey

[Chapter 48: Investigation]

"Have you not set off yet?" Ryan called the staff at Atlantic Records. Sitting across from him was Scooter, and Trey was on the other side. Compared to when he first came in, the man now held a cup of iced coffee.

"Then there's no need to come to Nashville for now. I have something to attend to these few days... an away game for the school's football match," Ryan explained.

After hanging up the phone, Ryan's expression became much more serious than before.

"Where were we?"

"Contract duration. Aside from me, there's no other record company boss in the world who would offer you such terms," Scooter said, raising his porcelain cup.

"What did you just say?"

"I need an opportunity, a chance to make a name for myself in the industry," Scooter said unhurriedly.

"Aren't you already quite reputable?"

"Only within Atlanta. You might not know, but the situation there is quite complicated. I can't fully utilize my potential there, so I must seek opportunities from the outside," Scooter continued.

Ryan understood; this turncoat wanted to do big things but lacked the chance.

"In fact, you're just a bonus. I've signed another kid, one with more talent than you, but he needs time to be trained, at least a year. For him, I've established a joint venture with Usher.

And you can fill my gap during this year. Rather than watching you join Atlantic Records, I might as well step in, and the contract duration is my most powerful weapon."

"What's your relationship with Puff Daddy?" Ryan continued to ask.

"I occasionally help him with parties, entertaining some white guests who aren't that close to him."

"And how did you meet Usher?"

"At DJ Drama's birthday party, that's where I first met him. Are we done, Officer Ryan?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I don't want to get involved with people from Atlanta," Ryan said.

"You know quite a bit. Don't worry, you'll be signing with Schoolboy Records, which is based in Los Angeles," Scooter said.

Considering that this move somewhat backstabs DJ Khaled, a friend of Puff Daddy's circle, it's unlikely he would bring Ryan into the Atlanta scene.

"I'm done with my questions."

"I'll give you three days to think it over, then I'll send a company representative to sign the contract with you," Scooter said, standing up to leave.

...

After he left, Ryan and Trey began to discuss.

"How much of what he said do you think was true?" Ryan asked.

"Half-truths, half-lies, but the contract terms are written in black and white; that can't be faked. But he looks very young, surely not yet thirty, and already able to establish a subsidiary of Republic Records? That's suspicious. Perhaps he's the descendant of some big shot," Trey speculated.

"I wish he really were," Ryan shook his head.

What Trey said was indeed suspicious. For comparison, Scott Borchetta was at least the former president of DreamWorks Records and had worked for years at MCA, MTM, and Universal Music Nashville. This "Scooter" was just a party promoter; how could he stand shoulder to shoulder with Scott Borchetta in just a few years?

Ryan went back to his study and searched online for information about Scooter, only finding his name mentioned in an article about Jermaine Dupri. Jermaine Dupri is another big name in Atlanta's music scene. When Dr. Dre first became famous, his teen hip-hop group Kris Kross topped the Billboard charts. However, he didn't win his first Grammy until 2006, as the songwriter and producer for Mariah Carey's We Belong Together, during which he launched several black hip-hop artists. Since 2002, he has been Janet Jackson's boyfriend.

Scooter originally worked at Jermaine Dupri's record company. Jermaine Dupri was ostensibly Scooter's mentor, but he couldn't compare to "LA Reid." His own record company, So So Def, was still navigating among the major music groups; how could he help Scooter establish a subsidiary of Republic Records?

There must be a bigger figure behind this.

But who this big figure was, Ryan couldn't find out. He chose to call Marvin, the agent working at WME, who might know things Ryan didn't.

...

"I haven't heard of this name, but I think you're right. A young white guy couldn't make it in Atlanta without strong backing. There's only one explanation: the management of the music groups is all white, and they need someone who can get along with these black folks to make management easier. Remember, in the hip-hop music scene, blacks are responsible for the front stage, and whites count the money behind the scenes."

"In other words, this big shot assigned Jermaine Dupri to bring him into the Atlanta circle, and Scooter is the 'envoy' appointed by the white upper echelons?"

"That's just a speculation; I can't guarantee it. So, are you sure you want to work with him?"

"Will this affect our cooperation?"

"I have no objections. After all, I'm just here to provide you with performance opportunities. As long as the other party doesn't mind, but I have to say this upfront: in the future, I will first consider DJs from Atlantic Records, and then you."

Speaking business, Marvin also had to consider his own interests, and Ryan couldn't say much about that.

...

After hanging up, Ryan called someone else, someone he had just taken off the blacklist.

"I want to talk to Scott."

"Are you joining Big Machine?" Taylor seemed to be having dinner at home; Ryan faintly heard her parents' voices.

"No..." Ryan told her about Scooter.

"Only a one-year contract? He must have a follow-up plan to force you to renew, and by then, you'll be at a big disadvantage," Taylor said without hesitation.

She was much more experienced than Ryan in signing with record companies.

"Like what?"

"For example, holding onto your dark secrets, threatening to release them and ruin your career if you don't comply. Or, digging pitfalls in the contract, the simplest being to block your performance rights, so you can never perform your works in public, even if you made them yourself. Or, controlling the master tape copyrights."

"Wouldn't these situations occur when signing with other record companies too?"

"That's why you must have a professional lawyer look over it. A friend of my dad's is coming to Nashville; he's on vacation. This uncle is very professional; he checked my contract. Also, you must hold onto your songwriting copyrights; that's crucial," Taylor reminded.

Ryan expressed his gratitude.

"So, don't go looking for shady women outside," Taylor whispered as a final reminder.

She was overly concerned about Ryan.

"Of course, I don't count," she added before Ryan could react, then hung up the phone.

*****

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