Page 76 of Intentional Foul
I blushed as he finished his words.
“But first I need to give you something?”
Malcolm released me and walked over to the desk we had fun on earlier. He pulled open the drawer and retrieved a black box. I covered my mouth with both hands. Malcolm went down on one knee, popping open the lid to an oval-shaped platinum diamond ring. It’s the ten-carat one I showed him at his mother’s wedding.
“Jhae, I know we’re already married, but it’s important to me to still ask. I’ve returned your masters to you. Tyrus has thepaperwork. I want you to have the wedding of your dreams. Will you marry me again, but the proper way?” Malcolm asked.
I shook my head yes because I couldn’t find the air in my lungs to say it. Tears ran down both cheeks as he put the ring on my finger. It fit to perfection, and I didn’t want to know why. He had access to my condo. I’m sure he took a ring for reference.
“I love you,” I said first this time.
Malcolm stood, pulling me into his arms. “I’ve always loved you, Mrs. Malcolm Shaw-Jefferies.”
Chapter Thirteen
Broken Strings
One Month Later
Jhae
It’s always cold when Icey comes outside.
Tyrus and I both bobbed our heads to the new record he intended to drop this weekend. I took a leap of faith with Malcolm’s coaching and money to sign my first artist. Jhae D Records paperwork was legal and technically operational, but we still had a few kinks to work out. I reached out to Icey on social media, and he invited us down.
Mello Givens, better known as Icey, sat across from me. His best friend Charles’ face remained stoic as he sat next to Mello. He called him a businessman, but I knew a drug dealer when I saw one. Both were iced out in platinum necklaces with oversized charms.
“Icey, I’m not going to sugar coat anything. Jhae D Records is a new label, and I want to sign you to a deal,” I said.
He twisted his seat over to Charles and then back to me.
“Why would I sign with a label when I’m making money? Y’all new to the game at that,” he said.
Tyrus peered over at me and I smiled. This played out exactly how he said it would.
“We are a new label but my connections to mainstream media, overseas markets, and to the industry in general are well established. Mr. Givens, I’ve been in the music industry for a few years and the real money comes with diversifying your assets. Use your music as a tool to get you into the important rooms. I’ve made more money from brand deals, performances for princes, and movies than streaming. You made what .03 today on the streaming platforms,” I said.
My mentor and manager sat back in his seat without saying a word. He allowed me to take the lead selling the benefits from the artist’s perspective.
“Is that right?” Mello asked.
“Yes, Jhae D is a new record label, but we are afairrecord label. I’m not trying to hustle you; I think your music is dope. I personally want a feature for my new album, and I want the world to hear you.”
Mello peered over to Tyrus, and he backed my statement with a head nod. I sat back in the black leather seat and pulled from Anissa. I’ve watched her negotiate on several occasions. She was straight up with people about their current trajectory and showed the vision of what they could have.
“A fair record label doesn’t exist. Jhae, you fine as fuck and I thought you were trying to get at me,” he said as he pushed his chair back to stand.
“Let’s be real, Mello. You know how the music industry goes. If you don’t learn how to grow and pivot in this industry, you’ll be just another Houston rapper. What is your brand outside of jewelry and women? How are you going to grow your pockets?How will you elevate yourself to the overseas markets and go international? I mean. . . can you stay a local hero?”
Charles and Mello both glared at me, but I remained steady in my resolve. Both men retook their seats and Tyrus smiled.
“What’s your offer?” Charles said for Mello.
“A fifty-fifty deal on your masters with a reversion clause after fifteen years. Jhae D Records will have exclusive distribution rights for ten years post release. Publishing will be sixty forty in favor of the artist and a sixty-five thirty-five split in your favor for the media deals. If you sign today, you will walk away with $300,000 in advance money,” Tyrus said.
It didn’t take long for Icey to sign with Jhae D Records.
“Jhae, we need to hire someone to work on the backend of things. I’m going to have to outsource the social media page for Jhae D Records, but we need to hire someone.” Tyrus said.
