Chapter 233: After the Grammys

I was sleeping peacefully when I woke up and saw people gathered around my desk. Carly, Freddie, Cara, Ravi, Lauren, Cher, and Regina. Pippa was sitting next to me and Sam was still sleeping as usual.

"Hey guys, I was just sleeping, you don’t need to crowd me like it’s a funeral," I joked.

Pippa snorted.

"So, what are we talking about?" I asked as I adjusted myself in the chair.

"How Marshmello was blatantly robbed yesterday," Lauren commented.

"Best Dance Album - Joytime I, Best Pop Duo Performance - Symphony (Marshmello feat. Britney Spears), and Best Music Video - Toxic (Britney feat. Marshmello)," I listed. "Two for Marshmello and one for Britney."

The Grammys decided to boycott us as well. Perhaps their last major act. It only increased the outrage (not that they had a better option...).

"From what I read this morning, the Grammy broadcast (CBS) pulled 7 million viewers, while the Real Music Show got 31 million across NBC + Fox," Ravi noted.

Pepper stitched together a very rare deal: a broadcast shared simultaneously on two of the four biggest networks. Only Disney’s ABC stayed out, airing some cheap little movie (probably eating popcorn while watching the other three fights).

"And the trend is only getting more intense. Eminem’s phrase is everywhere (TV, newspaper, internet): ‘They didn’t respect the younger generation. How about now?’" Cher added, holding a newspaper in her hand.

"Yeah," I said absentmindedly.

That MF never misses a chance to stir more chaos.

I’m not too keen on being the face of a revolt. I prefer the backstage. Especially one that could soon spiral way out of control (hip hop has a radical wing that is tied to gangs...)

After we buy Universal, we can stitch a deal with Sony and push for an institutional boycott (that would represent around 60% of the market).

If you’re going to go to war, do it when you have a nuke and your opponent only has a slingshot.

"I really liked the new song Marshmello released with Britney and Shakira, Lean On," Lauren said, remembering yesterday’s performance.

"To rub even more salt in the Grammy’s wound," I murmured. "It’s about to explode globally any moment now."

"And today there’s more," I smirked.

"Huh?"

"Mi Gente – Marshmello ft. Shakira drops today. My fourth feature with him, and now I’m singing in Spanish," I told Lauren.

"Oh. My. God!" she exclaimed.

We chatted a little more until Lauren and Ravi left. My close circle stayed.

"What are you feeling, Jake?" Pippa asked me, now that those who remained knew about Marshmello.

"Ayo, a big fucking mess. But according to Pepper, Britney and I are being spared. Eminem is getting all the glory of the revolt, but also all the criticism. 

But well, he was already hated by conservatives, so nothing new there. And he attacked the Academy, not a record label or a big sponsor," I said.

"He’s a hypocrite," Cher exclaimed. "He says he’s against the system, but he never goes after those who could affect his paycheck."

I nodded, but said, "I’m too. He’s not dumb—he hits symbols, or people who have way more to lose if they retaliate."

There would be no French Revolution without the bourgeoisie. Just like there wouldn't be a boycott of this scale without NBC and Fox, plus big sponsors (Nike, MasterCard, Pepsi, AT&T, and so on).

And once the money shifts, the narrative shifts. The media doesn’t fight it — it flows with it. 

Yesterday it became clear where the money was, and they don’t seem to mind discarding a bunch of worthless old dinosaurs. 

I continued my explanation, "And the ‘How about now?’ hit Viacom (owner of CBS) and the Grammys more directly. The labels are in an ambiguous position, since all this controversy boosted CD sales, and some giant sponsors are riding this teen revolt wave."

We talked a little more until everyone went home

---

When I went back to my Malibu house, there was a men’s gathering going on.

"Hey, son, do you remember Herb?" Dad came to greet me and waved at one of the guys sitting on the couch.

"Yep, my ex-pediatrician," I nodded. "Hi Herb."

In another universe, he would have been my stepfather...

"Jake, good to see you again," Herb greeted me back

I greeted the other two as well. "Hi Mr. Burnett," and then I turned to the other, "Hi Robby."

"Heyy," Robby exclaimed a little indignant. "How come he gets to be Mr. Burnett and I’m just Robby?" He asked about the difference in treatment and respect.

"I didn’t do anything with your daughter, Robby," I said, receiving an immediate glare from Jerome Burnett.

"I’m joking, joking, Jerome," I laughed.

"Kid’s got balls, can’t deny that," Charlie chuckled and came over to greet me.

"Bet he wouldn’t have that much without that giant at the door," Robby said sarcastically, nodding toward Carter.

"Well, I have balls, but they’re not of steel. And I also have an ass, so I do feel fear," I explained, making everyone burst into laughter.

"How did Herb end up here?" I asked my dad curiously.

Jerome and Robby are our neighbors. Jerome comes over for drinks now and then with Dad and Uncle Charlie (since he’s a former NFL player, he has plenty of free time just like Charlie).

"Now that I’m studying to become a doctor, I reached out to him and we started hanging out," Dad explained 

"We also used to run into each other sometimes in the past at the same clothing store," Herb laughed.

I glanced at him. Yep, just like my old dad. Now at least he has gotten a little better

 I went to grab a juice for myself and joined the group. Everyone was drinking something and a few were smoking cigars.