Chapter 47: October 3rd, 2001 - Juice: A New Flame Ignites
While "Top Bully" was still ruling the charts and Holmes was basking in the glow of Minority Report wrapping up, a new project was quietly taking shape, one that could potentially reshape Holmes's career in a different way. He was about to sign his first artist to his label, a fiery 19-year-old black female rapper named Juice.
Teddy's Discovery:
It all started with Teddy. Always with his ear to the ground, Teddy was constantly scouting local talent, hoping to find the next big thing. He'd been hitting open mics and underground shows, keeping an eye out for anyone with that undeniable spark.
"Holmes, you gotta hear this girl, man," Teddy said one afternoon, bursting into Holmes's home studio. "She's raw, she's got bars for days, and she's got that 'don't give a fuck' attitude that you love."
Holmes, skeptical but intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What's her name?"
"Juice," Teddy replied. "She's been tearing up the local scene. I saw her perform last night, and the crowd went wild. She's got that 'it' factor, man. I'm telling you."
Teddy proceeded to play a rough demo of Juice's music for Holmes. The track was raw and gritty, with a hard-hitting beat and lyrics that were both provocative and insightful. Juice's voice was powerful and distinctive, and her flow was effortless.
Holmes listened intently, his initial skepticism slowly fading away. "She's got potential," he admitted. "But she needs some work."
"That's where you come in, Holmes," Teddy said, grinning. "You can mold her, shape her, turn her into a star."
The Meeting:
A few days later, Teddy brought Juice to meet Holmes at his studio. Juice was dressed in baggy jeans, a hoodie, and a pair of Timberland boots. Her hair was styled in cornrows, and she wore a pair of oversized hoop earrings. She had a tough exterior, but Holmes could see a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
"Juice, this is my brother, Holmes," Teddy said, introducing them.
Juice nodded curtly, her gaze fixed on Holmes. "What's up?" she said, her voice low and husky.
Holmes sized her up, his expression unreadable. "So, Teddy tells me you can rap," he said.
"I can do more than rap," Juice replied, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I can spit fire."
"Prove it," Holmes challenged.
Juice didn't hesitate. She launched into an impromptu freestyle, spitting rhymes that were both clever and cutting. Her flow was impeccable, and her wordplay was sharp and witty.
Holmes listened intently, his initial skepticism replaced with admiration. Juice had the raw talent, the passion, and the hunger to succeed.
The Contract:
After the impromptu performance, Holmes sat down with Juice and Teddy to discuss the possibility of signing her to his label.
"I like what I see, Juice," Holmes said. "You've got potential. But it's gonna take a lot of hard work to make it in this industry."
"I'm not afraid of hard work," Juice replied. "I'm ready to do whatever it takes."
"Good," Holmes said. "Here's the deal. I'm willing to sign you to my label, but it's gonna be on my terms."
Holmes proceeded to outline the terms of the contract, which were as follows:
- Record Deal: Juice would sign a record deal with Holmes's label for a term of three albums.
- Royalty Split: The royalty split would be 50/50, with Holmes's label retaining 50% of the profits and Juice receiving the other 50%.
- Creative Control: Holmes would have final say on all creative decisions, including music production, album artwork, and music videos.
- Marketing and Promotion: Holmes's label would be responsible for all marketing and promotion efforts, including radio airplay, music video distribution, and publicity.
- Touring: Juice would be required to tour in support of her albums, with Holmes's label coordinating and managing all tour logistics.
Juice listened intently, her expression thoughtful. The terms were fair, but they were also demanding. She knew that signing the contract would mean giving up a certain amount of control over her career, but she also knew that Holmes had the experience and the resources to help her achieve her dreams.
After considering the offer carefully, Juice made her decision.
"I'm in," she said, extending her hand to Holmes. "Let's do this."
Holmes shook her hand, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Welcome to the team, Juice," he said. "Let's make some history."
With the contract signed, Juice officially became the first artist on Holmes's label. The journey had just begun, and the road ahead would be long and challenging, but with Holmes's guidance and Juice's raw talent, anything was possible.