Month: Early September 2002
Life had settled into a comfortable rhythm for Holmes. Family time, occasional movie meetings, and the afterglow of his world tour filled his days. Then Kanye called.
Kanye's Invitation:
Kanye was calling Holmes for months now begging for a song to be made together!
Realistic Conversation:
- Kanye burst over the phone "Holmes! HOLMES! I GOT A CRAZY IDEA!"
- Holmes responded in a tired tone "whats is it now Ye?"
- Kanye then proceeded to talk about how a song between the two would change the world! "we could be a god among us!" he proclaimed
- Holmes, although being a bit hesitant said "okay look, after i take care of a few things lets do this."
Kanye of course started to thank Holmes so many times, the call ended with Holmes exhausted.
Recording "Flop":
A few days later, Holmes found himself in Kanye's studio in New York. The track was...different. Raw, experimental, almost intentionally abrasive. Kanye called it "Flop" as a kind of reverse psychology.
- The Vibe: The studio was buzzing with Kanye's manic energy.
- The Lyrics: Holmes added his own twist, resulting in a unique blend of both.
- Production: The beats were experimental.
Release and Chart Topping:
"Flop" was released in mid-September. The music industry laughed. This was going to bomb! But...
- Billboard Hot 100 (Week of October 1, 2002):
1. "Flop" - Kanye West ft. Holmes
2. "U Got It Bad" - Usher
3. "Hot in Herre" - Nelly
Financial Tally:
2002 was turning out to be a banner year for Holmes.
- World Tour Earnings: $300 million (gross)
- "Happiness" Royalties: $50 million
- "Minority Report" Salary: $10 million
- Endorsements: $20 million
Total 2002 Earnings: $380 million (gross)
Career Net Worth: Estimated at $700 million (before taxes).
Holmes was a certified financial powerhouse.
A Serene Encounter:
One evening, Holmes and Kanye were grabbing dinner at a trendy restaurant in Chicago.
- The Atmosphere: Dim lighting, exposed brick walls, and the murmur of conversation filled the air.
That's when he saw her. Serene Gold.
- Description: 21 years old. Radiant. Her smile could light up a room.
She delivered drinks to their table.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes stopped her "excuse me, is your name Serene?"
- Serene seemed shocked "um yes! how do you know? Are you..." she paused, seeing Kanye next to Holmes
- Holmes extended his hand "pleasure to meet you Serene, I was wandering if I could maybe get your number."
- Serene was nervous but complied with his request.
Holmes had a feeling Serene was more than just a server, she was the real deal.
Contact Exchange:
Holmes smiled. "I'll call you," he said. Serene blushed, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and hurried away.
Kanye, who had been watching the scene with amusement, burst out laughing. "Holmes! You still got it!"
Holmes just smiled, staring in the direction Serene had disappeared. Maybe, just maybe, he was ready for lov
Month: Late September/Early October 2002
Life was moving at warp speed. Success, new relationships, and family milestones converged, making it a whirlwind for Holmes.
"Flop" on Billboard:
"Flop" continued to defy expectations, holding the top spot on the Billboard charts.
- Billboard Hot 100 (Week of October 15, 2002):
1. "Flop" - Kanye West ft. Holmes (3 weeks at #1)
2. "A Moment Like This" - Kelly Clarkson
3. "Hot in Herre" - Nelly
4. "Sk8er Boi" - Avril Lavigne
5. "Dilemma" - Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland
- Sales Figures: "Flop" had sold over 2 million copies in the US alone.
A New Arrival: Little Aria
The biggest news came when Teddy called.
Realistic Conversation:
- Teddy shouted excitedly over the phone, "Holmes! It's a girl! We had a baby girl!"
- Holmes, just waking up, was stunned "Are you serious!? I am an uncle!?"
- Teddy confirmed, "You are an uncle bro! She's healthy, Celeste is doing great! You gotta come see her! By the way her name is Aria."
Holmes, his exhaustion forgotten, rushed to the hospital.
- The Scene: Teddy and Celeste glowed with pride as they held their daughter.
- The Baby: A tiny bundle of joy, wrapped in a pink blanket.
- Her Name: Aria
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes gently cradled his niece, Aria. "She's perfect," he whispered. "Welcome to the world, Aria."
- His mom was even more thrilled to be a grandmother, she was practically jumping for joy! "Aria, my sweet Aria," she cooed, gazing at the baby with adoration. "You're going to bring so much joy to our lives."
Media Frenzy: Net Worth Revealed:
Then came the media circus. A financial magazine published an article estimating Holmes's net worth.
- Headline: "From the Streets to Riches: Holmes's Billion-Dollar Empire"
- Estimated Net Worth: $700 million (as of October 2002)
The internet exploded. Everyone was talking about Holmes's wealth.
Top Ten Richest Rappers in the World (2002):
The article also included a ranking of the top ten richest rappers.
1. Holmes - $700 million
2. Sean "Diddy" Combs - $320 million
3. Jay-Z - $300 million
4. Dr. Dre - $280 million
5. Master P - $200 million
6. Eminem - $150 million
7. LL Cool J - $120 million
8. Snoop Dogg - $110 million
9. Ice Cube - $100 million
10. Queen Latifah - $80 million
Holmes had surpassed every other rapper in the game, establishing himself as a financial titan.
Mixed Feelings:
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes said "Now I'm worried about Aria growing up spoiled. I want her to know the value of hard work."
- Teddy laughed "You have more security than the president, you'll be fine. And Celeste and I won't let her become a spoiled brat. Don't worry, Uncle Holmes."
- Holmes continued to talk about how crazy life had become. "One minute I'm struggling, the next I'm on top of the world. It's surreal."
As he looked at his niece, Aria, sleeping peacefully in her mother's arms, he knew that success was meaningless without family. He vowed to be the best uncle he could be, guiding Aria through life's challenges and celebrating her triumphs.