Chapter 90: The Phenomenal Aftermath
Month: November 2002
The day after the wrestling match against The Rock, Holmes woke up to a world that had fundamentally changed.
Skyrocketing Fame:
- Global Recognition: His name was on everyone's lips, from talk shows to newspapers to social media.
- Celebrity Status: Holmes had transcended his previous fame and entered a new stratosphere of celebrity.
Benefits:
- Endorsement Deals: Brands were lining up to offer him lucrative endorsement deals.
- Sportswear: Nike, Adidas, Reebok.
- Beverages: Coca-Cola, Pepsi.
- Luxury Goods: Rolex, Gucci.
- Movie Offers: Hollywood studios were eager to cast him in leading roles.
- Action Films: Producers envisioned him as the next big action star.
- Comedies: Directors saw his potential for comedic timing.
- Record Sales: His music sales soared, with "Flop" continuing to dominate the charts and his older albums experiencing a resurgence.
- Increased Popularity for His Signees
*The win greatly benefited his signees specially Juice and Kanye who both came to prominence as stars because of Holmes
"Phenomenal": The Song:
Inspired by his recent experiences, Holmes felt compelled to express himself through music.
- Concept: A raw and honest reflection on his rise to fame, the brutality of the wrestling match, and the doubters he had silenced.
- Title: "Phenomenal"
- Genre: A blend of hard-hitting hip-hop and introspective storytelling.
Writing Process:
Holmes retreated to his home studio, surrounded by his closest collaborators.
- Juice: Provided lyrical inspiration and feedback.
- Teddy:Helped with the production and arrangement.
- Kanye: Offered creative input and stylistic guidance.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes: "I want this song to be real, you know? No holding back."
- Juice: "Spit your truth, Holmes. Let them hear what you've been through."
- Teddy: "We'll make the beat bang, but keep it raw and authentic."
- Kanye "Yo the sound should give the feeling of what it is to be king"
Lyrics:
The lyrics of "Phenomenal" were a mix of bravado, vulnerability, and defiance.
- Verse 1: Described his early struggles and the obstacles he had overcome to achieve success.
Example:
"Started from the bottom, now I'm here / They tried to hold me down, but I persevere / Sweat and tears, blood and pain / Now I'm standing tall, ain't nothing the same"
- Verse 2: Recounted the intensity and brutality of the wrestling match.
Example:
"Steel chairs, broken bones, I felt the pain / But I kept fighting, I wouldn't be tamed / The Rock came at me with all he had / But I stood strong, I wouldn't be mad"
- Verse 3: Addressed his doubters and critics, shutting down their negativity with confidence and swagger.
Example:
"They said I couldn't do it, they said I wouldn't last / But I proved them wrong, I'm moving too fast / Now they see me shining, they see me on top / They can hate all they want, but I won't stop"
- Diss Track Touch: Included subtle jabs at unnamed rivals and detractors.
Example:
"Some rappers talk tough, but they ain't got the skills / They hide behind their crews, they pay their own bills / I'm out here grinding, I'm doing my thing / While they sitting back, trying to steal my bling"
The Recording:
Holmes poured his heart and soul into the recording, delivering the lyrics with passion and conviction.
- Emotion: His voice conveyed a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to pride and triumph.
- Delivery: He experimented with different flows and cadences, pushing his vocal skills to new heights.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes (during recording): "I want people to feel this, man. I want them to know what it's like to be in my shoes."
The Beat:
Teddy crafted a hard-hitting beat that complemented Holmes's lyrics perfectly.
- Elements: Heavy drums, a driving bassline, and a haunting melody.
- Production: Layered sounds and intricate arrangements that created a dynamic and immersive listening experience.