Chapter 111: Phenomenal - A Victory Lap
Date: February 25th, 2003, Tuesday
Riding high from his performance at the Grammy Awards, Holmes decided it was time to unleash another surprise on the music world.
- Unleashing the Vault: He had a song tucked away that he felt was perfect for the moment.
Releasing "Phenomenal":
Holmes decided to release "Phenomenal," the track he had written years ago after his wrestling match with The Rock.
- No Promo: He chose to release it with minimal promotion, relying on word-of-mouth and the sheer power of the music to propel it to the top.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes: "I'm gonna drop 'Phenomenal' on Tuesday. No promo, no fanfare. Just let the music speak for itself."
The Release:
The song was released digitally and to radio stations on Tuesday morning.
- Immediate Impact: Within hours, "Phenomenal" began to generate buzz online and on the airwaves.
The Lyrics:
The lyrics of "Phenomenal," as Holmes had written them years ago, were a testament to his resilience and his ability to overcome any obstacle. (Note: Since we haven't specified the lyrics before, I will include some representative lines - feel free to provide more specific lyrics if you have them in mind.)
- Sample Lyrics:
- "I'm a phoenix rising from the ashes, burning brighter than before"
- "They tried to bury me, but they didn't know I was a seed"
- "I'm phenomenal, unbreakable, unstoppable, I'm taking what's mine"
Rise to the Top:
Within days, "Phenomenal" was climbing the charts at an unprecedented rate.
- Fan Support: Fans - Fan Support: Fans embraced the song, drawn to its message of empowerment and its infectious beat.
- Radio Play: Radio stations couldn't resist the song's appeal, adding it to their playlists and giving it heavy rotation.
Realistic Conversation:
- Radio DJ: "This is the hottest track out right now! Holmes is back with another banger!"
- Fan (on the phone): "Yo, that 'Phenomenal' track is fire! I can't stop playing it!"
Billboard Domination:
Within a week, "Phenomenal" had reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Chart Topper: It was Holmes's latest chart-topping success, solidifying his position as one of the biggest stars in music.
Billboard Ranking (March 3rd, 2003):
1. "Phenomenal" - Holmes
2. "Lose Yourself" - Eminem
3. "In Da Club" - 50 Cent
4. "Beautiful" - Christina Aguilera
5. "All I Have" - Jennifer Lopez ft. LL Cool J
Holmes Talking to Serene about Phenomanal:
Holmes: Baby I can't believe this song hit number 1 on billboard
Serene: I knew it baby it was a matter of time the energy and rhythm of the song is immaculate you just know I was gonna succeed.
Date: Early March 2003
With "Phenomenal" dominating the charts, Holmes found himself back in high demand, fielding offers and requests from artists eager to work with him.
- A Familiar Face: Among those reaching out was Kanye West, with whom Holmes had collaborated on "Flop" earlier in his career.
The Meeting:
Holmes and Kanye ran into each other at a celebrity basketball game in Los Angeles.
Realistic Scene:
- The two artists spotted each other across the court during a break in the game, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers and flashing cameras.
Realistic Conversation:
- Kanye: "Holmes! What up, man? Congrats on the success with 'Phenomenal.' That track is fire!"
- Holmes: "Appreciate that, 'Ye. Good to see you too. How's everything going?"
- Kanye: "Man, I'm grindin', you know? Working on my album, trying to get my voice heard."
Kanye's Request:
Kanye seized the opportunity to pitch Holmes on another collaboration.
Realistic Conversation:
- Kanye: "Look, I know our last collab didn't exactly set the world on fire. But I've grown a lot since then. I think we could make something special together now."
- Holmes: "I hear you, 'Ye. I'm always open to new ideas."
- Kanye: "I got this beat, man, it's tailor-made for both of us. It's got that soulful vibe that you do so well, but with a twist that's all me."
- Holmes: "Send it over. I'll give it a listen."
Holmes's Hesitation:
Holmes was hesitant to commit to another collaboration with Kanye right away.
- Timing: He felt that "Phenomenal" still had a lot of potential - Timing: He felt that "Phenomenal" still had a lot of potential and didn't want to dilute its impact by jumping into another project too soon.
- Risk Assessment: He also remembered the disappointing reception of "Flop" and wanted to be sure that a new collaboration would be a better fit.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes: "I'm down to listen to the beat, but I'm focused on riding this 'Phenomenal' wave for now. Let's see how things go."
- Kanye: "I get it, man. Just keep it in mind. I know we can make something that will blow people's minds."
- Holmes: "We'll see, 'Ye. We'll see."
The Offer:
Kayne makes Holmes aware that he will not be working with Jay-Z.
Realistic Conversation:
- Kayne: "Hey Holms you know i'm not working with Jay-Z right ?"
- Holmes: "Oh word?, tell me about it"
- Kayne: "Man that dude thinks he's to good, he doesn't see my vision like you do, I think you could turn me into the next big artist"
- Holmes: "I will definitely take that into consideration."
Okay, let's add the Billboard ranking list to Chapter 113.
Chapter 113: Feels Like Home - The Misfit Emerges (Continued)
Billboard Climb (Continued):
The song began to climb the Billboard charts steadily, driven by strong streaming numbers and positive reviews from critics.
- Word of Mouth: Word of mouth played a crucial role in its success, as fans shared the song on social media and praised its authenticity.
Top 10 Achievement:
"Feels Like Home" eventually cracked the Top 10, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Chart Success: This marked a major milestone for Misfit and solidified his position as a rising star in hip-hop.
Billboard Ranking (April 7th, 2003):
1. "Phenomenal" - Holmes
2. "In Da Club" - 50 Cent
3. "Lose Yourself" - Eminem
4. "Beautiful" - Christina Aguilera
5. "All I Have" - Jennifer Lopez ft. LL Cool J
6. "Get Busy" - Sean Paul
7. "21 Questions" - 50 Cent ft. Nate Dogg
8. "Feels Like Home" - Misfit ft. Juice
9. "Picture" - Kid Rock ft. Sheryl Crow
10. "Miss You" - Aaliyah
Holmes Talking to Misfit
- Holmes: Yo Misfit I'm so proud of you, reaching number 8 for your first song is crazyy
- Misfit: If it wasn't for you and Juice bro I wouldn't be here.
Chapter 114: Family First - Teddy's Day
Date: April 10th, 2003, Thursday
Amidst the whirlwind of success and public attention, Holmes made sure to prioritize his family, especially on special occasions.
- A Time for Family: He believed in cherishing moments with his loved ones and keeping them close.
Teddy's Birthday:
It was Teddy's birthday, and Holmes wanted to celebrate it in a simple and meaningful way.
- Low-Key Celebration: He organized a small gathering at his mansion, inviting only close family members and Teddy's wife, Celeste, and their few-month-old daughter, Aria.
The Gathering:
The atmosphere was warm and intimate as family members arrived, bearing gifts and well wishes for Teddy.
Realistic Scene:
- Holmes's mansion was decorated with balloons and streamers, but the overall vibe was relaxed and casual.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes (hugging Teddy): "Happy birthday, bro! Another year older, but still looking good."
- Teddy: "Thanks, man! Appreciate it. Just happy to be here with my family."
Family Moments:
The celebration revolved around spending quality time together, sharing stories, and enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal.
- Aria's Presence: Baby Aria was the center of attention, cooing and gurgling as family members took turns holding her.
Realistic Conversation:
- Celeste: "Look at Aria, she loves her uncle Holmes! You're gonna be such a great uncle."
- Holmes (cradling Aria): "She's a little angel. Makes me think about having kids of my own someday."
Heartfelt Conversations:
Holmes and Teddy found a quiet moment to reflect on their lives and their bond as brothers.
Realistic Conversation:
- Teddy: "I'm proud of everything you've accomplished, Holmes
Realistic Conversation:
- Teddy: "I'm proud of everything you've accomplished, Holmes. You've come so far."
- Holmes: "Couldn't have done it without you, Teddy. You've always been my rock."
- Teddy: "We'll always be there for each other, no matter what."
Gift Giving:
Holmes presented Teddy with a thoughtful gift – a vintage Rolex watch.
- Symbolic Gesture: The watch symbolized the timeless bond between the brothers.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes: "I know you've always admired this watch, Teddy. Thought you deserved it."
- Teddy: "Wow, Holmes, this is amazing! Thanks, man. I'll cherish it forever."