Chapter 116: Retaliation - Lines Drawn in Blood
Date: Early April 2003
Holmes was enjoying the success of "Phenomenal" and preparing for his upcoming wedding when a new storm began brewing in the hip-hop world.
- A Growing Beef: The tension between Eminem and Ja Rule, which had been simmering for years, was about to explode.
Hearing "Loose Change":
Holmes received a copy of Ja Rule's latest diss track, "Loose Change," and was disturbed by its contents.
- Targeting Hailey: The track not only targeted Eminem but also made disparaging remarks about his young daughter, Hailey.
*Realistic lyrics
"You claim your mother's a crackhead and Kim is a known slut,
What your daughter gonna think when she hears your verses"
- Holmes's Affection for Hailey: Holmes, who had developed a warm relationship with Hailey, found the lyrics particularly offensive.
Realistic Scene: Holmes remembers the happy times spent with Hailer, playing games and spoiling her with presents. He was filled with rage and felt protective of Hailey.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes (to himself): "That's crossing the line. You don't bring kids into this."
A History of Beef:
The beef between Eminem and ja rule started on 1999 when Eminem got into an altercation with Ja rule associates over a chain robbery.
- **Eminem, Holmes's friend: **Eminem and Holmes have a good relationship due to the song they collaborated on.
Calling Eminem:
Holmes immediately reached out to Eminem.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes: "Em, what's up with this Ja Rule shit? Did you hear that 'Loose Change' track?"
- Eminem: "Yeah, man, I heard it. That motherfucker's out of his mind. Talking about Hail- Eminem: "Yeah, man, I heard it. That motherfucker's out of his mind. Talking about Hailie like that? He's gonna regret it."
- Holmes: "I'm with you, Em. That's fucked up. What are you gonna do?"
- Eminem: "I'm already working on a response. It's called 'Hailie's Revenge.' I'm coming for his head."
- Holmes: "I remember that track!"
Remembering the Diss Track:
Holmes suddenly remembered "Hailie's Revenge" from his past life as John Jones.
- Lost Memories: Since his rebirth, Holmes had struggled to recall certain events from his previous life, but some memories were beginning to resurface.
Realistic Conversation:
- Holmes: "Em, let me get on that track with you. I want a piece of this."
- Eminem: "You serious, Holmes? I appreciate the support, but this is personal. This is about my daughter."
- Holmes: "I know, but he crossed a line with Hailey, and I want to make him pay. Besides, a diss track with both of us? It'll be legendary."
Meeting with Eminem and 50 Cent:
Holmes arranged a meeting with Eminem and 50 Cent to discuss the situation further.
Realistic Scene:
- Holmes, Eminem, and 50 Cent gathered at a recording studio, their faces grim and determined.
*Holmes remembers the song crazy minds
Realistic Conversation:
- Eminem: "Holmes wants to be on 'Hailie's Revenge.' What do you think, 50?"
- 50 Cent: "Holmes spitting on a track like that? That's gonna be a problem for Ja. I'm in."
- Eminem: "Alright, Holmes, you're in. But you gotta go hard. No holding back."
Meeting Busta Rhymes:
During the meeting, Holmes was introduced to Busta Rhymes, whom he had never met before.
Realistic Scene:
- Busta RhRealistic Scene:
- Busta Rhymes entered the studio, his energy filling the room.
Realistic Conversation:
- Busta Rhymes: "Yo, Holmes! I've been wanting to meet you, man. You're a force of nature."
- Holmes: "Appreciate that, Busta. I'm a fan of your work."
- Busta Rhymes: "This whole Ja Rule situation is bullshit. I'm here to lend my support."
Recording "Hailie's Revenge":
The artists went into the recording booth and laid down their verses, each delivering a brutal and scathing attack on Ja Rule.
Realistic Scene:
- The studio was filled with tension as Holmes, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Busta Rhymes unleashed their fury on the microphone.
Sample Lyrics:
- Eminem: (Brutal lyrics directed at Ja Rule and his family)
- Holmes: (Lyrics focused on Ja Rule's disrespect for Hailey and his lack of talent)
- 50 Cent: (Lyrics ridiculing Ja Rule's career and street credibility)
- Busta Rhymes: (Lyrics adding further insult to Ja Rule's character and skills)
Release and Immediate Impact:
"Hailie's Revenge" was released on April 15th.
- Instant Backlash: The track sent shockwaves through the music industry and ignited a firestorm of controversy.
- Fan Reaction: Fans praised the artists for their raw and unapologetic lyrics, hailing the track as a brutal and definitive diss.
Billboard Domination:
Within three days, "Hailie's Revenge" had skyrocketed to the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Billboard Ranking (April 18th, 2003):
1. "Hailie's Revenge" - Eminem ft. Holmes, 50 Cent, and Busta Rhymes
2. "Phenomenal" - Holmes
3. "In Da Club" - 50 Cent
4. "Lose Yourself" - Eminem
Date: April 23rd, 2003
In the week following the release of "Hailie's Revenge," the music industry and the public were still reeling from the shock and intensity of the diss track.
- Unprecedented Backlash: Ja Rule found himself facing a level of backlash and condemnation that he had never experienced before.
Career Devastation:
"Hailie's Revenge" had a catastrophic impact on Ja Rule's career, effectively derailing his momentum and reputation.
- Record Sales Plunge: His album sales plummeted, and radio stations began to remove his songs from their playlists.
- Concert Cancellations: Concert promoters canceled his scheduled performances, fearing low attendance and potential violence.
- Endorsements Lost: Corporate sponsors dropped their endorsement deals, distancing themselves from the controversy.
- Public Image Tarnished: Ja Rule's public image was severely tarnished, with many viewing him as a villain for targeting Eminem's daughter.
The Ghosts of "Bloody Christmas":
Holmes couldn't help but recall his earlier feud with Ja Rule, when his diss track, "Almost Bloody Christmas," had nearly ended Ja's career at the beginning of the year.
- Greater Impact: However, the impact of "Hailie's Revenge" was far greater, amplified by the combined forces of Eminem, 50 Cent, and Busta Rhymes.
Realistic Scene:
- Ja Rule's record label was in crisis mode, scrambling to salvage his career and mitigate the damage.
Realistic Conversation (at Ja Rule's Record Label):
- Record Executive: "This is a disaster! We're losing everything! We need to do something, anything!"
- Publicist: "We're trying to control the damage, but it's no use. The public has - Publicist: "We're trying to control the damage, but it's no use. The public has turned against him."
- Manager: "We've lost all our sponsors, and the concerts are getting canceled left and right."
Ja Rule's Regret:
As his career crumbled around him, Ja Rule began to regret his decision to release "Loose Change" and involve Eminem's daughter in their feud.
- Realization: He realized that he had made a grave error in judgment and underestimated the consequences of his actions.
Realistic Scene:
- Ja Rule was seen in public looking despondent and defeated, his usual swagger replaced with a sense of shame and remorse.
Realistic Conversation (Ja Rule to Himself):
- Ja Rule: "What have I done? I should have never brought Hailie into this. I've ruined everything."
Holmes's Perspective:
Holmes watched the fallout with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that he and his collaborators had delivered a just and decisive blow.
- No Regrets: He felt that Ja Rule had deserved the consequences of his actions and that he had sent a clear message to the industry that targeting children was unacceptable.
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