Dominating Hollywood: Starting with Scarlett

Chapter 18 You take the lead
  "The sales volume in the first week was only more than 3,000 copies, and the number of on-demand radio broadcasts was only 35. Look, let's face the reality."

Badman threw the statistics on the table with an angry look on his face.

Raymond, Davis and other staff sitting opposite him were obviously in a very low mood, with complicated expressions on their faces, some of them unable to accept such low sales.

With this kind of sales, let alone being on the bulletin board, even mentioning it would make people laugh.

Especially in terms of radio on-demand volume, Billboard canceled the single sales system at the end of 1998 and changed it to a new song that can enter the singles chart based on the number of on-demand songs alone without the need for additional releases.

However, the thirty-five on-demand songs were probably all played by the Ramone Brothers. In fact, except for the first two days, all radio stations will not accept the on-demand songs for this song.

Because as long as this song is played, their listening ratings plummet, making it a radio killer.

Lao Ai and his radio station were deeply affected by this, with more people complaining than ever before. Some people even sent bullet letters threatening to give them a good look if they played this kind of song again!
  What kind of life are you trying to make just this little money? So no matter how beautiful the album cover is, they are not willing to give Raymond a chance to sing new songs.

Now it is not an exaggeration to say that Face Music Company and Raymond personally have reached rock bottom.

When Tang De walked into the office, Raymond was as sluggish as an eggplant beaten by frost. He simply waved his hand, not even bothering to move his favorite fist fight.

"Badman, what's wrong with him?" Tang De asked in confusion.

Badman shrugged: "You know, Tang De, his single sales were dismal and his dream of becoming a singer was shattered."

After saying that, he took out a small bundle of U.S. dollars from the drawer and threw it to Tang De: "Fortunately, with your cover this time, the sales are not so ugly. At least the lowest sales volume this year is in the South District, which is only more than a thousand copies. "

Although he said this, there was no trace of happiness on Badman's face, because that album was made by an old black man with his own money in order to realize his dream.

Other than that, no other album was as miserable as Ramone's.

After hearing this, Tang De showed a puzzled expression: "Badman, listen to me, it's not that bad."

"Really!" Raymond jumped up from the sofa, as if he had finally found his soulmate.

"I just said it's a market problem. Those listeners don't understand my songs at all!"

He walked up to Tang De with a roar, reached out and held his hand: "Thanks, brother."

Tang De responded with a smile, and then saw Badman's stinky face: "Come on, Raymond! If you have time to call the audience rubbish, why don't you think about why you didn't listen to me in the first place and insisted on asking Faith to sing this Plant something unpopular!”

"The current sales are so low, what should I do if the album is released later? I said not to use this song for the first release! Now, everything is screwed up, and the radio stations are not willing to accept our songs! Do you want me to be like a salesman? Shamelessly go to various radio stations and beg them in a low voice?"

"Shit!" Badman became angrier as he spoke, and slammed the table: "Just don't release the album!"

"That won't work! Badman." Raymond couldn't bear it when he heard this. He put one hand on the table and kept gesticulating with the other hand: "Listen, I believe this album will work! As long as it is released, they will approved!"

"Do you believe it? Oh my god, are you Jesus? Then tell me, how do we sell it? How do we restore this reputation that has become shit!"

"I..." Raymond opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

Instead Tang De replied: "The song "Eight Hours Later"."

"What?" Badman looked at him, and Raymond also turned to stare at him.

"I said "Eight Hours Later". That song is fine. It is in line with the current market trend and may help Raymond regain his reputation." Tang De spoke at a leisurely pace and seemed very confident.

"Is this song really good?" Badman still values ​​Tang De very highly, because it is his album cover that supports the current sales.

"Yeah, definitely no problem."

And Raymond also echoed: "Look, Tang De said so."

"You say that every time! Come on!" Badman sent Raymond away, and when there were only two people in the office, he continued to ask Tang De: "Then do you think this song can convince the people at SBK Records?"

"What do you mean?" Tang De frowned.

Badman sighed: "I plan to find a new publisher. I am more familiar with SBK..."

After a moment of pause, he lit up a cigarette and puffed away: "But the people in SBK are not fools. If I come to the door now, they will probably throw the album directly into the trash can, so I plan to pick another song and shoot it." MV…”

"Leave it to me. I'll help you get the MV and those demanding record company executives, Badman."

"Are you so sure?"

"That's right!" Of course Tang De was sure. Wasn't the MV accompanying the previous album cover prepared just for this moment?

"Okay." Badman didn't ask him about the specific idea, and said directly: "You take the lead, Tang De. The MV of this song is entirely left to you to take the lead!"

"My only requirement is to impress SBK. As long as I succeed..." He took out a stack of large dollar bills from the drawer: "These are all yours!"

After signing the contract with Badman, the filming of the MV for "Eight Hours Later" began quickly.

The song "Starboy" not only won the Best Music Award at the MTV European Music Awards, but was also one of Billboard's Top 2016 Songs in .

In order to achieve an environment that was basically consistent with the original version, Badman specially rented a studio in the North District. When Raymond and the others came over for the first time, they were immediately shocked by the fiery atmosphere in the studio.

"Wow, this is Hollywood?" Davis, wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt, hugging a strange black girl, followed behind his brother.

Damai nodded excitedly: "Yeah, she looks really big. Look at that girl! She's amazing!" "I have to strike up a conversation." Xiaobei was an action person and went straight to ask for the girl's phone number. .

Only Tang De walked in front and gossiped with Raymond: "What's going on with your brother? Has he changed his girlfriend?"

"Come on, he was dumped." Raymond revealed his brother's situation without mercy.

Only then did Tang De know the reason why Arkadi broke up with him.

Some time ago, I don’t know who spread the photoshoot that Tang De took of her. Who would have thought that Arkadi was directly spotted by a talent scout who wanted to sign a contract with her to make a movie.

Of course, Davis refused to agree to the separation of the two, but there was no way to make Arkady listen to him. The two had a big fight, and finally Arkady directly broke up.

Tang De shrugged after hearing this. This is normal. Everyone has to plan for their own future.

With his brother, Davis can naturally live a slightly more willful life, but if Raymond's new song still fails to improve, then the two of them will eventually return to the bottom life.

Hanging out on the streets, working at K's, making some money every day and going to bars, then living in a state of intoxication and living in a muddle.

Well, Tang De suddenly thought that even if they became famous and made money, it seemed that many black celebrities lived their short lives in such a muddle.

Several people came to the reserved model apartment and looked at the configurations that were the same as those in luxury apartments. They wanted to sleep here at night.

After briefly looking at the scenery, Tang De sent a few people to buy second-hand furniture.

After all, in the MV Ramon had to smash a bunch of furniture with a cross, so he couldn't smash the things in someone else's model room and then lose a lot of money.

Second-hand ones are much cheaper in comparison.

Raymond left with Davis and Damai, while Tang De and Xiaobei stood at the door, waiting for the set team that Apollyon found for him.

While waiting, a chubby white man next to him suddenly walked out holding a sign with the words "Field Affairs" and "Daily Wage Settlement" written on it.

As soon as he put the sign down, he saw a few people walking over quickly and starting to introduce themselves to the white man.

There was also a strange and familiar figure passing by.

"Wait a moment..." He frowned and stared at the man, watching him standing on the periphery of the crowd, seeming to also want to find a job.

"Tom Brown?"

He carefully identified it and found that it was indeed the neighbor his mother mentioned. He recognized it because the short hair shaped like Gu Lie in Street Fighter was too unique.

While Tang De was still thinking, the white man who recruited people had completed the task assigned by the director.

"It's over! It's full!"

He left directly with a few workers, and those who were looking for opportunities also dispersed, except for Tom, who stood looking at the set, his hands in the pockets of his old-fashioned leather jacket, his brows furrowed.

After hesitating for a while, Tom turned around and wanted to leave, but he heard footsteps approaching him quickly, and his muscles suddenly tightened.

"Tom! Is that you?"

However, after hearing the sound, Tom was startled, and then relaxed again after seeing the person clearly.

"Tang De?"

"Hey! Long time no see!" Tang De reached out and patted his arm: "Carmela also said she saw you, but I didn't expect to meet you here."

Tom also smiled: "How are you doing recently?"

"It's okay, it went pretty well. I haven't thanked you for so long. If it hadn't been for you, Carmela would have been in trouble."

It was only when Tang De saw Tom that he remembered that when their family first moved here, Carmela was robbed by some white guys when she came home at night.

At that time, she was holding her father's compensation, which was the guarantee of the family's future life. Fortunately, Tom passed by and saved Carmela.

"Xiao Bei, cigarette." Tang De stretched out his hand, and Xiao Bei subconsciously handed over the cigarette in his arms. After handing it over, he realized that his habit was really mean, and he couldn't help but slap himself.

Tang De threw the cigarette to Tom, and Tom skillfully took out one, lit it and put it in his mouth. He inhaled slowly, and each puff penetrated his spleen and lungs: "I just happened to meet him."

"But I have always been very grateful to you in my heart." Tang De sighed: "So do you want to find a job now?"

"Yeah." Tom looked a little reserved and didn't like to talk much.

"Just in time, I took a job to shoot a music video. Are you interested in helping?" Tang De suddenly extended an olive branch.

Tom paused for a moment while holding a cigarette in his mouth, and then stretched out his hand to shake Tang De's hand.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

(End of this chapter)