Amias stared at his selections, the holographic interface's soft blue glow illuminating his face in the dim room.
Artistic {☒}
Soul {☒}
The interface pulsed once, acknowledging his choices. A moment later, his peripheral vision filled with notification panels:
CONGRATULATIONS
+30 CREATIVITY awarded
Amias blinked, waiting for some dramatic transformation, some rush of insight or power. Nothing happened. No immediate change, no sudden shift in perception. Just the quiet hum of his laptop and the distant sounds of morning traffic filtering through the window.
"System," he murmured, "show me my passive traits."
The interface shimmered, revealing two new panels:
{Artistic: Your mind now exists in a perpetual state of creative possibility. You instinctively see beyond conventional boundaries, perceiving connections others miss. Repetition will feel increasingly uncomfortable as your brain craves novelty and evolution. You'll naturally resist categorisation, finding freedom in ambiguity and experimentation.}
{Soul (Neo Soulful): Your perception has expanded beyond individual achievement to collective responsibility. You are now more attuned to cultural rhythms and historical patterns that others overlook. Your identity will become more fluid, sometimes feeling like a vessel for voices beyond your own. Your presence carries weight beyond words, as people sense the depth of tradition and wisdom you embody.}
Amias leaned back, processing the information. "So, I'm going to see things differently now?"
"Correct," the System responded. "The integration is gradual but profound. Within hours, you'll begin noticing significant shifts in perception and creative processes."
He nodded slowly, contemplating the choice he'd made. "I could have theoretically had three essences, right? Instead of selecting Artistic, I could have chosen Heart or Wave and let Artistic develop over time naturally."
"Correct," the System confirmed. "However, your strategy maximised immediate statistical advantages."
Amias glanced at his stats panel, where his Creativity had jumped from 62 to 92 out of 100.
"Can it go over 100? Like Music stats can?"
"No. Attribute caps are fixed at 100 for base traits. Only performance-specific stats can exceed natural limitations."
Amias whistled low. "Do you know how insane being extremely creative is? It's like..." He searched for the right analogy. "It's like having a never-ending wellspring of ideas. Stuck on a verse in the studio? Boom—idea comes to mind instantly. Need a melody? Here's seventeen of them."
But creativity didn't necessarily mean you have good ideas per say. Sure, he could think of lyrics constantly now, but it would only be because his Lyrical Composition stat was so high that they'd even turn out good. Now, mixed with Music Theory at 81…
He was overpowered. Did you know how easy it would be to come up with a hundred beat ideas in a day. And considering the fact that he had to make a top 3 charting project in six months.
Wait—
Top 3?
What the hell did he just sign up for? Did you know how difficult it was for a UK artist to even break into the USA music market?
If he had to make an album capable of charting that high, it wouldn't be about making music at that point. He had to craft an entire world that would be represented within a select list of songs, raise funds for recording, features, tours, marketing... all while not getting trapped in a label deal that took 100% of his songwriting money.
He sat back down, rubbing his hands together. "I may not be the best at everything, but I'm now a damn idea generator. Whether they're good or not... well, that's for me and others to decide."
He turned his attention back to the interface. Let's see these song structures you mentioned.
The System's interface transformed, displaying a rotating wheel similar to the main roulette but with a slight variation.
Well, perhaps not slight given the fact that it was likely 1/30th of the size of the main roulette.
As it spun, Amias watched intently, curious about what direction his music would take.
The wheel stopped on the first selection:
SONG STRUCTURE
#1: "Highs and Lows" - Chance the Rapper featuring Joey Bada$$
"Oh, I know Chance," Amias nodded appreciatively. "Don't know Joey that well, but this could be good."
The wheel spun again:
SONG STRUCTURE & VIDEO STRUCTURE
#2: "Tailor Swif" - A$AP Rocky
Amias's eyes lit up. "Okay, okay. I got a reward from him already, definitely familiar with his work."
His attention quickly diverted. "'Video Structure'." He drawled out.
So this was both the song and the music video for it. Interesting.
Another spin:
SONG STRUCTURE
#3: "redrum" - 21 Savage
"Well its 21 Savage, this should be good," Amias said with growing enthusiasm.
The fourth spin revealed:
SONG STRUCTURE
#4: "G.P.B" - 21 Savage x Central Cee
Amias couldn't contain his excitement. "Yes! Another song with Oakley!" He grinned at the thought. "Now I have this and HYB. This is perfect."
He didn't even notice that 21 savage was listed in the title as the fifth spin brought:
SONG STRUCTURE #5:
"Put It On Da Floor Again" - Latto ft. Cardi B
Amias's expression shifted to confusion. "Wait, okay... I know Latto and Cardi, but System—these are two females."
He tapped the interface to expand the song structure, checking the lyrics. He read under his breath, "'Rip me out the plastic, I been actin' brand-new'—okay, this line is tough."
"'Cheap niggas make you pick, rich niggas get you both'."
His eyebrows raised slightly as he kept going.
"'Heard "Bitch from Da Souf", he tryna see me knock his socks off'... Bro, what is this? You want me to make this song? This will sound gay if I do it."
He scrolled further, expression growing more incredulous.
"'Swear that nigga set for life, I let him get me preg'—oh my goodness." He kept reading until he hit a line that made him stop completely.
"'I'm in the booth playin' with my pussy, bitch'—oh hell no!"
He looked up, exasperated. "System, why did you give me this?"
"Spins are randomized," the System replied evenly. "Statistical variance ensures diverse stylistic exposure."
Amias sighed, then reconsidered. "Well, this song was definitely a banger, I can tell just by the beat. Maybe I could just... have females rap it? Be like a Metro Boomin or Pharrell Williams type for this one?"
The System remained silent, which Amias took as neither confirmation nor denial.
"Fine, one more roll. Please be something good."
The wheel spun one final time:
SONG STRUCTURE
#6: "Tobey" - Eminem ft. BabyTron and Big Tron
"Yes!" Amias pumped his fist. "Eminem! This is definitely—" He paused, remembering it was 2021, not prime Eminem era. "Well, still, any song by Eminem should be good. Yeah, I can work with this."
He leaned back, taking in all six structures. "Okay. The journey begins now."
WELCOME TO HELL
Before he could respond, the interface shifted to display a directive:
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: Destroy your phone.
"Huh?" Amias frowned. "Destroy my phone? Why would I—"
"It would be counterproductive if you were incarcerated this early in the program," the System explained. "Your device contains evidence of communication with multiple deceased individuals and incriminating messages."
"Oh."
"Oh."
Twenty minutes later, Amias returned to Oakley's spare room, slightly out of breath. He'd smashed his phone beneath a brick in the back alley, then scattered the pieces in three different bins across several blocks.
As soon as he sat down, the System flashed another directive:
SECONDARY ACTION REQUIRED: Dispose of the clothes you wore yesterday.
"You couldn't tell me this when I was just outside?" Amias groaned, pushing himself back up.
Another trip outside, another task completed.
Then another trip outside, another task completed.
Then another trip outside, another task completed.
Then another trip outside, another task completed.
Then another—this time he had to go pay Temi a visit and after an hour of what felt like speaking to a brick wall of stubbornness, he finally managed to get her to do as the system directed.
When he finally returned, collapsing onto the bed, the System began displaying what looked like a comprehensive lesson plan.
REVENUE STREAM OPTIMIZATION
Many artists remain unaware of multiple income streams available to them. Major labels frequently capitalize on this ignorance.
"What do you mean?" Amias sat up, suddenly alert.
"There are substantial potential earnings that most artists never access," the System explained. "When they join labels, the companies often claim these revenues because artists lack awareness of their existence."
"Show me," Amias said, pulling the laptop closer.
What followed was a two-hour montage of websites, applications, and registration forms. Amias's fingers flew across the keyboard as the System guided him through an intricate web of music industry infrastructure he'd never known existed:
PUBLISHING & ROYALTY COLLECTORS
Songtrust: Collects global publishing royalties (PROs + mechanicals) with only 15% fee. Superior to BMI or ASCAP for international reach.
Sentric Music: Non-exclusive publishing administration that doesn't take ownership. Collects royalties in 145+ countries.
The MLC (US) and MCPS (UK): Mechanical royalties from streams. Free to join, most artists never do.
PPL (UK) and SoundExchange (US): Neighboring rights from radio, clubs, satellite. Free money most miss.
He signed up for sync licensing platforms, print rights organizations, and distribution services like SoundOn and a whole lot more. Each registration required detailed information, tax forms, banking details, and always proof of identity.
"Damn, bro," Amias muttered, rubbing his eyes after completing yet another form. "There should be like one major platform that signs all of this up for you."
He paused, the creative spark igniting. "Wait. That's actually a great idea. A single platform that handles all these registrations automatically."
The System displayed a brief notification:
VIABLE BUSINESS CONCEPT DETECTED
Cataloguing for future development...
Two hours later, Amias lay sprawled on the bed, mind swimming with new information as the System continued its education.
"Let me make sure I understand this," he said, reciting back what he'd learned. "Publishing is the business of songwriting—lyrics, melodies, composition. It's separate from master recordings, which are the actual tracks you hear."
"Correct," the System confirmed.
"Master Rights are owned by whoever paid for the recording—the artist or label. Publishing Rights are owned by the songwriter and their publisher."
"Precise."
"So if Drake wrote 'God's Plan,' he owns the publishing, but the recording—the master—is owned by OVO and Republic Records."
"Correct interpretation."
Amias shook his head, absorbing the predatory practices the System had outlined. "And these label scams are insane. Like recoupment clauses, where they require artists to pay back all costs before earning royalties?"
"Standard industry practice," the System confirmed.
"So if you spend 500K to make an album, you have to earn 500K back before seeing a penny," Amias said, disgust evident in his voice. "And they encourage artists to spend their advances on stupid shit so they go broke again and come running back for another deal."
He sat up suddenly.
"You know what?"
"W Labels, honestly."
The System's response:
?
"I mean, if you're retarded enough to treat a practical loan like it's free money and spend 400K on a watch and millions on diamond jewelry that isn't even truly worth that amount, you deserve to get scammed, sure diamonds look good but it would be far more sensible to purchase gold jewelry which actually holds value," Amias clarified. "Labels are damn predatory, but artists are their own worst enemies."
He stood up, pacing again as possibilities formed in his mind. "So that's why you want me to start my own label. I could have better leverage when negotiating with other labels. Like instead of doing a standard deal with a label I could do joint venture deals where my label—
Mars Music Entertainment?
Mars Music Group?
North Records?
North Recording Group?
This is why I leave the branding to Zara.
Either way, I partner with majors but keep 50% or more of profits instead of 15% or so."
"Correct."
"I could sign myself—'license' my music to my own label. Turn studio time, producer payments, gear, tours into business expenses for tax write-offs."
"Optimal strategy."
"White-Label Deals where I release music for others—like ghost producers—and take a cut." His eyes widened at the possibilities. "That's exactly what I'm going to do."
Another creative spark hit him. "Wait, why isn't there something to just connect people to ghost writers? Even producers? Engineers? Graphic Designers? What about those specifically in your area? What if it had virtual studios for collaboration? What if I even integrated my whole idea from before? It signs up all those collectors and distributors for you? Well, labels may protest to that, but, still, that's another idea right there."
The System catalogued this second business concept as Amias continued thinking aloud.
He collapsed back onto the bed, exhausted but exhilarated. "Damn, we got a lot done today. And there's still so much more to do tomorrow."
He stared at the ceiling, mind racing with possibilities. In just one day, he'd probably learned more about the music business than most artists discover in their entire careers.
The path ahead was clear—difficult, demanding, but clear.
DAY 1: COMPLETE