Devil’s Music

Chapter 405: Coming Soon (5)

After the Fantagio logo appeared on a black screen, the scene shifted to a sunset over an indistinguishable place that might be the ocean.

A smooth beat under 100 BPM started playing as a yellow old convertible drove up on a road lined with palm trees.

In a backdrop filled with beautiful views of LA, Snoop Dogg, standing on the street, bent over as the yellow convertible approached and lowered his sunglasses to peek inside, smiling.

Two black beauties swayed naturally to the beat and waved happily at him as Snoop, half-standing in the backseat of the convertible, looked out over the downtown LA area.

The free-spirited vibe of LA, enriched by black culture, transitioned to a scene where Eminem, hooded, stood under a tunnel.

As Snoop raised his eyebrows pointing at him, the black beauty driving the car threw her hands over her head and stopped the car in front of Eminem.

Without saying anything or even opening the car door, Eminem jumped up next to Snoop and both semi-stood, resuming their drive through the LA streets.

While watching the screen, Paul took a sip of his coffee and said.

“Doesn’t it look a bit… old?”

When Jens didn’t respond, Paul turned towards him. Jens was shivering slightly, unable to take his eyes off the screen. Paul lightly tapped his arm.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Ah… Tupac Amaru Shakur…”

“What? Tupac?”

“They’ve recreated the ‘To Live & Die In L.A’ music video by 2Pac released in 1996.”

“Copying someone else’s music video? Is that okay?”

“I don’t get the message they’re trying to send. Neither Snoop nor Eminem would dare to imitate Tupac’s video, not even a parody. That implies they’re equating themselves with Tupac, which is pretty presumptuous.”

Paul tilted his head, pointing at the screen.

“So, is this a message that they’ve reached Tupac’s level?”

Jens shook his head.

“No, it seems to be a message that they want to recreate the golden age of black hip-hop from 1996.”

Paul nodded, keeping his gaze on the screen where Snoop and Eminem, dressed in black suits, were holding a bunch of white chrysanthemums tied carelessly, standing at a cemetery.

As the camera soared into the air, both men gazing down at the graves and the beautiful park-like cemetery were captured in a single shot.

The camera then zoomed out showing a distant hill next to the cemetery where Geon, dressed in a black suit, was sitting.

Unlike typical music video poses, Geon sat in a traditional Korean cross-legged position, with an expression hard to decipher.

Instead of the somber and reverent expression one would expect at a cemetery, Geon had a bright but mysterious look as he watched Snoop and Eminem in the distance.

The scene shifted to Geon’s side profile, revealing his sharp jawline and prominent nose as he slightly smiled and began to speak, not in rap or song, but in a monologue-like murmur. Though Geon’s voice was not audible, his lips moved, and elegant subtitles appeared at the bottom of the screen.

How many brothas fell victim to tha streetz.

Rest in peace young nigga, there's a Heaven for a 'G'

Jens jumped up, exclaiming.

“That’s Tupac! Really, those are Tupac’s words, from the song 'Life Goes On'!”

Paul, apparently aware, nodded seriously.

“Isn’t this a bit risky? Geon is Asian, not black, challenging Tupac could be controversial among blacks.”

Jens, still standing, crossed his arms and shook his head.

“Geon is already a hero to blacks.”

“Huh? Why is he a hero? Blacks usually don’t pay much attention to Asians.”

“Pay attention, man. Geon is hailed as a hero for bringing back Dr. Dre to the blacks. After his son’s death, instead of hiding in the shadows, he returned the music to the hip-hop fans who declared American hip-hop dead.”

Paul pondered for a moment then responded.

“Okay, let's say he’s a hero. But Tupac is still a sacred figure, isn’t he?”

This time, Jens nodded, but his words suggested otherwise.

“True, but the fact that Geon mentioned Tupac means it’s not a direct challenge, but rather an intention to revive the hip-hop of the 90s. Geon’s expression earlier didn’t seem to mourn or challenge Tupac; it looked more like he was contemplating how to return to those times.”

Paul whistled softly, sinking deeper into the sofa.

“Phew, Tupac, huh? That’s a big statement. This is going to make headlines.”

Jens looked envious as he watched Paul.

“

Lucky you. I have to write this article, but it’ll just be another similar piece among other journalists. You, on the other hand, have a scoop based on medical data.”

Suddenly remembering, Paul hurriedly opened his laptop.

“Oh, right! That and the Arthur Hodgson article! I need to write and publish it quickly. The chief said I could post it without his feedback as the medical article is nearly finished.”

Jens settled into his chair to start writing but glanced at the busy Paul and muttered.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“An album with three music videos, each one causing a major stir…”

As Paul typed, he kept an ear out and commented.

“The most shocking isn’t the three songs from the music videos, but this article I’m writing now. From what I’ve seen, it seems like the song 'Water's Song' from the photos might be this one. We’ll know for sure once the album is released.”

Jens, holding his head, leaned his elbows on the table and whispered quietly.

“Is Geon... a god of music?”

Paul turned his head towards Jens and chuckled.

“Perhaps.”

*

Late at night, the teaser released by Fantagio exploded with articles from the early hours till the next morning.

Articles poured out from entertainment, humor, and gaming communities, focusing on Geon's regular album.

And at noon, an article from Berlin Report in Germany went viral, translated into languages worldwide.

Paul, using medical data, elaborated that the song 'Water's Song' was being used as a source for music therapy in treating mental illnesses like depression and was recognized and further researched by the medical community. Although it was only confirmed for cancer so far, the song was mentioned as a potential relief for patients in pain.

The claim that the progression of Alzheimer’s could be halted was initially not believed even by fellow journalists when first released.

Eventually, journalists flooded the medical association where medical officials, already aware of this fact, confirmed its effectiveness, shocking the world with its veracity.

Though more than ten days remained until the regular album's release, journalists continued to flock to the album factory, broadcasting urgent news and trying to capture any glimpse of Geon’s album coming off the production line.

The factories, under contract with Fantagio to not leak even the album cover, barred any journalists from entering.

This was out of respect and loyalty to Geon, who had revived the dying album production factories, giving them a new lease on life. No factory leaked even the smallest fact about his album.

Eventually, frustrated journalists began crowding around Fantagio. The red brick building in downtown Manhattan was surrounded by thousands of journalists, making it impossible for even an ant to approach or escape.

Employees entering from outside were exhausted by journalists who, desperate for any bit of information, surrounded them. Some even resorted to sneaking out or in with the trucks delivering supplies to the cafeteria.

With over fifty guards staunchly protecting it, managing the thousands of journalists proved difficult as they barely managed to block the narrow entrance to prevent forceful entry.

Finally, two attorneys from a large law firm employed by Lynn in the U.S. came to the office and threatened the journalists with severe legal actions for illegal entry or trespassing, which then dispersed them.

However, the journalists merely withdrew from trying to forcefully enter; they did not stop surrounding Fantagio.

As countless journalists huddled together exchanging information, two men walking by caught the eye of a security guard at Fantagio's main gate.

Recognizing them, the guard discreetly signaled them to come towards the door, pretending not to notice them.

What seemed like just two men walking by suddenly entered the main gate of the Fantagio building, and the guard did not stop them. The journalists, realizing too late, rushed towards them, but they had already made it to the building's parking lot.

"Hey! If you're a Fantagio employee, just say one word before you go!"

"It's okay if you don't give us any information! Is Geon inside right now? Just tell us that!"

"Is 'Water's Song' really capable of curing diseases like the articles say? Just one word, please!"

The Italian-looking handsome man adjusted the military backpack on his back and sighed.

"Phew, what a mess, huh."

The blond handsome man grinned, showing his teeth, and looked up at the building.

"Hehe, it's our boy's first album, so it has to cause a big fuss, right, Gusion?"

"Heh, right. Pyemon, it's about time you start being called Pay."

"Kek, let's go up."

>

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