71. The Echo ≋

Right after my photoshoot and interview, which was not my best, with Anthem Magazine , I went into rehearsals for my upcoming music videos "Home" and "Easy."

My choreographer Kenneth explained the concepts for both songs. "Home" would definitely have a 70s vibe. I would be a crime-fighting, show-stopping, bad mamma jamma - think Pam Grier. All I had to do was  get into the groove thing. "Easy" is where the heavy dancing would come in. It was time to get my salsa on. Kenneth played a video to give an example on what I'll be learning today.

My jaw hit the floor, and I knew stress was going to be my new name.

Not even five minutes later, Kenneth was calling me out. "It's not supposed to be easy, Jae. I've given you harder choreography before, and you nailed it."

I explained, "It was regular dancing. This is Salsa. I don't know anything about dancing like this."

Kenneth said, "It's all in the hips."

"I don't move my hips like that." I moved my waist like an unhinged snake.

He chuckled, "Excuses. We don't have time to waste. We got three hours."

An hour later, he shouted, "Jae! We went over this part earlier. I need you to focus. This is a simple 8-count. I know you can do it."

I nodded my head as I walked over to a table and picked up a bottle of water.

"Do you need a break?" Kenneth asked me.

"Yes." I took a few sips of water.

Kenneth said, "Let's take a 10 minute break. I'll be back when you're thinking clearly."

I took a seat on the floor as Kenneth left the dance studio. Immediately, the unwelcomed thought of my cringey interview replayed in my head.

Anthem Magazine: You are one of the fastest selling, successful artist to break in the industry, and you seem to have come out of nowhere. Could you tell us what your life was like before becoming Jae A.B.?

Me: Sure! I was Jae back home, but I didn't put my talent on display. My family knew I could sing, but no one else did. I worked a regular job, paid my bills, and I just got stuck into that routine.

AM: Is it true that you worked at a store near a college campus?

Me: Wow! That's true.

AM: You worked near a college, but you didn't finish college. Is it because you were failing or you knew you had a dream to follow?

Me: Umm... neither. College isn't for everywhere. Anyone can get self-educate and still be successful in life.

AM: I think we would all want our doctors to have degrees. Wouldn't you agree?

Me: Oh, of course! I just know some people think that college dropouts are failures, but that's not the case.

AM: What was your major?

Me: If I had majored in music, I'd probably become a music teacher. [laughter]

AM: Undeclared.

Me: If that's what you think, then go with it.

AM: Earlier you said your family only knew about your singing ability. Was that your twin sister with you at Lucio's?

Me: I do not have a twin nor a sister, but my assistant has become one of my closest friends.

AM: Getting back to the music... Ricky Santana, Aja Frost, and Zeke Rivers are names that you associate with often for many reasons. Is it true that the drama about the sex tapes were a coverup?

Me: A coverup for who?

AM: We heard you were jealous of Aja and Zeke's secret relationship.

Me: They are not together.

AM: Are you and Zeke dating?

Me: No, and even if they were, that wouldn't bother me. Jealousy is not in my character.

AM: We used that word because there's a rumor that your album is going to be titled 'Jealous.'

Me: Listen, I know your magazine is famous and all, but I'm not here to be mocked or teased or played with. Can you ask me better questions?

AM: A lot of new artists think the music industry is supposed to be nice to them, but here at Anthem Magazine, we don't want nice. We want real. That's how we get legends. Without us, new artists like yourself forget that thick skin is not a luxury - it's survival of the fittest.

Me: I'm a singer not a fighter. I'm not here to make enemies or report rumors. This is an interview. Is it not human decency to show respect and kindness?

AM: Most definitely, Jae A.B. So as not to ruffle anymore feathers, please answer a few more questions for us.

Me: Okay.

AM: If your first record didn't have Aja Frost on it, do you think it would've still been a hit?

Me: Most definitely, because I wrote the song.

AM: Last question. Can we please get a date for the album or will you continue to tease us with single releases?

Me: The album is coming and when it drops, you'll be playing it on repeat.

"Jae, are you ready now?" Kenneth asked me.

"No," I whispered as I stood up. "I'm ready," I told him.

Kenneth looked at me. "Remember it's a slow walk on that intro guitar. Then, I want to see the sudden stop and the movement in the hands when the horns come in. Then, there's the sway of the hips to the conga drum beats. Got it?"

"Got it!" I forced a smile on my face.

He counted before playing my song, and I followed his directions. After my struggle rehearsal, I found an empty studio to go to. My phone rung as I held it to my ear.

"Hello," he answered.

"Hi..." My voice cracked.

"Jamie, is something wrong?" Zeke asked me.

I cleared my throat. "I need your help, right now, because I think I'm gonna go crazy."

"Talk to me."

I paced the floor. "Anthem Magazine is going to release my interview tomorrow morning, and I don't want it to go public, because it's bad. Like, I didn't know they were so rude to people. I have a bad feeling that whoever set that interview up did it on purpose."

"I didn't know you had an interview with Anthem. I thought it was Black Music Matters?" Zeke asked me.

"No," I shook my head, "That's in an hour. I couldn't even focus on my choreography, because something about this interview feels like sabotage and I think I know who set it up."

Zeke said, "Nevermind their questions. What were your answers like?"

I shrugged, "I came off defensive, because they were triggering me. I just spoke up for myself."

"They're not going to share those parts of the interview. Anthem is like the TMZ or Wendy of magazines. People will expect them to come at you and for you to have a reaction."

"If I had known that about them, I wouldn't have done it," I admitted.

Zeke said, "Jamie, you are not just a singer. You're a business woman. I'm going to need you to ask questions about your schedule. If there is something that you don't want to do, speak up. Even though you have a contract and obligations to meet, you still have a choice when it comes to the promotion of your image. I would advise you to call your lawyer to look over your contract to see what you can and can't get out of. I'll talk to Ricky about his sister."

Relieved, I almost cried. "Thank you, Zeke. I'm just ready for this album to drop so I can take a break or have some time to just clear my head."

"I'll see if that break can be granted. It wouldn't hurt for you to get a personal assistant either."

I immediately knew where he was going. "My cousin is not going to work for me just so you can have her close to you."

Zeke chuckled, "I wasn't thinking that, but that's a great idea."

We both laughed.

"Thank you for helping me, Zeke. I really owe you."

He replied, "Finish these two years and all debts are considered paid."

This man really wanted to leave his mark in this music industry, but I don't blame him. If he never talked to me at his show's audition, I would still be in East Grove.

I decided to take my lunch or what time was left of it. Before I could get a full bite of my salad, Colby texted me that my schedule was cleared for the rest of the day. I really owe Zeke now. I told Maximo that I was ready, and he arrived on time to pick me up from the RiSe Tower.

I sat in the backseat, finishing up my salad.

"Are they working you too hard?" Maximo asked me.

I forgot he was driving. "Not for the rest of the day."

"Good. You make sure you don't forget who you are, where you're from, and what you believe. I've seen too many kind people get turned out. And don't ever think you have to stay where you aren't respected, loved, and appreciated."

His words shouldn't have shocked me, but it did. While everyone was telling me to hang in there, he was telling me it's okay to let go.

"Thank you, Maximo. I appreciate you saying that." I quickly wiped me eyes before any tears could fall. It's been such an emotional day. I have to watch a comedy as soon as I get to my room.