American Entertainment: Taylor Swift wrote a song for the beginning

Chapter 48 Investigation
"You guys haven't left yet?" Ryan called the Atlantic Records staff. Scooter sat across from him, and Trey sat on the other side.

Compared to when he first came in, this man had a cup of iced coffee in his hand.

"Then don't come to Nashville for now. I have something to do these next few days... I have to go out for a game, a football game at school." Ryan explained.

After putting down his phone, Ryan's expression became much more serious than before.

"Where were you talking about?"

"Contract term. Apart from me, there's no other record company boss in the world who would give you such conditions." Scooter raised his porcelain cup.

"Why do you say that?"

"I need an opportunity, a chance to build up my reputation in the industry." Scooter said slowly.

"You're prestigious enough, aren't you?"

"It's limited to Atlanta. You may not know that the situation there is more complicated. I can't display my talents there, so I have to seek opportunities outside." Scooter continued.

Ryan could tell that this bastard wanted to do big things, but he had no chance.

"In fact, you are just a side job. I signed another kid. He is very talented, more talented than you, but he needs time to be trained, at least a year. Arthur and I set up a joint venture for him."

"And you can fill my gap within this year. Rather than watching you join Atlantic Records, I'd rather cut in, and the contract term is my most powerful weapon."

"What's your relationship with P. Diddy?" Ryan asked.

"Occasionally, I help him throw parties and entertain white guests who are not so close to him."

"Then how did you get to know Arthur?"

"I first met him at DJ Drama's birthday party. Are you done asking questions, Officer Ryan?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I don't want anything to do with the people in Atlanta," Ryan said.

"You know a lot. Don't worry, you're signed with Schoolboy Records, a company in Los Angeles," said Scooter.

Considering that he seems to be backstabbing P. Diddy's friend DJ Khaled this time, it is unlikely that he will bring Ryan into the Atlanta circle.

"My problems are over."

"I'll give you three days to consider it. Then I'll send a company representative to sign a contract with you." Scooter stood up and prepared to leave.

After he left, Ryan and Terry discussed the matter.

"How much truth do you think he just told?" Ryan asked.

"It's half true and half false, but the terms of the contract are written in the contract and cannot be faked. But he looks very young, definitely less than 30 years old. He was able to establish a sub-brand of Republic Singing. This is very suspicious. Maybe he is the descendant of some big shot." said Terry.

"I hope he is." Ryan shook his head.

What Trey said is indeed very suspicious. In comparison, Scott Borchetta was once the president of DreamWorks Records and worked for many years for record companies such as MCA, MTM, and Universal Music Nashville. This "Scooter" is just a party promoter. How could he be on par with Scott Borchetta in just a few years?

Ryan returned to the study and searched for information about Scooter on the Internet. He only saw this name in a report about Jermaine Dupri. Jermaine Dupri is another black music mogul in Atlanta. When Dre just became famous, his teenage hip-hop group Kris Kross won the first place on the Billboard charts. However, he won his first Grammy in 06. As the songwriter and producer of Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together", he launched many black hip-hop musicians during this period. He has been Janet Jackson's boyfriend since 02. Scooter first worked at Jermaine Dupri's record company.

Jermaine Dupri is Scooter's mentor on the surface, but he is no match for "LA Reed". His own record company, So So Def, is still spinning around between several major music groups. How can he help Scooter establish the Republic Records sub-label?

There must be another big shot behind this.

But Ryan had no way of finding out who this big shot was, so he chose to call Marvin, an agent who worked at WME and who might know something he didn't know.

"I haven't heard of this name, but I think you're right. A white young man can't make it in Atlanta without a strong endorsement. There is only one explanation. The management of the music group is all white. They need someone who can get along with these black people, so that it is easier to manage. Remember, in the hip-hop music circle, black people are responsible for shouting in front of the stage, and white people are responsible for counting money behind the scenes."

"In other words, this big boss assigned Jermaine Dupree to bring him into the Atlanta circle, and Scooter was the 'special envoy' assigned by the white upper class?"

"This is just a guess. I can't guarantee it. So, are you sure you want to cooperate with him?"

“Will this have any impact on our cooperation?”

"I have no objection. Anyway, I am just providing you with a performance opportunity, as long as the other party doesn't mind. But I have to say something in advance. From now on, I will first consider the DJ of Atlantic Records, and then consider you."

When it comes to business, Marvin will also consider his own interests, and Ryan certainly can't say much.

After hanging up the phone, Ryan called another person, someone who had just been blacklisted.

"I want to talk to Scott on the phone."

"You want to join the Big Machine?" Taylor seemed to be eating at home, and Ryan vaguely heard her parents' voices.

"No..." Ryan told him about Scooter.

"Only sign a one-year contract? He must have a backup plan and force you to renew the contract. By then, you will be at a great disadvantage." Taylor said without thinking.

She has more experience than Ryan in signing with record companies.

"For example?"

"For example, they can get dirty laundry on you and release it if you don't comply, completely ruining your career. Another example is setting traps for you in your contract. The simplest example is to block your performance rights so that you can never perform your work in public, even if you made it yourself. Another example is to control the copyright of the master recording."

"Will you encounter this kind of situation when signing with other record companies?"

"So, you must find a professional lawyer in this field to review it. My dad's friend is coming to Nashville soon. He is on vacation. This uncle is very professional. I gave my contract to him to check. Also, the copyright of lyrics and music must be in your own hands. This is crucial." Taylor did not forget to remind.

Ryan expressed his gratitude.

"So, don't go out and look for women of unknown origin." Taylor finally whispered.

He cares too much about Ryan.

"Of course, I'm not included." Before Ryan could react, she hung up the phone.

(End of this chapter)