America's Top Player

Chapter 161 Number One Player
As the movie became a hit, Li Ang resumed his recording work.

Since the release of "Senorita", he has not had any new work released for half a year.

This is mainly due to the contract with ROC Kingdom. Whether it is the copyright of lyrics or the mastering rights, he will not give JAY-Z any more chances.

The recording work has been completed long ago, and now all that’s left is the MV shooting.

After considering various aspects including cost and ability, Li Ang decided to give the job to Old Mike.

Just wait for Robbie to make time to complete the filming in three days.

"Put the promotion of the movie 'Straight Outta Compton' first." In the office, Leon summoned Sean and gave him instructions word by word.

At present, "Straight Outta Compton" has a great chance of winning the North American weekend box office for two consecutive times.

If it achieves its goal, it will be the fourth film this year to win two consecutive box office championships, following "Save the Bunny," "Rio" and "Thor."

It is also the only biographical film.

Sean didn't dare to neglect his boss's order. He hesitated and expressed his opinion, "Using music radio and magazines to promote the movie, isn't this a waste of resources?"

Li Ang had already thought of everything Sean could think of.

He pointed to his head and said, "Think about it. 'Straight Outta Compton' is a rap movie about NWA. It completely overlaps with our media business. It's like running a Durex ad on an adult channel. It's completely logical."

"Okay~" What Sean was really worried about was that such a change would affect the media company's data, and he would be the one to take the blame in the future.

Since its establishment, Lion's Nest Media has been under siege by established players in the market.

Especially XXL magazine, this hip-hop magazine also based in New York was the dominant force in this field before Vibe was revived.

After being acquired by Town Center Media last year, it received financial support and is launching a comprehensive crackdown on Vibe.

It is worth mentioning that after Li Ang successfully launched online magazines and self-media channels, the magazine industry attracted more investors.

JAY-Z is in talks with XXL's parent company.

"T-Ray's podcast has a high hit rate, and I think Davis would be happy to come on the show and talk about movies," Leon instructed.

Since the movie was released, Nigo, who has completed the class transition, has completely let himself go.

Although he didn't get much pay for the filming, it was at least pitifully little compared to Kendrick, Boseman and others.

But he is no less stylish and extravagant than anyone else.

Every night he hangs out in nightclubs with his friends from Brownsville.

Girls of different skin colors and races took turns sleeping with him every day, and he also put on a big gold chain thicker than a dog chain around his neck again.

All of this is inseparable from the support of loans.

A bank loan manager would never refuse a loan to a Hollywood actor.

Everyone in the office was chatting animatedly when Phil arrived late.

Her hair was unusually free of hairspray, and her face was noticeably swollen.

Obviously he was still hungover from last night.

As soon as he entered the room, everyone noticed that his left hand was shaking uncontrollably, and it only returned to normal after he drank a sip of liquor.

Leon cleared out everyone else in the office, leaving only Bonnie and Phil.

"It seems that your physical condition will make it difficult for you to survive this winter. Experts predict that this winter in New York will be very cold." Li Ang said sarcastically with a crooked mouth.

"Fuck! Why do I feel like you're just waiting for me to be in a coffin right now?" Phil cursed. "Those so-called experts will go to hell first."

The recovery of the brokerage business is not just talk. Whether Phil is still there or not, Leon has made up his mind to do so.

The agent has a significant impact on a singer's career. Many artists have fallen out with their companies and caused trouble, and it is the agents who are behind it.

"I didn't say that."

"It seems you haven't lost your conscience yet." Phil sneered, "I'm glad to see you restart the recording of "We don't talk anymore". This song will definitely be a hit."

"Let's talk about what I asked you to do." Li Ang knocked on the table.

Contract renewal is imminent, and he urgently needs to find a new club for himself.

Phil has good connections in the record industry, so the task of finding out the truth certainly doesn't fall on him.

"Of course they're interested in you. You're like the music world's muse right now, and everyone wants you!" Phil said. "Sony Music's new CEO, Doug Morris, who just jumped ship from Universal Music, has promised you everything you want!"

"Wow" Bonnie couldn't help but take a deep breath when she heard Doug make the promise himself.

The 72-year-old man is the most legendary professional manager in the entire record industry.

He jumped back and forth between major record companies and was able to firmly grasp the highest power no matter which company he went to.

This is inseparable from his outstanding abilities.

His illustrious resume is almost equivalent to the history of Universal Music Group.

In 1996, he joined MCA Music Entertainment Group, the predecessor of Universal.

He accurately judged that in the future record market, the singer himself is not the most important thing, copyright means everything.

Therefore, they did not hesitate to borrow heavily to acquire second- and third-tier labels and buy out the copyrights of singers' lyrics and music.

These practices once made Universal Music's parent company, France's Vivendi, suspicious and almost sold Universal Music.

It now seems that Doug's judgment was completely correct.

Universal Music won the fierce market competition, and only three of the former five major record companies remained.

EMI, which was extremely glorious in the 1980s and 1990s, now faces the fate of being divided up by Universal and Sony.

The two companies are planning how to split EMI.

"Very good. If there is a chance, I would like to talk to Mr. Doug in person." Although Doug said it nicely, as if everything could be satisfied.

But Leon scoffed at such words.

He couldn't even add a single punctuation mark to the words spoken by this old fox and traitor.

"Don't you want more? Mr. Doug offers you an offer that no singer can refuse."

According to Phil, once the two parties sign the contract, Sony Music will own the complete master rights to Li Ang's subsequent works.

This is the industry norm and the cornerstone on which record companies rely for their survival.

There is no way to change unless you become an independent musician.

However, Sony promised not to ask Li Ang for the copyright of lyrics and music under any bundling agreement, which is indeed very rare.

"This sounds like a contract with the ROC Kingdom that's not bad. We can still try to get it." Li Ang said with a smile while playing with playing cards.

"You call that the same? At least Doug is a gentleman and won't hold a gun to your head!" Phil raised his voice. "Besides, even if they really want the copyright to your music, you, a greedy guy, will get a huge sum of money. It's an astronomical figure."

Among the three major record companies, Warner is the most greedy for copyright, but this does not mean that the other two are saints.

Those who can achieve the status of giants are essentially birds of a feather.

But Sony prefers to expand its copyright library through "buying, buying, buying".

The reason is just one word - "rich".

Many singers will even take the initiative to sell the copyright of their works to Sony and cash in a considerable amount of income.

Because their bids are always the best.

"Go on~" Li Ang spread his hands, showing little interest in this proposal.

Although he loves money, it is impossible for him to give up the copyright of his works.

He has his own ideas about copyright.

To date, every song he holds the copyright for is a masterpiece.

"Senorita", "Faded", "Billy", "bang bang".
These are all hit songs that have caused a sensation.

Relying on plug-ins refreshed by inspiration, such a treasure trove of copyrights will never be exhausted.

Therefore, he had long conceived the idea of establishing his own copyright management company.

The world's three largest music copyright agencies - Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Chapel Music - now own the copyrights of more than 1000 million songs.

It accounts for more than 80% of the copyrights of global music works!

The three major record giants have established a monopoly in areas that are out of the public eye.

Monopolize the spiritual entertainment world of mankind.

"You will get the same level of publicity and promotion resources as Adele~" Phil spread his hands, "What else can I say? You have to thank someone." "Who?" Leon raised his chin in confusion.

"Beyoncé, these conditions were fought for by her and Rob Stringer, chairman of Columbia Records," said Phil.

In addition to top-level global publicity and distribution resources, Li Ang also learned that Sony Columbia was willing to provide him with "priority rights to repurchase master rights."

This means that if Sony wants to sell the master rights of these records one day, Li Ang, as a singer, is qualified to bid!

This is the treatment only given to superstars like Michael Jackson and Madonna.

"Wow... I really have to thank Ms. Beyoncé." The image of Beyoncé twisting her hips immediately popped up in Li Ang's mind, and he decided to give something back to the queen.

The two people's houses are not far from each other now, and they can see each other when they go out to walk the dog.

It is very convenient for in-depth communication.

"There must be some secret between you and Beyoncé." Phil said with a lewd look on his face and a grin.

"Even you believe those rumors?"

"Don't lie to me, kid. I talk to bitches in Manhattan Beach every day. Many girls talk to me from the age of 20 to 40." Phil said proudly: "No one understands women better than me!"

Li Ang spread his hands to express his opinion: Think whatever you want.

Phil continued, "But I have to remind you that you can't just enjoy your lower body. If JAY-Z knew about this, the actions he would take towards you would go beyond just business."

The prerequisite for enjoying the lower body is that the big head of the upper body remains intact.

Li Ang waved his hand to end the topic: "Besides Sony, have you contacted Universal Music? What are their thoughts?"

"Record companies around the world are envious of your abilities and your traffic," Phil said. "Universal's offer is similar, but it doesn't include a clause like 'Priority Right to Master Buyback'."

The two record companies have similar resources and offer similar conditions.

It seems that Sony's priority is definitely higher at the moment.

But Li Ang decided to wait and see.

Just like playing Texas Hold'em, good players always know the best time to place a bet.

Maximize the value of what you can eat.

With a series of events such as the president of Universal Music jumping to Sony Columbia and competing for the legacy of EMI, etc.

Both indicate that the competition between the two companies has entered a fierce stage at all levels.

Li Ang can definitely benefit from the struggle between the two sides.

EMI, the once glorious record empire of the last century, declined because it ignored the importance of copyright.

Records have gradually become the "luxury business cards" of artists.

The giant's corpse has sparked a feast in the music world this year.

Sony Music is planning to acquire EMI's music copyright management division from financial giant Citigroup for $20 billion.

This is the biggest event in the record industry's capital circle this year.

Once the deal is completed, Sony will acquire all the music copyrights owned by EMI, further consolidating its position as the world's largest music copyright library.

EMI's other major legacy record business has also been targeted by Universal Music.

Universal and Sony refused to give in to each other, determined not to let either side completely take over the legacy of EMI.

As soon as Phil left, Leon drove back to his new house in Tribeca.

After taking a bath and putting on his bathrobe, he picked up a glass of wine and sat on the sofa.

I was looking at the night view of Manhattan outside the floor-to-ceiling window, wondering what I was thinking.

Suddenly the scene in front of my eyes changed, and countless fragments of information flooded into my mind, forming a series of pictures.

The wall-climbing Lara in Tomb Raider, Chun-Li in Street Fighter series, and the human machine gunner in StarCraft
Pac-Man, Mario Kart, GoldenEye 007, The Shining.
Elements of various well-known games and movies are intertwined, and virtuality and reality are intertwined.

An emotionless electronic voice sounded in Li Ang's ears: "Welcome to OASIS."

This time, the amount of information is much more than any previous inspiration refresh, covering the history of video game development over the past 30 years.

After all the clips finished playing in my mind, the title emerged - "Ready Player One", a work by Spielberg.

Li Ang was immediately shocked. Spielberg is the most successful commercial film director in history. His inspiration was refreshed and he drew a magic number.

This is a great opportunity to make money.

After a brief moment of excitement, he immediately realized a problem: how to deal with copyright?

The movie involves so many classic IPs that it is enough to give people a headache and make them doubt their lives.

"Damn it." After noticing that the movie finally thanked the original author of the novel, Ernst Klein, Leon fell flat on his face.

After searching online, I found that the film adaptation rights of this novel were sold to Warner Bros. Pictures as early as last year.

As it stands, this is an absolute garbage idea.

Just when he was at a loss, the phone rang.

The caller was Davis.

"This guy is calling me at this hour?"

Nothing good will happen.

I answered the phone with doubts, and my uneasy guess was indeed confirmed.

"Is this Boss Leon? Boss, we're in trouble!" It wasn't Davis on the other end of the line, but a strange voice.

"Shxt, who are you? How did Davis's phone end up in your hands?"

"I'm Davis's cousin. You saw me at the subway station. I heard we were shot in the nightclub. It seems Davis's bull was blown up."

"WTF" After a brief shock, Li Ang quickly calmed down.

He wasn't surprised that this happened.

Nightclubs are places where violent conflicts often occur.

Especially for a guy who has just made a comeback in life and starts to scold others if he disagrees with something.

As long as he drinks enough alcohol, Davis can battle with God.

"Is that bastard dead?" Li Ang's tone was indifferent.

"We're at the hospital, and those bastards in white coats said his life is not in immediate danger."

"Then let this idiot lie down in the hospital."

Just as Li Ang was about to hang up, the voice on the other end of the line suddenly became excited, "Damn! Davis got shot because of you!"

"Wait. What are you talking about?"

"After the gunman opened fire, he told Davis, 'This is a gift for Leon!' We all heard it!"

Hearing this, Li Ang frowned.

Originally, he just thought it was a street conflict caused by showing off, which was very common in black areas.

It doesn’t seem that simple now.

The gunman was most likely a professional gunman hired by someone.

There is a high probability that this is also one of Didi’s revenge plans.

Following the release of "Billy," Lion's Den Media's relentless smear campaign, coupled with "Straight into Compton," tarnished his reputation in front of American audiences.
Diddy might have been hallucinating because of the hacking.

People with poor psychological quality would have suffered a mental breakdown if they were subjected to such continuous output.

"Do something. Do something, boss!" A crying voice came from the other end of the phone: "Fuck! These bastards in white coats are going to take off one of my cousin's balls! I won't let them do that!"

Hearing this, Li Ang couldn't help but be stunned for a few seconds.

The heart made of titanium alloy also began to shake.

Davis's sacrifice was obviously much greater than T-ray getting shot in the butt.

“I know everything.”

"Listen, if Davis is still conscious, tell him that this matter will definitely have an outcome."

"That thing of his won't be lost in vain."

(End of this chapter)