Tyler was dressed in an oversized graphic tee shirt, joggers, and New Balance sneakers. Instead of wearing a wig, she rocked a dad cap and completed the basic look with a bare face. Again, Carla was disgusted. Tyler was a pretty girl, and the fact that she wanted to dress like a hobo bothered her.
“Does Dexter know you're in a studio with some thug?” she interrogated, placing her Birkin on the couch.
“What’s up, Carla?” Tyler rebutted. Of course, Dexter didn’t know. He didn’t care for Kenny, and had he known they were in the studio together, things would have been a lot different.
“Why am I getting emails about you punching some paparazzi person in the face?”
“He grabbed my arm.”
“And you hit him in the face, Tyler? That man is trying to sue you.”
“What’s new?” Tyler replied. “Someone is always trying to sue me.”
“And wealways have to clean up the mess. Darryl told me he gave you the contract. Where is it? I need to hand it in.”
“I threw it away.”
“You what?” Carla shrieked, knowing she had heard her wrong.
“I threw it away. I could’ve sworn I told you that I wanted to do my own thing. I’m not signing another contract, Carla.”
“Oh my god, you’re about to kill me with this bullshit. You can’t justnotsign the contract; it doesn’t work like that. You have to pay back studio time, advances, and a slew of other shit. Houses, cars, a tour bus, you have expenses, Tyler. Do you think you can afford this fancy ass life without the label?”
“That’s the thing, I don’t need this shit. Materialistic things don’t move me; I keep telling you that.”
“That’s not the point. There are people depending on you. What about your mother, huh? If you don’t sign this contract, do you think you’ll be able to provide for her? That nursing home costs ten grand a month. Do you think you can afford to keep paying that if you don’t sign the contract?” Carla flung her armsin the air. “You make these rash decisions and everyone else has to pay the price.”
“Let’s be honest.” Tyler folded her arms. “What is the label really doing to help me grow? I should be bigger.”
“Bigger?” Carla scoffed. “Girl, calm down. You acting like you're Beyoncé. You’re a small-town Detroit artist. People know you, but that’s only because of Dex. Please, humble yourself.”
“Tell me how you really feel,” Tyler chuckled. “I might not be as big as Beyonce, but I sell out every show. My albums go crazy and the singles I drop do numbers, so I might be more than a small-time Detroit artist. I just need a better team.”
“Well, if you’re going to toot your own horn, then do it. I still think you need to sign the contract. You’ll never get ahead without the label.”
“I should have more opportunities. I should be allowed to hop on remixes with other artists without it being such a hassle. I should have some creative control, but I have none, and I’m over it. I love singing, and as of late, I feel like a slave to this shit. Oakwood has their foot on my neck and I can’t breathe.”
“You’re being a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
“See, this is why we don’t work. I’m telling you that I’m suffocating and you call it being dramatic. I need a break from Oakwood, I need a break from you, I need a break from this life.”
“Look, just sign the contract and I’ll have Darryl send you on a month-long retreat,” Carla bargained, still not getting the point.
“I’m still not signing the fucking contract,” Tyler reiterated. “I believe that I can still make a good living without being under Oakwood's thumb. Why is that such a problem?”
“You want to blow up your life, then go right ahead. There’s a meeting at the label next week and I’ll let Darryl know you’re done.” Carla blew out a breath, tired of going back and forth with a brick wall.
“Thank you.”
“I still think it’s stupid.”
“Good thing it’s not your decision, huh?” Tyler smiled. “And since I stress you out so much, you’re free to go find another client.”
“Are you trying to fire me?” Carla's uneven eyebrows met in the middle of her forehead. They both knew Carla wasn’t capable of working with another artist. No one else would deal with her bullshit.
“If you’re not going to do what’s in my best interest, then you are free to move around.”
“I’ve always made decisions that were in your best interest.”
