“I’m fair to my artists. Their contracts?—”
“Muthafucker, don’t even waste your breath hyping them three-sixties you be handing over to your artists,” Niles muttered.
“We pay the artists. Not you.”
“And why the hell would I agree to that?” Cobra’s eyes moved between Niles and Asao.
“Because you want them on my stage. The exposure puts their music back in rotation, which makes you money. ’Cause we all know they aren’t getting a damn thing on the backend with them three-sixties they signed. Now, you want the deal or not?”
Cobra considered the offer, knowing an association with Asao would indeed push his artists’ streaming numbers, but that would take time and he needed cash in hand immediately to keep his label from going under. The end was inevitable but he wasn’t ready to surrender just yet. Money in his pocket meant the ability to bring in a new artist who could potentially be a quick payday. That wouldn’t happen if his doors were closed.
“That’s not enough of an incentive. I want ten percent of ticket sales.”
“No…” Niles stated bluntly, giving Asao an in to negotiate for what he truly wanted. He didn’t give a damn about having Cobra’s artists on stage. They could easily function without them. He had a lineup ready to offer their time just to rep the city. Yarah and Sol had already signed on for whatever heneeded. Their names alone would bring the crowd out. Any other commitments were just icing on the cake.
“He speak for you?” Cobra sneered with a narrowed glare on Niles before he turned his eyes toward Asao who smiled smugly.
“You already know he does, and considering you don’t have anything we want, his answer stands. You want your artists on stage or not?”
Cobra balled his fist and clamped his jaw before deciding to try one last thing. Kolby had intentionally placed a bug in his ear a few days prior that made him hopeful.
“I have something you want.”
“Nah, I don’t think you do,” Asao said smoothly.
“Samari Janaé.” The smugness in the way Cobra delivered her name had Asao’s expression tight, which worked into his favor. He needed to hand over a natural reaction in order for Cobra to believe what he was about to say.
“Why the fuck you bringing her up?”
“Because I know she’s important to you.”
“And how do you know that?”
Cobra shrugged. “People talk.”
Not people, Kolby who intentionally brought you information I wanted you to have,Asao thought.
“Mari being important to me doesn’t have anything to do with you.” Asao felt Niles’s eyes on him but didn’t hand over his attention.
“It does when I own her.”
Yeah, muthafucker. You’re doing exactly what I expected you to…
Asao laughed cockily and stood. “You’ve really got me fucked up. Meeting over.”
He rounded the table to leave but Cobra stopped him. “Like it or not, she’s mine. I own her but I’m willing to let you have her for the right price.”
Asao turned and leaned over Cobra. “She isn’t for sale, muthafucker.”
“Maybe nother, but I know for certain her career is. I own her name. The only way she does music is if I let her, but I’m willing to negotiate.” He smiled smugly. “Make me an offer.”
“Fuck you. Sao, let’s go.” Niles glared at Cobra whose eyes darted to Asao.
“You still gonna let him speak for you?”
Asao glanced at Niles before he responded. “Nah, how much you want?”
“Two hundred and fifty thousand and she gets her name back. I’ll even throw in her masters. But I want fifty percent of ticket sales, Nefatari as a headliner, and sixty percent of what you’re paying my artists.”
