Chapter Three

Michael’s POV

I sat in my office, humming softly to Prince in my arms. He needed a nap or he was going to be very cranky later. Just as I was getting him to sleep, there was a knock on the door. Prince’s brown eyes snapped open as he blinked up at me.

I sighed. “Sorry, Prince.” I pressed a kiss to his forehead “I know you were just falling asleep…” I snuggled him and then stood, opening the door with a small frown.

Aaron blinked when he saw the frown. “Sir… did I do something wrong?” He asked me confused.

I adjusted Prince in my arms so he could rest his head on my shoulder and gently rubbed his back. I lowered my tone before I spoke. “You woke my son.” I told him

“Oh. I’m sorry sir… if I’d have known….” He started

I shook my head and motioned for him to follow me in, sitting back down in my chair and going back to rubbing Prince’s back. He snuggled more into me and I couldn’t help but smile at that.

Aaron stood by my desk, unsure whether he should sit or not.

“Aaron… you can sit, you know.” I said with a quiet chuckle.

He chuckled as well before finally sitting.

“So what’s going on?” I asked him, hoping everything was okay.

“Well… remember how you sent Kyle, Brian and I out to look for fresh talent?” He started

I blinked. They couldn’t have found someone that fast, could they? “Yes….?” I said

“Well… we think we might have someone you’ll like. He’s very young but we saw a lot of talent in him.” He said

They had. Wow. I felt completely shocked by this new information. I had expected this to take a few days, maybe a week. “Alright. Did he have any demos?” I asked

Aaron nodded. “Yeah, I brought them with me as well.” He said, setting them on my desk and sliding them over closer to me.

“I see. Well, let me put Prince down and then I suppose we can take a listen” I said

Aaron nodded and watched as I stood and headed out to the nursery. I gently laid him down in his bassinet and smiled, leaning in and kissing his forehead before heading back to my office. I saw Aaron still sitting there, drumming his fingers on his lap.

“Alright. Let’s get these set up.” I said, walking over to my radio and putting the first demo tape in and hitting play. I walked over to my chair and listened as the tape started. What I heard was an intense amount of fire and passion lining each word. I blinked, stunned but stayed silent nonetheless.

I folded my hands as the young rapper continued. I hadn’t heard anything like him and though the language was a bit much, it didn’t bother me enough to stop the tape. I was glad I’d decided to take Prince to his nursery though, he didn’t need to be around such vulgar language at such a young and impressionable age. I forced myself not to get lost in the beat of the song, paying strict attention to the lyrics themselves. It was clear he was an angry individual who fell down a hole which he saw no way out of currently. I felt bad for him, this was far more than a song. It was his true emotions. True emotion was what made for a great artist and long-lasting music.

Aaron and I listened for a while before the tape came to a close. I changed the tapes a few times before being satisfied. He was exactly the kind rapper I needed for the kinds of songs I’d written recently. “What’s his name? Did he tell you?” I asked

Aaron hesitated here. I wondered why. “He… sort’ve did…” He said

“Oh? What do you mean “sort’ve”?” I asked confused. How did you sort’ve tell someone your name?

“Well he said his name is Slim but… I think that’s like a… ego name? I don’t know what they call it, sir. But I doubt that’s his real name. He wasn’t exactly happy I’d bothered him. I guess he thought this might be a scam.” He explained.

I nodded. “Right. I understand that. Aaron… I need you to go back to where you found him. Talk to him, see if we can bring him in. I’d like to meet this mysterious young rapper.” I told him

“Okay, Mr. Jackson. Do you want me to go alone or would you like me to bring the other two again?” He asked

“Just you. He knows you more than the others, he may be more willing to work with you on this. I can send Derek, my personal bodyguard, to go with you, if that would make you feel more comfortable.”

“Oh um, no, that’s fine. I’ll be okay, I’m sure.”

“Alright. You may go for now. Leave these demos with me, alright?” I said

He nodded. “Have a nice day, sir.” He said, standing up.

“You too and thank you very much, I truly appreciate it.”

He smiled. “Don’t mention it.” And with that, he was gone.

I sat back in my chair and thought about everything. This might be very interesting.

---

A few days later, Aaron drove to the abandoned warehouse where he’d met Slim. These back and forth plane trips were going to kill him, he hoped Slim would be willing to work with him this time, so he would only have to fly back to California like this once. When he got to the warehouse, it seemed to be just as busy as the last time he was there. So many people were gathered in one place just praying for one shot. It seemed crazy to think about.

Aaron stepped out of his rental car. He’d dressed down for tonight, compared to last time. He was hoping not to stick out too much since he was all alone. He sighed as he locked his car and headed in. He’d wondered if maybe he should’ve taken Michael up on his offer to provide him, his personal bodyguard. He scoffed at himself for even thinking that. He would be fine, no one would bother him, he was being silly.

He weaved his way through the crowd looking for a place to stand so he could watch. People were buzzing with excitement to see who’d be the champion tonight. Aaron hoped it was Slim, he knew he was good. He watched as Slim came out and stared his opponent down.

“Surprised to see your white ass back here. You got some nerve, homeboy.” A tall man with short buzzed hair said to Slim. He was a heavy man, it was as if he’d had four horses today and that may have just been dinner.

“Look who’s talkin, tubby. Heard you got beat bad last time you were here.” He countered back.

The atmosphere felt very hostile and it started making Aaron feel uncomfortable. He felt appalled by the way they talked to each other. He didn’t think he’d ever fully understand rap battles or rap in general for that matter.

“That make you confident you can beat me?” He challenged

“A little. Anyone who loses in the first round and then runs home blubbering like a baby to their mama doesn’t seem very intimidating to me.” Slim countered.

“You can talk sure, let’s see you rap. White boys don’t know how to rhyme. It just doesn’t happen.”

“Just spin that shit” He said, never taking his eyes off his opponent.

As the chubby one broke into his first rap, Aaron noticed Slim’s eyes never leaving him. The fire from last time was there, it never left him.

“Yo! This guy’s got some nerve, callin me out. Must think he’s better then all us. But see, I don’t see what’s the fuss. I look in his eyes and all I see is doubt” The chubby one started. “Wonder what it’s about. Oh wait. I just realized, I don’t give a shit. You just some trailer park trash, living with his mama, seems fit. Must suck to be you.”

Slim’s face remained neutral and once it was his turn, he got right into it. He came back and the battle went on for a bit. Each round was stopped and the guy running it asked the audience who they thought was better.

Aaron moved forward to get a little closer and bumped into a guy who was about 6’4. He froze. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to~” He cut off as the guy lifted him up by his shirt.

---

Eminem’s POV

Phat-Biscuit and I had continued when I noticed the guy from before being hassled by some guys. I guess he’d come back to talk to me after talking to his boss. I cut off mid-rhyme and called out to the tall guy and his posse. “Leave him alone, man. He didn’t mean to walk into you. Let it go.” I said.

The guy cackled with his buddies. “Oh okay, you think cause you spit out some weak rhymes that I’m just gonna listen to you? That’s sad. You must live in some dream world.” He said

The audience chimed in, expecting a fight. I’d punch him in the face if I needed too. “Whatever man, take it how you want. Just let him go. This isn’t even his scene.” I said

The guy cackled again. “This a friend of yours? Aww, that’s sweet, stickin up for your homies. You’re sweet.” He taunted.

Alright, that’s it. I dropped the mic and jumped off the stage and shot over to him, bringing my right hand back and connected my fist with his chin.

He growled and put his free hand to his chin, dropping the dude. He turned to me and went after me. Just as we started the guy in charge came over and pulled us apart.

“Whoa, whoa. Enough is enough. I think both of you need to leave for tonight.” He said

“Yeah. Maybe.” I said, glaring at the dude. My eye hurt like hell from his punch.

The guy in charge nodded, escorting us out with the dude from MJJ Productions right behind him. The tall dude just cackled as he headed out and to his car.

I rolled my eyes and noticed the other guy still beside me. “You okay, man?” I asked

“U-um yeah…” He said, still shaken. “Why’d you…?”

“Because I didn’t think it was right” I said with a shrug.

“Oh. Well um, thanks.” He said

“Don’t mention it. What’s your name anyway?” I asked

“Aaron.” He said.

I nodded. “Cool.” I said

He nodded as well and took a breath. “I had wanted to talk to you…” He started.

“Oh right.” I said, waiting.

“I spoke to Michael. He wants to meet you, he really liked what he heard…”He said, back to business just like that.

“Really? So Jackson’s actually interested?” I asked.

“Yeah he is. You got some talent there, Slim.” He said

“Yea well. I guess I could talk to him.” I said

“He’d like that. I’m heading back tomorrow morning, I’ve got an early flight. I’ll call them tonight and tell them you decided to join us, if you want me too.”

“Hmm... well... okay. And by the way, my name’s Marshall Mathers. Slim’s just one of the names I use in battles. That and Eminem.” I said

“He nodded. I guess ‘Eminem’ comes from your initials?” He asked

I nodded and he gave me a weak smile.

“Do you think you could follow me to my hotel so you can give them your information and we can decide when we’ll be meeting up tomorrow morning?” He asked

“Sure, why not.” I said

“Great” He said. And with that, Aaron walked over to his car and got in. I made my way over to mine as well and opened the door, tossing my bag in the back and getting in. I pulled up next to Aaron once the car warmed up a little bit.

Once there we parked the cars and headed in. I followed him to his room where he made his call. I listened until he nodded and handed the phone over to me, giving the person on the other line my information before handing the phone back over to Aaron. I waited until he was done so we could figure out meeting times and then headed back to my own place. This was definitely the start of something very interesting.