Devil’s Music - Chapter 111: Drop The Beat!

The next day,

Having stayed overnight at the hotel due to late-night conversations with Dre until the wee hours, Geon Kim returned to his studio to find Dre and Ice Cube engaged in a discussion behind the closed door.

“Wait, you’re telling me I didn’t create this track?” Dre questioned.

“Oh, come on! Why are you acting like this? You said you wouldn’t release the album, and now you’re hesitating even though the lyrics are written, and the recording is done. I’m not giving up on this; hand it over,” Ice Cube retorted.

“Hey, how can I give you a track I didn’t create? Is U.S. law a joke to you? You could get sued for this,” Dre replied.

“I don’t know, I don’t care! I’m going to do this song, no matter what. Give it to me.”

Geon, opening the studio door, caught Dre and Ice Cube off guard. Dre tossed his headphones onto the desk, saying, “Hey, you’re here early.”

Geon, smiling slightly, observed their exchange. Dre, noticing Geon’s presence, grinned and pushed the headphones towards him.

“Wanna listen? It’s good. Phil is doing great too. But the mastering isn’t top-notch.”

As Geon put on the headphones, Dre started playing the track. Geon, hearing the initial part, was taken aback. Dre, noticing Geon’s surprised expression, stopped the playback and inquired, “What? Did static disturb you? It shouldn’t happen with expensive gear like this.”

Geon, awkwardly laughing, took off the headphones. “Haha, no, it’s not that… I actually made this yesterday.”

Dre widened his eyes, and Ice Cube, who had risen from his seat, exclaimed, “What!? You made this?”

Handing the headphones to Dre, Geon clarified, “Well, I can’t exactly say I made it. I arranged Dre’s existing track.”

Dre, with a bewildered expression, said, “My track? I have no memory of making something like this.”

Geon moved the mouse, highlighting the file title. “This one. ‘Dog Poop.'”

Dre stared at the screen in disbelief, then looked at Geon. Ice Cube, clenching his fist and contemplating, suddenly rushed out of the studio. Geon, watching Ice Cube’s departure, chuckled. Dre, still unable to close his gaping mouth, managed to speak.

“Oh, no. Is this really my track? It’s completely different. I don’t remember making a song like this, not even vaguely.”

Geon laughed and said, “Well, I did make some modifications. But the most crucial part, the drumbeat, remains the same.”

As Dre, dumbfounded, continued to gaze at the screen, Geon asked, “By the way, where did Ice Cube run off to?”

Dre glanced at the closed studio door, sighed, and explained, “Probably upset. He can’t use this song.”

“What? Why can’t he use it?”

“He thinks you made it. You’re Korean.”

Geon, not fully grasping the conversation, shook his head. Dre, looking at Geon’s puzzled expression, leaned back in his chair, fist on his chin, and elaborated.

“Remember that song ‘Black Korea’? It caused a stir, even in your country’s news. I made that song to warn Asians about being surveilled at American convenience stores due to being mistaken for criminals. It was a message for Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans, but since there are many Koreans near L.A., the lyrics mention Korea.”

Dre continued, “Due to this, that guy got a lot of hate from Koreans on his social media. He warned Asians who were stereotyping black people as potential criminals in interviews, clarified that he didn’t hate Korea, but the Korean media never covered that part. So, he’s remembered as a black rapper who hates Korea in the minds of Koreans.”

While Geon, feeling somewhat uncomfortable as a Korean, tried to comprehend, Dre continued his detailed explanation. “So, today, as soon as he came to the studio, he asked if you curse at him when you eat because you’re Korean. Even though he looks tough, he has a surprisingly timid side. But when he realized that the song he wanted to do was arranged by a Korean, he probably thought he couldn’t give it to himself and ran out.”

Geon, also a bit uncomfortable with the situation, nodded understandingly. Dre, watching Geon put his smartphone back into his pocket after searching for ‘Black Korea’ lyrics, swallowed hard and asked, “What do you think? Does it feel like one-sided criticism to you?”

Geon shook his head with a faint smile.

In the shoes of a black person, he did something that could be quite offensive. However, from the perspective of an Asian, a physically imposing black person can be very intimidating. It’s not a societal issue, but rather a defense mechanism for the physically weaker to set boundaries. I hope you understand that. I, too, find it intimidating to encounter someone who looks imposing and formidable, haha.”

As Geon Kim responded positively, Dre’s expression brightened, and he hastily added to his words.

“Yeah, that’s right! You know that guy too? Haven’t you heard the other raps he’s written? Once he starts cursing, it gets so rough that the target of his words would wish they were dead. The lyrics are just about expressing the impact of unpleasant moments in life. He understands the difference in perspectives between people.”

Geon, looking at Dre embracing his nephew, Ice Cube, chuckled. Dre, cautiously, spoke.

“So, um… What if he really likes this? Can’t I give this song to him?”

As Geon quietly looked at Dre, a slightly tense expression appeared on Dre’s face. Geon, after a moment of silence, couldn’t contain his laughter.

“Hahaha, just kidding. This is your music, Dre. Well, use it and you can credit it as a song made by Dre. All I did was arrange it.”

Dre, with surprise in his eyes at Geon’s unexpected response, asked, “What? Tell him I made it? Really?”

“Yeah, it was originally your song.”

“No, do you know how much money this could make? If it becomes a hit and I tell the reporters you made it, what would happen to me? No, no.”

“It’s okay, Dre. Think of it as payment for the lesson you gave me. Your Cu Base class is something every student dreams of. Haha.”

“Is it really okay? It’s not difficult to credit your name, you know?”

“It’s really okay, as long as you teach me properly. I’m not someone who likes to be at a loss. Haha.”

Dre, trying to figure out Geon’s sincerity, looked at Geon intensely, then extended his hand.

“Alright, I’ll repay you with the best lesson. But if you say otherwise later, I’ll make a diss track about you and have Eminem and 50 Cent sing it.”

Geon, with an amused expression, shook Dre’s outstretched hand.

“Haha, that would be interesting. Having my name mentioned by Eminem and 50 Cent? Haha.”

Dre, still holding Geon’s hand, patted Geon’s chest with his shoulder and laughed before standing up.

“Just wait a moment, I’ll fetch that guy. He’s probably wandering around trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol. I’ll bring him back.”

“Sure, take your time.”

Watching Dre leave, Geon turned to Ice Cube, who had a guilty expression. Dre, laughing, pointed at Ice Cube.

“Hahaha, this guy! He heard everything outside the door, hahaha!”

Ice Cube, with an awkward smile, glanced at Geon, who was looking at him. Ice Cube hesitated for a moment and then thanked Geon.

“Thanks for understanding.”

Geon found it amusing and, along with Dre, laughed at the embarrassed Ice Cube, who then sat down and put on his headphones. Dre, taking Ice Cube’s headphones away, laughed louder.

“What, you’re just wearing headphones and not even playing music, hahaha!”

“Stop making fun of me!”

“Hahaha! Hahaha! Oh, this is really funny.”

Dre, laughing as if rolling on the floor, wiped his tears and spoke.

“Record it without worries; I heard everything outside, so you don’t need to explain separately.”

After Dre left, an awkward silence lingered. Ice Cube, with a pen in hand, glanced at Geon while working on the lyrics. Geon, sensing the shift in atmosphere, decided to change the topic with a different question.

“Does Dre not release albums anymore? The last one was two years ago.”

Ice Cube, while writing lyrics, put the pen down and answered.

“Yeah, he said he’s retiring. He even gave an interview saying it’s his last album.”

“Why? He’s not old, and it’s not like his skills are diminishing. Is he tired of rap, like Warren G mentioned? Tired of rapping about expensive stuff and cars, as he complained before?”

Geon fixed his gaze on the screen, waiting for Ice Cube’s response. However, when no answer came, he turned to look at Ice Cube. The seriousness in Ice Cube’s eyes caught Geon’s attention.

“Don’t you know? It’s a famous story.”

“What story?”

Ice Cube stood up and pulled out one of the many CDs stuck in the shelf, handing it over to Geon. Geon took the CD and looked at the cover.

“Curtis Young? The last name is the same as Dre’s.”

“He’s Dre’s nephew. The son who died nine years ago.”

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