America's Road to Wealth

West Coast time, January 25, 2002, around 7 pm.

California, downtown Los Angeles, near Staples Center.

A stretched Rolls-Royce sedan with many modified decorations on the outside and very cool embroidery on the body was driving on the way to the Staples Center parking lot.

Due to tonight's game, there will be heavy traffic near Staples Center tonight.

A large number of Los Angeles police officers came out to direct traffic, but because there were so many people, traffic jams were still unavoidable.

The length is exaggerated, and the total length is definitely more than 7 meters long Rolls-Royce sedan.

Even if it's worth over a million dollars, it's still stuck in traffic.

"Fake the Shet!"

Step into the cabin of a Rolls-Royce sedan.

Sean Corey Carter looked at the heavy traffic outside and couldn't help but curse.

Sean Corey Carter's stage name is Jay-Z.

He is very famous in North America and is one of the true kings of black hip-hop.

The first single was released in 1994, and the sales of the second album in life exceeded 5 million copies.

In 1999, the song "Heartbreaker", a collaboration with Mariah Carey, became a superstar and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

In the black circle and hip-hop circle, Jay-Z is as famous as Michael Jackson.

Tonight, Jay-Z paid a high price to get some Staples Center tickets from scalpers.

He came here specially from New York to watch the game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers.

To be honest, Jay-Z is not a fan of these two basketball teams.

As a standard New Yorker, Jay-Z was born in Brooklyn.

If I had to find a favorite basketball team, it would probably be the Knicks.

No matter how bad they are, the Knicks are the only basketball team in New York.

Jay-Z will go to New York Knicks games if he can.

Tonight's game between the Rockets and the Lakers can attract Jay-Z because his new agent suggested that he go.

"Although it is indeed a bit dangerous. After all, that happened just a few days ago..."

"But... Sean, think about it. Why don't those Hollywood guys go to Staples Center to watch the game together on this day?"

"These guys, do they really love basketball that much? As far as I know, many of them don't even watch an NBA game. For example, that Tom Hanks, this guy is a hidden 3K Damn it. He actually went to watch NBA games. Do you think this is easy?"

Jay-Z’s response to his agent at the time was:

"Then what do you think is the reason why these people went to Staples Center to watch this game?"

The agent said to him: "There are rumors in the circle that Smith Media invited these people because they were let go once when they were in New York. This time, Smith Media wanted to compensate the NBA, so it invited a In the past, ticket stars increased the popularity of the NBA, which was regarded as compensation for the last incident."

"Then why should I go there?"

Jay-Z asked in confusion at the time:

"I have nothing to do with Smith Media. That traitor Kanye West is still working at Music DreamWorks for that white guy!"

Kanye West is Jay-Z’s former music producer, a young, very talented black hip-hop creative genius.

Jay-Z took a fancy to Kanye's talent and brought Kanye West to his Roc-a-Fella record label, asking Kanye West to help him produce his album.

Jay-Z's "Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life", which sold more than 5 million copies, and "Heartbreaker", a successful collaboration with diva Sister Niu, both had the help and creativity of Kanye West.

Jay-Z values ​​this kid very much, but he, Sean Corey Carter, is not a bastard.

Jay-Z wants Kanye West to keep working for him.

The problem is that basketball and hip-hop have always been one of the two major ways for black Americans at the bottom to pursue class advancement.

How could Kanye West, who has excellent musical talent, be willing to just be a behind-the-scenes producer.

Young black boys have responded to Jay-Z many times and want to create their own personal singles or albums.

In desperation, Jay-Z promised to pay Kanye West to record a single from 2002 to 2003.

But the problem is...

Last year, Kanye West took a chance.

Although the black boy took some risks, he succeeded in the end.

Kanye left Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella Records and was poached by the reorganized Music DreamWorks.

Jay-Z has since lost a creative general.

Kanye West, who went to the Music Dream Factory, was unlucky enough to encounter the September 11th incident when his first solo album was just released.

As a result, the popularity was taken away, the attention was almost non-existent, and the sales of the album were extremely low once it was released.

But Music DreamWorks is backed by Smith Media, so it is not short of money or channels.

Coupled with the two musical geniuses of Kanye West and David Geffen, a bright musical spark broke out.

Kanye West's solo debut album is of excellent quality among black hip-hop music. The MV, lyrics, music score, and even the marketing itself are all flawless.

Even if we encounter a black swan like the September 11th incident.

After the September 11 fever subsided slightly.

Kanye's album was re-released by Music DreamWorks.

Starting from the end of October last year, Kanye West's first solo recording album titled "College Dropout" was re-released.

The re-launched "College Dropout" album sold 441,000 copies in the first week in the United States, ranking second on the US Billboard album chart that month.

In the same month, the single "Slow Jamz", a duet with Jamie Foxx, topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Kanye West Reintroduced

As soon as he appeared in the public eye, he became extremely popular and became the most dazzling new star in the black hip-hop music circle.

Since October last year, Kanye West and Avril Lavigne have been together known as the two super new stars in the North American music circle in 2002.

The emergence of these two super new stars has also made the world aware of the star-making ability of Music DreamWorks.

Kanye West also became one of the strongest contenders for the Grammy Award for Best Newcomer the following year.

But the problem is...Kanye West was originally just a music producer for Jay-Z's company.

He is one of Jay-Z's many younger brothers.

Other black people have more words of envy and jealousy towards Kanye West’s success.

Then Jay-Z is envious and jealous of Kanye, and more or less hates him.

In Jay-Z's opinion, Kanye's "College Dropout" has so many excellent songs, they should be his!

It should have appeared on Jay-Z's own new album.

Sales of "College Dropout" exceeded 5 million in two months and exceeded 7 million in three months. Jay-Z felt that it was his own.

This kind of thinking has made it impossible for Jay-Z to interact with his former little brother and friend Kanye in a normal manner.

In addition, when Kanye changed jobs, the two became a little unhappy.

Nowadays, Jay-Z and Kanye are somewhat on the same page in the black hip-hop circle.

Kanye West is from Smith Media, but now his agent wants Jay-Z to support Smith Media.

Jay-Z was a little unhappy at the time.

Fortunately, Sean Corey Carter is one of those black people who can still listen to persuasion.

Even though he was unhappy, Jay-Z still followed his manager's advice and came to support Smith Media.

Even though Smith Media didn’t invite him.

Because the manager said: "Sean, think about your relationship with that traitor! If the traitor uses Music DreamWorks to deal with us, how much trouble Roc-a-Fella will have! Think about the advice Boss Anderson gave us!"

In fact, it was the last sentence that the manager persuaded Jay-Z to talk through.

That was "Boss Anderson's advice."

"Boss Anderson" is a person who is the senior leader of the Bloods Gang among the black gangs in the United States.

Jay-Z is a member of the Bloods Gang and one of the senior peripheral members.

Anderson, the leader of the Blood Gang, is mainly based in New York, and Jay-Z has a good relationship with him.

Silver parry inside a black circle.

The core black people talked about New York and the various forces in New York.

At that exciting party.

Boss Anderson said to everyone: "We can mess with anyone in New York, but we can never mess with Smith! In New York, Smith can sink anyone to the bottom of the Hudson Bay. Listen clearly, it's anyone!"

Even though I was high on a lot of drugs at that time.

Boss Anderson's expression was still very serious and terrifying.

The senior members of the Blood Gang who were surrounding him were somewhat frightened.

It was also at that time that Jay-Z finally did not dare to say any bad nicknames to a certain guy.

At most, the title "white guy" is an absolute "insult".

This is exactly what Boss Anderson warned.

Let Jay-Z decide to go to Staples Center to support Smith Media.

Let’s see if it can be similar to Music DreamWorks.

This forced Jay-Z to sit in traffic near the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles for nearly an hour.

Until it was almost 8 o'clock, when the game was about to start in ten minutes.

Jay-Z's car finally arrived at the Staples Center parking lot.

Jay-Z has been to Staples Center many times to perform and watch NBA games.

He remembered when he came here before

It allows the vehicle to stop directly at the entrance of the VIP channel, and then directly enter the venue through the VIP channel.

But he didn't get a box ticket at the Staples Center today. What he bought was just an ordinary close-up ticket.

It’s not like I’m here to perform, and there’s no special invitation.

In addition, there was a notice from the Staples Center today requiring all people watching the game to park their vehicles in the parking lot and pass the security check before entering to watch the game.

So even a superstar like Jay-Z.

Today, he could only let the driver drive his car into the Staples Center parking lot first.

It can be said that the Staples Center parking lot is overcrowded today.

Jay-Z's stretched Rolls-Royce sedan had to run around for several times before finally finding a spot.

After parking the vehicle, Jay-Z waited for the bodyguard and driver to open the door for himself before getting out.

Jay-Z got out of the car, feeling a little uncomfortable.

This is a rare occasion for Sean to appear in public without being surrounded by reporters or fans.

At a glance, Jay-Z saw a lot of people in the parking lot.

But not many people pay attention to Jay-Z and his people.

Even if Jay-Z takes off his cap and black glasses, revealing his entire face.

Jay-Z feels that he has been ignored. He feels that the people here today may not have good eyesight.

"Oh, Falk. That looks like Angelina Jolie!"

I was feeling a little resentful in my heart.

Jay-Z heard one of his drivers and bodyguards, a young black guy with a long name named Tremaine Alden Nevelson, call out softly.

Tremaine is very young, only 18 years old this year, but has strong musical talent and rap talent.

Jay-Z saw the shadow of Kanye West in Tremaine.

After being recommended by his manager, Jay-Z signed Tremaine to his record company.

But Tremaine is not Kanye West after all. He is still relatively young, immature, and not as talented as Kanye.

Jay-Z temporarily let Tremaine act as his driver, bodyguard, and follower, while also learning related music knowledge.

A bit like Kanye West's position in Roc-a-Fella.

It can also be said that Jay-Z is cultivating Tremaine as the second Kanye West.

So Tremaine joined Roc-a-Fella and signed a very strict contract.

What if Tremaine is actually as talented as Kanye in the future.

If Tremaine wants to break away from Jay-Z, it will definitely not be as easy and simple as Kanye West.

Follow Tremaine's line of sight.

Jay-Z, his agent and others saw Angelina Jolie, one of the hottest young female stars in Hollywood, not far away.

She and her people had just gotten out of the car and were about to walk into the Staples Center.

"Fake!" Jay-Z said softly: "I have to say this little white girl, she looks really exciting!"

Relatively speaking, there are many Orientals who are relatively reserved and cannot accept Angelina Jolie's style.

Among white people, some don’t really like this style.

Black people... It can be seen from the fact that the future Kardashian family will be respected by all black elites.

Nico's favorite is this one.

"Shet!!" Tremaine, who was young and ignorant of the heights of the world, and a newborn calf who was not afraid of tigers, shouted:

"It would be great if I could sleep with her for one night."

"There will always be opportunities in the future. As long as you become popular, you will be more popular than Michael Jackson. Those white girls in Hollywood will be eager to have sex with you."

Jay-Z patted Tremaine on the shoulder like a big brother.

A group of black people started walking toward Staples Center.

On the road, I looked at Angelina Jolie not far away, and some other people not far away around.

Jay-Z suddenly turned to his manager Li De and said:

"It seems the rumors are true. Look, it's not just Angelina Jolie. Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Falk, and Will Smith are here too!!"

Jay-Z's original manager was named Richard, who was a good friend of his since childhood.

It is very common among black celebrities to have good buddies or relatives serve as managers.

But last time at Madison Square Garden, Richard's performance made Jay-Z very dissatisfied.

Jay-Z kicked out Richard soon after and found a truly professional manager, who is now Li De.

Although the commission is a bit higher, compared to the unreliable Richard, although Lead is also a black man, his professional quality and professional ability are there.

With Lidl, Jay-Z has avoided many detours.

Otherwise, if the manager was still Richard, Jay-Z would definitely not come today.

Lid smiled:

"Will Smith will definitely come. We all know that he is the black man who respects Mr. Smith the most in the circle. The reason is ridiculous, just because his last name is also Smith..."

Smith is the most popular surname in the United States, and only Jones and Johnson can compare.

There are many Smiths among black people, and the most famous one is Will Smith, the Hollywood superstar.

Maybe it's really because of the same last name.

Will Smith is the black Hollywood star closest to Smith Media.

Will Smith has appeared in several MGM films, all in supporting roles.

Will's attitude makes many black people look down upon him on the surface.

As for what everyone thinks secretly, there is no need to speak out.

After walking for a while, the huge stadium of Staples Center was in front of us.

Jay-Z finally couldn't help but whispered again:

"Leed, do you think... everyone is saying that that man might show up tonight, do you think it's true?"

Lid smiled gently, with a sense of wisdom rare among black people.

This smart look is also the reason why Jay-Z likes Li De.

"No one knows whether Mr. Smith will show up. But everyone is betting."

Lid pointed to some Hollywood stars or entertainment stars visible to the naked eye nearby.

"Bet he'll show up and make a good impression."

"The number of reporters outside the Staples Center today was very small. This is very abnormal. I think there are only two reasons for this."

"What's the reason?" Jay-Z asked.

"Either reporters are not allowed to interview today. Of course, this is unlikely. Although there is a little less, look there are some over there."

Lid said: "Either it is the reporters, many of whom have already gone inside. There should be big news in the venue today."

Jay-Z immediately said: "It must be the latter reason."

Lid also smiled and said, "I think so too."

"Let's go." Jay-Z said to everyone: "Let's go in and see if Abe Smith will show up tonight!!"