Rhythm and Ray: A DJ’s Journey

[Chapter 253: Paying Top Dollar]

Setting aside Kesha herself, dealing with Luke and Katy was tricky.

Luke was an established producer with many big names under his belt while Katy had bounced around various record labels, had three contracts before landing with Capitol Records, where she finally found her footing, gaining fame with her flamboyant, low-budget cartoonish style and controversial song themes.

Ryan was also puzzled by their relationship. After rejecting Luke's request, he teasingly asked Katy, "Seems like you and Luke are pretty close, huh? Willing to sacrifice yourself for a young girl on his team."

"I can't help it; I'm just a singer. I can't write or produce like you and Taylor do and ignore everyone else," Katy sighed, suggesting she felt trapped by circumstance.

Perhaps they weren't that close. Ryan immediately surmised that their collaboration was strictly business unless Katy was hiding something.

"Speaking of which, Kesha is a talented girl; she deserves proper nurturing," Ryan said, looking at Luke.

Luke shrugged, appearing indifferent. "I know plenty of girls like her, a dime a dozen. Kesha is just a bit more loyal, that's all."

If what Luke said was true, Ryan wouldn't be interested in signing Kesha. Honestly, her voice alone could launch her into stardom.

It's common for people in relationships to intentionally downplay their worth.

Ryan then glanced at Kesha's reaction; she seemed accustomed to this kind of manipulation, her expression unchanged, though she furrowed her brows slightly at being rejected.

"Kesha, would you like to stay behind? I can call and see if any other warm-up acts can't make it. You two can check out the nightclub if you don't want to wait," Ryan suggested.

"I'll stay with Kesha; there's nothing to look at in the nightclub," Luke said, seeming cautious.

Katy asked if there were any good-looking guys in the nightclub, but when told no, her energy visibly drained, and she declared she was too tired and would head back to the hotel early.

Ryan originally wanted to talk to Kesha alone but found that Luke didn't allow him even a moment. He kept answering Ryan's questions for Kesha, as if afraid she'd let something slip.

Ryan could feel Luke's irrational behavior growing stranger by the minute.

After they left, Ryan decided to target Katy Perry. Since she worked frequently with Luke, she had to know some details.

...

"I told you, I don't need any room service! I've worked over 20 hours straight and have only slept for less than four!" Katy Perry lamented, squinting as she approached the door, and swung it open.

She initially expected to find a hotel service worker or perhaps a male escort, but was instead greeted by Ryan.

"Uh..." She quickly straightened herself out, striking a sultry pose, her waist slightly bent as she tightened her silky purple nightgown.

"Hi, Ryan! I'd invite you in, but you have to tell me why you're here!" Katy blinked her eyelashes, not yet having taken off her false ones.

Without a word, Ryan pushed his way inside and shut the door behind him.

"Shit! You Floridians are so direct! There's no fun in that," Katy exclaimed.

"I'm not from here, and I'm not here for fun." Ryan seated himself in one of the room's chairs.

Katy grinned, placing her hands on her hips, strutting up to Ryan, and bending over to give him a good view.

If we were naming the most underrated of the five divas, it would undoubtedly be Katy Perry. Her cartoonish style and early weight gain easily caused others to overlook the fact that she had a phenomenal physique in her early fame.

Standing at 5'8", with a natural 32E figure and weighing only 125 pounds, she was quite a sight.

Ryan noticed something in his peripheral vision, but his eyes were fixed on her blue pupils.

"You're scared, aren't you? Oh, yes, you're scared that Taylor will know," Katy teased, draping her legs across the bed and resting her cheek on her knees.

What was exposed just now was the top, and what is exposed now is...

Now Ryan really doubted whether her and Luke were just business partners.

"Don't give me that look; you're the only one who gets the special treatment! You're just too handsome, so handsome that people can't close their legs!" Katy chuckled.

"I came to talk to you about the performance schedule," Ryan said seriously. She was not bad looking and had a nice figure, but Ryan just didn't have any evil thoughts about her. Perhaps it was due to her dressing style.

"To get straight to the point? Well, look at you being straightforward. Good, I'd hate to waste my breath. You need to put me in the prime slot between 8:30 and 9:00."

"Do you think you are better suited for that slot than Eminem?" Ryan asked with a grin.

"You could let me perform either before or after him; it's just ten minutes -- you could certainly make space," Katy pushed back.

"Deal." Ryan nodded.

"That's more like it." Katy stood up and sat on Ryan's lap, lightly caressing his face and smiling seductively.

"Just looking at you has got me hot and bothered," she said dreamily.

"Help me get in touch with Kesha; I need to see her tonight."

"So you like that kind, or is one girl just not enough?" Katy swiftly pulled her hands back.

"I want to talk to her; her voice is perfect for electronic music," Ryan revealed his true intention.

Katy finally realized Ryan's actual purpose for coming over and quickly stood up, feeling played.

"I never said I wanted to do anything with you; you misinterpreted," Ryan chuckled lightly.

"Coward," she shot back.

"I work seamlessly with Luke; I wouldn't betray him for you," Katy shook her head resolutely.

"I just want you to set up a meeting with Kesha; don't think of anything else," Ryan insisted.

"I honestly think you should save your energy. Luke often brings Kesha home; they might be in the same room right now," Katy murmured.

"Can you detail how they met?"

"It's the most ordinary story. Kesha had a dream of being a musician, and Luke was willing to give her a chance. Over time, Luke became a bit too close -- like taking her out to parties. After one such party, Kesha lost consciousness, and when she came to, she found herself next to Luke. He reassured her, stated that he liked her, and would offer her more opportunities, wants to create music together -- and that led to where they are now," Katy narrated.

"Can you confirm the authenticity of this?"

"Of course, Kesha told me directly."

"So you know Luke definitely has something that could ruin her life -- pictures, perhaps," Ryan noted.

Realizing that possibility, Ryan felt that winning Kesha over would be quite challenging now.

"But, you aren't leaving with totally empty hands. Kesha has complained to me that Luke has deceived her without giving her due reward. Her song hit number one on Billboard, but she couldn't even afford to buy regular-priced berries," Katy added.

"Luke took what's rightfully hers, but it's all clearly defined in the contract.

Finally, if you continue to insist, I can bring Kesha out. I'll invite her to dinner, but I might have other engagements, and you'd just 'happen' to run into her. I wouldn't know you were there, and I wouldn't have seen you. What do you think of this setup?" Katy proposed after some thought.

"Deal, tonight."

"Now, is there a second deal?" Katy leaned back, opening the dress.

Ryan immediately pulled out his phone as if to take a picture.

Katy squealed, quickly closing her legs. "You bastard!"

...

"What are you doing here?" Kesha exclaimed, recognizing the man at the table as he removed his sunglasses and mask.

"Hold your surprise for later; I'm here to talk to you about your career plans," Ryan said, placing his hands on the table.

"You must realize you're perfect for singing electronic music tracks?"

Kesha seemed to catch on to Ryan's intentions and asked, "Don't just sit there; order me something to eat."

Some time later, looking at Kesha devouring her meal, Ryan understood how Katy had lured her out -- by treating her to dinner.

No exaggeration; she literally couldn't afford a meal.

"I have no choice; there are so many strings attached. I even have to pay printing fees to get my contract. Once all is taken out, my earnings are pitiful, and I still have to pay rent. So I save wherever I can, like on this meal," Kesha confessed.

"So, are you going to stick to it?" Ryan asked.

"I've come this far; I can't quit now or all that effort goes to waste. Luke promised to produce songs, and they'll release in August. I've already written the lyrics and the title is TiK ToK, written while I was drunk. Do you want to hear it? If this single blows up, I could have an album next year and make big bucks."

"Are you sure?" Ryan pressed further.

Kesha giggled shyly.

"At least he promised me."

"He's made you promises before, but what happened then?" Ryan remarked coldly.

Mid-cut with a rib roast, Kesha paused at this.

"Did you look into me?"

"Luke doesn't appreciate your worth; you should follow me. At least I can give you the freedom to eat," Ryan said, subtly persuasive.

Kesha raised her head and studied Ryan, gauging if he was joking before returning to her meal.

"Let me finish my food first."

After that, no matter what Ryan said, she scarfed down the meal, leaving the table spotless.

Kesha nonchalantly pulled out a napkin, dabbed her mouth, and said, "Luke has already started lining up a team for me, and I've given him many song lyrics and melodies, so you can't bypass him."

"Then get his authorization. As a trade-off, he remains the co-producer. But the distribution work must be handled by UMG," Ryan proposed.

"How much percentage are you offering?" Kesha crumpled her used napkin and tossed it at the next table's trash can.

"Once you deduct the applicable percentage, the remainder is all yours; you can earn 35% direct royalties from downloads, and the album shares are similar. But I haven't factored in Luke's cut; if he asks for too much, you won't make any money."

"You mean I have to talk to him in person?"

"I can help if you need me to step in."

"Besides, are there any extra perks? I mean, now that you see my potential," Kesha asked, a coy smile on her lips.

"If you can persuade Luke to give in, I can throw in this amount." Ryan held up one finger.

"Ten grand? That's a bit low; you seriously undervalue my potential," Kesha said, irritated.

Before Ryan could respond, Kesha continued, "At least 50 grand."

"I'm offering you a hundred grand!"

"Hundred grand?" Kesha blinked repeatedly, seemingly lost in thought, showing signs of shock.

"Exactly, provided you can handle Luke."

In principle, Ryan wouldn't offer a newcomer such a substantial "signing fee," but Kesha exceeded his expectations. Ryan did this with a willingness paid top dollar for quality.

If Ryan was ready to splurge, Kesha certainly had talent that was visible from a mile away; come early 2010, she was a force to be reckoned with -- multiple massive hits that overshadowed critics.

Kesha took several deep breaths, clearly trying to calm herself.

"Don't get too riled up; maybe you won't handle Luke," Ryan said, eager to hear Kesha's strategy.

Getting Kesha was easy, but dealing with Luke would be tougher.

"It's simple; I'll tell him you've offered me a hundred grand. Even a fool knows how to choose! He's taken some pictures of me, and he's willing to post online -- these days, everyone has leaked pictures," Kesha replied nonchalantly.

"Don't say that; it'll only make him jack up the price, leading to you making not a single dime."

"What should I say instead?"

"Make him feel like it's all over. That he has no control over you anymore, and he'll be pushed to negotiate with us -- turning the initiative into a passive stance. Come over..." Ryan beckoned her, leaning in to whisper a plan.

*****

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