From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel-Chapter 108: Record Studio (1)

They arrived at a tall building in the downtown area of the city.

Some of the contestants excitedly got off while chatting with each other, while others looked around curiously, wondering what was going on since the production team hadn’t told them anything.

Before long, they were ushered into the building, with cameramen following them.

Walking near the back of the large group with Jamie and Carlos, Ari first observed William Forbes, noticing as he stood at the very front with his usual group of friends, which included Daniel Kim, Choi In-su, Jerome Tyler, and Levi Temple.

Then he turned toward Benjamin, who was chatting in his usual friendly manner with the people around him.

The two of them seemed normal, but Ari noticed that they never once glanced at each other, even when they were walking side by side at some point.

Clearly, tensions were still high on that team.

William seemed to be telling those around him about the building and the artists signed to the Record Label, but Ari turned to the side to see Suzuki Rei, who walked only a few feet away while staring intently at him.

Meeting the eyes of the Japanese boy who looked away first, Ari snorted in amusement before looking at the various music plaques, trophies, awards, and artist photos that decorated the fancy lobby before the group was led into a large studio and connected lounge room that seemed to be lifted straight out of a movie.

It was huge, more than three times the size of Jamie’s studio with more plaques hung on one wall, various gleaming instruments on another wall, and a whole wall filled with fancy electronic equipment with gleaming knobs and dials that were much fancier equipment than he had seen in Jamie’s studio.

A glass wall bisected one part of the studio, and inside were several state-of-the-art microphones with large pop filters and dark, wooden stools for people to sit on.

Sitting next to the electronic panels on the other side of the glass panels were Jelissa and Larry Jackson.

Larry was wearing a bright red tracksuit and white sneakers with his hair slicked back, and a large cup of iced coffee in his hands.

His undereye bags were very prominent, even with his makeup on, and he looked exhausted.

Sitting next to him was Jelissa, dressed casually in baggy jeans and a purple and yellow basketball jersey, white sneakers, with her hair thrown up in a messy bun with a purple ribbon around it.

Seeing the chattering contestants coming in, Jelissa waved happily while Larry just looked them over with a tired expression, taking another large sip of coffee and clutching his head at the noise.

"Morning, everyone! Welcome to the recording studio!!!! Thanks to Soundwave Music Executive Bing Yongsun, we were able to rent it for an entire day, so you’re currently standing in a studio where AMA’s, Daesungs, Billboard Award holders, and Grammy and Emmy winners have recorded. I recorded my Grammy-winning album here as well. Today, it’s your turn to get in the booth. We’re going to be recording all 100 of your vocals for the official signal song!! Are you all excited??"

- Yesssssss!

At Jelissa’s cheerful announcement, the previously confused faces of the contestants cleared up, and they all looked around in excitement.

Standing and even using a top record label’s recording studio where many musicians they admired had recorded was an amazing opportunity.

Not to mention the fact that one of their trainers and judges had recorded her Grammy-winning album here and would be helping them record.

This was an opportunity that even money couldn’t buy, and all of them were determined to savor it and impress the two vocal trainers.

"Wow! So cheerful! Are you guys really that excited?"

- Yess!!!

The roar of all 100 boys rang out in the small room, and Larry Jackson clutched his head once again while forcing a smile for the cameras.

"Well, you won’t be for long!"

Jelissa cheerfully continued speaking once the room quieted down once more.

As the contestants looked at her in shock, she smiled sweetly while tapping something on the laptop in front of her, and the instrumental of the signal song started playing.

With the gentle smile that she was known for still on her face, Jelissa began to speak in a calming tone.

"I told you, right? That we have the studio reserved for 24 hours? Well, we’re going to use all of that time to perfect the signal song. None of you will be going home today until the recording is perfect, so make sure you familiarize yourself with the bathroom and mini kitchen filled with lots of tea, coffee, and water. The production staff will bring meals to the cafeteria downstairs, so don’t worry. Ah, don’t be scared. It will be fun! I promise!"

Despite her gentle words, as she looked around at all the contestants, Ari swore he could see a crazed light in Jelissa’s eyes that reminded him of nature documentaries, where lions stared hungrily at an innocent gazelle before pouncing.

At this moment, it was clear that she was looking at them as contestants she could coach, but workers that she planned on squeezing until she captured the perfect recording.

He highly doubted that it would be fun, especially since she had originally said that it wasn’t.

"Why don’t we get started, kiddies. When I call your name, please come up; the rest of you can relax close by. Jamie, William, Ari, Rex, Carl- ah, never mind. Just the four of you come up first."

Ari adjusted the mask on his face before walking behind Jamie as the taller boy bulldozed his way through the tight crowd of contestants.

As he briefly glanced back, Ari spotted Carlos’ downcast face, but not knowing what to say, especially in the moment, he turned and walked ahead until he stood in front of Jelissa.

She gestured to the four seats beside her while tapping on her laptop to stop the music.

"Okay, who wants to go first?"

"I will!"

William pushed himself in front of the other three, and seeing his excitement, Jelissa nodded her head toward the glass partition.

"Setting the tone. That’s good. Go for it. Feel free to warm up and give us a thumbs up when you’re ready."

"Yes. Look forward to a perfect take from me." William said confidently, and at his words, Jelissa continued smiling while Larry Jackson laughed while shaking his head in pity.

Although he quite liked William, who was his top pick, it was clear that the boy didn’t know what Jelissa’s work ethic was like, especially when it came to recording in the studio.

Ari just continued to look around curiously, trying his best to understand everything that Jelissa was doing not only on her laptop but with all the panels.

Seeing that both he and Jamie were curious, she kindly explained each action as she waited for William Forbes to warm up his voice.

And when William began to sing, Ari did his best not to frown instinctively.

Previously, William Forbes’ voice was quite similar to his, but now it had clearly been taken to another level as he easily hit notes that he had struggled with before.

Williams’s clarity, tone, and even his enunciation of words as he sang the cringy lyrics of the signal song without making a single mistake were basically perfect, at least to Ari’s ears.

When he was done, William took off the headphones he had on and smirked in the direction of Jelissa as if waiting for her to praise him.

Even Ari had to admit that it sounded great and thought that he was done recording his take.Ari turned to her, expecting her to say that William was free to go.

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"That was pretty good, but it could be better. Why don’t you try it again from the second verse and lower your pitch, just half an octave?"

Jelissa made William perform the song again.

And again.

And again.

Seeing the boy’s face slowly turn red with anger, Ari hid a smile.