Rise To Stardom - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Memes, Memes, Memes!
The new year started with a resounding bang in the music industry.

Why?

Because, coincidentally or not, a lot of popular musicians released their songs within the same span of time, causing a lot of heated arguments between many fans as to which musician was better.

However, that wasn’t even the highlight.

The real highlight, was how almost every major contestant in last year’s season of Rising Voices released banger songs that were topping the Buzzing 100 chart!

Yes, all four of them had completely beaten out even more mainstream musicians and artists and the internet was just going wild over that achievement.

Ryan and Joe, now signed as a duo by the artist name R&J under SoundWave Records, were literally number one on the chart with their hit single [New Flame] which had racked up a total of 22.2M streams in just two weeks.

Their music video had also been so well-made with stellar choreographed dance moves and amazing singing chops that the internet’s reception to it was understandably massive with them racking up a total of 19M views in the same span of weeks.

Turns out, people had been starving for a duo that could sing so well and dance at the same time, making them instantly popular among the teenage guys and girls demographic.

Steven on the other hand, came in at a close second with his own hit single [Just A Call Away], having a total of 21.8M streams in the same span of two weeks and his music video totaled at 16M views.

Katie came in third place on the charts with her beautiful song, [Enthralled] which had a total of 20.7M streams and her music video at 14.6M views.

Lily on the other hand, despite having no backing, record label and no music video, still came in at fourth place with her song titled [Defying Expectations] with a stream count of 20.2M, a feat that so many of her fans were immensely proud of.

Some even believed that had it been that she was signed to a record label, she’d definitely be topping the charts.

All in all, all four were getting a lot of recognition once again and it seemed like the public just couldn’t get enough and wanted more and more of the fresh new rising stars in the music industry.

That aside though, there was also one more other person who was garnering as much recognition as the others, albeit for a completely different reason.

And that was Kyle.

Having taken that scene of him widening his eyes in utter disbelief when Matts told him about making a girl cry by confessing to her, the internet just ran with it all the way and now, Kyle’s face was literally everywhere.

The memes themselves were often times hilarious with it having so much variety; from light-hearted jokes to those with sexual innuendos, all the way to the darker jokes; most of which would include a modified text conversation between Matt and Harry with Harry’s face having a shocked expression of disbelief at the end.

A lot of the time, Matts would represent the person speaking and Harry’s shocked expression would be the punchline;

—

Matt: Writing a new chapter of my webnovel…

Matt: Purposely ends it on a cliffhanger!

Harry: Is he insane 💀?!

~

Matt: Grab her waist… pull her close… lift her up… PRIMARY LOTUS!

Harry: 💀!

~

Harry: So you got a Virally-Transmitted-Infection?

Matt: Yes, I forgot to use my anti-virus shield.

Harry: You didn’t use protection 💀?!

~

Matt: What’s the difference between an apple and an orphan?

Harry: What?

Matt: The apple gets picked.

Harry: 💀!

~

Class-work: 1+1=?

Harry: Pfft! 2. Too easy!

Homework: 2+2+2=?

Harry: 6. That the best you got?

Exam: John has 29 oranges and the sun is 65°F colder, calculate the mass of planet Mars.

Harry: 💀!

—

Like that, there were so many memes of both of them flooding the internet and due to that, [Grow Up] was getting so much publicity even after it had ended and so were Zack and Kyle.

As a result, all of Kyle’s social media handles had increased by quite a lot, with his MediaGram account now at 42K followers and his ViewTube account now having 29K subscribers.

Owing to that too, all of his songs and videos were getting more and more traction and slowly but surely, he was racking up a pretty nice internet presence as a young and budding indie singer/actor who was now also a popular meme.

His fan group on the other hand, now they were probably the happiest set of fans due to the sudden influx of people joining the fan group, increasing their total number from 82 to about 250+.

WeDoABitOfTrolling: Hahaha! Our boy got memed to oblivion!

Pro_noobs: @WeDoABitOfTrolling; You know, for once, I’mma let you be because its true. Kyle is literally everywhere… for now. It’s gonna be even harder to maintain that fame though.

Peter_Writes_Fantasy: I was so confused when I saw the memes after pulling an all-nighter a few days back. Was even more pleasantly surprised when I found out Kyle could act too!

ShrekLovesFiona: These memes are an absolute treasure trove of pure fun and chaos and our boy just loves surprising us, doesn’t he? Didn’t even think he had the face of an actor but hey, I stand to be corrected.

Ana_MZ_27: @ShrekLovesFiona; I did! I was certain he’d make a nice actor! But seriously though, who would’ve thought that more people would get to know Kyle due to a meme than because of his songs. So unexpected yet welcoming. We’ll take it as long as he gets more publicity! Go Kyle!

Wendy The Witch: I’m so glad I found out about Kyle! Asides from been a good actor, he has such good music too. Anyone know when next he’ll be releasing a new one though? It’s been a while…

The Impostor: @Wendy The Witch; Soon I’m sure…

Kuro_uzumaki: @The Impostor; Sus behavior from a sussy new member. I call for an emergency meeting!

Alice In Wonderland 88: @The Impostor; I hope this is true. I wanna hear a new song from him so bad!

Annie Are You Okay?: I like Kyle’s songs but I wonder when next he’s going to star in another series…

WaifuWithARocketLauncher: @ Annie Are You Okay?; That’s what I’m mostly interested in too!

TedTheTedddyBear: @ WaifuWithARocketLauncher; Why a rocket launcher though? Are knives no longer enough?

Princess Peach: It’s about time I add moderators to this group. Influx of messages and members is getting a bit too much. And by the way, where’s @Mamma Mia? Haven’t seen her in a while…

* * *

🎸 🎶 🎧

I see you in my dreams, we’re so perfect together,

I’d run into your arms, like a kid in a store,

But the sun comes up and I’m thrust back to reality,

All because…

🎸 🎶 🎧

Singing the second verse of his song, the chords of the acoustic guitar mellow, infectious yet gentle, Kyle proceeded to the pre-chorus and sang the chorus and the bridge just after.

🎸 🎶 🎧

She has no clue, not a single clue,

That I’m even here…

🎸 🎶 🎧

And I’ve been here for so long,

Gazing as she searches for the one,

Wish I could tell you I was,

Yet a smile’s all I can muster…

🎸 🎶 🎧

I gotta be brave, tell her the words,

But it’s stuck in my throat, on the tip of my tongue,

So close, yet so far away,

And I’m back to square one again…

🎸 🎶 🎧

Having sung the bridge of the song, the young man sang the melodic chorus again.

🎸 🎶 🎧

‘Cause I’ve been here for so long,

Gazing as she searches for the one,

Wish I could tell you I was,

Yet a smile’s all I can muster…

🎸 🎶 🎧

Ending the chorus, Kyle then sang the outro, the tune switching to a slightly hopeful one as his soulful voice, barely above a whisper, carried a strong emotional weight.

🎸 🎵 🎧

Please, don’t fall for someone else…

Please, notice me standing here…

🎸 🎵 🎧

Finishing up the song, a satisfied smile on his face, he finally removed the headset on his head, and asked Oliver and their audio engineer from the other side of the recording booth.

“So, what’d you think?”

“It was really good. But, you’re not done just yet are you?” Oliver had a thin smile on his face as he asked.

Over the past few weeks, Oliver had listened to the song over and over, and each time, it only got better and better as Kyle kept on improving it, so much that his agent knew every lyric by heart now and yet, still hadn’t gotten tired of listening to it.

“Oh I’m just getting started! Need to add the piano, a crescendo after the pre-choruses with a dynamic shift to an electric guitar, include a few orchestral arrangements in between maybe… possibly also add a percussion using soft yet rhythmic drum beats in the background…” Kyle went on and on, a noticeable glint of excitement in his sapphire eyes.

Jennie who was also in the recording room with them couldn’t help but marvel at his words as she thought; ‘He’s not done yet?!’

The lyrics and the song itself was already so catchy, infectious yet intimate, along with the acoustic guitar tune that had been playing.

But, hearing that he was just getting started, chills ran down the length of Jennie’s spine.

When Oliver had contacted her two days back and asked if she would be willing to help out with Kyle’s next song, the lady had instantly jumped on the offer.

Granted Oliver and Kyle were going to be paying her and paying for all of her expenses too during her stay in Canada, it was a no brainer offer for her really.

And in addition to all that, she was a literal fan of Kyle’s music so there was just no missing out on this.

“Jennie? You good?” Kyle snapped her out of her daze, a bit of worry in his voice as he asked.

“Oh yes. So sorry about that” Jennie sat upright with a wry smile as she continued.

“The song was just so good I thought you were done with it. I didn’t think it was still a work-in-progress…”

“Oh that was it… Well I guess that’s understandable” Kyle smiled as he said and then explained a bit.

“It’s just that I think I can elevate it even more if I keep working on it” he scratched the back of his head in reply while Oliver just whispered to Jennie;

“He’s been saying that for the past one month now…”

Widening her eyes a bit, Jennie asked;

“Seriously?!”

Oliver nodded his head subtly in response to her and the dark-burgundy haired lady, garnered newfound respect and admiration as she watched him leave the recording booth.

The young man on the other hand, was actually staring at something in his field of view as he walked out to meet the others.

___________________________

{No Clue} – (82%)

Written and sung by Kyle Kestis, this power-ballad reflects the insecurities, vulnerabilities and longing for a romantic connection with a love-interest who’s unaware of their hidden feelings.

___________________________

‘From 68% last year to 82% this year… not bad Kyle, not bad…’

‘But it can still be better!’ he declared to himself and soon went to have a proper discussion with Jennie over all the parts he wanted to improve and the arrangement of the song’s instrumentals.

After that was done, both individuals, just like before soon went into their own world while Oliver just watched from the sides, pulling up his phone to surf the internet and check his e-mails.

And just like that, Kyle and Jennie kept working on the song till the end of the week.

On the day of the last recording, after Oliver and Jennie listened to the finalized version of the song, the looks on their face was beyond amazed. They were mesmerized.

As for the burgundy-haired lady, there was only one single thought on her mind;

‘Mamma Mia! Wait till the fan group listens to this. They’re going to go absolutely nuts!’