Rising Star, Hidden Mastermind

By the time "Uptown Funk" had cemented its place atop the charts, Quincy Presley-Jackson had become a household name. The media buzzed about him, marvelling at how the five-year-old child of the King of Pop and the heir to the King of Rock and Roll had taken the world by storm. Interviews, photo shoots, and offers flooded in from every corner of the entertainment industry. To the public, Quincy was a prodigy, a natural-born star who had inherited his father's talent. But beneath the surface, Quincy was operating with the cold precision of a seasoned tactician.

His mind was always working, calculating his next move, carefully navigating the limelight while building his empire behind the scenes. He spent time absorbing every detail of the industry—who held the real power, which producers, directors, and executives could be useful allies or potential rivals. He recognized that fame alone wasn't enough. If he was going to dominate the entertainment world, he would need to control the machinery that powered it.

One afternoon, Quincy found himself seated in a sleek boardroom, flanked by his mother and a team of legal advisors. Across the table were executives from Sony Music, clearly thrilled by the prospect of signing such a high-profile young artist. Michael had arranged the meeting, but Quincy had insisted on being present.

"This deal," Quincy began, his voice steady and mature beyond his years, "is important for both of us. But I want to make sure it's done right."

The executives exchanged amused glances. To them, Quincy was just a child. They assumed his presence was a formality, that the real negotiations would take place between them and his legal team.

But Quincy had no intention of letting anyone handle his affairs for him.

"I won't be giving up my master recordings," he continued, locking eyes with the head of the table. "And I want creative control over every project I'm involved in."

The room fell silent for a moment. Lisa Marie, while surprised by her son's assertiveness, couldn't help but smile proudly. She knew Quincy was special, but she hadn't expected him to be so bold.

One of the executives cleared his throat. "Quincy, we understand that you have a bright future ahead of you, and we want to help nurture that. But—"

"I'm not here to be nurtured," Quincy interrupted, his green eyes sharp and unwavering. "I'm here to build something. My father fought for creative control his whole life, and I'm not about to make the same mistakes. If you want me, you meet my terms."

The room tensed. The executives weren't used to being talked to this way, least of all by a child. But something about Quincy's calm, unflinching demeanour unsettled them. He wasn't just any five-year-old. There was something about him—something that made them hesitate to push back too hard.

After a long pause, the head executive leaned forward. "Alright, Quincy. Let's talk terms."

The deal Quincy brokered with Sony was unprecedented. Not only did he secure ownership of his master recordings, but he also gained full creative control over his projects. For the executives, it was a gamble—they were betting that Quincy's talent and his parents' fame would outweigh the risks. For Quincy, it was the first major step toward independence. He knew that by retaining control of his music, he was securing his future. The music industry was ruthless, but Quincy had learned from his past life that control over one's product was everything.

As soon as the ink on the contract was dry, Quincy shifted his focus to his next project. He couldn't simply ride on the success of "Uptown Funk." He needed to follow it up with something that would cement his position as not just a child prodigy, but as a force to be reckoned with.

His mind turned to "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran, a song that wouldn't be released until 2017 in his original timeline. But Quincy had already decided that it would be his next big hit. He spent hours perfecting the melody, tweaking the arrangement to suit his young voice while maintaining the infectious beat that would make it a global sensation.

The recording sessions for "Shape of You" were intense. Quincy was a perfectionist, demanding flawless takes from himself and the musicians around him. Michael, who was often present during the sessions, watched with a mixture of pride and astonishment. He had always known Quincy was special, but seeing him work in the studio—so focused, so meticulous—gave him an entirely new perspective on his son's potential.

One evening, after a particularly long day of recording, Michael pulled Quincy aside.

"You know, when I was your age, I didn't have this kind of control," Michael said, his voice soft but full of admiration. "I had to fight for everything. But you… you already seem to know exactly what you want."

Quincy looked up at his father, his expression calm as always. "I learned from the best."

Michael smiled, but Quincy could see the sadness in his eyes. He knew that his father's battles with the music industry had taken a toll. Quincy had no intention of repeating those mistakes. He would forge his own path—one where he held the reins from the very beginning.

When "Shape of You" was released, it skyrocketed to the top of the charts, just as Quincy had predicted. The song was a perfect blend of pop and rhythm, its catchy hook making it an instant hit across radio stations worldwide. Critics hailed Quincy as a rising star, praising his musical instincts and his ability to create hits that transcended genres.

But while the world marvelled at his talents, Quincy remained laser-focused on his long-term goals. He had no interest in being a flash in the pan, a child star who burned brightly and then faded into obscurity. He was building something far more enduring—a legacy that would surpass even that of his father and grandfather.

Behind the scenes, Quincy was already planning his next ventures. He had begun investing through Atlas Investments, securing shares in tech companies he knew would become giants in the years to come. His mother, Lisa Marie, had signed off on the creation of Atlas, though she had little idea of the scale of Quincy's ambitions. For now, it was simply a portfolio under her name, a way to ensure his financial future. But soon, Atlas Investments would become one of the most powerful financial entities in the world, all under Quincy's control.

As the months went by, Quincy continued to release music, each new track building on the momentum of the last. But music was only one part of his plan. He began studying film, preparing to make his move into Hollywood. He knew which movies from his previous life would become classics, and he intended to position himself to star in or produce them.

At the same time, Quincy started surrounding himself with a small, trusted circle—people who would become the foundation of his empire. Some were musicians, others actors or businesspeople, but all of them had one thing in common: they were loyal to Quincy, and they believed in his vision.

As Quincy's fame grew, so did his influence. He was no longer just the son of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley. He was Quincy Presley-Jackson, a rising star with a talent that seemed almost otherworldly. But while the world saw a prodigy, Quincy saw himself as something much more: a mastermind, orchestrating his ascent to the top of the entertainment industry, one calculated move at a time.