Aftershock

The aftermath of the show hit KJ harder than he expected. The rush of the performance, the cheers of the crowd, the validation—everything felt surreal, but as the dust settled, a deeper realization set in. This was just the beginning, but the real work, the grind, was only getting started.

The night of the show, as KJ stood backstage soaking in the energy, everything felt like it was falling into place. His heart was still pounding with adrenaline, and even though he had just performed for thousands of people, he couldn't help but replay every moment in his head. The thrill of stepping on that stage, the roar of the crowd when he hit his first verse—everything had clicked. But what did it mean now?

Rico was with him, smiling wide, echoing the same excitement KJ felt. "Bro, that was insane," he said, slapping KJ on the back. "You're about to blow up."

KJ didn't respond immediately. His mind was elsewhere, reflecting on his decision. He hadn't just performed for the crowd; he had done it for himself. That was the moment when it really sunk in—he didn't need a label to succeed. He didn't need to sign away his soul for a shot at the spotlight. He had everything he needed right now.

That night, he returned to the house, the place where everything had started—the place he always called home. It wasn't much, but it was everything to him. The house was small, tucked in the heart of the hood, but it was full of life. His parents, who worked tirelessly every day, had always believed in his dream, even when the world hadn't. And his younger brother and sister, who ran around the house like wild animals, had been his biggest supporters through it all.

As he walked through the front door, the familiar sound of his siblings bickering over some game on the TV hit him, and the warmth of home surrounded him. His mom was in the kitchen, humming to herself while she stirred something on the stove. KJ stood there for a second, watching her. She was always there—cooking, cleaning, taking care of the house. She never stopped.

"You made it, baby," his mom said without turning around. "I saw you on stage. You killed it. We all saw it."

KJ smiled, his heart swelling. "Thanks, Mom. It was wild out there."

His little sister, Tia, ran up to him, her tiny arms wrapping around his waist. "I saw you! You were amazing, KJ!"

His little brother, Jamal, followed behind, a mischievous grin on his face. "Yo, I was telling everyone you were gonna blow up. They didn't believe me."

KJ ruffled his brother's hair. "They're gonna believe me now."

After a quick dinner with his family, KJ retreated to his room, which was really more of a small space at the back of the house. He had a bed, a desk where he worked on his music, and a few posters of his favorite artists on the walls. It wasn't glamorous, but it was his. He picked up his notebook and started scribbling down his thoughts, still feeling the aftershocks of the performance.

His mind kept circling back to the same idea. He had just done something he'd dreamed of for years, but what now? He didn't want to ride the wave of success without thinking about what it really meant. The offers from labels, the promises of big contracts—it all seemed too easy. But was it the right thing? KJ didn't want to sign away his freedom just for a shot at fame.

As he stared at the paper in front of him, the lyrics to his next song started to take shape. He'd already written the first few lines in his head during the show. It was a declaration. His anthem. His way of saying no to the labels and yes to himself.

"Unbreakable" – KJ Reid

Lyrics:

They said I'd never make it, they said I'd fall,

Told me to quit, but I stand tall.

Every setback, every tear I cried,

Made me stronger, made me alive.

They said I couldn't rise, but I broke the chains,

Now they're watching as I take the reins.

Bridges burned, but I built a new road,

Made my mark, now watch me explode.

They can't break me, I'm unbreakable,

No matter how hard they try, I'm unshakable.

They can't stop me, I'm untouchable,

They can't break me, I'm unbreakable.

(Verse 2)

Dark nights, no lights, I was stranded alone,

Fought my demons, carved my throne.

Told 'em I'm ready, they said I was late,

But I walked through the fire, changed my fate.

They want me to follow, they want me to sign,

Told me that it's money, but it's not mine.

Labels want control, but they don't get me,

I'll build my empire, just wait and see.

So I turned down the deals that were made for my soul,

Started my own path, made my heart whole.

They thought I was lost, but I'm finding my way,

Writing my story, starting today.

(Chorus)

They can't break me, I'm unbreakable,

No matter how hard they try, I'm unshakable.

They can't stop me, I'm untouchable,

They can't break me, I'm unbreakable.

(Bridge)

They said I'd fall, but I'm standing up,

They offered me gold, but I drank from my cup.

This life is mine, it's not theirs to sell,

My music's my truth, and I'll tell it so well.

No chains on my soul, no price on my name,

They can't buy my spirit, they can't play the game.

Building my empire, brick by brick,

Taking my time, I won't be tricked.

(Verse 3)

The struggle is real, but I embrace it all,

I'm growing stronger, standing tall.

But every lesson, every scar on my skin,

Taught me that the war's where I begin.

The journey's just starting, no turning back,

Gonna own this game, take control of the track.

I don't need their handouts, their validation,

Cause my foundation's built on dedication.

(Chorus)

They can't break me, I'm unbreakable,

No matter how hard they try, I'm unshakable.

They can't stop me, I'm untouchable,

They can't break me, I'm unbreakable.

KJ took a step back from the paper and read the lyrics again. He could already hear the beat in his head, could already feel the electricity of the crowd in his chest. This song wasn't just for him. It was for every artist, every hustler, every dreamer who had ever been told they weren't enough or that they had to sell out to make it.

He wasn't just another face in the crowd. He wasn't going to be anyone's puppet. Unbreakable was the song that would make people listen. It was time to stand up for what was right, and KJ wasn't afraid of the consequences.

The next day, KJ hit the studio hard, putting the finishing touches on the track. The beat was fire, the lyrics sharper than ever, and he knew it was time to share it with the world. He uploaded Unbreakable to his social media accounts and sent it out to his contacts in the press. The world was about to hear his story—and he was ready to tell it, loud and clear.

The buzz was immediate. Comments flooded in. Messages flooded his inbox. The press was sharing it, bloggers were posting about it. KJ wasn't just another artist now. He was a force.

Later that night, after his mom had gone to bed, KJ sat on the porch, the cool night air sweeping past him. He stared up at the stars, thinking about everything he had accomplished and everything still to come.

His phone buzzed, and when he looked down, he saw a text from his mom.

"I saw the footage, baby! You were amazing. So proud of you. You're gonna change the world."

A grin spread across KJ's face. This was for her. For his family. And for everyone who believed in him when no one else did.