The opening of China Entertainment Group gave Jay Chou a head-on confrontation

Chapter 936 Pure and Immaculate Spike

Q: Why can an American white man be called a legend in the hip-hop world?
A: You've taken too much melatonin.

Of course, Eminem doesn't take that stuff anymore. Forget about melatonin, he just takes large doses of drugs to satisfy his hunger, using his own body as a guinea pig.

"Spike is completely on the opposite side of civilization! Does he want to protect a murderer?!"

"Bullshit! Spike's questions are clearly reasonable and well-founded!"

“Spike himself has been shot, so he should empathize with him even more. He shouldn’t deliberately belittle Eminem and his good brother who is already dead because of his own selfishness.”

"Precisely because Spike himself has been shot, he knows better than anyone how to handle these kinds of incidents! Media reporters are a bunch of bitches who only know how to follow the crowd and can't distinguish right from wrong!"

"..."

Zhou Yi, who immediately made headlines across the United States to announce his strong rise to the top, used his influence to overturn the public opinion trend that D12 had been operating for more than two months. Others did not know the reasons behind this and were unwilling to offend Eminem for no reason, but Zhou Yi had no such concerns.

I don't care about this or that; I'm not going to pass up this free publicity.

Already in the midst of album promotion, Warner Music's promotional machine is now far more powerful than before, with even YouTube seeing a wave of self-proclaimed experts offering their opinions on the matter.

Rumors are swirling about Zhou Yi's fifth English album, "25," set to release on August 15th, along with the upcoming single "Believer."

Even though members of the D12 group were unanimously criticizing him and Warner for profiting from tragedy.

"I was just looking at the issue from the perspective of a law student. Besides, I thought this matter was over. I didn't expect it to drag on for so long without a trial. What does this have to do with me? You know, I was grabbed by reporters and asked questions as soon as I got off the plane. Do you think I could predict the future?"

Zhou Yi, who officially appeared on a television program for an interview, directly addressed the controversy, speaking candidly to the camera: "For me, this is the spirit of seeking truth that my university experience instilled in me. As a law student, not blindly following others is the most basic principle..."

Legal pioneer Zhou Dapao and justice champion Spike, get started!
The two hosts were practically grinning from ear to ear.

Yes, that's it! That's the result the audience wanted to see!

"A rather pointed question, Spike. Some people think that you flew to the US at this time just to ride this wave of popularity and promote your new album. Do you think that's true or false?"

? ? ? ?
The audience at the recording were somewhat puzzled when they heard this question.

Does Warner really not take any risk mitigation measures at all?
"Of course not. I have no idea what kind of dark and shameful thoughts the people who spread these kinds of remarks have."

Sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, Zhou Yi, who scoffed at the idea, turned on the microphone: "But to be honest, people who can fabricate such believable rumors—or rather, calling them people is giving them too much credit."

"In reality, they are inherently evil and wicked, so filthy that even amoebas cannot survive on the keyboards they touch while typing online."

"The biggest difference between them and pigs is that pigs can't easily turn into humans, but they turn into pigs every now and then. Judging from the content of this rumor written with pig hooves, I suggest they take some hemorrhoid medicine every now and then to treat the rampant foot-and-mouth disease."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Ohohohoh!!!!"

After a brief silence, the ABC studio erupted in waves of screams, each louder than the last.

"Spike! I like it!"

"I love you, Spike!"

He truly deserves to be called the most courageous man in the global entertainment industry!
It's real!

This is real fighting!
Spike is still Spike, the Spike who speaks his mind and never beats around the bush!
"Some people may pretend not to know, but I can repeat it here—six days from now, on July 9th, I will be at the Berlin Olympic Stadium in Germany, performing once again on the stage of the World Cup closing ceremony in front of audiences all over the world."

"I don't understand why anyone would think I need to ride on Eminem's coattails. Come on, which is more popular, the World Cup or Eminem?"

"Are Eminem and his friends worthy of carrying the World Cup shoes?"

"Is it suitable?"

Arrogant words often stem from an unassailable confidence.

The World Cup, a global event held every four years. Even though the United States is known as a soccer wasteland, the viewership for the World Cup final is still quite high, after all, it only happens once every four years.

Compared to Eminem and Prov, this makes it seem like they're trying to piggyback on the moon landing.

If you want to refute the I Ching and not just ride the wave of popularity, then you'll have to get past the World Cup closing ceremony first.

The Book of Changes did not give the audience a choice; instead, it directly conveyed a conclusion, almost like a diode, throughout the United States through a series of progressively deeper statements.

If you admit that I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity, then you're looking down on the World Cup final, which happens only once every four years.
If you admit that the World Cup final receives more attention, then this is just Eminem's D12 group trying to piggyback on the moon landing...

And clearly, only Eminem's most devoted and die-hard fans would believe that their idol's influence is comparable to that of the World Cup final.

What? You say stand in the middle?

Excuse me, you're sitting at the children's table.

If you don't take sides and remain neutral when arguing online, you'll be caught in the crossfire and get punished!

Do you need to speak the truth?

Besides, wasn't Spike's interview after getting off the plane a neutral statement? If you're neutral, shouldn't you support Spike even more?
He remained neutral regarding Prov's unexpected death; he was simply forced to the opposite side of public opinion by the pronouncements of certain individuals and groups.

Spike is pure and innocent!
He's the victim here!

"Uh, okay Spike, let's talk about your new album and new single. We noticed you named your new album '25,' is that meaningful?" The male host, trying to control the situation and prevent the audience from getting too excited, held up a physical CD in front of the camera—

The camera cleverly panned across the cover, revealing the number "25" in artistic font. Below the font was a projection of a high-speed bullet and a silhouette of Zhou Yi holding a guitar aloft with one arm.

To be honest, the meaning behind this cover is all too obvious.

The moment the album cover was projected onto the big screen, the memories of everyone in the audience were instantly transported back to that incredibly popular summer of last year—

"There's no special meaning behind it. I just feel that my life over the past 25 years has been too exciting, so I wanted to release an album to commemorate it before I turn 26."

Facing the commotion from the audience, Zhou Yi smiled and explained, "I am personally very satisfied with the songs on this album. I hope that all listeners can draw strength from it, which is why I chose 'Believer' as the lead single."

"This song... well, how should I put it, I don't really want to give away any spoilers, but I think you can get a glimpse from the title."

After being shot, "Believer." That's so fitting! You can tell at a glance it was a song written after a burst of inspiration following a gunshot wound!
This concludes the interview.

The audience was so engrossed that they couldn't wait to go on stage, snatch the two albums from the host, and take them home to enjoy.

The works created by singers after experiencing hardship often have a fatal attraction. But the program only planted a hook and didn't reveal anything else—leaving the audience, both at the venue and watching on television, itching with anticipation.

"Fuck!!! Why isn't Spike's new song released yet?! I can't wait to hear it!"

"Spike is right. How big of a nut would Eminem have to say his popularity is higher than the World Cup final? Does Spike need to piggyback on his fame?"

"To clarify, it wasn't Eminem who said that; it was only some media outlets and netizens."

"Isn't that the same thing? If Eminem really thought it was all baseless, wouldn't he have come out and refuted it long ago?"

"Why is the new album still on August 15th?! I protest!!! Can't Spike release it together with the pre-release single 'Believer'?!"

"Why does 'Believer' have to be unbanned tomorrow?!"

"I've already prepared $300 to pre-order the deluxe edition, which is said to include the same bracelet and jade pendant Spike wore at last year's rally, which Warner specially commissioned from a Chinese factory."

"The deluxe version costs 300? Aren't they all $70 a piece? Even if Spike is number one in the world, the price can't exceed $100 a piece."

"Can you buy the deluxe edition at full price within two weeks of its release? If you can, I'll be impressed. I'll add 50 and buy it for $150. Don't forget that Spike's albums are distributed globally. The first and second batches may seem like a lot, but once distributed in different regions around the world, they can easily sell out."

"Wait a minute, isn't Spike just using Eminem's popularity to promote his own pre-release single again?"

"Are you stupid? Isn't this just Eminem's D12 group and some media trying to piggyback on his popularity? Spike won't be staying in the US for long at all. He's just here to announce the release date of his new album and single. He's about to fly to Germany. What's the point of him riding on your coattails?"

"Could you have gotten such explosive attention without piggybacking on others' popularity?"

"Isn't the World Cup getting more attention than your Talking Tom?"

Did I mention the World Cup, you idiot?

"A moron with a head full of clown ideas, just like Tom!"

"..."

This prosperous era is just as people wished.

The dichotomy and extremism of online disputes mean that the song "Believer," Zhou Yi himself, and his new album will receive a lot of discussion in the short term.

This was deliberately orchestrated by Warner Bros., making it even more powerful.

Inside Warner's office, Qian Jiang was itching to immediately execute the next marketing plan, but Zhou Yi stopped him with a raised hand—

“There’s no need to rush into a new campaign right now. I have a lot of confidence in ‘Believer.’ Let the song go viral for a few days after it’s released, and then expand its reach and influence through the World Cup. Then we can follow up with subsequent marketing.”

Unlike Shakira, who could only sing one song at the World Cup closing ceremony, he got to sing two songs on the closing ceremony stage—

The first song, needless to say, is Coca-Cola's advertising jingle "Try Everything," and the second is the pre-release single "Believer" from the new album.

To put it bluntly, it's like using the World Cup stage to promote a song.

This isn't the first time this has happened; Zhou Yi did the same thing in 02. Given this precedent, FIFA didn't object.

FIFA has no objections, and the German Football Association, which was eager to play the political correctness card and actively invited Zhou Yi, will have even less objection—being the world's number one team, singing a couple of songs is perfectly normal.

In any case, they don't really care about the performance of the Book of Changes; what they need is the politically correct image of the Book of Changes as a representative of peace.

................................................

Bernard Collins, one of the neutrals who was subjected to mixed doubles online, had his good mood ruined the moment he went online—and developed a dislike for both Zhou Yi and Eminem as a result.

To be honest, he's not a fan of either of them; his idol is Britney Spears.

He only found out that Spike had arrived in the United States after seeing Spike's news on the front page and the official announcement of the new album's release date and pre-release single—but before the pre-release single was even officially released, the fan war had already stirred up a huge uproar.

As a neutral party, he was caught in the middle and was severely criticized.

I'm so angry—

What decent person would be a fan of a male celebrity? A hot-blooded man in his twenties shouldn't be a fan of a genuine American sweetheart like Britney Spears?
I'm not gay!

He had initially planned to skip buying Spike's new album because he was caught in the crossfire of the online feud, but after seeing the song titles advertised on TV, he couldn't help but feel a tickling sensation in his heart—

I'm so restless.

Zhou Yi's legendary experience last year is already a well-known fact, so it's hard not to be curious when a song called "Believer" comes out at this time.

Considering his creative ability, which even the most ardent haters have to reluctantly acknowledge...

What if?
What if Spike has a sudden burst of inspiration...?

Thinking this way, Bernard Collins, who kept making excuses for himself, honestly tuned to his favorite music station as soon as he got home.

This is one of the biggest music radio stations in Texas, and it's definitely going to be on Warner's pre-release singles.

He only intended to listen critically so that he could have a legitimate reason to criticize Spike in the future.

"Okay, the next song, I think, doesn't need much introduction. It's a super single that Spike poured his heart and soul into after being shot, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't listen to it. Trust me, bro, this is definitely one of the highest quality Spike singles I've ever heard."

"Although I'm reluctant to say it, bro, being shot really gave Spike unparalleled inspiration..."

After the radio host's incessant introduction, an incredibly catchy intro drumbeat emanated from the speaker, easily capturing Bernard's beating heart!
This prelude...

Rock music again?

Bernard, his mind instantly drawn to the intro, temporarily set aside his thoughts of criticizing Spike.

First things first.

"I'm going to say all the words inside my head..."

—?!

Bernard's feet unconsciously began to tremble in time with the drumbeats!
(End of this chapter)