Awards undoubtedly play a crucial role in a musician's career. However, if you were to ask if winning an award is the only way to become a great singer, the answer would be no.
There have been many musicians who became legends despite a lack of formal accolades. Even The Beatles, who changed the world in my past life, didn't have as many awards as one might expect given their monumental fame.
But does that mean awards are meaningless? Certainly not.
Fundamentally, the act of receiving an award is a gratifying experience. And if it happens to be the most prestigious award in the world, it provides more than just a good feeling—it grants a musician undeniable authority.
Who is that guy with the Big Dipper etched into his eyes?
The ceremony was now approaching its climax, with only a few of the most critical awards remaining. As if to prove that reaching the Grammy Awards was no mere fluke, most of the performers were surging out in front of the audience, delivering spectacular stages.
What caught my eye was Freddie Mercury, a man who had left his mark on the world as a legendary rock star in my previous life. Having only recently debuted in this world, there were still unpolished aspects compared to his peak in my memories, but Freddie Mercury was, as expected, still Freddie Mercury.
"What do you think about us putting together a stage like that?"
"Hyung... with our vocal colors, we can't pull off a stage like that..."
"It might be possible for you, Leader, but it's impossible for us. You're basically a 'cheat-code' talent to begin with."
Tanaka Shuji and Yokishi's playful rebukes sent my attention back to the stage.
While the two of them often humbled themselves regarding their vocals, their technical capability was honestly far superior to the other members of Queen—excluding Freddie Mercury himself—who were currently on stage.
Just as I was about to refocus on the performance of Queen—a band that would surely skyrocket to superstardom just as they had in my past life—I caught sight of Yokishi staring at Avril Lavigne with a slack-jawed expression.
"Didn't you say you got dumped recently?"
"Hyung, I wasn't dumped. I was just ghosted."
"Do you really like her that much?"
"Hyung, I have never seen such a beautiful lady in my entire life."
Yokishi spoke without shifting his gaze. It seemed like he had been caught in a weird tug-of-war after meeting her at last year's Grammys, and despite the apparent rejection, he hadn't given up hope.
"But Yokishi, if that's the case, why did you get Sakai Izumi's phone number?"
"Sachiko is just a friend. You know my type, don't you?"
It was true; Yokishi definitely preferred a more Western aesthetic over a traditional Eastern look when it came to the opposite sex. He seemed to view someone like Avril Lavigne as his ultimate ideal.
"She's even more beautiful than last year... prettier, more charming... like she has wings, it's fantastic... damn it! How else should I describe her?!"
"Just go with something simple like, 'I like you.' Go tell her that and come back."
"Hyung, isn't that just a straight-up confession?"
"Romance only happens when you charge ahead without looking back. Since you've already been brushed off, you need to deliver that kind of shock to create an opening in her heart."
"Oh... I see... hearing you say it, it actually makes sense."
As I advised Yokishi, I recalled when I first started dating Ai. I had gone on a trip with a pure desire just to spend time with her, and a confession fueled by a bit of alcohol was what kicked everything off.
If you don't express yourself, no one can ever truly know your heart.
That is why sincerity is everything. Once you express it, you'll get a reaction from the other person, regardless of the outcome.
And if Avril Lavigne had even the slightest feelings for Yokishi, she would find her way to him.
"She'll probably stop by our area at least once. There's no need to rush."
"Right... these are the words of an experienced man..."
While a nervous Yokishi waited for Avril Lavigne, the winner for Single of the Year was about to be announced.
To be honest, I was anticipating this one. Single of the Year is an award given to the songwriters, and since we release all our music under the name Enfants Terribles, it belonged to us as a collective. No matter how many brilliant rookies had emerged, there was no band yet that had surpassed us.
- Prince! Prince! Prince!
The presenter for Single of the Year was none other than Prince—the man who had fought a fierce rivalry with Michael Jackson since their debuts and remained a legend alongside him.
Emerging onto the stage in his iconic purple suit, Prince smiled as he held the cue card containing the winner's name.
"And the winner is... Enfants Terribles!"
The fruits of our labor began to fall, one by one, into the hands of Enfants Terribles—the band that had achieved a feat no one else could match.
.
.
.
.
.
Enfants Terribles had been nominated in the following categories:
Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance, Lifetime Achievement Award, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Record of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
Among these, with the exception of Album of the Year, everything was already in our hands. While the other awards were magnificent, the grand prize of the Grammy Awards was undoubtedly Album of the Year.
The main event of the Grammys is always Album of the Year.
Tension filled the air once more. In the past, I hadn't been particularly greedy for awards, but now that I had more to protect, I needed the prestige the Grammys provided.
That was why, right now, I truly wanted the Grammy for Album of the Year.
"The winner for Album of the Year..."
As the presenter spoke, my senses went numb. My ears and eyes were fixed solely on the person at the podium.
The moment the presenter's lips moved after a brief pause, all sensation vanished, as if my body were floating. Then, a sudden, sharp, and rough sensation surged through my back.
As my consciousness snapped back, cheers were erupting all around me. The result had finally been announced.
Who was the winner?
It might sound like overconfidence, but no album released in the past year had come close to our second album.
The moment I turned my head, Shuji and Yokishi grabbed my shoulders and hauled me to my feet.
And then I realized.
The fact that we had truly become the mightiest giants in the pop music industry.
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