v. I AM.
January 3, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Los Angeles, California.

Sedona didn't head back to the comfort of her home. Instead, she found herself steering her cherry-red Mercedes toward a familiar destination: the studio. She hadn't been back here in months, not since returning from Jamaica, but the thought of the creative energy that buzzed inside its walls was comforting.

The building was understated from the outside, tucked in a quiet corner of Hollywood, but its reputation was legendary. Some of the biggest names in the industry—herself included—had created magic here. Sedona pushed open the glass doors and strolled in, the faint thrum of music and chatter filtering through the hallways.

She was lost in thought, planning her session, when she turned a corner and bumped into someone—hard. Was she hit with a wave of deja vu? Because this was the same thing that happened last night.

"Oh, my bad," The person said in an easy, familiar tone.

Sedona looked up, startled, to find herself face-to-face with Kendrick Lamar yet again. He was dressed casually in a black Nike hoodie and sweats, his signature braids pulled back. His presence was as low-key as ever, but there was something magnetic about him, something that made it impossible not to focus on him when he was in the room.

"Kendrick?" She said, blinking in surprise that turned into an unwavering sense of finding it hard to believe. "I could've sworn we said no more bumping into each other."

"Sedona," He replied with a small smile, one that reached his eyes. "I mean we did but, I didn't expect to see you here today."

She couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I could say the same about you. What are you doing here?"

"Working on the Black Panther soundtrack," He said casually, leaning against the wall. His laid-back vibe was so at odds with the pressure of such a massive project that it almost made her laugh again.

"That's big," She said, tucking a curl behind her ear. "Shouldn't you be locked in some secret bunker or something for something like that?"

He chuckled softly, his eyes warm as they lingered on her. "Sometimes the best stuff happens when you keep it simple, you know? Speaking of, you got a session right now?"

"Not really," She admitted. "Just checking in on a few things. Why?"

Kendrick hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck as though debating something. "Kinda last minute on this and I was supposed to record this track since the deadlines today, but Jorja couldn't make it. We've got the beat, lyrics, everything. Just need some vocals to fill in." His gaze locked on hers. "You interested?"

Her heart skipped a beat. Kendrick was asking her to step in for Jorja Smith—on the Black Panther soundtrack.

"Are you serious right now?" She asked, trying to mask her surprise with humor. "Even after how much of a bitch I was last night?" She could be the biggest bitch on the planet and not feel any regrets but now with him asking her to do a large favor maybe she felt bad about her actions. Just a bit.

"Dead serious," He said, his expression soft but sincere. "And you did not hurt my feelings, I've been told worse—No pressure, though. I get it if you're not feeling it."

She paused, pretending to consider it, but they both knew the answer already. "How could I say no to you, Kendrick?"

His smile widened, and she felt a flicker of something unspoken pass between them.

"Alright, come with me," He said, leading her into one of the larger studio rooms.

The space was dimly lit, with glowing monitors and the faint scent of incense hanging in the air. A few producers sat around the console, nodding along to a hypnotic beat that spilled from the speakers. It was raw and powerful, with deep basslines and a haunting melody that seemed to demand attention.

Kendrick handed her a sheet of lyrics. "The song's about identity, resilience, and power," he explained, his voice low and smooth. "It's called I Am. A tribute to Wakanda, but it's personal, too. You feel me?"

Sedona scanned the lyrics, her mind already working. She loved the message, the weight of the words.

"This is incredible," She murmured.

"I thought it'd be your vibe," He said, leaning casually against the console. "Despite us meeting officially at TDE's party last night you got this raw energy about it—and I felt it when you shared a little bit about your album."

Sedona glanced up at him, her cheeks warming slightly at the memory. The TDE party had been loud, and chaotic—an entire house full of creatives. She and Kendrick had ended up on a quiet balcony after SZA unknowingly ditched them, deep in conversation about music, legacy, and the ways fame could feel like both a gift and a curse.

"I didn't think you were paying attention," She said, smiling softly. She'll admit that she'd been rambling a bit due to the alcohol in her system.

"I'm always paying attention," He replied, his voice steady, his gaze just a little too intense.

She looked away, suddenly aware of how small the space felt with him so close. "Well, let's see if I can live up to your expectations," She said, stepping into the vocal booth.

The beat hit her as soon as the headphones slid over her ears. It was electric, commanding. She glanced at the lyrics sheet in her hand and started to sing:

"I'm tryin'—I'm just, yeah, I'm just, yeah. I been out here tryin' to see my homecoming.
And of course, somebody's always gonna say something. Try and shoot me down for voicing my own opinion. Triggering a part of me that's always been indifferent."

Her voice was smooth and full of emotion, weaving seamlessly through the melody. She could feel the story in every word—identity, strength, resilience. She moved into the pre-chorus:

"And I know that we have asked for change. Don't be scared to put the fears to shame."

Kendrick watched her from the control room, his head nodding slightly to the rhythm. When she hit the chorus, her voice soared:

"When you know what you got. Sacrifice ain't that hard. Feel like depending on me. Sometimes we ain't meant to be free. When you know what you got. Sacrifice ain't that hard. Feel like depending on me. Sometimes we ain't meant to be free."

The room was quiet as she finished the first take, the haunting melody lingering in the air. Kendrick pressed the intercom button. "That's fire," he said, his voice warm. "But let's run it back. Give me a little more rawness on the pre-chorus. Make me feel it."

She smirked, adjusting her stance. "You got it."

The second take was even better. Sedona pushed herself, channeling all the emotion she could muster. By the time she finished, the producers were grinning, exchanging knowing looks.

When she stepped out of the booth, Kendrick stood to greet her, a rare smile on his face. "You killed that," he said simply.

"Thank you," She said, still buzzing from the creative high. "For trusting me with this."

"You earned it," He replied, his voice steady but soft. "That voice of yours is special. Real."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them felt charged. But just as quickly as it came, the moment passed.

"Next time," Kendrick said, his tone lighter, "I might need you on more than just one track."

"Anytime," She replied with a grin.

As she left the studio that night, Sedona couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just another collaboration. It felt like the beginning of something new—both for her music and for her connection with Kendrick. And as she drove home, humming the chorus of I Am, she let herself hope for what might come next.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Five.
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I love this chapter oh my god. I've been honestly pushing my pen lately and I don't think I have any regrets.

Thoughts on the chapter! And what do you expect for the next one?

Stay tuned for the next chapter, & til next time!
- shea