Chapter 726: Inside News

Chapter Sixteen: A post that said nothing

The morning after the listening session, Dayo arrived at JD Records earlier than usual. He had spent some time at home with Luna and Jennifer before leaving, and although he had several things to attend to, he was in no particular hurry. Beautiful Things was complete, the people closest to him had heard it, and the next stage would be handled by the company. For the first time in weeks, he wasn’t thinking about another recording session or a final adjustment to a song.

Wayne was already in the building when Dayo arrived. He had been at his desk for a while, going through some production reports, but he seemed more interested in his phone than the documents in front of him. When Dayo walked into the office, Wayne looked up and greeted him before returning his attention to the screen.

"You seem busy this morning," Dayo remarked as he placed his phone on the desk.

Wayne laughed. "I’m doing two things at once. I’m working, and I’m checking something."

Dayo settled into his chair and began looking through the documents Sharon had left for him. He didn’t ask what Wayne was checking because the production head had a habit of getting distracted by music discussions and industry news. A few minutes passed before Wayne put his phone down, apparently satisfied with whatever he had been reading.

"I was thinking about yesterday," Wayne said. "I’ve listened to those songs so many times, but I still keep going back to certain parts in my head. I don’t think I’ve completely taken in what we finished."

"You were there when we made them," Dayo replied, glancing up from the document. "You should be more familiar with them than anyone else."

"That’s exactly why I’m saying it. I know the songs, but hearing everything together was different. Anyway, I think people are going to have a lot to say when they finally hear what you’ve been working on."

Dayo smiled at the comment and returned to his documents. Wayne continued looking at his phone, then opened his social media account. He had been thinking about making a post since the previous evening, but he hadn’t decided what to write. He wasn’t planning a promotional announcement or trying to create a campaign for JD Records. He simply wanted to say something about the musician he had worked with for years.

After typing a few words, he read the post again and made a small adjustment before publishing it.

"I’ve worked with this man for years, and somehow he still finds a way to surprise me. I don’t think people are ready for what’s coming next. I’ve seen what he’s been doing, and all I can say is that people should prepare themselves."

Wayne put his phone down and returned to his work. He didn’t tag Dayo, mention the studio session or explain what he meant. As far as he was concerned, he had said exactly what he wanted to say.

At first, the post attracted attention from people who regularly followed Wayne’s updates. A few fans liked it and left comments asking what he was talking about, but within a short time, people began sharing screenshots of it on other platforms. Some had followed Wayne for years and knew how closely he worked with Dayo. Others recognised him as the head of production at JD Records and understood that he had access to things the public hadn’t heard.

The first wave of comments was filled with questions.

"Wayne, what do you mean by this? Please don’t leave us hanging."

"Wait, wait, wait. What’s coming? Are you talking about Dayo?"

"Wayne has never been this excited for no reason. Somebody should find out what is happening at JD Records."

"Six months without a proper release and now this man is telling us to prepare ourselves. I’m listening."

"Can somebody please ask him what he knows? I need answers."

One fan, who went by the username Dayo’s Corner, replied to an early comment. "You people should remember that Wayne works with him every day. If he’s saying this, I doubt he’s just making conversation."

That response attracted more attention, and soon the discussion had moved beyond Wayne’s original followers.

"Let’s remember who we’re talking about here," another fan wrote. "This is Wayne. He works with Dayo. If he’s saying something is coming, then something is definitely happening."

A fan from Nigeria added, "Abeg, Wayne, talk to us. You can’t just drop this and go back to your normal day. Some of us have been waiting patiently since the last release."

Someone else replied, "Patiently? My brother, I’ve played those old songs so much that my neighbours know the lyrics. We need something new."

Another user, Tomi A., joined the conversation. "I don’t even need to know what it is yet. Just tell me when I should start clearing space on my playlist."

The comments kept coming, and people began bringing up Dayo’s previous work. Some fans revisited Unison, while others shared clips from his earlier performances and collaborations. The name "Alien", which had become associated with Dayo among people who followed his career, appeared repeatedly in the discussions.

"THE ALIEN IS UP TO SOMETHING AGAIN."

"Every time this man goes quiet, something happens. I don’t know what he’s planning, but I’m ready."

"Wayne, please confirm if the Alien has entered the studio again. We need to know."

"He’s been quiet for months. I’m starting to believe he’s been preparing something serious."

"Imagine being Dayo’s fan and waking up to this. My whole morning has changed."

A fan using the name Dayo’s Old School posted a clip from one of his earlier performances. "I’ve followed this man since before Unison. I know what happens when he gets quiet. I’m not even going to guess. I’ll just wait."

Another fan replied, "You and I both know we’re going to spend the next few days checking every JD Records account."

The post began reaching fans outside Nigeria as well. In South Korea, several music discussion accounts shared it, asking whether Dayo was preparing to make another move in the international music scene. Japanese fans started discussing his previous releases and wondering whether he would return with another major project. Other fans from different countries joined the conversation, each bringing their own expectations.

One Korean fan account wrote, "Wayne just posted this about Dayo. He didn’t explain anything, but I don’t think he would say this if there wasn’t a reason. What do you think he’s preparing?"

A reply came almost immediately. "Whatever it is, I hope we get something soon. I’ve been listening to his old performances again, and I’m ready for another one."

Another user added, "I don’t want to guess too much, but the timing is interesting. He hasn’t been very active publicly for months. Something must have been happening behind the scenes."

A Japanese fan called Mika S. shared the screenshot with a short caption. "Wayne says we should prepare ourselves. I’m trying to understand what that means, but I have a feeling we’re about to hear something important."

The responses underneath were just as curious. "Maybe a new performance?" one person asked. Another replied, "Could be a collaboration. He has worked with so many people before." Someone else suggested that Dayo might be preparing a project that had nothing to do with music, while another fan dismissed that possibility because Wayne was the head of production.

As the discussion grew, the tabloids and entertainment news outlets began paying attention. Several online publications reported Wayne’s post, while music journalists started asking people in the industry whether they had heard anything about Dayo’s next move.

One entertainment page published the headline, "Wayne Sparks Curiosity With Cryptic Message About Dayo: What Is JD Records Preparing?"

Another wrote, "The Alien May Be Getting Ready for Another Move as Wayne Hints at Something New."

A music news platform took a more cautious approach, reporting that Wayne had made a public statement about Dayo without giving any details about what he meant. The article pointed out that the production head had worked closely with Dayo on several successful projects, making his comments particularly interesting to fans.

However, not every outlet was content with simply repeating the post. Some began contacting their industry sources to find out whether Dayo was working on anything new. A few publications claimed that people close to the label had confirmed that he had recently completed a major project, although none of them could establish exactly what it was.

One online entertainment magazine published another report later that morning.

"Sources within the music industry suggest that Dayo has been working on a new project in recent weeks. The exact nature of the project remains unclear, but Wayne’s recent comments have added to growing speculation about the musician’s next move."

Another outlet went further, claiming that Dayo had completed work on something that could be announced soon. The report did not name its sources, but it attracted attention because it appeared shortly after Wayne’s post. Fans began sharing the articles, comparing their headlines and trying to work out which publication had the most reliable information.

"These people are saying they have inside sources. So somebody at JD Records knows what’s happening," one fan commented.

A second person replied, "Of course somebody knows. The question is whether they’ll tell us. I’m tired of seeing headlines without answers."

Another fan wrote, "If this is actually something big, I hope they don’t keep us waiting too long. Dayo’s last release was months ago."

The speculation soon returned to Dayo’s previous achievements. His name had already been part of several international music discussions because of the records he had broken, the success of his tours and the number of collaborations that had performed well. Fans began sharing lists of his releases, pointing out that he had maintained an unusual record. Whether he was the lead artist or featured on another musician’s track, his songs had continued to perform successfully.

A fan posted, "Let’s be honest, this is one thing about Dayo that people don’t discuss enough. Show me a song he has released or featured on that became a failure. I’ll wait."

Someone responded, "That’s what I’ve been saying. His name doesn’t just bring attention to a song. Somehow, the song actually delivers too."

Another user added, "You can argue about his position in the industry all you want, but his record speaks for itself. He has worked with different artists across different markets, and those collaborations have done well."

A fan named Kenny J wrote, "I’ve gone through his features again this morning. It’s actually ridiculous. Every time I think of one, I remember another that became a hit."

The conversation eventually brought back the comparisons with Michael Jackson. Those discussions had been quieter in recent months, but Dayo’s name was once again appearing alongside the legendary musician’s in online debates. Some fans argued that Dayo’s achievements deserved to be discussed on their own, while others believed the comparisons were justified because of his influence, commercial success and ability to reach audiences across different countries.

One user wrote, "I remember when people started comparing him to Michael Jackson after Unison. Everybody was arguing, but you can’t pretend the achievements weren’t extraordinary."

A reply followed, "Michael Jackson is Michael Jackson. I don’t think anybody should be trying to replace him."

Another fan responded, "Nobody said replace him. We’re talking about what Dayo has achieved in his own time. Why does every discussion have to become an argument?"

Someone else joined in, saying, "The man has broken records, sold out tours and had successful collaborations with artists from different parts of the world. You don’t have to agree with every comparison to recognise what he’s done."

A user called Nana K added, "I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, and I still don’t think comparing two artists has to mean one is taking the other’s place. Dayo has built his own career. That’s enough to discuss."

The debate continued across several platforms, with music commentators joining in and fans bringing up performances, chart records and previous releases. Some insisted that Dayo was already among the most successful musicians of his generation, while others preferred to wait and see what he would do next. Wayne’s post had given everyone something to discuss, and nobody seemed interested in letting the conversation die down.

Back at JD Records, the people responsible for the attention were carrying on with their normal work. Dayo had been in his office for some time before Sharon entered with an update on his schedule. She placed the documents on his desk and mentioned that several people had been asking whether he had made any public announcement.

"About what?" Dayo asked.

Sharon explained that Wayne had made a post that morning, and it had attracted a lot of attention. She had already seen it shared on several entertainment pages, and some of the news outlets were now reporting that Dayo might be preparing something.

Dayo picked up his phone and opened the post. He read it once, then looked towards Wayne, who was seated nearby. The production head was pretending to concentrate on his work, although the smile on his face made it clear that he knew Dayo had seen what he had written.

"Wayne, what is this?" Dayo asked, turning the phone towards him.

Wayne looked at the screen and laughed. "What? I didn’t say anything."

"You didn’t say anything, but you’ve managed to get half the internet asking questions."

"Well, I only said what I wanted to say. I didn’t tell them what it was, did I?"

Dayo laughed and shook his head. He had expected Wayne to say something eventually, especially after the listening session, but he hadn’t expected him to make a public post. Sharon, who was still standing near the desk, mentioned that the post had already reached several entertainment news accounts.

"I’ve seen some of the reports," she said. "A few of them are claiming they’ve spoken to people inside the industry. They’re saying you’ve completed something, but none of them knows what it is."

Wayne looked pleased with that information. "At least they’re trying. I wonder what they’ll come up with next."

Dayo laughed again, telling him that he had clearly enjoyed the attention. Wayne didn’t deny it. He said he hadn’t planned anything, but he knew how people would react once they saw his post. He had worked with Dayo long enough to understand why fans took his comments seriously.

Valerie joined them shortly afterwards, followed by Alice and Ulrich. Valerie had already seen the online discussions, and she mentioned that the attention was spreading faster than she had expected. Alice was amused by the fact that the marketing department had not done anything yet, but people were already discussing Dayo’s next move.

"Wayne, I hope you know you’ve created a lot of work for us," Alice said, smiling as she took a seat.

Wayne laughed. "I didn’t know I needed permission to post on my own account."

"You don’t," Alice replied. "I’m not complaining. I’m just saying that you’ve managed to get people talking before we’ve even started anything."

Ulrich had also seen some of the comments. He said that people were already making predictions, with some expecting a new collaboration and others suggesting that Dayo was preparing a major announcement. A few news outlets had even contacted the company to ask whether the reports about a completed project were accurate.

Valerie looked towards Dayo and said that the attention could work in their favour. They had already planned to move forward with the public announcement, and Wayne’s post had created interest without the company having to release any information. Dayo agreed, saying that there was no reason to complain about people being curious.

The conversation did not last long because there was still work to be done. Valerie brought up the release arrangements for Beautiful Things, and Alice opened the preliminary plans she had started preparing. They had already listened to the album, so there was no need to spend another meeting discussing its quality or what it meant. The next step was to decide how quickly they could prepare it for the public.

Alice explained that she had begun considering the promotional direction after the listening session. She wanted the first official announcement to be clear and simple, with the album artwork and title presented together. There was no need to explain the private experiences behind the songs or turn the project into a story about Dayo’s personal life. The music should be allowed to speak for itself.

Valerie agreed and suggested that they move quickly with the preparations. The album was finished, the production team had completed its checks, and the company already had the distribution arrangements available. They needed to confirm the announcement date, the release date and the materials that would be required before the public launch.

Wayne said the production department was ready. There were no outstanding recordings or mixing adjustments, and he could have his team prepare the final masters and delivery files for distribution. Dayo confirmed that he was satisfied with the finished versions and did not expect any further changes.

Alice suggested that they schedule the official announcement first, allowing enough time for the promotional campaign before the album became available. She would coordinate the artwork, promotional materials and communication with the platforms, while Valerie would oversee the company arrangements. Wayne would remain available for any production-related requirements, and Dayo would approve the final materials before they were released.

Dayo listened to the proposed schedule and asked how long they needed to complete everything. Alice gave him a clear estimate, explaining that the team could have the required materials ready within the planned period if they began immediately. Valerie agreed that there was no reason to delay once the final arrangements had been confirmed.

"Then let’s do it," Dayo said. "I don’t want us spending too much time going back and forth. The album is ready, and the team has already done the work. Let’s agree on the dates and move forward."

Valerie opened her calendar, while Alice began checking the schedule she had prepared. They settled on the official announcement date and the album release date, then confirmed the work that needed to be completed before each stage. Wayne made a note to speak with his team about the final delivery files, and Alice began listing the promotional materials she would need.

By the time the meeting ended, the plan was clear. JD Records would prepare the official announcement, complete the distribution arrangements and begin the promotional campaign according to the agreed schedule. Dayo would review the final materials before anything was made public.

Wayne picked up his phone again as they returned to their work. The number of comments under his post had increased considerably, and several fans were still asking him to explain what he meant. He read a few of them aloud, making Dayo laugh when someone asked whether Wayne had accidentally revealed something he wasn’t supposed to.

"You’re enjoying this too much," Dayo remarked.

"Maybe," Wayne replied, still looking at the comments. "But I haven’t told them anything they weren’t supposed to know."

Dayo smiled and returned to his desk. The public was still trying to work out what Wayne had been talking about, and the news outlets were continuing to search for answers. None of them had the full picture yet, and JD Records had no intention of revealing anything before the agreed date.

For now, Wayne’s post remained the only public hint that something was coming. The fans could keep guessing, the tabloids could keep contacting their sources, and the music commentators could continue arguing about Dayo’s place in the industry. Behind the scenes, however, the company had already settled its next move, and the preparations for the official announcement were underway.