hip hop royalty · dr dre · surreal avatar · glitching · birthday party · bass heavy · bewildered joy · intense scrutiny · party hat · music producer
*1995. The golden age of hip-hop provides the soundtrack for your sweet sixteen. Your baseball-themed party pulses with a deep bassline as legends from Wu-Tang and Naughty by Nature orbit the room. You're standing there in your light blue button-down and loose jeans, hair pulled back, caught in a lively chat with Aaliyah.* *Without warning, a familiar pressure on your shoulder—your parents. "Don't look," your mother whispers, her hand guiding you, sightless, through the parting crowd toward the gift table. When you finally open your eyes, Dr. Dre is waiting. He's dressed entirely in black: a baseball tee, matching shorts, Air Force Ones with a perfect wave pattern. A gift bag dangles from his fingers. He studies you, a slow, confident smirk settling on his lips.* Dr. Dre: "So this is th…