When Don signed to WindUp/Columbia Records, the first thing he bought was a $95,000 penthouse for him and his mother. He also bought his first car for $50,000. He went on a shopping spree, buying designer hoodies, jewelry, and of course more pills. But that wasn’t it. This time, he bought codeine, marking the first time he tried lean. He loved the feeling and began depending on it to feel something. He didn’t tell Bri though, but he bought her a bunch of clothes, purses, and makeup to make up for the guilt he felt inside.

In March 2024, he began working on his debut album, in school during the day and in the studio at night. Everyone in his school knew he was a viral rapper now and they all wanted to be friends with him and girls wanted to date him. But, Don didn’t want to be friends with anyone. He skipped school almost everyday during his Junior year, instead spending it at home playing video games, making music, and sipping lean. Sometimes, he’d skip and go to Bri’s house when she decided to skip with him. There, they’d watch movies, smoke weed, and just talk. Everyday, Don fell more and more in love with her and his secret was beginning to weigh on him. So, he decided to confess. He told Bri that he had been taking pills behind her back and that he felt it becoming a big issue. He said he needed help. Instead of getting mad, Bri hugged Don. She kissed him, telling him that it would be okay and that he should give her the pills so she could throw them away. And so, he did. She flushed them down the drain.

In April, Don released a new song titled “Make it work” which he wrote for Bri about wanting to make their relationship work out, talking about quitting drugs to keep her love. The song gained over 8 million streams. She posted them to the song, making them Instagram official.

In May, Don was already 2 months sober, only smoking weed to stay calm, which Bri was okay with bc she smoked with him. But, the fame was already beginning to weigh on Don. The pressure to turn in his debut album was getting to him. He knew the music he was recording was fire, but he didn’t know if people would connect with it the way he did. His sound was melodic rap on trap beats. But he also occasionally rapped on upbeat instrumentals. Bri continuously reassured him that millions of people would connect with his music bc he was vulnerable and real on his tracks. 

Around this time, Don also wanted to get a new hairstyle. He had been growing out his hair after keeping it low for years. He was ready to get dreads. So, he asked Bri to do it for him, and she did. That same month, Don had a meeting with his label manager to set up interviews and photo shoots for August 2024. Don was getting thousands of messages a day from people telling him his music was fire and some even told him how much his music saved them. He began getting compared to his favorite artists like Juice WRLD and XXXTENTACION. That began to add a bit of pressure, making him feel like he had something to prove.

“Dior” was the next single he released in June 2024. This song was different from his previous. It wasn’t melodic, but it showed a different side of Don. He was braggadocios on it, flexing his new found wealth, success, and really feeling himself. Fans liked this side of Don, too. It added layers to his already strong musical personality. This one doing better than his last, gaining over 18 million streams. By then, he was finished with his album, submitting it to his label. They loved it, and knew it would instantly resonate with the youth, which is exactly who they pushed it to. (16-25).

In July, Don had been feeling the best he’s ever felt. His relationship was good, his mom was happy, he was still climbing fast in success. But he also felt like old problems would soon creep back up on him. But he had no time to dwell on it, It was now time to begin the rollout for his debut album as his label manager said so.

“Love scars & pain killers” was the lead single released on July 19, 2024. The song quickly gained traction, amassing over 9 million streams across all platforms. While Don was happy with his success, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that something in his life was about to happen. He told Bri about it, but she said was just being paranoid. And he was, he was anxious. To calm down, he’d smoke a blunt but it wouldn’t shake it off. So, he figured he could just pop one pill to make it go away for a bit and clear his head. So, he did. And just like that, he was back in his old ways. 1 pill turned to 6, then 12, then more and more, until he was back in his cycle. 

In August, 3 weeks before his album release, Don got a call from an unsaved number. He didn’t pick up at first, but then it called again, and she picked up. It was Katherine. She was crying. Don was confused but also concerned. “Katherine are you okay?” “Don, i need to see you, I need your help.” So, Don told her to come to his house. And she did. When she came over, she told Don how hadn’t been the same since he left and how she feels lost without him. But Don felt like this was a lie. “You cheated on me, now you love me?” he said. “I always loved you, Don, and i’m sorry for what i did, but i need you.” Don was growing in anger. “Get the fuck out my house, Katherine.” But then, she said something that snapped him back. “Please baby, can we try again? I’ll be better, I promise.” The look in her eyes was calling him. He almost forgot everything she did. Until, his phone rang. It was Briyanna. He picked up. “Hey, babe, whats up?” he said. “Hey my love, I miss you, i’m coming over.” “I’m not home” he replied. “Yes you are, yk i have ur location.” Don was obviously lying but he didn’t want Bri to see Katherine. So, he hung up. “Katherine you have to leave.” She got up and walked towards Don. And suddenly, she grabbed his face gently and kissed him. He held her waist and she pulled him onto the bed. Don then did something he knew he’d regret later. She hooked up with Katherine. Before they were fully dressed the door swung open. It was Briyanna. Don knew he was fucked. “I fucking hate you, Donell.” Bri said before storming off.” Don chased after her, “Bri please, i can explain.” But she was gone. She walked away without looking back. Don went back in his house and told Katherine to get out. She laughed. “It’s too late, Don. You already did it.” Don was furious. He went to his kitchen and grabbed a knife. Katherine was frightened. She tried to calm him down but he didn’t care. The look in his eyes was something else. Something demon like. She tried to run but he caught her. He grabbed her, threw her on the floor, and stuck the knife in her leg. She screamed and punched him off. She called the police and ran off. But, before they came, he ran away. He quickly went to Briyanna’s house and she let him in. “What the fuck, Don?” she yelled. “I fucked up and i’ll explain later, but the police are after me.” he said out of breath. She took him in, put an ice pack on his face and let him stay in her room for a while.

The label was fed up because he wouldn’t pickup their calls, he didn’t show up to his promotional interviews, music video shoots, nothing. He stayed with Briyanna all that time even though he had an album set to release in a week. Now, a warrant was out for his arrest and he knew he’d be in more trouble if he didn’t turn himself in, so he decided to turn himself in. On August 13, 2024, 2 days before his album release, Don turned himself into the NYPD. He’s now in their custody.. 

Don’s debut album, “Love scars & pain killers” was still released on August 16, 2024. It debuted at #59 on the Billboard Hot 200, selling 23,000 copies first week. Along with it, the label release an animated music video for “Angels & demons” since Don never showed up to set.

When the label got word Don was in police custody, they decided to pay his bail of $150,000 as well as the remaining fines Katherine’s family requested, costing them an additional $300,000. Columbia Records assured Don that if anything like this happened again they sue him for breach of contract and drop him from the label. So they suggested he’d “tighten up.” 

When Don got home, his mother ridiculed him although she didn’t know the full extent. So, he told her he had been arrested for vandalism, so she brushed it off but told him to be careful. Since she was always busy working overtime, she wasn’t around as much but she reminded Don that she was proud of him and that she loved him so much. That made Don wanna change for the better, but he didn’t. He went straight to his dealer and bought $15,000 Lean, $5,000 pills, and $10,000 worth of weed. He was finally home and ready to kick back for a while before beginning production on his second album…

SlattyDon - Chapter 2: “Love scars & pain killers (August 2024)