Original subtitles

[Meech] The music game could put us up on connects

up on the other side.

And imagine what an artist like Purdy,

with our resources, could do to 'em.

Fuck it. Let's start a record label.

[Trell] Trell. Purdy's producer and label.

Shit. I'm her everything. Who y'all supposed to be?

You know, you ask a lot of questions

for someone who hasn't given me their name.

- Big Meech. - Maria.

I want to take someone out on a date.

Her name is Ceci.

Met her at Terry's restaurant and just wanted to let you know.

- Now I know. - Ms. Lucille, I was wondering

if the church wouldn't mind helping out

- with Vee's next surgery. - I can talk to the board

and see if we can pull something from the benevolent fund.

We both got something to prove.

And we both got families to provide for.

[B-Mickie] So I'm back in.

You're back to doing whatever the fuck I tell you to.

[Bryant] That don't look like oatmeal to me.

No, but it is a Pop-Tart- and-peanut-butter sandwich.

- Oh, fuck. - Vince.

How you been holding up since Boom got knocked?

I'm a big girl. I'll be fine.

Is Isaac Roberts still holding any of your chips?

- Yeah. - [Markisha] Yeah.

And I see that Isaac is sitting right here.

Oh, shit. This is a fucking sting.

Come on, Terry. We got to go.

You and Isaac trying to set me up, huh?

I don't know what happened.

And I could've been arrested, too.

- This was my deal. - Plane fly to St. Louis.

I thought St. Louis was just a one-time thing.

Ooh! Shit. Boy, you ain't lying.

Your baby bro is going to the big leagues.

Carter!

[Esther] What about my boy's baseball dreams?

Are you the one that brought my baby back to me?

- [Meech] Yes, ma'am. - You family for life now, Meech.

[Loco] Tú trust...

Pusha? Yeah, man. He got my back.

And I got my people from the D coming to get their share,

so our shit better be ready.

There's only a few keys left,

but you're welcome to take whatever you want.

[Terry] Look. I'm telling you right now, Meech.

That motherfucker's a snake.

[mid-tempo music playing, man singing in Spanish]

♪♪♪

[bells chime]

Agua. ¿Dónde está el agua?

Aquí. Aquí está.

♪♪♪

Oh, thank God.

♪♪♪

Damn! I was thirsty.

[Meech] Let's grab some more water and chips.

[Loco speaking Spanish]

[Terry] Yo, grab all the snacks you can.

[vehicles passing]

♪♪♪

[dog barking]

[dramatic music plays]

Demetri, policía!

♪♪♪

[bells chime, dog barking in distance]

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

[Terry] What the fuck is he doing?

Meech, we ain't even strapped.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

- Cuidado! - [gunshot]

[man grunts]

♪♪♪

[door opens, bells chime]

- Suelta el arma! - No lo-

[grunts]

[gunfire]

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

[thud, man grunts]

♪♪♪

- [men grunting] - [Loco chuckles]

Te lindo... federales estupidos.

Baila.

!Baila!

[gunshots]

[laughing]

You really are fuckin' loco.

[men grunting, dog barking in distance]

Ven Demetri.

Your turn.

[man] No!

[gunshots, men whimpering]

Yo, Meech. Meech, come on, bro.

What the fuck? That's unnecessary.

Let's get out of here before more cops come.

[men grunting]

♪♪♪

[older Meech] Power is the most intoxicating

and corruptible shit on the planet.

You got to know when to flex it to come out on top

or you'll end up hurting the wrong people.

[dog barking]

[engine revs]

[Loco] The ranch isn't far.

♪♪♪

♪ I got everything on the line ♪

♪ Out here I'm on the grind, tryna get mine ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ A nigga movin' weight, tryna get the cake ♪

♪ I'm in and out of state ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Too many niggas fake, it's hard to tell a snake ♪

♪ One more flip and I'm straight ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ I don't go hand to hand, it go gram after gram ♪

♪ Yeah, holla at me, man ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Too many niggas fake, it's hard to tell a snake ♪

♪ One more flip and I'm straight ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ [50 Cent] The D's ain't that good, these niggas is rattin' ♪

♪ They tell 'em what's goin' on ♪

♪ That's how they know what's happenin' ♪

♪ I'm ridin' with the top down, trunk full of yola ♪

♪ Ghetto pharmaceutical, I move that Coca-Cola ♪

♪ Thousand grams of pure though, I fuck with the weirdos ♪

♪ They snort away the pain, bang the dope in their vein ♪

♪ Shorty crying, Christmas ain't coming ♪

♪ Her pops locked up when it hurts the worst ♪

♪ Your ace find out she knocked up ♪

♪ Welfare ain't an option when the Feds come knocking ♪

♪ It's all fucked up, so wish me luck ♪

♪ A nigga movin' weight, tryna get the cake ♪

♪ I'm in and out of state ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Too many niggas fake, it's hard to tell a snake ♪

♪ One more flip and I'm straight ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ I don't go hand to hand, it go gram after gram ♪

♪ Yeah, holla at me, man ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Too many niggas fake, it's hard to tell a snake ♪

♪ One more flip and I'm straight ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, wish me luck ♪

♪ All you got to do is wish me luck, yeah ♪

[mid-tempo music playing, dog barking]

♪♪♪

You see, Purdy?

Duffy got top of the line on everything.

I'm telling you.

You can have all the free studio time you want.

- Quit playing. - We not.

Me and my brother, we starting our own label.

And you gonna be the first artist we sign.

Hold up.

[music continues]

That why you gave me the cars for my video?

Hell, nah. See, look. You got a real story to tell.

Rising above a system that's designed to hold you down

and still being able to achieve your dreams.

That shit is relatable as fuck.

Never thought of it like that.

[Meech] You know why?

'Cause that motherfucker Trell

don't let you think for your damn self.

[music continues]

[Purdy] Yeah, that's just how the music biz works.

Hell nah, it don't. Especially not at our label.

[music ends]

I've been telling Trell for months that I want to rap.

He just keeps wanting me to be his R&B princess.

We want to rebrand you into the artist that you want to be.

How you gonna do that?

Me and my brother, we got a real business vision.

And we real hustlers.

We what you call product specialists.

We know how to create the demand and supply it.

[Purdy] I'm already in demand.

- I got a top-ten hit. - Only as an R&B artist, though.

We want to help you get that hip-hop look that you need,

supply you with all the jewelry and the clothes.

[Purdy] This is a lot to think about.

I got a contract with old boy.

So what? We could figure that shit out.

Can you get me into the Source Awards?

Trell won't let me go.

He said it's a hip-hop show

and there's no place for an R&B artist.

[Meech] I got to go to St. Louis on business.

But when I get back, I'ma fly you out

and I'ma put you up in a nice hotel.

Hey, Purdy. Meech a man of his word.

All right? Trust me.

[down-tempo music plays]

If you backing me, who's fronting you?

A lot of fools out here, they rap about the streets,

but they never been off the porch.

I'm the real deal.

♪♪♪

You talk a good game.

I got to see that shit to believe it.

Oh, you'll see.

♪♪♪

[Estelle] How's the new pastor job going?

Girl, I have to admit, it's-it's not easy.

I'm counseling all these people

with all these financial problems, and I have the same.

There's property taxes, bills,

putting food on the table, Nicole's room and board.

I thought Nicole got a scholarship.

She did, but they only pay for tuition,

not-not room and board.

And now she just started a job over at-at Terry's restaurant.

But even that's not enough.

And you know we not accepting money from Meechie and Terry,

so...

Save yourself some of that stress, cuz,

- and file for welfare. - I can't even do that

because Charles still lives in the house.

Uncle Sam got a lot of secrets.

You can keep this one.

I'm a pastor, and I mean, I...

I mean, that would be dishonest.

[Estelle] See, that's your problem.

Your motherfuckin' ass is too honest.

Estelle!

You're lucky we ain't in the house of the Lord.

Well, we are in the house of Lucille,

so I'ma say whatever I want.

I see you falling in love with that fur Meechie got me.

I'ma sell it at the pawn shop.

What the hell is wrong with you?

It's beautiful!

You have use for this.

Now, what you don't have use for...

is that wedding ring you ain't wearing no more.

- Sell that shit. - You know what?

[Estelle] Mm-hmm.

- You right. - Mm-hmm.

And see, Charles' ass is right up there with Uncle Sam.

They both ain't got to know shit.

[laughs]

- Girl, give me that coat! - Give me this coat.

[down-tempo music plays]

♪♪♪

- You wanted to see me? - Oh. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Nigga, did I say you could sit down?

What's all this about?

[Terry] We're gonna work together again, right?

I got to go to St. Louis,

but I got to make sure I can trust you first.

You ain't got no reason not to trust me.

Then take off all your shit. All of it.

What?

♪♪♪

[Terry] Got to make sure you clean, boy.

Man, y'all on some bullshit.

I thought you wanted money

for your little daughter's surgery, no?

- I do. - [Terry] Okay.

And I ain't got no reason to hide.

What you wanted, right?

♪♪♪

Cleaner than a baby off baptism.

♪♪♪

What's this?

Fucking hospital bracelet, dumbass.

[chuckles]

All right. Look.

I need you and Hoop to keep eyes on someone for me.

I'm questioning their loyalty, and I need answers.

We got you. Who is it?

♪♪♪

[mid-tempo hip-hop plays]

[siren wailing]

[Hardy] Watch this. I'ma beat my record.

♪♪♪

Damn, Bryant. What the fuck is this, man?

You messed me up!

[Bryant] This is the guy

who bought the stolen Honda in Atlanta.

Goes by the alias of Don Genco.

This motherfucker is also wanted in Detroit for murder.

[chuckles softly] Yeah. I remember him.

We had a couple run-ins with him.

Shit, we beat his ass and kicked him loose for shits and giggles.

Yeah. Well, I need his government name.

Get some braces on him, make him sing on Meech

in exchange for a lighter sentence.

I'll tell you like this.

Guys like Genco in Atlanta,

they like to spend they money in the strip club.

You should probably start there.

- You coming? - No, man. No can do.

Too many people know me.

They see me coming,

they gonna be running like Mike Johnson and FloJo.

This one's on you, champ. Be safe out there, man.

Let's go, baby.

[siren wailing]

[Terry] So how are things at the salon?

I quit.

- Wait. What? You for real? - Yeah.

You know, when you a stylist, you also got to be a therapist.

And I got tired of them girls

dumping all they problems on me.

They don't pay me enough for that shit.

Yeah, but you- you always been a good listener.

You been a great problem solver.

I know, but life's too short to spend your energy

on the wrong shit, you know?

Yeah, I hear you on that. So what now?

Does this mean that you gonna be at home full time now?

Uncle Troy pulled some strings and got me a job at City Hall.

I mean, it-it's different, but...

I'll see where it'll take me.

Oh, shit. I'm proud of you.

And our family.

- Thanks, Tee. - Well...

You know, I've been, uh,

I've been thinking a lot about us.

And you're one of the only people in this world

who truly had my back, and that's loyal.

If you looking to get the panties dropping,

then you got another thing coming.

- I'm... - Wanda. Wanda.

- Mnh-mnh. - Come on. Chill.

That's not my intentions at all.

It's just not many people in this world have my back, truly.

You know I always got you.

I mean, you are the father of our babies, so...

You know, some people think that hustling is a career.

But it ain't. Meech ass does.

That's why he thinks he's the...

Black Pablo Escobar or some shit.

But I don't.

What, you want to get out the game now?

Eventually? Yeah, I do.

And right now I need to make

and clean as much money as I possibly can

so I can get the fuck out later.

All I ever wanted was for you to be safe,

you know, so these kids could... could know you

and you could watch them grow.

And I want the same thing.

That's why I need your help.

Uh, help doing what?

[down-tempo music plays]

[LaWanda] Damn, Tee.

I need you to start holding this for me.

- Can you do that for me? - No.

I'll do it for us.

For our family.

♪♪♪

[Meech] Welcome to St. Louis, Loco.

The doors are bueno for coming in, coming out.

[Meech] Sí. Sí. He's coming here.

Muy bien. Muy bien.

And you feel good about this?

I feel great.

[switches thudding]

- Let there be light. - [Loco] Ooh!

[Meech] This has enough room for all the cars

to be outfitted to move the work to the stash houses.

We-we can't have any more problemas.

- No problema. I got you. - Okay. Okay.

- I'll meet up with him later. - I'll go with you.

No, no, no, no, no.

Loco, I don't want you exposed like that yet, man.

Since this move come with a cost for Loco,

he want to meet Pusha.

I go with you, and I listen, and I watch.

All right. I'll hit you with the spot later on.

[mid-tempo music playing]

Can I get a warm-up, please?

- [chuckles softly] - [bell chimes]

You don't got to hide, Pops. [laughs]

All I'm saying is I want you to be happy.

Thank you. I appreciate that.

And whatever you do, don't break his heart.

[Charles] Let me head off to work.

I, uh, made us a reservation at a nice spot.

Can I pick you up at, um, 7:30?

Can't wait.

[door opens, bells chime]

♪♪♪

Okay. What can I get for you?

I'm looking right at it.

Uh, I'm-I'm taken.

I'm Werm. I work with Tee.

Look.

He wants me to pick you up after work

and take you home since you don't have a car.

I'm grown.

I don't need a ride from one of Tee's little henchmen.

Boss's orders.

Tee's not my boss.

I kind of fell out with your bro.

Can you please?

Okay. What'd you do?

I don't want to talk about it.

If you want me to play along, you got to spill it.

[Werm] Okay. Okay. Look.

I broke the dress code.

- [laughs] Yeah. - [chuckles] Yeah.

Sounds like Tee.

- What time are you off? - Five.

I'll be here to pick your grown ass up, then.

♪♪♪

I'll be there.

[door opens, bells chime]

♪ On my way to Club Esso... ♪

Hey, yo, I swear, these little St. Louis

"over hurr," "over durr" motherfuckers

need Hooked on Phonics.

I couldn't understand what them niggas was saying

at baggage claim.

Yeah. It takes a little while to understand these niggas' lingo.

But you gonna get it, though, soon.

Whatever it is, bro,

I'm not trying to spend a second longer in Hicksville.

I just want to set this meeting with Loco

- and get the fuck out of here. - I already met with Loco, Tee.

- [Terry] The fuck, Meech? - He wanted to meet earlier.

Bro, you know I wanted to have a serious conversation with y'all

about keeping control of this shit.

J-Pusha already moved the work without telling us,

fucking up the rank.

Yeah, but Pusha took care of his business.

And now Loco wants to meet him.

There's nothing I could do, Tee. It's what Loco wants.

Whatever, nigga. You always dick-ridin' Loco.

Well, I think we should have

some of our own soldiers out here

so we can keep it in the fam. How about that?

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah.

Why don't your happy ass move down here, then?

Meech, fuck that. Detroit's my home, nigga.

Listen, Tee. Pusha already proven his loyalty to us.

Besides, in the Lou, I don't got to worry about Bryant

and the fucking Red Dogs

breathing down our necks all day.

We can actually move the office out here, chill,

and focus on launching our music label.

You still with it, ain't you?

Yeah, I'm with it.

Good, nigga. Now, look.

For this music shit to work,

we gonna have to lean on Pusha, Tee.

I'm telling you.

So y'all niggas got to get y'all panties out of a bunch

and get along.

Go on a little play date or something.

You asking a lot, nigga, but I could do that.

I think we can seal the deal with Purdy

by taking her to the Source Awards.

Tina finally came through with those tickets.

Ain't that the hip-hop awards?

Yeah, but we got to rebrand her to a rapper

if we want this shit to work.

Man, fuck that. We can just find someone else.

Nigga, hell, nah. We too close on signing her.

And once we get her locked in, others will follow.

[Terry] All right, nigga. Whatever.

It seems like you got everything figured out, Meech.

I do, just like always.

[buzzer sounds, door thuds]

[indistinct conversations]

[Markisha] Hey.

God damn, baby. You look fine as fuck.

- What's up, Daddy? - [Markisha] I miss you.

I can't wait till we can break one off.

I've been missing that.

There's something I got to tell you.

So, I met up with Isaac Roberts.

But something wasn't right.

And I got out of there before shit went left, but...

he may have been caught up in a sting.

- What? - We're in the clear.

I just wanted to know if you heard anything.

I can't have one-time connect me with that nigga.

It's gonna add on to my sentence.

I wasn't saying this to get you upset.

We just always got to be honest with each other.

Fuck.

Baby.

You need to ride for people that need you

just as much as you need them.

And I need you. Baby, you got me, right?

- Yeah. - Till death do us part.

Yeah, yeah. Till death do us part.

[down-tempo music plays]

Can you think of any other contacts

that could keep us afloat for now?

Hey. Look. Hey.

Can we let this Isaac shit die down first?

Then I'll think of something, all right?

Okay.

And I'll think of some other ways that we can get this paper.

That's my girl.

The boys been asking about you.

Thinking about them, too. How they been?

They been good. Well, Rasheed got straight A's.

And Lamont's got two little girls

- writing him notes in class. - Ah! [laughs]

Boy, Lamont's just like his daddy, ain't he?

[Markisha] Mm-hmm.

Yeah, Rasheed got the brains of his mama.

We just wanna make you proud.

You know I am.

[Markisha] I'ma bring them next time.

I love you.

Love you, too.

I'm gonna see you soon.

♪♪♪

[sighs]

[indistinct conversations in distance]

I don't know why Tee sent the both of us to do this

when I could've done it by myself.

He was probably worried

he was gonna catch you sleeping on the job again.

Man, fuck you with your Skeletor-looking ass.

Fuck you too.

Oh, she's a real piece of work.

Slippin' between two households with Tee and Boom.

Any good piece of pussy will fuck a man's head up.

[siren wailing in distance]

Kato had to be put down.

[down-tempo music plays]

You held it down for the family.

Fucked-up shit is

I found out she was carrying my seed right after.

♪♪♪

Damn, B. That's tough.

♪♪♪

Aisha and Vee are my second shot.

Let's see where this bitch is headed.

[engine starts ]

♪♪♪

♪ Memories of us on rewind ♪

- ♪ I've been having... ♪ - [water splashing]

♪♪♪

- [gasping] - Yeah.

This is what happen

when you don't play my songs on your station!

- I'm sorry. - That's not gonna cut it.

We had a deal. [grunts]

[water splashing, bubbling]

[gasps]

[body thuds]

♪♪♪

From now on,

you gonna play my artists every hour on the hour.

♪♪♪

Purdy, what's up, baby?

You wanted to see me?

Yeah. I've been thinking about our conversation

about rebranding you.

I want to do it.

- You're gonna let me rap? - Fuck, no.

You're gonna be in a girl group with Destiny and Shameka.

♪ I reminisce, reminisce ♪

- But I'm a solo artist. - Not anymore.

It's the '90s. Everybody want girl groups.

But I'm the one with a top-ten hit.

They just gonna ride off my success!

Get your ass over here.

Who the fuck you think you talking to?

Daddy made you, not the other way around.

You better recognize.

I'm sorry.

You ain't shit without me.

Can I get a bump?

Of course. You know I got you.

♪♪♪

[sniffs]

♪♪♪

You gonna lose this money.

Man, where your money at?

[indistinct conversations, bells chiming]

[J-Pusha] That's still a $500 ball.

You ain't doing nothing with it.

[grunting]

[J-Pusha] Hey. Hey, Carter.

Over there, not over there. And don't scuff up my floor.

Hard to find good help these days.

Hey, fuck off.

[J-Pusha] That's my little bro Carter right there.

This my right-hand man Shawn right here.

Heads above the rest.

[Terry] Appreciate the hustle.

♪♪♪

Carter, how you been, dawg?

Still breaking bats with that right arm?

Nah, nah.

Whenever I raised my hand to pitch,

people thought I was throwing Crip signs.

God damn, dawg. I'm sorry to hear that, though.

[Carter] Bro is too protective to let me in the game,

so I'm doing small jobs for him now.

[Terry] All right. Yo. Uh, listen up, man.

Yo, we've been knowing each other for a little minute now,

and we... we got off to a rocky start.

For sure.

A'ight, but let's have a fresh start.

First things first.

Got to get the command in order, right?

So look, don't be going making them big moves behind our back

without notifying me or Meech first.

Hey, I was just doing what I do best, all right?

You know, we let work sit there,

it cause more problems.

That won't happen again over here.

Look, dawg.

You made a call with that work that really saved our asses.

I can't even lie. But that was a one-time thing.

Don't let that shit happen no more.

Square biz, dirty.

So we straight or what?

Yeah, we straight.

Look, I'm trying to make some more money!

[Meech] Me and Tee gonna slide through with Unk later on.

Yo, besides playing video games and shit,

what else y'all doin' around here?

Shit. We gamble. All day, every day.

Hey, come on, man. You speaking my language now.

[Carter] Come on, dirty. We got casino boats out here.

[indistinct conversations, mid-tempo music playing]

All right, so our plan, me and Meech's,

is to have half a ton in every state.

Can open up the pipeline up to Texas and New York.

All right, Pusha. It seems like this man

got the connections and the hustle. I like that.

[Shawn] You're only as good as your team, right?

- Where you from, Unc? - Detroit, like us.

He ain't say shit all night.

[Meech] Unc a man of few words.

Who your favorite nephew?

Me.

Demetri.

Demetri. That's hella funny.

What can I say, dawg? I'm everybody's favorite.

I guess Tee want to go sit at the kiddie table.

God damn me.

Can't catch a break even if that shit was on speed dial.

Hey, yo, it's all good.

It's just all in your wrist action.

I'ma show you, all right?

Having trouble, Stubs?

Man, fuck out of here, all right?

Keep that shit between you and my brother.

I ain't got shit to do with y'all beefs.

Your gimp ass? Easy target, cuh.

Keep talking, playboy,

you gonna fuck around and get bucked, all right?

- Huh? Huh? - Hey, hey. Look.

Look, man. Look. It's not worth it.

Chill. You're only gonna make shit worse, all right?

Just hit him where it hurts- his wallet.

[down-tempo music plays]

[dice clattering, rolling]

- [man] Winner! - Yeah.

- Let's go. - Yeah.

♪♪♪

[Cecilia] Would you ever get married again?

[Charles] [inhales sharply] I don't know.

When I got married, I told myself it would be forever.

Mm. You're not the only one.

I was hoping for the family and white picket fence,

but I ended up with a lot of heartbreak.

Sorry to hear that.

Oh, don't be.

- It was a lesson learned. - Which was?

My ex was jealous, started to follow me.

Had no idea how much I loved him.

Spent my marriage trying to convince him I wasn't cheating.

Well, I'm happy you're in a space to go out with me tonight.

Thank you for an amazing night.

- Thank you. - [laughs]

Ceci! Who the hell is this?

Avery, what are you doing here? Did you follow me?

Who the fuck are you?

Hey, brother, it ain't got to be like this, man.

Come on. [grunts]

I ain't your motherfucking brother.

And Ceci is mine! Let's go, Ceci!

[Cecilia] Avery!

Aah!

[dramatic music plays]

♪♪♪

C-Charles, stop!

Oh, my God! Please!

[Charles breathing heavily]

[gasps]

[mid-tempo R&B playing]

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

Tee told me you got a scholarship to Morris Brown.

Yeah.

That's dope.

Thanks.

Man, I can't wait to get out of here

and not have to answer to nobody.

[chuckles]

I go to Wayne State.

- What? - Yeah.

I never would've guessed that.

Why?

You think 'cause I sell drugs, I ain't 'bout shit?

Sorry. My bad.

[laughs]

[laughing] Why are you joking?

I work for Tee so I can pay my tuition

and take care of my family.

What you majoring in?

History.

- Damn. Okay, Werm! - Yeah. Yeah.

We studying Malcolm X's Message to the Grassroots.

Look. Look.

The white man sent us to Korea, Germany,

and the South Pacific to bleed for white people.

So when it came to fighting our own revolution,

we couldn't be nonviolent.

I listened to that speech.

[Werm] Fucked-up thing is

American history made MLK to be the hero and X to be a villain.

Made us pick sides.

They were just two men fighting for the same movement.

Damn. You beautiful and book smart.

And you book and street smart.

Hustling wasn't even my plan.

Heart attack took my pops out,

and I had to become the man of the house.

Felt like my family fell apart overnight.

I'm sorry about your pops.

♪♪♪

I'm just hustling till I can graduate,

get a real career.

Yeah.

♪♪♪

I'm gonna make 'em proud.

♪♪♪

♪ Walk in, VIP status ♪

- [man] Mm! - Seven!

♪ Cameras, they flashin' ♪

♪ Rockin' that ice and the latest fashion ♪

Take that and get your finger fixed, dirty.

♪ Get a reaction ♪

Demetri, donde esta el baño?

♪ Lookin' at the future now, everlastin' ♪

♪ Two-step to the beat, move your feet ♪

Hey, I ain't want to cause no controversy, but I ain't know

you want to talk business while Unc was around.

Man, he good. Don't worry about him.

Got that.

Sorry about your brother Carter. I know that's tough.

Yeah. I'm the reason he can't play baseball no more.

He ain't been the same.

And I know he resents me.

[Meech] Look, I feel you, dawg.

When my little brother followed me into the game

and he got popped the first few times,

part of me felt responsible, too.

But as much as we try,

we can't protect them against everything,

including themselves.

How long you in town for?

[Meech] I got to bounce back in the morning.

We got to touch down in ATL before we fly back to New York.

- What's over there? - [Meech] Source Awards, nigga.

Yeah. Me and my brother launching our own label.

All right. Do your thing. Do your thing.

I told you get the fuck out of here.

- Chill out, man. - Hey, Carter! Carter, man!

Hey, chill!

Tired of getting wrapped up in your shit!

Look. This nigga about to get bucked on, all right?

You up here making it a scene. Stop drawing attention.

- Fuck you, bro. - Yo! Come on, come on, come on.

Look, look, as soon as the boat docks,

I'ma grab the keys and I'ma get him out of here.

[Meech] All right. Bet. Do that, Tee.

♪♪♪

[Terry] Hey. Hey. Just calm down, man.

We almost to the crib. Easy, now.

I fucking hate him.

I'm sure you could get your money back from that guy.

- Chill. - This ain't about Rudy, man.

It's my brother!

Rudy just hassling me

'cause there's beef between my bro and the Moors, man.

Moors? Who's that?

[Carter] They Muslims, and they don't fuck around.

Probably hate bro more than I do.

Slice him from ear to ass if they had the chance.

Boy, Pusha is pissing everybody off.

That's the reason I'm in this situation.

[voice breaking] All I wanted was to play ball.

Now I'm wrapped up in big bro bullshit again.

[Terry] Life can be unfair sometimes.

Bad shit happen, and we can't control it.

I would know.

After I got shot, during the surgery,

the doctors fucked up my eye.

[laughing] Shit.

[exhales deeply]

You're fucked up just like me.

Yeah, people clown me every day for it, just like you.

♪♪♪

You know, sometimes I wonder, man, what would've happened

if I never hopped in the car with my brother.

Meech the man.

[chuckles]

I'd be six feet under if it wasn't for him.

You don't know him like I know him.

But I'm sure I can say the same thing

about your brother Pusha, right?

♪♪♪

All right. Yes.

Okay, Wanda.

Look, even though you a beauty school dropout,

you've come a long way from fucking up my graduation hair.

Mm-hmm. Well, you know, we all just a work in progress, right?

Yeah. I wanted to try something new.

Uh, something new... or someone new?

[laughs] Well...

I mean, damn, can't no Flenory ever stay faithful?

What's up with y'all?

Breeze is great and all, but this other guy,

we just vibe.

I don't know. He has this swagger about him.

Who is he?

Werm. He works for Terry.

Wait. Hold up. Hold up. Hold up. What?!

Girl, are you crazy?

Why would you fuck around with someone so close to home?

Does Terry know?

Terry got him driving me home from work.

Oh, my God.

We on some Bodyguard type shit.

Like I'm Whitney and he's Frank Farmer or something.

Girl, this ain't no movie, all right?

You gonna get somebody killed.

You know what? I'm not married.

Can do what I want.

[down-tempo music plays]

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

[Lucille] "Dear Brian,

From the church benevolent fund.

It's not much, but it counts.

I hope you've been reading your Bible,

and may God guide you to make good choices for your family.

Nothing is more important-

not money, nor grudges, nor anger.

Remember that.

Love, Pastor Lucille."

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

[indistinct conversations, telephone ringing]

Hey, Bryant. Any luck?

Yeah. I got something.

Six strip clubs later, I got my lead.

Yeah, man. I'm going to Platinum Palace tonight.

Could use the backup.

Set up a perimeter in case I hit the jackpot.

No. Sorry. No can do.

We're working foot beats for the Olympics tonight.

The countdown has begun.

Yeah, but getting BMF off the streets

is part of cleaning up the streets.

No. I understand that.

But we're working an optics game right now, man.

Look, the mayor has the chief's balls in a jar.

We can't do it.

You ever tried that with peanut butter?

Peanut butter? Come on, bro. That's nasty, man.

[down-tempo music plays]

It is.

[Hoop] Hey, your boy called.

[B-Mickie] Who, Tee?

Nah. Deez nuts. [laughs]

Always fuckin' playing, bro.

Ahh!

Thank you for lunch. That was nice.

Well, it's the dessert I'm excited about.

Well, big favors deserve big rewards.

[Hoop] Motherfucker.

[B-Mickie] What, you know that cat?

That is a hog special right there.

Tee had me tail that cop a while back.

Oh, shit.

She out cold fuckin' 5-0.

Wait. Markisha out here playing Tee, Boom, and a cop?

Talk about sleeping with the enemy.

Thanks for looking into Isaac Roberts for me.

- Anything for you, baby. - [laughs]

Fuck.

This is gonna be a tough conversation with Tee.

Nah, nah, nah. Tee had questions.

We're gonna give him answers that he ain't gonna like.

[Duffy] All right, now, Purdy.

Meech and Tee got a big surprise for you.

Surprise? What...

- Whoa! What is all this? - [Meech] Yeah.

We had to get you right before we go to the Source Awards.

What? You got me in?!

- Tina got us all in. - [Purdy] Oh, shit!

Well, you said you needed to see it to believe it.

I believe it.

Fuck Trell. I'm signing with y'all.

- Shit! - All right.

Shit. Here you go.

Welcome to Stompin' Ground Records.

This is yours, and it's the real shit.

It's not a rental.

It's yours.

Wow. Shit.

And I know y'all ain't serving the cheap shit.

Never.

You on a whole new level now, Purdy.

But the big dogs do this weeks in advance.

And we got a lot of work to do before tomorrow night.

All the clothes look beautiful.

We just want you to shine like the star you are.

Damn. Y'all don't know what this means to me.

I needed to get away from Trell.

Purdy, fuck him.

Yeah. Fuck him.

- Fuck Trell. - [laughs]

So good to see you.

Yeah? Well, it's good to be seen.

You look good. I like it.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

And I appreciate you for coming through

and doing all this for us.

I appreciate the work. It's no big deal.

I know it takes money to make money, now.

Oh, yeah. Is that what it is?

Well, don't worry. I'ma make sure she turn heads.

'Cause, um... little secret.

[whispering] Nobody does it like me.

See, I need her to believe in herself the way I do.

She gonna be ready. Just wait.

Well, shit. We need to celebrate tonight.

- Who trying to hit the Palace? - [Meech] Hell nah, nigga.

We got to go to the Source Awards.

I know you gonna be able to celebrate for all of us.

You already know.

[down-tempo music plays]

♪♪♪

[Charles] Lucille.

♪♪♪

I was trying to find my sermon notes.

- Have you seen them? - No, but I got some good news.

Got a call from Chuck Campbell. Tour's back on.

Wow. That's-that's good. Well, when do you leave?

Uh, two months.

They're still working out some booking issues.

Judging by your reaction, you would've hoped it was sooner?

No. I mean... Well, yeah.

I mean, I-I've been trying to apply for welfare,

and, I mean, you know how strict they can be, so...

You know, I thought you would be happy for me.

But all you care about is getting me out of the house

so you can get some free money.

Don't worry, Lucille.

I'll be out of your hair soon enough.

♪♪♪

[down-tempo R&B playing]

♪♪♪

Killing my stress one hit at a time.

♪ You make me feel ♪

Once you learn how to roll them yourself, you won't stop.

Can I take a pull?

Nah.

You ain't finna have Tee on my head.

Unless you want me to tell Tee you ain't take care of me,

you'll be inclined to let me.

I can tell y'all related.

I can suck and blow.

♪ Keep it comin' ♪

♪ Keep it right there ♪

Is that right?

I'll show you.

♪ My love ain't goin' nowhere ♪

♪ Goin' nowhere ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

Mm. Mnh-mnh.

♪ Remember the first time that we had ♪

♪ Said to each other this would last ♪

♪♪♪

You got lip gloss all on it.

Tastes good.

It's cherry.

♪ ...that I was your all ♪

Can I have another taste?

Sure.

♪ We got a love that only grows ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ Like a real, real woman ♪

♪ Let's stay... ♪

- Damn. - ♪ ...right here ♪

♪ So, baby, keep it comin' ♪

You want it?

Yeah.

♪ Keep it right there ♪

♪ Boy, my love ain't goin' nowhere ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ Like a real, real woman ♪

[up-tempo hip-hop playing]

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

You like that ass, daddy?

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

I ain't busting it open for nothing.

♪♪♪

You into this shit or not?

♪♪♪

Fuck away from me.

♪♪♪

[siren wailing in distance]

Yes, mamas. You look so fly.

Here. Look.

Yeah. I do.

- Mm-hmm. - Thank you so much.

Yeah. Of course, babe.

Mm. Love you, girl.

Showtime, motherfuckers.

Now, go. Go. Go get dressed. Tina got your outfit over there.

So what you think of Big Meech?

I think he looks like the president of a music label.

- Okay. I can dig that. - Mm-hmm.

Where you going, though? You don't got to bounce.

- Just stay. - And why?

'Cause I wanna get to know you. That's why.

Mm. And exactly what do you want to get to know, Meech?

What's the long game?

Like, you gonna be doing makeup forever or what?

[Maria] Actually, I want to start my own makeup line

for just Black women.

You know, it's hard finding shades

for our different skin tones, unfortunately.

I like that. That's dope.

So, yeah.

You want to come with me to the show?

Yeah. No thanks. But I'm more of a homebody.

You could at least let me take you out sometime.

Sure.

But, um, right now, you in Big Meech mode.

I need you to holler at me when Demetrius comes back.

How about that?

Okay?

I'm all yours.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

[B-Mickie] So, how'd Tee take it?

Not good.

I ain't ever heard him that mad before.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

[siren wailing in distance]

This will be enough for my baby's surgery.

Good. Good.

So, am I back in or... Come on, now.

Have you talked to Tee about me hustling again?

I don't know. I don't know. That's between you and him.

Tee will be in touch.

Hey, hey. Good luck with the surgery.

Appreciate that.

No doubt.

♪♪♪

["Ain't No Thang" by Outkast playing]

♪ Ain't no thang but a chicken wang ♪

♪ We's havin' a smoke-out... ♪

[announcer] Welcome to the 1995 Source Awards.

Oh, shit. There go Big right there.

Yeah, Tee. We exactly where we need to be.

[older Meech] The 1995 Source Awards

changed hip-hop forever.

[announcer] ...the Notorious B.I.G.

[older Meech] Tensions continued to rise

between the East Coast vs the West Coast.

[indistinct conversations, mid-tempo hip-hop playing]

The East had the game on lock.

But the West Coast was doing their thing.

[man] Hey, blood!

[Older Meech] But that night,

Southern hip-hop was put on the map forever

when Andre 3000 said the South had something to say.

[announcer] ...Lifetime Achievement Award...

[older Meech] And another reason Atlanta

would be my forever home.

♪ Ain't no thang but a chicken wang... ♪

[older Meech] No one knew this night

would lead to the deaths of two of hip-hop's leading men.

♪ It's all about that cess in your chest ♪

[crowd cheering]

[indistinct conversations]

I mean, these label heads are some vultures.

After seeing what you did with Clive,

it gave me the courage to leave Trell.

- Now I'm at Stompin' Ground. - What's Stompin' Ground?

Stompin' Ground is us, Meech and Terry Flenory.

[Left Eye] Okay. Nice! That's dope.

Good luck to all of you.

All right, y'all.

A'ight.

[announcer] ...Natural Born Killers...

She was so dope. Oh, my God.

...talking about, right?

Just, like, standing up against these motherfuckers.

- It's crazy. - [Trell] Purdy!

-[Terry] Who the fuck is f- -[Trell] Purdy! Yo!

What are you doing here?

And what the fuck are you wearing?

- I signed with them. - Girl, I own your ass.

You under contract with me.

Nah. Name your price and we'll buy her out of it.

That's not how this works, nigga.

Purdy, let's go.

Who you playin' with, nigga?

[Trell] Kano! Kano! Kano!

We'll finish this shit later.

Nigga, we'll be waitin'. Soft-ass nigga.

Y'all want her raggedy ass?

Y'all can have her.

I'll send you niggas contracts for a signature.

We'll make her bigger than you ever could.

Y'all really don't know who y'all fucking with, do you?

[laughs]

♪♪♪

These niggas actin' like this the streets or some shit.

Don't let the suit fool you.

Trell is a crazy-ass motherfucker.

Man, fuck his soft ass.

["Survival of the Fittest" by Mobb Deep playing]

♪♪♪

♪ There's a war going on outside no man is safe from ♪

♪ You could run but you can't hide forever ♪

♪ From these streets that we done took ♪

♪ You walkin' with your head down, scared to look ♪

♪ You shook, 'cause ain't no such things as halfway crooks ♪

♪ They never around when the beef cooks in my part of town ♪

♪ It's similar to Vietnam ♪

♪ Now we all grown up and old ♪

♪ We beyond the cops' control ♪

Yo, Unc.

♪♪♪

Where is Demetri?

Demetri head ain't in the game. He done left town.

And I figured you ain't get a proper Hustle City goodbye.

You heard me?

[pilot] We're ready.

Make quick.

Well, you done met me and seen what I can do.

I think we should talk about doing some business-

without Demetri.

First impressions are everything.

- You moved the work quickly. - Thank you.

We have a lot to discuss.

We'll be in touch.

♪♪♪

[older Meech] When you in power,

you feel like you can accomplish anything.

And that's where the power paradox come in.

That sense of motherfucking self,

it's the same shit that can lead to your demise.

♪ We living this till the day that we die ♪

♪ Survival of the fit, only the strong... ♪

♪ I'm trapped in between two worlds, trying to get dough ♪

♪ You know when the dough get low, the jewels go ♪

♪ But never that, as long as fiends smoke crack ♪

♪ I'll be on the block hustling, counting my stacks ♪

♪ No doubt, watching my back and proceed with caution ♪

♪ 5-0 lurking ♪

♪ No time to get lost in the system ♪

♪ Niggas using fake names to get out quick ♪

♪ My brother did it and got bagged with two ounces ♪

♪ I live a war where squads hit the block hard ♪

♪ Ask my man Twin ♪

♪ When he got bagged, that fucked me up, god ♪

♪ But shit happens for a reason ♪

♪ You find out who's your true peoples ♪

♪ When you're upstate bleeding ♪

♪ And can't find a shorty to troop your bid with you ♪

♪ Hit with a two-to-four, it's difficult ♪

♪ While on the streets, I try to maintain ♪

♪ Tight with my loot, 'cause hoes like to run game ♪

♪ Some niggas like to trick ♪

♪ But I ain't with that trickin' shit ♪

♪ I'm like a Jew saving dough so I can pimp whip ♪

♪ Pushing a Lex, now I'm set, ready to jet ♪

♪ No matter how much loot I get ♪

♪ I'm staying in the projects forever ♪

♪ Jakes on the blocks we outclever ♪

♪ If beef, we never separate and pull together ♪

♪ When worse come to worst, my peoples come first ♪

♪ Try to react and get them motherfuckin' feelings hurt ♪

♪ My crew's all about loot, fuck looking cute... ♪