Original subtitles

UH-OH. UH-OH.

CAN'T NOBODY GET ME. CAN'T NOBODY GET ME.

AAH. AAH. AAH.

AAH. AAH. AAH.

CAN'T NOBODY GET ME.

[BELL RINGING]

1, 2, 3,

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,

10, 11, 12.

Child: I WANT CHOCOLATE!

YOU'RE GONNA GET YOURS. EVERYBODY GONNA GET THEIRS.

I WANT CHOCOLATE!

ALL RIGHT. HERE YOU GO.

GOT A RHYME OR SOMETHING?

I GOT A RHYME OR SOMETHING?

I KICK RHYMES AUTOMATIC.

ADDICTED TO CHANGE LIKE LEAVES.

MY BLACK IS GOLD LIKE BEES.

SO STINGRAY ON A SUNNY DAY,

WHILE THE LITTLE KIDS SIT OUT AND PLAY

OR CONVERSE,

GETTING READY FOR THE ICE CREAM TRUCK.

[COMICAL GIBBERISH]

HA HA HA!

YOU WROTE SOMETHIN'?

Child: NO. I JUST KNOW A LITTLE SOMETHIN'.

WHAT YOU GOT?

I GOT A LITTLE SOMETHIN', LIKE...

MY NAME IS LITTLE TROY,

AND I'M KNOWN AS A BIG BOY.

I GOTTA PUT SOME MORE AT THE END, THOUGH.

ALL RIGHT.

I'LL HELP YOU WITH IT IF YOU WANT.

SO, YO, WHAT'S UP WITH KEISHA?

YO, YO, THE CHICK IS BUGGIN', YO.

SHE KEEPS HITTING ME.

YO.

YO.

LOOK, I NEED SOMETHING TO GET MY HEAD RIGHT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

YOU GONNA SHARE SOME BLESSINGS WITH ME?

OH, YEAH. I GOT YOU.

PLEASE...PLEASE.

THE MEDICINE FOR YOU.

THIS IS MY PRESCRIPTION.

HERE YOU GO.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN'.

YES, YES.

THIS IS THAT MAUI-WOWIE, RIGHT?

THIS IS THE TRUTH,

SO HELP YOU GOD.

SO, UH, AFTER SMOKIN' THIS,

I'LL UNDERSTAND SOME OF THAT SHIT

YOU BE TALKIN' ABOUT IN YOUR RHYMES, RIGHT?

PROBABLY NOT.

HA HA! LOOK, I'LL HOLLER, RIGHT?

COOL.

PEACE.

THEM BROTHERS STRONG. THEM BROTHERS STRONG.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE]

HOLD UP, THOUGH.

AIN'T NOBODY COMIN' UP IN DODGE CITY LIKE THAT, MAN.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'?

IF I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THERE,

SOMEBODY GONNA BE LIKE BIGGIE AND TUPAC.

MAN, LOOK, YOU HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS.

DON'T LET YOUR BUSINESS HANDLE YOU, MAN.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'?

[ALL TALKING]

HEY, WHAT'S UP, MAN?

WHAT'S GOIN' ON?

YOU KNOW ME, YOU KNOW? YOU KNOW?

YO, I GOT SOME GOOD THINGS I'M TRYIN' TO INVEST IN, MAN.

YOU KNOW? I HEAR. I KNOW.

THAT'S THE WAY I'M GONNA MAKE IT BIG, MAN.

YOU KNOW, I'M WRITING EVERY DAY.

EVERY DAY. YO, YOU GOTTA GIVE ME THAT,

'CAUSE I'M GOIN' WITH YOU ON THAT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'?

SO YOU GONNA START THE LABEL UP?

YEAH, I WANT YOU TO DO THAT RECORD LABEL.

ALL RIGHT.

I GOT THE MONEY INVESTED IN IT.

AND, YO, I WANT YOU TO DO ME A FAVOR.

WHAT'S THAT?

I GOT THIS NEW CHICK, RIGHT?

AND I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME SOME GOOD SHIT TO TELL HER.

YOU KNOW? SOME SLICK SHIT TO SAY.

SO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

I'M SERIOUS, MAN. NO BULLSHIT.

YOU GOT TO DO THAT FOR ME, MAN.

YOU GONNA GET ME TO WRITE POEMS AND SHIT?

MAN, LOOK. I DON'T EVEN WANNA READ THE JUMPS, MAN.

YOU KNOW, I JUST WANNA REMEMBER SOMETHIN'.

IF I'M GONNA BE WRITING,

YOU BETTER READ THAT SHIT.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO WRITE NO HEAVY POEMS AND SHIT.

HELL, NO. I AIN'T SITTIN' THERE SINGIN' TO THE BITCH.

I AIN'T NO R. KELLY OR NOBODY.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'?

I WANT YOU TO SIT THERE AND GIVE ME A LITTLE SOMETHIN'.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'? IT'S LIKE THAT.

YOU'RE MY MAN. YOU GOTTA LOOK OUT FOR ME.

I GOT YOU, MAN.

ALL RIGHT? LOOK...

WHAT'S UP?

UM, I'M RUNNIN' LOW. YOU LOOK OUT FOR ME?

YEAH. I GOT THAT.

I'LL LOOK OUT FOR YOU, BUT LOOK, COME BACK LATER ON.

MEET ME AT DODGE CITY 'ROUND ABOUT 10:30.

ALL RIGHT.

AND I GOT YOU, OK?

AND I GOT YOU, THEN, TOO.

YEAH, MAN. YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, YO. PEACE.

IT'S GONNA BE A HOT ONE TONIGHT, BRO.

I CAN FEEL IT.

I'M GETTIN' TOO OLD FOR THIS SHIT, MAN.

TELL 'EM TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL UNITS,

BECAUSE, UH, THEY'VE BEEN ACTING KINDA SILLY,

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

THESE YOUNG BOYS, YOU KNOW,

THAT DAGGONE RAP MUSIC THEY GOT

IS DRIVIN' 'EM CRAZY.

Radio dispatcher: COME IN, EC-1.

LET ALL UNITS KNOW THAT, UH, TO BE HEADS-UP.

GOT YOU, EC-1.

YOU REMEMBER THAT SONG WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

OH, YEAH, YEAH.

REMEMBER THAT? REMEMBER THAT ONE?

YEAH. LET'S HIT IT. HIT IT.

Both: * WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

[SINGING DIFFERENT LYRICS]

MAN, YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE SONG, MAN?

NAH, MAN! I DON'T REMEMBER THE SONG.

IT'S "I'VE SEEN YOU BEFORE," GODDAMN IT.

SO HOW DOES IT GO?

IT'S "WHAT'S YOUR NAME? I HAVE SEEN YOU BEFORE.

MAY I WALK YOU TO THE DOOR?"

ALL RIGHT, THAT'S IT.

JESUS CHRIST, WHAT YOU BE TALKIN' ABOUT?

YOU KNOW THE DAGGONE SONG, MAN.

ALL RIGHT, HIT IT.

* WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

* I HAVE SEEN YOU BEFORE

* WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

* MAY I WALK YOU TO YOUR DOOR? *

WHAT UP, NIGGA? I'M RIGHT HERE.

WHAT'S UP, YO? WHAT'S UP? WHAT'S UP?

WHAT'S GOIN' ON?

HOW YOU DOIN', MAN?

HERE YOU GO, YOU KNOW? BE CAREFUL WITH THAT.

YEAH, ALL RIGHT. WHAT'S UP, BABY?

EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT?

YEAH. MM-HMM.

YEAH. WELL, LOOK, I WANT YOU TO DO WHAT I ASKED YOU TO.

I GOT YOU. THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE GONNA SAY.

YOU MASSAGE THE UNIVERSE'S SPINE,

THE WAY YOU TWIRL THROUGH TIME

AND LEAVE SHADOWS ON THE SUN.

YOU GOT THAT?

YOU A BAD MOTHERFUCKER.

I AIN'T GOT THAT, THOUGH. GIVE ME THAT JUMP AGAIN.

YOU MASSAGE THE UNIVERSE'S SPINE,

THE WAY YOU TWIRL THROUGH TIME

AND LEAVE SHADOWS ON THE SUN.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

[GUNSHOT]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

[SIRENS APPROACHING]

YO, I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!

WELL, WHAT'S THIS?

IT'S JUST WEED.

JUST WEED?! THIS IS ILLEGAL WEED!

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN USE DRUGS...

WHAT'S YOUR NAME, MAN? WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

RAYMOND JOSHUA.

RAYMOND WHAT?

RAYMOND...JOSHUA.

BUDDY, LET ME TELL YA, YOU'RE IN DEEP SHIT.

THIS IS GONNA BURY YA. LET'S GO, MAN.

THIS HERE IS GONNA BURY YA.

[GAVEL RAPS]

Court Clerk: MATTER BEFORE THE COURT,

NUMBER 47 ON THE LOCK-UP,

UNITED STATES VS. RAYMOND JOSHUA.

YOUR HONOR, THE DEFENDANT WAS APPREHENDED

FLEEING THE SCENE OF A SHOOTING.

THE MAN WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD

DURING A DRUG TRANSACTION

IN WHICH THIS MAN WAS INVOLVED.

MY GOD, WHAT A WAY TO START A MONDAY MORNING.

HERE YOU HAVE THE CONGRESS

TAKING A LOT OF POWER FROM THE CITY COUNCIL

AND THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

AND THE PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON,

AND THEN WE HAVE MR. JOSHUA.

WITHOUT GETTING INTO WHETHER YOU'RE GUILTY OR NOT,

I JUST KNOW THAT THESE DRUGS ARE KILLING OUR COMMUNITY.

MR. PROSECUTOR,

WHAT'S THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION ON BAIL?

THE GOVERNMENT FEELS THAT THIS DEFENDANT

POSES A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF FLIGHT, YOUR HONOR.

HE WAS APPREHENDED

FLEEING THE SCENE OF A SHOOTING.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BOND SET

IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 SURETY.

THIS COURT WILL ENTER A PLEA OF NOT GUILTY

ON BEHALF OF MR. JOSHUA.

AND THE PROCEEDING'S ADJOURNED

UNTIL MONDAY MORNING, 11:00.

THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

WATCH YOUR STEP.

OW! AH! FUCK!

TURN ON THE FUCKING AIR CONDITIONER!

A.C., MOTHERFUCKER!

GIVE ME SOME FUCKING A.C.!

HEY, MAN, WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP.

MY NAME IS FUCKING JIMMY HUANG!

GET ME THE FUCK OFF THIS VAN!

HEY!

YOU! UP THERE IN THE FRONT!

I SHOULDN'T EVEN FUCKING BE IN THIS VAN, MAN!

YOU KNOW WHO MY DAD IS?

SHIT! IT'S HOT IN THIS FUCKING VAN.

YOU SCARED, MAN?

SHUT THE FUCK UP.

[SIGHS]

THINKING OF A MASTER PLAN.

THERE AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT SWEAT

INSIDE OF MY HANDS.

SO I DIG INTO MY POCKETS...

THERE'S AN MC IN THE VAN!

THERE'S AN MC IN THE VAN! GREAT!

ANOTHER BLACK RAPPER.

THINKING OF A MASTER PLAN.

SO I WALK UP THE STREET, WHISTLING THIS,

FEELING OUTTA PLACE, 'CAUSE, MAN, DO I MISS

A PEN AND A PAPER, A STEREO, A TABLE...

Jimmy, rap-style: WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP?

WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP? WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP?

WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP?!

WOULD YOU SHUT... THE FUCK...UP?!

WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP?!

WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP?!

...THE BOMBS THAT I MADE...

GET THIS GUY TO SHUT UP!

[GATE BUZZER]

[GATE BUZZER]

I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT

WHO'S GONNA KEEP THIS LITTLE THING QUIET.

SHAKE HIS HAND AND SAY... THANK YOU.

DAMN...I MISS ITALY.

DO YOU MISS ITALY?

YOU EVER LISTEN TO WU-TANG?

ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO!

WHAT'S UP, MAN?

YOU HEARD ABOUT MIKE?

YEAH, I HEARD ABOUT HIM, MAN.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

I DON'T EVEN KNOW.

CAN'T CALL IT.

YOU KNOW,

THE WORD IN HERE IS WATCH YOUR BACK.

ALL RIGHT.

[TAPPING RHYTHMICALLY]

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?

CHINA DOG--

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME, CHINA DOG?!

I SHOULDN'T EVEN BE IN THIS FUCKING JAIL, MAN!

I DON'T WANNA BE IN HERE!

I SHOULDN'T BE IN HERE WITH YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!

GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME?!

I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM YOU!

FUCK YOU, MOTHERFUCKER!

HEY, MAN, Y'ALL NEED TO SHUT UP, MAN.

I AIN'T TRYING TO HEAR ALL THAT.

JUST GET ME SOME TOILET PAPER.

WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME, MAN?!

GET OFF OF ME!

WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT WITH ME, MAN?!

I'LL FUCKING GET ALL OF YOU!

SHIT! GET THE FUCK-- I'LL KILL YOU!

SIT THE FUCK DOWN, MAN! JUST SIT DOWN.

FUCK YOU, MAN.

SIT DOWN, ALL RIGHT?

WHAT'S YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM, YO?

YOU ABOUT TO GET FUCKIN' KILLED UP IN THIS PIECE, ALL RIGHT?

YEAH, I GUESS I AM.

Prisoner: COMIN' TO AMERICA

IS A MOTHERFUCKER, MAN.

[PRISONERS TALKING]

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, MAN?

WHY DON'T YOU JUST SIT DOWN, ALL RIGHT?

IF YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE,

THEN YOU WON'T BE HERE.

GIVE IT A SECOND, AND YOU'LL DISAPPEAR.

Guard: HEY, MR. HUANG, LET'S GO.

THAT'S ME.

I TOLD YOU I WAS OUTTA HERE, MAN.

TIME TO GO.

Jimmy: YEAH, I TOLD YOU GUYS.

WHAT?

YOU KNOW WHEN YOU SPIT ON MY BUDDY?

WE GOT A GOING-AWAY PRESENT FOR YOU, BRO.

A WHAT? A WHAT?!

A WHAT?! NO!

FUCK THAT!

[BANGING, JIMMY SHOUTING]

I'M YOUR ATTORNEY.

I'VE BEEN ASSIGNED BY THE COURT TO REPRESENT YOU.

I'M A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

I'VE BEEN ASKED BY THE PROSECUTOR

TO SEE IF WE CAN CUT A DEAL--

MEANS PLEAD GUILTY OR COP OUT.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS: ARE YOU GUILTY?

OF WHAT?

OF YOUR MARIJUANA, POSSESSION OF THE MARIJUANA.

UH, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW.

I CAN'T GET A TRIAL OR SOMETHING?

WELL, YOU CAN GET A TRIAL. THEY CALL THAT COP OR ROCK.

YOU CAN TAKE THE COP-- WE PLEAD--

OR YOU CAN ROCK, WHICH MEANS WE CAN TAKE IT TO TRIAL,

BUT IF YOU LOSE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT 10--

MANDATORY 10--AND YOU HAVE TO DO 85% OF 10,

WHICH MEANS 8 1/2 YEARS.

SO, WAIT, IF I TRY TO FIGHT IT,

I HAVE TO SERVE MORE TIME

FOR JUST TRYING TO FIGHT IT?

IF YOU GET FOUND GUILTY, YOU WOULD.

AND USUALLY--THE SUCCESS RATIO OF CONVICTIONS ON DRUG CASES,

MAN, IS ABOUT 90 TO 95%.

IF YOU LOCK UP 10 PEOPLE, 9, 9 1/2 GO TO JAIL.

BUT THE CHANCES OF BEATING IT IS LIKE TRYING TO THROW

A--A SNOWBALL INTO AN ELEPHANT'S MOUTH,

MAN, AT A HUNDRED FEET.

IT WON'T-- YOU CAN'T MAKE IT.

YOU ARE IN TROUBLE.

YOU ARE A VICTIM OF-- YOU'RE A CASUALTY OF WAR.

YOU GOT 2 OPTIONS--3:

YOU CAN PLEAD GUILTY TO A SIMPLE POSSESSION,

WHICH IS 2 OR 3 YEARS--

YOU DO 18 MONTHS OR 2 YEARS--

YOU CAN GO TO TRIAL AND RUN THE RISK OF DOING 10 YEARS

IF YOU GET FOUND GUILTY, OR YOU CAN COOPERATE,

WHICH MEANS YOU CAN RAT, SNITCH, BLOW THE WHISTLE

ON WHOEVER YOU WANT TO BLOW IT ON

IN ORDER TO GET OUT.

COP, COOPERATE-- WHICH I'M NOT GONNA DO--

YOU SAY I CAN'T EVEN FIGHT IT,

'CAUSE I'LL SERVE MORE TIME--

THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY FUCKING SENSE,

NONE WHATSOEVER, MAN.

IT DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL.

THERE'S NIGGAS OUT THERE DOING MAD SHIT.

MY MAN IS DOWN, YOU KNOW?

THEY SHOOT MY MAN. THEY'RE RUNNIN' FREE.

THERE'S NIGGAS OUT THERE

SELLING ALL TYPES OF SHIT.

I GOT A QUARTER POUND OF WEED,

AND YOU'RE TELLING ME

I GOT TO SERVE 5 TO 10 YEARS,

THERE'S NOT SHIT YOU CAN DO FOR ME?

I DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICES?

FUCK THIS WHOLE

"CASUALTY OF WAR" SHIT, MAN!

I'M SAYING, I'M JUST OUT THERE SURVIVING.

WHAT CAN I DO?

I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOTTA TIME,

BUT, UH, MOST GUYS GET A LOT LONGER THAN THAT, MAN.

THE MOST--THE BEST-- THE MOST I CAN DO

IS TRY TO GET YOU 2 TO 3.

UH, EVEN IF YOU WERE INNOCENT,

I CAN ONLY GET YOU 2 OR 3.

YOU ARE A VICTIM, BROTHER.

YOU'RE BLACK. YOU'RE YOUNG. YOU COME FROM THE SOUTHEAST.

YOU'RE IN THE INNER CITY.

YOU DON'T HAVE A CHANCE.

YOUR BEST CHANCE NOW IS TO SEE HOW LITTLE A TIME CAN YOU GET

BEFORE YOU GET BACK TO SOCIETY.

IT AIN'T ABOUT BEATING IT.

WHEN THEY LOCK YOU UP, YOU'RE DEAD.

RAYMOND JOSHUA.

STEP OUT.

SON, WHEN YOU'RE IN THIS BUILDING,

I WANT YOU TO STAY ALIVE, SO LISTEN CAREFULLY TO ME.

NOBODY IN HERE IS YOUR BROTHER.

I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE AS BLACK AS YOU ARE

OR AS LIGHT AS DAYLIGHT.

THEY ARE NOT YOUR BROTHER.

YOU MIND YOUR BUSINESS, SON, AND YOU'LL STAY ALIVE.

EVERY DAY SOMEBODY GETS SHANKED IN HERE.

EVERY DAY SOMEBODY GETS BEATEN UP IN HERE.

WE GOT PREDATORS IN HERE, SON.

WE GOT PEOPLE WHO'LL CUT YOUR THROAT

FOR NOTHIN' AT ALL BUT A PACK OF CIGARETTES.

YOU MIND YOUR BUSINESS IN HERE, SON.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE?

HAVE A SEAT IN HERE.

Guard: RAYMOND JOSHUA.

COME ON. RIGHT OVER HERE. COME ON.

PUT EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE.

OPEN YOUR MOUTH.

LIFT YOUR ARMS. LIFT YOUR TONGUE.

LIFT YOUR BALLS.

TURN AROUND AND SPREAD YOUR CHEEKS

WITH BOTH HANDS AT THE SAME TIME.

SHOW ME THE BOTTOM OF YOUR FEET.

TURN AROUND AND FACE ME.

BEND OVER AT YOUR WAIST,

RUN YOUR FINGERS THROUGH YOUR HAIR.

HOLD THIS UNDER YOUR CHIN

JUST LIKE THIS.

Guard: YOUR NUMBER IS GOING TO BE GIVEN TO YOU.

IT'S A SEQUENTIAL NUMBER.

IT'S NOT A RANDOM SET OF NUMBERS, SON.

THAT NUMBER MEANS SOMETHING. IT'S YOUR NUMBER.

IT'S YOUR NUMBER NOW.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER REPRESENTS, SON?

276,000. NOW LISTEN CAREFULLY TO ME,

AND YOU'LL UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT

ABOUT WHAT MAKES ME SO ANGRY.

WE ONLY HAVE LESS THAN 500,000 PEOPLE

IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, SON.

NOW, ONLY 70% OF THEM ARE BLACK.

NOW, WHAT'S 70% OF 500,000?

DO THE MATH. WE GOT ABOUT 350,000 BLACK PEOPLE IN D.C.

OF THE 350,000, HALF OF THEM ARE FEMALE, AREN'T THEY?

WELL, WHAT'S THAT? USE THE MATH, SON! THE MATH!

LESS THAN 175,000 PEOPLE ARE MALES LIKE YOURSELF.

NOW, ALL OF 'EM NOT OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE.

HALF OF 'EM ARE KIDS.

NOW, HOW THE DEVIL HAVE WE GOT

WE GOT ONLY 75 TO 80,000 ADULT MALES

IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,

THIS IS THE NUMBER 276,000 TODAY?

FIGURE IT OUT FOR YOURSELF!

WE'VE EXHAUSTED THE 21-YEAR-OLDS,

20-YEAR-OLDS, 19-YEAR-OLDS.

WE'RE WORKING ON 18.

WE'RE MOVIN' ON DOWN THE LINE, SON.

BY THE TIME WE CROSS 300,000,

WE'LL BE DOWN TO 16- AND 17-YEAR-OLDS.

WE'RE WIPING OUT OUR RACE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

AND HERE YOU ARE IN HERE

PLAYING THESE LITTLE SILLY-ASS GAMES.

WELL, WE GOT SOMETHIN' FOR YA, SON.

WELCOME TO THE D.C. JAIL.

YOU MIGHT MAKE IT OUTTA HERE, AND YOU MIGHT NOT.

DOOR 3, ONE GATE.

[BUZZER]

[PRISONERS TALKING AND SHOUTING]

[GUNSHOT]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

[SIRENS]

[RHYTHMIC DRUMMING ON METAL]

Man, rapping: * WELL, BAKEY BAKES, NIGGA

* YOU BETTER FUCKIN' RUN

* PACK THE GUNS, LEAVIN' THE NIGGAS NUMB *

* MOTHERFUCKIN' RUN

* LOOKIN' AT HOODS, LOOK LIKE THUG LIFE *

* AT THE STOPLIGHT, RIGHT

* GET UP IN THEIR GUTS, ONLY LITTLE FUCKIN' PUTT-PUTT *

* PSYCHOPATH NUT

* BET THEY GET A BIGGER FUCKIN' CASE *

* IS MY LOVE THE NIGGA DOWN FOR THE DOUBLE NAME CASE *

* WHAT THE FUCK DID THEY WANT? *

* IT'S A MOTHERFUCKIN' GUN

* FROM THE G's APCs WITH THE FUCKER FROM *

* NIGGAS LEARN TO RUN

* IF THEY DON'T CATCH UP

* THEY JUST GET FUCKED BY MY MOTHERFUCKIN' FOLKS *

* KNOCK YOU OFF YOUR MOTHERFUCKIN' ASS *

* NOT AFRAID TO PASS, GET ME ALL OF THAT CASH *

* SO I CAN QUIT ME FUCKIN' GASH *

* DIE, FOCI, THEN THE MOTHERFUCKIN' GANGS *

* SELLIN' COCAINE

* ROLL MY FUCKIN' BRAINS LIKE JESSE JAMES *

* YO, SUN, AS IN SOLAR, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE ARE *

* WE BE THE RISIN' STARS AND SUNS THAT NEVER SET *

* WORD UP, JACK. WANNA MAKE A BET, BLACK? *

* I GOT THE FORMULA

* THROW ME IN THE SKY, AND I'LL WARM YA *

* GET YOUR SUNBLOCK, THROW ME IN A CELLBLOCK *

* INDEED, I GOT THE SCIENCE YOU NEED *

* LESSONS MORE ANCIENT THAN GREECE *

* APOLLO NEVER MY CREED, MY CREED *

* OBATALA WILL BATTLE YA

* SO BRING YOUR TROOPS IF YOU WANNA *

* SATELLITES IN THE SKY

* SOME SELLING CLOUDS ON THE CORNER *

* BUT WE LIVIN' FOR THE LAND *

* FROM THE SOIL TO THE SAND

* AND THE WATER IN THE SEA BE THE ESSENCE OF ME *

* YOU AIN'T READY FOR THIS FRUIT *

* THEN PUT IT BACK ON THE TREE *

* UH. GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO BEND BACK THESE BARS *

* GOT THE LOCKS OF SAMSON, I'M SAM'S SON. HE'S MY FATHER *

* TRIED PRAYING TO FATHER, SON, THE HOLY GHOST *

* I MISS MY MOTHERFUCKIN' SANITY *

* NEVER BEEN HERE AND NEVER PLANNED TO BE *

* BUT MY OWN PLANS HAD PLANS FOR ME *

* AND NOW THAT MAN'S HANDS GOT PLANS FOR ME *

* AND NOW THAT MAN'S HANDS GOT PLANS FOR ME *

* AND NOW THAT MAN HAD PLANS, SO I JETTED AND RAN *

* THE MIKE CORD PULLED ME BACK *

* I SHOULD'A DROPPED IT FROM MY HAND *

* AND LEFT IT AT THE SCENE OF THE RHYME *

* NOW WE ALL SERVING TIME

* EVEN MY PROSE IS ON PROBATION *

* REFUGEES, THEY AIN'T JUST HAITIAN *

* COME ON, FUCKING SHIT

* COME ON. KEEP IT GOIN' NOW *

* BA-BAM, BA-BAM-BAM

* BA-BAM-BAM...

Prisoner: * NOW WHAT THE FUCK

* YOU'RE FUCKIN' WITH A PSYCHOPATH NUT *

* PUT ON MY FUCKIN' GLASSES *

* AND 'BOUT TO BUST A NUT *

* IN YOUR ASS, MOTHERFUCKER *

* AS I BLAST YOU IN YOUR MOTHERFUCKIN' GUT *

* PUT A MOTHERFUCKING MASK ON YOUR FACE *

* YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER FUCKED *

* WITH A NIGGA FROM THE BASE *

* SO NOW I'M PACKIN' STEEL *

* KEEPING THE SHIT REALLY REAL *

* MOTHERFUCKER, YOU DUCKED *

* TRYING TO HOP UP IN THE TRUCK *

* GOT BLOCKED DOWN

* SO MOTHERFUCKERS REALLY WANT THE JUDGE *

* TO UNDERSTAND MY MOTHERFUCKING DEAL *

* I'M PACKIN' STEEL

* SLAM DUNK IT LIKE SHAQUILLE O'NEAL *

* BA-BAM, BA-BAM-BAM

* BA-BAM-BAM

* THE JUDGE--

* I HAD TO BE STRONG-- THAT SHIT IS DOPE, YO.

DAMN, MAN. YOU GOT SOME TALENT WITH YOU, MAN.

OH, DEFINITELY.

THAT SHIT WAS TIGHT, YO.

LOOKIN' OUT, SON.

ALL RIGHT.

[RAPPING]

WHAT'S UP, PARTNER?

THANKS FOR THE TRAY, MAN.

I KNOW YOU AIN'T WANT THAT SHIT.

COME ON, NIGGA,

I AIN'T TRYING TO BE PLAYING THIS SHIT.

WHAT'S UP, PARTNER?

COME ON, YO. I AIN'T EATEN ALL DAY.

I AIN'T TRYING TO PLAY.

I AIN'T TRYING TO PLAY THIS SHIT.

GET THE FUCK OFF ME, NIGGA.

IT'S MY MOTHERFUCKING TRAY.

IT'S MY TRAY.

I'M EATING THIS TRAY.

NIGGA, YOU DON'T KNOW ME.

I AIN'T ABOUT TO SIT HERE

AND LET YOU EAT MY SHIT.

I AIN'T GOT TO KNOW.

YOU AIN'T GONNA EAT, UNLESS I SAY YOU EAT.

THIS IS MY MOTHERFUCKING TRAY.

ANY PROBLEMS?

NAH.

IF I DON'T EAT,

DON'T NOBODY FUCKING EAT.

OH, SHIT. HERE WE GO.

[ALARM SOUNDS]

GET BACK TO YOUR CELLS!

OH, SHIT.

LOCK IT DOWN.

HEY!

WAKEY, WAKEY. HANDS OFF SNAKY.

[KNOCK KNOCK]

OPEN 20.

GRAB YOUR SHIT. WE'RE LEAVING.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, ALL RIGHT?

PEACE, BLACK.

1st inmate: KEEP IT REAL, MAN.

MM-HMM.

2nd inmate: SOME GET BY, BUT THEY NEVER GET AWAY.

3rd inmate: CATCH YA, BRO.

FIRST CELL TO YOUR LEFT.

STAND RIGHT HERE.

HOW YA DOIN', G?

WHERE THE FUCK MY PAPER AT, MAN?

YOUR MAN'S HERE TO SEE YOU.

WHO THAT?

I GOT 32 READY FOR HIM.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

COME ON IN, MAN.

TAKE A SEAT.

I'M HOPHA, MAN. WHAT'S GOING DOWN?

MIKE TOLD ME A LOT ABOUT YOU.

HE TOLD ME A LOT ABOUT YOU TOO, MAN.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

SO WHAT'S THE COPS TELLING YOU, MAN?

I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN

TRYING TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS ABOUT MIKE.

YEAH, THEY ASKED ME A FEW QUESTIONS,

BUT I DON'T KNOW SHIT, YOU KNOW?

SO I JUST TOLD THEM I DON'T KNOW SHIT.

YOU SURE YOU AIN'T TELL THEM NOTHING?

I DIDN'T TELL THEM SHIT, YO.

SEE, THIS IS THE PROBLEM HERE.

PEOPLE THINK YOU DID.

WHAT?

TELL THEM SOMETHING.

THAT SHIT THAT HAPPENED,

YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS,

BUT YOU'RE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION NOW.

WHAT YOU MEAN?

EVERYBODY WANTS A PIECE OF YOU, MAN.

HOW'S THAT?

BECAUSE THEY THINK YOU SET MIKE UP.

I DIDN'T DO THAT SHIT, YO. I KNOW DIDN'T DO THAT!

LISTEN, FUCKER,

I KNOW YOU DIDN'T FUCKING DO IT.

THEY DON'T KNOW THAT SHIT.

THEY COMING FOR YOU, MAN.

YOU GOT EVERY MOTHERFUCKER IN HERE

READY TO TAKE A PIECE OF YOUR ASS.

AND IF I TAKE THE FUCKING VEIL DOWN,

IT'S GOING TO FUCKING HAPPEN.

YOU STEPPED RIGHT INTO THE FRYING PAN NOW.

SO BE READY TO GET DOWN.

YOU WANT SOME... YOU WANT SOME TREATS?

I GOT SOME SWEETS.

SOME COOKIES OR SOMETHING?

HERE SOME...

HERE, LET ME HOOK YOU UP, MAN.

TAKE SOME OF THIS.

WHERE THE GUARD AT?

WHERE MY FUCKING NEWSPAPER AT?

THAT SON-OF-A-BITCH.

THAT NIGGA BRINGS ME SOME SHIT, TOO.

I AIN'T SAYING YOU'RE SWEET...

YOU WANT SOME BABY POWDER?

HERE, GET YOURSELF

SOME KOOL-AID OR SOMETHING, MAN.

TAKE WHAT YOU WANT, MAN.

TAKE WHAT YOU FUCKING WANT, MAN.

YOU HOME, MAN! YOU HOME, BABY!

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

[LAUGHS]

YOU HOME HERE, NOW.

WITH US.

WORD.

LET THE BOYS KNOW THAT WE GOT A NEW MEMBER NOW.

EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT NOW.

YOU LIKE THAT BOOK?

"MOST OF ALL, I MUST SEE TO IT

"THAT I DO NOT LEND MYSELF TO THE EVILS WHICH I CONDEMN."

YEAH, WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT I SAY ABOUT THAT?

STAY THE FUCK OUT OF OUR WAY.

THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT SHIT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

HEY, I LOVE PEOPLE,

BUT I DON'T TELL THEM THAT SHIT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

AND WHEN IT COMES TO ME AND MINES,

I DEFINE MINE VERY WELL. FUCK THAT.

I WANT TO GET OUT OF THE GAME, YO.

ON THE REAL. THAT'S ALL I WANT.

AIN'T NO WAY OUT OF THIS, MAN!

AIN'T NO WAY OUT OF THIS, MAN.

IF YOU MOVE INTO RECORDS,

IF YOU MOVE INTO SHIT WITH US, MAN,

YOU'RE TAKING THE GAME WITH YOU.

IT'S ALL IN SYNC, MAN.

I AIN'T TRYING TO BE PART OF THE WHOLE GAME...

GANG...BULLSHIT.

LISTEN, LISTEN. FUCK THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT SHIT.

I'M TRYING TO WRITE. I NEED A PEN AND A PAPER.

NIGGA, YOU ARE IN JAIL, MAN.

BOTTOM LINE. YOU DOWN WITH US.

THERE AIN'T NO COMING OUT OF THIS SHIT.

THIS SHIT'S THE SAME SHIT

ON THE FUCKING STREET.

THE BEEF AIN'T GONNA STOP FOR YOU.

WHO THE FUCK IS YOU?

YOU GONNA STOP THIS BEEF?

YOU CAN'T STOP IT.

YOU HELP US STOP IT.

I'M TRYING TO THINK STRAIGHT, YOU KNOW?

I NEED A PEN AND A PAD.

I HEAR YOU, MAN. I HEAR YOU, MAN.

IT'S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT'S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

JUST WAITING TILL YOU GET HERE.

GUESS YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE ME SECRETARY OF STATE.

OR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.

HOW'S THAT?

WHAT, YOU DON'T LIKE THAT?

MINISTER OF DEFENSE, THEN.

NO.

MINISTER OF INFORMATION, BUT CAN FIGHT!

HOW'S THAT?

KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

'CAUSE YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIGHT, CUZ.

MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.

THIS IS JAIL.

China: YEAH, WE GOT TO HANDLE THAT.

WHEN HE COME OUT, WE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

IT'S MOTHERFUCKING PERSONAL.

IT'S PERSONAL!

'CAUSE YOU KNOW THAT NIGGA WE BEAT DOWN?

All: YEAH.

YEAH, YOU KNOW HE DOWN WITH HOPHA, RIGHT?

All: WHAT?

YEAH, AND THEY GOING AGAINST US.

'CAUSE AIN'T NOTHING GONNA STOP

THIS MOTHERFUCKING DRUG GAME.

Inmate: I KNOW.

YOU KNOW? STOP NONE OF MY MOTHERFUCKING BUSINESS.

'CAUSE WE AIN'T HAVING THAT SHIT.

IT'S A THUG LIFE FOR LIFE.

I GOT THE WORD HE'S DOWN WITH UNION CREW.

WE GONNA GET HIM, YEAH.

HE'S DOWN WITH UNION CREW.

AND I DON'T LIKE NO BITCH-ASS NIGGA

CUTTING INTO MY MOTHERFUCKING BUSINESS.

YOU GET WHAT I'M SAYING?

Inmate: GET WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? YEAH, WE DOWN.

FUCK THAT.

IF I GOT TO PUSH THE STEEL IN

THE MOTHERFUCKING NIGGA,

WE GONNA DO THAT.

WE GOT SOME PROBLEMS.

SEE THEM NIGGAS OVER THERE?

CHECK THEM OUT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

YEAH, I SEE THEM NIGGAS.

MAN, THERE'S THE DIFFERENCE WITH US AND THEM, MAN.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

WE ORGANIZED.

THAT BUNCH OF STUPID MOTHERFUCKERS, MAN.

THEY CAN'T HANDLE NO BUSINESS.

WE ALREADY DID THAT DRUG SHIT

AND THAT FUCKING HAND-TO-HAND BULLSHIT, MAN.

I WANT CAKE, B. DON'T YOU WANT CAKE?

WE WANT FUCKING CAKE, MAN.

IF Y'ALL WANT SOME CAKE, MAN...

WE DO THIS SHIT,

MAKE THIS MOVE ON THESE MOTHERFUCKERS, MAN,

I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT HAPPENS.

Hopha: EVEN YOUR MAN DON'T FUCKING LIKE YOU, FAGGOT.

FUCK OFF!

YEAH, FUCK Y'ALL!

IF YOU WAS FUCKING SMART,

YOU'D BE OVER HERE, TOO.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE DOING THIS.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE DOING THIS.

FUCK THESE NIGGAS, MAN!

FUCK THE NIGGAS, MAN.

NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH. YOU STAY BACK.

LAY BACK. LAY BACK. LAY BACK.

YOU MAKE THE CHOICE

WHO THE FUCK YOU GONNA BE WITH.

YOU GET YOUR ASS OVER THERE WITH UNION CREW--

FUCK THUG LIFE.

FUCK YOU.

FUCK THUG LIFE.

FUCK YOU, NIGGA.

[BUZZER SOUNDS]

HEY, HOW YOU DOING?

IS IT HOT ENOUGH FOR YOU OUT THERE?

JUST MY KEYS IN MY FRONT POCKET.

OK.

WHAT'S UP?

YOU SEE HIM THERE?

NOW I WANT YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING, MAN.

WHAT THE FUCK IS THE RIGHT THING?

THE RIGHT THING IS FOR ME TO JUST BE MY FUCKING SELF.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

I MEAN, IT'S NOT ABOUT--

IT'S HARD TO BE YOURSELF HERE, MAN.

LOOK AROUND, MAN.

IT'S HARD TO BE YOURSELF IN HERE, MAN.

MY CREW GOT TO KNOW WHERE YOU STAND AT.

I KNOW WHERE THEY STANDING AT.

WHAT THE FUCK, NIGGA?

THIS AIN'T NO RIGHTS OF PASSAGE OR SOME SHIT.

YOU SEE THEM LINED UP?

WE GOT OUR SHIT LOCKED OVER HERE.

AIN'T NOBODY COMING OVER HERE, FUCKING WITH THIS SHIT.

THERE'S A PLACE FOR YOU OVER HERE.

IF NOT, GO THE FUCK OVER THERE WITH YOUR FRIEND, THERE.

ALL RIGHT, LOOK, LET'S NOT GET TOO CLOSE.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT'S GOING DOWN TODAY.

IT'S GOING DOWN TODAY?

IT'S GOING DOWN TODAY.

HE GOTS TO GO.

YEAH.

AH, BUT GOD IS CALLING, HE'S GOT TO GO.

HE GOTS TO GO!

PASS THAT JOINT.

I WANT EVERYBODY HIGH.

EVERYBODY HIGH. I WANT EVERYBODY HIGH.

IT'S THE THUG IN US.

FUCK YOU.

* I STAND ON THE CORNER OF THE BLOCK *

* SLINGING AMETHYST ROCKS

* DRINKING 40s

* OF MOTHER EARTH'S PRIVATE NECTAR STOCK *

* DODGING COPS

* 'CAUSE 5, OH, BE THE 666 *

* AND I NEED A FIX OF THAT PURPLE RAIN *

* THE TYPE OF SHIT THAT DRIVES MEMBRANES INSANE *

* OH, YEAH, I'M IN THE FAST LANE *

* SNORTING CANDY YAMS THAT FREE MY BODY *

* AND SOUL AND SEND ME LIKE SHAZAM *

* NEVER QUESTION WHO I AM

* GOD KNOWS

* AND I KNOW GOD PERSONALLY *

* IN FACT, HE LET'S ME CALL HIM ME *

* YEAH, I'M SERIOUS, B

* DOGGONE NIGGAS PLOTTIN' SHIT *

* LOVELY, BUT THE FEDS IS ALSO PLOTTIN' ME *

* THEY'RE TRYING TO IMPRISON MY ASTROLOGY *

* PUT OUR STARS BEHIND BARS *

* OUR STARS IN STRIPES

* USING BLOOD-SPLATTERED BANNERS *

* AS NATIONALIST KITES

* BUT I CONTROL THE WIND

* THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT THE HAWK *

* I AM HORUS, SON OF ISIS *

* SON OF OSIRIS, WORSHIPPED AS JESUS *

* RESURRECTED LIKE LAZARUS *

* BUT YOU CAN CALL ME LAZZIE, LAZY *

* YEAH, I'M LAZY

* 'CAUSE I'D RATHER SIT AND BUILD *

* THAN WORK AND PLOW A FIELD *

* WORSHIPPING A DAILY YIELD *

* OF CASH GREEN CROPS

* STEALING US WAS THE SMARTEST THING *

* THEY EVER DID

* TOO BAD THEY DON'T TEACH THE TRUTH TO THEIR KIDS *

* OUR INFLUENCE ON THEM IS THE REFLECTION THEY SEE *

* WHEN THEY LOOK INTO THEIR MINSTREL MIRROR *

* AND TALK ABOUT THEIR CULTURE *

* THEIR EXISTENCE IS THAT

* OF A SCHIZOPHRENIC VULTURE *

* YEAH, THERE'S NO REPENTANCE *

* THEY ARE BOUND TO LIVE

* AN INFINITE, CONSECUTIVE EXECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCE *

* SO WHAT ARE YOU BOUND TO LIVE, NIGGA? *

* SO WHILE YOU'RE OUT THERE SERVING THE TIME *

* I'LL BE IN SYNC WITH THE SUN *

* WHILE YOU RUN FROM THE MOON *

* LIFE OF THE WOMB REFLECTED BY GUNS *

* WORSHIPER OF MOONS, I AM THE SUN *

* AND WE ARE PUBLIC ENEMIES NUMBER ONE *

* ONE, ONE, ONE!

* ONE, ONE, ONE!

I FORGOT WHAT THE FUCK I WAS THINKING.

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

ARE YOU OK?

UM...YES.

I JUST SAW WHAT YOU DID OUT THERE.

DO YOU NEED ANY HELP?

NO.

YOU'RE COOL.

UM...MY NAME IS LAUREN.

LAUREN BELL.

I TEACH WRITING... HERE.

WHERE--WHERE DID YOU GET THAT FROM?

I'M SORRY, UM...

THAT POEM YOU DID OUT THERE.

DID YOU WRITE THAT?

YEAH.

Guard: EXCUSE ME.

UM--

EXCUSE ME, ARE YOU OK?

YES, I'M FINE--

WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT HERE IN THE HALL?

HE'S JUST TALKING TO ME. HE'S ON HIS WAY UP--

OK, BUT HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE OUT HERE.

NORTH 3, LET'S GO. RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW!

YOU HAVE NO RIGHT OUT HERE. LET'S GO.

ALL RIGHT, YOU'RE IN NORTH 3?

I'LL PUT IN A REQUEST FOR YOU.

I'LL PUT IN A REQUEST FOR YOU!

YOU HAVE TO TELL

THE C.O. THAT YOU WANT TO COME TO CLASS,

AND HE'LL LET YOU COME DOWN.

YOU WERE OUT OF PLACE. LET'S GO.

[DRUMMING]

I'VE BEEN SEARCHING MYSELF, MAN.

AND I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE TOO.

THE WORLD IS FUCKING LEAVING US BEHIND, MAN.

WHAT RAY SAID WAS RIGHT.

I DIDN'T AGREE WITH HIS METHODS,

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? THEY'RE NOT, YOU KNOW--

Prisoner: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?

I--I STILL DON'T FUCKING KNOW ENTIRELY, MAN.

BUT WHAT THAT NIGGA DID OUT THERE

WAS JUST FUCKING FASCINATING.

FASCINATING.

I AIN'T FUCKING COMING BACK HERE, MAN.

FUCK THAT SHIT.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND ALL THAT SHIT.

I AIN'T COMING THE FUCK BACK HERE.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

I AIN'T TURNING ON Y'ALL.

LIKE I SAID, I LOVE Y'ALL,

BUT I'M TELLING IT

THE WAY IT FUCKING IS, MAN.

THEM MOTHERFUCKERS OUTSIDE THIS GLASS

DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT US.

WE STARTED OFF FIGHTING,

AND WE GONNA END UP FIGHTING.

BUT HOW WE FIGHT IS THE FIGHT.

THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES.

IF I'M GONNA DIE FOR SOMETHING,

I'M GONNA DIE FOR SOMETHING THAT'S WORTH IT, DIG?

WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THE CHAPTERS

AS WE'VE BEEN GOING ALONG...

BUT NOW WE'VE FINISHED THE WHOLE BOOK.

AND WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS...

WHAT CAME TO YOUR MIND...

LAST NIGHT...

WHEN YOU WERE LYING IN YOUR CELL...

AND YOU WERE READING THE ASSIGNMENT?

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO YOUR MIND?

I MEAN, SURE, I KNOW I WANT TO STAY ON THE STREET.

AND I KNOW I WANT

TO BE A POSITIVE PERSON TO MY FAMILY, RIGHT?

BUT I KNOW THAT, ME PERSONALLY,

IF THE SITUATION AROSE WHERE IT WAS EITHER STARVE

OR MY CHILDREN STARVING OR DOING THE RIGHT THING,

THEN, YOU KNOW, IT'S--IT'S-- IT'S--IT'S--IT'S TREY BALL.

IT'S GOT TO BE.

OR MONSTER CODY GOT TO DO WHAT HE GOT TO DO.

I DO NOT AGREE WITH JOSEPH.

SADLY, TOO MANY OF OUR BROTHERS

GOT THE MENTALITY OF JOE, AND GO BACK OUT THERE,

AND SAY, BECAUSE OF THIS AND THAT,

I'M GONNA PUT THIS IN MY HAND USING MY FAMILY,

USING YOUR FAMILY FOR AN EXCUSE.

WHEN ALL THE TIME, LIKE YOU SAID,

YOU GOT TO BE, YOU GOT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU.

SO YOU GONNA USE YOUR FAMILY.

MY FAMILY WAS HUNGRY

SO I WENT OUT AND SHOT A MOTHERFUCKER

TO TAKE SOME MONEY.

FUCK NO! YOU STILL COMING TO JAIL.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU KNOW IT OR NOT,

BROTHER, BUT WE ARE CAPITALISTS.

WHETHER WE ARE CAPITALISTS

ON A SMALL SCALE,

BUT WE LIVE IN A CAPITALIST COUNTRY.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE.

WE ARE BORN TO LEARN HOW TO CAPITALIZE

ON WHATEVER IT IS. IT'S ABOUT MONEY.

SO JOE AND JOHN ARE SAYING

THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES OUT THERE

TO HELP YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

IS THAT TRUE?

WE JUST HAPPENED TO BE BORN OUR COLOR,

AND WE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LADDER.

YOU UNDERSTAND?

NOW, IF I COULD MAKE IT OUT AND HAVE ME SOME REAL DOUGH,

YEAH, THEN IT WOULDN'T BE LIKE THIS.

ALL RIGHT, Y'ALL READY FOR THE POETRY READING?

All: YES.

I DIDN'T HEAR EVERYBODY.

I SAID, ARE Y'ALL READY FOR THE POETRY READING?

All: YEAH!

Lauren: JEROME, YOU READY?

YEAH.

LET'S GO.

THE NAME OF MY LITTLE PIECE IS, UH, WHY?

"I SHOT 3 MOTHERFUCKERS, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHY.

"I GUESS I JUST WANTED TO SEE SOMETHING DIE.

"YOU SEE, I BOUGHT THIS GUN FOR A FEW ROCKS...

"JUST TO GET EVEN, SO I THOUGHT,

"WITH THOSE SHIT-EATING COPS.

"HOLDING THE COLD, BLUE STEEL IN THE PALM OF MY HAND.

"NOT QUITE 16, YET TOTALLY A MAN.

"MY ONLY PLAN WAS MONEY IN MY HAND.

"I WORE FALACCI, GUCCI, NIKES, AND EDDIE B.

I WAS THE COOLEST MOTHERFUCKER IN SOUTHEAST D.C."

"SCHOOL? WHAT THE FUCK.

"THAT WAS A THING OF THE PAST.

"GETTING PAID, SCHOOL, AND ALL THAT OTHER SQUARE SHIT

COULD KISS MY ASS."

"MAD AT MY BUN, TOYING WITH MY GUN,

"TIPPED ON OVER TO MY FAVORITE POOLROOM

"JUST TO HAVE SOME FUN.

"RIPS WAS AT FULL BLAST,

"SO I CHALKED UP MY CUE, READY TO KICK SOME ASS.

"I PLAYED A FEW HOURS, BEAT ALL THE OLD TIMERS

"AND WAS ABOUT TO GO.

"UNTIL THE 3...

"1 OF 3 'BAMA MOTHERFUCKERS STEPPED ON MY TOE.

"A SPLIT SECOND LATER, WHIP, BAM, IT WAS ON.

"THE ASS KICKING BEGUN.

"I DUCKED A FEW POOL BALLS AND EASED OUT MY GUN.

"RATTA-TAT-TAT AND THAT WAS THAT.

"3 WAS WHACKED.

"10 YEARS LATER, AS I SIT HERE IN MY JAIL CELL

"ABOUT TO CRY, I'M THINKING,

I SHOT 3 MOTHERFUCKERS AND I DON'T KNOW WHY."

[APPLAUSE]

THANK YOU, RON.

OH, I, UM, I DON'T KNOW IF ALL OF YOU GUYS KNOW,

BUT, UM, TODAY'S MY LAST DAY HERE.

All: NO.

OH, GOD...

I'M GONNA MISS YOU GUYS.

All: WE GONNA MISS YOU, TOO.

Inmate: ESPECIALLY ME.

UM...THEY, UM...

IT'S SO WILD THAT WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION TODAY,

BECAUSE, UH, THEY HAVE... THEY'VE CUT THIS PROGRAM.

AND IT'S JUST BROUGHT HOME THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW,

IT REALLY ISN'T ABOUT REHABILITATION ANYMORE,

YOU KNOW? AND YOU-- YOU WERE RIGHT, JOE.

LIKE I WAS TRYING TO TELL YOU EARLIER,

YEAH, IT'S GONNA BE HARD WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE.

IT'S GONNA BE REAL HARD.

YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY FUCKED UP

THAT YOU WERE BORN IN SOUTHEAST, IN THE GHETTO.

IT'S REALLY FUCKED UP THAT YOU WERE BORN BLACK.

IT'S REALLY FUCKED UP

THAT YOU HAD THE HARD TIME THAT YOU HAD IN YOUR LIFE.

WHATEVER YOUR STORY IS,

WHATEVER IT IS THAT BROUGHT YOU HERE IN YOUR LIFE,

YEAH, THAT SHIT IS REALLY FUCKED UP.

IF YOU KEEP SHOVING THE ANGER AND THE PAIN

AND THE FRUSTRATION DOWN,

AND YOU KEEP SAYING, THAT'S ALL RIGHT, FUCK IT,

I'M GONNA DO WHAT I GOT TO DO,

AND YOU DON'T LET IT COME OUT,

THAT KEEPS... THAT KEEPS PUSHING IT DOWN.

THAT IS YOUR PRISON.

YOU GOT TO LET THAT SHIT OUT.

'CAUSE ONCE YOU LET THAT FRUSTRATION OUT,

IT DOESN'T HOLD YOU BACK ANYMORE.

IT DOESN'T LOCK YOU DOWN.

AND THEN YOU CAN STAND UP WITH SOME COURAGE.

YOU CAN SAY, OK, YEAH, IT'S FUCKED UP,

BUT I AM NOT GONNA LIVE LIKE THIS.

I AM GOING TO TAKE MY DESTINY INTO MY OWN HANDS.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GO NOW.

I GREW UP WITH GUYS JUST LIKE Y'ALL.

ALL OF Y'ALL.

MY BROTHER WAS SITTING IN YOUR SEAT.

MY BROTHER'S NOT HERE ANYMORE.

HE GREW UP IN YOUR ERA, JOE, IN YOUR ERA, RONALD,

WHEN EVERYBODY WANTED TO BE A SUPERFLY.

YOU REMEMBER THAT?

IT WAS ALL ABOUT BEING SUPERFLY OR THE MAC,

REMEMBER THAT?

NOW IT'S ABOUT BEING A GANGSTA OR O.G.

HE HAD A GOOD HEART, JUST LIKE Y'ALL.

I KNOW Y'ALL ARE GOOD GUYS.

THE PEOPLE OUT THERE,

THEY SEE YOUR FACE IN THE PAPER,

THEY THINK YOU'RE MONSTERS.

I KNOW YOU'RE GOOD GUYS INSIDE.

MY BROTHER HAD A GOOD HEART.

I KNOW YOUR DREAMS. I--I BEEN THERE.

BUT CHASING THEM...

BUT THINKING YOU CAN ACHIEVE THEM

BY SELLING DRUGS...

THAT'S JUST A PART OF THE TRAP, Y'ALL.

THAT'S JUST A PART OF THE TRAP.

AND YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT, RONALD,

THE CYCLE JUST KEEPS CONTINUING.

WHO'S GONNA STOP IT?

Y'ALL GOT TO STOP IT.

Y'ALL BEEN IN.

Y'ALL CAN GO BACK OUT, CHANGE YOUR LIFE,

AND SHOW-- SHOW THE YOUNG BROTHERS

THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK IN HERE LIKE THIS.

FREEDOM ISN'T OUT HERE.

IT'S IN HERE.

YOU CAN BE FREE ANYTIME YOU WANT.

ANYTIME.

NEVER GIVE ANYONE THE POWER TO TAKE AWAY YOUR FREEDOM.

THAT'S YOURS.

IT DON'T BELONG TO NOBODY BUT YOU.

REMEMBER THAT.

I'M NOT GONNA GO ON AND ON.

BESIDES, MY TISSUE IS FALLING APART.

WE'RE GONNA MISS YOU, ALL RIGHT.

I'M GONNA MISS YOU, TOO, RED.

AND I'M GONNA MISS YOU, TOO.

GIVE ME A HUG.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

OH, TONY. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

OH, RICHIE, GIVE ME A HUG, BABY.

YOU GONNA BE OK?

I'M GONNA BE ALL RIGHT. YOU GONNA BE OK?

I'M GONNA BE FINE AFTER THAT POEM YOU WROTE ME.

YOU GONNA WRITE ME NOW, RIGHT?

OK, GOOD.

ALL RIGHT, NOW. TAKE CARE, BABY. BYE-BYE.

RAY...

YOU HANGIN' BACK FOR A MINUTE?

MM-HMM.

SO WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE CLASS?

I THINK YOU'RE A WONDERFUL TEACHER.

RAY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?

I SOLD WEED.

I SELL WEED.

SO YOU JUST HAPPENED TO BE SELLING WEED.

I MEAN, I DON'T... I DON'T KNOW.

I GOT CAUGHT.

YEAH, I KNOW YOU GOT CAUGHT.

I KNOW YOU GOT CAUGHT. I KNOW YOU GOT CAUGHT.

I KNOW...

I MEAN, IT'S THAT SIMPLE. IT'S NOT--

[SIGHS]

I MEAN...

WHAT, ARE YOU IN SCHOOL?

NO.

SO YOU SELL WEED FOR A LIVING? THAT'S IT?

AND YOU WRITE POETRY. AND YOU READ BOOKS.

I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT OF MYSELF

AS WRITING POETRY. I, YOU KNOW, I WRITE...

I'M HERE ON... I'M REALLY HERE ON

A PETTY WEED CHARGE.

ALTHOUGH...I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE TO COP A PLEA.

AND IF I DO, I MAY BE LOOKING AT...

LIKE A COUPLE OF YEARS.

BUT...I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY--

JUST STAY IN TOUCH.

JUST STAY IN TOUCH.

YOU NEVER KNOW, YOU KNOW?

I GOT TO GO.

Hopha: YOU GOT ME THINKING.

REMEMBER THAT BOOK THAT WAS IN MY CELL--

THE ART OF WAR?

MAN NAMED SUN TZU.

SOME OLD GUY,

CHINESE GUY, LONG TIME AGO.

THE MAN SAID

IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO LEAD PEOPLE.

IT'S ABOUT

BEING ABLE TO WIN WARS

WITHOUT VIOLENCE.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

HE WASN'T NO SUCKER NOW.

HE WOULD GET READY TO GET DOWN,

YOU KNOW?

BUT HE WON WARS FROM THE BEGINNING

WITHOUT EVER HAVING TO USE VIOLENCE.

HE SAID THAT'S WHERE THE REAL POWER IS.

SHIT BUGGED ME THE FUCK OUT.

WHAT THE FUCK THIS NIGGA

TALKING ABOUT?

I MEAN, I THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

HOW MANY PEOPLE REALLY DO THAT,

YOU KNOW?

HOW MANY PEOPLE REALLY DO THAT?

YOU DID THAT.

I'M TELLING YOU, MAN.

YOU GOT MORE TALENT

THAN MAYBE EVEN YOU KNOW.

YOU GOT A HELL OF A LOT OF DECISIONS.

I CAN'T HELP YOU

WITH THE DECISIONS, MAN.

YOU KNOW,

BUT I'M ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU.

I'VE MADE MY DECISIONS, YO.

YOU CAN SEE,

AND THERE'S NO FEAR IN MY HEART NO MORE.

THERE'S NO FEAR.

I DON'T GIVE A FUCK.

I'M SCARED EVERY DAY,

BUT I'M NOT AFRAID, YOU DIG?

TO ME THERE'S A DIFFERENCE.

TO YOU THERE'S A DIFFERENCE.

YOU SHOWED THAT.

YOU GOING TO BE A GREAT MAN.

YOU GOT GREAT THINGS TO FUCKING DO,

AND ONE OF THEM

IS TO PASS THIS

TO AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE.

THIS IS SOMETHING A FRIEND OF MINE

GAVE ME A LONG TIME AGO, MAN.

I'M GOING TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE,

ALL RIGHT?

HOW--YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME OUT OF HERE?

I'M PUTTING UP THE BAIL FOR YOU.

YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME, MAN.

[LAUGHS]

YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME, MAN.

I'M GOING TO PUT UP THE BAIL FOR YOU,

ALL RIGHT?

IF YOU DO THIS PIECE OF WORK FOR ME,

I'M HERE.

Guard: WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

RAYMOND JOSHUA.

OK. YOU'VE BEEN RELEASED

ON CASH COLLATERAL.

TAKE YOUR SHIRT OFF.

PUT IT IN THE BASKET.

YO, WHERE'S MY SHIRT?

IT GOT LOST. SHIT HAPPENS.

TAKE THAT. YOU GOING HOME IN THAT.

Guard: LET'S SEE YOUR ARMBAND.

HOLD IT THERE SO I CAN SEE IT.

OK.

HEY, RAY.

THIS IS YOUR LAST TIME IN HERE, RIGHT?

I WANT YOU TO TAKE SOMETHING

OUT OF THE DOOR WITH YOU

WHEN YOU LEAVE.

THOSE 6 DIGITS ON THAT BAND

I TOLD YOU ABOUT--

THEY'LL BE HERE WAITING FOR YOU

IF YOU EVER COME BACK.

NOW GET YOUR ASS OUT OF MY JAIL.

DOOR.

[DOOR BUZZES]

ALL RIGHT. GOING OUT WITH ONE.

Guard: WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

RAYMOND JOSHUA.

YOUR NUMBER?

274001.

OK. OFFICER, WHAT IS HE GOING OUT ON?

HE'S GOING OUT ON CASH COLLATERAL.

OK.

GOOD LUCK. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

THANKS A LOT.

ALL RIGHT.

* I HAVE TO LIE AWAKE

* THINKING ABOUT WAYS TO FIX YOU *

* HOW YOU MAKE ME FEEL

* FORGET ABOUT YOU

* YOU HAVE COME IN MY LIFE *

* ROBBED ME

* TAUGHT ME WAYS UNNATURAL *

* UNNATURAL

* YOU SAT ME DOWN

* AND YOU SAID THAT I REFLECT YOU *

* AND I BELIEVED, YEAH

* SO I CAN'T LET YOU COME BY *

* AND BLAME ME

* FOR ALL THAT'S HAPPENING *

* I CAN SEE

* I CAN SEE CLEAR THE VISION *

* FIND THE VISION

* LISTEN FOR YOUR MIND DECISION *

* NO, NO, NO, NO

* NO LONGER IN ME

* NO, NO, NO, NO

* I CAN SEE

* NO, NO

* I CAN SEE CLEAR THE VISION *

* NO MYSTERY IN MY DECISION *

* NO LONGER IN ME

HOW YOU DOING, RAY?

HOW YOU BEEN, RAY?

HOW YOU BEEN?

WHAT'S UP?

I SAW--I SAW THE POLICE UP, RAY.

YEAH?

WHAT HAPPENING?

NOTHING MUCH.

WHERE YOU BEEN AT

FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS?

WE AIN'T SEEN YOU, SO...

BYE, RAY.

BYE, RAY.

EVERYTHING COOL, MAN?

HOW DID THEY TREAT YOU IN CAMP, MAN?

ALL RIGHT.

HOLD ON FOR A SECOND.

I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU, MAN.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

WHAT'S UP, MAN?

YO!

WHAT'S UP, MAN?

WHAT'S UP?

[LAUGHS]

I'M ALIVE, MAN.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS SHIT.

YOU BEEN ALL RIGHT IN THERE?

YEAH, I BEEN COOL, MAN.

YOU--I BEEN GREAT.

MAN, I'M ALL RIGHT, MAN.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'M BLIND NOW, MAN.

CAN'T SEE SHIT, MAN.

SOMEBODY IN DODGE CITY

GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

TAKE CARE OF WHAT?

MAN, I'M HURTING, MAN.

AND THE ONLY THING I CAN DO

TO FEEL BETTER

IS TO KNOW

THAT SOMEBODY ELSE IS HURTING.

WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS HANDLE THIS.

HANDLE THIS HOW, NIGGA?

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

WHAT--NO, NO, NO, NO.

I GOT A MOTHERFUCKING BULLET

IN MY HEAD,

AND WHOEVER PUT IT THERE,

THEY'RE GOING TO PAY.

NOW IS YOU WITH THAT, OR WHAT?

MAN, WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS.

FOR WHAT?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. I UNDERSTOOD IT BEFORE,

BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT SHIT.

'CAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT?

WHEN I WAS INSIDE, I REALIZED SOMETHING.

I WAS BLIND FOR A LONG TIME, YO.

I SEE NOW,

AND I SEE THAT THIS SHIT HAS TO END.

THERE'S NOT SHIT YOU CAN DO.

THERE IS NO ONE YOU CAN SHOOT,

NOT EVEN THE FUCKING DOCTOR,

THAT WOULD GIVE YOU YOUR FUCKING VISION BACK.

THERE'S NOTHING-- NO ONE YOU COULD SHOOT.

YOU COULD SHOOT THE SUN

AND EVERYBODY ELSE WOULD JUST BE BLIND.

I SPOKE TO YOUR MAN INSIDE, YO.

YOU WHAT?

I SPOKE WITH YOUR MAN, YO.

HOPHA.

WHAT'D HE SAY?

WHAT'D HE SAY?

HE SAID THE SAME SHIT I'M SAYING.

THAT THIS SHIT IS SILLY.

HE DON'T WANT ANY TYPE OF RETALIATION.

MAN, THAT'S BULLSHIT.

IT'S NOT BULLSHIT.

IT'S NOT BULLSHIT.

MAN, HOPHA AIN'T SAY

NOTHING LIKE THAT, MAN.

HE KNOW DODGE CITY STICKS TOGETHER,

NO MATTER WHAT.

ANYBODY IN DODGE CITY GO DOWN,

MOTHERFUCKER'S BEING DEALT WITH.

WHAT IS THIS?

WHAT IS THIS?

WHO THE FUCK YOU GET THIS FROM, MAN?

YOUR BOY.

HE KNEW YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE SHIT

I WAS TELLING YOU.

NOW, WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE RETALIATING FOR?

WE DON'T NEED THIS SHIT ANYMORE.

SO WHAT YOU SAYING?

DODGE CITY'S BREAKING UP?

WHAT THE FUCK YOU TALKING ABOUT?

THIS AIN'T THE TEMPTATIONS AND SOME SHIT.

WE AIN'T BREAKING UP.

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK ME AND YOU

CAN GO TALK TO SOMEBODY

THAT TRIED TO KILL ME, MAN,

AND TRIED TO KILL YOU?

THE FUCKING MAN CAN'T EVEN

TALK TO THESE PEOPLE.

THE GOVERNMENT CAN'T EVEN

TALK TO THESE PEOPLE.

I AIN'T TALKING ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT.

NIGGA, I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU GO OUT

LIKE A MILLION OTHER NIGGAS BEFORE YOU.

MAN, I'M SCARED.

I KNOW YOU'RE SCARED, YO.

CAN YOU HELP ME OUT, MAN?

I'LL HELP YOU, J.

MAN, HELP ME, MAN.

* TIME IS RUNNING OUT, TICK TOCK *

* LIKE THE GRAINS OF SAND *

* EVERY MAN SHARPENS MAN

* LIKE STEEL SHARPENS STEEL *

* THE THREAT OF A WAR IS REAL *

* WHERE MY SOLDIERS FOUGHT BATTLEFIELD *

WHAT'S UP, MAN?

WHAT'S UP, MAN?

WHAT'S UP, MAN?

MAN, LOOK, MAN.

WHAT THE FUCK IS UP, DUDE?

I'M TRYING TO GET BACK.

I'M TRYING TO GET BACK, MAN.

MOTHERFUCKERS. MAN, YOU MAN,

I'M TRYING TO BLIND ONE OF THEM OTHER NIGGAS.

MAN, THEY DREW FIRST BLOOD, BABY.

I UNDERSTAND, MAN. YOU KNOW?

AND THEY KNOW ME.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

THEY KNOW ALL US.

THEY KNOW HOW WE GO.

THEY KNOW HOW WE GO.

YOU GOING TO GO OVER THERE

AND TAKE ONE OF THEM OUT, RIGHT?

POW POW, BABY.

POW POW POW POW. ALL DAY.

LIVE BY THE SWORD,

I'M GOING TO DIE BY THE SWORD.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

FOR WHO? WHO THE FUCK

ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR?

WHAT ARE YOU FIGHTING TO PROTECT?

NIGGA, YOU LIVE

IN THE MOTHERFUCKING PROJECTS.

IT'S AN EXPERIMENT.

PROJECTS, EXPERIMENT.

GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT.

YOU SERVING TIME

OUTSIDE OF THE PENITENTIARY

DOING EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO DO.

POW POW ALL DAY.

THAT'S THE MOTHERFUCKING

MASTER PLAN, NIGGA.

THAT'S THE MOTHERFUCKING

MASTER PLAN.

THIS CAT, YOU KNOW? THIS CAT, MAN.

WHAT'S MIKE GOT TO SAY ABOUT IT?

LET MIKE MAKE THE HOUSE CALL.

I'M MAKING THE CALL, MAN.

YOU KNOW, I WANT THE GUNS DOWN, MAN.

MIKE, MAN.

YO, MAN. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

I WANT THE GUNS DOWN, MAN.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE, YOU KNOW?

IT WAS ONE LAST BULLET

WAS SHOT AROUND HERE,

AND THAT WAS THE BULLET IN MY HEAD.

[GUNSHOT]

* TIME IS RUNNING OUT, TICK TOCK *

* LIKE THE GRAINS OF SAND *

* EVERY MAN SHARPENS MAN

* LIKE STEEL SHARPENS STEEL *

* THE THREAT OF A WAR IS REAL *

* WHERE MY SOLDIERS FOUGHT THE BATTLEFIELD *

HI. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU MADE IT.

I DID.

WELL, COME ON IN.

HEY, IMANI, HOLD ON.

RAY, MEET IMANI.

HI, HOW ARE YOU?

HOW YOU DOING?

RAY. RAY, THIS IS DJ.

DJ, THIS IS RAY,

A FRIEND OF MINE.

DJ IS A PHAT POET.

YOU GOT TO HEAR HIS WORK.

ACTUALLY, TONIGHT YOU'LL PROBABLY HEAR

SOME OF HIS WORK 'CAUSE WE'RE GOING

TO DO A LITTLE POETRY READING.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

LOVE WILL LEAVE YOU MELANCHOLY

AS A MUTED TRUMPET,

BLUER THAN A CLOUDLESS SKY,

BLUER THAN A VIKING'S EYE.

YOU SEE, LOVE

IS A BLUE BOTTLE FLY

FLITTING BETWEEN BLUE AND GREEN.

WINGS RAGGEDY

AS A PAIR OF OLD JEANS.

MERCI BEAUCOUP.

LOVE IS WINNIE THE POOH

DOING VOODOO IN CORRECTIVE SHOES.

[CHEERING]

YO, YOU WRITE?

UM, A LITTLE BIT.

OH, OK. YOU GOING TO KICK A PIECE LATER ON?

UM, I DON'T KNOW.

YEAH, HE'S GOING TO KICK A PIECE LATER.

I HAVE A MILLION THINGS GOING ON IN MY HEAD.

OH, OK.

OH, SO YOU GOING TO FREESTYLE?

NO. NO, NO.

HIS INTERGALACTIC

FREESTYLE JAZZ LICKS...

MY EARS

AS I RIDE HIS TONGUE

AND GROOVE

TO THE SOUND OF CHORDS

NO MAN HAS EVER TOUCHED.

HIS TOUCH TEMPTS ME

TO TASTE FLESH OF MY FLESH

FROM WHICH HE IS MADE.

HIS INVISIBLE STROKES ARE FELT

AS HE STANDS ON THE STAGE IN FRONT OF ME.

A MIC AND A MILLION MILES AWAY FROM ME.

EVERYTHING'S KIND OF NEW NOW.

LIKE, I WOULDN'T WANT TO READ ANYTHING

THAT I'VE WRITTEN BEFORE.

IT'S ALL...

NICE TO HAVE YOU ON THE OUTSIDE.

IT'S GOOD TO BE ON THE OUTSIDE, TRULY.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. I'M NOT TRIPPING.

YOU MASSAGE THE UNIVERSE'S SPINE

THE WAY YOU TWIRL THROUGH TIME,

AND LEAVE SHADOWS ON THE SUN.

MY LOVE IS THE WIND SONG.

IF IT IS UP TO ME,

I'LL NEVER DIE.

IF IT IS UP TO ME,

I'LL DIE TOMORROW

A THOUSAND TIMES IN AN HOUR

AND LIVE 7 MINUTES LATER.

IF IT'S UP TO ME,

THE SUN WILL NEVER CEASE TO SHINE,

AND THE MOON WILL NEVER CEASE TO GLOW,

AND I'LL DANCE A MILLION TOMORROWS

IN THE SUN RAYS OF THE MOON WAVES

AND BATHE IN THE YESTERDAYS

OF DAYS TO COME,

IGNORING ALL OF MY AFTERTHOUGHTS

AND PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS.

IF IT IS UP TO ME,

IT IS UP TO ME,

AND THUS IS MY LOVE.

UNTAINTED.

ETERNAL.

THE WIND IS THE MOON'S

IMAGINATION.

WANDERING.

IT SEEPS THROUGH CRACKS,

RIPPLES THE GRASS,

EXPLORES THE UNKNOWN.

MY LOVE IS MY SOUL'S IMAGINATION.

HOW DO I LOVE YOU?

IMAGINE.

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ACTUALLY CAME.

GLAD I CAME.

VERY GLAD I CAME.

I HAVE THOUGHT OF YOU.

UM,

AND, UM...

AND WHAT ELSE?

I MEAN,

WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

TODAY, NOW.

THERE'S TOMORROW...

AND THE NEXT DAY AND THE NEXT.

NOT TODAY.

NOT NOW.

YEAH, WELL.

TOMORROW AND THE NEXT DAY

AND THE NEXT FOR ME

IS NOT EXACTLY, LIKE...

I'M SORRY, I MEAN,

IF YOU WANT ME TO GO--

RAY, I DON'T KNOW

WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO,

TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU. UM...

TODAY YOU'RE HERE,

TOMORROW AND THE NEXT DAY,

I MEAN, YOU STILL--

YOU STILL HAVE TO GO TO COURT.

I MEAN, YOU STILL HAVE TO

POSSIBLY, UM,

GO AWAY.

UH, I STILL HAVE TO TRY

TO GET BACK INTO PRISON TO DO MY JOB.

NO, I REALLY CAN'T--

I CAN'T GO THERE RIGHT NOW.

I JUST CAN'T.

IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT, RAY.

WHO ARE YOU TELLING?

YOU MADE AN IMPRESSION ON ME,

AND, UM, IT'S FUNNY,

I WASN'T CERTAIN OF WHEN

I'D BE ABLE TO SEE YOU AGAIN,

BUT...

THIS IS ALL I'M ASKING FOR.

NOW.

* JUST LOOK AT THOSE STARS *

* JUST LOOK AT THOSE STARS *

* BABY, WE COULD BE STARS

* JUST LOOK AT THOSE STARS *

* BABY WE COULD BE STARS

Lauren: LOOK AT THE LITTLE ONE

WITH THE PONY TAIL.

SO YOU COMING TO THE SLAM TONIGHT?

UM, I DON'T KNOW. I MAY.

YOU SHOULD.

I WANT TO.

YOU SHOULD. YOU SHOULD.

I CAN GET YOU UP ON STAGE.

I JUST--YEAH. I'M NOT TRYING--

I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT PERFORMING.

I NEED TO THINK, YOU KNOW? I JUST--

I HAVE TO GO TO COURT ON MONDAY.

WOW. THAT SOON, HUH?

DAMN, YOU JUST GOT OUT.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO?

I HAVE NO CLUE.

I NEED TIME TO THINK IT OVER

'CAUSE I CAN'T SEE WHAT IT IS

I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING NOW.

NONE OF THIS MAKES SENSE TO ME.

YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL MONDAY, THOUGH, RIGHT?

YES. I ONLY HAVE--

WHAT'D YOUR LAWYER SAY?

MY LAWYER TOLD ME TO COP A PLEA.

HE TOLD ME THAT'S THE BEST THING

I SHOULD DO.

HE SAID IF I FIGHT IT,

I'LL PROBABLY JUST END UP

GETTING MORE TIME.

IT'S JUST--

WHAT'S-- WHAT'S YOUR CHARGE?

POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE.

ARE YOU GUILTY? DID YOU DO IT?

I HAD IT ON ME.

WHAT'S GOING TO BE IS GOING TO BE.

YOU STAND UP AND YOU FACE IT.

IT'S JUST A LOT TO FACE.

IT'S A HELL OF A LOT TO FACE

FOR SOME WEED, YOU KNOW?

MAN, THEY CAUGHT YOU WITH THE SHIT RED-HANDED.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? RUN?

NO. I--

I THINK THERE HAS TO BE

ANOTHER WAY OUT.

I PRAY THERE HAS TO BE

ANOTHER WAY OUT.

COPPING A FUCKING PLEA?

THAT SHIT IS NOT MY WAY.

I--I CAN'T FEEL THAT SHIT.

I CAN'T SEE THAT SHIT.

WAIT A MINUTE. YOU ACTING LIKE

YOU DID NOT DO THIS SHIT.

LIKE COPPING A PLEA WOULD BE

LIKE LYING TO YOURSELF.

WELL, YOU DID THE SHIT, RAY.

I DID DO THE SHIT,

BUT I DON'T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT.

I DON'T FEEL GUILTY.

I'M SORRY, BUT I DON'T FEEL GUILTY.

BUT YOU DID IT.

SO THE FUCK WHAT? I DON'T CARE.

I DID IT. I DID IT.

BUT WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO,

AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO ME?

WHAT THE FUCK IS PUNISHMENT

FOR THAT SHIT?

THERE HAS TO BE MAGICAL DOORS.

I'M LOOKING FOR THE FUCKING

MAGICAL DOOR.

THAT'S WHAT I NEED.

THAT'S WHAT I NEED.

THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO GET ME

OUT OF THIS SHIT, YOU KNOW?

I MEAN, YESTERDAY I SAT--

I WOKE UP IN A FUCKING PRISON.

I WOKE UP ON A FUCKING SHIP.

I WOKE UP THERE, YOU KNOW?

I WOKE UP THERE,

AND THEN I WENT HOME,

AND I SAW THAT FOR WHAT IT WAS,

AND THEN I CAME HERE,

AND IT WAS LIKE-- IT WAS LIKE

A FUCKING NEW WORLD TO ME.

IT WAS A NEW WORLD,

AND I WAS LIKE, "AHH.

THIS IS FUCKING HOME."

THIS IS WHERE I NEED TO BE.

THIS IS THE SHIT

THAT I'VE DREAMT ABOUT, YOU KNOW?

THIS IS THE SHIT THAT I CAN FEEL.

THIS IS THE NEW WORLD THAT I WANT,

BUT I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GO

TO THE FUCKING MIDDLE PASSAGE

TO GET TO THE NEW WORLD.

THAT'S NOT FOR ME.

LOOK, RAY, ALL I'M SAYING

IS YOU MADE A MISTAKE, BABY.

I MEAN, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES.

I'VE MADE MISTAKES.

ALL YOU GOT TO DO

IS JUST WALK UP IN THAT COURT

WITH YOUR HEAD UP HIGH.

ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

GO TO JAIL. DO YOUR TIME.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME.

READ, WRITE, DO WHATEVER IT IS--

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SAYING?

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

THIS ISN'T CLASS NOW.

MY ONLY RESPONSIBILITY

IS TO MY FUCKING DREAMS.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

THAT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY.

NOT TO NO OTHER SHIT LIKE THAT.

YOU KNOW, I--

THIS IS A PART OF YOUR DREAMS, RAY.

YOU CANNOT HAVE--

THIS IS NOT A PART

OF MY FUCKING DREAMS.

THIS IS NOT NO FUCKING METAPHOR.

MOTHERFUCKER, WHO YOU THINK YOU JUMPING UP ON?

YOU DON'T KNOW THIS.

WHOO. OK.

I KNOW ABOUT YOUR DREAMS,

AND I KNOW ABOUT

NOT BEING ABLE TO GET YOUR DREAMS,

AND WANTING THEM AND HAVING THEM

AND SEEING ALL THESE ROADBLOCKS IN YOUR WAY.

I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THAT SHIT, RAY.

IT DOESN'T-- I HAVEN'T BEEN IN JAIL.

I HAVEN'T DONE TIME,

BUT I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THAT, RAY.

ALLS I'M SAYING IS

THIS THING THAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW

IS WHAT IS GOING TO CATAPULT YOU

INTO A FUCKING DREAM.

YOU CAN'T SEE THAT RIGHT NOW

BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE.

I'VE BEEN THERE.

YOU HAVEN'T FUCKING BEEN THERE.

WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?

DON'T YOU FUCKING TELL ME

I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE.

YOU DON'T KNOW ME.

YOU DON'T KNOW MY FUCKING LIFE STORY, MOTHERFUCKER.

AND YOU KNOW MINE?

OH, YEAH, BABY.

YOU JUST SPILLED IT ALL RIGHT HERE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF PRISONS

I'VE BEEN A PART OF.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE

TO SELL YOUR ASS ON THE STREET

FOR A HIT OF CRACK.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT'S LIKE, MOTHERFUCKER.

I'VE BEEN A SLAVE.

FUCK BEING A PRISONER.

OH, DON'T COME FOR ME, MOTHERFUCKER.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

YOU DON'T KNOW ME.

REMEMBER THAT.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE I COME FROM,

BUT EVERYTHING YOU TELLING ME RIGHT NOW,

I KNOW IT.

I KNOW IT LIKE THE BACK OF MY MOTHERFUCKING HAND.

WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN I DON'T KNOW?

YOU'VE BEEN A FUCKING SLAVE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN?

YOU DON'T KNOW.

WHERE DO YOU THINK I WAS

IN THAT FUCKING METAPHOR?

WHERE DO YOU THINK I WAS, HUH?

WHEN YOU WERE THE FUCKING SLAVE?

WHO WAS THE FUCKING OVERSEER?

WHERE DO YOU THINK I WAS THEN, HUH?

WHO WAS THE ONE GIVING IT TO YOU?

WHO WAS THE ONE SELLING THAT SHIT?

THAT WAS ME.

OH. AWARENESS. BING.

SAY THAT SHIT AGAIN.

SAY IT AGAIN, GODDAMN IT.

SAY IT AGAIN. WHO WAS IT?

WHO WAS IT?

WHO WAS IT THAT PUT ME IN MY PRISON?

WHO WAS IT THAT ENSLAVED ME, HUH?

WHO WAS IT, GODDAMN IT?

WHO THE FUCK WAS IT, HUH?

WHO WAS IT, HUH?

IT WAS YOU.

IT WAS YOU.

IT WAS YOU,

AND YOU WANT TO BE DOWN.

IT AIN'T EASY, BABY, ESCAPING IT.

IT HASN'T BEEN EASY.

IT HASN'T BEEN EASY FOR NONE OF US.

YOU AIN'T THE FIRST MOTHERFUCKER

TO BE UP IN THIS PIECE, LIKE THIS,

AND YOU WON'T BE THE LAST.

ALL I'M TRYING--

ALL I'M TRYING TO DO, RAY,

IS HELP YOU, BABY, 'CAUSE I'VE BEEN THERE.

THAT'S ALL.

THAT'S ALL I'M TRYING TO SAY.

THAT'S ALL THAT WAS.

THAT WAS JUST TO SHOW YOU THAT I'VE BEEN THERE.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE.

I KNOW WHAT THE FEAR IS LIKE.

I KNOW WHAT THE PAIN IS LIKE.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO--

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE CORNERED.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE.

JUST TRUST ME, BABY.

JUST TRUST ME.

ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS GO THROUGH IT.

DON'T FALL INTO THEIR TRAPS.

DON'T FALL INTO THEIR GAME.

PLEASE, JUST GO,

'CAUSE IF YOU RUN AWAY FROM IT,

YOU'RE JUST GOING TO GET CAUGHT LATER.

TRUST ME.

YOUR FREEDOM IS THERE.

IT'S WAITING FOR YOU.

IT'S WAITING FOR YOU, AND ODDLY ENOUGH, BABY,

IT'S WAITING FOR YOU IN THE GODDAMN PRISON.

IT IS.

RAY, I KNOW YOU CAN'T SEE IT.

I KNOW YOU CAN'T SEE IT, BUT IT'S THERE.

IT'S THERE. IT'S THERE.

LET ME GO.

RAY.

RAY.

RAY.

RAY!

COME ON. LET'S HEAR IT

FROM YOU GUYS, HUH?

WELCOME TO THE POETRY CLUB

WHERE THE WORDS YOU SAY

ARE THE THOUGHTS YOU LIVE,

AND WHERE NOTHING EVER HAPPENS

UNLESS YOU SAY IT FIRST.

TONIGHT LET'S SEE WHO OUR FIRST POET IS

WHO'S GOING TO BE COMING UP HERE

FOR THE SLAM TONIGHT.

PLEASE BRING UP LIZA JESSE PETERSON.

ICE CREAM.

[CHEERING]

ICE CREAM.

I USED TO BE AN ICE CREAM FIEND.

* MMM, MMM, MMM, MMM, MMM, MMM, MMM *

* MMM, MMM

MMM.

MMM.

YOU SEE, IT ALL STARTED

WHEN I HAD A LARGE SCOOP

OF RAIN FOREST CRUNCH

WITH EXTRA WALNUTS.

"WOULD YOU LIKE A CUP OR A CONE, MISS?"

CUP OR CONE?

HMM.

CUP OR CONE?

A CUP OR A CONE?

AND I WAS IN A ZONE

WHERE I HAD TO MAKE A WISE CHOICE

BETWEEN A CUP OR A CONE.

YOU SEE, IT'S MORE FUN WITH A CONE,

BECAUSE I LICK THE TIP,

AND THEN I CRUNCH AND MUNCH THE CONE,

AND THEN I LICK THE TIP AGAIN,

AND I CRUNCH AND MUNCH THE CONE

UNTIL THERE'S ONLY ONE SIP

IN THE BOTTOM TIP OF THE CONE

AND I POP IT IN MY MOUTH AND GRIN

BECAUSE I LIKE THAT GAME.

SEE, MILES COULD BLOW LIKE BIRD

AND PURRED LIKE A CAT.

YOU NEVER CARED ABOUT MY MAMA...

[CHEERING]

THANK YOU!

[READING POEM INDISTINCTLY]

BUT WHAT IS...

I'M WRITING THE POEM THAT'LL CHANGE THE WORLD,

AND IT'S, LIKE LILLY, LIKE WILSON AT MY OFFICE DOOR.

LILLY WILSON, A RECOVERING "LIKE" ADDICT.

THE WORST I'VE EVER SEEN.

SO "LIKE" BAD...

[LAUGHTER]

THAT THE ENTIRE EIGHTH GRADE

STARTED CALLING HER LIKE LILLY, LIKE WILSON, LIKE.

[LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE]

UNTIL I MADE MY CLASSROOM

A LIKE-FREE ZONE,

AND SHE COULD NOT SPEAK FOR DAYS.

[LAUGHTER]

AND THE SCORE'S A 10 TO THE FIFTH POWER.

AND THERE'S ANOTHER 9.5!

DON'T TELL ME THERE'S SYNCHRONICITY HERE!

[CHEERING]

[APPLAUSE]

ISN'T THIS FANTASTIC?!

CAN I HELP YOU?

YES. I'M SUPPOSED TO BE MEETING SOMEONE HERE.

EVERY SLAM IS A FINALITY.

EVERY SLAM IS THE END.

AND TONIGHT, THERE'S NO OTHER WAY

TO END THIS SLAM

BUT TO BRING UP HERE

ONE OF THE TRUE HEROES OF POETRY.

DO Y'ALL REMEMBER

WHEN...LAUREN STARTED OUT HERE?

YEAH! YEAH!

YEAH! YEAH!

[CHEERING AND WHISTLING]

LET'S PLEASE BRING

LAUREN UP HERE

TO MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR US RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE WORD

BUT TO MAKE THE WORD

BE THE WO-O-RD ITSELF.

SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE HEARD BEFORE.

COME ON, LAUREN.

THIS IS, UM,

A POEM THAT I FOUND

WHEN I WAS DROWNING ONE DAY.

AND IT'S, UH, FOR A FRIEND OF MINE

WHO'S, UM, GOING THROUGH A HARD TIME RIGHT NOW.

I FEEL LIKE MY BACK IS AGAINST A BRICK WALL

AND I GOT A MAC TRUCK 2 INCHES FROM MY FACE.

EVERY CELL IN MY BODY IS SCREAMIN', "RUN!"

BUT I CAN'T.

I'M KICKING AND STOMPING AND RUNNING AND JUMPING,

WREAKING ALL KINDS OF HAVOC,

CREATING A BLOODY MESS,

AND I AM GOING NOWHERE.

SOMEWHERE IN MY MIND I THINK I AM MOVING.

SOMEWHERE IN REALITY I AM RUNNING.

SOMEWHERE INSIDE MYSELF I AM, OH, SO STILL.

QUIET, DEAD.

MY SOUL IS NOT RISING.

MY SPIRIT IS NOT LIFTING.

MY LIFE IS NOT LIVING.

BUT I AM RUNNING,

MOVING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE A WHIRLING DERVISH,

WITH NO END, NO PURPOSE, NO MEANS,

NO LIFE LEFT TO LIVE.

AND YET, STILL,

I WANT TO GO TO THAT PLACE WHERE I CAN RUN,

RUN FREE, MY MIND TELLS ME.

BUT THOSE 2 WORDS CANNOT OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE IN REALITY.

RUN.

FREE.

MY BACK IS AGAINST A BRICK WALL.

I GOT A MAC TRUCK 2 INCHES FROM MY FACE!

Man: SAY IT!

RUN FREE, BABY. RIGHT NOW.

IT JUST LOOKS HARD,

BUT IT WOULD BE SO EASY.

JUST TURN AROUND AND GO.

CLIP ALL THE WIRES, HOOK-UPS, AND HANG-UPS,

AND THEN YOU'RE HOME FREE.

YOU CAN GIVE BIRTH TO AN EXCUSE SO EASILY,

YOU'LL BELIEVE IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

PART OF THE NATURAL ORDER, MADE TO ORDER

BY YOUR FOREVER CLEVER MIND,

CONSTANTLY PROTECTING YOU AGAINST THINGS

YOU NO LONGER NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM!

AND I BELIEVE.

I BELIEVE LIKE A HOLY ROLLER,

SINGING, SWEATING, PREACHING, GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN,

WHILE SPEAKING IN 20 DIFFERENT TONGUES

AND DIVING IN 10,000 FEET OF BAPTISMAL WATER

WITHOUT A LIFE PRESERVER.

I BELIEVE LIKE MY BULLET-RIDDEN BROTHER

OUT THERE SOMEWHERE RIGHT NOW,

GURGLING BLOOD THROUGH HIS LAST BREATH,

SPITTING OUT A RED, RIPE PRAYER,

SO NEW, SO SWEET, SO BABY FRESH,

SO FULL OF TRUTH, HE THINKS IT CAN SAVE HIS LIFE.

[CHEERING] WHOO!

GOD DOES NOT EXIST IN DESPERATION,

AND HOPE IS LYING DEAD

SOMEWHERE IN THE SEWER DOWN THE STREET

AROUND THE CORNER IN THE ALLEY

UNDERNEATH THE FEET OF SOMEBODY ITCHING,

SCRATCHING, TREMBLING, JONESING FOR THEIR NEXT HIT

AND SUCKIN' SOMEBODY'S DICK!

I GOT 2 MINUTES, Y'ALL.

I GOT 2 MOTHERFUCKIN' MINUTES

BEFORE I RUN FREE OR DIE, Y'ALL.

2 MINUTES

BEFORE I SMASH MY FACE INTO THE GRILLE OF A MAC TRUCK.

BEFORE I GET 10,000 BRICKS SHOVED UP MY ASS.

BEFORE I RUN FREE OR DIE!

[WILD CHEERING]

OH, MY GOD!

OH, MY GOD!

LAUREN BELL.

LAUREN BELL.

GET HER BACK UP HERE.

I NEED AN ENCORE.

I NEED AN ENCORE!

YOU KNOW WHAT?

YOU KNOW, IT'S ABOUT SPREADING LOVE.

AND I MET SOMEBODY RECENTLY

WHO, UM...

WHO TOUCHED ME, WHO MOVED ME,

AND, UH, AND I HOPE

HE DOES THE SAME THING FOR YOU.

UM, THIS IS HIS FIRST TIME, UH, READING,

AND, UM, HE'S A BIG, BIG TALENT,

AND HE NEEDS OUR LOVE AND OUR SUPPORT,

AND I GIVE YOU RAY.

COME ON UP HERE, RAY.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

COME ON. COME ON.

YEAH, COME ON, RAY.

EVERYBODY, COME ON, GIVE RAY A BIG HAND.

YEAH! COME ON, RAY.

[AUDIENCE SHOUTING ENCOURAGEMENT]

IF I COULD FIND THE SPOT WHERE TRUTH ECHOES,

I WOULD STAND THERE AND WHISPER MEMORIES

OF MY CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

I WOULD LET THEIR FUTURE DWELL IN MY PAST

SO THAT I MIGHT LIVE A BRIGHTER NOW.

NOW IS THE ESSENCE OF MY DOMAIN,

AND IT CONTAINS ALL THAT WAS AND WILL BE

BECAUSE I AM AND ALWAYS WILL--

[VOICE BREAKS]

I'LL TRY IT AGAIN.

[AUDIENCE SHOUTING ENCOURAGEMENT]

IF I COULD FIND THE SPOT WHERE TRUTH ECHOES,

I WOULD STAND THERE AND WHISPER MEMORIES

OF MY CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

I WOULD LET THEIR FUTURE DWELL IN MY PAST

SO THAT I MIGHT LIVE A BRIGHTER NOW.

NOW IS THE ESSENCE OF MY DOMAIN,

AND IT CONTAINS ALL THAT WAS AND WILL BE,

AND I AM AS I WAS AND WILL BE

BECAUSE I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE THAT NIGGA.

I AM THAT NIGGA.

I AM THAT NIGGA.

I AM THAT TIMELESS NIGGA

THAT SWINGS ON PENDULUMS LIKE VINES

THROUGH MINES OF BOOBY-TRAPPED MINDS

THAT ARE ENSLAVED BY TIME.

I AM THE LIFE THAT SUPERSEDES LIFETIMES, I AM.

IT WAS ME WITH SERPENTINE HAIR

AND A TIMELESS STARE THAT WITH IMMORTAL GLARE

TURNED MORTAL FEAR INTO STONE TIME CAPSULES.

THEY STILL EXIST AS THE WALKING DEAD,

AS I DO, THE ORIGINAL SUFFER-HEAD,

SYMBOL OF LIFE AND MATRIARCHY'S SEVERED HEAD,

MEDUSA I AM.

I AM THAT NIGGA. I AM THAT NIGGA.

I AM THAT NIGGA.

I AM A NEGRO, YES, NEGRO,

NEGRO FROM NECRO, MEANING DEATH.

I OVERCAME IT, SO THEY NAMED ME AFTER IT.

AND I'VE BEEN SPITTING AT DEATH FROM BEHIND

AND PUTTING "KICK ME" SIGNS ON ITS BACK,

BECAUSE I AM NOT THE SON OF SHA CLACK CLACK.

I AM BEFORE THAT. I AM BEFORE.

I AM BEFORE BEFORE.

BEFORE DEATH IS ETERNITY, AFTER DEATH IS ETERNITY,

THERE IS NO DEATH, THERE'S ONLY ETERNITY,

AND I BE RIDING ON THE WINGS OF ETERNITY LIKE,

YA! YA! YA! SHA CLACK CLACK.

BUT MY FLIGHT DOESN'T GO UNDISTURBED

BECAUSE TIME MAKES DREAMS DEFER,

AND ALL OF MY TIME FEARS

ARE TURNING MY DAYS INTO DAYMARES,

AND I LIVE DAYMARES RELIVING NIGHTMARES

THAT ONCE HAUNTED MY PAST.

SHA CLACK CLACK, TIME IS BEATING MY ASS,

AND I BE HAVING DREAMS OF CHOCOLATE-COVERED WATERMELONS

FILLED WITH FRIED CHICKENS LIKE PIÑATAS,

WITH LITTLE PICKANINNY SONS AND DAUGHTERS

STANDING UP UNDER THEM WITH BIG STICKS

AND ALUMINUM FOIL, HITTING THEM,

TRYING TO CATCH PIECES OF FALLING FRIED CHICKEN WINGS.

AND AUNT JEMIMA AND UNCLE BEN ARE STANDING IN THE CORNERS

WITH RIFLES POINTED AT THE HEADS OF THE LITTLE CHILDREN.

"DON'T SHOOT THE CHILDREN," I SHOUT.

"DON'T SHOOT THE CHILDREN." BUT THEY SAY IT'S TOO LATE.

THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN INFECTED BY TIME.

BUT THIS SHIT IS BEFORE MY TIME.

I NEED MORE TIME. I NEED MORE TIME.

BUT IT'S TOO LATE.

THEY START SHOOTING AT THE CHILDREN

AND KILLING THEM.

ONE BY ONE, 2 BY 2,

3 BY 3, 4 BY 4,

5 BY 5, 6 BY 6,

BUT MY SPIRIT IS GROWING 7 BY 7,

FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF LIGHT

BECAUSE LIGHT ONLY PENETRATES THE DARKNESS

THAT'S ALREADY THERE,

AND I'M ALREADY THERE.

I'M HERE AT THE END OF THE ROAD,

WHICH IS THE BEGINNING OF THE ROAD BEYOND TIME.

BUT WHERE MY NIGGAS AT?

Man: OH, SHIT.

OH, SHIT, DON'T TELL ME MY NIGGAS GOT LOST IN TIME.

MY NIGGAS ARE DYING BEFORE THEIR TIME.

MY NIGGAS ARE SERVING UNJUST TIME.

MY NIGGAS ARE DYING BECAUSE OF TIME.

[CHEERING]

LOOK, UH...

I JUST, UH...

WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER.

I DIDN'T--I DIDN'T, YOU KNOW,

MEAN FOR IT TO GET, YOU KNOW, OUT OF HAND.

LOOK. NO, NO, LOOK.

I JUST--I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT, UM...

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS ON MONDAY...

NO MATTER WHAT YOU DECIDE TO DO...

I'M GONNA BE HERE FOR YOU.

Audience: RAY! RAY! RAY! RAY!

GO HOME AND WRITE YOUR OWN GODDAMN POEMS, GODDAMN IT!

YOU BETTER GET BACK OUT THERE.

CAN'T YOU HEAR THEM?

JUST ONE MORE.

COME ON.

I NEED TO GET SOME AIR.

YOU'LL COME BACK?

YEAH.

OK.

WELL, I'LL HOLD THE FORT DOWN

TILL YOU GET BACK.

THANK YOU.

Audience: RAY! RAY! RAY! RAY! RAY!

RAY! RAY! RAY! RAY!

RAY! RAY! RAY! RAY!

RAY! RAY! RAY! RAY!

RAY! RAY! RAY!

[SIREN]

[WIND HOWLING]

CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY TRIMARK HOME VIDEO

CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC.

* I DARE YOU, I DARE YOU *

* I DARE YOU, I DARE YOU *

* I DARE YOU

* TO COME AGAINST ME

* I DARE YOU

* TO DEFEAT ME

* I DARE YOU

* TO COME FOR ME

* IF YOU WANT ME

* I DARE YOU

* I DARE YOU

* TO COME AGAINST ME

* I DARE YOU

* TO DEFEAT ME

* I DARE YOU

* TO COME FOR ME

* IF YOU WANT ME

* I DARE YOU

WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?

[OVERLAPPING VOICES]

WHAT'S UP, Y'ALL? Y'ALL.

[RAPPING]

* SOUP FOR THEM AND A SUIT FOR ME *

* I USED TO BE IN D.C.

* WITH MY FULL TREE

* NIGGA SAID I'M GOIN' TO SOME OTHER CITY *

* CRAZY TO LEAVE

* I USED TO SELL CRACK

* UP ON FRONT STREET, IT'S A FACT *

* THEN I GOT LOCKED UP

* RICKY JAY POPPED UP...

[RAP CONTINUES]

* TIME IS RUNNIN' OUT, TICK-TOCK, LIKE GRAINS OF SAND *

* EVERY MAN SHARPENS MAN

* LIKE STEEL SHARPENS STEEL *

* INCREDIBLE WARS, THRILL

* WHERE ARE MY SOLDIERS FOR THE BATTLEFIELD? *

* BATTLEFIELD, BATTLEFIELD, BATTLEFIELD... *

* TIME FOR MY ARMY TO GET IT ON *

* WE MARCHED UPON THE LAWN OUT IN D.C. *

* STATED OUR WORD IS BORN ON TV *

* UNFOLD THE PROPHECY, LEFT IN THE COLD BY DEMOCRACY *

* THIS WHOLE WORLD, IT'S BASED ON HYPOCRISY *

* IT'S EVIL TO THE ROOTS, NOW WE BURN AND LOOT *

* WE SHOOT GUNS, EXTORT FUNDS *

* KIDNAP ANOTHER PATTY HEARST AND TAP HER DADDY'S PURSE *

* ANARCHISTS SMOKING CANNABIS *

* WRAPPED IN BROWN LEAVES

* YOU NOW TRAPPED WITH THE TOWN THIEVES *

* THE GROUND BREATHES IN THE FUMES OF DEATH *

* CLOUDS LOOM FROM THE SMOKE *

* OF THE FIRES WE SET

* WE TRAVEL UNDERGROUND SEWER SYSTEMS *

* THE TRAIN TUNNELS

* WE LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU WAS VICTIM *

* THE BRAIN FUNNELS INFORMATION *

* LIKE THE FUTURE GENERATION *

* SOME PROPER EDUCATION ALWAYS CAUSES ELEVATION *

* IT'S TIME FOR LIBERATION

* WE GONNA PUT THIS PLAN IN ACTIVATION *

* GOVERNMENT ASSASSINATION

* WRITTEN IN REVELATION *

* PARDON ME, MISTER

* WELL, IT'S THE 85 RESISTOR

* TO GIVE YOUR BRAIN CELL A TWISTER *

* SO IF I TUNE YOUR RESISTOR *

* EVERY GHETTO GONE IS GONNA *

* SAY I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD WANNA *

* TAKE HEED TO THE SEED

* ONCE OUR PLANET WE CAN FEED *

* NOW WE STUCK MORE STUPID IN THE STATE OF UNAWARENESS *

* MAKES US FEARLESS AND DEARLESS *

* RECKLESSNESS MAKES US CARELESS *

* THIS IDEOLOGY, STUPIDITY *

* LACK OF IDEOLOGY

* PERIODICALLY DESTROYS US PSYCHOLOGICALLY *