Original subtitles

[Bakari] Previously onThe Chi...

[Alicia] You've terrorized this city long enough.

Any last words?

-Fuck you. -[gunshot]

[body thuds]

New sheriff in town, ladies.

[Roselyn] Did you kill Douda?

No, it was Alicia.

You lying.

She hated his ass, and you knew it.

Hey, y'all niggas gonna report to me now.

I'm not giving you no more money,

and I don't work for you.

Bye, nigga.

[gunshots]

I'm in charge now.

Well, if you didn't do it--

-No, no, no, please. -Who did?

No, no, no, no, no, no.

[gunshots]

[Tiff] I'm pregnant.

This is a miracle.

My poor baby won't get a chance to meet his baby,

but we'll raise him with love.

Look at my baby mamas, y'all.

Y'all know what I mean.

-[baby crying] -It's a girl.

Look, Rob is right here with us.

He's right here with us.

[whispering] He's right here with us.

We did it. We did it.

Forgive me for the dirt I've done,

the pain I caused.

But you got to look to God, get right with him.

And then you got to get right with yourself.

Whenever I take someone's life,

I go somewhere in my mind.

Where do you go?

I don't know, but I'm not in my body.

You want me to attend my own funeral?

It's not a funeral.

It's more like a celebration of life.

[Darnell] Just want to thank ya'll for coming out,

loving on my Jada here.

♪ somber music

♪♪♪

[Roselyn] I know you killed Douda.

And who told you that? Nuck?

As a matter of fact, he did.

I watched him do it with my own eyes.

-[gasps] -[gunshots]

Oh!

♪♪♪

Alicia! Oh, shit.

[Victor] Where you at, man? Tiff had the baby.

I need you to get to Alicia's house right now.

The fuck?

We can't leave her on the floor like this.

No, we can't touch the body, bro.

I'm moving her over to this couch,

whether you help me or not.

[both grunting]

[officer] The house is surrounded.

Come out with your hands up.

♪ tense jazzy music ♪

♪♪♪

♪ Coolio ft. L.V.'s "Gangsta's Paradise" ♪

♪♪♪

♪ As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ♪

♪ I take a look at my life ♪

♪ And realize there's nothin' left ♪

[Bakari] Everything has to come to an end.

♪ And laughin' so long that ♪

♪ Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone ♪

[Bakari] Nothing is forever.

♪ A man that didn't deserve it ♪

♪ Me be treated like a punk? ♪

♪ You know that's unheard of ♪

♪ You better watch how ya talkin' ♪

♪ And where you walkin' ♪

♪ Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk ♪

♪ I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc ♪

[Bakari] Some people leave your life...

♪ I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool ♪

♪ I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like ♪

♪ On my knees in the night ♪

♪ Sayin' prayers in the streetlight ♪

[Bakari] ...while others will return.

♪ Most their lives

♪ Livin' in the gangsta's paradise ♪

♪ They've been spendin' most their lives ♪

♪ Livin' in the gangsta's paradise ♪

♪ We keep spendin' most our lives ♪

♪ Livin' in the gangsta's ♪

[Bakari] Some people leave your life and never come back.

♪ Most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise ♪

♪ Look at the situation they got me facin' ♪

♪ I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the street ♪

♪ So I gotta be down with the hood team ♪

♪ Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams ♪

[Bakari] Life comes at you fast,

whether you're ready for it or not.

♪ Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye ♪

♪ I'm a loc'd out gangsta, set trippin' banger ♪

♪ And my homies is down ♪

♪ So don't arouse my anger, fool ♪

♪ Death ain't nothin' but a heartbeat away ♪

♪ I'm livin' life do-or-die, what can I say? ♪

[Bakari] Sometimes you don't know

if you're coming or going.

♪ The way things are goin', I don't know ♪

♪ Tell me, why are we ♪

♪ So blind to see

♪ That the ones we hurt ♪

♪ Are you and me?

[Bakari] All you can do is be right where you are

and stand tall...

no matter how you got there.

♪ Most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise ♪

♪ We keep spendin' most our lives ♪

♪ Livin' in the gangsta's paradise ♪

♪ We keep spendin' most our lives ♪

♪ Livin' in the gangsta's paradise ♪

♪ dramatic jazz music ♪

♪♪♪

[knocking]

Hurry up, Pop. I gotta pee.

Man.

All right, all right. Ugh.

Man, y'all gotta get more washrooms in this house.

It's not my fault you ain't got no hot water at your house.

[sighs] Yeah, I know I shouldn't have gotten

that boiler on sale.

It'd be one thing if it was just you,

but housing you and your woman is a lot.

Hey. Be nice.

Oh. Sorry, Emmett.

I'ma be real quick. I promise.

♪ upbeat music ♪

What's wrong?

There's too many people in this house.

It's temporary.

They've been here for three months.

I think your dad likes staying with us.

Why? He got his own house.

It's probably hard for him to be in that house

without your mom.

Well, it's hard for me to be in my house

with him and his new bitch.

Don't call her that.

She nice.

She not my mom.

Look, I know you're hurting,

but don't be mad at your dad for moving on with his life,

okay?

I just miss her.

I miss her too.

We can't even get it in, 'cause every time we try,

somebody starts knocking on our door looking for something.

Schedule an appointment. I'll make sure everybody out.

An appointment?

Yeah, I'll make myself available for you.

[clicks tongue]

Okay, hurry up and get in the bathroom

so we can get these kids off, okay?

[sighs]

[prison doors click and slam]

[door buzzer blares]

[panting]

This ain't my fault.

[breathes heavily]

Yes, it is.

Look, I just needed somebody I could trust.

And my dumb ass came running.

Well, we couldn't just leave her there.

Yes, we could've!

I ain't calling the cops. I ain't no snitch.

I'd rather be a snitch than a fucking prisoner.

[whispering] All right, all right, look.

We gonna get out of here.

-Trust me. -When?

When Nora tells my lawyer I was with her that night.

And why hasn't she done that yet?

She changed her number, and now we can't find her.

Tiff already told the cops I was with her that night,

and they still won't let me go!

[breathes heavily]

Fuck. Fuck.

We look like killers,

so that's how they're gonna treat us, bro.

Fuck!

[panting]

[indistinct chatter]

[grunting]

Papa not coming now?

Nah, he has that funeral, remember?

Oh, right.

You talk to Victor?

Yeah, he's still waiting on a court date.

[scoffs]

It's crazy how long they can keep you in there

before you even get to trial.

They got the wrong brother locked up.

Reg wild ass the one that's supposed to be behind bars.

What's going on with Reg?

[scoffs] I don't know.

I stay away from his ass

since he got me kicked out my apartment.

[exhales]

If it's too hard for you to stay at Victor's house

by yourself, you can always stay here.

Mm. I crash here enough as it is.

-Papa moved in. -Stay if you want.

We don't mind.

And since Dom and my brother moved out, we got space.

I appreciate y'all,

but I'm good.

[sighs]

♪ gentle music ♪

♪♪♪

He wasn't a perfect man,

but he was a child of God,

which means he deserves our love and our grace

as we guide him home.

♪♪♪

The circumstances surrounding his death

are not to be gossiped about

or to be judged.

We will honor his contribution to society.

We will uplift his family,

his daughter, his wife, his grandson.

And we will honor all the lives he's touched.

As many of you know,

Zeke was like a brother to me.

We came up together.

And many times, like--

like brothers do, we beefed.

♪♪♪

But we--we always respected each other,

and we guided each other through our darkest of times.

[breathes shakily]

And I'll forever miss him.

I love him.

And he's gone, but he's not forgotten.

[sniffles]

[pan sizzling]

[footsteps approaching]

[mellow R&B plays on stereo]

Thanks for making breakfast.

Anything for my queen.

You like the new portrait?

It's all right.

-What's wrong? -Nothing.

I'm just trying to start my own legacy.

-You jealous? -No.

I just don't want to feel like

Rob is always looking over my shoulder.

Well, I want to honor him.

He is the father of my child.

I know.

You good?

Yeah, I'm always good.

♪♪♪

I just want to do something to honor their memory.

♪♪♪

I don't think they'd be too happy about me being here.

Well,

there's not much they can do about it now.

I guess not.

[Emmett clears throat] Excuse me.

[chuckles]

Sorry, I forgot you was coming.

I texted you to say I was on my way.

-I must've missed it. -Whatever.

-Hey, baby. -Hey, y'all want some pancakes?

-I do, Daddy. -You want some?

I don't like pancakes.

I'll make you some waffles,

as soon as the dude with the random face tattoos is gone.

You don't even live here.

[Dolly] Neither do you.

I heard that.

Oh, I meant you too.

[Tiff] Ma.

♪♪♪

[hip-hop music playing on stereo]

As long as y'all niggas stay loyal to me,

you ain't got to worry about shit.

But what if you get locked up?

Ain't nobody getting locked up.

Same thing I said right before they locked my ass up.

Don't be speaking negativity over my life, nigga.

[phone buzzes]

♪♪♪

[laughs]

This guy.

Jordan, what you doing here?

-I'm making a delivery. -For who?

For me.

Nah, we not doing that.

You ain't my daddy.

But you my woman.

I'm not about to let you get caught up in this bullshit.

Are you giving me money?

That's what I thought.

Don't call me if you get locked up.

I won't.

You can call me.

I ain't calling neither one of y'all.

♪♪♪

Give him his money back right now.

No.

You know I gotta support my mom.

Her disability check ain't shit.

That nigga is reckless as hell.

I'm giving him expired pills

that the hospital would throw out anyway.

It's still illegal.

I gotta do what I gotta do.

♪ Yeah, this shit'll go down

♪ Yeah, this shit'll go down ♪

♪ He was tweakin'

♪ Now he leakin', bleedin' on the floor now ♪

♪ Yeah, this shit'll go down ♪

♪ Yeah, this shit'll go down

[bag crinkling]

This new strain really been moving.

[Tiff] Well, good to know 'cause I've been experimenting.

[Nuck] Well, ain't that hard to sell.

Hey.

We doing this shit in front of mixed company?

-That's my girl. -We don't know that bitch.

Hey, don't be calling me a bitch.

She helping me out.

Be cool, Rafi.

You ain't got no clout here yet.

♪ I know these niggas fake ♪

Come here.

Hey.

Bakari says she's good, she's good.

All right?

♪ You know how playas play ♪

♪ Fat man stankin' hella K ♪

♪ Flip work like anime ♪

♪ These niggas don't want no smoke with me ♪

♪ I swear to God they in the way ♪

♪ Niggas better slow down ♪

[soft organ music playing]

I'm so sorry about Pastor Zeke.

Me too.

Are you okay?

I'll be fine.

You don't seem that upset.

Everybody grieves differently, Papa.

It just seems like his white mistress

was more upset than you.

Well, there's a lot you don't know.

You could tell me.

You're too young for this kind of stuff.

He told me a lot.

Well, that was his problem.

He talked too much.

What you mean?

The police--they wanted info

on one of the guys he was counseling.

Who?

[sighs] Nuck.

♪ suspenseful jazz music ♪

Was he gonna snitch on him?

I guess we'll never know.

You think Nuck did this?

I know he did.

♪ hip-hop music ♪

♪♪♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ If you got some work ♪

This better not be another stolen car.

It's not.

♪♪♪

-I leased it. -[Lynae] With what money?

Nuck gave me an advance.

[Lynae] For what?

For all the work I've been putting in.

♪ Gotta have someone lift it up ♪

When you gonna stop hustling?

As soon as my book drops.

[Lynae] You think you're gonna get rich off that?

-I could. -What if you don't?

♪ I'm gonna hit 'em up ♪

I can't afford to think like that.

[Lynae] You also can't afford this car.

I'll pay it off when my book drops.

Have you even promoted it?

[Bakari] I've been promoting it all week,

and I sent out a bunch of texts.

To some niggas that don't read.

[sighs] They gonna buy it 'cause it's me.

You should've worked with a publisher.

I want to own my own shit.

So the money comes directly to me and all the people I love.

I don't know.

You don't believe me?

Of course I do.

I just want you to be realistic.

Steve Jobs wasn't realistic.

White people don't have to be.

I believe in myself.

That's only half the battle. You have to be strategic.

You can't just drop something and expect it to sell.

♪ But I really got it, 'cause when I do my shit ♪

♪ I barely think about it ♪

Are you mad?

[scoffs] I'm annoyed.

You're annoyed at me for telling the truth.

Man, whatever. I'm about to drop your ass off.

Why?

[Bakari] 'Cause I got somewhere to be.

♪♪♪

[Kenny] Now, Maxine, I know you are upset about Bird,

but if you don't stop worrying,

you're gonna make yourself sick.

[Maxine] He has no right

to put her and Jay in danger like this, Kenny.

[Kenny] Well, you're right,

but I don't think he did it intentionally.

[Maxine] It doesn't matter.

You should've seen her, Kenny, crying and shaking.

I've never seen her like this before.

Things are out of control,

and she needs to separate herself from it.

[Kenny] What exactly are you saying?

[Maxine] She needs to leave.

You know, I don't think that's for you to decide.

Now, if Bird is still there,

then it's because she wants to be.

What's wrong?

-[Maxine] Okay, fine. Fine. -Nothing.

[Maxine] If Bird wants to put herself--

Don't lie.

[Maxine] I will stay out of it.

[Kenny] Okay, good.

How you feel about Tiff and Nuck?

It's a little weird, but I'm used to it at this point.

I'm not.

Well, it's her life, and she can move on if she wants.

So people's partners just dying,

and people moving on like it's nothing.

What do you want, your dad and Tiff to be alone forever?

No.

I just need some time.

Stop being a baby.

I have feelings.

I get that, but your dad is grown.

So is your ex-wife.

Oh, now she my ex-wife?

Is that not what she is?

I just feel like there's something else behind it.

She got a ring. I never got one.

[scoffs] That's what this is about?

All I'm saying is,

y'all haven't been together for years.

Do you trust Nuck?

I trust him to be a good father,

and that's all that matters to me.

I just don't know what he's capable of.

As long as Tiff is happy, we can't complain.

♪ Money, money

♪ Why don't you throw your money in the air ♪

♪ Fo' you gonna be the first boy crowned bro ♪

♪ Money, money ♪

What happened to Pastor Zeke?

Why?

Papa's fucked up about it.

He was like a second father to him.

He knew too much.

Only shit you told him.

In confidence.

Was he gonna talk?

-Everybody got a price. -Who was gonna pay him?

[indistinct chatter]

The Feds.

Damn.

I couldn't chance that shit.

You took him out?

Bakari, stop asking me stupid-ass questions.

[Rafi] All he do is ask stupid-ass questions.

Nigga, fuck you.

Hey, y'all two niggas, chill the fuck out.

Nah, fuck this little nigga.

Stop acting like a bitch.

Stop telling yours all our business.

Lynae ain't got nothing to do with this.

Then why the fuck was she side-eyeing Nuck?

[hip-hop music playing on stereo]

♪♪♪

How the fuck am I supposed to know?

This nigga writing books and shit

and telling his little bitch what we doing?

♪ tense music ♪

Don't make me kill you, nigga.

[Nuck] Bakari, chill.

I ain't Ronnie. I shoot back.

♪♪♪

This nigga just want my spot.

I don't trust you.

I do.

Trusting him gonna get you killed.

You need a real number two,

not some corny-ass kid.

Look, Bakari's my number two.

Now, if you don't like that shit,

go work for somebody else.

♪ Doin' dumb shit with your money ♪

♪ Stop throwin' all your money ♪

♪ Stop throwin' all your money ♪

♪ Uh-huh

♪ He fallin' hot ♪

♪ Fallin' hot ♪

♪ At least that's what you think, nigga ♪

♪ Tend them fields

♪♪♪

[laughter]

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, son.

Hey, Dad.

Go play with your friends, man.

[sighs]

What's going on?

Devante been getting in trouble.

What that mean?

He got into three fights in the last week.

Damn!

And he been taking money from my purse.

-What's wrong with him? -[Shay] I don't know.

Ever since we moved, he just started acting out.

I told you not to leave.

Don't put this on me.

So you want him to stay with me full time?

He needs you right now.

[scoffs]

Boys always need their fathers.

You know, a part of me wishes that I never

got involved with Alicia.

Romantically?

Professionally.

You know they say mixing business with pleasure

doesn't always end well.

You never mix business with pleasure?

Excuse me?

Ah, my bad.

Just trying to get to know the woman that's fighting for me,

that's all.

You married?

I'm not.

Okay.

Got any kids?

This isn't about my personal life.

It's about yours.

[Shaad clears throat]

Now, I heard you two broke up a few weeks

before she was killed.

Yeah, yeah, but we were good.

Listen, I had no reason to take her out.

Who did?

A lot of people.

Can you name a few?

[laughs] It's a long list.

Was one of them Nora?

Nah, nah, she's my alibi.

Not anymore.

Wait, so you found her?

No, but apparently, she sent a statement to the police

claiming that you two weren't together

the night of Alicia's murder.

What?

No, no, that's not true.

[Patience] Why would she lie?

I-I don't know.

I'll try to track her down and see what's going on.

Why did you call Victor instead of the police?

Uh, he's the only one I could trust.

[Patience] You thought you could trust Nora too.

No, no, no. He's different.

I hope so.

Were you able to find the hospital footage yet?

I sifted through a lot of it,

but I don't see a clear shot of him during the time

of Alicia's murder.

Well, Tiff said he was with her all night.

Yeah, but he left after you called,

so that window of time can't be accounted for.

[bangs table]

[grunts]

Don't worry.

I'm gonna do everything I can to get you both out of here.

[sighs]

[Todd] Our best bet is to pin this whole thing on Rashaad.

-He didn't kill her. -[Todd] How do you know?

I just do.

[sighs] Well, he's done time before.

Armed robbery.

He could pin everything on you.

He would never do that.

[Todd] It would be an easy out for him

because we can't prove your alibi.

Did you look at the hospital footage?

Yeah, I didn't see you.

Look again.

[sighs]

Do you believe that I'm innocent?

It doesn't matter what I believe.

Just the fact that you touched that body means

that you could be in here for the rest of your life.

♪ somber music

♪♪♪

[sighs]

Hey, why you been fighting?

Boy, you better answer me when I'm talking to you.

I don't know.

Well, if you gonna live with me,

you're gonna do things differently.

I'm not putting up with no bullshit.

I ain't ask to live here.

You don't have a choice.

Look, I'm enrolling you into my old school,

and I don't want to hear no shit about you

getting in trouble, man.

I don't want to go to a new school.

You don't get a say.

And the kids over here, they know how to fight,

so I suggest you keep your hands to yourself.

♪ hip-hop music ♪

♪ All my life I been an outlaw ♪

♪ Long arm of the law can't reach me... ♪

[Keith] Nigga, what you want?

[hip-hop music playing on stereo]

A job.

I ain't hiring.

I know you got some shit y'all trying to move.

And why should I trust you?

'Cause I'm loyal.

If you ain't loyal to Nuck, you ain't gonna be loyal to me.

Y'all ain't the same.

Yeah, we not.

[distant sirens wailing]

♪♪♪

A'ight.

But if I see one sign of disloyalty...

...I'll kill your ass.

♪♪♪

You ain't gotta worry about me.

We gonna see.

Yeah, we gonna see.

So you gave up preaching

to manage a barbershop?

[chuckles]

Yeah. This is my new ministry now.

Okay, I hear that.

[laughs]

Um...

I'm sorry about your friend.

I know y'all were close.

Yeah, but we were distant towards the end.

Mm. What happened?

♪ mellow music ♪

I feel like he lost his way, and he wouldn't let me in.

[chuckles]

I know the feeling.

I'm sorry about you and Damien.

It was for the best.

He needed to go back into rehab.

Being with me was a distraction.

Well, I love being distracted.

Don't even try.

Why not? [laughs]

The last time we were together,

all we did was hurt each other.

I mean, we were different people then.

Yeah.

But I'm still working on myself.

Aren't we all?

I don't want you to be my new addiction.

I mean, to be honest, Z, I'm--

I'm practicing celibacy right now, so...

-[laughs] -No, I'm serious.

What, you trying to get right with the Lord?

I'm trying to get right with myself.

I hear that.

[sucks teeth]

So...

-let me take you to dinner. -[laughs]

-Okay. -[Charles] Okay.

I'll try my best not to tempt you.

You love tempting me.

You are an easy mark.

Not anymore.

♪♪♪

[laughs]

♪♪♪

[wind whooshing]

-I haven't seen you in so long. -It's been a while.

I know. How's Fatima?

Thriving.

She ain't gonna let no nigga hold her down.

I'm not surprised to hear that.

Hmm.

I need your help.

What else is new?

I see y'all follow each other. How cool are you?

Oh, I buy candles from her.

When was the last time you spoke?

It's been a while. Why?

She's supposed to be my client's alibi.

Oh, shit.

Yeah, and now we can't find her.

I mean, she ain't post in a minute.

What you need me to do?

Can you place an order for some candles

and ask her to meet you in person for a drop-off?

I am not trying to get that girl locked up.

Nobody's gonna lock her up.

I just want to ask her some questions.

What if she say no?

Tell her you'll pay double

if she delivers the candles herself.

[sighs] All right.

I got you.

I appreciate you.

-I know you do, girl. -[giggles]

Always something.

♪ Don't talk much ♪

♪ Nigga, read the closed caption ♪

♪ When I swerve through the traffic ♪

I told you to stop bringing this shit in my house.

All this illegal shit we doing,

but this where you draw the line?

I'm not trying to get raided.

If you do, just say they mine.

They'll be too busy locking me up.

I'm gonna move 'em quick. I promise.

I told you not to bring it in here in the first place.

Jordan just brought 'em to me.

I ain't have a chance to move 'em.

Oh.

Jordan.

Your supplier?

Why are you saying it like that?

'Cause I'm not convinced you're not fucking the bitch.

That's Keith's girl.

And?

[laughs]

So is this about the pills, or is it about Jordan?

Both.

[hip-hop music playing on stereo]

[scoffs] You know what?

Get the fuck out of my house and take your shit with you.

You really kicking me out?

Bye, Reg.

Oh, you on some bullshit.

♪ I give you all cash, no change, nigga ♪

♪ Look in the sky in a daze, nigga ♪

♪ I can't really tell you what... ♪

You gotta be cool around Nuck.

I am.

You be giving him too much side eye.

-I hate him. -Why?

'Cause he keeps you in the streets.

I choose to work for him.

Also 'cause he killed Rob.

He also killed Pastor Zeke!

What?

[sighs] Don't tell nobody.

I don't want you fucking with him.

-I don't have a choice! -Yes, you do!

That shit was none of our business!

You being all uncomfortable and shit around him

got niggas talking.

Who talking?

Rafi told him I tell you our business.

I haven't told anybody anything you've told me.

You better not.

Don't talk to me like that.

♪ somber music ♪

I'm sorry. [sighs]

♪♪♪

I know how you feel.

I know you do.

Some days, you're gonna wake up and...

have to remind yourself that he's gone.

♪♪♪

I did that today.

[breathes shakily]

It all feels like a bad dream.

But I know it's real.

I'm sorry.

Me too.

How are you?

I don't know.

What do you mean, you don't know?

I just feel numb.

Is that why you've been smoking so much?

You noticed?

It's obvious.

I'm just passing the time. That's all.

Well, you used to pass the time by reading the Bible.

Honestly,

I don't even know if I believe in that shit anymore.

Since when?

Since my dad got killed.

Now Pastor Zeke? I just...

I feel like God is mad at me.

He never gives us more than we can bear.

I think I'm at my limit.

♪♪♪

Papa,

I love you.

I love you, too, Kenya.

[muffled chatter]

-What's up, brother? -The fuck you want?

Wow. It's good to see you too.

[Victor] You're only here 'cause you need something.

I need to stay at your crib for a little while.

Nigga, is you out your fucking mind?

My girl tripping over one of my latest business ventures.

Good for her. I'm sure it's illegal.

I ain't doing nothing the government ain't doing.

Man, don't bring no illegal nothing in my house.

The crib belong to all of us.

[Victor] Not you.

-I don't need your permission. -Yes, you do.

Jake watching it until I get out.

He barely stay there.

Ni--

nigga, I don't care.

I don't want you to bring none of your dumbass friends

in my house while I'm in here.

Man, whatever.

♪ tense jazz music ♪

♪♪♪

-[Emmett] It was your first day. -He was talking shit.

I don't know if I'm more mad that you got into a fight

-or that you lost. -[Kiesha] Emmett.

Look, it doesn't matter what anyone says to you.

You don't have the right to put your hands on him.

-He was gonna hit me. -Then you tell the teacher.

Oh, don't teach him to be a snitch, Kiesha.

I ain't letting nobody punk me.

What you gonna do if I punk you?

You gonna hit me?

You don't even wanna know what he said?

It don't matter, son. We said no fighting.

He's gonna be looking for me tomorrow.

Good, then you'll have the chance to make a better choice.

You're lucky the principal letting you off with a warning.

-Can I go to my room? -You mean my room?

You don't pay no bills up in here.

Yes, you can go to your room.

[phone buzzing]

Hello?

[operator] You have a collect call from an inmate.

-Do you accept? -Yeah.

-[Victor] Jake? -Yeah.

Don't let Reg in the house.

What?

[Victor] Think his girl put him out.

-Again? -[Victor] I don't know.

You tell me.

Shit, I don't know.

I stay away from that nigga as much as I can.

Well, he asked to stay at our house and I told him no,

so make sure that nigga don't get in.

[Jake] I got you.

[door buzzer blares]

You at the crib?

[Jake] Yeah, I'm here.

Go in my closet and look under the floorboard.

♪ foreboding music ♪

♪♪♪

Oh, shit.

Just in case.

♪♪♪

[Riley laughs]

♪ sultry music ♪

D,

we can't keep having sex in your son's house.

Shit, we're grown.

Yeah, but you also loud.

[laughter]

That's 'cause you make me loud.

-[laughs] -[both] Mm.

-You know what? -Mm-hmm.

Why don't you spend some time fixing that boiler

back at your house?

And then we can be as loud as we want.

Oil is expensive.

Yeah? It's been months.

Yeah, I know.

Why you looking at me like that?

[sighs]

I know grief when I see it.

What's that supposed to mean?

You don't want to go back to the house

because it reminds you of Jada.

That's not true.

Being here keeps you from facing the fact

that she's gone.

I know that she's gone.

Have you grieved it?

I'm gonna be grieving her for the rest of my life.

You can't run away from the feelings forever, Darnell--

Stop pressuring me, Jada.

Oh.

Look, Riley.

[sighs] Riley, I'm sorry.

I know.

I've been here before.

♪ somber music ♪

♪♪♪

[sighs]

[distant sirens wailing]

[door bangs]

♪ tense music ♪

[wind whooshing]

[lighter clicks]

♪♪♪

♪ soft jazz music

♪♪♪

[Bakari] I...

[sighing]

You can say it.

Say what?

"I told you so."

That's not how I get down.

You said it wasn't gonna work.

I said you needed to promote it more.

Same thing.

Dreams aren't linear. They take time.

Fuck this shit.

Let's go.

We still have to be here for another hour.

-Nobody's coming. -You sold a few books.

Not enough to make me a millionaire.

Is that why you did this? To get rich?

I thought you had a story to tell.

I thought you wanted to inspire people.

Can't I do both at the same time?

Seems like money's your only mission.

I don't know what my mission is anymore.

♪♪♪

[mellow music playing over speakers]

♪♪♪

[indistinct chatter]

-I'll see you later. -All right, I'll see you later.

You a'ight down here?

[sighs] I don't know.

I'm sorry about your friend.

I know he was like a second father to you.

Yeah, he was.

Well, let me know if you need anything.

[sighs]

Hey, I do, actually.

And what's that?

Ask your man if he murdered my friend.

Excuse me?

[Papa] I think Nuck killed Pastor Zeke.

Why would he do that? They were friends.

That don't matter to him.

You don't know he did it.

I got the information from a pretty good source.

[Tiff] Who?

I can't say.

Right.

[Papa] Do you even trust him?

-I asked you a question. -Yes.

What took you so long?

Go home, Papa.

[sighs]

♪♪♪

[Shaad chuckles]

[Shaad] I'm so proud of you, man.

You're the only one.

[Shaad] What you talking about?

I had my book release today, and nobody came.

Well, did you promote it?

I tried.

Did you try hard enough?

I was busy with my other job.

You still working for Nuck?

-Hell, yeah. -[clicks tongue]

Why?

I want to help Lynae with the bills.

[Shaad] Nigga, Smokey's is always hiring.

That ain't enough money for me.

[Shaad] It's enough to help you get by.

I'm tired of just getting by.

Get creative.

Be strategic. Man, do something.

We just can't sit around

and wait for our dreams to come true.

We got to get out there and make shit happen.

You hear me?

I'ma read your book.

Let me know what you think.

[Shaad] I will.

Hey, Bakari.

You care whether you live or die?

I don't know.

♪ somber music ♪

♪♪♪

[sighs]

[actor] I want to know that you're there.

[actor] I ain't never gonna leave you.

And tomorrow,

me and you are gonna go down to that goddamn welfare.

We're gonna talk about this goddamn thing

and try to goddamn work it out.

God damn!

Can you turn that down?

Well, why don't you go to your room?

Kiesha and the baby took over the bed.

[laughs] Yeah, that's a good woman you got there.

I know.

[actor] It has nothing to do with aid to the children,

do you understand?

And when y'all finally gonna get married?

I already asked her, Pop. She rejected me.

[chuckling] Boy, that wasn't no real proposal.

I meant it.

Yeah, but you did it under duress.

I still meant that shit.

Mm-hmm.

[actor] You must apply for welfare.

[sighs]

[actor] You must apply for welfare.

Why can't you go to your room?

Hmm.

Me and Riley taking some space.

What happened?

-[actor] He must apply-- -[TV mutes]

[sighs]

I accidentally called her by your mother's name.

Oh, shit.

[sighs] Yeah.

[sighs] I'm sorry.

It's hard to believe that she's gone.

It don't feel good to me either.

It's hard to accept.

We ain't gonna never get over it.

Shoot, I don't want to.

I thought Riley made you forget about her.

Son,

no woman could ever make me forget about your mama.

She lives in my heart and my soul,

always.

I remember what it was like when I lost my mama.

Broke my heart.

Mine's broken too.

[sighs]

Yeah, you're dealing with a broken heart

and a rebellious son.

[scoffs]

You got a lot going on, boy.

I don't know why he acting out.

You haven't always been there for him.

I spend as much time with these kids as I can.

[Darnell] It's never enough. You know that.

Look, you got four kids by four different women

'cause I ain't teach you how to be anything

other than what I was.

I got to show my sons a different way.

[Darnell] Yeah, but the older they get,

the harder it is to teach 'em.

I feel like I'm losing them.

That's why now's the time to hold on to 'em tight.

-All right? -I will.

All right.

Hey, um,

does your mama come visit you in your dreams?

Nah. You?

Yeah.

Yeah, she visits me all the time.

Why she ain't coming to visit me?

She will when you need her the most.

I need her now.

[chuckles] Just give it time.

[Emmett] What's going on?

Devante's principal just called.

They found a gun in his book bag.

♪ dramatic hip-hop music ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I said I met her on the Internet, Internet ♪

♪ I said Lil' B tryna find some ♪

♪ She said you know I got a girlfriend, girlfriend ♪

♪ I'm like, both of y'all come smoke some ♪

♪ She was short when I got by ♪

♪ Little shorty need a stop start ♪

♪ I want your pussy whether not-not ♪

♪ Y'all can get me shot-shot

♪ Son's tryna fuck for fun ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ For fun, yeah ♪

♪ 'Cause I been tryna fuck for fun, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ For fun, yeah ♪

♪ See, I been tryna fuck for fun ♪

♪ Yeah, 'cause I been tryna... ♪

Get the fuck out.

Oh, shit.

♪ For fun, yeah ♪

♪ See, I be tryna fuck for fun ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

You gonna shoot me?

[breathes heavily] I think I will if I got to.

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ For fun, yeah ♪

Do it then.

♪ suspenseful music ♪

♪♪♪

♪ I told y'all we was comin' back ♪

♪ I told y'all to go and get the straps ♪

♪ And I don't ever really relax ♪

♪ 'Cause these niggas don't know how to act ♪

♪ I told y'all we was comin' back ♪

♪ I told y'all to go and get the straps ♪

♪ And I don't ever really relax ♪

♪ 'Cause these niggas don't know how to act ♪

♪ Put something on his head, now the whole hood on him ♪

♪ That flowers in their casket gonna look good on him ♪

♪ We lay in the cut and pop up when it's time to ♪

♪ I keep that thang on me, I don't wanna remind you ♪

♪ Man, we livin' in some crazy times ♪

♪ But these fiends still snorting up crazy lines ♪

♪ I remember you, you was number one in the hood ♪

♪ Look at you now ♪

♪ Shit, you just a part of the hood ♪

♪ Talkin' 'bout the old times back in the days ♪

♪ These kids don't give a fuck ♪

♪ You catchin' strays

♪ And I'ma give mine 'cause crime pays ♪

♪ And I hate the hood

♪ Getting' out is just like a maze ♪

♪ I told y'all we was comin' back ♪

♪ 'Cause these niggas don't know how to act ♪

♪♪♪