Original subtitles

[soft music plays]

♪ ♪

[hip-hop music plays]

♪ ♪

[Grown Kanan] Previously on Raising Kanan...

[Raq] It's getting to a point where I can't even

keep track of all your secrets and lies.

Scrappy one of the most loyal soldiers your moms got.

He's a fucking rat.

-[spits] -[Scrappy scoffs]

[dramatic music plays]

I'm here for Kanan.

A family friend's not a legal guardian, brother.

If she asks me, I'm coming clean.

I won't lie to her.

I need to know what that cop said to you.

Some wildness about how you used to love him

back in the day.

Would my son be able to give me

that bone marrow you say I need?

You said you have no immediate family.

Don't ever forget that this business right here

is what keeps you fed.

♪ ♪

They come off the Van Wyck to get their gas.

Pay them white people prices.

Just think about it, all right?

[Raq] I need to talk to your cousin, Juliana.

And I need you to make that happen for me.

And the turncoat nigga here

is gon' light that nigga up tonight.

♪ Fuck four quarters And two dimes ♪

♪ The shotty and a vest With two nines ♪

♪ Is how I dispute mines ♪

♪ Same ol' soup reheated ♪

♪ Fuckin' money, I need it ♪

[people screaming]

'Nique knew you was just Raq's snitch.

Fuck my mom. Fuck my parents.

Fuck everything. I-I just want to be with you.

Hit this.

Your son asked me to keep a secret, and I did.

You don't make decisions for my child, Symphony.

♪ ♪

[Raq] We about to go on offense.

We ain't going to war,

but we ain't laying down, neither.

[Rileyy] ♪ I'm a hustler, baby I'm a hustler, baby ♪

[50 Cent] ♪ Yeah, I know Heartbreaks, setbacks ♪

♪ Bitch, if I crap out I'm sure I'ma get back ♪

♪ I been through the ups and Downs, you know I get around ♪

♪ So to me It's all a part of the game ♪

♪ If I ain't the coke man Or the dope man ♪

♪ I'm almost for sure, man I got to take it ♪

♪ No need to say shit I'm gon' take it ♪

♪ Robberies turned homicide It's nothin' to play with ♪

♪ Make money Make, make, make money ♪

♪ When shit hit the fan We'll take money, Southside ♪

♪ Beef with the best of 'em ♪

♪ Done shot At the rest of 'em, yeah ♪

♪ Checks, I'm collectin' 'em ♪

♪ Check, boy I'm finessin' 'em ♪

♪ Bag Supreme Boy, you fuck around ♪

♪ Put a big bag on your head ♪

♪ Before the weather break You're dead ♪

♪ Let's get to it, they Don't do it like we do it ♪

♪ Nah, cop it, whip it Bag it, flip it ♪

♪ Re-up, we up G'd up, what up? ♪

♪ Runnin' round this bitch Still not givin' a fuck, hey ♪

♪ When it come to that paper There'll be no complications ♪

Ha ha. That's right.

♪ Put a hole in a nigga Right in front of you ♪

♪ Your heartbeat pacin' ♪

[Rileyy and 50 Cent] ♪ And it's all right ♪

[50 Cent] ♪ That's how We do it on this side ♪

♪ Niggas get to it On this side ♪

♪ I know heartbreaks Setbacks ♪

♪ Bitch, if I crap out I'm sure I'ma get back ♪

♪ I been through the ups and Downs, you know I get around ♪

♪ So to me It's all a part of the game ♪

♪ If I ain't the coke man Or the dope man ♪

♪ I'm almost for sure, man I got to take it ♪

♪ No need to say shit I'm gon' take it ♪

♪ Robberies turned homicide It's nothin' to play with ♪

♪ Hey, hey ♪

[Rileyy vocalizing]

[dramatic music plays]

♪ ♪

[siren wailing]

You see anything?

No.

♪ ♪

[phone ringing]

♪ ♪

I'm here.

-Batter up. -[Lou-Lou] I do this,

we into something altogether different, Raq.

We at war.

We been at war, Lou.

All we doing is opening a new front up in this motherfucker.

♪ ♪

[Grown Kanan] Ain't no such thing as peace in this game.

First time you step out on that corner,

somebody already want what you got.

Someone planning to take what's yours.

That's the way it works everywhere.

At a certain point, every motherfucker in the world

wants what they don't have.

Problem is, only so much to go around.

Only so many corners in the hood.

So you look at the nigga next to you,

see what they're holding,

and decide you want that shit for your own.

But you gotta take it.

And it ain't gonna come easy, nigga.

You gotta be willing to die for it.

[laughter]

Don't matter if you in south Jamaica

or south Iraq.

We all born at war.

So fuck peace.

[Gang Starr's "Check the Technique" playing]

♪ ♪

♪ You puny protozoa ♪

♪ You're so minute You didn't know ♪

♪ The gang Has been watchin' you ♪

♪ But instead Of just squashin' you ♪

♪ I'm scoopin' you up ♪

♪ Out of the muck You wallow in ♪

♪ Like a chief chemist ♪

♪ Other scientists Are followin' ♪

♪ Plannin' to examine you On a Petri dish ♪

♪ Stickin' you And frickin' you ♪

♪ Just a teeny bit ♪

♪ I'm clever with science ♪

♪ But never relyin' ♪

♪ On false words From cowards ♪

♪ Who forever be tryin' ♪

♪ Insistin' they come off ♪

♪ I let 'em get some off ♪

♪ Then come back With drum tracks ♪

♪ Their ears Could get numb off ♪

♪ Blockbustin' Like makin' love ♪

♪ I'll never stop thrustin' Into your system ♪

♪ So just listen I'm like a neurosurgeon ♪

♪ Operatin' With a purer version ♪

♪ I write prescriptions Of words that fit in ♪

♪ The thought gets prescribed As I kick it live ♪

♪ 'Cause it's more Than a style ♪

♪ It's conceptual genius ♪

♪ My effect on the scene is To project that I mean this ♪

♪ You deadbeat, wait until You see my next feat ♪

♪ I get respect for the rep When I speak ♪

♪ Check the technique ♪

♪ Check the technique ♪

♪ Check the technique ♪

♪ Check the technique Check the technique ♪

♪ I'm rushing you Like a defensive end ♪

♪ As I recommend That you comprehend ♪

♪ I could stomp you in A battle, contest, or war ♪

♪ What will occur Will be the forfeiture ♪

♪ Of your immature Insecure, for sure ♪

♪ Meek, weak Visions of grandeur ♪

♪ To rudely awaken you I then'll be breakin' you ♪

♪ Taxin' without askin' Extractin' and snakin' you ♪

♪ Makin' you succumb To the drums of Gang Starr ♪

♪ By far, we are Truly gifted ones, son ♪

♪ But if you were To speculate ♪

♪ Or estimate us losin' You'll be dyin' ♪

♪ Tryin' to face the fate Of your delusions ♪

♪ 'Cause miscalculation Is all you're statin' ♪

♪ So I'm chumpin' ♪

♪ Puntin' punks Just like footballs ♪

♪ 'Cause I want to put Y'all back in the mess hall ♪

♪ To clean up the slop And stop all the bullcrap... ♪

[moaning]

You put in that good work, baby.

[moaning]

-[screams] -[rapid gunfire]

[intense music plays]

♪ ♪

-[sighs] -What's up with Scrap?

They fucked him up pretty.

Lost a eye and a kidney, but he gon' be okay.

Damn.

I messed up, Ma.

I shouldn't have said all that stuff

about Scrap and the stash.

Scrappy live the game.

He know how it work.

They took his eye.

[Raq] Scrap a solider, Kanan.

Battle-tested, built on these streets.

He gon' be a'ight.

I just--I don't know,

I feel like we shouldn't be here doing all this,

with everything that happened and him in the hospital.

[Raq] I ain't about wrong or right.

Life keeps moving, Kanan.

Can't stop, won't stop.

Not for us, not for Scrap.

Tell me her name again.

Davina.

Well, does Miss Davina know

that ain't no girl good enough for my son?

-Come on, now. -[Raq laughs]

[lounge music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

♪ ♪

Now I know why Kanan been walking around the house

all dumb-looking and dreamy-eyed.

You are beautiful.

[chuckles] So nice to meet you, Ms. Thomas.

You too.

Come on. Let's go sit down.

Your seat right here, ma'am.

-[Kanan sighs] -Thank you.

Of course.

Now, I know you not super big on surprises

or nothing like that, but, uh...

Hey.

[Kanan] Surprise.

♪ ♪

-[Raq] Hell no. -[Symphony] Raq.

Ma.

I'll be right back. Ma.

What?

♪ ♪

[sighs]

[Symphony] I love Hall & Oates, Raq.

Hall & Oates, the band.

White boys.

"Kiss on My List."

"Sara Smile."

"Sara Smile's" my shit. I know every word.

I've never told that to anyone until now.

I'm not keeping secrets from you ever again, Raq.

Turns out, there may be some shit

you should keep to yourself.

Like Hall & Oates.

Yeah, no question.

Look, I put myself between you and your son,

the one thing you told me never to do.

It was wrong. I was wrong.

I'm sorry.

I don't ever want to hurt you.

I miss you.

A hell of a lot.

♪ Baby hair ♪

♪ With a woman's eyes ♪

♪ I can feel you watching ♪

♪ In the night ♪

♪ All alone with me ♪

♪ And we're waiting ♪

♪ For the sunlight ♪

You're a horrible singer.

I'm an even worse dancer.

[chuckles]

Now I just feel sorry for you.

I could be all right with you feeling sorry for me...

...especially if it means you'll come back inside

and have dinner with me, your son, and his girl.

"His girl." [scoffs]

That shit sounds even worse than it feels.

I'm right here with you.

We gon' figure this out.

Together.

♪ ♪

You're beautiful. You know that?

Stop.

Why would he stop?

He right.

♪ ♪

[indistinct chatter]

[server] Here you go, sir.

I got this, brother.

Nah, man. Hold on to your money.

Save it for that college tuition.

[Kanan scoffs]

College. No doubt.

Let's do this.

-Let me get that for you. -Here's your jacket.

[indistinct chatter]

[Symphony] Check it out, y'all.

That building is The Dakota.

Been here 100 years.

A lot of history here.

Ah, jeez, here we go. Class in session.

-[Symphony laughs] -Leave him alone.

I love it when he gets to teaching.

Thank you.

It was built in 1884 for Edward Cabot Clark,

the head of the Singer Manufacturing Company.

They called it The Dakota because at the time,

this part of the city was so remote and wild

that no one lived here, well, like the Dakota Territory.

That Beatle guy got shot down right in front of the building.

Yeah, John Lennon.

Crazy-ass fan shot him.

[scoffs] Rich folks getting shot right here

on Central Park West.

Just like the Southside.

Ain't nowhere safe.

Hey, we gon' get out of here.

I'll take you.

Nah. No, it's-it's good, for real.

We can find our way home.

Y'all just stay here.

Go, uh, listen to some jazz music or something.

-Bird-watching. -[laughter]

Matter of fact, go see a black-and-white movie.

Black-and-white movie.

-That. -Black-and-white movie?

Just go have fun.

You know, do your little old folks thing.

We gon' be good.

Uh, may I remind you that I'm what they call a young mother?

Just 'cause you a young mother don't mean you young.

-Ooh-hoo-hoo! -Boy!

'Member when I said that nobody was gon' get

-between my son and me? -Mm-hmm.

Well, you better get between us,

'cause I'm about to beat this boy's ass.

[Kanan] Davina, help me!

It was nice meeting the both of you.

[Raq] You too, baby.

Get out of here 'fore she kill me.

Nice to meet you, Davina.

Hey. Mm.

-What's up? -I'm a young mom.

Don't make me no young grandma.

-Later, Symphony. -Mm.

[Symphony] Good night.

[Kanan sighs]

Block is hot.

So... should we go listen to some jazz music?

[laughs]

Well...

as long as we naked and up in your bed,

I'll even listen to your broke-ass singin'.

[both laugh]

Come on.

-[Nicole] It's cool, right? -[Jukebox] Yeah.

So... what do I wear to this thing again?

Uh, well, most girls wear, like, a gown

or a nice dress.

Just wear whatever feels comfortable.

-So Tims and a sweatshirt? -[laughs]

Yeah, if that's what works for you,

then Tims and a sweatshirt.

I don't care what you're wearing.

Just want you to be there with me.

I'm not wearing work boots and a hoodie

to my girlfriend's big dance...

[warm music plays]

That's the first time

you've ever called me your girlfriend.

Well, that's what you are, right?

I'm your girlfriend.

♪ ♪

Come on.

You're my girlfriend.

I'm your girlfriend.

[both laugh]

[smooching]

[Davina] Wait.

I've been meaning to tell you that--

That I'm the best damn boyfriend in New York?

I heard Famous' song.

His rhymes, the stuff he says

makes it seem like he was there when Buck was shot.

Four quarters and two dimes and the thing, uh, about 140th.

V, that's just Famous talking shit.

Come on, now. You know that's what he do.

That's what all these niggas do.

These fake-ass gangstas rapping about shit

they ain't never done is how they sell records.

That's it. That's all.

[tense music plays]

[neighbor] Davina!

You need to come collect this baby.

I have to go to bed.

Your mama needs to come home to you and Tonisha.

I know; she's just dealing with family stuff down South.

You're not that child's mother, Davina.

You a child yourself.

[Davina] I know. I'm sorry.

Hey, Tonisha.

I gotta get her ready for bed.

Well, shit, come on, I got you.

No, It's fine. I'm good. Thanks.

♪ ♪

[Kanan] That song was just a story Famous was telling.

Shit's made up.

Famous ain't in that life.

Yeah, but you are.

I'll see you at school, Kanan.

[dramatic music plays]

♪ ♪

[both breathing heavily]

[Symphony moans]

Hold up.

[chuckles]

Hey. Hey, look at me.

[exhales heavily] We got time.

[Raq scoffs]

Not this "let's take it slow" bullshit again.

[Symphony] I'm just saying.

You don't have to control everything.

I got you.

So what you gonna do, then, Symphony, hmm?

I was thinking... about singing.

[laughs] Yeah.

Mm. Please, don't.

[laughs]

[Symphony grunts]

[gentle music plays]

♪ ♪

[chuckles] So it's like that.

♪ ♪

I don't know, maybe your eyes was closed or something.

Like, how you miss a nigga in his bedroom?

[Lou-Lou] I never miss.

TEC-9s ain't shit.

Maybe you should've used a different gun.

[Marvin] Maybe if you wasn't so busy trying to be

a bootleg Russell fucking Simmons,

your aim would've been better.

Fuck you.

Look, don't worry about your brother.

Worry about yourself instead.

You know, I could have been there with Lou,

except you keeping me out the game.

Darius said we behind schedule.

I mean, we getting there.

I mean, won't take too much longer.

How we looking on them corners?

We ain't got enough work to keep them all busy.

The corners we do got up... struggling.

Yo, heads know our shit is mad stepped on.

They buying from 'Nique.

[Lou-Lou] Heard 'Nique's expanding to move his shit

near the highway now.

Heard he got a whole gas station crew.

Yo, I ain't heard shit about that.

I'm meeting with this possible new connect tonight.

Bodega girl's cousin?

Yeah. You rolling with me.

Yo, um, you know, 'Nique gonna have to answer for Worrell.

Fuck 'Nique's answer.

We ain't done asking questions.

That is assuming that you can take the music out your head

and straighten out your fucking aim.

[Marvin chuckles]

[light music plays]

♪ ♪

Hell no.

[attendant] Are you okay in there?

Yeah. [chuckles]

[Beduk] ♪ Funk it up Funk it down ♪

♪ Funk it up... ♪

Didn't I tell you that song was gon' be a problem?

Problem? Shit gon' be a hit.

Crown about to get me on with Stretch and Bobbito.

Nigga.

Davina heard it, man.

I told you that shit was gon' happen.

I fuckin' told you.

All right. It's just a song.

It's just--it's-it's-it's words put to music.

It don't mean shit, man.

It mean shit to her.

Tell her I'm a artist.

Tell her I'm painting a picture

of the world we living in, 'kay?

"We," nigga?

It doesn't mean you did it.

It doesn't mean I did it.

It doesn't even mean it happened

the way I say it did on the track.

You think Eazy-E livin' all the shit he rappin' about?

Hmm?

That was a stupid-- that was a stupid example.

But you know what I'm sayin'.

You want to tell stories, Famous, tell stories.

All right? Just don't tell my shit.

♪ One thing about Kanan You know he ain't playing ♪

♪ You know what I'm sayin'? ♪

♪ Keep it real every day and ♪

♪ They're gettin' paid In the a.m. ♪

Like, off the dome, nigga.

-Come on, man. -Come on.

"From the a.m."

Like-like-like-like, can we work together now?

[laughs]

Give me a hug, my nigga.

[smooth music plays]

[elevator bell dings]

♪ ♪

[indistinct chatter]

Did you leave the clothes in the dressing room?

They there.

♪ ♪

Where my uncle at?

[Lil' Rob] I don't know, man.

We been paging him for, like, two hours.

We short on product.

[Damon] We moved all that other shit already.

Damn, the highway poppin'.

Shit, they don't call 'em crackers for nothing, nigga.

These white folks love this crack cocaine, baby.

[laughter]

-[Kanan] We gotta stretch that. -[Lil' Rob] What you mean?

Shit's been stepped on mad hard already.

My boy from east New York

been cuttin' with this here new shit out there.

Calls it Cynda Williams.

Said it makes your crack mo' better.

Said niggas lining up around the block

to get rock cut with this.

Shit sound good to me. Let's cook.

[Lil' Rob] Nah, nigga.

We're making sure Marvin cool with this shit first.

If I'm cool, he cool, nigga.

[Lil' Rob] You a young-ass high school nigga.

You ain't calling no fuckin' shots, man.

[Kanan laughs]

Motherfucker, you know who I am?

What I do?

This whole shit--

Van Wyck, the gas station, them candy bars y'all selling,

that's my idea.

[tense music plays]

You here 'cause of me.

♪ ♪

I'm cooking.

♪ ♪

-Where Gabriel at? -With his puta.

At least you get a break.

I'd be happy if he never came back.

This is where my cousin wants to meet you.

You said you picked me.

You picked this place

because you knew who my cousin was.

[solemn music plays]

Well, I picked you too.

Because you are a woman.

Because you know how these men treat us.

How they see us.

How they hate us.

♪ ♪

You're helping me, Juliana.

You let me know when I can help you.

♪ ♪

[suspenseful music plays]

♪ ♪

[Damon] A'ight, so what we doing?

We gon' drop the shit just around the hood, as testers.

Make sure we got that hotness.

Then we drop it on Van Wyck.

Yo, you went heavy

on that Cynda Williams when you was cookin'.

Made it mo' better, nigga.

[all chuckle]

[all] Mo' better, mo' better, mo' better.

Word.

♪ ♪

♪ Make money, money Make money, money, money ♪

♪ Take money, money Take money, money, money-ey ♪

-[banging on door] -Yo.

Yo.

-What up? -Check it out.

Nicole and I are going to this ball tonight.

I need somewhere to get ready.

Ball? Nigga, who is you, Southside Cinderella?

It's some bougie-ass shit.

But I need somewhere to get ready,

because if my dad clocks it, he's gonna fuck with me.

Do your thing in the crib then.

Go ahead.

[siren chirps]

[Howard] Kanan Stark.

[Kanan sighs heavily]

This nigga, man.

I'll get at you later.

A'ight.

Was it something I said?

Nah.

She just don't like you.

I'm not really a fan either.

How you been?

My mom don't want me messing with you, man.

You ask Raq about me yet?

I told you, we go way back.

I've known her since she was a little bit older than you.

We got shared history, your moms and me.

[sighs]

I was just checking up on you, making sure you good.

I'm good, man.

I don't need you checking up on me.

Ask your moms about me.

You might be surprised by what you find out.

What is with you and that kid?

The children are our future, Burke.

[engine turning over]

[Lil' Rob] Yo, testers, testers.

Got these mo' better blues, nigga, mo' better blues.

Testers.

Mo' better blues, y'all, mo' better blues.

Make that high mo' better. These mo' better blues.

Go ahead, man. Yeah.

Chill out.

Mo' better blues. What's up?

Testers, testers. Come and get it, man.

Mo' better blues, mo' better blues.

Come on, man, get the fuck out of here, yo.

Testers, testers.

Let's go. I got it if you need it.

If you need it, I got it.

[distorted] Got these mo' better blues, y'all,

mo' better blues.

[tense music plays]

♪ ♪

Here we go.

Yeah. Ah-ah-ah.

[laughs]

This is my jam right here.

Whoo, I love this song.

[laughs] Right here.

I love this song, man.

Man, pass that shit, man.

[Babyface's "Whip Appeal" playing]

♪ ♪

It's like that?

♪ ♪

You a greedy-ass nigga, you know that?

♪ ♪

♪ Keep on whippin' on me ♪

♪ Work it on me ♪

♪ Yeah, whip All your sweet, sweet loving ♪

♪ On me, baby ♪

♪ Keep on whipping on me ♪

♪ Work it on me ♪

♪ Whip all your Sweet, sweet loving ♪

♪ On me ♪

♪ ♪

[Jukebox] Look at this puppy.

[Nicole] Aww, so cute.

[Jukebox] So cute.

She's not as cute as you, though.

-[Nicole] Come here. -[Jukebox] Oh.

[sighs]

Why won't you tell me what your dress looks like?

Because you'll see it when you see it.

But I want to know now.

You can't always get what you want.

Bet you I will.

So... are we doing this again?

Ah, okay, so I'm gonna ditch this fucking dork

my parents are forcing me to go with,

and then I'm gonna sneak out of the ball,

meet you at the bench across the street

from the hotel where it's happening.

Oh, and it's the Helmsley Palace Hotel

on 51st and Madison.

You sure we won't get caught?

Yeah. Girls sneak guys in every year.

Since when do you care about getting caught?

[groans]

I'm done boostin'.

Since when?

Since this crazy-ass white girl I know

shamed the hell out of me.

Damn, that crazy-ass white girl must really like you.

Oh.

Listen to this when you get ready tonight.

It's a surprise.

[vendor] Pretzels here. Hot pretzels.

Oh, I love hot pretzels.

-You like 'em? -Nah.

Want one?

I shouldn't.

You should.

Hey, I got you.

Okay.

[Jukebox] Hey.

Ah, thank you.

Shit.

It's later than I thought.

I gotta get ready for tonight.

Oh, shit, me too.

Oh, what color did you say your dress was again?

I didn't.

Come on! Just the color.

What color's your dress?

Mm-mm-mm.

[mellow music plays]

She's crazy.

♪ ♪

[Marvin] Get in.

What's the word, man?

Just get in the fuckin' car.

[dark music plays]

♪ ♪

[exhales heavily]

[music playing faintly over radio]

♪ ♪

[Lil' Rob] And these ain't the only ones, neither.

There's about three more bodies on a spot on 115th.

[Marvin] This right here is the reason

you don't send no ducks to eagle school.

You niggas are ducks.

Just tell me this isn't what we been selling to Van Wyck.

'Cause if white people start falling out off our shit,

we all looking at the fuckin' electric chair.

[Lil' Rob] We put some testers out, man.

Not that much, maybe about 20 vials,

just to see what the feedback was looking like.

Feedback's real shitty, niggas. Real shitty.

I mean, it's damn near impossible

to kill a motherfucker with crack.

That's the beauty of it.

Crack keeps niggas just alive enough

to steal everything and anything

that ain't nailed down

chasing that high.

But not your shit.

Your shit done broke all the rules.

[Lil' Rob] All right, man.

Let me tell you what the fuck happened.

We was short on product, so we was gonna stretch it

with some cut that had niggas lining up in Brooklyn.

It was perfect.

But your fuckin' nephew, man, this nigga thought

he was a fuckin' man, so he did the fuckin' cooking.

Well, Chef Boyardee, you got the secret recipe,

because these sorry motherfuckers had to be

blowing rat poison or some shit through that pipe

to go out like that.

We-we-we gotta say something.

Get this off the street.

That's the last shit we need to do.

What we need to do is shut down Van Wyck,

burn whatever's left of them blue caps,

and not say a fucking word to nobody.

Nobody.

You not even want to tell my mom?

Are you out your fucking mind?

We don't ever tell her about this.

Not ever.

We tell her about this, they gonna find two more bodies

behind this shit: me and you, nigga.

[tense music plays]

♪ ♪

[blows landing]

[crowd cheering and yelling]

You watch fights?

My father fought 135 when I was real young.

Lightweight. Any good?

He had a hell of a lot of heart,

which is a dangerous thing to have in the fight game.

[crowd exclaiming]

I'm building up my business, Joaquin,

and I'm looking for a supplier who not only understands

the opportunity I'm offering but wants to grow with me.

South Jamaica's a competitive market.

I'm about to be the only game in town.

I like the song.

I was at the showcase.

My brother works in Latin music for BMG,

and he took me along.

"When I pull up on your block, the streets need a body.

When I slide up in your spot, the streets need a body."

[laughs]

It's good. I like it. It's good.

My cousin Juliana has vouched for you.

And even though I question her judgment in husbands,

well...

her intuition is typically first-rate.

Let's talk numbers, then.

I've enjoyed this conversation, Raq.

We'll talk again soon.

[blows landing]

[man] Ooh! Payback, bitches.

[woman] Damn, boy!

[woman] You ain't got nothing left!

[bell dings]

[crowd shouting]

[Linda] Branden's mother just called.

He's on his way over right now.

And don't forget that his boutonniere's in the fridge.

You look so beautiful.

I just want to say that as your mother,

I would never condone intercourse at your age,

but I know that it's not unusual.

I just want you to be safe.

You're forcing me to go with this kid.

I'm not even gonna let him open a door for me.

I just want to make sure that you're--

Mom, stop.

I just don't want you to get pregnant.

Lesbian sex doesn't get you pregnant, Mom.

You are not a lesbian, Nicole.

And you know that because you know me better than me.

Believe it or not, mothers do know their children

better than they know themselves, yes.

You don't.

That girl took advantage of you, Nicole.

You didn't understand what was happening.

You were a victim.

Oh, my God.

Wow.

Well, that Branden is one lucky son of a gun.

[chuckles]

Mom just gave me permission to have sex with him tonight.

-She what? -I most certainly did not!

I need you both to leave me alone.

-Linda, she-- -Please.

I hope she's fucking kidding.

-I didn't say what she said. -Well, why would you even--

-Oh, my God. -[overlapping arguing]

[both breathing heavily]

[both moaning]

You brought the ruckus.

I deal with so much bullshit all the time,

sometimes I just need shit to be what it is.

No hidden agendas, nothing unspoken,

just straight fuckin'.

Oh, I'm glad I could help.

I was too hard on you.

Nah. It's all good.

I love me some violence up in the bedroom.

I'm talking about all that shit I said

about you and Kanan and...

how you went behind my back and betrayed me.

I'm sorry.

And I'm grateful that Kanan had you

to call right then.

[warm music plays]

He trusts you.

He ain't got a lot of men in his life he can trust.

♪ ♪

You'd be a great dad.

[laughs] Ah...

For real.

I mean, I see the way you are with my kid.

Just imagine how yours would feel.

♪ ♪

You want to have a kid?

♪ ♪

It... depends who the mother is.

What if it was me?

♪ ♪

Maybe that could work.

♪ ♪

I'm not saying I'm leaving the business.

Not yet.

Not anytime soon.

But I-I want to get it to where I can just...

give it over to Lou and step back and collect checks.

But that's not gonna happen overnight.

There's a lot of shit I gotta do.

A lot I gotta put in motion.

♪ ♪

I'm not gon' always be who I am right now, Symphony.

I want you to know that.

♪ ♪

[man] Club sandwich?

['Nique] I got this, boss.

[dramatic music plays]

♪ ♪

This spot is DMZ, 'Nique. Been that way for years.

Nobody gets hurt in Lamont's Diner.

You know this.

Ain't nobody getting hurt, Lou.

Just want to chop it up with you for a minute.

You know, came to talk to me before.

Just want to continue the conversation.

♪ ♪

She gon' lose, Lou.

Raq gon' fall.

No supply.

Losing corners.

Soldiers looking for other crews.

My shit getting soggy. You mind if you get into it?

By all means, brother.

Eat.

I'm giving Raq another couple months

before I'm mopping up her

and whoever's still standing with her.

You the best she got, Lou.

Your skills, capabilities.

You the truth out here, my nigga.

I don't eat that type of shit, B.

Thank you. No, thanks.

But it's exactly what I'm looking for

in my organization, to say the least.

The big thinker. True visionary like yourself.

Yet someone who knows when to throw the fuck down.

You see, I like my guys to have side hustles and whatnot, Lou.

Like your music shit.

Yeah.

You know, the entrepreneurial spirit,

it looks good on you, brother.

Trying to get me to flip?

What I want you do, Lou,

is recognize the opportunity that I'm offering.

Starting spot on the winning team, Lou.

But it's a one-time offer.

Pass up on it now, and ain't no circling back,

know what I'm saying?

I'm flattered, 'Nique.

No, like, for real.

I mean, I think my only issue is--

I mean, it's nice to hear all this shit for once.

It's just there's this one fact I can't get past.

I get it. She's your sister. It's family.

You know, I was expecting you to say that.

It's not that.

I just don't get down with bitch-ass niggas.

Like you.

And pussy eater over here.

Wait, that was you, mo--

[tense music plays]

♪ ♪

[laughs softly]

Appreciate you taking the time to talk, brother Lou.

[paper bag rustling]

Listen, um, I'll say this.

Um, I'm gonna say sorry now

for what's gonna happen later, nigga.

Thanks for the sandwich.

♪ ♪

Let him pass, Worrell.

♪ ♪

He's a riddle wrapped up in a nigga.

♪ ♪

[sighs]

I got this dance tonight,

and I needed somewhere to get dressed,

and-and Kanan said I could come here.

I- I should've asked you first.

Somebody gon' be real happy

when they see you come through the door.

Who you going with?

Her name's Nicole.

Nicole lucky.

[gentle music plays]

I ain't Marvin, Juke.

♪ ♪

I want you to be happy.

I want you to be you.

Thank you.

♪ ♪

[Linda] You look so handsome, Branden.

Oh, you and Nicole are gonna take this ball by storm.

Nicole! Time to take pictures!

[Jukebox] This is for you and only you.

[Jukebox humming]

♪ ♪

♪ "Show me, show me, show me ♪

♪ "How you do that trick ♪

♪ The one that makes me Scream," she said ♪

♪ "The one that makes me Laugh," she said ♪

♪ And threw her arms Around my neck ♪

♪ "Show me how you do it ♪

♪ "And I promise you I promise ♪

♪ "That I'll run away With you ♪

♪ I'll run away with you" ♪

-[knock at door] -[Linda] Nicole?

We need to take these photos.

[button clicks]

I'll be out in a minute.

[tape squeals]

[Jukebox] ♪ "...Trick ♪

♪ The one that makes me Scream," she said ♪

♪ "The one that makes me Laugh," she said ♪

♪ And threw her arms Around my neck ♪

♪ "Show me how you do it ♪

♪ "And I promise you I promise ♪

♪ "That I'll run away With you ♪

♪ I'll run away with you" ♪

♪ Spinning On that dizzy edge ♪

♪ Kissed her face And kissed her head ♪

♪ Dreamed of all The different ways ♪

♪ I had to make her glow ♪

♪ "Why are you so far away?" She said ♪

♪ "Why won't you ever know That I'm ♪

-♪ In love with you?" ♪ -[knock at door]

[Linda] Nicole, you're being rude.

[Jukebox] ♪ "That I'm in love With you?" ♪

♪ You, soft and only ♪

♪ You, lost and lonely ♪

♪ You, strange as angels ♪

♪ Dancing In the deepest oceans ♪

♪ Twisting in the water ♪

♪ You're just like a dream ♪

♪ You're just like a dream ♪

[soft music plays]

♪ Daylight Licked me into shape ♪

♪ I must have been Asleep for days ♪

♪ And moving lips To breathe her name ♪

♪ I opened up my eyes ♪

[distorting] ♪ And found Myself alone, alone ♪

♪ Alone above a raging sea ♪

♪ That stole The only girl I loved ♪

♪ And drowned her Deep inside of me ♪

-♪ You, soft and only ♪ -[thud]

-♪ You, lost and lonely... ♪ -[Linda] Nicole?

What was that?

Nicole?

Nicole, open up.

Open up this fucking door right now!

-Nicole. Nicole! -[knocking]

[Jukebox] ♪ You You're just like heaven ♪

♪ You, you're just like Heaven ♪

♪ You, you're Just like heaven ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You're just like heaven ♪

[indistinct chatter over TV]

[laughter over TV]

See, what I want to know is, if this thing goes to court,

where are they gonna find a jury of his peers?

[laughter]

-[cheers and applause] -[Kanan clears throat]

You missed your cousin looking fly.

That's my bad.

I saw Symphony today.

Yeah?

We were saying we wanted to go on another double date

with you and Davina.

-That's cool. -[both chuckle]

-Let's do that again. -[Raq] Mm-hmm.

You know, I never thanked you

for offering to pay for that dinner.

No doubt, Ma.

Did have me wondering where you got that money, though.

I been saving up for a little bit.

You know, some I had from the stash.

Juke been selling some old clothes for me, so...

Which clothes?

-I-I don't know. -Hmm.

You know, that cop rolled up on me today.

-Howard? -Yeah.

Said I need to ask you something.

You got a surprise for me?

No, he just fucking with you like they do.

Natural-born liars, all of 'em.

Fuck that cop.

From now on, you see him, you head the other way.

Do you hear me?

Heard you.

[dramatic music plays]

♪ ♪

[Arsenio] Your Honor...

[laughter]

[Grown Kanan] Of all the lies they tell you as a kid,

the biggest one is, all them niggas

lived happily ever after.

That's the biggest lie, because you want it the worst.

'Cause even though all them stories is about fake shit

like princesses and dragons and wizards...

♪ ♪

...you believe it when they tell you

that they all lived happily ever after.

♪ ♪

You believe it because you want it for yourself.

You want to know that all this shit's been worth it,

that there's a payoff.

♪ ♪

Even when you're not a kid,

you're still thinking that someday you gonna wake up

and it's gonna be that day.

♪ ♪

Because just like them dragons and princesses...

...that shit ain't even close to real.

Not for you.

Not for me.

Not for nobody.

♪ ♪