Original subtitles

Wanda, do not encourage the rap dreams.

[Big Daddy] Y'all left this kid to my wife.

Family comes first.

If what happened to my daughter happens to him, that's on you.

The music, it passed down from Big Daddy to-to Mom to James and then to me,

and-and you just want me to waste it?

If you go down this road, you gonna see a different side of Big Daddy and Gert.

I can't not do this.

It's time you knew the truth about your mama.

- [congregation cheering, clapping] - [♪ gospel music playing]

- [pastor] Anybody love Jesus? - [congregation cheering] Yeah!

- [pastor continues indistinctly] - [cheering continues]

- [pastor] Does anybody love Jesus? - [congregation cheering] Yeah!

- [congregation clapping rhythmically] - [pastor] Come on! Yes! Yes!

Don't let the darkness blind you.

Take the plunge, accept the light.

Hallelujah!

[♪ "Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham" playing]

- [pastor] Hey! Yeah, yeah! Oh, yes! - [congregation cheering]

[pastor] Oh, yeah!

- ♪♪ Rocka my soul ♪ - [choir] ♪♪ In the bosom of Abraham ♪

♪♪ Rocka my soul In the bosom of Abraham ♪

[choir] ♪♪ In the bosom of Abraham ♪

- ♪♪ Rocka my, rocka my soul ♪ - ♪♪ Rocka my, rocka my soul ♪

- ♪♪ Rocka my soul ♪ - ♪♪ In the bosom of Abraham ♪

- ♪♪ Oh, rocka my soul ♪ - ♪♪ In the bosom of Abraham ♪

- ♪♪ Rocka my soul ♪ - ♪♪ In the bosom of Abraham ♪

- ♪♪ Rocka my, rocka my soul ♪ - ♪♪ Rocka my, rocka my soul ♪

[cheering]

- [pastor] ♪♪ Oh, rocka my soul ♪ - [choir] ♪♪ Rocka my soul ♪

- [pastor] ♪♪ I'll lead you to it ♪ - [choir] ♪♪ Rocka my soul ♪

♪♪ With my pillar, chair And tears ♪

- ♪♪ Rocka my soul ♪ - [pastor] ♪♪ I'm in the bosom of Abraham ♪

- [choir] ♪♪ The bosom of Abraham ♪ - [pastor] ♪♪ If I'm tired ♪

- [choir] ♪♪ Rocka my soul ♪ - [pastor] ♪♪ When I'm with you ♪

- ♪♪ When I'm alone with you ♪ - [choir] ♪♪ Rocka my soul ♪

[pastor] ♪♪ In the bosom of Abraham ♪

Hallelujah!

- ♪♪ My soul needs you ♪ - [choir] ♪♪ My soul, my soul ♪

- [pastor] ♪♪ My soul that I have ♪ - ♪♪ My soul ♪

[pastor continues singing]

- [screams] - ♪♪ My soul ♪

[pastor vocalizing]

- ♪♪ Rocka my, rocka my soul ♪ - [cheering]

[choir vocalizing]

Hey, hey, hey!

[all cheering]

[pastor] ♪♪ Oh! ♪

[singsongy] All right. Are we illuminated?

[all cheering]

[singsongy] Can we all say, "I am illuminated"?

[all] I am illuminated!

- Beautiful! Beautiful! - [cheering, applauding]

[pastor] What a joyful day this has been.

Fitting for such a special occasion, isn't it?

[all murmur]

[pastor] Mm-hmm. Portrait day is the yearly occasion

where we commemorate our family...

our dedicated flock,

for posterity.

Before the photo, we got one more bit of, um...

hygiene.

Some church discipline that won't wait.

I've learned that...

one of our own...

has fallen into sin.

[congregation murmuring]

My daughter, Gertrude.

Come forward, please.

[murmuring continues]

My Gerty...

just 15...

is with child.

[congregation gasps, murmurs]

[pastor] Outside the covenant of marriage.

- [congregant 1] No. - [murmuring continues]

Led astray...

by a street thug.

[congregation exclaims]

[pastor] So, Gertrude...

before God,

- I am putting you out of fellowship. - [congregant 2 gasps]

You will not stand in this house

as though you're right with the Almighty,

and you will not remain in our home.

- Go on, Gertrude. - [Gerty breathing shakily]

Dad.

[sobs]

[pastor] Line up for the pictures, please.

[photographer] One, two, three.

[♪ "Peace Be Still" playing]

♪♪ Master ♪

♪♪ The tempest is raging ♪

♪♪ Oh, the billows ♪

♪♪ Are tossing high ♪

[no audible dialogue]

♪♪ The sky ♪

♪♪ Is o'er shadowed With blackness ♪

[on radio] ♪♪ Oh, no shelter or help ♪

♪♪ Is nigh ♪

[♪ song stops]

[children playing in distance]

[sighs]

You ready?

[breathes shakily]

[Gerty] That boy's headed off a cliff.

It'll hurt him, but...

I don't see how we have any other choice.

Well, we'll tell him what happened the day she passed, and that's it.

[Gerty sighs]

How do you think he'll take it?

If it was James, I could tell you, but it's Lamar, so...

Yeah.

♪♪ Yeah ♪

♪♪ Still goin' ♪

♪♪ Real confident Look ♪

♪♪ Simple ambition: Feed family ♪

♪♪ Stack millions, stay real And speak heavy ♪

♪♪ Look, me and my mama Have static ♪

♪♪ Look, me and my mama Have static ♪ ♪♪ But the truth is I appreciate the fact That she had me ♪

♪♪ But the truth is I appreciate the fact That she had me ♪

♪♪ Single Black female ♪

♪♪ I see now why The neatest thing you taught me Is speak your free will ♪

♪♪ On 60th Street we see here ♪

♪♪ But I knew I'm falling Right in their plans If we fail ♪

♪♪ Because you told me I'm a young Black ♪

♪♪ This world don't like you That's just one fact ♪

♪♪ You go to jail You gonna come back ♪

♪♪ That the odds all against you That's just one stack ♪

♪♪ I heard 'em talking Like, what's that? ♪

♪♪ Got to catch my second wind But my lungs bad ♪

♪♪ Look It's nothing that's real ♪

♪♪ I've been Fighting these demons But you're some bad killer ♪

♪♪ Now turn it down We could run that ♪

♪♪ In the game Like you've done that ♪

♪♪ Shut 'em down Gonna shut 'em down ♪

♪♪ Gave a nigga life Got the whole gang proud ♪

[♪ "Sunshine After Every Rain" playing]

You gotta be mindful how you manage Mama G through this, all right?

J-J-Just tell me everything I need to know.

I-I could be prepared that way.

[James] It's not really my place, Lamar.

Look, after the old man told me the... the whole story...

I promised him I'd stay out of it.

At least until you and Mama Gerty was ready.

Why would he...

Th-That dude is so stuck in the Cro-Magnon era, I swear.

[James sighs]

Look, if they try to sugarcoat this shit...

I'ma push back.

[sighs]

♪♪ We can fight for it all Somebody can hear us ♪

- [choir vocalizing] - [singer] ♪♪ Hear us ♪

♪♪ All you got to do All you got to do ♪

- ♪♪ You, you just call him ♪ - [song fades out]

[Gerty sighs] Well...

This conversation probably should've happened a long time ago.

[Lamar] Can we not make this super grim?

I-I-I know all the basics and I've been wanting this for...

[sighs]

Do you know why it has to happen now?

I-I don't know. You don't want me to do music 'cause of Mom, I guess.

I'm seeing on you right now

the same thing I saw in her the night we lost her.

And, Lamar, I'm not just saying it. I-I know it.

[scoffs] But what does that mean?

Mama G, what does that mean?

[Gerty sighs]

Okay, okay, okay.

This is the last picture I have of her.

She died on Thanksgiving.

Is that... Is that why we don't celebrate it?

[Gerty] Hmm.

I just thought we were always super weird.

Like Big Daddy says, "Ain't no Thanksgiving in this house.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that makes white people

feel good about killing Indians."

- What was that? Just a lie? - You tell me.

When the last time your ass seen an Indian?

[chuckles softly]

[Gerty] Well, that night we lost her, we, um...

you know, we had so much trouble getting her back home.

I always thought it was a sign.

Getting her home? She didn't come home for holidays?

She was away a lot.

Because of the music.

[Lamar] But what about all these photos?

[chuckles] I have memories of these.

They was all taken in one weekend, bro.

Mama G gave us outfit changes.

James, James.

I mean, they was, Big Daddy.

[scoffs]

You... You staged the family photos?

You missed your mama.

And I wanted you to have memories of her.

But...

We did the best we could by you and your brother.

Go ahead.

So...

That Thanksgiving was supposed to be perfect.

I invited Rochelle and your daddy to be a family again.

[wind blowing]

[♪ "Ain't No Way" playing]

♪♪ Ain't no way ♪

♪♪ For me to love you ♪

♪♪ If you won't ♪

[sighs]

♪♪ Let me ♪

- [choir vocalizing] - ♪♪ If you won't ♪

- [sighs] - ♪♪ Let me ♪

[song fades out]

[Gerty] Rochelle.

Oh, my God. Thank God. I didn't think you were coming.

Oh, God.

[Gerty] Oh.

Wow, just... You look good.

You lost a little weight, but you look good.

Mama.

I'm sorry. It's just, I-I worry. I haven't seen you in so long.

- Do you? - [sizzles]

Of course I do.

Oh, my God. Come on, come on.

Oh, my God. Come on, come on. The boys can't wait to see you.

The boys can't wait to see you.

Look who I found.

'Chelle.

- [chuckling] Oh, my goodness. - [Rochelle chuckles]

Hey, Daddy.

- Look at my baby. - [Rochelle chuckles]

Hey.

[sniffles, clears throat]

Oh, now, what's wrong?

Nothing, nothing, I'm fine. Just...

Whew! Where are my boys?

James! Lamar!

I found them. They're here.

[Rochelle chuckling] Oh.

[sobbing, chuckling] My babies.

Well, come here.

I need lots of hugs and kisses.

- No. - [Gerty] But...

Come on, now. Come on.

ur first talent show.

Down at the community center.

And I sewed the costume... I mean, I sewed them all.

And Big Daddy, he'd haul us around to all the auditions,

and they-they would play anytime they got together, you know, all night.

It's funny, I used to dream about jamming with him.

Well, Big Daddy can be a hard man.

But him and James, they've always been the same.

Hey, this is Mama G's folks?

Yeah.

[exhales] I used to drive up to her daddy's church every Sunday,

wanting to pull him out by his ear.

They messed her up pretty bad, huh?

[scoffs] Pretending to be Christian.

They kicked their 15-year-old daughter out of the house.

I can't stand people like that.

[James] Jet.

[Big Daddy] Ooh. Now, that sister...

is fine.

- You see what I see, boy? - [chuckles]

Hey, you better not let Mama G hear you say that.

- Man, don't be laughing at me, boy. - [laughing]

I'm getting my coffee.

[Lamar] How old is she here?

[Gerty] Sixteen.

That was the night of her big audition at Maverick's Flat.

So I had taken her as far as I could

and I needed some help to get her some paid gigs.

So I took her to sing for that man.

My father.

[Gerty] Yeah. He was gonna be a big-time manager.

He started making a little name for himself.

He had broken a couple of acts and...

Whew, he noticed Rochelle.

Boy, we just thought we hit the big time.

They were just like peanut butter and chocolate from the day they met.

And then they got married and her career, it took off.

You-You said she was 16, right?

- Mm-hmm. - And he was her manager.

How old was he?

- 26, 27, I think. - What?

I mean... Lamar, what?

People got married young back then.

I mean, anyway, her career took off,

and then they had you boys,

and I would show you off to everybody, but you know...

The devil don't wear horns, do he?

Maurice was a creature of the music industry, and...

and we just...

we didn't know.

So when he sunk his claws in, he started to change Rochelle.

By that Thanksgiving, I hadn't talked to her in...

You know, but it was my fault too. So...

[knocking on door]

- Yo, you late, cuz. - How'd it go?

[James] I mean...

Shit ain't radioactive yet, but it's gon' get there.

She hasn't told him how Aunt 'Chelle die yet?

- [sighs] - Fuck, I was trying to miss that part.

Yeah, that's why I gave you the wrong time.

We don't wanna be here for this.

Wanda, you the one that popped all this shit off.

Mama G mention me yet?

Fuck. [sighs]

Baby, Wanda is here 'cause we asked.

Never fails.

Come on, Lamar. Just you and me.

- [Gerty] All right.-[Rochelle] Ooh!

[Gerty] You should know I invited--

[Rochelle] What y'all got cookin', huh?

- [Gerty] 'Chelle. - Pigs' feet?

- Yeah? I know, but... - Mama, who eats pigs' feet?

[Gerty] 'Chelle, you should know that I invited...

- You got it. - Look, he's getting fast...

- [Gerty] Now listen, 'Chelle. Let me talk... - Are you gonna run it back?

[Maurice] Come on. Run it back.

- [Gerty] 'Chelle? - What is he... What is he doing here?

What, you didn't tell her?

Well, I didn't know if she'd come.

[Bid Daddy] Oh, shit, Mama.

- [exhales deeply] That's it. - [Gerty] No, 'Chelle.

- I mean, what about our family? - [Rochelle] Whew.

[sobbing] You are...

- 'Chelle. - [Rochelle] No, please.

- [sobbing] - Hey, R-R-Rochelle.

Rochelle. Hey, baby. Come on, come on.

Just hold-- Just wait a minute. Wait.

- You don't know. You don't know. - I... Baby, come on.

Come on, baby.

[Rochelle] You never fucking listen.

Why did you need me to be a star so goddamn bad, Mama, huh?

Did you ever ponder that? Because I keep wondering--

- [Big Daddy] 'Chelle. - [yells] What?

- Stop. - [Gerty] 'Chelle.

[Big Daddy] Just...

[Gerty] 'Chelle. Hey, let's just...

Help me set the plates for dinner.

- Just let me set the table. - [inhales deeply]

So you and Mom weren't even talking?

[Gerty] It's because of him.

One night she called...

a little drunk, and, um...

and she said she wanted out.

She wanted out of the music business?

The marriage.

I told her to stay.

But why? You said that he was so bad. What's the point of you--

I knew she loved him, and she loved what she did.

And I thought leaving him would kill her.

[Lamar] Why would you do that to her?

- [giggling] - [chattering]

[Big Daddy] I got you. Let me get that from you.

All right. Wanda, you want some of this?

[chattering]

[Maurice] Mmm. Mama...

nobody makes pig feet like you do.

Thanks for thinking of me.

[bottle slams]

Hey, James. James, come here.

Guess what I did today?

I had an audition for a big Hollywood movie called Sparkle.

A movie? That's major.

That's right, it is. And guess what else?

Yo' mama has a real shot at the lead.

It's between me and some other woman called Irene something--

Daddy? Can you play now?

[chuckles] Not yet, son. I'll be out there soon.

[James] Okay.

[James babbling]

[Gerty] Well, that's wonderful, Rochelle.

- Big Daddy, did you hear that? - [Big Daddy] I did.

[Gerty exclaims] Well, that's wonderful.

Maurice, what you doing for work these days?

I'm doing auto assembly over at the South Gate plant.

I got promoted to foreman a couple days ago.

Thanks again for putting in a word.

[Rochelle] A factory job. Hmm.

How the mighty have fallen.

[chuckling]

[Big Daddy] Rochelle.

[Gerty] Rochelle, honey, would you pass me the tea?

[Wanda] May I be excused to the bathroom?

[Gerty] Go ahead, Wanda.

- You know, I, um... - [sniffs]

[Gerty] I tried something different this year with the pecan pie.

I put a little bourbon in it. You know, it's just like my mama used to make.

That's nice, Mama.

I, um... I'm gonna fix my babies a slice.

Uh, Lamar can't eat pecans. They make his ears itch.

[yells] You think I don't know my own goddamn son?

Rochelle. Enough.

[laughs]

[door slams]

[switchblade opens]

[sniffs]

[sucks teeth, sniffs]

[sniffs]

[exhales deeply]

[sniffling]

Wanda.

[clears throat] Listen here, little girl.

Don't you ever, in your motherfucking life,

let some two-bit snake oil nigga sell you no dreams.

They will suck you dry, and leave you for dead, Wanda.

All of 'em. [scoffs]

Motherfucker, he ain't carry them boys.

He... He ain't grow 'em in his belly.

He ain't tear his pussy trying to push 'em out. [chuckles]

Oh.

Oh, don't be scared, baby girl.

[chuckling] Auntie's just 'bout to put on a show.

Ah, come on.

[James] Yes, he's my friend.

Yeah, I am.

- I think she's probably calmed down now. - You can fly.

Can we get it together just to take some pictures?

Yeah, okay.

[Gerty] I just want one happy memory.

[♪ emotional piano melody playing]

Come on. [imitates whoosh]

Mmm.

Boys, come on, hear what your mama's been working on.

[♪ piano melody continues]

[Rochelle exhales deeply]

♪♪ Ooh ♪

♪♪ You feel Too good to be true ♪

♪♪ Yeah ♪

♪♪ You turn my fire on, baby ♪

♪♪ Dangerous obsession ♪

♪♪ Take away my aggression ♪

♪♪ My sinful desire ♪

♪♪ Distort my reflection ♪

♪♪ Oh, no, no Don't make me stop, baby ♪

♪♪ I yearn for your calm ♪

♪♪ Through the rain ♪

[vocalizing]

♪♪ Something that's wrong ♪

♪♪ Something that's wrong ♪ ♪♪ Feels so right ♪

♪♪ Feels so right ♪

♪♪ To me ♪

♪♪ To me ♪

♪♪ Dangerous obsessions ♪

[sniffles]

♪♪ Take away my aggressions ♪

♪♪ My sinful desire ♪

♪♪ Distort my reflections ♪

♪♪ Don't make me stop ♪

♪♪ Oh, don't make me stop ♪

♪♪ Oh, no, no, no Don't make me stop, baby Ooh! ♪

♪♪ I yearn for your calm ♪

♪♪ Through the rain ♪

[vocalizing]

♪♪ Something that's wrong ♪

♪♪ Something that's wrong ♪ ♪♪ Feels so right ♪

♪♪ Feels so right ♪

Rochelle, stop!

[♪ piano melody stops]

Stop.

Fuck, this is so fucking crazy.

- I'm sorry, can we not put... - I can't even--

- Would you shut up? Seriously. - [Wanda] It ain't right.

Don't do me like that, Mama G.

Please don't be mad at me for being real,

but that ain't Lamar's future, 'cause Aunt 'Chelle abused her gift.

- Would you stop? Stop. Just... - [Wanda] Okay.

[Gerty] You know what I'm realizing?

You just like him.

[chuckles]

It ain't a surprise that you're a manager.

Wanna know who you like?

- [Gerty] Really? - Wanda's right.

Okay, we need to get past that baggage.

I'm-I'm-I'm sorry that you guys messed Mom up so bad.

But I don't see how I'm like her at all.

She was lost, you know?

I've barely even had a sip of liquor.

I think we need to get past the past mistakes

and maybe focus on not turning me into the tragedy

- that never happens. - Amen.

You think I missed that comment about us messing up our child?

I didn't mean it like that.

Lamar, we all been carrying this for you.

So, you've been carrying this too, huh?

I mean, yeah, since I was 13 when you first told me, remember?

I mean, it's what led you to kicking me out.

[Big Daddy] Oh, so I see.

So all that gunplay was because you was missing your mama.

Is that your excuse?

"Men don't have excuses for what they do.

Only reasons."

Ain't that what you told me?

This-This-This is why I didn't wanna tear this open.

It leads to this.

I think not talking is what leads to this.

You know, I've been using special care with you because you're different,

You know, I've been using special care with you because you're different, but you're getting real close

but you're getting real close

to disrespecting the woman that raised you, boy.

Then can we just get on with it?

How did the car crash happen?

What a wicked thing to say.

[chuckles] You gotta be kidding me.

You've been slicing me up since I was a child.

And by the way,

I'm an A&R.

[glass shatters]

[Gerty] Watch out.

What the fuck?

Hey, Black, yo, you in my granny house in your fucking drawers.

Sorry for the window, Mr. Kinsey, but the Nazis was on me.

But I got away. You should've saw me fired on that pig, Boga. Bam!

Hey, you need to bounce right now, my nigga. You hear me?

That's my loc right there.

The hood miss you, cuz.

The Nazis out there patrolling.

I gotta achieve my orders not to go to jail.

- I hear you. Yeah. - [Black] Okay?

So, in regards to leaving this here premises, that's a negative.

[objects clattering]

Hey, Black, me and you, let's go out back and let's hide away from One Time.

[Big Daddy] You sure have done, young man.

- Hey, back up. Back up. Back up. - [Black] Hey.

I'm gonna kill everybody in this motherfucking house.

- Hey! Damn, nigga. - [Black grunting]

- Damn! Fuck, fuck!

- Shit. - Fuck!

[James] This nigga might have AIDS.

[Black] It must have been them dogs.

Definitely hit an artery.

- [James] Cuz, you good? - [Black grunts]

Shit.

[Big Daddy] I gotta get him to the hospital.

I'ma take him round back.

Come on, now, on three.

One, two...

[both grunt]

[Big Daddy] Come on.

[both panting]

Fuck.

[dog barking]

Thank you.

For what?

Just getting it all out.

You know, finally.

[door opens]

[sighs] Oh, my goodness.

Don't thank me yet.

[Gerty] I thank our Heavenly Father no one got hurt.

Yeah. He caused a scene.

[Gerty] Mm-hmm.

Hey, so, you and me...

I know you love me.

Are you ready to hear the rest of it?

Well, I could give you the police report,

but I ain't gonna lie, that'd be kind of rough.

All the raw details of their version.

I mean, they talked to everyone.

Us, people who saw her before the accident, and...

[sighs]

[person crying softly]

You got every right to be mad at us,

or me.

[Rochelle sniffles]

But...

something is wrong with you, baby.

And your daddy sees it too.

I've been off for a while.

It's my fault.

I know it. I just...

It is.

I didn't know Maurice was gonna...

It ain't that simple.

I pushed you. I pushed you. I...

[sobs]

You did.

Honey, you...

you walked through the house,

singing like a... like a burning light.

I mean, you wanted it too, right?

Sure. [sniffles]

Sure, Ma, but be honest.

- I am, baby-- - Why... No.

What was all of this about?

I'm split in half.

I'm crawling out of my own skin.

My ki... My kids don't know me, Mama.

[crying]

Why...

Why did I have to be a star?

I was split in half too,

before you were born, and...

that's not an excuse, but...

My family disowned me, and I'm still seeking their acceptance.

You just...

I should have listened when you came to me.

Yeah.

[sighs, chuckles]

Well, as bad as tonight is...

[chuckles]

...I would rather be here now.

Then... then just stay.

Please, baby, just...

take a break from the music business and just come be with your family.

Or, shit, quit.

'Cause I want you home.

- Yeah. [sniffling] - [sniffling]

We need you home.

Maurice.

He really is different now, huh?

Actually seemed like he might be a good dad.

He is.

Now, I'm not saying you gotta get back together.

- [scoffs] - [laughing]

I'm not saying that. Just...

Just let him be there for the boys.

That's all I ask.

[♪ piano tune playing]

- Is that... - It's Lamar.

You can't keep him away from those keys.

'Chelle, he's your twin.

[crying] Oh.

- [chuckles] Oh, God, help him. - Hmm.

[crying] Oh...

[sighs]

[♪ "Summer Breeze, Pts. 1 & 2" playing]

[vocalizing] ♪♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Summer breeze All in my mind ♪

- [Rochelle sighs] - [Maurice chuckles]

[vocalizing] ♪♪ Yeah... ♪

[Rochelle] Shit, I never thought I'd be back here with you.

I should have known you was too slick to be a good husband,

bringing me here on our first date.

[Maurice chuckling]

Yeah, I was on a bad trip, no doubt.

But I ain't like that anymore.

[Rochelle] Oh, yeah?

So, what's your deal now?

I can be a good dad, Rochelle.

I mean...

I know we ain't a thing,

but this family still needs you.

Your mom worked hard to bring us all together again.

'Cause she needed to.

For herself.

For herself. To prove that shit ain't fucked up.

To prove that shit ain't fucked up.

Yeah, I do feel bad for her, though.

The way her family did her 'cause of me.

I was gonna crack, Mo.

That's why I finally came home.

I just know I can't go back out there.

♪ All in my mind ♪

♪ Summer breeze Makes me feel fine ♪

♪ Blowin' through the jasmine In my mind ♪

- [Maurice] Goddamn. - [Rochelle] Okay. [chuckles]

♪ Summer breeze... ♪

[Rochelle sighs deeply]

- Come on now, Maurice... - You can tell me.

I told you. No names, just gossip.

- All right, all right. - Damn.

But I've heard of him. White boy?

The whole world's heard of him.

He's one of the biggest white boys out.

Anyway, so we're on his personal airplane,

and he's laying his rap down, talking about love.

Now, I cannot get him off of me.

He talking big game, how he gonna make me this, make me that.

[sighing] Oh.

It's gonna be a scene, though,

when I tell the label I'm done.

They was just about to release my album.

What?

What if I told you

you can make the label happy

without being around people like that white boy?

You know, when your mom said she was gonna try to get you home this year,

- I figured it was the perfect time... - Oh, my God.

- ...to show you... - Pease don't. Oh, my God.

- Actually, you know what, I-- - Baby, relax.

I'm not here to be a drag, okay, sweetheart?

But we're gonna have to take care of those kids.

Goddamn it, Maurice.

What the hell is wrong with you?

Now, now, just hear me out, okay?

I'm not talking about anything crazy.

You remember this song?

Why are you doing this?

We were scared to do it when you wrote it.

But the music's catching up to where you already was, baby.

You just said you were done!

- I'm only saying we record it. - God!

Just this one song. It's a one-time play.

- This song is huge, baby. - [sighs]

Look, we just put it out there, and if it's as big as I think...

[chuckles] Ooh.

Look, so I already set it up.

- You already talked to 'em? - And we good to go.

[chuckles] I knew it.

[scoffs] I fucking knew it!

You crawled back into my parents' life just to--

Wait, now, now, hold on, 'Chelle. It's not like that.

No? So, you mean you ain't a fucking leech who attached hisself to me?

A leech?

You better watch yourself now, girl.

No, no, no, you worse than a leech.

- Rochelle. - Youse a two-bit manager.

- Rochelle. - [chuckling]

No, you ain't never were shit, just like that white boy.

- You are a no-talent con man... - No talent?

...and boy, did me and my mama eat that shit right on up.

Who the fuck you think you talking to, huh?

- I fucking made your ass. - There he is.

You used me and ran off with a bigger manager 'cause he was a white boy!

- Oh, shut up, you dickless fucking snake! - That's what the fuck you did!

Ugh!

You turned me out so I turned you loose.

And now you crawling back for a handout,

you fucking delusional cocksucker!

Shut the fuck up.

With your big-ass mouth.

[both grunt]

You put your fucking hands on me? Motherfucker!

- [Maurice grunts] - [Rochelle gasping]

Huh? Yeah.

- [Rochelle strains] - Hey!

- Son of a bitch. Huh? [grunts] - [strains] Stop!

- Yeah. Say something now, huh? - [straining]

- Yeah. Say something now, huh? - [straining] You ain't got shit to say?

You ain't got shit to say?

[straining, panting]

- [switchblade opens] - [grunts]

- [Maurice exclaims] - [panting, gasping]

[Maurice chuckling]

You fucking stabbed me.

- You fucking... - Take me home.

Now.

[breathing heavily]

[Maurice groaning]

M-Maurice.

Maurice. Maurice, slow down.

[gasps]

Maurice.

Maurice, I'm-I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean it.

Maurice.

Oh, my God.

- [horn honking] - Stop!

I don't get it.

[stammers] How could they possibly know?

[James] Mom's song lyrics was in the car.

Her knife.

Dad stabbed.

And Mama G told him not to make a move with the song.

But he ain't listen.

[Lamar sighs]

So...

Mom...

almost killed him.

R-Really, they killed each other.

This is...

so fucked up.

How could they not tell me this?

'Cause you know how this family deal with shit, 'Mar.

What the fuck does that even mean, James?

Calm your little ass down before they hear you.

Fuck all that "little weird nigga" shit, okay? I'm over that shit!

Okay, that's exactly what kept me in this bottle, and I'm sick of it.

I'm done with that shit, bro.

[sighs] You know...

this story wasn't just about your mama, right?

That's my mama too, 'Mar.

So before you go out there, and you judge them people...

just know that they told you the story about how their daughter died, cuz.

[Lamar sighs]

[James sighs]

[Gerty] I'm so glad we got through all this.

I'm sorry for holding it back, Lamar.

I'm gonna keep making music, Mama G.

I'm not stopping.

[Gerty] When your mama had you,

I picked you up in my arms, I saw her light.

God was sending her back to me through you.

That's why I had to keep you from all that.

People like your daddy,

they hang out around that industry like vultures.

Why did you bring him back in?

He had changed, for years.

I mean, I did not... I ain't know Maurice--

You needed your picture. That's why, right?

Because you needed your parents to see

that you had this perfect, beautiful family and...

[sighs]

- She might still be here if you hadn't-- - [Gerty] Lamar.

Lamar.

- Lamar, sit down, please. - [Lamar] No, no.

I can't...

I can't be me here.

- Lamar, wait. Lamar, Lamar. - [James] Hey, cuz.

Yo, 'Mar. Yo, aye, just hold on for a second.

- [Gerty] Lamar. - 'Mar, listen. Talk to me.

- [Gerty] Lamar, Lamar, wait. - [James] Aye, Lamar.

- Lamar. - [James] Lamar, cuz. Talk to me, bro.

[sniffles]

Deep down,

you know you the reason for all this.

- God. - [scoffs]

Finally being real, huh?

I've always been real with you, Wanda, because I know exactly what you are.

I worried my whole life you were right about me.

Until today.

[scoffs]

You know,

I finally realized it's not me that's like him.

It's you.

You're like his daddy.

And even after all of this,

you're aiming at me instead of owning it.

Unbelievable.

Lamar!

[Gerty] Can we get ourselves together enough just to take a picture?

[chattering]

I just want one happy memory.

Here we go. There we go. All right.

Okay, ready? That's it.

Okay, all right. So let me get the camera ready.

Okay.

All right, everybody, you gonna look right here, okay?

Right, look right here.

♪ You feel Too good to be true ♪

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