Original subtitles

It's nobody else's job to chase your dreams for you.

Checkmate.

This is perfect. It looks great. Trust me.

Prince Rakeem strikes again.

Hey, I love Prince Rakeem and I sell in Ohio.

DENNIS: Nefertiti was a beautiful, powerful African queen, know what I mean?

You're the modern version.

Dennis, I told you, we need our own place.

DENNIS: And, I told you, we can't rent another spot

because we're gonna blow through our savings in, like, two months.

Take it.

Ma.

Please.

(RAPPING) A young buck Selling drugs and such

Who never had much

MAN: I'm down and committed with this Wu-Tang shit,

but the shit ain't puttin' no food on the table right now.

I'm just asking y'all niggas to take the first step.

After that, I've got y'all.

MAN: We produced a single that's gettin' mad airplay.

We feel like now it's time for us to sign with a label,

and, you know, take over this whole game.

(RAPPING) I smoke on the mic Like Smokin' Joe Frazier

The hell raiser Raisin' hell with the flavor

Protect Ya Neck got me wet.

This could be our one shot, know what I mean?

You might've gotten me with that if I didn't catch it.

But I did,

and now, your ass ain't going nowhere.

(CHUCKLES)

You know, that move was short money.

You gotta think long money, you dig, Prince Rakeem?

You think you've got it all figured out, huh?

I used to be just like you.

Yeah.

Once upon a time.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)

Just because you changed your name, RZA,

don't mean you on top of the game.

You're one to talk, motherfucker.

You fell for that shitty single deal.

At least I know I need a guaranteed album and a release date.

Oh, because you're so much smarter after you got dropped.

Yo, how did Ohio work out for you?

Yo, I'm here now, ain't I?

You're here talkin' shit, nigga.

What does that, that long money... long money shit mean anyway?

Freedom. Creatively and business-wise.

Checkmate.

You know what?

Yeah, I may have taken an L.

But that was just me.

You, on the other hand, are responsible for a lot more people, RZA.

I mean, you basically demanded that your family, your brothers,

put their fate in your hands.

You explain that long money, short money shit to them?

Hmm?

EXECUTIVE: I have to say, I fucking love the record.

I love that it doesn't have a hook,

that it represents what hip-hop was,

and that it doesn't follow any rules.

I love that.

I wanna still ride the momentum of the single.

We're happy that you believe in the single.

What are your thoughts about an album?

I can't tell you how excited I am to discuss the possibilities.

RZA, you are such a creative guy.

Puttin' out Protect Ya Neck independently,

doing all the art work yourselves?

(SNAPS FINGERS)

And that sword?

That was dope.

But I think I can do you one better in that department.

Oh, shit.

There's a message on there for you.

Ooh! That's a lot of zeros, kid.

It's a nice little flip, right?

Straight up and down, huh?

(CHUCKLING)

Yeah.

I don't know, yo.

I feel like that suit didn't really answer my questions.

Come on, Bobby, he's a businessman.

Of course he ain't gonna guarantee you an album.

- He doesn't have to. - Word.

Yeah, well, if he wants Wu-Tang, he'll have to.

I did this shit the label's way before,

now this time, they gotta agree to all our terms.

Ah! It's all good, little bro. This our first meeting.

You know, we just getting started. Know what I mean?

(PAGER BEEPING)

And Def Jam wants to meet us, know what I'm saying?

Yeah.

I've been paging Divine all day, he hasn't called me back.

Yep. They were just at Mr. Chow's with you know who.

Fuck. We need more money, Rich.

Steve, we're a brand-new label.

We can't break the bank before we start it.

We signed Mad Kap, paid 30 for Tha Alkaholiks,

now you wanna blow through the rest of our budget?

Once we spend that money, that's it.

We're betting it all on Wu-Tang.

Yeah, they're worth it.

I just need ten minutes with them, okay?

Face to face.

I'll keep asking around.

I think I know where they're recording.

Hey.

- Your favorite. - My favorite?

I think you like those more than me.

Hey, yo, I wasn't the one

that finished the whole box last time. You know what I mean?

What's all that?

A job application.

Job application?

Nia said she could hook me up with a job at Bay Video.

And every dollar counts.

Ayo, we gon' be signed soon, all right?

The money comin' any day now.

It's not just about money.

It's about purpose.

I mean, you and the guys have been going town to town and college to college

pushing the record.

I wanna do something like that for myself.

It's kinda like when you got me this necklace

and you were saying how Nefertiti is beautiful and, and powerful.

And real power is taking life into your own hands.

Yeah, I feel that.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(HIP-HOP INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)

Heyo.

So, Rae was thinking about replacing that Gigante verse

with the 16 from Lifestyles of the Mega-Rich.

How you feel?

I don't know.

Whatchu mean?

Whatchu mean you don't know?

How we gonna talk about Lifestyles of the Mega-Rich

when we all broker than a motherfucker. (CHUCKLES)

We should be still taking meetings with the labels.

If we had the money to break y'all off.

No, I wasn't it saying it like that, I'm just saying...

Yeah.

So, whatchu thinking?

I wrote this when I was locked up.

You know? I ain't never really spit nothing like this before though.

All right, let's hear it.

(RAPPING) It's been 22 long, hard years, I'm still strugglin'

Survival got me buggin' But I'm alive on arrival

Peep at the shape of the streets

Stay awake to the ways of the world 'Cause shit is deep

BOBBY: That shit's fuckin' deep, yo.

(CHUCKLES) All right, word up.

Word, son.

Right. That's deep, bro. Word.

All right, let's see how that shit sounds in the booth.

Word, word.

Hey, what's up, fellas?

Hey, what's up, son?

You're from Def Jam, right?

No.

Shit. Damn, when's that meeting happening, son?

Bobby, Steve Rifkind. You remember me?

Oh, shit, yo.

(CHUCKLES)

What's up, man? Yo, long time no see.

I've been good. You?

Word, word. Yeah, yeah. Been good. Been good.

Right. Is there somewhere we can talk for a minute?

I've always dug your sound.

My whole office knows I've been trying to track you guys down for months.

Yeah, that's cool and all that, know what I'm sayin'?

But no disrespect, what other acts have you put out on your label?

Yeah, look I've managed and marketed some of the top acts in the game

before starting my own label,

Loud Records.

Right now, we got the Alkaholiks from the West Coast,

Twista from the mid-west.

You guys can rep the East, you know.

We're young, we're hungry,

we're gonna give you all the fucking attention you need.

I want Loud to be the house that Wu-Tang built.

He means it. Really.

We want freedom.

Creative freedom, business freedom.

Yeah, we're not A and R's, okay?

So, you do what you do creatively. Our job is, we just go out and sell it.

Okay, respectfully, we have some big meetings with some bigwigs

who have made names for themselves, who have made history with their artist,

and who also have bigger budgets to take bigger risks.

So, why should we go with a new label, hmm?

We need to get more money.

We've made it work this far,

but you and me made a deal to get on top of the rap game.

To get on top, I need a bigger budget.

Boys, I thought we were going over marketing here.

Wu-Tang already has a six-figure bid on the table,

and they're meeting with other top labels soon.

That means higher offers.

STEVE: Right. Come on, Skip.

Steve.

I like your dad.

We both made our bones in this industry.

I think you've forgotten, you don't have a track record.

Remember, I've taking a chance on Loud,

but, but risk has its limits.

I can't keep sticking my neck out for Loud Records.

I get it, Skip, okay?

But we both know that RCA's in the shitter right now,

and I'm telling you that Wu-Tang can pull the label out from it.

I don't expect you to understand hip-hop, okay?

So, let me explain it to you like this.

This company was built on American grassroots music,

guys playing the banjo and blowing into jugs.

Well, hip-hop's the modern version of that,

and Wu-Tang can do for this label what Elvis did in 1956,

and don't you wanna be on the right side of history?

The answer is no.

What the fuck is this shit, man?

Yo, Ma.

Oh, no. Come on.

Yo!

(DOOR RATTLING)

What's goin' on?

I fell behind on the rent.

Why wouldn't you tell me that?

'Cause I didn't want you to go back into those streets.

I'm really sorry.

Just wish I had gotten my Bible.

Your grandmother gave it to me.

The neighbors offered for us to stay with them

until we can figure out where to go.

Come inside.

Where are you going?

To get our spot back.

(DOOR OPENS)

POWER: Yo, yo. What up, Sha?

Tired of this shit, man.

Yo, you good?

SHA: One second, you're on the straight and narrow,

you doin' what you're supposed to do.

Next second, you gettin' kicked out your fuckin' crib for being poor,

Black, and in the fucking hood, man.

What the fuck is we supposed to do, man?

It's like no matter what you do, no matter where you go,

shit's always goin' to be fuckin' stacked against you, man.

We gotta get our families out this shit, son.

We gotta migrate.

POWER: Yep.

Shit is fuckin' crazy, man.

Yo, son. It's always about the money, yo.

You know what I mean?

But don't get stagnated in that shit.

You know what I'm saying?

You gotta do what you do, take the same energy you got goin' on right now.

Take that shit, and put that shit in the booth, nigga.

You know what I'm saying?

Yo, you heard Deck's verse?

Put that shit on, son.

(TAPE REWINDING)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

POWER: Yo, listen to this shit, nigga.

(RAPPING) It's been 22 long, hard years, I'm still struggling

Survival got me buggin' But I'm alive on arrival

I peep at the shape of the streets

And stay awake to the ways of the world 'Cause shit is deep

A man with a dream With plans to make cream

Which failed, I went to jail At the age of 15

A young buck selling drugs and such Who never have much

Tryna get a clutch Of what I could not touch

DIVINE: Hey, you made the lemonade?

Doin' it right now.

Hey.

Hey, I got that, give me.

I'm just 'bout done.

Oh, no, no. I got it. I got it, you know.

Mama taught me how to make some lemonade.

Well, thanks for saving me the extra swirls.

I know it hasn't been ideal

living here with me and Nia,

but it's been nice havin' you.

You know, you and the baby.

D? Not so much.

(LAUGHING)

Yeah, it's been nice.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Congratulations, Divine. You passed your piss test.

Come on in, Officer.

Tell me what's going on with the job search.

Your file shows that your construction job ended a while ago.

Well, actually, sir, I've...

Thank you.

I've been punching my clock with a new venture.

Okay. Where's your pay stub?

With all due respect, sir, what do you mean?

I've been working harder than I ever had in my entire life.

My sister, yeah, she will tell you.

(BABY COOING)

Come on, Divine, every ex-con tells me they're in the rap game.

That's not a job.

You need a W-four to prove you have a real job,

or I'll be forced to violate you,

and then, they'll send you back.

Mmm!

Who made the lemonade? It's great.

- I did. - I did.

You're lucky he didn't fire us.

How the fuck are we supposed to do this when our whole budget's peanuts?

Maybe I can start going to temple again.

Hey, guys.

Nice work back there.

Thanks, Mojoe.

Sorry, it was a no-go.

You're going to the BMG retreat?

For what?

Whole company's going.

All of BMG's subsidiaries,

even BMG's CEO, Christoph Rainer, will be there.

Maybe, he'll appreciate your passion for Wu-Tang.

All right, it is what it is, you know what I mean?

- Come on, man. - I came at it raw.

- Yo, yo. - Ayo, I sharpened my sword, man.

Aw, word?

Wrote a new rhyme for Lifestyle.

Me and Rae's verse together?

Word, let's hear it.

Play that.

Play that down, dog.

Hey, what's up, man?

Come on, son. I can't even hear anything, man.

Turn up the fucking music, god.

I grew up on the crime side, The New York Times side

Stayin' alive was no jive

Had secondhands Moms bounced on old man

So then we moved to Shaolin land

A young youth, yo, Rockin' the gold tooth, 'Lo goose

Only way I be gettin' the G off Was drug loot

And let's start it like this, son Rollin' with this one and that one

Pullin' out gats for fun

But it was just a dream for the teen Who was a fiend

Started smokin' woolies at 16

And runnin' up in gates And doin' hits for high stakes

Makin' my way on fire escapes

No question, I would speed For cracks and weed...

Yo, I told you no distractions, yo. Wassup?

And I told you to stop coming at me like that. Damn.

You know Dennis ain't in there?

That's why I came.

Money's been kinda tight,

and I'm just nervous that he's gonna fall back into his old ways.

I mean, I don't know, but that's the vibe I'm getting.

Hey, 'Rie, I'm sorry that no one is makin' any money right now.

I get it, Bobby.

Hey.

We're gonna get a deal soon.

EXECUTIVE: I can honestly say that there's

just no other group like Wu-Tang out there.

You guys are at the vanguard of your own movement,

and we at Elektra, we want, no, we need

to be a part of that movement.

Wu-Tang's album has to be on Elektra.

Will you guarantee an album release?

Absolutely. I'll put that in writing if that puts you at ease.

All right. Yeah.

We knew you'd be on board.

And listen, we don't mess with the music,

we don't do that to our artists.

That's what you do.

What we do is marketing, and image is key.

So, with you guys, we'll have to discuss the presentation.

We want you to be street, but not too street.

And maybe, give you a more unifying look.

Unifying look?

Yeah, maybe some dancers.

I mean, with us, what you see is what you get.

You know.

Yeah, fuck that.

We just keep it real.

EXECUTIVE: What do you mean by "keep it real?"

Is this table not real?

This office not real?

Come on, look, guys,

like I said, we're not trying to change your music.

And we don't wanna change who you are.

We wanna preserve your authenticity.

And matter of fact, we want you to be the biggest rap group in the game.

Is that not what you all want?

To show you how serious we are,

we're prepared to offer you $200,000 to sign with us.

How soon can we get that to the rest of our crew?

If you sign today, you have a check before you leave.

That's a solid offer.

But we need to discuss this whole image things amongst ourselves.

I understand.

Your shoes, they're nice.

Jordan's.

The hood loves Jordan's.

You know who else does?

Middle America.

If you think I'm asking you to sell out,

ask yourself, "Is Michael Jordan a sell-out?"

The answer is, "Hell, no."

He makes more money selling shoes than he does playing basketball,

because he presents a certain image.

He's cool, he's authentic, but he's not threatening.

Nigga, yo, what the fuck?

- Yo, we thought $100,000 was a lot. - I know.

They just came up with $200,000. son.

Yeah, but okay, look, listen. son.

He wants to change Bobby and the team's image.

- We can't do that. - No, no.

What did he say?

DIVINE: He doesn't want him to sell out, he wants the albums to sell out.

- That's not what he said. - Go on, son.

You heard him, right, RZA?

Yo, Riz?

BOBBY: $200,000?

Yo, just imagine what you and your boys could do with that shit.

Yeah, until they start telling you how to dress.

Damn, yo.

This would've been way easier to put on with $200,000 in the bank.

Shit.

Yeah.

Well, sometimes, you gotta sacrifice some pieces to get that mate.

That's how you wanna play, motherfucker?

You look like one of the pieces on the board.

(SCOFFS)

(EXHALES)

You gotta take care of that back rank.

Checkmate, Prince Rakeem.

Fuck, man!

You know, sacrificing without thinkin' too far ahead,

you're gonna risk everythin'.

It all depends on what you sacrifice and when,

Dovetail-mate.

Yeah, I don't know.

I mean, maybe you're just too smart for your own good.

It's 200K for the whole team?

Shit.

Yo, think about what Dennis and Shurrie could do with that.

I have. I've thought of it all.

Yeah, you sure?

We don't want you to just sell gold, we want you to sell millions.

So, in terms of marketing Wu-Tang's image...

Look, we look Wu-Tang just the way you are.

Gritty, grimy, real.

Def Jam stands for black and white and shades of gray.

We don't want any of that shiny shit here if it isn't platinum.

POWER: All right. Yeah. Like how that sounds.

So, how would you roll out the album?

I'm glad you asked, Power.

So, I've talked to my team,

and we plan on releasing a Wu-Tang album in the fourth quarter.

That's the biggest quarter.

Shows you how much we believe in you guys.

And we've already mapped out plans for ODB and Meth, two of my personal favs.

We see them as solo artists and plan on puttin' albums out on them as well.

So, when would Def Jam want to put out Meth's album?

The target would be probably next summer.

We don't want Meth steppin' on Wu-Tang and vice-versa.

That's if Meth is on Def Jam.

If Wu-Tang is on Def Jam, then Meth is on Def Jam.

If we're utilizing our time and resources to make each one of the guys a star,

then Def Jam should also benefit by puttin' out their projects as well.

As businessmen, it's to my understanding that

all of the guys are signed to Wu-Tang Productions.

If all the guys are signed to you, why wouldn't it be the same for us?

It's just a standard business practice. Right, fellas?

Yes, it is. Obviously, we are very, very interested in your offer.

BOBBY: Hold up.

We didn't come here for no standard business practices, all right?

Bottom line, if you sign Wu-Tang, you get them as a group.

You don't get them as solo artists. Period.

Yo, what the fuck happened in there, yo?

You sprang that shit without talkin' to us first?

- Hey, hey, look. - Come on, Bobby.

I'm not just workin' on shit for Wu-Tang, all right?

I'm workin' on shit for all the guys.

It's... take over the world type shit.

Yeah...

The solo rights belong to Wu-Tang Productions.

We cannot give them to Def Jam.

Wu-Tang Productions has gotta call all the shots

and protect the solo artists.

You know, you're thinkin' about solo artists, that's great,

but how about thinkin' about the group?

You know what I mean?

Okay. And just try to let us into that head of yours,

so we're not in there lookin' like dumbasses.

Come on, Bobby, talk to us. What's goin' on?

If they wanna send us out, outta the same spell,

we can only go one at a time. Right?

Say, Meth's album ain't no hit,

they're not gonna wanna give us money for any other solo deals.

Next thing we know, Dirty ain't got no release date.

We cannot afford to put all our shit in one spot.

I hear what you're sayin', but ain't you jumpin' the gun?

We gotta deal with one thing at a time.

Yo, Sha and his mom just got evicted.

The whole crew is broke.

You ain't gonna fuckin' talk to me about that shit, all right?

Look, if we wanna win this game,

we gotta play on multiple boards.

Doubling down and knowin' when to strike.

That's your brother.

Thanks for coming by. Have a seat.

I'm not stayin' long, yo. I gotta get back to the studio.

Okay, yeah, no, sure. I'll get right to it then.

So, look, the, the parent company to Loud, BMG,

is having their corporate retreat in Connecticut this week.

I want Wu-Tang to perform.

Why?

RZA, what are you lookin' for, man?

In terms of a deal.

You said you wanted freedom, I said you have complete creative freedom allowed.

Not just creative, no, business too.

Meaning?

Look, signin' Wu-Tang is one thing,

but I want my brothers to have the freedom

to go out and get their own solo deals.

You know, make their own money.

Now, I know that's not industry standard...

Yeah, but Wu-Tang's not industry standard either, right?

So, I'm not gonna give you that same boilerplate shit.

I'll give you what you want, freedom for your guys, all that.

Word.

What I can't give you is the kinda money you'll get from those other guys.

I mean, I want to. I just don't have it yet. Not right now.

Yo, yo, my guys are...

Yo, we hurtin' right now, Steve.

Like, straight up.

I can't afford to hold out any longer.

That's why I want you to perform for my bosses.

I just want them to see how special you guys are,

then, I can get you everything.

SHA: To keep going through this, son. He say put it in the music.

POWER: Can't go back to those old ways.

Nah, son, no, that is not about goin' back, it's about stayin' afloat.

Niggas still in the studio. Don't mean I'm not gonna take a nigga chain.

Biyatch. You know what's gon' stop me...

- Hey, yo. - Yo, what's up?

- You seen Ghost? - He was here a minute ago

but then, he said he had some business he had to take care of.

(DOOR OPENS)

SHA: What about these bills?

Yo, what the fuck?

POWER: Where you goin', man?

Don't come into the studio. I told you to page me,

if you needed me, nigga. If.

Give me the bag.

SHA: What about these bills?

SHA: What's goin' on?

He's not worried about you.

Everybody, check this out, all right?

(MUSIC PLAYING)

This shit needs a hook or somethin'. You know what I'm sayin'?

Well, Protect Ya Neck ain't have no hook.

But this shit's different. I'm feelin' like,

this shit actually needs that shit.

DENNIS: Yo, yo.

- Yo, right on time, yo. - What's up?

-'Sup? Whaddup? - Peace.

What's good?

Whaddup, man?

I need a chorus, yo. Do we have it on in one liners?

I need some melodic shit for this. You know what I'm sayin'?

Got that. This shit right here?

Yeah.

(TAPE REWINDING)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

Cash rules

(RAPPING) Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bill, y'all

Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bill, y'all

Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bill, y'all

Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bill, y'all

Yeah

(ALL CHEERING)

Hey, all right.

Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bill, y'all

That's why my man made a ruckus right there. You know what I mean?

Yo! Yo, where the fuck you been at, nigga?

Nowhere.

Yo, shit is goin' good, all right?

Yo, we just gotta hold on. You know what I'm sayin'?

Hell. Unless you pay my bills and shit, that's a lot easier said than done.

Hey, whaddup with the deals?

That shit came through yet or what?

Oh, man, we got another label meetin'.

Just one more.

It's kinda like a showcase.

And all of us gotta be there.

Wait, wait, wait. Says who?

You agreed to it already?

We gettin' paid? We better be gettin' paid.

We ain't gettin' paid, it ain't makin' sense, god.

What's goin' on?

Hey, yo, look, all of y'all know

that each label has their own process, all right?

Son, I'm not 'bout to keep goin' through this, son.

I'm just askin' y'all for one night.

'Sup, fellas?

This gonna be great.

Yo, the whole company's here. They're excited to see you guys.

Yo, this shit better be worth it.

(AMBIENT MUSIC PLAYING)

Christoph?

Hey, this is the Wu-Tang Clan, the group I was tellin' you about.

They're gonna be huge stars.

Guys, this is Christoph Rainer, he's the head of RCA.

I am very interested in hearing you perform.

I'm a big fan of R&B.

This ain't no...

We'll let you get back to business, 'cause the guys need to get ready.

Good to see you.

Hey. Hey.

You sure these guys know what we got goin' on here?

'Cause, we ain't know no R&B shit, yo.

Yeah, exactly. It's gonna be great.

Come on. It's gonna be great.

We're gonna need one more cheers, put your pinky out till you drink.

Yo, yo.

We're...

the Wu-Tang Clan.

- And... - Hey, yo!

Comin' straight from the Shaolin land and the Brooklyn Zoo,

introducin' the Wu-Tang Clan!

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

What is this?

Who are these people?

Let's go, kid.

Hey, yo, what's up?

German niggas don't like hip-hop?

These guys have no idea what's about to go down.

(SINGING) Somewhere

Over the rainbow

Where

Bluebirds fly

Somewhere

Over the rainbow

Why oh why

(ALL LAUGHING)

Yo, I always wanted to do that. What?

All right.

Yo, everybody put your hands together.

Meth, yo, kick that shit, yo.

Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bill, y'all

Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bill, y'all

Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bill, y'all

Hey, yo, I've been meanin' to ask, man.

How's everythin' been? You know, money wise.

Oh, shit, you know, the messenger job pays good.

I ain't trippin'.

It's just that you haven't been askin' about,

you know, label meetings or...

No, I just wanted to...

Bobby, we've been here before.

We know what it's like to starve.

We know what it's like to eat steak. Know what I mean?

Hey, it's gonna be different this time. It's gotta be.

- Yo. - Yo, yo.

Yo, how was that shit?

They loved you guys.

- Word! Yo! - They loved you guys.

Obviously. Yeah, next level.

Never seen anything like it before.

I'm gonna iron out the details with Christoph, but everything's great.

I gotta talk shop with Divine and Power.

But there's one thing I need you guys to do.

If you could have fun tonight with the boys. Okay?

(HIP-HOP SONG PLAYING)

(CHATTERING AND LAUGHING)

Word, what is... Yo, lemme see.

Hey, yo, where you goin', son?

I ate somethin' foul, son.

Man, how you gonna be sick on a night like this?

On a night like this, dawg.

Fire!

Hey, get up. Get up. Get up.

Come on. Come on, come on.

I'mma kill you, motherfucker! Fuckin' kill y'all, son.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Hey, yo, god, we need more Method.

Know what I'm saying?

Yo, I've got you.

Ladies, step aside.

Fuck is wrong with you?

Fuckin' my sleep.

You stupid?

Fuck, damn, son.

Yo, them motherfuckers play too much.

But, yo, what the fuck, nigga?

I've been meanin' to ask you, yo.

I thought you were steppin' away from that street shit.

Just dabblin', yo.

Yo, it ain't shit, a'ight?

I still gotta get that cream.

Yeah.

Yeah, I feel that.

Yo, the music is priority.

I get what you're sayin',

but my priority's to make sure there's food on the table.

Yo, that music shit ain't doin' nothin' for me right now.

Remember we had that plan, yo.

Yeah. A five-year plan.

But you agreed to it, yo.

I ain't agree to starve though.

Yo, I gotta eat, son.

Fuck that. We all do.

You need to choose.

(BOYS WHOOPING)

(SIREN WAILING)

OFFICER: Police! Get your hands up!

Get your fucking hands up!

Turn around, slowly.

CHRISTOPH: Steve, what are these charges? Can you explain this to me?

STEVEN: What do you want me to say?

CHRISTOPH: I have never seen anything like this before.

My artists don't do these things!

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

You're lucky the hotel isn't pressing charges for vandalism.

Okay, I told you they're not just rappers.

They're like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones.

Yeah, they're fucking rockstars.

You don't get it, right?

That's how they're supposed to behave.

I signed you to a deal and you can do what you want.

But your budget is your budget,

and I'm not giving you another dime.

Especially, after what I just spent on their mess upstairs.

Hey, listen, I didn't mean for you to hear that guy. You know, he's just...

It's all good.

He's just an emotional German...

I don't wanna interrupt, but U-God just got arrested last night.

You just missed him.

What's that?

Buy yourself somethin' nice.

(SIGHS)

Where'd you get that?

Hey, yo.

I got you and Infinite, all right?

Dennis.

You'll never gotta worry.

Come here.

(SIGHS)

Come on, yo, 60 Gs?

Yo, son, I can make 60 Gs in my sleep, nigga.

That don't even cover what I spent so far.

We gave 'em what they wanted. We did our part.

We gave them the little horse and pony show,

now, they wanna low-ball us? That's fuckin' bullshit.

- Yo, cash works everythin' around me. - No, I do.

- But that shit don't rule me, yo. - Okay.

I hear all of that. I heard all of that shit, nigga.

I'm just sayin', the difference between what Loud is offerin'

and the 200 that Elektra's givin'? Come on.

Yeah, well, you know, there's no more offer from Elektra anymore.

What you mean? What happened?

I don't know how they found out about the hotel room gettin' trashed,

but they also know about U-God gettin' arrested too,

so, they pulled they offer.

They already had an issue with our image so, you know,

- they're out. - Come on. Come on.

Why they trippin' on for that?

Elektra is owned by Warner Brothers.

Warner Brothers is a publicly traded company.

All right, so, look, boom.

We still got Def Jam on the table. Right?

Yeah, but, you know, they can also pull they the offer too.

We have to make a decision.

(RAPPING) Cash rules everything around me

C.R.E.A.M get the money Dollar dollar bills, y'all

Hey, think carefully, RZA.

You don't wanna play yourself.

Or maybe...

you already have.

Damn.

200K down the gutter?

That ain't no short money, player.

Not at all.

You're only sayin' that 'cause you ain't got no strategy.

No vision.

You're too scared to play the game.

Checkmate.

All right. Well, you may have beat me,

but did you really win?

Fuckin' sell out, yo.

Oh, shit.

Yo.

I don't really know how to play.

No?

Can you teach me?

All right.

All right. So, when you start a game,

you never wanna show fear.

Ever.

The way you start determines how you finish.

You wanna step into your bravery,

even if that means being scared.

We gotta think about the future.

We want Wu-Tang to be forever.

You get it?

I think so.

What do I do next?

You know what I mean?

Yo, I was cozy in my shit. I was in my slippers and all that.

You was there. You know what I mean?

Definitely, son.

Yo, RZA, what's up, man?

Hey.

We just signed to Loud.

DIVINE: What, you just fuckin' what?

Where y'all goin'?