Feel The Noise (2007) Movie Script
Harlem life is... Harlem life...
Harlem life is hard body.
Uptown, baby. Holler.
Harlem life is hard.
Harlem life is hard body.
Less than 16 but eight.
But eight to sum it up,
and make this whole city late.
Less than 16 but eight.
To sum it up,
and make this whole city late.
Shit.
But eight...
All right. Freeze.
Do not move.
Sorry, Ma.
I just needed the money.
So is this how you got
your MP3?
Hello?
Money for what?
Cross the street.
For what?
- For a contest.
- What contest?
The winner gets a record deal.
It's tonight. Look, I had no choice.
Rob, you always have a choice.
Always.
It's not like you would
have given me cash.
Try me.
You ain't never wonder why a car
like that was just sitting there?
Parked like that?
Whose is it?
Electric.
- Who's that?
- He's syndicate.
- Syndicate?
- The Mafia, son.
- Are you serious, man?
- Yeah, I'm serious, son.
Damn.
What up, what up, what up, yo?
Let's hear it for Young Rome.
And now, my dog
from the pound, y'all.
DJ Trippe and Rob Royce.
Hey, yo, what's good, fam?
Coming straight out of Harlem.
We gonna have a
good time tonight.
It's gonna be all good.
Put your hands up.
That's that punk
that ripped off my rims?
Let's shut this club down.
- This way.
- I gotta get my mom.
- I'll get your mother. Just go, man.
- Shit!
Okay. No.
I'll call you back. Bye.
Who was that?
Ma.
It was your father.
My father?
I thought you said
you didn't know where he was.
Well, I do.
He's in Puerto Rico,
and he wants you
to come stay with him
for a little while.
I don't even know that dude.
I don't know what he looks like.
- He's still your father.
- To me, he's not.
Someone shot at you last
night in front of my own eyes.
Ma, what you want me to do,
keep running?
You are going, and that is that.
I love you, son.
Robert?
Yeah.
- Let me take this for you.
- No, no, it's cool, I got it.
The car is over here.
You speak Spanish?
No.
It's okay.
Most people here speak English.
You're gonna meet Marivi,
my wife, and Javi.
This is Marivi.
It's very nice to meet you.
Hi.
We made a bed for you.
It's not much...
...but it's yours
as long as you need it.
It's much more comfortable
than it looks.
Well, then. I...
I guess I better be getting
back to work.
I'll see you in the morning.
Well, I'm sure you're tired, so...
The bathroom is down the hall.
Okay. Have a good night, okay?
Thanks.
Good morning.
How did you sleep?
Fine, thanks.
Now, I hope you're hungry.
Breakfast is almost ready.
Javi.
Javi, come on.
I have to go.
- Robert, this is Javi.
- What's up?
This is Robert.
He was so excited to meet you.
But anyway, I have to go to work,
so you make yourself at home.
Show him around.
You know, show him the city.
And, okay, here is some money
your dad left...
...just in case
you need anything.
All right.
I'll see you later.
Okay? Bye-bye.
- You smoke?
- Smoke what?
New York, really?
One day I would love
to live in New York.
My father told me a lot of stories
about New York.
Your father?
Where is he?
He died.
He died like a few years ago.
- I'm sorry, man.
- That's okay, man.
I hear you have some problems
back home.
You see that bald guy on the left?
Up there.
You ever need anything,
he's the guy to talk to.
He'll take care of you
as long as he likes you.
Oh, okay.
How you say?
It's the unofficial mayor
of the neighborhood.
Oh, you wanna go to Old San Juan,
get some piraguas?
- I got money, brother. I got money.
- Oh, so that's how you do it?
You ask for money,
you get money, right?
Muchacho, no, man. It's because
you here I got this, brother.
You wanna play a game?
You want this $20?
If you can catch it, the money's yours.
You ready?
- You ready?
- Right here.
- You ready?
- Yep.
Watch out.
Yeah!
So look, man.
Back home, I stole some rims
from this dude, man.
That's the reason why I'm here.
Have you ever really needed
to do something real bad, man?
And you just couldn't?
Yeah, pero not that bad.
I guess you had it
a little bit better than I did.
Shit happens, man.
Don't worry about it.
Please come and see us, okay?
- Check this out.
- I'll see you there.
Do you guys wanna
come to a show tonight?
Ten o'clock.
My friend's performing.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Damn. That's how y'all
doing it in 'Rico?
That's how we do it.
Voltio. You ever heard of Voltio?
He's an amazing
reggaeton artist.
His music is like a mix of, like,
reggae, rap, parranda, merengue.
Oh, that's dope, man.
Seems like
a crazy combination, man.
It's like music from the ghetto.
You know, it's about our struggle,
our dreams. You ever had a dream?
Come on, tell me.
All right, well,
you know what I'm saying?
Maybe, you know, getting in front
of an audience, performing, you know.
Rapping, doing my thing,
you know.
Same here, brother.
It's the same, man.
Everybody has a dream, man.
And dreaming is free.
Okay, senora.
Gracias, Linda.
You like the food, Rob?
It's a typical Puerto Rican dish.
Ma. You think he's going
to say your food sucks?
There's a reggaeton show
tonight.
- Oh, really? Again?
- No, pero, Dad, it's Pedro's son.
Julio Voltio.
Oh, yeah, yeah, Julio.
You're gonna see tonight.
You're gonna see.
You know,
Roberto's a musician also.
- He played with some of the best...
- Oh, Marivi, please.
So you used to play music, huh?
I don't play anymore.
What's up, mama?
Hey, give me a Heineken.
Thanks.
Hey, what's up, bro?
What's going on?
- Chilling.
- Your music is hot!
You know it.
Reggaeton is where it's at!
Look, this is my stepbrother, Rob.
What's going on, bro?
- It's good.
- All right?
Man, are you still playing?
Always, brother, always.
That's it, brother.
Man, say hi
to your father, Roberto.
Sure, thank you.
- Yeah, you got it!
- Take care.
Hey, what's up, girl?
Wanna dance the Perrero?
- It was so good.
- Thank you so much. You liked it?
- I did.
- It was good, right?
Thank you.
Hey, I saw you on the stage.
- It was hot.
- Oh, thank you. Thank you.
- How do you know Voltio?
- His father and my father...
...went to the same school.
- Oh, yeah?
They had a band
called The Artichokes.
So you guys are musicians too?
My brother is a rapper
from New York.
I'm trying to be,
you know what I'm saying? But I...
- Yo, C.C.
- Hey.
We gotta talk.
Leave me alone.
I'm not your girlfriend anymore.
- Would you just talk to me?
- I can't.
Do you wanna come smoke
with me?
- So you smoke now?
- Yes, I do.
Hey, my bad about inside,
you know what I'm saying?
It's okay.
- Look, I don't really smoke.
- I don't either.
- Rob, right?
- Yeah. C.C.?
- Yeah.
- All right.
C.C.
We are headed to San Juan.
Alexis and Fido are playing.
Do you guys wanna go?
- Let's go.
- All right.
Oh, yeah, C.C., nice boyfriend.
Okay.
The Vega brothers
are getting some tonight.
Come on, let's go dance.
Let's groove.
There you go, Mimi.
Come on, dance with me.
So can I see you again?
- Why?
- What do you mean why?
- Why do you wanna see me again?
- Because we have things in common.
No, but I think you're cool.
Okay. I'll give you a call.
Yo, Javi.
Yo, what's the number?
He's crazy.
All right, do you got it?
- Yes, I got it.
- Okay.
I need to go.
All right, peace.
That was funny.
Call me.
Bye.
Bye.
Do you have everything?
Yo. Yo.
Hurry.
Come on, right here.
- Hello.
- Hello, Rob.
Yeah, what's good?
- Am I calling you too early?
- No, just in time.
Can I come over?
I need some help with something.
Yeah, sure, no problem.
- Are you okay?
- I'll call you back. Bye.
Come on.
Yo.
What's good, man?
What you doing?
Making music. Come sit down,
I wanna show you something.
That's your basic
reggaeton beat.
Okay.
Yo, man,
how'd you get all this stuff?
I broadcast music online.
Oh, that's what's up.
This is something
I've been working on.
Okay. Okay.
Slow it down a little bit.
Slow it down.
No, no, no.
The idea is to go the other way.
Otherwise you have hip-hop.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
- Okay. Okay.
- Keep going. Keep going.
Okay.
Okay.
- Sing. Come on.
- Okay. Okay.
Your boy Rob.
Coming straight out of Harlem.
Uptown, baby.
Uptown...
Okay. Check it out, check it out.
Yo, I'm trying to be
the Superman of the ghetto.
Get this paper, take this music
to a whole other level.
Trouble found me,
then I found myself in Puerto Rico.
That's why I got high,
I had to roll.
- Something like that?
- Yeah.
- Something like that?
- That's off the hook.
Oh, yeah.
We moved from New York
to Puerto Rico when I was 8.
Anyway, I came here
to talk about personal business.
- Oh, personal business?
- Yeah.
Well, what personal business
is that?
I actually plan on making it
to New York this summer...
...to study dance.
I have this application
that I need to correct.
Can you do it for me?
- It's in English.
- But your English is perfect.
Spoken, not written.
It's not a lot.
It's just a couple of pages and
you can just correct it as you go.
Okay.
So, what do I get out of this?
Why do you have to get
something out of it?
Well, I mean, usually I charge a fee,
but, you know...
I can give you
my lucky-charm bracelet.
- Hey. What's up?
- Play this.
- Hey, what's up, man?
- What is it?
- I'm not gonna mess up your date.
- Okay.
Were you recording?
This is you?
This is crazy.
This is real hot.
You guys need to record this.
My neighbor has his own studio.
I can call him if you want.
- That would be dope.
- Okay.
- All right.
- Bye.
What have you been up to?
- I'm sorry, what did you say?
- What have you been up to?
Well, nothing.
Did you happen to see anyone
hanging around the house today?
No. Why?
Someone stole
Marivi's engagement ring.
No, I haven't seen anybody
around here today.
It meant a lot to her.
It meant a lot to me too.
- Hey, Rosie.
- Thank you, C.C.
Excuse me.
Can I ask you a question?
I was wondering... I saw you
at the club, and you dance great.
- Man, you've got some great moves.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- What's your name?
- C.C.
- I'm Jeffrey. Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
I was wondering if you'd ever consider
taking on, like, private clients.
I would have to check.
I don't think they allow it.
I'd be willing to pay handsomely
and make it worth your while.
- I'll look into it.
- Okay. Will you take a card?
- Sure.
- Maybe call me?
- Okay.
- Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
I'm not feeling it.
I don't like it.
No. Look, try it like this:
- Know what I'm saying?
- That's too much hip-hop.
What? That's how all the best
hip-hop records were made.
That's the point.
It's not supposed to sound like that.
Look, man, just try it.
Just check it out.
You check it out.
Yo, why you being
all stubborn for, man?
Just try it.
Yo, look, man, I'm not trying
to battle with you, okay?
But if we gonna make music,
we gotta make music as a team.
How we do music if you wanna do
one thing, I wanna do another?
- You tell me.
- What are you talking about?
- I'm doing hip-hop.
- We're in Puerto Rico, not New York.
We don't do hip-hop,
we do reggaeton.
I like 50 Cent
and Snoop Doggy Dogg.
Okay, yeah, and I like Daddy Yankee
and what is his name? Pitbull.
- That's not the point.
- That's not the point.
I swear...
Yo, you hear that?
Yo, you hear that?
What...? Yo, what's that?
A frog, the coqui.
I like that sound, man.
Might wanna use that,
you know what I'm saying?
Like in a song or something.
Yeah, yeah.
- No, no, no.
- What?
Okay, okay, okay.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Hello. Yo.
- Are you there?
- Rob?
- Yeah.
- What's good?
- Nothing, I just wanted to call you...
...and say thank you for correcting
my paper. Thank you.
- It's no problem.
- I spoke to my friend...
...about using the studio.
- I think I can get that for you guys.
- Oh, thanks. Appreciate that.
I'll get in contact with him
and let you guys know, okay?
All right.
Peace.
Talking to her, right?
That's her? You talking to her?
I'm talking to none of your
damn business, that's who.
- Not my business?
- Yeah.
Everything around here
is my business, negro pendejo.
Say what? Say what?
I know where you live.
I know where you live. I know where
your parents work, you'll see.
You'll see,
I'm going to kill them all.
Whatever, man.
Stupid...
You understand
what they're saying?
No. Don't know.
It's that today is la conmemoracion
del Estado Libre Asociado.
It's Constitution Day.
Oh, okay.
But I thought Puerto Rico
was, like, a colonized country.
Something like that.
It is. We're the oldest colony
in the world.
Well, that's easy to say.
We have no natural resources.
Tourism is it.
What about reggaeton
and sugar?
The truth is, we know we can't be
a dependent country forever.
The economy is broke anyway,
so something has to happen.
To that day, salud.
- You hear anything about the ring?
- No. Not yet.
I'm sure it's somewhere.
Ma, you're always losing something
and then you find it.
He's speaking the truth.
I hear you're working on a song.
- We are.
- What is it?
Well, you know,
it's a little bit of everything.
You wanna hear it?
No, no.
Not while we're eating dinner.
Maybe later.
How you doing?
Just working on my music.
I know we haven't had a chance
to talk about things.
About us.
Well, you don't have to.
I just...
I just want you to know...
...that I always
thought about you.
I know it's not fair for me
to try to be a father...
...after all these years, but...
So don't.
It's not what you think.
Look, who cares now?
- You have to know, son.
- No, I don't.
L...
No, I don't.
I never thought I'd see the day
I'd be getting money.
Making music so haters
can't take nothing from me.
When chicks wouldn't holler
I'd just play back.
All I had was a flow and a ball cap.
Wall to wall, boom, boom
across the room.
Thinking they'd be
dancing to me soon.
I'm in the game but I'm still
in the streets.
Prepped for Harlem
and Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico.
That was hot. You guys make
a crazy team together.
Oh, thanks.
We appreciate, you know what I'm saying?
The recording spot. Thanks.
You're welcome. Where's Javi?
Oh, he had to run some errands.
Yeah.
So...
...what you wanna do?
Do you know a place
where we can go get some drinks?
You know, there's a place like this
in New York.
Or New York
is just like this place.
Looks like in Puerto Rico,
you can go all day and all night.
Do you dance to this music?
No, not really.
- Why are you laughing?
- Why not?
- Because I don't dance, you know?
- I'll show you. Come on.
- Welcome back.
- Yeah, I'll be right back.
Don't go too far.
Hi. How are you?
Very good. How are you?
I'm just waiting
for my class to start.
This must be fate.
Yeah.
I'm waiting too, you know,
for that phone call. So?
I asked, and we're just...
We're not allowed to.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- Okay, well...
- What are you...?
Just down here scouting talent.
- You don't happen to sing, do you?
- No. I don't sing.
But I have some friends
that are really talented.
Really? I'd love to hear them.
I can get you their
music if you want.
That'd be great.
That'd be excellent.
Okay. How long
are you in town for?
- Just a couple more days.
- Okay. We'll talk.
- Call me?
- Yeah.
I've heard that before.
If you don't call, I'll call you?
Bye.
So I heard
you had a date last night.
- How did it go?
- It was cool.
We went to the club, chilled...
...you know,
danced and stuff like that.
It was cool. I enjoyed myself.
So do you like
the music here, or...?
Oh, yeah, yeah,
the music is real different.
- I like it.
- Marivi.
Ready?
Okay, I'll see you at home.
See, yo, I don't know nothing
you just said, man.
Talking in Spanish.
Come home soon
because I'm going to cook.
- Really?
- Yes.
Well, then I'll run home.
Give me another beer.
The total is $ 15,
including this one.
Hey, I said it's $ 15!
I already heard you.
Can you settle up?
It's just that I'm about to close...
You will not close because...
I put money in the jukebox...
...I put money in the pool table.
I'm having a drink,
and you're going to throw me out?
- Can I get you something else?
- Margarita, please.
Right away.
This is really good.
I'll be right back.
You know, I never thought that
he would go after your family, Rob.
I'm so sorry.
Look, don't worry about it.
Marivi, she's gonna be okay.
Plus, I know it wasn't your fault.
You know what I'm saying?
I had some good news for you.
The record producer that I met?
He really liked your demo.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
Look, I'm gonna get back inside
and see how she is.
- See you later, all right?
- Okay. See you.
Hey.
I'm sorry, I didn't...
Let's go outside.
How is she?
Yeah, she'll be okay.
They're gonna
let her out tomorrow.
So, what's gonna happen
to the dude who did it?
He'll be dealt with.
Who? You or the man?
There's a way of doing things
in our neighborhood.
She was asking about you.
I didn't know if I should
come in there or not.
I'm happy you did.
- Hey, Vico.
- Vico.
Hey, Vico.
- Yo, Vico, where you going?
- The mayor has a message for you.
- Vico.
- Around here, we don't hit no woman.
- Vico.
- Yo, the mayor doesn't like that, man.
- Beating up on women?
- What were you thinking, huh?
You're not bigger.
The rules are the rules.
So anyway,
as I was saying to C. C...
...you put together
a kick-ass demo...
...but I got a producer who's gonna
take you to the next level. All right?
Okay. But we want to be able to do
our music the way we want to.
Right. And the guy I got in mind,
he's the best.
Best producer in New York.
Peter Black is his name.
Produced Usher, everybody.
And you're gonna love him.
Gonna love him.
Well, let me talk it over
with my business partner.
You should. But you gotta do it quickly
because I gotta get out of town.
- All right, cool.
- All right.
- So you'll let me know?
- I will.
Thank you for seeing us.
Take care.
My pleasure. Thanks, C.C.
All right. I expect a call.
So?
I don't know.
What do you mean
you don't know?
Do you understand
what just happened here, Rob?
I mean, I understand.
But I don't know if you do.
A record executive
just left here.
Wants to cut your record,
you're talking about something else.
Calm down, mama.
Calm down.
Look, Robert,
I think she's right.
What we have to lose?
Yeah!
So it's off to New York.
Yeah, exactly what you wanted.
Actually, it's even better.
- Yeah, why?
- Because you're coming.
Oh, and also because Jeffrey
wants to introduce me...
...to some artist managers
that need dancers for music videos.
Yeah, that's cool.
- That's good, right?
- Yeah.
- What's wrong?
- Nothing.
You sure?
Okay, well...
...guess I'll talk to you later.
- Okay.
- Phone.
- Bye.
Call you.
Hi, Ma. So we got a producer
who wants to record us in New York.
That's great. What about the guys
that are looking for you?
The producer got us a place to stay
in Brooklyn, so he won't find me there.
- I'll text you the address, all right?
- Okay.
Meet me there. I love you.
Love you too, babe.
Hey, Robert.
What are you doing here?
Well...
I came to tell you
that I'm leaving.
What? You're leaving? Why?
We got a gig back in New York.
- You serious?
- Yeah.
Congratulations.
You know, I've been wanting
to talk to you for a long time.
Something I really need
to tell you.
Have a drink with me.
You know,
when I met your mother...
...I was playing with a band
in New York.
And I...
I was a mess at that time.
Booze...
...drugs.
We had our whole life
in front of us.
One night, after the show...
...Tanya was waiting for me
in the car with you.
You were...
You were just a baby then.
And I got behind the wheel
and I was drunk.
And we had a horrible accident.
Now, thank God we survived.
Tanya didn't wanna speak to me
after that.
She asked me to leave.
So I came down here
to start over.
And I was calling her
and calling her...
...but she had disappeared
with you.
I couldn't play music after that.
And I never again
returned to New York.
It's still all about you.
You know,
it's always been about you.
Look, as far as I'm concerned,
I didn't have a father.
And now all of a sudden
you and my mom decide that I do?
You know, man, maybe if you hadn't
abandoned us in the first place...
...I wouldn't have ended up like this.
Hiding, running.
I'm supposed to be dead.
Robert, I am so sorry.
Just forget it, man.
So I guess
you'll be leaving us soon.
Yeah.
That's too bad.
Well, I just wanted to tell you
that I really appreciate you...
...you know, allowing me
to stay here and all.
And I'm really sorry
about the trouble and stuff.
It's okay.
Look, before you go,
something I wanna show you.
Go in that box, in the corner.
This one?
Sit down.
These are yours.
Your father
always looks at those...
...every time your birthday
comes around.
September 28th, right?
What's wrong?
I mean, I wasn't gonna
sell it or anything.
I don't know
why I took it. I just...
I'm sorry.
Don't worry.
I'll just tell him
I found it somewhere.
You have every right
to feel the way you do...
...but just so you know...
...he was so happy to see you.
Take care of yourself, okay?
- Do you have your tickets?
- Yeah, I think so.
Do you have
everything you need?
Take it easy.
All right.
Let's go to New York.
- Take care of them.
- Okay.
Listen to it, okay?
Okay.
And make sure you clap
when the plane lands. It's tradition.
Man, it feels good to be home.
What up, New York?
Yo, man, look at this.
This is dope.
Man, this is crazy.
I told you guys
Jeffrey was gonna hook us up.
Well, I hope this place
comes with a cleaning lady.
- What's good?
- Hey.
I'm saying let's go out.
Let's go out and celebrate.
Hey, man, why don't you come
soup your boy up?
Yo, have you spoken to your ex
since you got back?
No.
You still think about her?
I mean, from time to time,
but, I mean, you see what I got.
Hey, she got that spice, son.
For real.
Don't let it happen again,
my nigga.
You talking about
the falling-in-love thing?
Never. Never.
You wanna dance?
Never. Never.
So, what do you think?
It's got a layer of African fusion.
I mean, I don't mind
combining it with something else...
...I just wasn't too crazy about that,
you know?
Yeah, I think the boys were hoping
to stick to the original beat.
Is that right, guys?
- Did you at least listen to our demo?
- What demo?
The one sent from the office.
They didn't send that?
- No.
- You gotta be kidding me.
Javi, do you got
some music on you?
Yeah.
All right.
All right, all right.
I can work with this.
Well, all right, then.
You kids can take it from here.
- Absolutely.
- C.C., let's jet.
Where you going?
He's gonna introduce me
to some artists for a music video.
- We'll do something tonight, all right?
- All right.
- See what you can do.
- No, I got it.
It's gonna be great.
- Be back later, all right?
- Yeah.
Bye.
Bye.
- Hey, baby.
- There she is.
- What's going on?
- What do you mean?
You know exactly what I mean.
You're acting weird.
Did I do something?
I don't know, you tell me.
Look, I thought we
had plans tonight.
Like, tonight.
Rob, look, I'm sorry.
Jeffrey took me around everywhere,
and my battery died today...
Oh, come on, man. Look, I understand
you gotta go out, do your thing...
...but it's the way
you doing your thing.
Using what you got
to get to the next level.
- So you have a good time?
- What?
- You and Jeffrey.
- You don't know a thing about me.
All I know
is what you told me, okay?
How you always
wanna get what you want.
Fuck you.
I don't need this.
Damn it.
Where to, miss?
I'm going to Manhattan,
Okay.
I'm glad you called.
So this is my apartment.
- It's nice.
- Thank you.
Can I get you a drink, or do
you wanna talk about anything?
No, thank you. I just...
- I'd rather just go to sleep.
- You sure?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Well, let me show you
where you're going.
You can stay down here.
You got fresh sheets and towels
and a bathroom back here.
You can make yourself at home.
Let me try this.
Now it's better. Yeah.
- Hi, boys.
- You guys know Noelia, right?
She's got an amazing voice.
Jeffrey asked me to have her
sing the hook on your song.
- What?
- No, no, no. No way.
Yo, look, my man,
we've been talking to you all day.
Those are not even the tracks
that we gave you.
Now you asking us to incorporate
somebody on our hook?
We need something commercial,
something people already know.
- People are tired of the same old.
- Yeah.
We were brought here
to make our music.
- We are making your music.
- No, we're making your music.
You know what? If you don't like it,
you know where the door is.
- Come on, come on.
- Okay, okay, stop. Take it easy.
Come on.
We are going
to lose the deal, man.
Look, man, I understand
that this is a great opportunity...
...but I'm not feeling this, man.
Damn, we're so close.
Close to what, Javi?
That music in there was wack.
And we can't do it like this.
This is not how dreams come true.
If we gonna do it,
we gotta do it our way.
Let me deal with it.
All right, whatever.
Yeah, bye.
What happened?
Your friends just quit.
Don't worry about it.
Anyway, I invited some artists
over for cocktails.
But why? That's all I'm asking.
Why would you quit?
Ma, they was messing up
the music.
But these people are professionals.
Maybe they were trying to help you.
Look, don't worry.
I'm not gonna be like dad.
What do you mean?
He told me what happened.
Don't worry, Ma.
I understand.
You do?
- I love you, Ma.
- I love you too, son.
New Yorkers are preparing
for the annual...
...Puerto Rican Day parade
this Sunday.
Many of our local celebrities
will be attending.
Some of Puerto Rico's greatest
reggaeton artists will be performing...
...such as Voltio, Alexis Y Fido,
Calle 13 and others.
In other news, the weather
in New York has been hitting highs...
...and the beaches
have been very crowded.
Please stay tuned for...
Pay attention to what these guys
are doing, what she's doing.
So when you make
your own record...
...you'll be more familiar
with the process, okay?
But I don't wanna be a singer.
What do you mean
you don't wanna be a singer?
Come on. That's what they
all say in the beginning.
You'll be a great singer.
- What?
- Nothing.
I'll be right back.
Where you going?
Just to the ladies'
room. I'll be back.
Oh, what am I doing?
Yo, man,
I wanna know where she at.
Does she know anyone here?
No, I don't think so,
I mean, Jeffrey.
What a prick, man.
I'm so glad we didn't sign anything
before coming here.
- It was a good move.
- Word.
What's up, beautiful?
Do you need a ride, mommy?
Tell that kid of yours
we wanna talk to him.
Tell him Electric
wants to talk to him.
Tonight, 9:00.
Remember...
...we know where to find you
in case he forgets to show up.
You got that?
Let the cops deal with it.
Ma, the cops don't care
nothing about this.
- To them, I'm one less nigger.
- Watch your mouth.
I know these dudes.
They gonna keep messing with me,
keep looking for me.
You are on probation.
I won't be able to get you out of jail.
Look, I'm not running no more.
I ain't running no more.
Dear C. C., I just wanted
to apologize for what I said to you.
I just... I think I'm drunk.
- You think?
- I think.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Can I tell you a secret?
- What?
You're so beautiful.
You're... God, you're...
You're handsome too, and...
And what? What?
- I don't know.
- Old?
No. I wasn't gonna say that.
What were you gonna say?
I don't know.
I don't know, I...
Well, I'm just trying to tell you
how special you are.
I want you to know that, okay?
And talented.
I mean, you...
You have a bright future...
...and you can do
anything you want.
Dancing, sing if you want.
You can have anything you want.
You got something...
Pardon me.
I don't feel well.
The producers, they screwed us.
They're messing up the music.
L... We have no money...
...and I can't stay with Tanya
for too long.
I'll take care of it.
Hello?
- Hello? Hello?
- Hello?
Hello?
Hello?
Right then,
you know what I'm saying...?
- Yo, yo, yo.
- Oh, he there?
- That's him, right?
- That's the kid, son.
That's it?
Yo, yo, yo, keep it low,
keep it low, keep it low.
What I gotta do
to make this right, man?
- All right. You pick one of my boys...
- This clown right here.
...fight them, shoot a fair one,
then we done.
Hey.
- What are you doing here?
- I wanted to make sure you feel okay.
- Punk.
- Yo, pick me. Come on.
Get him, get him. Get him. Yeah.
- I just want to kiss your lips.
- No, I can't.
Come here for one second.
- Yeah, yeah.
- All right, all right, all right.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, get him,
get him, get him.
- Please, C.C., don't...
- No.
That's for my 'Vette.
That's for being a punk.
- Stop it.
- That's for wasting my time.
Stop!
Cops. Break up, break up.
Yeah!
Javi, it's for you.
Hello.
Yo, this is Voltio, what's up?
Hey, what's up?
You know, your father
gave me your demo.
It's amazing, we all love it!
Our producer
wants to work with that.
It's hot. Listen.
I'm about to board a plane
to come to New York...
...for the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
I wanna see you and your crew
on stage. Meet me there. Bye.
That's great, thanks.
Okay.
- Yo. Yo, what you doing?
- Wake up.
You're not gonna believe
what just happened.
Voltio wants us to join him
at the parade.
- He just called me right now.
- What parade?
We're here at the 49th annual
Puerto Rican Day Parade...
...being led by Grand Marshal
Marc Anthony and his wife...
...movie star and recording artist,
Jennifer Lopez.
We're having great weather
in New York...
...and the spirits are running high.
Puerto Rico's greatest musicians
have joined the parade...
...including artists such as Voltio.
According to police estimates,
the crowds are now building...
...to over three million people.
Dear C. C...
...I wanted to apologize
for what I said to you.
I wish I understood myself
a little better.
And in case I don't see you
or go back...
...I wish that you become
an amazing dancer.
You deserve it.
Peace, Rob.
Where are you?
Puerto Rico!
What's up, everybody?
Yeah, you know what's up!
Hey, everybody, we're here
at the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
And we're here chilling hard.
And today,
I have some special guests...
...that came all the way
from San Juan, Puerto Rico...
...the Vega Brothers!
All right, let's go, baby.
What's up?
Javi, what's up, papi?
Hey, yo, what's good,
what's good?
All right, all right, all right.
So check it out.
My name is Rob,
coming straight out of Harlem.
You know, we came to do
a little something for y'all today.
That's my boy Javi
coming straight out of Puerto Rico.
Matter of fact,
I love Puerto Rico.
Yo, yo, do a little something
for them, Javi.
Okay.
Yes, sir. So check it out.
Y'all can put your hands up
just like this.
Put your hands up. Yeah, yeah.
Don't be afraid. It's all good.
I have a surprise
for this man right here.
Joining us
is one of the best musicians.
One of the best musicians
from Puerto Rico.
An amazing percussionist.
Here he is, Roberto Vega.
Julio Voltio.
It's good to see you.
How are you?
It's great to be here
in New York City.
It's good to see you.
- Man, this is crazy.
- Yeah, I can't believe he came.
Yeah, yeah, put your hands up,
Puerto Rico.
I'm so glad you're here.
I am so proud of you, son.
Thanks.
Man...
Did you get my message?
Yeah, I got it.
So I'll see you after?
All right.
All right, let's do this.
Here we go.
Yeah. Put your hands up.
Put your hands up.
Harlem life is hard body.
Uptown, baby. Holler.
Harlem life is hard.
Harlem life is hard body.
Less than 16 but eight.
But eight to sum it up,
and make this whole city late.
Less than 16 but eight.
To sum it up,
and make this whole city late.
Shit.
But eight...
All right. Freeze.
Do not move.
Sorry, Ma.
I just needed the money.
So is this how you got
your MP3?
Hello?
Money for what?
Cross the street.
For what?
- For a contest.
- What contest?
The winner gets a record deal.
It's tonight. Look, I had no choice.
Rob, you always have a choice.
Always.
It's not like you would
have given me cash.
Try me.
You ain't never wonder why a car
like that was just sitting there?
Parked like that?
Whose is it?
Electric.
- Who's that?
- He's syndicate.
- Syndicate?
- The Mafia, son.
- Are you serious, man?
- Yeah, I'm serious, son.
Damn.
What up, what up, what up, yo?
Let's hear it for Young Rome.
And now, my dog
from the pound, y'all.
DJ Trippe and Rob Royce.
Hey, yo, what's good, fam?
Coming straight out of Harlem.
We gonna have a
good time tonight.
It's gonna be all good.
Put your hands up.
That's that punk
that ripped off my rims?
Let's shut this club down.
- This way.
- I gotta get my mom.
- I'll get your mother. Just go, man.
- Shit!
Okay. No.
I'll call you back. Bye.
Who was that?
Ma.
It was your father.
My father?
I thought you said
you didn't know where he was.
Well, I do.
He's in Puerto Rico,
and he wants you
to come stay with him
for a little while.
I don't even know that dude.
I don't know what he looks like.
- He's still your father.
- To me, he's not.
Someone shot at you last
night in front of my own eyes.
Ma, what you want me to do,
keep running?
You are going, and that is that.
I love you, son.
Robert?
Yeah.
- Let me take this for you.
- No, no, it's cool, I got it.
The car is over here.
You speak Spanish?
No.
It's okay.
Most people here speak English.
You're gonna meet Marivi,
my wife, and Javi.
This is Marivi.
It's very nice to meet you.
Hi.
We made a bed for you.
It's not much...
...but it's yours
as long as you need it.
It's much more comfortable
than it looks.
Well, then. I...
I guess I better be getting
back to work.
I'll see you in the morning.
Well, I'm sure you're tired, so...
The bathroom is down the hall.
Okay. Have a good night, okay?
Thanks.
Good morning.
How did you sleep?
Fine, thanks.
Now, I hope you're hungry.
Breakfast is almost ready.
Javi.
Javi, come on.
I have to go.
- Robert, this is Javi.
- What's up?
This is Robert.
He was so excited to meet you.
But anyway, I have to go to work,
so you make yourself at home.
Show him around.
You know, show him the city.
And, okay, here is some money
your dad left...
...just in case
you need anything.
All right.
I'll see you later.
Okay? Bye-bye.
- You smoke?
- Smoke what?
New York, really?
One day I would love
to live in New York.
My father told me a lot of stories
about New York.
Your father?
Where is he?
He died.
He died like a few years ago.
- I'm sorry, man.
- That's okay, man.
I hear you have some problems
back home.
You see that bald guy on the left?
Up there.
You ever need anything,
he's the guy to talk to.
He'll take care of you
as long as he likes you.
Oh, okay.
How you say?
It's the unofficial mayor
of the neighborhood.
Oh, you wanna go to Old San Juan,
get some piraguas?
- I got money, brother. I got money.
- Oh, so that's how you do it?
You ask for money,
you get money, right?
Muchacho, no, man. It's because
you here I got this, brother.
You wanna play a game?
You want this $20?
If you can catch it, the money's yours.
You ready?
- You ready?
- Right here.
- You ready?
- Yep.
Watch out.
Yeah!
So look, man.
Back home, I stole some rims
from this dude, man.
That's the reason why I'm here.
Have you ever really needed
to do something real bad, man?
And you just couldn't?
Yeah, pero not that bad.
I guess you had it
a little bit better than I did.
Shit happens, man.
Don't worry about it.
Please come and see us, okay?
- Check this out.
- I'll see you there.
Do you guys wanna
come to a show tonight?
Ten o'clock.
My friend's performing.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Damn. That's how y'all
doing it in 'Rico?
That's how we do it.
Voltio. You ever heard of Voltio?
He's an amazing
reggaeton artist.
His music is like a mix of, like,
reggae, rap, parranda, merengue.
Oh, that's dope, man.
Seems like
a crazy combination, man.
It's like music from the ghetto.
You know, it's about our struggle,
our dreams. You ever had a dream?
Come on, tell me.
All right, well,
you know what I'm saying?
Maybe, you know, getting in front
of an audience, performing, you know.
Rapping, doing my thing,
you know.
Same here, brother.
It's the same, man.
Everybody has a dream, man.
And dreaming is free.
Okay, senora.
Gracias, Linda.
You like the food, Rob?
It's a typical Puerto Rican dish.
Ma. You think he's going
to say your food sucks?
There's a reggaeton show
tonight.
- Oh, really? Again?
- No, pero, Dad, it's Pedro's son.
Julio Voltio.
Oh, yeah, yeah, Julio.
You're gonna see tonight.
You're gonna see.
You know,
Roberto's a musician also.
- He played with some of the best...
- Oh, Marivi, please.
So you used to play music, huh?
I don't play anymore.
What's up, mama?
Hey, give me a Heineken.
Thanks.
Hey, what's up, bro?
What's going on?
- Chilling.
- Your music is hot!
You know it.
Reggaeton is where it's at!
Look, this is my stepbrother, Rob.
What's going on, bro?
- It's good.
- All right?
Man, are you still playing?
Always, brother, always.
That's it, brother.
Man, say hi
to your father, Roberto.
Sure, thank you.
- Yeah, you got it!
- Take care.
Hey, what's up, girl?
Wanna dance the Perrero?
- It was so good.
- Thank you so much. You liked it?
- I did.
- It was good, right?
Thank you.
Hey, I saw you on the stage.
- It was hot.
- Oh, thank you. Thank you.
- How do you know Voltio?
- His father and my father...
...went to the same school.
- Oh, yeah?
They had a band
called The Artichokes.
So you guys are musicians too?
My brother is a rapper
from New York.
I'm trying to be,
you know what I'm saying? But I...
- Yo, C.C.
- Hey.
We gotta talk.
Leave me alone.
I'm not your girlfriend anymore.
- Would you just talk to me?
- I can't.
Do you wanna come smoke
with me?
- So you smoke now?
- Yes, I do.
Hey, my bad about inside,
you know what I'm saying?
It's okay.
- Look, I don't really smoke.
- I don't either.
- Rob, right?
- Yeah. C.C.?
- Yeah.
- All right.
C.C.
We are headed to San Juan.
Alexis and Fido are playing.
Do you guys wanna go?
- Let's go.
- All right.
Oh, yeah, C.C., nice boyfriend.
Okay.
The Vega brothers
are getting some tonight.
Come on, let's go dance.
Let's groove.
There you go, Mimi.
Come on, dance with me.
So can I see you again?
- Why?
- What do you mean why?
- Why do you wanna see me again?
- Because we have things in common.
No, but I think you're cool.
Okay. I'll give you a call.
Yo, Javi.
Yo, what's the number?
He's crazy.
All right, do you got it?
- Yes, I got it.
- Okay.
I need to go.
All right, peace.
That was funny.
Call me.
Bye.
Bye.
Do you have everything?
Yo. Yo.
Hurry.
Come on, right here.
- Hello.
- Hello, Rob.
Yeah, what's good?
- Am I calling you too early?
- No, just in time.
Can I come over?
I need some help with something.
Yeah, sure, no problem.
- Are you okay?
- I'll call you back. Bye.
Come on.
Yo.
What's good, man?
What you doing?
Making music. Come sit down,
I wanna show you something.
That's your basic
reggaeton beat.
Okay.
Yo, man,
how'd you get all this stuff?
I broadcast music online.
Oh, that's what's up.
This is something
I've been working on.
Okay. Okay.
Slow it down a little bit.
Slow it down.
No, no, no.
The idea is to go the other way.
Otherwise you have hip-hop.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
- Okay. Okay.
- Keep going. Keep going.
Okay.
Okay.
- Sing. Come on.
- Okay. Okay.
Your boy Rob.
Coming straight out of Harlem.
Uptown, baby.
Uptown...
Okay. Check it out, check it out.
Yo, I'm trying to be
the Superman of the ghetto.
Get this paper, take this music
to a whole other level.
Trouble found me,
then I found myself in Puerto Rico.
That's why I got high,
I had to roll.
- Something like that?
- Yeah.
- Something like that?
- That's off the hook.
Oh, yeah.
We moved from New York
to Puerto Rico when I was 8.
Anyway, I came here
to talk about personal business.
- Oh, personal business?
- Yeah.
Well, what personal business
is that?
I actually plan on making it
to New York this summer...
...to study dance.
I have this application
that I need to correct.
Can you do it for me?
- It's in English.
- But your English is perfect.
Spoken, not written.
It's not a lot.
It's just a couple of pages and
you can just correct it as you go.
Okay.
So, what do I get out of this?
Why do you have to get
something out of it?
Well, I mean, usually I charge a fee,
but, you know...
I can give you
my lucky-charm bracelet.
- Hey. What's up?
- Play this.
- Hey, what's up, man?
- What is it?
- I'm not gonna mess up your date.
- Okay.
Were you recording?
This is you?
This is crazy.
This is real hot.
You guys need to record this.
My neighbor has his own studio.
I can call him if you want.
- That would be dope.
- Okay.
- All right.
- Bye.
What have you been up to?
- I'm sorry, what did you say?
- What have you been up to?
Well, nothing.
Did you happen to see anyone
hanging around the house today?
No. Why?
Someone stole
Marivi's engagement ring.
No, I haven't seen anybody
around here today.
It meant a lot to her.
It meant a lot to me too.
- Hey, Rosie.
- Thank you, C.C.
Excuse me.
Can I ask you a question?
I was wondering... I saw you
at the club, and you dance great.
- Man, you've got some great moves.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- What's your name?
- C.C.
- I'm Jeffrey. Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
I was wondering if you'd ever consider
taking on, like, private clients.
I would have to check.
I don't think they allow it.
I'd be willing to pay handsomely
and make it worth your while.
- I'll look into it.
- Okay. Will you take a card?
- Sure.
- Maybe call me?
- Okay.
- Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
I'm not feeling it.
I don't like it.
No. Look, try it like this:
- Know what I'm saying?
- That's too much hip-hop.
What? That's how all the best
hip-hop records were made.
That's the point.
It's not supposed to sound like that.
Look, man, just try it.
Just check it out.
You check it out.
Yo, why you being
all stubborn for, man?
Just try it.
Yo, look, man, I'm not trying
to battle with you, okay?
But if we gonna make music,
we gotta make music as a team.
How we do music if you wanna do
one thing, I wanna do another?
- You tell me.
- What are you talking about?
- I'm doing hip-hop.
- We're in Puerto Rico, not New York.
We don't do hip-hop,
we do reggaeton.
I like 50 Cent
and Snoop Doggy Dogg.
Okay, yeah, and I like Daddy Yankee
and what is his name? Pitbull.
- That's not the point.
- That's not the point.
I swear...
Yo, you hear that?
Yo, you hear that?
What...? Yo, what's that?
A frog, the coqui.
I like that sound, man.
Might wanna use that,
you know what I'm saying?
Like in a song or something.
Yeah, yeah.
- No, no, no.
- What?
Okay, okay, okay.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Hello. Yo.
- Are you there?
- Rob?
- Yeah.
- What's good?
- Nothing, I just wanted to call you...
...and say thank you for correcting
my paper. Thank you.
- It's no problem.
- I spoke to my friend...
...about using the studio.
- I think I can get that for you guys.
- Oh, thanks. Appreciate that.
I'll get in contact with him
and let you guys know, okay?
All right.
Peace.
Talking to her, right?
That's her? You talking to her?
I'm talking to none of your
damn business, that's who.
- Not my business?
- Yeah.
Everything around here
is my business, negro pendejo.
Say what? Say what?
I know where you live.
I know where you live. I know where
your parents work, you'll see.
You'll see,
I'm going to kill them all.
Whatever, man.
Stupid...
You understand
what they're saying?
No. Don't know.
It's that today is la conmemoracion
del Estado Libre Asociado.
It's Constitution Day.
Oh, okay.
But I thought Puerto Rico
was, like, a colonized country.
Something like that.
It is. We're the oldest colony
in the world.
Well, that's easy to say.
We have no natural resources.
Tourism is it.
What about reggaeton
and sugar?
The truth is, we know we can't be
a dependent country forever.
The economy is broke anyway,
so something has to happen.
To that day, salud.
- You hear anything about the ring?
- No. Not yet.
I'm sure it's somewhere.
Ma, you're always losing something
and then you find it.
He's speaking the truth.
I hear you're working on a song.
- We are.
- What is it?
Well, you know,
it's a little bit of everything.
You wanna hear it?
No, no.
Not while we're eating dinner.
Maybe later.
How you doing?
Just working on my music.
I know we haven't had a chance
to talk about things.
About us.
Well, you don't have to.
I just...
I just want you to know...
...that I always
thought about you.
I know it's not fair for me
to try to be a father...
...after all these years, but...
So don't.
It's not what you think.
Look, who cares now?
- You have to know, son.
- No, I don't.
L...
No, I don't.
I never thought I'd see the day
I'd be getting money.
Making music so haters
can't take nothing from me.
When chicks wouldn't holler
I'd just play back.
All I had was a flow and a ball cap.
Wall to wall, boom, boom
across the room.
Thinking they'd be
dancing to me soon.
I'm in the game but I'm still
in the streets.
Prepped for Harlem
and Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico.
That was hot. You guys make
a crazy team together.
Oh, thanks.
We appreciate, you know what I'm saying?
The recording spot. Thanks.
You're welcome. Where's Javi?
Oh, he had to run some errands.
Yeah.
So...
...what you wanna do?
Do you know a place
where we can go get some drinks?
You know, there's a place like this
in New York.
Or New York
is just like this place.
Looks like in Puerto Rico,
you can go all day and all night.
Do you dance to this music?
No, not really.
- Why are you laughing?
- Why not?
- Because I don't dance, you know?
- I'll show you. Come on.
- Welcome back.
- Yeah, I'll be right back.
Don't go too far.
Hi. How are you?
Very good. How are you?
I'm just waiting
for my class to start.
This must be fate.
Yeah.
I'm waiting too, you know,
for that phone call. So?
I asked, and we're just...
We're not allowed to.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- Okay, well...
- What are you...?
Just down here scouting talent.
- You don't happen to sing, do you?
- No. I don't sing.
But I have some friends
that are really talented.
Really? I'd love to hear them.
I can get you their
music if you want.
That'd be great.
That'd be excellent.
Okay. How long
are you in town for?
- Just a couple more days.
- Okay. We'll talk.
- Call me?
- Yeah.
I've heard that before.
If you don't call, I'll call you?
Bye.
So I heard
you had a date last night.
- How did it go?
- It was cool.
We went to the club, chilled...
...you know,
danced and stuff like that.
It was cool. I enjoyed myself.
So do you like
the music here, or...?
Oh, yeah, yeah,
the music is real different.
- I like it.
- Marivi.
Ready?
Okay, I'll see you at home.
See, yo, I don't know nothing
you just said, man.
Talking in Spanish.
Come home soon
because I'm going to cook.
- Really?
- Yes.
Well, then I'll run home.
Give me another beer.
The total is $ 15,
including this one.
Hey, I said it's $ 15!
I already heard you.
Can you settle up?
It's just that I'm about to close...
You will not close because...
I put money in the jukebox...
...I put money in the pool table.
I'm having a drink,
and you're going to throw me out?
- Can I get you something else?
- Margarita, please.
Right away.
This is really good.
I'll be right back.
You know, I never thought that
he would go after your family, Rob.
I'm so sorry.
Look, don't worry about it.
Marivi, she's gonna be okay.
Plus, I know it wasn't your fault.
You know what I'm saying?
I had some good news for you.
The record producer that I met?
He really liked your demo.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
Look, I'm gonna get back inside
and see how she is.
- See you later, all right?
- Okay. See you.
Hey.
I'm sorry, I didn't...
Let's go outside.
How is she?
Yeah, she'll be okay.
They're gonna
let her out tomorrow.
So, what's gonna happen
to the dude who did it?
He'll be dealt with.
Who? You or the man?
There's a way of doing things
in our neighborhood.
She was asking about you.
I didn't know if I should
come in there or not.
I'm happy you did.
- Hey, Vico.
- Vico.
Hey, Vico.
- Yo, Vico, where you going?
- The mayor has a message for you.
- Vico.
- Around here, we don't hit no woman.
- Vico.
- Yo, the mayor doesn't like that, man.
- Beating up on women?
- What were you thinking, huh?
You're not bigger.
The rules are the rules.
So anyway,
as I was saying to C. C...
...you put together
a kick-ass demo...
...but I got a producer who's gonna
take you to the next level. All right?
Okay. But we want to be able to do
our music the way we want to.
Right. And the guy I got in mind,
he's the best.
Best producer in New York.
Peter Black is his name.
Produced Usher, everybody.
And you're gonna love him.
Gonna love him.
Well, let me talk it over
with my business partner.
You should. But you gotta do it quickly
because I gotta get out of town.
- All right, cool.
- All right.
- So you'll let me know?
- I will.
Thank you for seeing us.
Take care.
My pleasure. Thanks, C.C.
All right. I expect a call.
So?
I don't know.
What do you mean
you don't know?
Do you understand
what just happened here, Rob?
I mean, I understand.
But I don't know if you do.
A record executive
just left here.
Wants to cut your record,
you're talking about something else.
Calm down, mama.
Calm down.
Look, Robert,
I think she's right.
What we have to lose?
Yeah!
So it's off to New York.
Yeah, exactly what you wanted.
Actually, it's even better.
- Yeah, why?
- Because you're coming.
Oh, and also because Jeffrey
wants to introduce me...
...to some artist managers
that need dancers for music videos.
Yeah, that's cool.
- That's good, right?
- Yeah.
- What's wrong?
- Nothing.
You sure?
Okay, well...
...guess I'll talk to you later.
- Okay.
- Phone.
- Bye.
Call you.
Hi, Ma. So we got a producer
who wants to record us in New York.
That's great. What about the guys
that are looking for you?
The producer got us a place to stay
in Brooklyn, so he won't find me there.
- I'll text you the address, all right?
- Okay.
Meet me there. I love you.
Love you too, babe.
Hey, Robert.
What are you doing here?
Well...
I came to tell you
that I'm leaving.
What? You're leaving? Why?
We got a gig back in New York.
- You serious?
- Yeah.
Congratulations.
You know, I've been wanting
to talk to you for a long time.
Something I really need
to tell you.
Have a drink with me.
You know,
when I met your mother...
...I was playing with a band
in New York.
And I...
I was a mess at that time.
Booze...
...drugs.
We had our whole life
in front of us.
One night, after the show...
...Tanya was waiting for me
in the car with you.
You were...
You were just a baby then.
And I got behind the wheel
and I was drunk.
And we had a horrible accident.
Now, thank God we survived.
Tanya didn't wanna speak to me
after that.
She asked me to leave.
So I came down here
to start over.
And I was calling her
and calling her...
...but she had disappeared
with you.
I couldn't play music after that.
And I never again
returned to New York.
It's still all about you.
You know,
it's always been about you.
Look, as far as I'm concerned,
I didn't have a father.
And now all of a sudden
you and my mom decide that I do?
You know, man, maybe if you hadn't
abandoned us in the first place...
...I wouldn't have ended up like this.
Hiding, running.
I'm supposed to be dead.
Robert, I am so sorry.
Just forget it, man.
So I guess
you'll be leaving us soon.
Yeah.
That's too bad.
Well, I just wanted to tell you
that I really appreciate you...
...you know, allowing me
to stay here and all.
And I'm really sorry
about the trouble and stuff.
It's okay.
Look, before you go,
something I wanna show you.
Go in that box, in the corner.
This one?
Sit down.
These are yours.
Your father
always looks at those...
...every time your birthday
comes around.
September 28th, right?
What's wrong?
I mean, I wasn't gonna
sell it or anything.
I don't know
why I took it. I just...
I'm sorry.
Don't worry.
I'll just tell him
I found it somewhere.
You have every right
to feel the way you do...
...but just so you know...
...he was so happy to see you.
Take care of yourself, okay?
- Do you have your tickets?
- Yeah, I think so.
Do you have
everything you need?
Take it easy.
All right.
Let's go to New York.
- Take care of them.
- Okay.
Listen to it, okay?
Okay.
And make sure you clap
when the plane lands. It's tradition.
Man, it feels good to be home.
What up, New York?
Yo, man, look at this.
This is dope.
Man, this is crazy.
I told you guys
Jeffrey was gonna hook us up.
Well, I hope this place
comes with a cleaning lady.
- What's good?
- Hey.
I'm saying let's go out.
Let's go out and celebrate.
Hey, man, why don't you come
soup your boy up?
Yo, have you spoken to your ex
since you got back?
No.
You still think about her?
I mean, from time to time,
but, I mean, you see what I got.
Hey, she got that spice, son.
For real.
Don't let it happen again,
my nigga.
You talking about
the falling-in-love thing?
Never. Never.
You wanna dance?
Never. Never.
So, what do you think?
It's got a layer of African fusion.
I mean, I don't mind
combining it with something else...
...I just wasn't too crazy about that,
you know?
Yeah, I think the boys were hoping
to stick to the original beat.
Is that right, guys?
- Did you at least listen to our demo?
- What demo?
The one sent from the office.
They didn't send that?
- No.
- You gotta be kidding me.
Javi, do you got
some music on you?
Yeah.
All right.
All right, all right.
I can work with this.
Well, all right, then.
You kids can take it from here.
- Absolutely.
- C.C., let's jet.
Where you going?
He's gonna introduce me
to some artists for a music video.
- We'll do something tonight, all right?
- All right.
- See what you can do.
- No, I got it.
It's gonna be great.
- Be back later, all right?
- Yeah.
Bye.
Bye.
- Hey, baby.
- There she is.
- What's going on?
- What do you mean?
You know exactly what I mean.
You're acting weird.
Did I do something?
I don't know, you tell me.
Look, I thought we
had plans tonight.
Like, tonight.
Rob, look, I'm sorry.
Jeffrey took me around everywhere,
and my battery died today...
Oh, come on, man. Look, I understand
you gotta go out, do your thing...
...but it's the way
you doing your thing.
Using what you got
to get to the next level.
- So you have a good time?
- What?
- You and Jeffrey.
- You don't know a thing about me.
All I know
is what you told me, okay?
How you always
wanna get what you want.
Fuck you.
I don't need this.
Damn it.
Where to, miss?
I'm going to Manhattan,
Okay.
I'm glad you called.
So this is my apartment.
- It's nice.
- Thank you.
Can I get you a drink, or do
you wanna talk about anything?
No, thank you. I just...
- I'd rather just go to sleep.
- You sure?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Well, let me show you
where you're going.
You can stay down here.
You got fresh sheets and towels
and a bathroom back here.
You can make yourself at home.
Let me try this.
Now it's better. Yeah.
- Hi, boys.
- You guys know Noelia, right?
She's got an amazing voice.
Jeffrey asked me to have her
sing the hook on your song.
- What?
- No, no, no. No way.
Yo, look, my man,
we've been talking to you all day.
Those are not even the tracks
that we gave you.
Now you asking us to incorporate
somebody on our hook?
We need something commercial,
something people already know.
- People are tired of the same old.
- Yeah.
We were brought here
to make our music.
- We are making your music.
- No, we're making your music.
You know what? If you don't like it,
you know where the door is.
- Come on, come on.
- Okay, okay, stop. Take it easy.
Come on.
We are going
to lose the deal, man.
Look, man, I understand
that this is a great opportunity...
...but I'm not feeling this, man.
Damn, we're so close.
Close to what, Javi?
That music in there was wack.
And we can't do it like this.
This is not how dreams come true.
If we gonna do it,
we gotta do it our way.
Let me deal with it.
All right, whatever.
Yeah, bye.
What happened?
Your friends just quit.
Don't worry about it.
Anyway, I invited some artists
over for cocktails.
But why? That's all I'm asking.
Why would you quit?
Ma, they was messing up
the music.
But these people are professionals.
Maybe they were trying to help you.
Look, don't worry.
I'm not gonna be like dad.
What do you mean?
He told me what happened.
Don't worry, Ma.
I understand.
You do?
- I love you, Ma.
- I love you too, son.
New Yorkers are preparing
for the annual...
...Puerto Rican Day parade
this Sunday.
Many of our local celebrities
will be attending.
Some of Puerto Rico's greatest
reggaeton artists will be performing...
...such as Voltio, Alexis Y Fido,
Calle 13 and others.
In other news, the weather
in New York has been hitting highs...
...and the beaches
have been very crowded.
Please stay tuned for...
Pay attention to what these guys
are doing, what she's doing.
So when you make
your own record...
...you'll be more familiar
with the process, okay?
But I don't wanna be a singer.
What do you mean
you don't wanna be a singer?
Come on. That's what they
all say in the beginning.
You'll be a great singer.
- What?
- Nothing.
I'll be right back.
Where you going?
Just to the ladies'
room. I'll be back.
Oh, what am I doing?
Yo, man,
I wanna know where she at.
Does she know anyone here?
No, I don't think so,
I mean, Jeffrey.
What a prick, man.
I'm so glad we didn't sign anything
before coming here.
- It was a good move.
- Word.
What's up, beautiful?
Do you need a ride, mommy?
Tell that kid of yours
we wanna talk to him.
Tell him Electric
wants to talk to him.
Tonight, 9:00.
Remember...
...we know where to find you
in case he forgets to show up.
You got that?
Let the cops deal with it.
Ma, the cops don't care
nothing about this.
- To them, I'm one less nigger.
- Watch your mouth.
I know these dudes.
They gonna keep messing with me,
keep looking for me.
You are on probation.
I won't be able to get you out of jail.
Look, I'm not running no more.
I ain't running no more.
Dear C. C., I just wanted
to apologize for what I said to you.
I just... I think I'm drunk.
- You think?
- I think.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Can I tell you a secret?
- What?
You're so beautiful.
You're... God, you're...
You're handsome too, and...
And what? What?
- I don't know.
- Old?
No. I wasn't gonna say that.
What were you gonna say?
I don't know.
I don't know, I...
Well, I'm just trying to tell you
how special you are.
I want you to know that, okay?
And talented.
I mean, you...
You have a bright future...
...and you can do
anything you want.
Dancing, sing if you want.
You can have anything you want.
You got something...
Pardon me.
I don't feel well.
The producers, they screwed us.
They're messing up the music.
L... We have no money...
...and I can't stay with Tanya
for too long.
I'll take care of it.
Hello?
- Hello? Hello?
- Hello?
Hello?
Hello?
Right then,
you know what I'm saying...?
- Yo, yo, yo.
- Oh, he there?
- That's him, right?
- That's the kid, son.
That's it?
Yo, yo, yo, keep it low,
keep it low, keep it low.
What I gotta do
to make this right, man?
- All right. You pick one of my boys...
- This clown right here.
...fight them, shoot a fair one,
then we done.
Hey.
- What are you doing here?
- I wanted to make sure you feel okay.
- Punk.
- Yo, pick me. Come on.
Get him, get him. Get him. Yeah.
- I just want to kiss your lips.
- No, I can't.
Come here for one second.
- Yeah, yeah.
- All right, all right, all right.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, get him,
get him, get him.
- Please, C.C., don't...
- No.
That's for my 'Vette.
That's for being a punk.
- Stop it.
- That's for wasting my time.
Stop!
Cops. Break up, break up.
Yeah!
Javi, it's for you.
Hello.
Yo, this is Voltio, what's up?
Hey, what's up?
You know, your father
gave me your demo.
It's amazing, we all love it!
Our producer
wants to work with that.
It's hot. Listen.
I'm about to board a plane
to come to New York...
...for the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
I wanna see you and your crew
on stage. Meet me there. Bye.
That's great, thanks.
Okay.
- Yo. Yo, what you doing?
- Wake up.
You're not gonna believe
what just happened.
Voltio wants us to join him
at the parade.
- He just called me right now.
- What parade?
We're here at the 49th annual
Puerto Rican Day Parade...
...being led by Grand Marshal
Marc Anthony and his wife...
...movie star and recording artist,
Jennifer Lopez.
We're having great weather
in New York...
...and the spirits are running high.
Puerto Rico's greatest musicians
have joined the parade...
...including artists such as Voltio.
According to police estimates,
the crowds are now building...
...to over three million people.
Dear C. C...
...I wanted to apologize
for what I said to you.
I wish I understood myself
a little better.
And in case I don't see you
or go back...
...I wish that you become
an amazing dancer.
You deserve it.
Peace, Rob.
Where are you?
Puerto Rico!
What's up, everybody?
Yeah, you know what's up!
Hey, everybody, we're here
at the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
And we're here chilling hard.
And today,
I have some special guests...
...that came all the way
from San Juan, Puerto Rico...
...the Vega Brothers!
All right, let's go, baby.
What's up?
Javi, what's up, papi?
Hey, yo, what's good,
what's good?
All right, all right, all right.
So check it out.
My name is Rob,
coming straight out of Harlem.
You know, we came to do
a little something for y'all today.
That's my boy Javi
coming straight out of Puerto Rico.
Matter of fact,
I love Puerto Rico.
Yo, yo, do a little something
for them, Javi.
Okay.
Yes, sir. So check it out.
Y'all can put your hands up
just like this.
Put your hands up. Yeah, yeah.
Don't be afraid. It's all good.
I have a surprise
for this man right here.
Joining us
is one of the best musicians.
One of the best musicians
from Puerto Rico.
An amazing percussionist.
Here he is, Roberto Vega.
Julio Voltio.
It's good to see you.
How are you?
It's great to be here
in New York City.
It's good to see you.
- Man, this is crazy.
- Yeah, I can't believe he came.
Yeah, yeah, put your hands up,
Puerto Rico.
I'm so glad you're here.
I am so proud of you, son.
Thanks.
Man...
Did you get my message?
Yeah, I got it.
So I'll see you after?
All right.
All right, let's do this.
Here we go.
Yeah. Put your hands up.
Put your hands up.