Step Up: High Water (2017) s01e02 Episode Script
Episode 2
1 [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
[TAL SOBBING.]
Come on, Janelle.
Come on, pick up.
Pick up.
Please pick up.
Please pick up.
Fuck.
[GROANS.]
[GROANS.]
- [PHONE RINGING.]
- [SINGER.]
It's me against the world See, I say it's so simple [RAP CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY.]
[JANELLE.]
Whoa, your dad is intense.
Yeah, a lot of people think that but he's just some regular dad, you know what I mean? He be cooking pancakes on the weekends and making sure my room all clean and shit.
Seriously? - Yeah.
Oh, what up? - What up there, bro? - Yeah, yeah.
- How you doing, man? Okay, I see you're Mr.
Popularity.
Somebody's got to be.
I guess this week it's me.
Come on.
Let me show you around.
Actually, um, can you give me one second? I need to call my brother.
All right.
Cool.
I'll be out here.
Fellas! What y'all doing around my 'hood, huh? [JANELLE.]
Hey, Tal, why aren't you picking up your phone, bro? I made it through the first round of auditions.
Call me when you get this, okay? Love you.
[SINGER.]
I wanna tell everybody something, even though Just got a quick moment [MOTOWN CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO.]
[UNCLE AL.]
Tomorrow you're gonna go to school and you gonna fight and you gonna show them.
That's your advice? Just fight back? How profound.
[SINGER.]
You know, it just It just won't do now [RIGO.]
See? High Water ain't no joke.
Oh, I noticed that.
Yeah, that's why I told you, you got to hang with the right people - if you're trying to shine around here.
- Okay.
Oh, my God.
Well, this has definitely been the best day that I have had in a long time.
- Oh, yeah? - Yes.
I can make it better for you.
[SINGER.]
I would give you everything I got Tryin' to rock your body Tryin' to rock your body Tryin' to rock your bod No Tryin' to rock your body Tryin' to rock your body Well, that's better.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
[MUSIC FADES.]
Hey, Tal, I came by your room when I got home, but you were asleep.
What the hell happened to you? Oh, nothing.
I just got brutally attacked by some of Atlanta's finest thugs.
[JANELLE.]
I'm so sorry.
- Who did this to you? - It doesn't matter.
Yeah, it does matter.
Look at your face.
What are we gonna do? We are not gonna do anything, all right? You're at High Water and I'm at Garvey.
And I'm late.
[DAVIS.]
So if we have two more auditions to go and the last one's our solo, what the hell's the next one? [ODALIE.]
I don't know, but I spent all night working on my solo.
I tried FaceTiming to show you, but you didn't pick up.
No, I'm so sorry, I knocked out as soon as I got home, but I can't wait to see it today.
[DAVIS.]
Hey, yo, I could use some feedback too.
You guys wanna work on the solos tonight? Um, absolutely.
I need as much help as I can get.
Man, you're dope.
We're dope, all right, and we're about to be the dopest crew over here at High Water.
Oh, I got to turn in my paperwork.
- I'll see you guys soon.
- All right, see you.
Hey, don't worry.
You're gonna be great, all right? Ugh.
What you looking at, bitch? Nothing.
Watch yourself.
Hey, come on.
Don't worry about her.
[SESSION BELL RINGS.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
What up, Tal? You feeling any better? And whatever you do, don't snitch, okay? Don't snitch.
Congratulations to the prospective students who made it past yesterday's round of auditions.
I know you're curious as to what the next round will entail.
This is Mr.
McCoy Harris.
He's one of the master teachers here at High Water, and he will explain further.
[MCCOY.]
I'm pleased to make your collective acquaintance.
The next round is a peer review performance where the prospective students will be paired with the High Water students to choreograph a routine together.
The High Water students will critique you, and make no doubt it, we take their assessment very seriously when we make our final decision.
Good luck.
[ELECTRA.]
All right, let's start with the pairings.
I hope I get someone good.
What are you talking about? Everyone's good.
But some are better, right? Look, no matter what happens, we'll be okay.
We got this.
[COLLETTE.]
Odalie Allen, you will be paired with Leticia Bingham.
Janelle Baker, you will be working with Poppy Martinez.
Can't I get someone better? Okay, you will work with who I assigned you to.
[ELECTRA.]
Megan Driscol and Kyle Wilson.
Josh Dowdy and Chris Royce.
[POPPY.]
Three, four, turn around, hit, hit, hit and pop, and booty, booty, here.
And now we hit the freestyle.
Come on, girl.
Why you not dancing? [JANELLE.]
I, I don't know.
I guess I'm just nervous.
And I guess you can't freestyle.
Can we just do it again? Do you mind if I record you? What? It would just help me get some ideas.
You're kidding, right? It's called freestyle for a reason.
Put the fucking phone down and let's go again.
From the top, five, six, seven, eight, pop.
One, two, three, turn around.
And hit, hit.
[COLLETTE.]
All right, so once we take out this wall and this wall, then we will have our gorgeous new studio.
- [SAGE.]
Uh-hmm.
- [COLETTE.]
Right? It looks so good.
I thought it was gonna too expensive but with all the new kids coming in, we're really gonna need it, so - [BUZZING.]
- [SIGHS.]
East-O.
East-O.
Oh, yeah.
I was wondering when you two were gonna run into each other.
[SAGE.]
Yo, since I've been back, this dude is like a dog with a fucking bone.
It's ridiculous.
I'm sure everyone from back in the day just wants a little time with you.
Yeah, nah, East-O wants more than time.
He loaned me like, uh, twenty grand to start my first album.
Twenty grand, mind you, that I paid back ten times over.
But nothing's enough.
It's like he feels like I owe him everything.
Two hundred grand? Sure seems like a pretty generous payback to me.
Yeah, I, I thought so too.
All right, so all in all, this is gonna cost us 75 grand.
Fuck this.
Look, we'll do this - We'll do this another time.
- Excuse me! Why are you throwing this back at me? You wanted the audition.
[SAGE.]
We'll do this another time.
[SINGER.]
I'm committed, heavy I'm on 10 already Hopping on my mark a minute But y'all still ain't ready Celebrate the win early - [SINGER.]
Get the confetti - [SINGER.]
Hey [SINGER.]
Girls wetter than Katrina Like they broke a levee Sounds tight.
- You okay? - [SINGER.]
I can swim good - [SINGER.]
Baby, motion - Is it Rigo? I'm fine.
Actually, I need a favor.
I need a dope-ass track.
Well, you know, I got you.
They paired me with that ho Janelle.
Do you know that she was with Rigo last night? You serious? No, no.
I'm not I'm not helping that girl.
You're not helping her, you're helping me.
Besides, she can't freestyle.
I'm gonna leave her ass in the rearview.
I'm gonna show her up in front of Sage and Collette.
I just need a dope track to do it.
[SIGHS.]
King, come on.
I need some dope ass music.
Please? Okay.
All right.
Um, I think I got something that'll shake things up.
Thanks.
[SINGER.]
We, we, we, we, we, we going overtime [DONDRE.]
Ohio.
Man, you're moving slower than Bill Cosby on his way to a women's rights rally.
Where you headed? Uh, home.
Uncle Al's.
You wanna take a ride with your boy? Um [DONDRE.]
Or you can just keep walking home.
I mean, at this rate you'll make it there by next Tuesday.
Come on, man, I heard about your fight.
I got something that'll cheer you up.
[INDISTINCT RAP PLAYING ON RADIO.]
Yeah! [DONDRE.]
My man said he got the all-star dunks in the blue-on-blue colorway.
I've been trying to get them for a month.
You come here a lot? [DONDRE.]
Yeah.
Sometimes twice a week.
Everybody has an obsession, right? What's yours? Uh, I-I-I don't know.
Maybe you haven't discovered it yet.
Now that you in ATL, you might wanna step your kick game up.
- What size are you? - Eleven.
[DONDRE.]
Yeah, I'm sure the Garvey kids got a lot to say about those.
Yeah, well, they got a lot to say about everything.
Yeah, and I can tell you don't give a fuck.
I respect that.
I went to Garvey.
Or should I say I survived Garvey.
They tried to step to me crazy because I was a PK.
- PK? - [DONDRE.]
Preacher's kid.
Oh, yeah, that's right, your dad's a preacher.
Oh, no, no, no, not just "a" preacher.
In this hood, he's "the" preacher.
Alpha and Omega First Church of Christ the Redeemer.
Corner of Spellman and Jackson.
[TAL.]
So you're into, like, church and stuff? In my own way.
I follow a different gospel.
[SINGER.]
Same boys out running around for me, yeah Nah.
[CHUCKLES.]
What are we gonna do with you, Ohio? I got no fucking idea.
I got to figure out what I'm gonna do now Janelle's probably going to go High Water.
She's going to High Water? Damn.
Exactly.
So what do I do? Just do you.
Always.
Listen, I never wonder about what anyone has to say.
Not my parents, those Garvey punks, no one.
And now I throw the biggest parties in the city, and all those Garvey assholes try to come to my shit.
You like those? Yeah.
Try them on.
Nah, come on, they're fucking gold and red and green.
- I'm not gonna be able to - So what? There's nothing wrong with standing out.
Let me tell you something.
Hiding ain't helping, Ohio.
You, my man, let me get these in a size eleven.
[SHOPKEEPER.]
Sure thing, man.
What? They're no, they're, they're 200 bucks.
I, I have to And now they're yours.
Consider it a welcome gift to Atlanta.
Hey, yo, let me get these in a size 10, too.
[SHOPKEEPER.]
Yeah, I got you.
[SINGER.]
These booty girls with the big old butts All the independent women with the junk in the trunk Got a little something something Next to [INDISTINCT.]
Be the center of attention - When we up in the club - That was good.
I'm sorry, was that a compliment? Let's take five.
What you need to do is let go and stop worrying about the moves.
Yeah, well, letting go has never really been my thing.
Maybe I can help you with that.
You nervous? [KISSING.]
See? Letting go can be a good thing.
You know Poppy's coming right back, right? Don't worry about Poppy, all right? So, let me see.
Show me the choreography.
Well, it's not the choreo, it's the freestyle that's driving me nuts.
Look, for freestyling? Just put levels in it, you know what I mean? Start here with it, bring it up, you know what I mean? Just drop it down like that.
That was dope.
Try it.
Arms here, pick it up, - drop down, bop.
- Oh.
[POPPY.]
So that's how it is? Uh, no, no, Poppy, that's not how it is.
Look, he was just showing me some steps.
I'm sure he was.
Go, we have work to do.
That's right.
Yeah.
[TSKS.]
Look, your shit is looking raggedy, and we're gonna stay here until you get it right.
Now do it again by yourself.
[SINGER.]
These booty girls with the big old butts All the independent women with the junk in the trunk - Got a little something - No, again.
You're not doing it hard enough.
I see you chilling with both of your girls at the same time.
[RIGO.]
Well, first of all, none of them are my women, all right? Yeah, it's not what it looks like from out here.
- Whatever, man.
- Come on, man.
- Let's go to the studio.
- [POPPY.]
Harder.
I got a couple new beats, I need you to put this hook on.
[SINGER.]
One, two, let's go [SINGER.]
Shake, shake it nah, nah, nah - Shake, shake - [POPPY.]
That's not it.
Start over.
[SINGER.]
Got the world to lose How do you How do you bring the best out of me? How do you flow so gracefully? Don't wanna look away You got me lost in a standstill What have you done? [SINGER.]
What have you done? [SINGER.]
What are you doing? [SINGER.]
What are you doing? [SINGER.]
Oh, what have you done? [SINGER.]
What have you done? [SINGER.]
What are you doing to me? [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
What part of the hood are you from? I thought I knew all the white girls from College Park.
Well, obviously you don't.
Oh, okay, Miley, my bad.
I see you hanging around that Janelle chick, right? You two knew each other before the audition? Um, no, we just met.
But you're turning into a crew, right? What's her deal? I don't know.
Why don't you ask her? Look, Rigo is like a brother to me, and if my boy's hanging out with your girl, I just wanna make sure that Oh, you didn't know? Yeah, they went out last night.
He likes to help his favorites get in here.
Well, I'll see you around, Miley.
Hey.
Sorry I'm late.
Where's Janelle? She's probably with Rigo.
What? What are you talking about? [JANELLE SIGHS.]
Sorry, guys.
I was rehearsing with Poppy and then she got mad because Rigo tried to help me.
Oh, is Rigo gonna be helping all of us or just you? Is that why you went out with him last night? So you could get in good with the star of the school? [JANELLE.]
No, that's not what happened.
Then why didn't you just tell us? Because I really, really need you guys right now.
How do you even think Rigo and his crew got to where they are? By being loyal to each other.
We're not even in High Water yet and you're already going behind our back.
I don't know about you, but I'm not waiting around to see how she'll screw us over if she actually gets in.
[DAVIES.]
Yo, Odalie, wait.
You should've told us.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
[COLLETTE.]
If you're lost I will find you If you're lost I will find you If you're lost I will find you Again You still got it.
Hardly.
Come on, you know you still got it.
Come on, you're serenading me.
I'll put you in a booth in a minute.
- You ever miss it? - Hmm.
Performing.
- Professionally, I mean.
- Oh.
Yeah, I did for, like, a minute or two or five or ten.
- Uh-hmm.
- Who am I kidding? I've been pissed off for five whole years.
I honestly expected you to come back.
Yeah, well, my knee finally healed, but I couldn't get my head back in the game.
Not everyone is the force of nature you are, Sage.
Force of nature, yeah.
Is everything okay? Hmm? Yeah, yeah, I'm just a little tired.
I've been messing with this reverb thing since, like, 1982 or something.
Uh-hmm, see, I know that when you rub your head like that, it means you're stressed, so don't try lying to me.
All right, lyanla, ease up, okay? You don't know my life.
Yeah, I do.
What's up? I am 53 million dollars in debt.
I've never said that out loud before.
Uh, 53 million dollars? What does that mean for you? What does that mean for High Water? Nothing for now, you know.
All of High Water's operating budgets are in a trust.
So for the next couple years, we're good.
But, uh, all these renovations and whatnot, the whole new studio, we're probably gonna have to put that stuff on hold for the moment just until, you know, until I get the money rolling back in again.
Right, and the best way to do that is for you to get in the studio and make a great album, so let's get to it.
What, what can I do to help? Yeah, uh, that part, um I haven't produced any new music in the last five years or so.
How? You just released an album three years ago.
Of music I wrote five years ago.
And the tech company, damn fashion line just just everything just got so damn big, man.
It takes time and money.
I sit and try to write and it's like, there's nothing there.
I've done like I got too much stuff in the air, I'm spread too thin.
You know what? It worked for me here, though.
This hood.
This is this is the hood that inspired me to do music in the first place.
Yeah.
This is where I need to be.
Yeah.
This creativity, these kids, this is the vibe that I need, yeah.
Sage, you can't just come back here and expect all your problems to magically resolve themselves.
That's not what I said.
Yes, it is.
I've been doing this a long time, okay? I know what I'm doing.
I'm gonna put this album out, it's gonna be fucking epic, Sage saves the day.
Crowd goes wild.
I got I got tour sponsors set up right now.
The tour for the non-existent album? [PHONE DINGS.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SAGE.]
You know what, of all the people that I thought I was going to have to prove something to, I didn't expect to see your name on that list.
The last name I expected to see on that list, but it's cool.
This album's gonna come out and I'll accept your thank you and your apology at the concert.
[SIGHS.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
You go kill it today, J.
All right? I mean it.
I love you.
[JANELLE.]
I love you, too.
- Come on.
- Yeah.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SINGER.]
Why, why, why not try to get involved? Why not try to get it on? Why not, baby, why not, you should try out You might like it but why not take me Away from this? Away from this? Why not try to be part of the show? Part of the show I was running through the hills On my phone I'm in the back Rolled it back to mansion party With my woes we on that pack I like your picture every time that I scroll So, if you in this party, baby You already know And I wanna know Do you wanna ride with me? - And I - All right.
All right.
- All right.
- [MAN.]
Yo, good work, fellas.
[SAGE.]
All right.
Young blood, - what's your name? - Rigo.
- [SAGE.]
Nice to meet you, man.
- [RIGO.]
Pleasure.
Pleasure.
You got some moves on you.
How long you been dancing? My whole life, since I was a kid.
[SAGE.]
Could tell.
It shows.
- You got some fire, brother.
- [RIGO.]
Thank you.
Thank you.
I even know your choreography.
Wait, all right.
Hold on.
Let's not hurt ourselves.
What you talking about? You remember this? [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
Oh.
Okay.
Talent and good taste will get you far in life, brother, yes, indeed.
Wait.
So, you remember the video with the You had a girl in there and everything.
Okay.
Come on.
Move.
Don't talk about, be about it, show me something.
[SINGER.]
Baby, leave it all Go on and enjoy yourself Have your fun for the moment Shawty, take it out - Okay.
What but what about - [RIGO.]
You wanna you wanna All right, all right.
Let me see.
Let me see.
- You remember it? - [SAGE.]
Okay.
Come on, brother.
What are you doing? Here we go.
[SINGER.]
Now I that you're Feeling fine You had just enough Did you right Later on We should change the vibe But this is cool for the moment Don't let me stop your groove Go ahead, girl Live it up, babe [INDISTINCT.]
on the beat Live it up Party away But after this I think I'm gonna need Some quieter time - Quiet time - [SINGER.]
So many things I know that we can do So many others that we on the move [SINGER.]
Quiet time - Quiet time - [SINGER.]
So many things I know that we can do So many others that we on the move Put your weight on this one.
Bop.
Bop.
There you go.
There you go.
You got it.
You in there.
Yo, I can't wait to hear your new music.
God bless you.
We about to change hearts.
We about to change minds.
We're about to show them what it is to be fly one more time.
There you go.
Just bend this with your wah! [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
All right, and finally, we have Janelle and Poppy.
[INDISTINCT SHOUTS.]
Let's go, ladies! [SINGER.]
Yeah Hey You know right here? Yeah, this is for the girls with the big old butts All the independent women with the junk in the trunk Got a little something, something [INDISTINCT.]
Be the center of attention when we up in the club Be making all the money, bitch, in this fucking town I ain't even acting funny What I need with this clown I'm married to the dollar, looking good in the gown Put the haters over there Sit your butt down Now, shake, shake it, na-na-na Shake, shake, shake it One, two, let's go [SINGER.]
Shake, shake it na-na-na, shake - Shake, shake it - [SINGER.]
Get the thing - On the floor - [SINGER.]
Shake Shake it na-na-na, shake it na-na-na Shake it na [MUSIC SKIPPING.]
What happened? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
What happened? Oh, my bad.
Hold on.
Oh, the file must be corrupted.
Hold on a second.
Hey, don't you have some other music? - Same tempo.
- [RIGO.]
They should just freestyle to a different track.
[SAGE.]
Hmm, yeah.
Yeah.
I like that.
I like that.
Let's freestyle.
Let's do that.
No, that's not how the process works.
Something happens on stage, what you gonna do, stop and actually start over? No.
You have to improvise.
You have to make it work.
Let's go, freestyle.
Come on.
Pull up something.
[APPLAUSE.]
[SINGER.]
Hey, girls wetter than Katrina Like they broke the levees Now floating, now floating Yeah, I'm party boating I can swim good Baby, motion of the ocean I go anytime, whether day or night I bet you never felt that good This good in your life I bet I can have you dreaming for ages Got you clicking, following on all my pages Creeping in the DMs 'Cause I know you fine, on the grind I don't sleep, I'm going overtime [CROWD CHEERING.]
Thank you.
Poppy, what was your observation from working with Ms.
Baker? Well, she takes direction very well, but, I mean, her ability to think outside the box or think on her feet is dead on arrival.
She can't freestyle.
She can't visualize a move in her head.
Okay.
Well, thank you.
We will reconvene here in an hour for the final solo auditions.
What the hell just happened? The music has been working fine for the past two days.
You must've screwed with it.
Maybe I did.
Maybe I didn't.
But you couldn't adapt, so And that's how you survive out here.
If you guys think that this is gonna be the last of me, you have another thing coming.
[POPPY.]
Did you screw with our music on purpose? No.
We did it for you, Pop.
She crashed and burned.
I could've crashed her, I could've burned her.
And I don't need you up in my shit - trying to rescue me.
- No.
Don't be like that.
Be like what? And don't think I don't know you took that bitch out on a date.
Pop, stop, stop, look, look.
I was just showing her around the hood, all right? It wasn't that crazy.
Come here.
All right? Don't think I'm gonna let anyone or anything come in between us, all right? Especially her.
Come on.
Chill out.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Save it for the backseat of your dad's Impala.
Come on.
[INDISTINCT RAP ON RADIO.]
What's up, Sage? East-O.
[EAST-O.]
You know, we used to skip school and now you own one.
Ain't that some shit? That's some shit.
[EAST-O.]
Look, man, I know you're busy, man, but, hey, I need you to listen to my beats, man.
- I ain't asking that much.
- All due respect, East, I got my album to worry about, I got the school to worry about now.
I can't just drop everything and listen to your beats.
But, look, I got your number and you got mine, so I'm-a hit you up, all right? I got to get inside, bro.
I'm-a holla at you.
[EAST-O.]
Who are you talking to, yo? Yo, hold up, man.
Don't turn your back on me, man.
[RIGO.]
Hey.
What up, Dad? What you doing here? Dad? - This is your kid? - [RIGO.]
Hold up, Sage.
My dad said you and him go way back.
[EAST-O.]
Go back inside, son.
We're talking business.
All right? Go.
- Really? - Come on, man.
It ain't even like that, bruh.
I just I just got shit - to do, man.
That's all.
- That's all right.
That's all right.
I know you don't care about me, but that boy is gonna be a superstar and I'm gonna make sure that you help me get there.
He's talented, I give him that.
- But - [EAST-O.]
Ta ho, ho, talented? My son can dance, he can rap, he can act, he can put High Water on the map right now.
And I can do the music like we used to do.
My son, me, and you? Yo, man, we could take over.
Ain't nothing we can't do.
[SIGHS.]
Huh? Hey, look, you owe me that much.
[SCOFFS.]
You know what, East? The way I see it, I don't owe you nothing, bruh.
Nigga, you owe me your life in case you forgot that, right? Now you're a big star, you got all your new hass-a-diddy friends now, but this "friend," this was the "friend" that had your back when nobody else did.
You know what, the fact that you're moving around town like, what, Papa Joe 2.
0? Trying to pimp your son, you know what they says about you, bruh? That you're just a dumbass street nigga and that's all you ever gonna be.
You might run High Water but I run the streets, nigga.
You remember that.
I got shit to do, bro.
Hey, what's up, Dorrie? [DORRIE.]
Hey.
Where's my shoes? Where's my fucking shoes?! Dorrie? Can't snitch.
[SLAMS LOCKER.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[INDISTINCT.]
All right.
Everybody, listen up.
You're all very good, and you should be very happy that you've made it this far, but your solo audition is your moment of truth.
And by the end of today, the new class of High Water will be chosen.
You good? Never better.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING.]
[LAUGHTER.]
[MAN.]
Hey, hey, hey.
[LAUGHTER.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[MAN.]
Oh, man.
[CAR ALARM BLARING.]
Fuck you! Hey, hey! Go, go! [SINGER.]
I don't know Because I don't know Because I don't know I don't know, I don't know [CAR HONKS.]
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SINGER.]
We breaking, breaking necks And we cashing checks, yeah We breaking, breaking necks And we cashing checks So we breaking, breaking necks And we cashing checks Like it's going out of style Can't nobody turn us down, down, down Running through the lobby The feeling is a hobby Killing it, I'm killing it People I know, I'm sorry Running through the lobby The feeling is a hobby Killing it, I'm killing it People, now, whip my, my beat - [SINGER.]
Beat, beat - [SINGER.]
I'm about to blow These speakers up, up, up Because everybody, body turn up [GUNSHOT.]
Music.
[SINGER.]
But I hear sounds In my mind Ah.
[SINGER.]
Brand new sounds In my mind But, honey, I'll be seeing you 'Ever I go But, honey, I'll be seeing you Down every road [SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it [SINGER.]
Because, honey, I'll come get my things But I can't let go [SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it [SINGER.]
Oh, I wish I could get my things - And just let go - [SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it That green light, I want it [SINGER.]
Yeah, honey I'll come get my things But I can't let go [SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it That green light, I want it [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it That green light, I want it I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it [CROWD CHEERING.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[PANTING.]
Uh I need to audition.
I need to dance.
Just one chance.
Why? Because dancing is not just what I do, it's who I am.
And auditioning for you right now, it's it's a matter of life and death.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Well, I'm sorry, but we won't be able to audition you today.
[JANELLE.]
No, no, no.
Please, you have to let him audition.
- [TAL.]
Let me show you what I can do.
- I'll show him I'm out.
[TAL.]
Please.
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.
You look like you really need this, little bro.
I've been there before.
Let's give him a shot.
No.
I'm sorry, that's not how the process works.
Let's give him a shot.
Let's give him a shot.
[MAN.]
You got music? [SINGER.]
In the middle of the dark I see your soul shine through [SINGER.]
See your soul shine through [SINGER.]
Always been a rebel Breaking all the rules [SINGER.]
Breaking all the rules [SINGER.]
Been preparing for this moment For all of your life [SINGER.]
For all of your life [SINGER.]
Hey, put it all on the line - Got the world to lose - [SINGER.]
Put it all On the line, got the world to lose [SINGER.]
Got the world to lose What have you done? [SINGER.]
What have you done? [SINGER.]
What are you doing? [SINGER.]
What are you doing? [SINGER.]
Oh, what have you done? [SINGER.]
What have you done? [SINGER.]
What are you doing to me? Oh You're more than amazing Oh, oh Oh, oh Can't nobody do it like you Oh, oh, oh [CROWD CHEERING.]
Line up, everybody.
Line up.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING.]
[COLLETTE.]
Okay.
When you hear your name called, please take a step back.
Sanford, Brown, Scott, Nee, Jimenez, Allen, Johnson, and Baker.
Janelle Baker, step forward, please.
Okay.
First and foremost, you should all be very proud of yourselves, because as you know, not everybody made it even this far.
So, congratulations.
I need you to know and understand that should you not make it into High Water today, this is not the end of your story, just this particular chapter.
So, with that being said, front row, thank you all very much for coming out.
Back row, congratulations, you just made it into High Water.
[CROWD CHEERING.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hey, hey.
Be proud of yourself.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Nothin' but weirdos in this bitchfest! - NEXT ON STEP UP: High Water - [SPECTATORS SCREAM.]
I'll be starting a brand-new tour You're the one who got into High Water.
You got my life.
Guess you're gonna have to live with it.
You and Dondre, what, are you like a thing now? You wanna tell me who let East-O's kid into my school? - I did.
- I'll beat your ass up! - Last night was - The most fun I've had in a long time.
Made in Georgia.
Diba-diba dee-dee duh
[TAL SOBBING.]
Come on, Janelle.
Come on, pick up.
Pick up.
Please pick up.
Please pick up.
Fuck.
[GROANS.]
[GROANS.]
- [PHONE RINGING.]
- [SINGER.]
It's me against the world See, I say it's so simple [RAP CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY.]
[JANELLE.]
Whoa, your dad is intense.
Yeah, a lot of people think that but he's just some regular dad, you know what I mean? He be cooking pancakes on the weekends and making sure my room all clean and shit.
Seriously? - Yeah.
Oh, what up? - What up there, bro? - Yeah, yeah.
- How you doing, man? Okay, I see you're Mr.
Popularity.
Somebody's got to be.
I guess this week it's me.
Come on.
Let me show you around.
Actually, um, can you give me one second? I need to call my brother.
All right.
Cool.
I'll be out here.
Fellas! What y'all doing around my 'hood, huh? [JANELLE.]
Hey, Tal, why aren't you picking up your phone, bro? I made it through the first round of auditions.
Call me when you get this, okay? Love you.
[SINGER.]
I wanna tell everybody something, even though Just got a quick moment [MOTOWN CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO.]
[UNCLE AL.]
Tomorrow you're gonna go to school and you gonna fight and you gonna show them.
That's your advice? Just fight back? How profound.
[SINGER.]
You know, it just It just won't do now [RIGO.]
See? High Water ain't no joke.
Oh, I noticed that.
Yeah, that's why I told you, you got to hang with the right people - if you're trying to shine around here.
- Okay.
Oh, my God.
Well, this has definitely been the best day that I have had in a long time.
- Oh, yeah? - Yes.
I can make it better for you.
[SINGER.]
I would give you everything I got Tryin' to rock your body Tryin' to rock your body Tryin' to rock your bod No Tryin' to rock your body Tryin' to rock your body Well, that's better.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
[MUSIC FADES.]
Hey, Tal, I came by your room when I got home, but you were asleep.
What the hell happened to you? Oh, nothing.
I just got brutally attacked by some of Atlanta's finest thugs.
[JANELLE.]
I'm so sorry.
- Who did this to you? - It doesn't matter.
Yeah, it does matter.
Look at your face.
What are we gonna do? We are not gonna do anything, all right? You're at High Water and I'm at Garvey.
And I'm late.
[DAVIS.]
So if we have two more auditions to go and the last one's our solo, what the hell's the next one? [ODALIE.]
I don't know, but I spent all night working on my solo.
I tried FaceTiming to show you, but you didn't pick up.
No, I'm so sorry, I knocked out as soon as I got home, but I can't wait to see it today.
[DAVIS.]
Hey, yo, I could use some feedback too.
You guys wanna work on the solos tonight? Um, absolutely.
I need as much help as I can get.
Man, you're dope.
We're dope, all right, and we're about to be the dopest crew over here at High Water.
Oh, I got to turn in my paperwork.
- I'll see you guys soon.
- All right, see you.
Hey, don't worry.
You're gonna be great, all right? Ugh.
What you looking at, bitch? Nothing.
Watch yourself.
Hey, come on.
Don't worry about her.
[SESSION BELL RINGS.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
What up, Tal? You feeling any better? And whatever you do, don't snitch, okay? Don't snitch.
Congratulations to the prospective students who made it past yesterday's round of auditions.
I know you're curious as to what the next round will entail.
This is Mr.
McCoy Harris.
He's one of the master teachers here at High Water, and he will explain further.
[MCCOY.]
I'm pleased to make your collective acquaintance.
The next round is a peer review performance where the prospective students will be paired with the High Water students to choreograph a routine together.
The High Water students will critique you, and make no doubt it, we take their assessment very seriously when we make our final decision.
Good luck.
[ELECTRA.]
All right, let's start with the pairings.
I hope I get someone good.
What are you talking about? Everyone's good.
But some are better, right? Look, no matter what happens, we'll be okay.
We got this.
[COLLETTE.]
Odalie Allen, you will be paired with Leticia Bingham.
Janelle Baker, you will be working with Poppy Martinez.
Can't I get someone better? Okay, you will work with who I assigned you to.
[ELECTRA.]
Megan Driscol and Kyle Wilson.
Josh Dowdy and Chris Royce.
[POPPY.]
Three, four, turn around, hit, hit, hit and pop, and booty, booty, here.
And now we hit the freestyle.
Come on, girl.
Why you not dancing? [JANELLE.]
I, I don't know.
I guess I'm just nervous.
And I guess you can't freestyle.
Can we just do it again? Do you mind if I record you? What? It would just help me get some ideas.
You're kidding, right? It's called freestyle for a reason.
Put the fucking phone down and let's go again.
From the top, five, six, seven, eight, pop.
One, two, three, turn around.
And hit, hit.
[COLLETTE.]
All right, so once we take out this wall and this wall, then we will have our gorgeous new studio.
- [SAGE.]
Uh-hmm.
- [COLETTE.]
Right? It looks so good.
I thought it was gonna too expensive but with all the new kids coming in, we're really gonna need it, so - [BUZZING.]
- [SIGHS.]
East-O.
East-O.
Oh, yeah.
I was wondering when you two were gonna run into each other.
[SAGE.]
Yo, since I've been back, this dude is like a dog with a fucking bone.
It's ridiculous.
I'm sure everyone from back in the day just wants a little time with you.
Yeah, nah, East-O wants more than time.
He loaned me like, uh, twenty grand to start my first album.
Twenty grand, mind you, that I paid back ten times over.
But nothing's enough.
It's like he feels like I owe him everything.
Two hundred grand? Sure seems like a pretty generous payback to me.
Yeah, I, I thought so too.
All right, so all in all, this is gonna cost us 75 grand.
Fuck this.
Look, we'll do this - We'll do this another time.
- Excuse me! Why are you throwing this back at me? You wanted the audition.
[SAGE.]
We'll do this another time.
[SINGER.]
I'm committed, heavy I'm on 10 already Hopping on my mark a minute But y'all still ain't ready Celebrate the win early - [SINGER.]
Get the confetti - [SINGER.]
Hey [SINGER.]
Girls wetter than Katrina Like they broke a levee Sounds tight.
- You okay? - [SINGER.]
I can swim good - [SINGER.]
Baby, motion - Is it Rigo? I'm fine.
Actually, I need a favor.
I need a dope-ass track.
Well, you know, I got you.
They paired me with that ho Janelle.
Do you know that she was with Rigo last night? You serious? No, no.
I'm not I'm not helping that girl.
You're not helping her, you're helping me.
Besides, she can't freestyle.
I'm gonna leave her ass in the rearview.
I'm gonna show her up in front of Sage and Collette.
I just need a dope track to do it.
[SIGHS.]
King, come on.
I need some dope ass music.
Please? Okay.
All right.
Um, I think I got something that'll shake things up.
Thanks.
[SINGER.]
We, we, we, we, we, we going overtime [DONDRE.]
Ohio.
Man, you're moving slower than Bill Cosby on his way to a women's rights rally.
Where you headed? Uh, home.
Uncle Al's.
You wanna take a ride with your boy? Um [DONDRE.]
Or you can just keep walking home.
I mean, at this rate you'll make it there by next Tuesday.
Come on, man, I heard about your fight.
I got something that'll cheer you up.
[INDISTINCT RAP PLAYING ON RADIO.]
Yeah! [DONDRE.]
My man said he got the all-star dunks in the blue-on-blue colorway.
I've been trying to get them for a month.
You come here a lot? [DONDRE.]
Yeah.
Sometimes twice a week.
Everybody has an obsession, right? What's yours? Uh, I-I-I don't know.
Maybe you haven't discovered it yet.
Now that you in ATL, you might wanna step your kick game up.
- What size are you? - Eleven.
[DONDRE.]
Yeah, I'm sure the Garvey kids got a lot to say about those.
Yeah, well, they got a lot to say about everything.
Yeah, and I can tell you don't give a fuck.
I respect that.
I went to Garvey.
Or should I say I survived Garvey.
They tried to step to me crazy because I was a PK.
- PK? - [DONDRE.]
Preacher's kid.
Oh, yeah, that's right, your dad's a preacher.
Oh, no, no, no, not just "a" preacher.
In this hood, he's "the" preacher.
Alpha and Omega First Church of Christ the Redeemer.
Corner of Spellman and Jackson.
[TAL.]
So you're into, like, church and stuff? In my own way.
I follow a different gospel.
[SINGER.]
Same boys out running around for me, yeah Nah.
[CHUCKLES.]
What are we gonna do with you, Ohio? I got no fucking idea.
I got to figure out what I'm gonna do now Janelle's probably going to go High Water.
She's going to High Water? Damn.
Exactly.
So what do I do? Just do you.
Always.
Listen, I never wonder about what anyone has to say.
Not my parents, those Garvey punks, no one.
And now I throw the biggest parties in the city, and all those Garvey assholes try to come to my shit.
You like those? Yeah.
Try them on.
Nah, come on, they're fucking gold and red and green.
- I'm not gonna be able to - So what? There's nothing wrong with standing out.
Let me tell you something.
Hiding ain't helping, Ohio.
You, my man, let me get these in a size eleven.
[SHOPKEEPER.]
Sure thing, man.
What? They're no, they're, they're 200 bucks.
I, I have to And now they're yours.
Consider it a welcome gift to Atlanta.
Hey, yo, let me get these in a size 10, too.
[SHOPKEEPER.]
Yeah, I got you.
[SINGER.]
These booty girls with the big old butts All the independent women with the junk in the trunk Got a little something something Next to [INDISTINCT.]
Be the center of attention - When we up in the club - That was good.
I'm sorry, was that a compliment? Let's take five.
What you need to do is let go and stop worrying about the moves.
Yeah, well, letting go has never really been my thing.
Maybe I can help you with that.
You nervous? [KISSING.]
See? Letting go can be a good thing.
You know Poppy's coming right back, right? Don't worry about Poppy, all right? So, let me see.
Show me the choreography.
Well, it's not the choreo, it's the freestyle that's driving me nuts.
Look, for freestyling? Just put levels in it, you know what I mean? Start here with it, bring it up, you know what I mean? Just drop it down like that.
That was dope.
Try it.
Arms here, pick it up, - drop down, bop.
- Oh.
[POPPY.]
So that's how it is? Uh, no, no, Poppy, that's not how it is.
Look, he was just showing me some steps.
I'm sure he was.
Go, we have work to do.
That's right.
Yeah.
[TSKS.]
Look, your shit is looking raggedy, and we're gonna stay here until you get it right.
Now do it again by yourself.
[SINGER.]
These booty girls with the big old butts All the independent women with the junk in the trunk - Got a little something - No, again.
You're not doing it hard enough.
I see you chilling with both of your girls at the same time.
[RIGO.]
Well, first of all, none of them are my women, all right? Yeah, it's not what it looks like from out here.
- Whatever, man.
- Come on, man.
- Let's go to the studio.
- [POPPY.]
Harder.
I got a couple new beats, I need you to put this hook on.
[SINGER.]
One, two, let's go [SINGER.]
Shake, shake it nah, nah, nah - Shake, shake - [POPPY.]
That's not it.
Start over.
[SINGER.]
Got the world to lose How do you How do you bring the best out of me? How do you flow so gracefully? Don't wanna look away You got me lost in a standstill What have you done? [SINGER.]
What have you done? [SINGER.]
What are you doing? [SINGER.]
What are you doing? [SINGER.]
Oh, what have you done? [SINGER.]
What have you done? [SINGER.]
What are you doing to me? [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
What part of the hood are you from? I thought I knew all the white girls from College Park.
Well, obviously you don't.
Oh, okay, Miley, my bad.
I see you hanging around that Janelle chick, right? You two knew each other before the audition? Um, no, we just met.
But you're turning into a crew, right? What's her deal? I don't know.
Why don't you ask her? Look, Rigo is like a brother to me, and if my boy's hanging out with your girl, I just wanna make sure that Oh, you didn't know? Yeah, they went out last night.
He likes to help his favorites get in here.
Well, I'll see you around, Miley.
Hey.
Sorry I'm late.
Where's Janelle? She's probably with Rigo.
What? What are you talking about? [JANELLE SIGHS.]
Sorry, guys.
I was rehearsing with Poppy and then she got mad because Rigo tried to help me.
Oh, is Rigo gonna be helping all of us or just you? Is that why you went out with him last night? So you could get in good with the star of the school? [JANELLE.]
No, that's not what happened.
Then why didn't you just tell us? Because I really, really need you guys right now.
How do you even think Rigo and his crew got to where they are? By being loyal to each other.
We're not even in High Water yet and you're already going behind our back.
I don't know about you, but I'm not waiting around to see how she'll screw us over if she actually gets in.
[DAVIES.]
Yo, Odalie, wait.
You should've told us.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
[COLLETTE.]
If you're lost I will find you If you're lost I will find you If you're lost I will find you Again You still got it.
Hardly.
Come on, you know you still got it.
Come on, you're serenading me.
I'll put you in a booth in a minute.
- You ever miss it? - Hmm.
Performing.
- Professionally, I mean.
- Oh.
Yeah, I did for, like, a minute or two or five or ten.
- Uh-hmm.
- Who am I kidding? I've been pissed off for five whole years.
I honestly expected you to come back.
Yeah, well, my knee finally healed, but I couldn't get my head back in the game.
Not everyone is the force of nature you are, Sage.
Force of nature, yeah.
Is everything okay? Hmm? Yeah, yeah, I'm just a little tired.
I've been messing with this reverb thing since, like, 1982 or something.
Uh-hmm, see, I know that when you rub your head like that, it means you're stressed, so don't try lying to me.
All right, lyanla, ease up, okay? You don't know my life.
Yeah, I do.
What's up? I am 53 million dollars in debt.
I've never said that out loud before.
Uh, 53 million dollars? What does that mean for you? What does that mean for High Water? Nothing for now, you know.
All of High Water's operating budgets are in a trust.
So for the next couple years, we're good.
But, uh, all these renovations and whatnot, the whole new studio, we're probably gonna have to put that stuff on hold for the moment just until, you know, until I get the money rolling back in again.
Right, and the best way to do that is for you to get in the studio and make a great album, so let's get to it.
What, what can I do to help? Yeah, uh, that part, um I haven't produced any new music in the last five years or so.
How? You just released an album three years ago.
Of music I wrote five years ago.
And the tech company, damn fashion line just just everything just got so damn big, man.
It takes time and money.
I sit and try to write and it's like, there's nothing there.
I've done like I got too much stuff in the air, I'm spread too thin.
You know what? It worked for me here, though.
This hood.
This is this is the hood that inspired me to do music in the first place.
Yeah.
This is where I need to be.
Yeah.
This creativity, these kids, this is the vibe that I need, yeah.
Sage, you can't just come back here and expect all your problems to magically resolve themselves.
That's not what I said.
Yes, it is.
I've been doing this a long time, okay? I know what I'm doing.
I'm gonna put this album out, it's gonna be fucking epic, Sage saves the day.
Crowd goes wild.
I got I got tour sponsors set up right now.
The tour for the non-existent album? [PHONE DINGS.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SAGE.]
You know what, of all the people that I thought I was going to have to prove something to, I didn't expect to see your name on that list.
The last name I expected to see on that list, but it's cool.
This album's gonna come out and I'll accept your thank you and your apology at the concert.
[SIGHS.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
You go kill it today, J.
All right? I mean it.
I love you.
[JANELLE.]
I love you, too.
- Come on.
- Yeah.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SINGER.]
Why, why, why not try to get involved? Why not try to get it on? Why not, baby, why not, you should try out You might like it but why not take me Away from this? Away from this? Why not try to be part of the show? Part of the show I was running through the hills On my phone I'm in the back Rolled it back to mansion party With my woes we on that pack I like your picture every time that I scroll So, if you in this party, baby You already know And I wanna know Do you wanna ride with me? - And I - All right.
All right.
- All right.
- [MAN.]
Yo, good work, fellas.
[SAGE.]
All right.
Young blood, - what's your name? - Rigo.
- [SAGE.]
Nice to meet you, man.
- [RIGO.]
Pleasure.
Pleasure.
You got some moves on you.
How long you been dancing? My whole life, since I was a kid.
[SAGE.]
Could tell.
It shows.
- You got some fire, brother.
- [RIGO.]
Thank you.
Thank you.
I even know your choreography.
Wait, all right.
Hold on.
Let's not hurt ourselves.
What you talking about? You remember this? [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
Oh.
Okay.
Talent and good taste will get you far in life, brother, yes, indeed.
Wait.
So, you remember the video with the You had a girl in there and everything.
Okay.
Come on.
Move.
Don't talk about, be about it, show me something.
[SINGER.]
Baby, leave it all Go on and enjoy yourself Have your fun for the moment Shawty, take it out - Okay.
What but what about - [RIGO.]
You wanna you wanna All right, all right.
Let me see.
Let me see.
- You remember it? - [SAGE.]
Okay.
Come on, brother.
What are you doing? Here we go.
[SINGER.]
Now I that you're Feeling fine You had just enough Did you right Later on We should change the vibe But this is cool for the moment Don't let me stop your groove Go ahead, girl Live it up, babe [INDISTINCT.]
on the beat Live it up Party away But after this I think I'm gonna need Some quieter time - Quiet time - [SINGER.]
So many things I know that we can do So many others that we on the move [SINGER.]
Quiet time - Quiet time - [SINGER.]
So many things I know that we can do So many others that we on the move Put your weight on this one.
Bop.
Bop.
There you go.
There you go.
You got it.
You in there.
Yo, I can't wait to hear your new music.
God bless you.
We about to change hearts.
We about to change minds.
We're about to show them what it is to be fly one more time.
There you go.
Just bend this with your wah! [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
All right, and finally, we have Janelle and Poppy.
[INDISTINCT SHOUTS.]
Let's go, ladies! [SINGER.]
Yeah Hey You know right here? Yeah, this is for the girls with the big old butts All the independent women with the junk in the trunk Got a little something, something [INDISTINCT.]
Be the center of attention when we up in the club Be making all the money, bitch, in this fucking town I ain't even acting funny What I need with this clown I'm married to the dollar, looking good in the gown Put the haters over there Sit your butt down Now, shake, shake it, na-na-na Shake, shake, shake it One, two, let's go [SINGER.]
Shake, shake it na-na-na, shake - Shake, shake it - [SINGER.]
Get the thing - On the floor - [SINGER.]
Shake Shake it na-na-na, shake it na-na-na Shake it na [MUSIC SKIPPING.]
What happened? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
What happened? Oh, my bad.
Hold on.
Oh, the file must be corrupted.
Hold on a second.
Hey, don't you have some other music? - Same tempo.
- [RIGO.]
They should just freestyle to a different track.
[SAGE.]
Hmm, yeah.
Yeah.
I like that.
I like that.
Let's freestyle.
Let's do that.
No, that's not how the process works.
Something happens on stage, what you gonna do, stop and actually start over? No.
You have to improvise.
You have to make it work.
Let's go, freestyle.
Come on.
Pull up something.
[APPLAUSE.]
[SINGER.]
Hey, girls wetter than Katrina Like they broke the levees Now floating, now floating Yeah, I'm party boating I can swim good Baby, motion of the ocean I go anytime, whether day or night I bet you never felt that good This good in your life I bet I can have you dreaming for ages Got you clicking, following on all my pages Creeping in the DMs 'Cause I know you fine, on the grind I don't sleep, I'm going overtime [CROWD CHEERING.]
Thank you.
Poppy, what was your observation from working with Ms.
Baker? Well, she takes direction very well, but, I mean, her ability to think outside the box or think on her feet is dead on arrival.
She can't freestyle.
She can't visualize a move in her head.
Okay.
Well, thank you.
We will reconvene here in an hour for the final solo auditions.
What the hell just happened? The music has been working fine for the past two days.
You must've screwed with it.
Maybe I did.
Maybe I didn't.
But you couldn't adapt, so And that's how you survive out here.
If you guys think that this is gonna be the last of me, you have another thing coming.
[POPPY.]
Did you screw with our music on purpose? No.
We did it for you, Pop.
She crashed and burned.
I could've crashed her, I could've burned her.
And I don't need you up in my shit - trying to rescue me.
- No.
Don't be like that.
Be like what? And don't think I don't know you took that bitch out on a date.
Pop, stop, stop, look, look.
I was just showing her around the hood, all right? It wasn't that crazy.
Come here.
All right? Don't think I'm gonna let anyone or anything come in between us, all right? Especially her.
Come on.
Chill out.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Save it for the backseat of your dad's Impala.
Come on.
[INDISTINCT RAP ON RADIO.]
What's up, Sage? East-O.
[EAST-O.]
You know, we used to skip school and now you own one.
Ain't that some shit? That's some shit.
[EAST-O.]
Look, man, I know you're busy, man, but, hey, I need you to listen to my beats, man.
- I ain't asking that much.
- All due respect, East, I got my album to worry about, I got the school to worry about now.
I can't just drop everything and listen to your beats.
But, look, I got your number and you got mine, so I'm-a hit you up, all right? I got to get inside, bro.
I'm-a holla at you.
[EAST-O.]
Who are you talking to, yo? Yo, hold up, man.
Don't turn your back on me, man.
[RIGO.]
Hey.
What up, Dad? What you doing here? Dad? - This is your kid? - [RIGO.]
Hold up, Sage.
My dad said you and him go way back.
[EAST-O.]
Go back inside, son.
We're talking business.
All right? Go.
- Really? - Come on, man.
It ain't even like that, bruh.
I just I just got shit - to do, man.
That's all.
- That's all right.
That's all right.
I know you don't care about me, but that boy is gonna be a superstar and I'm gonna make sure that you help me get there.
He's talented, I give him that.
- But - [EAST-O.]
Ta ho, ho, talented? My son can dance, he can rap, he can act, he can put High Water on the map right now.
And I can do the music like we used to do.
My son, me, and you? Yo, man, we could take over.
Ain't nothing we can't do.
[SIGHS.]
Huh? Hey, look, you owe me that much.
[SCOFFS.]
You know what, East? The way I see it, I don't owe you nothing, bruh.
Nigga, you owe me your life in case you forgot that, right? Now you're a big star, you got all your new hass-a-diddy friends now, but this "friend," this was the "friend" that had your back when nobody else did.
You know what, the fact that you're moving around town like, what, Papa Joe 2.
0? Trying to pimp your son, you know what they says about you, bruh? That you're just a dumbass street nigga and that's all you ever gonna be.
You might run High Water but I run the streets, nigga.
You remember that.
I got shit to do, bro.
Hey, what's up, Dorrie? [DORRIE.]
Hey.
Where's my shoes? Where's my fucking shoes?! Dorrie? Can't snitch.
[SLAMS LOCKER.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[INDISTINCT.]
All right.
Everybody, listen up.
You're all very good, and you should be very happy that you've made it this far, but your solo audition is your moment of truth.
And by the end of today, the new class of High Water will be chosen.
You good? Never better.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING.]
[LAUGHTER.]
[MAN.]
Hey, hey, hey.
[LAUGHTER.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[MAN.]
Oh, man.
[CAR ALARM BLARING.]
Fuck you! Hey, hey! Go, go! [SINGER.]
I don't know Because I don't know Because I don't know I don't know, I don't know [CAR HONKS.]
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SINGER.]
We breaking, breaking necks And we cashing checks, yeah We breaking, breaking necks And we cashing checks So we breaking, breaking necks And we cashing checks Like it's going out of style Can't nobody turn us down, down, down Running through the lobby The feeling is a hobby Killing it, I'm killing it People I know, I'm sorry Running through the lobby The feeling is a hobby Killing it, I'm killing it People, now, whip my, my beat - [SINGER.]
Beat, beat - [SINGER.]
I'm about to blow These speakers up, up, up Because everybody, body turn up [GUNSHOT.]
Music.
[SINGER.]
But I hear sounds In my mind Ah.
[SINGER.]
Brand new sounds In my mind But, honey, I'll be seeing you 'Ever I go But, honey, I'll be seeing you Down every road [SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it [SINGER.]
Because, honey, I'll come get my things But I can't let go [SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it [SINGER.]
Oh, I wish I could get my things - And just let go - [SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it That green light, I want it [SINGER.]
Yeah, honey I'll come get my things But I can't let go [SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it That green light, I want it [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SINGER.]
I'm waiting for it That green light, I want it I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it [CROWD CHEERING.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[PANTING.]
Uh I need to audition.
I need to dance.
Just one chance.
Why? Because dancing is not just what I do, it's who I am.
And auditioning for you right now, it's it's a matter of life and death.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Well, I'm sorry, but we won't be able to audition you today.
[JANELLE.]
No, no, no.
Please, you have to let him audition.
- [TAL.]
Let me show you what I can do.
- I'll show him I'm out.
[TAL.]
Please.
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.
You look like you really need this, little bro.
I've been there before.
Let's give him a shot.
No.
I'm sorry, that's not how the process works.
Let's give him a shot.
Let's give him a shot.
[MAN.]
You got music? [SINGER.]
In the middle of the dark I see your soul shine through [SINGER.]
See your soul shine through [SINGER.]
Always been a rebel Breaking all the rules [SINGER.]
Breaking all the rules [SINGER.]
Been preparing for this moment For all of your life [SINGER.]
For all of your life [SINGER.]
Hey, put it all on the line - Got the world to lose - [SINGER.]
Put it all On the line, got the world to lose [SINGER.]
Got the world to lose What have you done? [SINGER.]
What have you done? [SINGER.]
What are you doing? [SINGER.]
What are you doing? [SINGER.]
Oh, what have you done? [SINGER.]
What have you done? [SINGER.]
What are you doing to me? Oh You're more than amazing Oh, oh Oh, oh Can't nobody do it like you Oh, oh, oh [CROWD CHEERING.]
Line up, everybody.
Line up.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING.]
[COLLETTE.]
Okay.
When you hear your name called, please take a step back.
Sanford, Brown, Scott, Nee, Jimenez, Allen, Johnson, and Baker.
Janelle Baker, step forward, please.
Okay.
First and foremost, you should all be very proud of yourselves, because as you know, not everybody made it even this far.
So, congratulations.
I need you to know and understand that should you not make it into High Water today, this is not the end of your story, just this particular chapter.
So, with that being said, front row, thank you all very much for coming out.
Back row, congratulations, you just made it into High Water.
[CROWD CHEERING.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hey, hey.
Be proud of yourself.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Nothin' but weirdos in this bitchfest! - NEXT ON STEP UP: High Water - [SPECTATORS SCREAM.]
I'll be starting a brand-new tour You're the one who got into High Water.
You got my life.
Guess you're gonna have to live with it.
You and Dondre, what, are you like a thing now? You wanna tell me who let East-O's kid into my school? - I did.
- I'll beat your ass up! - Last night was - The most fun I've had in a long time.
Made in Georgia.
Diba-diba dee-dee duh