The Breaks (2017) s01e04 Episode Script
Substitution
1 (Nikki) Previously on "The Breaks" We found that nigga that killed Bug.
Run, bitch! - (gunshot) - (screaming) If Barry Fouray and Gordy Charlton are fighting, that's a story.
What if I can give you an even bigger story? - You owe me money! - A'ight, look, Lil Ray, don't sweat me over that, I got you! What happens to me? Sadly, I think you just became our new tour manager.
You could've just given me the credentials.
Yeah, but where's the fun in that? You doing big things, man.
Aw, man.
Word, we gotta get in the studio.
Nobody replacing him, got what it takes to win (DeeVee) Have you ever tried to do, like, a hook? You think my shit's whack? It's a fresh start without Juggy's initials.
It would be great if you could get your stuff out of my place.
Okay.
Okay, I can explain.
I gave you a blank tape.
(clatters to floor) Okay, I'm gonna get straight to the point.
I'ma be real with you.
Ahm, you got crazy talent.
But all this drama you putting DeeVee through, it's getting in the way.
He's a good kid and a dope producer.
And he wanted to help you.
- Fouray wanted to help - Did I ask for help? You made a song 'cause you didn't want anybody to hear it? What's wrong with this one? Yo, the A, the H, the M Nobody replacing him, got what it takes to win Shout to my niggas doing eight to ten Walk straight, don't scrape the Timbs I ain't a corner boy, dressed in no corduroys I'm a carnivore, raised in the art of war Quarterback the track and make it call an audible (stops) You want me to tell you the truth? What the fuck do you think? You got rhymes for days but it's your flow.
It's uneven.
You just said I got rhymes.
But not on this, that That shit is cool in a battle, but Nobody wants to hear that in real life.
I'm not riding around listening to 32 straight bars.
Where's the hook? Where the punch lines? You drop that, you wear your listeners out.
(music starts, door slams) Enough Come, Your Highness They await you (drink pouring) $25,000 bonus for Imani X.
Where is that coming from? I mean, if that rumor is even true.
I'm curious What's your angle in all this? Exactly what I pitched.
Is Fouray rap's new king? Stephen, you're taking too long to say yes, yes, yes! I'm sorry.
- That took me so long.
I kept you waiting.
- That's all right.
- Secretive time.
- Mm-hmm.
That's rap's reputation anyway, so We'll sit right here.
Miss Alonzo and I were just clarifying that this is a profile piece and not an exposé.
I'm here to tell a story.
And in order to tell a good one, I'm going to need a slightly uncomfortable amount of transparency.
Well said, a'ight? No problem.
So, Barry, did you grow up around music? - (cell phone ringing) - Yeah, oh, excuse me.
Fouray, what's up? Quik? (copier clicking) What is wrong with this thing? When you done sabotaging the copier, Barry wants to see you.
Having our artists out touring helps keep the lights on.
Like, today, Mike is on tour right now.
Rex Boogie has got a show here tonight.
We'll go.
So, shifting to a label will help or hurt Fouray Management? - What do you mean, shifting - Barry, a word? Yeah, all right.
What? What are we doing here? - What do you mean what are we doing here? - Let's just stick to the agenda.
Take her downstairs, show her around.
Take her to D Rome's studio session, and then send her on her way.
We don't know this girl.
And now she's hearing about Lisa? - Which is just - I'm on it.
Okay, I need you to call Lil Ray.
(door opens) I have an assignment for you, Nikki Jones.
I need you to run this DAT tape up to our production office in Philly.
Otherwise the show will not go on.
- Can you handle that? - I got it.
Here.
Also, Lisa is way out of pocket.
So I need you to go check on J Mike.
- Good? - Mm-hmm.
All right.
You know Lil Ray's gonna want.
Yeah.
Get it out the safe.
All right, so, these are the rest from the crates and all the duplicates.
Take your pick.
Thank you, thank you, man, I I need to be on my "A" game for D Rome today.
So, it sounds like you're not planning on leaving town anytime soon.
(chuckling) Nah, man.
And what about the police? Haven't heard from them.
So, guess they're leaning on Ahm.
Have you seen him? Nope.
Ain't lookin' for him.
Ain't lookin' to be his alibi either.
(indistinct shouting) No good son of a bitch! (indistinct shouting) Motherfucker! Yo, what was that? Didn't you hear? Sampson just stole Chuck Chillout.
That's what I told him - You are dead to me! - Damn.
Hey, brother, least Sampson's listening to you now.
A rap show on WPPS.
Bastard.
Wait, do you know who Bernard's getting to take Chuck's slot? Gotta be somebody, I I'm thinking Clark Kent, Kid Capri.
That's not who I'm thinking.
(laughing) Oh, you're crazy.
People fought just to get up front To get a bird's eye view Of what we call the brand-new funk (music coming from TV) Yo Jeff! - Rock the beat - Hello? Yo Jeff! Rock the beat Yo Jeff! Rock the beat Hello? (music stops) Hey, I'm Nikki Jones.
I'm with Fouray Management.
Why are you here? No one's been able to reach you So? I'm just checking in on you, that's all.
Maybe you wanna put that down? Yeah, we don't change our artists' music and image so they can fit the mainstream.
We make the mainstream flow to us.
See? That just came over from the record label.
Special Ed.
Special Ed is blowing up, like, real nicely.
Josie Cho.
This is Josie Cho.
This is our fabulous art director and a killer with a camera.
Let me see, let me see, let me see.
This is our newest artist here.
This is Imani X.
Yeah, Jose, that's dope.
Ah, yeah, thanks, getting there.
It's nice to officially meet you, Miss Alonzo.
I'm a fan.
I loved you piece on Sugar Hill Records.
- Thank you, appreciate that.
- Yeah.
Mmm, you got fans over here already, I see.
So, yeah, we just closed this endorsement deal for one of our artists with K-Swiss.
What size shoe you wear? - Six-and-a-half? - Where's Stephen? Stephen?! Yeah.
I need 6-1/2, right here, yeah.
You got a lot going on, Barry.
How did it all start? It started with a $700 loan from my parents.
What do your parents do? My mother was an EMS dispatcher.
My father is a cab driver.
Tried to get him to retire, but he won't retire, you know? Where we from, you don't retire.
You just work until you can't.
(demagnetizer humming) What's in the bag? Relax.
It's a sandwich.
I brought one for me too, see? You know, it's really not cool you showing up like this.
What choice did I have? My son actually gets hired at the Ride.
and stops returning my calls.
I never returned your calls.
What's up? I'm swamped.
You work, I'll eat.
I understand you wanna get more rap on the radio.
I was thinking We could do it together.
You choose the music, I'll get it played.
No, thanks.
I'm not doing what you did.
And what is it that I did? Payola.
You know, hip-hop nowadays isn't so different from rhythm and blues used to be.
Major labels wouldn't sign it.
Radio wouldn't play it.
So, you just galloped in with your sacks of cash and saved the day? Every song you've ever heard has been bought and paid for whether you like it or not.
My little bags of cash? It's a DJ's rent money, David.
You wanna make a living in the music industry, you're gonna have to get your hands a little dirty.
Hey, David, I want you to cut these spots up for me What's in the bag? It's turkey.
Tuna, actually.
Good to see you, Bernard.
I was just heading out.
Think about it.
How did you get in here? Front desk gave me a key.
Barry and everyone is real worried.
Go on then.
(phone ringing) Stop! Stop that shit! - Okay, I'll just hang it right up.
- Pull it out the wall! Just pull it out the wall now! (ringing stops) Fucking whole world calling and calling since K Clive dropped his new shit.
Is it true, man? That you're just taking me to task, is you, K? You and K Clive been beefing for months.
It's a diss track.
Everybody know that ain't for real.
J Mike, Gay Mike, ain't never met a dick that ain't right.
Everybody on me about it.
J Mike, Gay Mike.
And Ion.
12 goddamn years old, she had to call for her uncle to answer.
"What K Clive say is true?" Course it ain't, baby girl.
So, just hit him back like you been doing.
Can't fight.
- Course you can.
- I don't wanna find it.
I don't wanna lie.
It ain't worth it.
I'm fucked if it do, and I'm fucked if I don't.
(exhales) Get out.
No.
Size 6-1/2, right? Uh, yes, thank you.
Page Nikki, still no word.
- Try J Mike's room.
- Okay, will do.
Also Lil Ray is on his way.
So, what's up? - Yo.
- Where's my money? Yo, Ray, what's up? Damita Alonzo.
Have you met Damita Alonzo from the "Village Voice?" She doing a profile on me, Ray, you know what I'm saying? This is Ray, Ray, Damita.
Hi.
Yo.
(chuckling) Look, I just wanna get squared away, B.
I know, listen With this last tour, we ran into some unexpected challenges.
But with Gordy out the picture, I need your help.
(scoffs) Help? Nah-nah-nah, I need your help, listen You know I started my label.
You know my label gonna be dope.
The tour money is very important.
I need somebody out there handling the road, too.
You do all that, you got a position.
On the label side? Yes.
On the label side, the sky is the limit.
And you coming in on ground level, yo, listen.
I promise you, man, smooth sailing.
What's up? (chuckles) Yeah.
Good! Good, good, good.
Now listen, the hustle starts right now, too, 'cause you know, we got a show in Philly at 7:00.
I got Nikki there, and I need you there.
Say word, I got you.
My dad put me out.
I'm, like, 14.
My Aunt Ruth takes me in and she says that being gay is a white people's problem.
Don't worry, all you gotta do is pray the gay away.
That shit worked, too.
At 16, I'm all puffed up.
Me and the boys wildin' in the Village just beatin' up faggots, no problem.
Up in the club, I'm spittin' hard against gay this, gay that, you know? That just the way it be flowing, but now Now this come out.
And if I don't kick back at it for real, you know what's gonna happen to me.
Everyone's gonna come after my faggoty ass.
Then it's all over, man.
(silently rapping) So, uh, DeeVee? - Mmm.
- Who you been working with, man? Um, like, Joe Rock, uh And this cat out in Fort Greene.
His name is Ahm.
Barry's pretty interested in him.
Well, he should be interested in you.
Let me say, if you don't make the beats, then we don't have a song.
The man that's really doing all the hard work don't get no credit.
- (chuckling) - I work with the producers, baby.
Oh, yeah? Yeah, yeah, that's where the big business is.
See, my producers work with Rakim, Special Ed, Slick Rick.
- Dag, for real? - Yeah, man.
Yeah, see Barry ain't gonna put you on like that, man.
Yo, yo, I'm ready.
Ay, uh, let's take it from the top.
Yo, Tony, rewind that two-inch.
Why is Gordy in there? I thought you said Gordy wasn't gonna be in there.
- He's not supposed to be in there.
- But he in there! I'ma dump him on his head right now.
No-no-no, you're not gonna do that right now.
Not right now.
You want a label or not? (tape starts) (clicking) Unh, she like Rome but don't wanna tell wrong 'Cause she know she sticks to the fro like Velcro Nowadays I been thinking about this entire industry That made Rome start drinking Cold heart beating Stuck up in the loss All of the labels go get Their bucks up and they toss Execs slip inside the mask, they forget To give the artist his compensation in debt They slept, he crept, he wept, but Ay, yo, yo, yo, hey, yo, D? Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Yo, Fouray.
What up, man, yo, yo D, your rhymes is fresh! I mean, word to mother, man, you killing it in there.
But I'ma need you to do that one more time, man, 'cause you said "debbed.
" Ain't no "B" in debt.
Just kill the "B" part.
You're wrong! Do that same shit, man, that shit was fresh.
Yo, who I'm listening to? - You crazy? - What you talk What you talking about? You trying to make him sound like an ignorant motherfucker.
He ain't sound like no ignorant motherfucker.
What is you talking about? How is he gonna keep the "B" in the word debt? He's the wordsmith, fool, ain't got no beat So the wordsmith can fuck the word up? It's a play on words.
You act like you ain't never done this before, yo.
What wait, where you going? Yo, Stephen, get back Get back here, come on.
Get back here, come on, man.
Come on, man.
(chuckles) Would you Yeah.
So, uh I didn't see you after the, uh, battle.
You left early? - Yeah, my kid.
- Yeah.
- Bedtime.
- Right.
Because you killed the fucking vibe! B, come on, man It's kind of loud.
(chuckles) (audio muted) Me and David are actually gonna go see Rex Boogie tonight.
Is that some kind of invitation? Yeah, if you're down.
I'm already going with Barry.
But maybe I'll see you there? Yeah, yeah.
Yo, you ready to do this? Yeah, I'll catch up with you in a second.
All right.
DeeVee, right? Yeah-yeah.
- It's dope.
- (laughing) Ohh, that shit fresh! - Thank you, thanks.
- Yeah.
So all right, right, right.
You got fans.
Yeah, all over the world, baby.
(chuckling) - Gordy? - Yeah.
I'm a journalist from the "Village Voice.
" And I was wondering if we could schedule some time to talk? Yeah, sure, cool.
(phone ringing) Yeah? All right, I'ma come through.
Gonna meet Demetri.
Who you? So, you steppin' in for the other two.
Detective Anthony Purdell.
Call me Tone.
Got word you may know something about a homicide in Crown Heights yesterday.
No.
And the week before last, your boy, Geronimo.
Told y'all, I was recording that night.
Got a witness.
If you ain't gon' arrest me, let me pass.
That's cool.
I know where to find you.
Hmm.
Who's taking Chuck's slot? Tony Humphries.
House Music DJ? I might have a better idea.
DJ DeeVee.
He killed it at the New Music Seminar battles.
You got some balls.
All this time, you Juggy's boy.
I've seen you before.
When I was at RL, he used to bring you around.
My PD Charlie Peters told me this story about the day you were born.
He did? Juggy came through handing out boxes of Cohibas to everyone.
Old Pete said it's the only time he'd ever seen him give something for free.
All this time you never told me? And you never tried to use that shit to your advantage.
Just bringing me all this research and not asking for nothing.
What's the name of this DJ again? (baby crying) All right, baby, just please take a little (crying continues) (knocking on door) Shh, shh, shh.
Oh, thank God.
- What's wrong with him? - I don't know.
I can't get his fever to break.
He's been like this all night.
(crying continues) What do you want me to do? Give give him this.
I gotta go to the bathroom before I piss myself.
(crying continues) There's a lot of hate in the world.
It's a dead end all around.
Not all around.
You come out with who you really are inside.
You don't hit back, yeah, yeah.
Your career, it's done.
That's just the way it is.
There ain't no other options.
- (door opens) - What the fuck? - Who's this? - Whoa-whoa.
Whoa-whoa, whoa-whoa, calm down.
Calm down, baby, calm down.
It's cool, a'ight? It's cool.
You okay? - I'm fine.
- Get the fuck out of here! I ain't going nowhere, a'ight? You feel me? - Now put the goddamn gun down.
- I'm not putting anything down.
I said put it down, J.
I'm filling in for Lisa, I ain't lie.
I don't give a fuck who you are.
This is none of your business.
But she is.
So let her out.
I ain't holding the bitch.
His name is Lil Ray.
He's a tour manager.
He's cool.
He's not gonna call anyone.
It's cool.
(Roberta Flack's "Where is the Love" playing) Hey Why didn't you use your key? I'm gonna leave the Ride.
Said he'd pay me a little something, but he told me he'd never hire me as Music Director.
He's crazy not to.
- Three scoops? - Two.
No, he's he's right.
Plenty of other opportunities for a white boy he said.
This is business.
The only color that matters is green.
You want me to give him a call? I don't need you to catch me another fish, Juggy.
I do want you to teach me how to fish.
How to fight for these records.
Not just at one station but at all of 'em.
I wanna learn promotion.
Speak the language.
How to get label business.
By myself.
No hookups.
Just knowledge.
Can you do that? I can.
One more thing I wanna do it clean.
You got it, David.
(Lil Ray) You ain't gotta trip like this J.
It's a diss track, it'll blow over.
This is hip-hop.
What the fuck are you talking about? Ain't nobody gonna look at me the same.
You sure about that? Maybe it's on you and what you're looking at.
I'm looking at a shit show.
A two-face freak.
I ain't coming out to nobody.
There's too much hate out there.
And I'm done living a lie.
So, y'all just wasting your time.
Just get out and let me do my thing.
(sighs) My dad, he was two-face too.
Kind of hate him every day.
He fucked me over.
He was a bartender.
That's how he made his money, but music was his thing.
He played jazz guitar.
He used to get a couple of gigs after hours.
He was always talking about quitting the bar and doing music full-time.
That's when he got, like, this light in his eyes.
He moved to New York.
I got to see him play a couple of times.
He was good.
The band he was in, they even got a Grammy.
I told him every day how amazing he was.
Then one day, he said "No, Nick.
"I'm just average.
"I ain't all that.
" Sort of matter of fact.
Didn't seem to bother him much.
Couple days later, he shot himself.
Two-face.
Kind of like how you feel maybe? Hmm? But see, the difference is I can tell you to your face what your family won't be able to tell you after you blow your head off.
You see you different than we do.
The demons you have, they're not ours.
We want you here no matter what.
Just like I would give anything to have my dad back.
Even with all the shit.
Because your family and your fans We just want you here.
With us.
Dents and fucked-up all.
Hey, look, J, man We can cancel the tour the shows, whatever.
I ain't gonna lie to you.
You come out This is over.
A'ight, we all know that.
But that's the shit show.
Not you.
And there's ways out of this, man.
Besides that.
Just let us help you, bro.
Let us help you.
It's okay.
I think we should take him to a hospital.
I'm not taking him to no damn hospital.
Last time they was all in my ass about my record.
Maisha, he could die.
My baby is not gonna die.
- Don't fucking say that to me.
- Water's cold, man.
Could shock him or something.
You're gonna help me or you're gonna leave.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
(breathing deeply) (grunts) Give him to me.
Okay, okay.
Come on, little one, huh? I know.
I got you, hmm? Yeah, yeah, come on, little man, huh? Yeah.
That's not so bad, right, huh? That's not so bad.
It's gonna be a'ight.
Hmm? Ah.
Gonna be a'ight.
You tough, hmm? Yeah.
Like your daddy, hmm? (baby fussing) Sorry.
It's okay.
(whispers) Okay.
(exhales deeply) What you doing? What do you think? (baby fussing) (sighs) Watch him.
(speaking indistinctly) I don't know, man.
You really that desperate? Look, Gordy's the only one interested in managing me right now.
So, like, it could be something.
Plus, I mean What else I got going for me right now for real? (people laughing, chattering) What? Why you looking at me like that? Well, I did say I was gonna put a word in with Bernard for you.
Nah, nah.
Yeah? David, if you're fucking with me right now Cross my heart, man.
Chill out.
Yo, everybody! Yo, listen, everybody! If you wanna hear the hottest shit in New York, listen to my radio station, the Ride.
I'm on there now.
Starting when? Uh, every Saturday night! Check me out.
You hear me? Saturday nights, DJ DeeVee.
You heard it here first, all right? Yo, we're gonna be working together.
Oh, man! Oh, Juggy came by the station today.
For real? Mr.
Aaron is going to teach me the art of record promotion.
Are you serious?! Yeah, I mean, you know, we'll see.
If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.
So y'all are square? Taking it slow.
Okay.
Hey, I'ma try to hook up with Damita after the show.
I think I'm gonna give her a buzz real fast.
All right, hurry up.
Hey, I'ma make like a library, all right? Make like a library? Thank you.
Thanks.
- Mmm.
- Okay.
- Truth.
- Okay.
You were scared up there, weren't you? Hell, yeah, I was.
(chuckling) You put on a good show, though.
Yeah, right up until you barged in and almost blew - the whole thing up.
- I did not.
Yes, you did.
- It could've been worse.
- (woman) Yes, it is.
Here you go.
Yeah, a canceled night beats a cancel tour any day.
But living a lie for the rest of his life At least he's got the rest of his life.
If he'll keep doing like he's been doing, then I'll keep holding down the tour like I do on every tour.
Two months from now, it'll all be history.
Mmm.
- Damn! For real! - Yup, yup, drink it up.
Drink it up.
Yeah, don't babysit that.
Don't babysit that.
(laughing and coughing) True.
The story about your father.
You don't have to tell me, but, truth or no? No.
Damn.
Damn, damn, damn.
Mmm - You sold that shit too.
- Thank you.
(both laughing) - We did good the two of us.
- We did.
I mean, I did all the heavy lifting, and all this too.
- Really? - Mm-hmm.
(chuckling) Mmm.
- We could be useful.
- Mm-hmm.
This could be, like, you know, - a little side business.
- Mmm.
There's a lot of troubled souls out there.
Is yourself included? Number one.
(Damita's voice) Hi, you've reached Damita's voicemail.
Please leave a message after the beep.
- (beep) - Hey, it's DeeVee.
I, uh I got some good news that I wanna share with you.
And, uh, thought maybe after the concert, maybe we can go get a drink or something.
Hit me back, peace.
(indistinct screaming and shouting) David? David! David! Yo, yo, have you seen my boy? White boy.
Move, move, get out of my way! David! He's asleep.
Fever broke? Yeah.
I guess our prayers worked.
You shoulda thought of that before I got in the water.
Smoke always said you was funny.
I ain't never believe him.
Wasn't being funny.
(scoffs) Thank you.
You good.
It's nothing.
- You cold? - Nah, I'm a'ight.
No, let me get you a sweater.
Yo! You really believe in that shit? Not all the time, but when He gives me a reason to, I do.
I know they say you gotta choose one way or another, but then He don't, do he? Arbitrary motherfucker.
Take my man, spare my boy.
No mercy one day, but maybe the next.
I don't know.
Tonight, I guess I do.
(scoffs) - Yo, where's Rex Boogie? - Probably in his dressing room.
Down the hall on the left.
Right, right, right.
Oh, um - Of course, do your thing, do your thing.
- Okay.
(man) Coming down.
Oh, DeeVee.
Ma'am, ma'am, please step aside.
Everything gonna be chill.
We just gonna rock out.
Ain't nobody gonna fuck Ladies, get out.
- Man, come on.
- What the fuck happened? It wasn't us, Barry.
Someone on the floor fired shots.
We was back here the whole time.
- You sure? - Yeah.
Well, we got a problem 'cause people got hurt out there.
Well, I ain't do it.
Folks died, man.
They gon' put this on me! No, you were back here the whole time.
- (sighs) - Listen to me.
You were back here the whole time, period.
- (knocking on door) - That's what you say.
NYPD.
Need to ask a few questions.
Of course, of course.
Heh.
Production office won't leave me alone.
Million fires burning.
Thank you, Lisa.
(laughing) And thank you Gay Mike.
Talk later? Count on it.
- I'll see you.
- Okay.
(door opens, closes) (phone ringing) Hello? (Juggy) He's gone, Nikki.
Juggy? He's gone.
- They killed him.
- Juggy, what? What The concert (crying) They killed my boy.
(sobbing) He's gone, Nikki.
David's gone.
(Juggy sobbing) (breathing heavily) Next time on "The Breaks" Mr.
Aaron, what do you say to the people that blame rap music for the violence that took your son? I'm trying to figure out how to stay off the news.
So, just kick back, relax, and find you something to worry about.
I'll handle it.
Mrs.
Aaron? Nice of you to finally stop by.
- I'm here if you wanna talk, all right? - Mm-hmm.
Pow! Do it like Mama showed you.
Stick with this pre-approved set list.
No rap tonight.
If anybody hear about our deal, they all dead.
Did we really meet at the New Music Seminar?
Run, bitch! - (gunshot) - (screaming) If Barry Fouray and Gordy Charlton are fighting, that's a story.
What if I can give you an even bigger story? - You owe me money! - A'ight, look, Lil Ray, don't sweat me over that, I got you! What happens to me? Sadly, I think you just became our new tour manager.
You could've just given me the credentials.
Yeah, but where's the fun in that? You doing big things, man.
Aw, man.
Word, we gotta get in the studio.
Nobody replacing him, got what it takes to win (DeeVee) Have you ever tried to do, like, a hook? You think my shit's whack? It's a fresh start without Juggy's initials.
It would be great if you could get your stuff out of my place.
Okay.
Okay, I can explain.
I gave you a blank tape.
(clatters to floor) Okay, I'm gonna get straight to the point.
I'ma be real with you.
Ahm, you got crazy talent.
But all this drama you putting DeeVee through, it's getting in the way.
He's a good kid and a dope producer.
And he wanted to help you.
- Fouray wanted to help - Did I ask for help? You made a song 'cause you didn't want anybody to hear it? What's wrong with this one? Yo, the A, the H, the M Nobody replacing him, got what it takes to win Shout to my niggas doing eight to ten Walk straight, don't scrape the Timbs I ain't a corner boy, dressed in no corduroys I'm a carnivore, raised in the art of war Quarterback the track and make it call an audible (stops) You want me to tell you the truth? What the fuck do you think? You got rhymes for days but it's your flow.
It's uneven.
You just said I got rhymes.
But not on this, that That shit is cool in a battle, but Nobody wants to hear that in real life.
I'm not riding around listening to 32 straight bars.
Where's the hook? Where the punch lines? You drop that, you wear your listeners out.
(music starts, door slams) Enough Come, Your Highness They await you (drink pouring) $25,000 bonus for Imani X.
Where is that coming from? I mean, if that rumor is even true.
I'm curious What's your angle in all this? Exactly what I pitched.
Is Fouray rap's new king? Stephen, you're taking too long to say yes, yes, yes! I'm sorry.
- That took me so long.
I kept you waiting.
- That's all right.
- Secretive time.
- Mm-hmm.
That's rap's reputation anyway, so We'll sit right here.
Miss Alonzo and I were just clarifying that this is a profile piece and not an exposé.
I'm here to tell a story.
And in order to tell a good one, I'm going to need a slightly uncomfortable amount of transparency.
Well said, a'ight? No problem.
So, Barry, did you grow up around music? - (cell phone ringing) - Yeah, oh, excuse me.
Fouray, what's up? Quik? (copier clicking) What is wrong with this thing? When you done sabotaging the copier, Barry wants to see you.
Having our artists out touring helps keep the lights on.
Like, today, Mike is on tour right now.
Rex Boogie has got a show here tonight.
We'll go.
So, shifting to a label will help or hurt Fouray Management? - What do you mean, shifting - Barry, a word? Yeah, all right.
What? What are we doing here? - What do you mean what are we doing here? - Let's just stick to the agenda.
Take her downstairs, show her around.
Take her to D Rome's studio session, and then send her on her way.
We don't know this girl.
And now she's hearing about Lisa? - Which is just - I'm on it.
Okay, I need you to call Lil Ray.
(door opens) I have an assignment for you, Nikki Jones.
I need you to run this DAT tape up to our production office in Philly.
Otherwise the show will not go on.
- Can you handle that? - I got it.
Here.
Also, Lisa is way out of pocket.
So I need you to go check on J Mike.
- Good? - Mm-hmm.
All right.
You know Lil Ray's gonna want.
Yeah.
Get it out the safe.
All right, so, these are the rest from the crates and all the duplicates.
Take your pick.
Thank you, thank you, man, I I need to be on my "A" game for D Rome today.
So, it sounds like you're not planning on leaving town anytime soon.
(chuckling) Nah, man.
And what about the police? Haven't heard from them.
So, guess they're leaning on Ahm.
Have you seen him? Nope.
Ain't lookin' for him.
Ain't lookin' to be his alibi either.
(indistinct shouting) No good son of a bitch! (indistinct shouting) Motherfucker! Yo, what was that? Didn't you hear? Sampson just stole Chuck Chillout.
That's what I told him - You are dead to me! - Damn.
Hey, brother, least Sampson's listening to you now.
A rap show on WPPS.
Bastard.
Wait, do you know who Bernard's getting to take Chuck's slot? Gotta be somebody, I I'm thinking Clark Kent, Kid Capri.
That's not who I'm thinking.
(laughing) Oh, you're crazy.
People fought just to get up front To get a bird's eye view Of what we call the brand-new funk (music coming from TV) Yo Jeff! - Rock the beat - Hello? Yo Jeff! Rock the beat Yo Jeff! Rock the beat Hello? (music stops) Hey, I'm Nikki Jones.
I'm with Fouray Management.
Why are you here? No one's been able to reach you So? I'm just checking in on you, that's all.
Maybe you wanna put that down? Yeah, we don't change our artists' music and image so they can fit the mainstream.
We make the mainstream flow to us.
See? That just came over from the record label.
Special Ed.
Special Ed is blowing up, like, real nicely.
Josie Cho.
This is Josie Cho.
This is our fabulous art director and a killer with a camera.
Let me see, let me see, let me see.
This is our newest artist here.
This is Imani X.
Yeah, Jose, that's dope.
Ah, yeah, thanks, getting there.
It's nice to officially meet you, Miss Alonzo.
I'm a fan.
I loved you piece on Sugar Hill Records.
- Thank you, appreciate that.
- Yeah.
Mmm, you got fans over here already, I see.
So, yeah, we just closed this endorsement deal for one of our artists with K-Swiss.
What size shoe you wear? - Six-and-a-half? - Where's Stephen? Stephen?! Yeah.
I need 6-1/2, right here, yeah.
You got a lot going on, Barry.
How did it all start? It started with a $700 loan from my parents.
What do your parents do? My mother was an EMS dispatcher.
My father is a cab driver.
Tried to get him to retire, but he won't retire, you know? Where we from, you don't retire.
You just work until you can't.
(demagnetizer humming) What's in the bag? Relax.
It's a sandwich.
I brought one for me too, see? You know, it's really not cool you showing up like this.
What choice did I have? My son actually gets hired at the Ride.
and stops returning my calls.
I never returned your calls.
What's up? I'm swamped.
You work, I'll eat.
I understand you wanna get more rap on the radio.
I was thinking We could do it together.
You choose the music, I'll get it played.
No, thanks.
I'm not doing what you did.
And what is it that I did? Payola.
You know, hip-hop nowadays isn't so different from rhythm and blues used to be.
Major labels wouldn't sign it.
Radio wouldn't play it.
So, you just galloped in with your sacks of cash and saved the day? Every song you've ever heard has been bought and paid for whether you like it or not.
My little bags of cash? It's a DJ's rent money, David.
You wanna make a living in the music industry, you're gonna have to get your hands a little dirty.
Hey, David, I want you to cut these spots up for me What's in the bag? It's turkey.
Tuna, actually.
Good to see you, Bernard.
I was just heading out.
Think about it.
How did you get in here? Front desk gave me a key.
Barry and everyone is real worried.
Go on then.
(phone ringing) Stop! Stop that shit! - Okay, I'll just hang it right up.
- Pull it out the wall! Just pull it out the wall now! (ringing stops) Fucking whole world calling and calling since K Clive dropped his new shit.
Is it true, man? That you're just taking me to task, is you, K? You and K Clive been beefing for months.
It's a diss track.
Everybody know that ain't for real.
J Mike, Gay Mike, ain't never met a dick that ain't right.
Everybody on me about it.
J Mike, Gay Mike.
And Ion.
12 goddamn years old, she had to call for her uncle to answer.
"What K Clive say is true?" Course it ain't, baby girl.
So, just hit him back like you been doing.
Can't fight.
- Course you can.
- I don't wanna find it.
I don't wanna lie.
It ain't worth it.
I'm fucked if it do, and I'm fucked if I don't.
(exhales) Get out.
No.
Size 6-1/2, right? Uh, yes, thank you.
Page Nikki, still no word.
- Try J Mike's room.
- Okay, will do.
Also Lil Ray is on his way.
So, what's up? - Yo.
- Where's my money? Yo, Ray, what's up? Damita Alonzo.
Have you met Damita Alonzo from the "Village Voice?" She doing a profile on me, Ray, you know what I'm saying? This is Ray, Ray, Damita.
Hi.
Yo.
(chuckling) Look, I just wanna get squared away, B.
I know, listen With this last tour, we ran into some unexpected challenges.
But with Gordy out the picture, I need your help.
(scoffs) Help? Nah-nah-nah, I need your help, listen You know I started my label.
You know my label gonna be dope.
The tour money is very important.
I need somebody out there handling the road, too.
You do all that, you got a position.
On the label side? Yes.
On the label side, the sky is the limit.
And you coming in on ground level, yo, listen.
I promise you, man, smooth sailing.
What's up? (chuckles) Yeah.
Good! Good, good, good.
Now listen, the hustle starts right now, too, 'cause you know, we got a show in Philly at 7:00.
I got Nikki there, and I need you there.
Say word, I got you.
My dad put me out.
I'm, like, 14.
My Aunt Ruth takes me in and she says that being gay is a white people's problem.
Don't worry, all you gotta do is pray the gay away.
That shit worked, too.
At 16, I'm all puffed up.
Me and the boys wildin' in the Village just beatin' up faggots, no problem.
Up in the club, I'm spittin' hard against gay this, gay that, you know? That just the way it be flowing, but now Now this come out.
And if I don't kick back at it for real, you know what's gonna happen to me.
Everyone's gonna come after my faggoty ass.
Then it's all over, man.
(silently rapping) So, uh, DeeVee? - Mmm.
- Who you been working with, man? Um, like, Joe Rock, uh And this cat out in Fort Greene.
His name is Ahm.
Barry's pretty interested in him.
Well, he should be interested in you.
Let me say, if you don't make the beats, then we don't have a song.
The man that's really doing all the hard work don't get no credit.
- (chuckling) - I work with the producers, baby.
Oh, yeah? Yeah, yeah, that's where the big business is.
See, my producers work with Rakim, Special Ed, Slick Rick.
- Dag, for real? - Yeah, man.
Yeah, see Barry ain't gonna put you on like that, man.
Yo, yo, I'm ready.
Ay, uh, let's take it from the top.
Yo, Tony, rewind that two-inch.
Why is Gordy in there? I thought you said Gordy wasn't gonna be in there.
- He's not supposed to be in there.
- But he in there! I'ma dump him on his head right now.
No-no-no, you're not gonna do that right now.
Not right now.
You want a label or not? (tape starts) (clicking) Unh, she like Rome but don't wanna tell wrong 'Cause she know she sticks to the fro like Velcro Nowadays I been thinking about this entire industry That made Rome start drinking Cold heart beating Stuck up in the loss All of the labels go get Their bucks up and they toss Execs slip inside the mask, they forget To give the artist his compensation in debt They slept, he crept, he wept, but Ay, yo, yo, yo, hey, yo, D? Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Yo, Fouray.
What up, man, yo, yo D, your rhymes is fresh! I mean, word to mother, man, you killing it in there.
But I'ma need you to do that one more time, man, 'cause you said "debbed.
" Ain't no "B" in debt.
Just kill the "B" part.
You're wrong! Do that same shit, man, that shit was fresh.
Yo, who I'm listening to? - You crazy? - What you talk What you talking about? You trying to make him sound like an ignorant motherfucker.
He ain't sound like no ignorant motherfucker.
What is you talking about? How is he gonna keep the "B" in the word debt? He's the wordsmith, fool, ain't got no beat So the wordsmith can fuck the word up? It's a play on words.
You act like you ain't never done this before, yo.
What wait, where you going? Yo, Stephen, get back Get back here, come on.
Get back here, come on, man.
Come on, man.
(chuckles) Would you Yeah.
So, uh I didn't see you after the, uh, battle.
You left early? - Yeah, my kid.
- Yeah.
- Bedtime.
- Right.
Because you killed the fucking vibe! B, come on, man It's kind of loud.
(chuckles) (audio muted) Me and David are actually gonna go see Rex Boogie tonight.
Is that some kind of invitation? Yeah, if you're down.
I'm already going with Barry.
But maybe I'll see you there? Yeah, yeah.
Yo, you ready to do this? Yeah, I'll catch up with you in a second.
All right.
DeeVee, right? Yeah-yeah.
- It's dope.
- (laughing) Ohh, that shit fresh! - Thank you, thanks.
- Yeah.
So all right, right, right.
You got fans.
Yeah, all over the world, baby.
(chuckling) - Gordy? - Yeah.
I'm a journalist from the "Village Voice.
" And I was wondering if we could schedule some time to talk? Yeah, sure, cool.
(phone ringing) Yeah? All right, I'ma come through.
Gonna meet Demetri.
Who you? So, you steppin' in for the other two.
Detective Anthony Purdell.
Call me Tone.
Got word you may know something about a homicide in Crown Heights yesterday.
No.
And the week before last, your boy, Geronimo.
Told y'all, I was recording that night.
Got a witness.
If you ain't gon' arrest me, let me pass.
That's cool.
I know where to find you.
Hmm.
Who's taking Chuck's slot? Tony Humphries.
House Music DJ? I might have a better idea.
DJ DeeVee.
He killed it at the New Music Seminar battles.
You got some balls.
All this time, you Juggy's boy.
I've seen you before.
When I was at RL, he used to bring you around.
My PD Charlie Peters told me this story about the day you were born.
He did? Juggy came through handing out boxes of Cohibas to everyone.
Old Pete said it's the only time he'd ever seen him give something for free.
All this time you never told me? And you never tried to use that shit to your advantage.
Just bringing me all this research and not asking for nothing.
What's the name of this DJ again? (baby crying) All right, baby, just please take a little (crying continues) (knocking on door) Shh, shh, shh.
Oh, thank God.
- What's wrong with him? - I don't know.
I can't get his fever to break.
He's been like this all night.
(crying continues) What do you want me to do? Give give him this.
I gotta go to the bathroom before I piss myself.
(crying continues) There's a lot of hate in the world.
It's a dead end all around.
Not all around.
You come out with who you really are inside.
You don't hit back, yeah, yeah.
Your career, it's done.
That's just the way it is.
There ain't no other options.
- (door opens) - What the fuck? - Who's this? - Whoa-whoa.
Whoa-whoa, whoa-whoa, calm down.
Calm down, baby, calm down.
It's cool, a'ight? It's cool.
You okay? - I'm fine.
- Get the fuck out of here! I ain't going nowhere, a'ight? You feel me? - Now put the goddamn gun down.
- I'm not putting anything down.
I said put it down, J.
I'm filling in for Lisa, I ain't lie.
I don't give a fuck who you are.
This is none of your business.
But she is.
So let her out.
I ain't holding the bitch.
His name is Lil Ray.
He's a tour manager.
He's cool.
He's not gonna call anyone.
It's cool.
(Roberta Flack's "Where is the Love" playing) Hey Why didn't you use your key? I'm gonna leave the Ride.
Said he'd pay me a little something, but he told me he'd never hire me as Music Director.
He's crazy not to.
- Three scoops? - Two.
No, he's he's right.
Plenty of other opportunities for a white boy he said.
This is business.
The only color that matters is green.
You want me to give him a call? I don't need you to catch me another fish, Juggy.
I do want you to teach me how to fish.
How to fight for these records.
Not just at one station but at all of 'em.
I wanna learn promotion.
Speak the language.
How to get label business.
By myself.
No hookups.
Just knowledge.
Can you do that? I can.
One more thing I wanna do it clean.
You got it, David.
(Lil Ray) You ain't gotta trip like this J.
It's a diss track, it'll blow over.
This is hip-hop.
What the fuck are you talking about? Ain't nobody gonna look at me the same.
You sure about that? Maybe it's on you and what you're looking at.
I'm looking at a shit show.
A two-face freak.
I ain't coming out to nobody.
There's too much hate out there.
And I'm done living a lie.
So, y'all just wasting your time.
Just get out and let me do my thing.
(sighs) My dad, he was two-face too.
Kind of hate him every day.
He fucked me over.
He was a bartender.
That's how he made his money, but music was his thing.
He played jazz guitar.
He used to get a couple of gigs after hours.
He was always talking about quitting the bar and doing music full-time.
That's when he got, like, this light in his eyes.
He moved to New York.
I got to see him play a couple of times.
He was good.
The band he was in, they even got a Grammy.
I told him every day how amazing he was.
Then one day, he said "No, Nick.
"I'm just average.
"I ain't all that.
" Sort of matter of fact.
Didn't seem to bother him much.
Couple days later, he shot himself.
Two-face.
Kind of like how you feel maybe? Hmm? But see, the difference is I can tell you to your face what your family won't be able to tell you after you blow your head off.
You see you different than we do.
The demons you have, they're not ours.
We want you here no matter what.
Just like I would give anything to have my dad back.
Even with all the shit.
Because your family and your fans We just want you here.
With us.
Dents and fucked-up all.
Hey, look, J, man We can cancel the tour the shows, whatever.
I ain't gonna lie to you.
You come out This is over.
A'ight, we all know that.
But that's the shit show.
Not you.
And there's ways out of this, man.
Besides that.
Just let us help you, bro.
Let us help you.
It's okay.
I think we should take him to a hospital.
I'm not taking him to no damn hospital.
Last time they was all in my ass about my record.
Maisha, he could die.
My baby is not gonna die.
- Don't fucking say that to me.
- Water's cold, man.
Could shock him or something.
You're gonna help me or you're gonna leave.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
(breathing deeply) (grunts) Give him to me.
Okay, okay.
Come on, little one, huh? I know.
I got you, hmm? Yeah, yeah, come on, little man, huh? Yeah.
That's not so bad, right, huh? That's not so bad.
It's gonna be a'ight.
Hmm? Ah.
Gonna be a'ight.
You tough, hmm? Yeah.
Like your daddy, hmm? (baby fussing) Sorry.
It's okay.
(whispers) Okay.
(exhales deeply) What you doing? What do you think? (baby fussing) (sighs) Watch him.
(speaking indistinctly) I don't know, man.
You really that desperate? Look, Gordy's the only one interested in managing me right now.
So, like, it could be something.
Plus, I mean What else I got going for me right now for real? (people laughing, chattering) What? Why you looking at me like that? Well, I did say I was gonna put a word in with Bernard for you.
Nah, nah.
Yeah? David, if you're fucking with me right now Cross my heart, man.
Chill out.
Yo, everybody! Yo, listen, everybody! If you wanna hear the hottest shit in New York, listen to my radio station, the Ride.
I'm on there now.
Starting when? Uh, every Saturday night! Check me out.
You hear me? Saturday nights, DJ DeeVee.
You heard it here first, all right? Yo, we're gonna be working together.
Oh, man! Oh, Juggy came by the station today.
For real? Mr.
Aaron is going to teach me the art of record promotion.
Are you serious?! Yeah, I mean, you know, we'll see.
If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.
So y'all are square? Taking it slow.
Okay.
Hey, I'ma try to hook up with Damita after the show.
I think I'm gonna give her a buzz real fast.
All right, hurry up.
Hey, I'ma make like a library, all right? Make like a library? Thank you.
Thanks.
- Mmm.
- Okay.
- Truth.
- Okay.
You were scared up there, weren't you? Hell, yeah, I was.
(chuckling) You put on a good show, though.
Yeah, right up until you barged in and almost blew - the whole thing up.
- I did not.
Yes, you did.
- It could've been worse.
- (woman) Yes, it is.
Here you go.
Yeah, a canceled night beats a cancel tour any day.
But living a lie for the rest of his life At least he's got the rest of his life.
If he'll keep doing like he's been doing, then I'll keep holding down the tour like I do on every tour.
Two months from now, it'll all be history.
Mmm.
- Damn! For real! - Yup, yup, drink it up.
Drink it up.
Yeah, don't babysit that.
Don't babysit that.
(laughing and coughing) True.
The story about your father.
You don't have to tell me, but, truth or no? No.
Damn.
Damn, damn, damn.
Mmm - You sold that shit too.
- Thank you.
(both laughing) - We did good the two of us.
- We did.
I mean, I did all the heavy lifting, and all this too.
- Really? - Mm-hmm.
(chuckling) Mmm.
- We could be useful.
- Mm-hmm.
This could be, like, you know, - a little side business.
- Mmm.
There's a lot of troubled souls out there.
Is yourself included? Number one.
(Damita's voice) Hi, you've reached Damita's voicemail.
Please leave a message after the beep.
- (beep) - Hey, it's DeeVee.
I, uh I got some good news that I wanna share with you.
And, uh, thought maybe after the concert, maybe we can go get a drink or something.
Hit me back, peace.
(indistinct screaming and shouting) David? David! David! Yo, yo, have you seen my boy? White boy.
Move, move, get out of my way! David! He's asleep.
Fever broke? Yeah.
I guess our prayers worked.
You shoulda thought of that before I got in the water.
Smoke always said you was funny.
I ain't never believe him.
Wasn't being funny.
(scoffs) Thank you.
You good.
It's nothing.
- You cold? - Nah, I'm a'ight.
No, let me get you a sweater.
Yo! You really believe in that shit? Not all the time, but when He gives me a reason to, I do.
I know they say you gotta choose one way or another, but then He don't, do he? Arbitrary motherfucker.
Take my man, spare my boy.
No mercy one day, but maybe the next.
I don't know.
Tonight, I guess I do.
(scoffs) - Yo, where's Rex Boogie? - Probably in his dressing room.
Down the hall on the left.
Right, right, right.
Oh, um - Of course, do your thing, do your thing.
- Okay.
(man) Coming down.
Oh, DeeVee.
Ma'am, ma'am, please step aside.
Everything gonna be chill.
We just gonna rock out.
Ain't nobody gonna fuck Ladies, get out.
- Man, come on.
- What the fuck happened? It wasn't us, Barry.
Someone on the floor fired shots.
We was back here the whole time.
- You sure? - Yeah.
Well, we got a problem 'cause people got hurt out there.
Well, I ain't do it.
Folks died, man.
They gon' put this on me! No, you were back here the whole time.
- (sighs) - Listen to me.
You were back here the whole time, period.
- (knocking on door) - That's what you say.
NYPD.
Need to ask a few questions.
Of course, of course.
Heh.
Production office won't leave me alone.
Million fires burning.
Thank you, Lisa.
(laughing) And thank you Gay Mike.
Talk later? Count on it.
- I'll see you.
- Okay.
(door opens, closes) (phone ringing) Hello? (Juggy) He's gone, Nikki.
Juggy? He's gone.
- They killed him.
- Juggy, what? What The concert (crying) They killed my boy.
(sobbing) He's gone, Nikki.
David's gone.
(Juggy sobbing) (breathing heavily) Next time on "The Breaks" Mr.
Aaron, what do you say to the people that blame rap music for the violence that took your son? I'm trying to figure out how to stay off the news.
So, just kick back, relax, and find you something to worry about.
I'll handle it.
Mrs.
Aaron? Nice of you to finally stop by.
- I'm here if you wanna talk, all right? - Mm-hmm.
Pow! Do it like Mama showed you.
Stick with this pre-approved set list.
No rap tonight.
If anybody hear about our deal, they all dead.
Did we really meet at the New Music Seminar?