Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019) s01e10 Episode Script
Assassination Day
1 How do you know Cressy? BOBBY: We've been making music together.
[SIREN WAILS.]
Never take your eye off the ball.
DENNIS: These two right here, they in love.
He's bangin' his best friend's sister? No wonder why you love this flick so much.
Yo, shut up and watch the damn movie.
No, I'm not hungry.
LINDA: Jerome's been cooking all day, come on.
DENNIS: Hey, yo, what happened here? BOBBY: Attila.
- PERSON: Attila's out.
- [GRUNTS.]
[GLASS SHATTERS.]
BOBBY: He took my fuckin' DATs, my fuckin' equipment.
My fuckin' rhyme books, yo.
ATTILA: I got your shit If you want it back, you better get me my money.
Y'all the dopest MCs I've ever met.
I believe we could do some shit that could be a game changer.
ANDRE: Listen, you're not hearing me right now.
They're dropping you.
I have my own group.
- Wu-Tang? - Wu-Tang Clan.
MONICA: I know that it's the end of the road for you here at Tommy Boy, but I am sure that Andre has a plan for you.
["VIBES AND STUFF" PLAYING.]
PHIFE DAWG: I'm prompt with my business And I do things on the double Yo, I'm out like Buster Douglas I say peace to MC Trouble, rest in peace - TONYA: Drink! - PARTIER: Whoo! [CHATTER.]
Q-TIP: We got, we got the vibes All the people in Long Island We got the vibes Brooklyn and Queens, we got the vibes Uptown and Now Rule We got the vibes People upstate, we got the vibes PAT: Hey.
I didn't know you were here.
Phife just made another sports reference.
Q-TIP: We got the vibes, in the Bahamas Indies sign enough dope artists that a major buys them, and then the major keeps signing corporate-friendly artists.
It's just a vicious cycle.
Look, I get what you're saying.
It's a nice idea.
But you need MC Hammer to pay for the Lord Finesse.
When I'm head of a label, that's how I'm gonna do it.
If that's your idea of integrity.
Name one label with integrity, by your definition.
Two words: Def Jam.
Two words: Beastie Boys.
"License to Ill" keeps the lights on for them to take chances.
I gotta take a leak.
["JAZZ (WE'VE GOT)" PLAYING.]
Q-TIP: Now I gotta scat and get mine, underline The jazz, the what? The jazz can move that ass 'Cause the Tribe originates that feeling of pizzazz It's the universal sound Bless the brothers on the ground And the ones six below, you didn't have to go Some say that I'm eccentric 'Cause I once had an orgy And sometimes for breakfast I eat grits and porgies If this is a stinker then call me a skunk I ask ["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
REBEL: My rap style has the force To leave you lost like ANDRE: Ra.
Ra, you're not hearing me right now.
There's not gonna be an album.
It's over.
I'm sorry.
They're dropping you.
Hey, yo [METAL CLANGING.]
Fuck.
[CLANGING CONTINUES.]
SHA: What the fuck you doin, son? GARY: Yo, cuz, what you smokin' on? - SHOTGUN: What up, y'all? - What's good? What's good, son? What up? SHOTGUN: What the fuck is wrong with this guy? Yo, I thought we was makin' music, son? [CLANGING CONTINUES.]
[HIP-HOP MUSIC.]
[MEN GRUNTING.]
[BLADE RESOUNDS.]
[GUN COCKS.]
[DICE THUD.]
[BLADE RESOUNDS.]
[TOILET FLUSHES.]
PAT: You know, speaking of Def Jam, did you know Rick Rubin co-founded Def Jam in this exact dorm? Nah, that was Weinstein Hall.
- I gotta head out.
- Really? I mean, we don't have to debate music anymore.
Oh, papi, that wasn't a debate.
Here.
MAN: Okay, Pinson.
How about you break in? DENNIS: Hey, yo, We ain't never gonna get your tapes if you don't leave the house, son.
Man, Attila is is crazy, man.
All right? Like, for real crazy.
That's why you need to get yourself some protection.
Know what I mean? Hey, yo, look.
You can borrow my heater if it'll make you feel better, all right? Come on.
- Bring back all his tobacco.
- Sure.
[LAUGHTER.]
DENNIS: Yo, what the fuck? Where's my shit? [DOOR CLICKS SHUT.]
Hey, yo, hey, yo, where's my shit at, son? Hey, yo, look, I know you be watching these movies and shit, thinkin' you gotta be hard, but you can't be taking my gun, son.
What the fuck do I need your stupid gun for? Yo, stop playing, son.
Where it's at? ANN: I sold it.
Why are you selling my shit? Don't you talk to me like I'm one of your street niggas.
All right, and don't go into my room touchin' my shit, Ma.
Then don't be bringing that shit in my house.
DENNIS: Ma.
[SIGHS.]
[SUSPENSEFUL ORCHESTRAL MUSIC BUILDING.]
[DOOR SLAMS.]
BOBBY: Forget about it.
And what happens when Attila catches us on the streets, huh? [MUSIC PLAYS ON TV.]
Hey, yo, who you know that could hook us up with a burner? [METAL CLANGING.]
Hey, it's for the beginning of the song.
All right, fuck with me.
All right? [CLANGING RHYTHMICALLY.]
ASON: Hey, yo, this shit sound like we about to go into a battle.
Really.
Word.
Uh.
La, la, la, la, la Hey, yo, nigga.
- La, la, la, la, la - Hey, yo.
Hey, yo, stupid, you're wasting our studio time.
We only have a couple hours left before they kick us out.
My voice is an instrument, fool.
I treat it with the utmost respect.
I'm not wasting no studio time.
Shit, I'm making the most of it.
They don't call me James Brown for nothin'.
Ow! Are you a warrior killer slicin' shit like a samurai The Ol' Dirty Bastard from the bar Ol' dirty clan of terrorists Comin' at your ass like a sorceress Shootin' that piss Niggas be gettin' on my fuckin' nerves Rhymes they be kickin' make me wanna kick They fuckin' ass to the curb Boy got funky fresh like the Old Specialist A carrier, messenger, bury ya This experience is for the whole experience Let it be applied Unique, drop that science So what y'all need those pieces for anyway, though? PEDESTRIAN: You understand what I'm trying to say? You know, just got off a tour.
You never know when you gon' meet 'em.
[PEDESTRIAN SCREAMING.]
Pink Houses is fucked up.
I hate comin' here.
I'm your brother.
You my brother.
You know what I'm saying? Let's walk this way.
GOD: Is that Prince Rakeem? Come here, Prince.
What's today's mathematics? Hey, yo, no disrespect, but we ain't into all of that, son.
Build, destroy.
To build is to elevate the mentalities of self and those around self, to add positive energy to every nation.
To build, you must first start from the root, which is the knowledge foundation, and add on to the highest peak.
To destroy is to eliminate and destroy any and all negativity that enters my cipher of supreme harmony.
Peace, God.
Peace, God.
Come on, son.
DENNIS: Bobby.
["THROW YA GUNZ" PLAYING.]
RAPPER: Throw ya guns in the air And buck, buck like you just don't care Just throw ya guns Yo, that's my man Raf, right there.
Come on, baby, come on, baby, come on RAPPER: Throw ya guns in the air I told you he crazy.
[RECORD SCRATCHING.]
What up, Raf? Y'all lookin' for some heat? Yes or no? RAPPER: And buck, buck like you just don't care Just throw ya guns in the air And buck, buck like you just don't care Just throw ya guns in the air And buck, buck like you just don't care PHESTO: I swallowed the spliff with locution Encompassing the pompous means TONYA: These guys are from Oakland, are you sure? NICK: Rhyme patterns are crazy, right? Yeah, why didn't you play this on your show last night? It's a dub of a dub of a dub.
Shit would've sounded terrible.
If I had it on DAT, I would've.
How'd you get that DAT player anyway? Did Atlantic give it to you? You like anyone who works for a label? Slim Jim.
And I got a meeting with him this week.
Oh, dope.
Yeah, where you going? - Indochine.
- Really? - Mm-hmm.
- Mm.
My homegirl's his assistant, and she told me he will not eat Asian food.
Dude only eats steak at Delmonico's every day.
Yeah, well, I have a meeting with him.
He just doesn't know it yet.
So what you got me dubbing here, anyway? Nothing, it's a favor for a friend.
Thank you.
RAPPERS: Never will a sucker score, never no more A-PLUS: I get the props, you get the buttocks I know my what-nots, stopping flows like ["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
POWER: Yo, this shit's a fuckin' mess, man.
SHA: I can't believe that shorty was undercover.
Yo, you think she was lyin' about feelin' my rhymes, too? POWER: Yo, you playin' right now? Three busts in the Bronx in one week, my nigga.
Cressy was just the first domino.
Who knows how long they been watchin' him, you know what I'm sayin'? Police is after us, man.
I gotta move my shit quick.
Where you gon' move that shit? [SIGHS.]
Yo, you wanna let this shit cool down first? Lay low for a while? Lay low, you might end up back on that roof.
Shit, I might be back up there with you, you know what I'm sayin'? I've been working too hard to let this shit slip away.
So, what, then? You still with your man uptown? Yeah.
All right, word.
[UPBEAT LATIN MUSIC PLAYING.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
BOBBY: Now he has everything I ever recorded, and the money I ain't never touched that shit.
- I ain't never seen it.
- Shit, Ra.
In the meantime, I got myself some heat.
Yeah, almost caught a beatdown from the Gods.
My lessons was on point, though, so we was good.
You would've been proud, yo.
My words was sharp.
Like a weapon.
All right, yo, I gotta go pick up my brothers and shit.
- All right.
- See y'all later.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
So which weapon you gon' choose? [SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
What you mean? Your tongue is a sword.
That shit right there may not be the way to go.
Hey, yo, we never met this guy, cuz.
You just said yourself.
Your words are like a weapon now.
As a god, you control your fate.
It's up to you how this shit goes down.
I had a feeling you was gon' need this.
It's 5 Gs.
I want you to have it.
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
[FIGHTER GRUNTS.]
My, my, my, my clan is thick like plaster Bust ya, slash ya Slit a nigga back like a Dutch master killer Style jumped off in Killa Hill-a I was the thriller in the Ali-Frazier Manila I came down with phat tracks That combine and interlock Like getting smashed by a cinder block Pow! Now it's all over Niggas seein' pink hearts Yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers Yo, this motherfucker is a genius.
Hell, yeah, nigga.
Hell, yeah.
Soo! [LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING.]
I ordered this well-done.
You should try medium-rare.
It's so much better.
Who are you? Tonya Mendez, and Slim Jim, if you give me a minute of your time, I'll be your new A&R.
[CHUCKLES.]
That's nice.
Really, but I'm just trying to eat my ribeye.
Eat, please.
I just need you to listen.
These guys right here are the next evolutionary step in hip-hop.
Raw gutter beats laced with the most insane lyrics you've ever heard.
They reference kung fu flicks, fallopian tubes I don't even know half the shit they're saying, but it works.
There's one track on here where it's like you're inside a rap cipher with them, like you're a part of their crew.
And there's no chorus.
[SIGHS.]
This is primal shit.
You don't have to understand it to get it.
I know it sounds crazy, but it's no crazier than Run-DMC covering Leave the tape.
Now, leave me and my steak alone.
Oh.
[DISTANT SHOUTING.]
PROTESTER: Murderer! You should be ashamed of yourself! Is this pregnancy happy news, sad news or neither? There's no right answer.
This isn't a test.
You seem like a bright young woman.
I'm sure you'll do what's best for you.
[CHUCKLES.]
Do you have any, like, advice? We're not supposed to give advice, but Maybe consider who would be involved in raising the child.
That's what's gonna have the biggest impact on its life.
[CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
[TONY! TONI! TONÃ!'S "WHATEVER YOU WANT" PLAYING.]
So what you gonna make for dinner tonight? I ain't making nothin'.
You make me somethin'.
- RANDY: Mom.
- You want me to cook for you? RANDY: Mom, Dad! - You okay, baby? - What? I made the football team! - Hey! - That's my boy! - Shurrie home? - Yeah, she should be.
[LAUGHS.]
- I told you.
- You did.
- Yeah? - You did.
[LAUGHS.]
RANDY: She ain't in here.
You sure? Shurrie? Come and celebrate your brother with us.
I can't find her.
I told you, she ain't home.
SINGER: Whenever you need me Call 632-2135 So What makes you think that I would try To run a game on you Just as sure as my name is Dwayne PERSON: Oh, wow.
[STIRRING MUSIC.]
FATHER: How many times must you be told that we will not be part of any of that? We are not that kind of family.
Um the vents is rusty.
You might wanna get that fixed.
That shit doesn't fix everything.
All right.
[BELL DINGS ON DOOR.]
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
ASON: Warrior, killer, slicin' shit like a samurai The Ol' Dirty Bastard from the bar Ol' dirty clan of terrorists Comin' at your ass like a sorceress Shootin' that piss Niggas be gettin' on my fuckin' nerves Rhymes they be kickin' make me wanna kick They fuckin' ass to the curb Boy got funky fresh like the Old Specialist A carrier, messenger Where did you get this? Yo, Nasty Nick played this three times last night.
He got all the underground hits.
Yeah, he's that dude.
I gave this to him.
Okay.
You gave it to him? Who the fuck are you? I manage them.
Yo, Nick said they're completely unknown.
He don't even know what they're called.
'Cause I wouldn't tell him.
The guys are very particular about how we roll this out.
That's why I gave it to Nick first.
That's mad cool.
So which one is your favorite verse? What? It's the fourth, hands down! - It's that - Word up.
I leave the mic in body bags My rap style has the force to leave you lost Like the tribe of Shabaz Murderous material made by a madman It's the mic wrecker, Inspectah Bad man from the bad lands of the killer Rap fanatic representin' with the skill that's iller Dare to compare, get pierced just like your ear The shooby doo-wop pop strictly hardware Damn, son.
I gotta rewrite my shit.
REBEL: Charged by the system For murderin' the rhythm Now lo and behold, another deadly episode Bound to catch a motherfuckin' charge When I explode Yo, I'm glad I don't gotta get in the booth after that.
BOBBY: Hey, yo, Shotgun, you got next.
Yo I'm about to kill all you motherfuckers, son.
Word.
I be that insane nigga from the psycho ward I'm on the trigger, plus I got the Wu-Tang sword So how you figure that you can even fuck with mine And pull a foul, niggas, save the beef for the cow I'm milkin' this ho, this is my show, Tical The fuck you wanna do for this mic piece, duke I'm like a sniper hyper off the ginseng root PLO style, buddha monks with the owls Now who's the fuckin' man? Meth-Tical Check that motherfucker.
[CHUCKLES.]
They got King Kong in this joint.
SHOTGUN: Yo, son, don't break anything in here.
Yo, what you doin' here? Hey, yo, Erika.
What up? Hey.
What's good? I see you're off your crutches.
Yep.
I'm ready to get back to work too.
Shit, um we had to hire someone to replace you when you left.
Replace me? I hurt my ankle working here.
Don't they gotta take me back? Okay, what about now? Ain't no shifts I could cover now? Sorry.
I just had to grab some stuff.
Good luck, though.
Yeah, thanks.
[EXHALES.]
So what you gon' do now, man? - I don't know, son.
- Yo, I'm sorry, man.
But you gon' have to figure something.
I can't just have you eating all my food anymore, man.
[SCOFFS.]
GOSPEL SINGERS: Wade in the water Wade in the water, children Wade in the water God's gonna trouble the water Wade in the water Wade in the water, children Wade in the water God's gonna trouble the water God's gonna trouble The water Are you in trouble? Nah, I don't think so.
I just wanted to see you.
How have you been? Good.
You know.
You still got that fancy car? Yeah.
But I've been making music too.
People seem to like it.
That's wonderful.
You've always been such a good drummer.
Not drumming, Mom.
Rapping.
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
Yo, yo, yo, Champion gear that I rock You get your boots knocked Then attack you like a pit then lock shit down As I come and freaks the sound Hardcore, but givin' you more, more, like ding Nah, shorty, get you open like six packs Killa Beez attack, flippin' what, murder one Phat tracks, all right I kick it like a Nike Flight Word life, I get that ass robbed on spite Check the method from Bedrock 'Cause I rock your head to bed Just like rockin' what, twin Glocks Shake the ground while my beats just break you down Raw sound goin' to war right now But yo bombin' We usually take all niggas' garments Save your breath before I vomit [CHEERING.]
Yeah! "The rain came down.
The streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; Yet, it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.
" Here you go.
Here.
On the house.
And, uh, tell your mother I said hello.
Okay? I will.
Thank you.
[LOW, DISTANT CHATTER.]
- [SIGHS.]
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
Thanks for meeting me here.
What you got for me? Look, man, I I don't have the money.
I never did.
The record label, they used me for everything I had, but it don't matter.
'Cause I'm free now.
Like you.
The original man is the Asiatic black man, the Maker I done heard all this Muslim shit when I was locked up.
I ain't trying to hear that right now.
Where's my money? How much is that? That's five thou.
Now you owe me 55, God.
DIVINE: Should've never met with him by yourselves.
Hey, yo, what was we supposed to do? [SIGHS.]
Actually, I got an idea.
Yo, 'Vine stop.
No, you already done enough, all right? You gotta stay straight.
You already did your debt for the family.
And now it's time for me to do mine.
Yo, Bobby, look.
- I understand what you - Yo.
Trust me.
All right, man.
Hey, yo, I got what we need.
Attila stays in building 327.
Ground floor.
Word on the street is, he leaves early in the morning, Stays out all day.
Hey, yo, if we can't get through the door, we're climbing in that motherfuckin' window.
You gon' get your music back, no matter what.
And then what? Getting my music ain't enough for me.
He's still gon' be after me.
[SIGHS.]
A god is the keeper of his own destiny.
We gotta off that nigga.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
It's the only way.
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
GARY: My, my, my, my clan is thick like plaster Yo, let's put this shit out now, man.
- Whatever.
- Hell, yeah.
- Hell, yeah.
- This shit hard, son.
You think they gonna have this for the radio? It's time to mix and master this shit and shoot the video, son.
Hey, yo, this hey, this hey, this shit don't it don't feel right, it's yo, this shit's missing something.
Y'all got a phone I can use? [PHONE RINGING.]
- [MACHINE CLICKING.]
- DARIUS: We ain't here.
[BEEPS.]
BOBBY: Hey, yo, D.
I know you ain't talkin' to me right now, but I'm in the studio, and it it don't feel right without you, man.
All right.
I want you to, uh, listen to this.
GARY: My, my, my, my clan is thick like plaster Bust ya, slash ya Slit a nigga back like a Dutch master killer - Style jumped off - [SHUTS MACHINE OFF.]
GARY: Green clovers [RAPPERS CHATTING.]
PERSON: Bobby, you good? Slammin' a hype-ass verse till your head burst I ramshack dead in the track and that's that Rap assassin, fast and quick to blastin' Some shit like that, yeah.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
I got you.
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
I called Nick after he played it a second time, be he couldn't tell me anything about 'em.
Just gave me your number.
How long you been managing them? A few months, officially, unofficially longer.
There are so many guys, it's hard to wrangle 'em.
You know how it is.
I wanna meet with them.
All of them.
A lot of people do.
Slim Jim's left me 27 messages.
Then why you meeting with me? You're starting a new label, and I know what it's like to be hungry.
- Be in touch soon.
- I look forward to it.
GARY: Open the gate, peace, I'm out Jettin' like a runaway slave BOBBY: Yo, you gettin' stripped From your garments, boy, run your jewels All the meth got me open like fallopian tubes - I bring death to a snake - I think I know this guy.
BOBBY: Yo, you gettin' stripped From your garments, boy, run your jewels All the meth got me open like fallopian tubes I bring death to a snake when he least expect Ain't a damn thing changed, boy, protect ya neck Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah jam is fatal Quick to stick my Wu-Tang sword Right through your navel Suspenseful force bein' brought through my utensil The pencil, I bring strong winds up against you Havoc, then run up through your county like the Maverick Caps through the tablets I gots to make the fabrics [FIGHTERS GRUNTING.]
If he ain't out by 10:00 we might've missed him.
We'll just catch his ass tomorrow.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[DOG BARKING.]
Yo, shit.
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
SHURRIE: Hey.
[PHONE RINGING.]
- Yo! - [RINGING CONTINUES.]
Hey, yo, Shurrie, what you doin' here? - I came to see you.
- From Ohio? What, you couldn't just call me? - We gotta talk.
- [PHONE RINGING.]
Oh, shit.
Oh, shit.
[KNOCKING.]
[RINGING CONTINUES.]
- You gotta go.
- No, Dennis, wait You gotta go right now! [PHONE RINGING.]
[PHONE LINE TRILLING.]
[KNOCKING.]
Bobby.
Yo, what the fuck, man? I'm pregnant.
[PHONE RINGS.]
- Fuck.
- [KNOCKING.]
- [RINGING.]
- [KNOCKING.]
- ATTILA: [GRUNTS.]
- [CASING CLINKS.]
Oh, shit! Oh, shit! [DOG BARKING.]
[ALARMED PEDESTRIAN CHATTER.]
Fuck! - Come on, come on, come on.
- Wait! [GRUNTS.]
[PHONE RINGING.]
- Hello.
- SHURRIE: Mama.
Honey.
Where are you? I'm coming home.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
Yo, what even is this? A quill? Fuck that.
I heard that next shit in the city the other day.
Of course, I had to leave Staten for some dope shit to happen.
[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
MASTA KILLA: In the name of Allah, supreme mathematics.
The dead nation must arise, for the time is at hand.
Look in your poison book Peace, god.
How you livin'? I'm all right.
You know.
All right.
Are you not ready to rise? Yo, you want the CD I just got? Sure.
Thank you.
I hear you lookin' for work.
Hey.
- You tell Mommy yet? - Nuh-uh.
Well, give me a heads-up.
I wanna get out of there first.
I ain't trying to be there for all that.
- [SUCKS TEETH.]
- Hey, yo, me too.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- Whatever.
[LAUGHS.]
Hey, yo.
Yo how did you DENNIS: I was in and out, like a ghost.
[PHONE LINE TRILLING.]
[MACHINE CLICKS, BEEPS.]
Rakeem, this is Steve Rifkind.
I-I met with you at that showcase a while back.
Remember? I'm calling 'cause I just heard this tape.
I'm pretty sure you're on it.
I mean, it doesn't sound like your other music, but I think it's really you.
[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
Wu-Tang.
Is that the name of the song? Either way, we need to talk.
Call me back, man.
[STIRRING MUSIC.]
[CYMBAL SHIMMERING.]
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
SINGER: On the tip SINGER: Take that, motherfucker SINGER: Good morning, Vietnam! Yeah, good morning To all you motherfuckin' knotty-headed niggas Yo, to the camouflage large niggas Where the fuck is my bottle Bring that fuckin' meth in here - Yo, yo, yo - We gon' drink - Some good night train - SHA: Yo, yo, yo, yo Champion gear that I rock You get your boots knocked Then attack you like a pit then lock shit down As I come and freaks the sound Hardcore, but givin' you more, more, like ding Nah, shorty, get you open like six packs Killa Beez attack, flippin' what, murder one Phat tracks, all right I kick it like a Nike Flight Word life, I get that ass robbed on spite Check the method from Bedrock 'Cause I rock your head to bed Just like rockin' what, twin Glocks Shake the ground while my beats just break you down Raw sound, goin' to war PERSON: Get on the line.
[SIREN WAILS.]
Never take your eye off the ball.
DENNIS: These two right here, they in love.
He's bangin' his best friend's sister? No wonder why you love this flick so much.
Yo, shut up and watch the damn movie.
No, I'm not hungry.
LINDA: Jerome's been cooking all day, come on.
DENNIS: Hey, yo, what happened here? BOBBY: Attila.
- PERSON: Attila's out.
- [GRUNTS.]
[GLASS SHATTERS.]
BOBBY: He took my fuckin' DATs, my fuckin' equipment.
My fuckin' rhyme books, yo.
ATTILA: I got your shit If you want it back, you better get me my money.
Y'all the dopest MCs I've ever met.
I believe we could do some shit that could be a game changer.
ANDRE: Listen, you're not hearing me right now.
They're dropping you.
I have my own group.
- Wu-Tang? - Wu-Tang Clan.
MONICA: I know that it's the end of the road for you here at Tommy Boy, but I am sure that Andre has a plan for you.
["VIBES AND STUFF" PLAYING.]
PHIFE DAWG: I'm prompt with my business And I do things on the double Yo, I'm out like Buster Douglas I say peace to MC Trouble, rest in peace - TONYA: Drink! - PARTIER: Whoo! [CHATTER.]
Q-TIP: We got, we got the vibes All the people in Long Island We got the vibes Brooklyn and Queens, we got the vibes Uptown and Now Rule We got the vibes People upstate, we got the vibes PAT: Hey.
I didn't know you were here.
Phife just made another sports reference.
Q-TIP: We got the vibes, in the Bahamas Indies sign enough dope artists that a major buys them, and then the major keeps signing corporate-friendly artists.
It's just a vicious cycle.
Look, I get what you're saying.
It's a nice idea.
But you need MC Hammer to pay for the Lord Finesse.
When I'm head of a label, that's how I'm gonna do it.
If that's your idea of integrity.
Name one label with integrity, by your definition.
Two words: Def Jam.
Two words: Beastie Boys.
"License to Ill" keeps the lights on for them to take chances.
I gotta take a leak.
["JAZZ (WE'VE GOT)" PLAYING.]
Q-TIP: Now I gotta scat and get mine, underline The jazz, the what? The jazz can move that ass 'Cause the Tribe originates that feeling of pizzazz It's the universal sound Bless the brothers on the ground And the ones six below, you didn't have to go Some say that I'm eccentric 'Cause I once had an orgy And sometimes for breakfast I eat grits and porgies If this is a stinker then call me a skunk I ask ["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
REBEL: My rap style has the force To leave you lost like ANDRE: Ra.
Ra, you're not hearing me right now.
There's not gonna be an album.
It's over.
I'm sorry.
They're dropping you.
Hey, yo [METAL CLANGING.]
Fuck.
[CLANGING CONTINUES.]
SHA: What the fuck you doin, son? GARY: Yo, cuz, what you smokin' on? - SHOTGUN: What up, y'all? - What's good? What's good, son? What up? SHOTGUN: What the fuck is wrong with this guy? Yo, I thought we was makin' music, son? [CLANGING CONTINUES.]
[HIP-HOP MUSIC.]
[MEN GRUNTING.]
[BLADE RESOUNDS.]
[GUN COCKS.]
[DICE THUD.]
[BLADE RESOUNDS.]
[TOILET FLUSHES.]
PAT: You know, speaking of Def Jam, did you know Rick Rubin co-founded Def Jam in this exact dorm? Nah, that was Weinstein Hall.
- I gotta head out.
- Really? I mean, we don't have to debate music anymore.
Oh, papi, that wasn't a debate.
Here.
MAN: Okay, Pinson.
How about you break in? DENNIS: Hey, yo, We ain't never gonna get your tapes if you don't leave the house, son.
Man, Attila is is crazy, man.
All right? Like, for real crazy.
That's why you need to get yourself some protection.
Know what I mean? Hey, yo, look.
You can borrow my heater if it'll make you feel better, all right? Come on.
- Bring back all his tobacco.
- Sure.
[LAUGHTER.]
DENNIS: Yo, what the fuck? Where's my shit? [DOOR CLICKS SHUT.]
Hey, yo, hey, yo, where's my shit at, son? Hey, yo, look, I know you be watching these movies and shit, thinkin' you gotta be hard, but you can't be taking my gun, son.
What the fuck do I need your stupid gun for? Yo, stop playing, son.
Where it's at? ANN: I sold it.
Why are you selling my shit? Don't you talk to me like I'm one of your street niggas.
All right, and don't go into my room touchin' my shit, Ma.
Then don't be bringing that shit in my house.
DENNIS: Ma.
[SIGHS.]
[SUSPENSEFUL ORCHESTRAL MUSIC BUILDING.]
[DOOR SLAMS.]
BOBBY: Forget about it.
And what happens when Attila catches us on the streets, huh? [MUSIC PLAYS ON TV.]
Hey, yo, who you know that could hook us up with a burner? [METAL CLANGING.]
Hey, it's for the beginning of the song.
All right, fuck with me.
All right? [CLANGING RHYTHMICALLY.]
ASON: Hey, yo, this shit sound like we about to go into a battle.
Really.
Word.
Uh.
La, la, la, la, la Hey, yo, nigga.
- La, la, la, la, la - Hey, yo.
Hey, yo, stupid, you're wasting our studio time.
We only have a couple hours left before they kick us out.
My voice is an instrument, fool.
I treat it with the utmost respect.
I'm not wasting no studio time.
Shit, I'm making the most of it.
They don't call me James Brown for nothin'.
Ow! Are you a warrior killer slicin' shit like a samurai The Ol' Dirty Bastard from the bar Ol' dirty clan of terrorists Comin' at your ass like a sorceress Shootin' that piss Niggas be gettin' on my fuckin' nerves Rhymes they be kickin' make me wanna kick They fuckin' ass to the curb Boy got funky fresh like the Old Specialist A carrier, messenger, bury ya This experience is for the whole experience Let it be applied Unique, drop that science So what y'all need those pieces for anyway, though? PEDESTRIAN: You understand what I'm trying to say? You know, just got off a tour.
You never know when you gon' meet 'em.
[PEDESTRIAN SCREAMING.]
Pink Houses is fucked up.
I hate comin' here.
I'm your brother.
You my brother.
You know what I'm saying? Let's walk this way.
GOD: Is that Prince Rakeem? Come here, Prince.
What's today's mathematics? Hey, yo, no disrespect, but we ain't into all of that, son.
Build, destroy.
To build is to elevate the mentalities of self and those around self, to add positive energy to every nation.
To build, you must first start from the root, which is the knowledge foundation, and add on to the highest peak.
To destroy is to eliminate and destroy any and all negativity that enters my cipher of supreme harmony.
Peace, God.
Peace, God.
Come on, son.
DENNIS: Bobby.
["THROW YA GUNZ" PLAYING.]
RAPPER: Throw ya guns in the air And buck, buck like you just don't care Just throw ya guns Yo, that's my man Raf, right there.
Come on, baby, come on, baby, come on RAPPER: Throw ya guns in the air I told you he crazy.
[RECORD SCRATCHING.]
What up, Raf? Y'all lookin' for some heat? Yes or no? RAPPER: And buck, buck like you just don't care Just throw ya guns in the air And buck, buck like you just don't care Just throw ya guns in the air And buck, buck like you just don't care PHESTO: I swallowed the spliff with locution Encompassing the pompous means TONYA: These guys are from Oakland, are you sure? NICK: Rhyme patterns are crazy, right? Yeah, why didn't you play this on your show last night? It's a dub of a dub of a dub.
Shit would've sounded terrible.
If I had it on DAT, I would've.
How'd you get that DAT player anyway? Did Atlantic give it to you? You like anyone who works for a label? Slim Jim.
And I got a meeting with him this week.
Oh, dope.
Yeah, where you going? - Indochine.
- Really? - Mm-hmm.
- Mm.
My homegirl's his assistant, and she told me he will not eat Asian food.
Dude only eats steak at Delmonico's every day.
Yeah, well, I have a meeting with him.
He just doesn't know it yet.
So what you got me dubbing here, anyway? Nothing, it's a favor for a friend.
Thank you.
RAPPERS: Never will a sucker score, never no more A-PLUS: I get the props, you get the buttocks I know my what-nots, stopping flows like ["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
POWER: Yo, this shit's a fuckin' mess, man.
SHA: I can't believe that shorty was undercover.
Yo, you think she was lyin' about feelin' my rhymes, too? POWER: Yo, you playin' right now? Three busts in the Bronx in one week, my nigga.
Cressy was just the first domino.
Who knows how long they been watchin' him, you know what I'm sayin'? Police is after us, man.
I gotta move my shit quick.
Where you gon' move that shit? [SIGHS.]
Yo, you wanna let this shit cool down first? Lay low for a while? Lay low, you might end up back on that roof.
Shit, I might be back up there with you, you know what I'm sayin'? I've been working too hard to let this shit slip away.
So, what, then? You still with your man uptown? Yeah.
All right, word.
[UPBEAT LATIN MUSIC PLAYING.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
BOBBY: Now he has everything I ever recorded, and the money I ain't never touched that shit.
- I ain't never seen it.
- Shit, Ra.
In the meantime, I got myself some heat.
Yeah, almost caught a beatdown from the Gods.
My lessons was on point, though, so we was good.
You would've been proud, yo.
My words was sharp.
Like a weapon.
All right, yo, I gotta go pick up my brothers and shit.
- All right.
- See y'all later.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
So which weapon you gon' choose? [SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
What you mean? Your tongue is a sword.
That shit right there may not be the way to go.
Hey, yo, we never met this guy, cuz.
You just said yourself.
Your words are like a weapon now.
As a god, you control your fate.
It's up to you how this shit goes down.
I had a feeling you was gon' need this.
It's 5 Gs.
I want you to have it.
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
[FIGHTER GRUNTS.]
My, my, my, my clan is thick like plaster Bust ya, slash ya Slit a nigga back like a Dutch master killer Style jumped off in Killa Hill-a I was the thriller in the Ali-Frazier Manila I came down with phat tracks That combine and interlock Like getting smashed by a cinder block Pow! Now it's all over Niggas seein' pink hearts Yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers Yo, this motherfucker is a genius.
Hell, yeah, nigga.
Hell, yeah.
Soo! [LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING.]
I ordered this well-done.
You should try medium-rare.
It's so much better.
Who are you? Tonya Mendez, and Slim Jim, if you give me a minute of your time, I'll be your new A&R.
[CHUCKLES.]
That's nice.
Really, but I'm just trying to eat my ribeye.
Eat, please.
I just need you to listen.
These guys right here are the next evolutionary step in hip-hop.
Raw gutter beats laced with the most insane lyrics you've ever heard.
They reference kung fu flicks, fallopian tubes I don't even know half the shit they're saying, but it works.
There's one track on here where it's like you're inside a rap cipher with them, like you're a part of their crew.
And there's no chorus.
[SIGHS.]
This is primal shit.
You don't have to understand it to get it.
I know it sounds crazy, but it's no crazier than Run-DMC covering Leave the tape.
Now, leave me and my steak alone.
Oh.
[DISTANT SHOUTING.]
PROTESTER: Murderer! You should be ashamed of yourself! Is this pregnancy happy news, sad news or neither? There's no right answer.
This isn't a test.
You seem like a bright young woman.
I'm sure you'll do what's best for you.
[CHUCKLES.]
Do you have any, like, advice? We're not supposed to give advice, but Maybe consider who would be involved in raising the child.
That's what's gonna have the biggest impact on its life.
[CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
[TONY! TONI! TONÃ!'S "WHATEVER YOU WANT" PLAYING.]
So what you gonna make for dinner tonight? I ain't making nothin'.
You make me somethin'.
- RANDY: Mom.
- You want me to cook for you? RANDY: Mom, Dad! - You okay, baby? - What? I made the football team! - Hey! - That's my boy! - Shurrie home? - Yeah, she should be.
[LAUGHS.]
- I told you.
- You did.
- Yeah? - You did.
[LAUGHS.]
RANDY: She ain't in here.
You sure? Shurrie? Come and celebrate your brother with us.
I can't find her.
I told you, she ain't home.
SINGER: Whenever you need me Call 632-2135 So What makes you think that I would try To run a game on you Just as sure as my name is Dwayne PERSON: Oh, wow.
[STIRRING MUSIC.]
FATHER: How many times must you be told that we will not be part of any of that? We are not that kind of family.
Um the vents is rusty.
You might wanna get that fixed.
That shit doesn't fix everything.
All right.
[BELL DINGS ON DOOR.]
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
ASON: Warrior, killer, slicin' shit like a samurai The Ol' Dirty Bastard from the bar Ol' dirty clan of terrorists Comin' at your ass like a sorceress Shootin' that piss Niggas be gettin' on my fuckin' nerves Rhymes they be kickin' make me wanna kick They fuckin' ass to the curb Boy got funky fresh like the Old Specialist A carrier, messenger Where did you get this? Yo, Nasty Nick played this three times last night.
He got all the underground hits.
Yeah, he's that dude.
I gave this to him.
Okay.
You gave it to him? Who the fuck are you? I manage them.
Yo, Nick said they're completely unknown.
He don't even know what they're called.
'Cause I wouldn't tell him.
The guys are very particular about how we roll this out.
That's why I gave it to Nick first.
That's mad cool.
So which one is your favorite verse? What? It's the fourth, hands down! - It's that - Word up.
I leave the mic in body bags My rap style has the force to leave you lost Like the tribe of Shabaz Murderous material made by a madman It's the mic wrecker, Inspectah Bad man from the bad lands of the killer Rap fanatic representin' with the skill that's iller Dare to compare, get pierced just like your ear The shooby doo-wop pop strictly hardware Damn, son.
I gotta rewrite my shit.
REBEL: Charged by the system For murderin' the rhythm Now lo and behold, another deadly episode Bound to catch a motherfuckin' charge When I explode Yo, I'm glad I don't gotta get in the booth after that.
BOBBY: Hey, yo, Shotgun, you got next.
Yo I'm about to kill all you motherfuckers, son.
Word.
I be that insane nigga from the psycho ward I'm on the trigger, plus I got the Wu-Tang sword So how you figure that you can even fuck with mine And pull a foul, niggas, save the beef for the cow I'm milkin' this ho, this is my show, Tical The fuck you wanna do for this mic piece, duke I'm like a sniper hyper off the ginseng root PLO style, buddha monks with the owls Now who's the fuckin' man? Meth-Tical Check that motherfucker.
[CHUCKLES.]
They got King Kong in this joint.
SHOTGUN: Yo, son, don't break anything in here.
Yo, what you doin' here? Hey, yo, Erika.
What up? Hey.
What's good? I see you're off your crutches.
Yep.
I'm ready to get back to work too.
Shit, um we had to hire someone to replace you when you left.
Replace me? I hurt my ankle working here.
Don't they gotta take me back? Okay, what about now? Ain't no shifts I could cover now? Sorry.
I just had to grab some stuff.
Good luck, though.
Yeah, thanks.
[EXHALES.]
So what you gon' do now, man? - I don't know, son.
- Yo, I'm sorry, man.
But you gon' have to figure something.
I can't just have you eating all my food anymore, man.
[SCOFFS.]
GOSPEL SINGERS: Wade in the water Wade in the water, children Wade in the water God's gonna trouble the water Wade in the water Wade in the water, children Wade in the water God's gonna trouble the water God's gonna trouble The water Are you in trouble? Nah, I don't think so.
I just wanted to see you.
How have you been? Good.
You know.
You still got that fancy car? Yeah.
But I've been making music too.
People seem to like it.
That's wonderful.
You've always been such a good drummer.
Not drumming, Mom.
Rapping.
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
Yo, yo, yo, Champion gear that I rock You get your boots knocked Then attack you like a pit then lock shit down As I come and freaks the sound Hardcore, but givin' you more, more, like ding Nah, shorty, get you open like six packs Killa Beez attack, flippin' what, murder one Phat tracks, all right I kick it like a Nike Flight Word life, I get that ass robbed on spite Check the method from Bedrock 'Cause I rock your head to bed Just like rockin' what, twin Glocks Shake the ground while my beats just break you down Raw sound goin' to war right now But yo bombin' We usually take all niggas' garments Save your breath before I vomit [CHEERING.]
Yeah! "The rain came down.
The streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; Yet, it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.
" Here you go.
Here.
On the house.
And, uh, tell your mother I said hello.
Okay? I will.
Thank you.
[LOW, DISTANT CHATTER.]
- [SIGHS.]
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
Thanks for meeting me here.
What you got for me? Look, man, I I don't have the money.
I never did.
The record label, they used me for everything I had, but it don't matter.
'Cause I'm free now.
Like you.
The original man is the Asiatic black man, the Maker I done heard all this Muslim shit when I was locked up.
I ain't trying to hear that right now.
Where's my money? How much is that? That's five thou.
Now you owe me 55, God.
DIVINE: Should've never met with him by yourselves.
Hey, yo, what was we supposed to do? [SIGHS.]
Actually, I got an idea.
Yo, 'Vine stop.
No, you already done enough, all right? You gotta stay straight.
You already did your debt for the family.
And now it's time for me to do mine.
Yo, Bobby, look.
- I understand what you - Yo.
Trust me.
All right, man.
Hey, yo, I got what we need.
Attila stays in building 327.
Ground floor.
Word on the street is, he leaves early in the morning, Stays out all day.
Hey, yo, if we can't get through the door, we're climbing in that motherfuckin' window.
You gon' get your music back, no matter what.
And then what? Getting my music ain't enough for me.
He's still gon' be after me.
[SIGHS.]
A god is the keeper of his own destiny.
We gotta off that nigga.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
It's the only way.
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
GARY: My, my, my, my clan is thick like plaster Yo, let's put this shit out now, man.
- Whatever.
- Hell, yeah.
- Hell, yeah.
- This shit hard, son.
You think they gonna have this for the radio? It's time to mix and master this shit and shoot the video, son.
Hey, yo, this hey, this hey, this shit don't it don't feel right, it's yo, this shit's missing something.
Y'all got a phone I can use? [PHONE RINGING.]
- [MACHINE CLICKING.]
- DARIUS: We ain't here.
[BEEPS.]
BOBBY: Hey, yo, D.
I know you ain't talkin' to me right now, but I'm in the studio, and it it don't feel right without you, man.
All right.
I want you to, uh, listen to this.
GARY: My, my, my, my clan is thick like plaster Bust ya, slash ya Slit a nigga back like a Dutch master killer - Style jumped off - [SHUTS MACHINE OFF.]
GARY: Green clovers [RAPPERS CHATTING.]
PERSON: Bobby, you good? Slammin' a hype-ass verse till your head burst I ramshack dead in the track and that's that Rap assassin, fast and quick to blastin' Some shit like that, yeah.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
I got you.
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
I called Nick after he played it a second time, be he couldn't tell me anything about 'em.
Just gave me your number.
How long you been managing them? A few months, officially, unofficially longer.
There are so many guys, it's hard to wrangle 'em.
You know how it is.
I wanna meet with them.
All of them.
A lot of people do.
Slim Jim's left me 27 messages.
Then why you meeting with me? You're starting a new label, and I know what it's like to be hungry.
- Be in touch soon.
- I look forward to it.
GARY: Open the gate, peace, I'm out Jettin' like a runaway slave BOBBY: Yo, you gettin' stripped From your garments, boy, run your jewels All the meth got me open like fallopian tubes - I bring death to a snake - I think I know this guy.
BOBBY: Yo, you gettin' stripped From your garments, boy, run your jewels All the meth got me open like fallopian tubes I bring death to a snake when he least expect Ain't a damn thing changed, boy, protect ya neck Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah jam is fatal Quick to stick my Wu-Tang sword Right through your navel Suspenseful force bein' brought through my utensil The pencil, I bring strong winds up against you Havoc, then run up through your county like the Maverick Caps through the tablets I gots to make the fabrics [FIGHTERS GRUNTING.]
If he ain't out by 10:00 we might've missed him.
We'll just catch his ass tomorrow.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[DOG BARKING.]
Yo, shit.
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
SHURRIE: Hey.
[PHONE RINGING.]
- Yo! - [RINGING CONTINUES.]
Hey, yo, Shurrie, what you doin' here? - I came to see you.
- From Ohio? What, you couldn't just call me? - We gotta talk.
- [PHONE RINGING.]
Oh, shit.
Oh, shit.
[KNOCKING.]
[RINGING CONTINUES.]
- You gotta go.
- No, Dennis, wait You gotta go right now! [PHONE RINGING.]
[PHONE LINE TRILLING.]
[KNOCKING.]
Bobby.
Yo, what the fuck, man? I'm pregnant.
[PHONE RINGS.]
- Fuck.
- [KNOCKING.]
- [RINGING.]
- [KNOCKING.]
- ATTILA: [GRUNTS.]
- [CASING CLINKS.]
Oh, shit! Oh, shit! [DOG BARKING.]
[ALARMED PEDESTRIAN CHATTER.]
Fuck! - Come on, come on, come on.
- Wait! [GRUNTS.]
[PHONE RINGING.]
- Hello.
- SHURRIE: Mama.
Honey.
Where are you? I'm coming home.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
Yo, what even is this? A quill? Fuck that.
I heard that next shit in the city the other day.
Of course, I had to leave Staten for some dope shit to happen.
[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
MASTA KILLA: In the name of Allah, supreme mathematics.
The dead nation must arise, for the time is at hand.
Look in your poison book Peace, god.
How you livin'? I'm all right.
You know.
All right.
Are you not ready to rise? Yo, you want the CD I just got? Sure.
Thank you.
I hear you lookin' for work.
Hey.
- You tell Mommy yet? - Nuh-uh.
Well, give me a heads-up.
I wanna get out of there first.
I ain't trying to be there for all that.
- [SUCKS TEETH.]
- Hey, yo, me too.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- Whatever.
[LAUGHS.]
Hey, yo.
Yo how did you DENNIS: I was in and out, like a ghost.
[PHONE LINE TRILLING.]
[MACHINE CLICKS, BEEPS.]
Rakeem, this is Steve Rifkind.
I-I met with you at that showcase a while back.
Remember? I'm calling 'cause I just heard this tape.
I'm pretty sure you're on it.
I mean, it doesn't sound like your other music, but I think it's really you.
[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
Wu-Tang.
Is that the name of the song? Either way, we need to talk.
Call me back, man.
[STIRRING MUSIC.]
[CYMBAL SHIMMERING.]
["WU-TANG: 7TH CHAMBER" PLAYING.]
SINGER: On the tip SINGER: Take that, motherfucker SINGER: Good morning, Vietnam! Yeah, good morning To all you motherfuckin' knotty-headed niggas Yo, to the camouflage large niggas Where the fuck is my bottle Bring that fuckin' meth in here - Yo, yo, yo - We gon' drink - Some good night train - SHA: Yo, yo, yo, yo Champion gear that I rock You get your boots knocked Then attack you like a pit then lock shit down As I come and freaks the sound Hardcore, but givin' you more, more, like ding Nah, shorty, get you open like six packs Killa Beez attack, flippin' what, murder one Phat tracks, all right I kick it like a Nike Flight Word life, I get that ass robbed on spite Check the method from Bedrock 'Cause I rock your head to bed Just like rockin' what, twin Glocks Shake the ground while my beats just break you down Raw sound, goin' to war PERSON: Get on the line.