Star (2016) s02e02 Episode Script
Insecure
1 Okay, so last time y'all saw Star.
I just went up in that board meeting and got fired.
They got a new head coming in, and she's a bad bitch.
Yeah, I got to see my probation officer once a week.
And then I got to pay back Elliot the 20 stacks I stole.
JAMAL: Carlotta Brown, meet Ayanna Floyd, the president of y'all label.
My girls have been working really hard since Set up an appointment with my assistant.
- I like your shoes, baby.
- Come up off 'em.
- I ain't giving y'all nothing.
- DEE: Yes, you is.
ARLENE: Hey, doll.
It's Arlene.
They know about those girls you set free.
They're coming for you.
(SEABIRDS SQUAWKING) (SIGHS) WOMAN (OVER TV): It's a great day in Miami.
Partly cloudy with low humidity.
What a great day (SPORTSCAST PLAYING, ANNOUNCER SPEAKING SPANISH) (GUN COCKS) Come on, brother.
And you know what, I'm betting that maybe you had it smuggled here from Peru when you set up shop here in Miami.
So here's what I'm gonna do.
I'm gonna give you three seconds to tell me where it is before I paint these walls with the inside of your head.
Where's my damn money? MAN: Stop! What's up, nephew? You're supposed to be dead.
That's what I wanted people to think.
- Now I need my money.
- Then you're gonna have to kill me then, 'cause that money is gone, Jahil.
I'm not leaving here empty-handed, Javier.
You want to take something?! Take your freaking nephew then, huh?! 'Cause he's doing nothing but taking up space aquà anyway.
(DOOR CLOSES) Hell of a reunion.
(SPEAKS SPANISH) I bring me Get mine, 'bout mine, go hard Looking for another like me - Boy, stop - I bring me Whose love is the tightest? Whose kiss is the nicest? Me Whose touch is the rightest? I bring me I bring, I bring me.
- ALEXANDRA: Carlotta.
- CARLOTTA: Yeah? ALEXANDRA: Where you at? CARLOTTA: I'm here.
ALEXANDRA: We never get to come in here.
It's cool.
It's like Lord of the Wigs in here.
- Shut up.
- (LAUGHS) See, that's why this room is off limits.
Miss C, what is you and Miss Bruce's obsession with wigs all about? It's not a wig obsession.
It's a attitude.
A lifestyle.
- Okay.
- See, this girl right here, she's telling you, "I'm mellow.
" "I'm-I'm just relaxed.
Everything is all good.
" - But this one right here - Mm.
(LAUGHTER) - She's like, "I'm feeling myself.
" - Uh-huh.
"I'm ready to hit the club, get my groove on.
" - (LAUGHS) - "See what's going on out there.
" Looks like you haven't worn that one in a while.
Yeah, you right.
Give it to Miss Bruce for a makeover.
And, uh, what about this one? - Scare the hell out of a bitch.
- I can tell.
Come on, who coming for you wearing this? - STAR: Not I.
- SIMONE: Not one person.
- (LAUGHTER) - Little bouncy.
Y'all know we got to be on point for this meeting, right? - Yeah, we know.
- Do you? I mean, when is the last time you had to impress a label head? This is an out-of-date conversation, because labels are old-school.
That's not what people care about anymore; it's about views and uploads and likes on the Internet.
- The music game is changing.
- It ain't changing that quick.
You still got to play the game.
Ayanna Floyd ain't no joke, so just follow my lead in there.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Carlotta, how's it feel being on the other side of things now? (EXHALES) Feels good.
Give me all the chicken heads from Pasadena To Medina, bet Big get in between ya - Then peep the prognosis - That's right Doses, blends and bends like Twizzlers Biggie's fitting to hurt what's under that skirt Slow down, son, you're killin' 'em Who fillin' 'em with octane I don't give a damn.
You're my lawyer.
That's what I pay you for.
Fix it or you're fired.
Guy in 850i Smoke tint, rap terror, four chrome Anteras - I like that - Two fives by the livers The fifth's inconspicuous, Bad Boy slipped in '95? - Ridiculous - That's right My rap rhymes is like land mines One step, kaboom, black suits fill the room (PHONE CHIMES) - Go.
- ANDY: Earvin left word this morning.
- He said it was urgent.
- AYANNA: Do you have my latte? What kind of question is that? Skinny, easy foam.
What's on tap today? Well, the marketing team, they want to sit down and talk about strategy.
I told them not to come up with those trash-ass PowerPoint presentations anymore.
Saw the mock-up.
They don't grasp the direction of Midtown.
- Arrange a meeting.
- Will do.
- What's next? - Carlotta Brown has been in your office for about 30 minutes.
She's with Big Trouble.
- Listen, I ain't trying to be petty - Then don't.
I don't understand how the winners of Atlanta's NextFest fit into our pedigree.
It's not for you to understand.
- Are we clear? - As vodka.
That exit never gets old.
(VOCALIZING OVER TV) CARLOTTA: So, what do you think? AYANNA: You won a talent show.
And although your sound is decent, it's not distinct.
Excuse me? Crane, your father came out of the gate swinging.
I can name every song on his debut album.
- You don't have that, sweetheart.
- That's because he whored himself out and licensed every cut.
No, it's because his album was curated on the pureness of his sound.
Well, have you listened to all the music? I've heard all of their music.
Their lyrics are uninspired.
I'm not saying that every track has to be Winehouse, Joplin, or Mary J, but until the lyrical pool they're swimming in is deeper, that's my thought.
STAR: I know you just got here, but we been here for five months and we have nothing to show for it.
That's my thoughts.
We have an expiration date.
I know that.
If we don't get our studio time in, we're done.
We're not just gonna let you do that.
You're very low on my list of priorities.
SIMONE: So we may or may not be here? AYANNA: They need an image rebranding, and that Rachel Dolezal look's got to go.
- Really? - Yeah, really.
Simone, your unique shape needs to be handled more delicately.
- Carlotta? - I'm speaking.
We need to make sure that you're not accentuating what you don't have.
Alex, you're a bit of an ice queen.
Image is everything, especially when I can go out on YouTube and get the next Ed Sheeran, so warm it up.
CARLOTTA: Look, you and I can discuss the image later.
- Where does that leave us for now? - On my label.
And the last I checked, being on any label as a talent show winner is a good look.
So it's not nothing.
For now.
Thanks for coming in.
I heard you this morning on the phone with Elliot.
Thought y'all were done.
He found out the terms of my probation - and offered me a job.
- So he done got you locked up for stealing and then gonna offer you a job? I don't even know how the hell I'm supposed to trust him.
It's a setup.
Bitch, don't do it.
- Unless you want him back.
- (DOOR SLAMS) Quit slamming doors in here.
This is a business.
Put them dirty towels in this trash bag.
Alexandra, clean the sinks out.
- Where's Carlotta? - STAR: At the label, trying to make the new president like us.
Or not hate every song I've ever written.
- What you buying now? - None of your business.
That's not gonna make you feel better about us.
It might.
Bruce, she really tore us apart.
She said I looked like Rachel Dolezal.
- Who is that? - The point is, Bruce, this lady is vicious and she don't like us.
And she can end us any time she wants.
Carlotta your manager, right? Let her manage.
That's your problem you want to control every damn thing.
It don't matter who's managing me, Bruce.
I'm not gonna stop looking out for myself.
Ayanna said she can go online and find new artists.
There are bomb-ass singers popping up everywhere, every day.
So what if she finds us? What do you mean, find us? We been at that label, what, five months? They're not gonna get us with any producers.
They're not gonna shoot a video for us.
We got our own songs.
Why don't we shoot our own? We don't have money for a music video.
We know a couple dudes in Atlanta we can finesse to bring out their cameras and shoot something.
Did you not hear her say she didn't like my music? I'm telling you, if we take that song and we shoot a little 2000s cheap video, people will watch it.
It's not just one thing this lady doesn't like about us.
She has a whole list.
What else she say? She said that I'm cold.
You is.
And that we need a new look.
You do.
Look, if y'all trying to get this lady attention, you need to switch it up.
Nah.
I'm good.
Ornery ass.
Sit down.
What? I'm about to teach you how to slay this bitch.
- Oh, God.
- (STAR GIGGLING) Ain't nothing wrong with wigs and weaves.
- Girl, I got to see this.
- STAR: We got scissors.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
What are you doing? Girl, turn around.
Ain't nobody finna cut your hair.
Cut it! Make it look like yours.
- You better shut up.
- (LAUGHS) THERAPIST: Let's talk about family.
DEE: My moms said she's supposed to come at 1:00.
I don't even know why I believe her lying ass.
Because she's your mom.
(CHUCKLES) Or maybe it's because she never wanted you to begin with.
- What? - THERAPIST: Sit down, Dee! Dee.
Now.
Now.
Switch places with her.
Go on.
(PHONE VIBRATES) All right, let's try this again.
Anyone else want to share? What about Superstar? You don't never talk.
THERAPIST: Simone can speak whenever she's ready.
DEE: Nah, Superstar ain't got no problems.
(SCOFFS) Except for all that cracne.
(CHUCKLES) And-and she got a white sister named Star.
"Star"? (LAUGHING) Yo, Dee, chill, yo.
- What? - Chill out.
Oh, what? What, that's your girl now? - No, I'm just saying, like - What? What is you saying? You're doing a lot right now, and it's not necessary.
No, what's not necessary is you calling me out.
- Dee, why would I call you out? - THERAPIST: Dee.
Dee! - What you saying? - I don't know.
You're switching up on me.
- I'm not switching sides.
- Nah, bitch.
St-Stand up, ho.
- THERAPIST: Code green to multipurpose! - (CLAMORING) Code green to multipurpose, now! - What's really - Now! Code green! DEE: That's what I want to do, bitch! - (ALARM BLARING) - Who you loyal to?! - Get the hell off me, Dee! - DEE: I thought you had my back! Hey, hey, hey! Get off her! Get off her! Come on, get off her! Get off! Get her out of here! Just get out.
Now.
Thanks, for standing up for me.
- What? - I know you and Dee are friends.
I'm just saying, it was real nice, what you did.
That's my friend, a'ight? I just didn't feel like seeing your punk ass cry.
Get out of here with your perfect-ass life.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER) You nervous? You look nervous.
ALEXANDRA: Yes, I would like to see.
(MISS BRUCE LAUGHS) STAR: It's cute.
Oh, my God.
I mean, how many more of these can you make? Mm-hmm.
Told ya.
Now you're about to drag that record lady to the floor with this one.
And what you got to say? I look different.
- But I ain't no different.
- (CHUCKLES) Carlotta might know labels, but I know how to get attention.
That's what we're about to do with these.
Well, I'm about to go show Derek.
- Thanks, Miss Bruce.
- MISS BRUCE: Mm-hmm.
STAR: The hell you do with this? - Girl, wrap it, honey.
- It's so flat.
Wrap it that way, fool.
Hey.
Hey.
Come look at this.
A man goes to work and finds a noose resting on his desk.
Like, people don't even want to be subtle no more.
Wow.
You look sexy.
You cut your hair.
No, I didn't.
It's a wig.
I just wanted to try something different, and (SIGHS) that new head at the label went in on my music.
She said it was ordinary.
(SCOFFS) Sounded just like my dad.
Oh.
Come here.
One thing you're not is ordinary.
- Let-let me touch this.
- No.
No.
Do not touch my hair.
DIRECTOR: All right, we got to move, like, now.
- What's the hold up? - I'm sorry.
- Uh, Simone.
Hurry up.
- Simone.
Is this shirt too tight? Does my stomach look okay? Girl, you're serving.
Come on, you got it.
Trust me.
Lord, bless her heart.
- You look cute.
- DIRECTOR: You three up front.
Dancers in the back.
I'll be moving this camera.
- You look right at me.
- Okay, are you gonna be able to get it all shot and edited today? That's all we care about.
In enough time for me to take your fine ass out tonight.
Yeah.
We'll talk about it if you get it done.
For real? All right, people, we're burning daylight.
Let's go! Gross, bitch.
(FINGERS SNAPPING RHYTHMICALLY) I'm not the type to sit and cry In a psychiatrist chair You don't know me You don't know Baby, you don't know I'm not the one to take your charity 'Cause life isn't fair You don't know me You don't know Baby, you don't know I'm not a silly, silly girl That you can whisk around the world With your money Cash, nope, got it Blue cheese, yeah, so And if you think you'll get a piece Boy, please You don't know me You may think you know me (CHUCKLES) But you don't Ooh, ooh, ooh I ain't into making friends Ooh, ooh, ooh I ain't your cutty buddy Ooh, ooh, ooh Now this ain't Netflix and chill Ooh, ooh, ooh Hey, you got it twisted for real I'm not your ordinary bad girl With the blonde curly hair You don't know me I'm not that chick over there That chick over there, that thot over there 'Cause I'm too hood for these bougie people You can't take me nowhere You don't know me You don't know Baby, you don't know Ooh, ooh, ooh I ain't into making friends Ooh, ooh, ooh I'm not your cutty buddy Ooh, ooh, ooh And I ain't here to take your ends Ooh, ooh, ooh And I ain't gonna tell you again So if ya gonna speak, talk nice Think I won't leave, think twice, yo But if you wanna come true with it Then we can do what it do with it So if you gonna speak, talk nice Think I won't leave, think twice, yo - But if you wanna come true with it - No, no Then we can do what it do with it I'm not the type to sit and cry In a psychiatrist chair You don't know me Ah I'm not the one to take your charity 'Cause life isn't fair You don't know me You don't know Baby, you don't know I'm not a silly, silly girl That you can whisk around the world With your money She actually is rich.
- Okay, so - Well, what you think? So you gonna post it on your website or not? Can't you post it yourself? Why do you think we brought you here? What, we have to kiss her ass, too? - Look, Rachel.
- This is so stupid.
ALEXANDRA: You know nothing in Atlanta gets buzz without its biggest social media queen, - which is you.
- I try.
So you gonna post it on your site? Tell you what.
Kiss from little mama and you got yourself a deal.
- I'm sorry.
A kiss? - Who? I didn't stutter.
That's all you want? You just want a kiss and you'll post the video? Okay.
Come here.
Not you.
Her.
Me? Simone.
(CLEARS THROAT) Congratulations, ladies.
Y'all are about to break the Internet.
- (LAUGHS) Oh! - (APPLAUSE) (INSTRUMENTAL POP MUSIC PLAYING) This is good.
You make it? (MUSIC STOPS) Yeah.
I've been working on it for a while.
No, I'm talking about the rice and beans.
But the beats are dope, too.
(CHUCKLES) - Trying to be like you, man.
- (LAUGHS) Even though Pop thinks I'm no good.
Well, that's because he thinks you're like me.
So you gonna tell me what's up with you or what? - Why'd you leave Atlanta? - Oh, come on, nephew.
Things happen, man.
It's all good now, though.
Come on, man.
TÃo you don't got to lie to me.
(JAHIL SIGHS) All right.
I got into some trouble in Atlanta.
I left town because I thought I was gonna be framed up for a couple of murders, but the cops made an arrest.
So you're clear to go back.
I'm clear with the cops, but I double-crossed the devil's wife.
That's why I'm here.
I came to get my money, see if I could try to convince her to squash our beef.
I guess I got to figure something else out now.
Take me with you.
- (SCOFFS) - Come on, man.
I'm trying to get my music out in the A, anyway.
- It's a perfect - Hey, hey.
Atlanta ain't no place for you.
Play me that beat again.
And make me a copy so I can take it on the road with me.
All right? - Yeah, I got you.
- (INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC RESUMES) Good.
- How much longer? - Um She's still in a meeting.
That's what you told me a hour ago.
(PHONE RINGING) - Yeah.
- MISS BRUCE: Carlotta.
This new stylist done left relaxer on too long.
- You got to get down here.
- I can't right now, Bruce.
I'm still at the label trying to fix things with these girls.
Eh, you talking about some girl Carlotta.
Seriously, I'm two seconds from pulling my switchblade out on this ho.
You need to get down here.
Bruce, handle it.
Okay, when this ho sue your ass from here to kingdom come, - I'm not going to court with you.
- All right, fine.
I'm on my way.
Damn.
I know you've been a loyal customer.
And I tell you what, here you go.
Six free visits.
Will that work for you? (LAUGHS) Okay.
All the best.
Thank you, Grace.
You take good care.
I hope this wedding works.
Three is the charm, Grace.
- Six free visits? - Mama, we can't afford that.
Don't y'all know Grace is crazy enough to actually sue us? I ain't got time to be caught up with that.
I'm trying to figure out what's going on with these girls and these label changes.
I mean, we need to keep up Where y'all been? We shot a music video and had Rachel Wells upload it.
CARLOTTA: Why would you pull a stunt like that? You know Ayanna already don't like y'all.
I just dodged one lawsuit, they walk me right into another one.
You know she'll sue us for everything we got, right? - Ain't much.
- ALEXANDRA: Okay.
Yeah, we need to hear her out.
You make a point.
Yo, let her come for us.
Who cares? At least she's paying attention to us.
What's wrong with you, Star? Why wouldn't you run this past me first? - Take the video down.
- No.
We're not taking the video down till we know she's seen it.
CARLOTTA: No, that's what you don't want, is for her to see the video.
Take it down.
We fought our way into that label, so we're gonna have to keep fighting.
If Jahil was here right now, he'd be in Ayanna's face, not mine.
You're really trying me right now.
I'm not.
No, I'm not trying you, Carlotta.
I'm doing what I got to do, like always.
NOAH: Got to say, you are persistent.
Because I want you on my label.
And what other label is going to sign you after you were arrested for beating up the exec at your last one? Man, that dude tried it.
People get shot for way less.
We can argue the First Amendment later.
You are a hothead and you run with a hothead crew.
Now your friends may think you're still it, but no other label's gonna sign you but mine.
We're in talks with Empire right now.
I talked to Cookie.
That's a lie.
Now we can sit here and admire the high life you're representing on the Gram, or we can admit that you're not making enough.
Midtown is your last stop.
So what's the deal? (SIGHS) Mmm.
Are you still nursing that? I'm having a very splashy showcase in three months.
Leading up to that, I'm going to have a very public competition amongst the label's best artists.
Five of those will be picked for the spotlight.
But only one will be able to drop an album.
So, what's that got to do with me? STAR: Crickety-ass door.
How you gonna only put out one album? That don't even make any sense.
Your assistant let me in, by the way.
He's mad cool.
You changed your hair.
It's a good look on you.
Thank you.
AYANNA: I was just telling Noah that I'm looking for one new artist who is going to let the industry know that Midtown Sound is back.
If you want to bring your label back, maybe you should go online and check out the video we put up.
I did.
I took it down.
You are artists on my label.
When you go releasing what is the equivalent of video mix tapes, it bifurcates the focus - from Midtown.
- I'm sorry.
I only understood, like, three of the words you just said.
AYANNA: All right, sweetie, - well, then let me educate you.
- Please.
The industry has a long history of artists trying to usurp their label.
You'll always end up on the short end.
STAR: Okay.
So your plan is to have all the artists participate in a musical Hunger Games? It's not what I want.
It's what the public wants.
Makes them feel that they're a part of Midtown.
Your group released property of this label without my written consent.
As a result, you won't be competing for a spot in the showcase.
Okay.
So where does that put me and my group? You're parked.
Indefinitely.
Welcome to the Hunger Games, baby.
So we're stalled until our contract expires? I thought Atlanta NextFest would have us leap-frog all this crap.
I think the video might have backfired.
SIMONE: Backfired? We got bitch-slapped to square one.
STAR: I wouldn't disagree with that, but if you were there, you would've seen it.
There's something in her eyes that said she really loves us.
Yeah, and so did the other 10.
000 people that viewed that video before she took it down.
That doesn't mean we have an album release date.
But it does.
Star, make sense.
STAR: We got under her skin.
That's all that matters.
She can deny anything she wants, but she cannot deny talent.
And we have it, she knows it, and she can't control it.
That freaks her out.
She's gonna put all of the money from the label behind one album, and it's going to be ours.
Look, if she doesn't drop us, she's gonna ride out the terms.
- And then do what? - Whatever the hell she wants.
Like, she can have us doing scratch tracks, backup.
Do you want to do backup? So we keep grinding.
That's what we do.
ALEXANDRA: We've been on the grind, and where has that gotten us? 'Cause we still don't have a drop date.
Every time we take one step forward, we take 30 steps back.
SIMONE: Yeah, and we keep trying to prove ourselves over and over and over again, Star! This is the hustle that we chose! We could be doing a lot worse.
Yo, we are in this.
I'm not about to tap out.
SIMONE: Fine, okay.
Then we need to talk to Miss Carlotta and come up with some sort of game plan to fix all this mess.
I'm-a just say it.
Maybe Carlotta's part of it.
A part of what? Maybe she's not the one to get us all the way there.
I love Miss Carlotta.
We all do.
She's family.
But for this group, for what we want and what we need right now, maybe we got to have somebody with the same hustle we got, who thinks outside the box.
She might be too old school.
We're not firing Carlotta.
Period.
Miss Carlotta's family.
We got to do whatever it takes, right? You're ruthless.
(TRAIN HORN BLOWS IN DISTANCE) I done told you to keep your drugs out of my house.
I'm out of the house, am I not? And the Molly? Who Molly? I don't know no Molly.
But I did hear you were dealing with a real Becky.
- Ayanna Floyd? (CHUCKLES) - Ugh.
I'm ready to go up in her mouth.
She getting on my nerves.
And the girls think they know better than me.
You juggling too much.
You need to focus on the girls and the girls alone.
- Let me handle the salon.
- You might be right.
You up to it? Up to it? I'll add some Caucasians and Asians in this equation.
That's where your real coin gonna come from.
See, don't get ahead of yourself.
Is that a yes? That's a "run things by me first before you turn my salon into bougie central.
" Mm-mm.
Bad and bougie central.
(BOTH LAUGH) (SIGHS) (DIALING) (LINE RINGING) Hi.
Yeah, it's Alexandra Crane.
I know you're closing, but can you keep the store open? WOMAN: Of course, Miss Crane.
You're a VIP customer.
Okay, great.
Yeah, I'll be there in ten minutes.
Bye.
(INSTRUMENTAL POP MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO) - The hell? - Welcome back to Atlanta.
Hey.
Look, I know you may think you're alone, but you're not.
You know, whatever we got to deal with with Ayanna and Midtown, we gonna do it together.
Something else going on? What's up? Me and the girls been talking.
We feel like our music is kind of in this crossroads spot where it's either gonna pop off - or flatline.
- Say what's on your mind, Star.
So we were thinking I was thinking we might need a change.
What kind of change? Like management.
You gonna say something? Nah, I'm straight.
You just keep talking.
Carlotta, this is not easy for me.
No? What's hard for you, Star? Is it hard for you 'cause maybe you're feeling some type of way 'cause you know it's wrong? And who's supposed to manage the group? You? - Listen, if I could - Just, no, no, no, you listen.
You think going it alone in the world makes you unique.
It don't.
You sleep with the president of the label.
Then you drop a video without talking to me first, and who's there to clean up your mess? Me.
So, this how you want to play this? 'Cause I'm not the problem here, Star.
You are.
You create your own drama.
(CARLOTTA SCOFFS) You not unique.
You selfish.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah - Hey I done kept it real from the jump - Kick, kick, kick, ooh - Yeah Pull up the fan, see me then see a hell of a man WOMAN: Miss Crane? Miss Crane.
Thanks for keeping the store open for me.
It's a rule for all VIP customers, Miss Crane.
Thank you.
(SMOOTH JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING) (KNOCKING) (NO AUDIO) (MUFFLED): Come help, please! Somebody, please! (CRYING): Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Somebody, please.
(SOBBING) (WHISTLE BLOWS) (SOBBING) ("MISTY BLUE" BY DOROTHY MOORE PLAYING) Ooh Hello.
So do I get my own parking spot? We can talk about that on Monday.
9:00 a.
m.
? Been such a long, long time COTTON: But this is just business.
(JAHIL INHALES, GROANS) Okay, okay, okay.
Stop complaining now.
Maggie could've had you killed.
(SIGHS) She knew that dropping the dime on Leonard for killing Hunter and Eva would probably smoke my ass out.
(WINCES) She never got over me letting those girls free from that man.
- (GROANS) - I-I'm sorry.
But I didn't have no money for her.
I paid her with the only thing I had.
I think what happened with Hunter and Eva is enough punishment.
Turns the flicker to a flame Maggie's never gonna know that you helped me, Lottie.
Never.
- Is there enough blood? - Yeah, it's enough blood.
I can't believe you got me in this mess.
When I said good-bye to you that night I thought I was never gonna see you again.
- You okay? - JAHIL: (GROANS) Yeah.
Take off the gloves.
Listen to me good, baby Take care of it, all right? - CARLOTTA: Keys.
- JAHIL: No, no, no.
Give it to her.
- Cotton? - Yeah.
- Where you going? - Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you.
But somewhere far from here.
- (THUNDER RUMBLING SOFTLY) - (JAHIL SNIFFS) Baby You ain't coming back, are you? Not if I want to stay alive.
Heaven knows I tried I got to clean up.
You know, Lottie - Ah - Baby if you didn't come tonight, if you, if you didn't know what to do I'm glad we're through I probably would've just let him take me.
Deep in my heart, I know I've lied Thank you.
I've lied Ooh Just the thought of you Misty blue I got to go.
Oh, honey It's been such a long, long time (THUNDER RUMBLING SOFTLY) Looks like I'd get you off of my mind (JAHIL GROANS) - What's up with the girls? - They dumped me.
Oh, that Star ain't never gonna change.
I'll tell you that right now.
And I ain't have no paperwork on them.
I thought my word was cool.
Maybe I've been out of the game too long to know what the hell the new rules are.
This is the music business; there ain't no damn rules.
If that's what you're looking for, go make your own.
This new label president, she's trying to push them aside.
I argue with her, but she ain't trying to hear me.
Stop arguing, just give her something that she needs.
(LAUGHS): Yo.
You show up on my doorstep half dead giving me advice.
Hey, I could show up at your doorstep all the way dead, I'd still try to give you advice.
No, I don't play that ghost stuff.
(LAUGHS): You ain't gonna have my hands in no clay.
You ain't no Patrick Swayze.
(BOTH LAUGH) - Ow, ow.
- Careful, careful.
- (HIP-HOP BEAT PLAYING) - NOAH: Hey.
Can you, uh, put that on loop right quick? - Copy that.
- Get some of these lines.
(NOAH MURMURING LYRICS) - That good? - NOAH: Yeah, that's good.
Yo.
Looks like you decided to sign.
Congrats.
I need the booth.
Can you get out? What are you doing? Oh, does this, does this talk-back button not work? Does this talk-back button not work?! Get out the booth! I need it! - Look.
- Now! Can you turn the music up, please? - Thank you.
- Do not - Copy that.
- You know what? Say I won't! - This bitch is crazy.
I'm out of here.
- Hold on.
- Get out the booth! - Okay, okay, okay.
Sh (DOOR OPENS) All right.
Come on, let's go.
Let's get out of here.
- (MUSIC STOPS) - (NOAH SIGHS) Where are you going? Home.
What am I supposed to do, record myself running back and forth? Figure it out.
It's track number three.
And FYI, all these buttons work.
Another glass of champagne? Only if you join me.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Come on.
Aren't you basically off anyway? You've got a point.
- To a great night of shopping.
- Yes.
Let me get these wrapped up and get you out of here.
Okay.
What did I do with that bracelet? Is everything okay? Nothing.
It must be on the other tray.
Probably the bubbly.
Really? Andy, you're fired! You're cute.
Oh, and, technically, HR would have to fire me, and they're closed right now.
And besides, they love me.
So, thanks again.
See you tomorrow.
Oh.
And, uh, Carlotta Brown's here to see you.
I assume you heard your girls have been parked since they released their video.
(CHUCKLES) I did my homework on you.
You the black sheep of the family.
This is your last stop.
And if this doesn't work, what you got left? Small trust fund and a mean shoe collection? Do I need to call security? I am security.
I'm security for those girls.
And if you take your head out your ass for a minute, you'll see that I'm security for you, too.
You want to prove you belong at the head of the Floyd family table? Put my girls back in the showcase.
Be the first to break a hot girl group.
Don't let God-given talent pass you by just 'cause you got your perfect surgically-enhanced nose bent.
It was a bad doctor.
Put the music video back up.
If we don't get 100.
000 views in five days, then we walk, empty-handed.
But if we do, you put us back in the mix.
(AMPLIFIED HEARTBEAT) - We're not firing Carlotta.
- You're ruthless.
You won't be competing for a spot in the showcase.
You not unique.
You selfish.
- Move.
- Will you leave me alone? Look, I'm trying to help you.
Whatever you got inside you right now, let's put it down.
Don't lose it.
- I got you.
- What, you gonna record my vocals? Yes, I'm gonna record your vocals.
Come on.
Get in there.
Star.
You're a weird-ass dude.
(SIGHS) What track is it? Three.
("LITTLE BIRD" PLAYING) I'm ready when you are.
Give me a minute.
Can we cut the lights down or something? It's super bright.
Little bird Don't be scared to spread your wings And fly Little bird You'll never fly again if you Don't try Just don't be afraid Of what the world has done to you Just know you're strong enough To make it through Make it through Oh Little bird Letting go of pain is just a start Little bird Let it go and you can go so far There will be times When you feel alone Oh, oh But I'll be right here Right here with you All along All along, oh Little bird Everything will be Just fine Little bird I believe you can touch The sky.
I just went up in that board meeting and got fired.
They got a new head coming in, and she's a bad bitch.
Yeah, I got to see my probation officer once a week.
And then I got to pay back Elliot the 20 stacks I stole.
JAMAL: Carlotta Brown, meet Ayanna Floyd, the president of y'all label.
My girls have been working really hard since Set up an appointment with my assistant.
- I like your shoes, baby.
- Come up off 'em.
- I ain't giving y'all nothing.
- DEE: Yes, you is.
ARLENE: Hey, doll.
It's Arlene.
They know about those girls you set free.
They're coming for you.
(SEABIRDS SQUAWKING) (SIGHS) WOMAN (OVER TV): It's a great day in Miami.
Partly cloudy with low humidity.
What a great day (SPORTSCAST PLAYING, ANNOUNCER SPEAKING SPANISH) (GUN COCKS) Come on, brother.
And you know what, I'm betting that maybe you had it smuggled here from Peru when you set up shop here in Miami.
So here's what I'm gonna do.
I'm gonna give you three seconds to tell me where it is before I paint these walls with the inside of your head.
Where's my damn money? MAN: Stop! What's up, nephew? You're supposed to be dead.
That's what I wanted people to think.
- Now I need my money.
- Then you're gonna have to kill me then, 'cause that money is gone, Jahil.
I'm not leaving here empty-handed, Javier.
You want to take something?! Take your freaking nephew then, huh?! 'Cause he's doing nothing but taking up space aquà anyway.
(DOOR CLOSES) Hell of a reunion.
(SPEAKS SPANISH) I bring me Get mine, 'bout mine, go hard Looking for another like me - Boy, stop - I bring me Whose love is the tightest? Whose kiss is the nicest? Me Whose touch is the rightest? I bring me I bring, I bring me.
- ALEXANDRA: Carlotta.
- CARLOTTA: Yeah? ALEXANDRA: Where you at? CARLOTTA: I'm here.
ALEXANDRA: We never get to come in here.
It's cool.
It's like Lord of the Wigs in here.
- Shut up.
- (LAUGHS) See, that's why this room is off limits.
Miss C, what is you and Miss Bruce's obsession with wigs all about? It's not a wig obsession.
It's a attitude.
A lifestyle.
- Okay.
- See, this girl right here, she's telling you, "I'm mellow.
" "I'm-I'm just relaxed.
Everything is all good.
" - But this one right here - Mm.
(LAUGHTER) - She's like, "I'm feeling myself.
" - Uh-huh.
"I'm ready to hit the club, get my groove on.
" - (LAUGHS) - "See what's going on out there.
" Looks like you haven't worn that one in a while.
Yeah, you right.
Give it to Miss Bruce for a makeover.
And, uh, what about this one? - Scare the hell out of a bitch.
- I can tell.
Come on, who coming for you wearing this? - STAR: Not I.
- SIMONE: Not one person.
- (LAUGHTER) - Little bouncy.
Y'all know we got to be on point for this meeting, right? - Yeah, we know.
- Do you? I mean, when is the last time you had to impress a label head? This is an out-of-date conversation, because labels are old-school.
That's not what people care about anymore; it's about views and uploads and likes on the Internet.
- The music game is changing.
- It ain't changing that quick.
You still got to play the game.
Ayanna Floyd ain't no joke, so just follow my lead in there.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Carlotta, how's it feel being on the other side of things now? (EXHALES) Feels good.
Give me all the chicken heads from Pasadena To Medina, bet Big get in between ya - Then peep the prognosis - That's right Doses, blends and bends like Twizzlers Biggie's fitting to hurt what's under that skirt Slow down, son, you're killin' 'em Who fillin' 'em with octane I don't give a damn.
You're my lawyer.
That's what I pay you for.
Fix it or you're fired.
Guy in 850i Smoke tint, rap terror, four chrome Anteras - I like that - Two fives by the livers The fifth's inconspicuous, Bad Boy slipped in '95? - Ridiculous - That's right My rap rhymes is like land mines One step, kaboom, black suits fill the room (PHONE CHIMES) - Go.
- ANDY: Earvin left word this morning.
- He said it was urgent.
- AYANNA: Do you have my latte? What kind of question is that? Skinny, easy foam.
What's on tap today? Well, the marketing team, they want to sit down and talk about strategy.
I told them not to come up with those trash-ass PowerPoint presentations anymore.
Saw the mock-up.
They don't grasp the direction of Midtown.
- Arrange a meeting.
- Will do.
- What's next? - Carlotta Brown has been in your office for about 30 minutes.
She's with Big Trouble.
- Listen, I ain't trying to be petty - Then don't.
I don't understand how the winners of Atlanta's NextFest fit into our pedigree.
It's not for you to understand.
- Are we clear? - As vodka.
That exit never gets old.
(VOCALIZING OVER TV) CARLOTTA: So, what do you think? AYANNA: You won a talent show.
And although your sound is decent, it's not distinct.
Excuse me? Crane, your father came out of the gate swinging.
I can name every song on his debut album.
- You don't have that, sweetheart.
- That's because he whored himself out and licensed every cut.
No, it's because his album was curated on the pureness of his sound.
Well, have you listened to all the music? I've heard all of their music.
Their lyrics are uninspired.
I'm not saying that every track has to be Winehouse, Joplin, or Mary J, but until the lyrical pool they're swimming in is deeper, that's my thought.
STAR: I know you just got here, but we been here for five months and we have nothing to show for it.
That's my thoughts.
We have an expiration date.
I know that.
If we don't get our studio time in, we're done.
We're not just gonna let you do that.
You're very low on my list of priorities.
SIMONE: So we may or may not be here? AYANNA: They need an image rebranding, and that Rachel Dolezal look's got to go.
- Really? - Yeah, really.
Simone, your unique shape needs to be handled more delicately.
- Carlotta? - I'm speaking.
We need to make sure that you're not accentuating what you don't have.
Alex, you're a bit of an ice queen.
Image is everything, especially when I can go out on YouTube and get the next Ed Sheeran, so warm it up.
CARLOTTA: Look, you and I can discuss the image later.
- Where does that leave us for now? - On my label.
And the last I checked, being on any label as a talent show winner is a good look.
So it's not nothing.
For now.
Thanks for coming in.
I heard you this morning on the phone with Elliot.
Thought y'all were done.
He found out the terms of my probation - and offered me a job.
- So he done got you locked up for stealing and then gonna offer you a job? I don't even know how the hell I'm supposed to trust him.
It's a setup.
Bitch, don't do it.
- Unless you want him back.
- (DOOR SLAMS) Quit slamming doors in here.
This is a business.
Put them dirty towels in this trash bag.
Alexandra, clean the sinks out.
- Where's Carlotta? - STAR: At the label, trying to make the new president like us.
Or not hate every song I've ever written.
- What you buying now? - None of your business.
That's not gonna make you feel better about us.
It might.
Bruce, she really tore us apart.
She said I looked like Rachel Dolezal.
- Who is that? - The point is, Bruce, this lady is vicious and she don't like us.
And she can end us any time she wants.
Carlotta your manager, right? Let her manage.
That's your problem you want to control every damn thing.
It don't matter who's managing me, Bruce.
I'm not gonna stop looking out for myself.
Ayanna said she can go online and find new artists.
There are bomb-ass singers popping up everywhere, every day.
So what if she finds us? What do you mean, find us? We been at that label, what, five months? They're not gonna get us with any producers.
They're not gonna shoot a video for us.
We got our own songs.
Why don't we shoot our own? We don't have money for a music video.
We know a couple dudes in Atlanta we can finesse to bring out their cameras and shoot something.
Did you not hear her say she didn't like my music? I'm telling you, if we take that song and we shoot a little 2000s cheap video, people will watch it.
It's not just one thing this lady doesn't like about us.
She has a whole list.
What else she say? She said that I'm cold.
You is.
And that we need a new look.
You do.
Look, if y'all trying to get this lady attention, you need to switch it up.
Nah.
I'm good.
Ornery ass.
Sit down.
What? I'm about to teach you how to slay this bitch.
- Oh, God.
- (STAR GIGGLING) Ain't nothing wrong with wigs and weaves.
- Girl, I got to see this.
- STAR: We got scissors.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
What are you doing? Girl, turn around.
Ain't nobody finna cut your hair.
Cut it! Make it look like yours.
- You better shut up.
- (LAUGHS) THERAPIST: Let's talk about family.
DEE: My moms said she's supposed to come at 1:00.
I don't even know why I believe her lying ass.
Because she's your mom.
(CHUCKLES) Or maybe it's because she never wanted you to begin with.
- What? - THERAPIST: Sit down, Dee! Dee.
Now.
Now.
Switch places with her.
Go on.
(PHONE VIBRATES) All right, let's try this again.
Anyone else want to share? What about Superstar? You don't never talk.
THERAPIST: Simone can speak whenever she's ready.
DEE: Nah, Superstar ain't got no problems.
(SCOFFS) Except for all that cracne.
(CHUCKLES) And-and she got a white sister named Star.
"Star"? (LAUGHING) Yo, Dee, chill, yo.
- What? - Chill out.
Oh, what? What, that's your girl now? - No, I'm just saying, like - What? What is you saying? You're doing a lot right now, and it's not necessary.
No, what's not necessary is you calling me out.
- Dee, why would I call you out? - THERAPIST: Dee.
Dee! - What you saying? - I don't know.
You're switching up on me.
- I'm not switching sides.
- Nah, bitch.
St-Stand up, ho.
- THERAPIST: Code green to multipurpose! - (CLAMORING) Code green to multipurpose, now! - What's really - Now! Code green! DEE: That's what I want to do, bitch! - (ALARM BLARING) - Who you loyal to?! - Get the hell off me, Dee! - DEE: I thought you had my back! Hey, hey, hey! Get off her! Get off her! Come on, get off her! Get off! Get her out of here! Just get out.
Now.
Thanks, for standing up for me.
- What? - I know you and Dee are friends.
I'm just saying, it was real nice, what you did.
That's my friend, a'ight? I just didn't feel like seeing your punk ass cry.
Get out of here with your perfect-ass life.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER) You nervous? You look nervous.
ALEXANDRA: Yes, I would like to see.
(MISS BRUCE LAUGHS) STAR: It's cute.
Oh, my God.
I mean, how many more of these can you make? Mm-hmm.
Told ya.
Now you're about to drag that record lady to the floor with this one.
And what you got to say? I look different.
- But I ain't no different.
- (CHUCKLES) Carlotta might know labels, but I know how to get attention.
That's what we're about to do with these.
Well, I'm about to go show Derek.
- Thanks, Miss Bruce.
- MISS BRUCE: Mm-hmm.
STAR: The hell you do with this? - Girl, wrap it, honey.
- It's so flat.
Wrap it that way, fool.
Hey.
Hey.
Come look at this.
A man goes to work and finds a noose resting on his desk.
Like, people don't even want to be subtle no more.
Wow.
You look sexy.
You cut your hair.
No, I didn't.
It's a wig.
I just wanted to try something different, and (SIGHS) that new head at the label went in on my music.
She said it was ordinary.
(SCOFFS) Sounded just like my dad.
Oh.
Come here.
One thing you're not is ordinary.
- Let-let me touch this.
- No.
No.
Do not touch my hair.
DIRECTOR: All right, we got to move, like, now.
- What's the hold up? - I'm sorry.
- Uh, Simone.
Hurry up.
- Simone.
Is this shirt too tight? Does my stomach look okay? Girl, you're serving.
Come on, you got it.
Trust me.
Lord, bless her heart.
- You look cute.
- DIRECTOR: You three up front.
Dancers in the back.
I'll be moving this camera.
- You look right at me.
- Okay, are you gonna be able to get it all shot and edited today? That's all we care about.
In enough time for me to take your fine ass out tonight.
Yeah.
We'll talk about it if you get it done.
For real? All right, people, we're burning daylight.
Let's go! Gross, bitch.
(FINGERS SNAPPING RHYTHMICALLY) I'm not the type to sit and cry In a psychiatrist chair You don't know me You don't know Baby, you don't know I'm not the one to take your charity 'Cause life isn't fair You don't know me You don't know Baby, you don't know I'm not a silly, silly girl That you can whisk around the world With your money Cash, nope, got it Blue cheese, yeah, so And if you think you'll get a piece Boy, please You don't know me You may think you know me (CHUCKLES) But you don't Ooh, ooh, ooh I ain't into making friends Ooh, ooh, ooh I ain't your cutty buddy Ooh, ooh, ooh Now this ain't Netflix and chill Ooh, ooh, ooh Hey, you got it twisted for real I'm not your ordinary bad girl With the blonde curly hair You don't know me I'm not that chick over there That chick over there, that thot over there 'Cause I'm too hood for these bougie people You can't take me nowhere You don't know me You don't know Baby, you don't know Ooh, ooh, ooh I ain't into making friends Ooh, ooh, ooh I'm not your cutty buddy Ooh, ooh, ooh And I ain't here to take your ends Ooh, ooh, ooh And I ain't gonna tell you again So if ya gonna speak, talk nice Think I won't leave, think twice, yo But if you wanna come true with it Then we can do what it do with it So if you gonna speak, talk nice Think I won't leave, think twice, yo - But if you wanna come true with it - No, no Then we can do what it do with it I'm not the type to sit and cry In a psychiatrist chair You don't know me Ah I'm not the one to take your charity 'Cause life isn't fair You don't know me You don't know Baby, you don't know I'm not a silly, silly girl That you can whisk around the world With your money She actually is rich.
- Okay, so - Well, what you think? So you gonna post it on your website or not? Can't you post it yourself? Why do you think we brought you here? What, we have to kiss her ass, too? - Look, Rachel.
- This is so stupid.
ALEXANDRA: You know nothing in Atlanta gets buzz without its biggest social media queen, - which is you.
- I try.
So you gonna post it on your site? Tell you what.
Kiss from little mama and you got yourself a deal.
- I'm sorry.
A kiss? - Who? I didn't stutter.
That's all you want? You just want a kiss and you'll post the video? Okay.
Come here.
Not you.
Her.
Me? Simone.
(CLEARS THROAT) Congratulations, ladies.
Y'all are about to break the Internet.
- (LAUGHS) Oh! - (APPLAUSE) (INSTRUMENTAL POP MUSIC PLAYING) This is good.
You make it? (MUSIC STOPS) Yeah.
I've been working on it for a while.
No, I'm talking about the rice and beans.
But the beats are dope, too.
(CHUCKLES) - Trying to be like you, man.
- (LAUGHS) Even though Pop thinks I'm no good.
Well, that's because he thinks you're like me.
So you gonna tell me what's up with you or what? - Why'd you leave Atlanta? - Oh, come on, nephew.
Things happen, man.
It's all good now, though.
Come on, man.
TÃo you don't got to lie to me.
(JAHIL SIGHS) All right.
I got into some trouble in Atlanta.
I left town because I thought I was gonna be framed up for a couple of murders, but the cops made an arrest.
So you're clear to go back.
I'm clear with the cops, but I double-crossed the devil's wife.
That's why I'm here.
I came to get my money, see if I could try to convince her to squash our beef.
I guess I got to figure something else out now.
Take me with you.
- (SCOFFS) - Come on, man.
I'm trying to get my music out in the A, anyway.
- It's a perfect - Hey, hey.
Atlanta ain't no place for you.
Play me that beat again.
And make me a copy so I can take it on the road with me.
All right? - Yeah, I got you.
- (INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC RESUMES) Good.
- How much longer? - Um She's still in a meeting.
That's what you told me a hour ago.
(PHONE RINGING) - Yeah.
- MISS BRUCE: Carlotta.
This new stylist done left relaxer on too long.
- You got to get down here.
- I can't right now, Bruce.
I'm still at the label trying to fix things with these girls.
Eh, you talking about some girl Carlotta.
Seriously, I'm two seconds from pulling my switchblade out on this ho.
You need to get down here.
Bruce, handle it.
Okay, when this ho sue your ass from here to kingdom come, - I'm not going to court with you.
- All right, fine.
I'm on my way.
Damn.
I know you've been a loyal customer.
And I tell you what, here you go.
Six free visits.
Will that work for you? (LAUGHS) Okay.
All the best.
Thank you, Grace.
You take good care.
I hope this wedding works.
Three is the charm, Grace.
- Six free visits? - Mama, we can't afford that.
Don't y'all know Grace is crazy enough to actually sue us? I ain't got time to be caught up with that.
I'm trying to figure out what's going on with these girls and these label changes.
I mean, we need to keep up Where y'all been? We shot a music video and had Rachel Wells upload it.
CARLOTTA: Why would you pull a stunt like that? You know Ayanna already don't like y'all.
I just dodged one lawsuit, they walk me right into another one.
You know she'll sue us for everything we got, right? - Ain't much.
- ALEXANDRA: Okay.
Yeah, we need to hear her out.
You make a point.
Yo, let her come for us.
Who cares? At least she's paying attention to us.
What's wrong with you, Star? Why wouldn't you run this past me first? - Take the video down.
- No.
We're not taking the video down till we know she's seen it.
CARLOTTA: No, that's what you don't want, is for her to see the video.
Take it down.
We fought our way into that label, so we're gonna have to keep fighting.
If Jahil was here right now, he'd be in Ayanna's face, not mine.
You're really trying me right now.
I'm not.
No, I'm not trying you, Carlotta.
I'm doing what I got to do, like always.
NOAH: Got to say, you are persistent.
Because I want you on my label.
And what other label is going to sign you after you were arrested for beating up the exec at your last one? Man, that dude tried it.
People get shot for way less.
We can argue the First Amendment later.
You are a hothead and you run with a hothead crew.
Now your friends may think you're still it, but no other label's gonna sign you but mine.
We're in talks with Empire right now.
I talked to Cookie.
That's a lie.
Now we can sit here and admire the high life you're representing on the Gram, or we can admit that you're not making enough.
Midtown is your last stop.
So what's the deal? (SIGHS) Mmm.
Are you still nursing that? I'm having a very splashy showcase in three months.
Leading up to that, I'm going to have a very public competition amongst the label's best artists.
Five of those will be picked for the spotlight.
But only one will be able to drop an album.
So, what's that got to do with me? STAR: Crickety-ass door.
How you gonna only put out one album? That don't even make any sense.
Your assistant let me in, by the way.
He's mad cool.
You changed your hair.
It's a good look on you.
Thank you.
AYANNA: I was just telling Noah that I'm looking for one new artist who is going to let the industry know that Midtown Sound is back.
If you want to bring your label back, maybe you should go online and check out the video we put up.
I did.
I took it down.
You are artists on my label.
When you go releasing what is the equivalent of video mix tapes, it bifurcates the focus - from Midtown.
- I'm sorry.
I only understood, like, three of the words you just said.
AYANNA: All right, sweetie, - well, then let me educate you.
- Please.
The industry has a long history of artists trying to usurp their label.
You'll always end up on the short end.
STAR: Okay.
So your plan is to have all the artists participate in a musical Hunger Games? It's not what I want.
It's what the public wants.
Makes them feel that they're a part of Midtown.
Your group released property of this label without my written consent.
As a result, you won't be competing for a spot in the showcase.
Okay.
So where does that put me and my group? You're parked.
Indefinitely.
Welcome to the Hunger Games, baby.
So we're stalled until our contract expires? I thought Atlanta NextFest would have us leap-frog all this crap.
I think the video might have backfired.
SIMONE: Backfired? We got bitch-slapped to square one.
STAR: I wouldn't disagree with that, but if you were there, you would've seen it.
There's something in her eyes that said she really loves us.
Yeah, and so did the other 10.
000 people that viewed that video before she took it down.
That doesn't mean we have an album release date.
But it does.
Star, make sense.
STAR: We got under her skin.
That's all that matters.
She can deny anything she wants, but she cannot deny talent.
And we have it, she knows it, and she can't control it.
That freaks her out.
She's gonna put all of the money from the label behind one album, and it's going to be ours.
Look, if she doesn't drop us, she's gonna ride out the terms.
- And then do what? - Whatever the hell she wants.
Like, she can have us doing scratch tracks, backup.
Do you want to do backup? So we keep grinding.
That's what we do.
ALEXANDRA: We've been on the grind, and where has that gotten us? 'Cause we still don't have a drop date.
Every time we take one step forward, we take 30 steps back.
SIMONE: Yeah, and we keep trying to prove ourselves over and over and over again, Star! This is the hustle that we chose! We could be doing a lot worse.
Yo, we are in this.
I'm not about to tap out.
SIMONE: Fine, okay.
Then we need to talk to Miss Carlotta and come up with some sort of game plan to fix all this mess.
I'm-a just say it.
Maybe Carlotta's part of it.
A part of what? Maybe she's not the one to get us all the way there.
I love Miss Carlotta.
We all do.
She's family.
But for this group, for what we want and what we need right now, maybe we got to have somebody with the same hustle we got, who thinks outside the box.
She might be too old school.
We're not firing Carlotta.
Period.
Miss Carlotta's family.
We got to do whatever it takes, right? You're ruthless.
(TRAIN HORN BLOWS IN DISTANCE) I done told you to keep your drugs out of my house.
I'm out of the house, am I not? And the Molly? Who Molly? I don't know no Molly.
But I did hear you were dealing with a real Becky.
- Ayanna Floyd? (CHUCKLES) - Ugh.
I'm ready to go up in her mouth.
She getting on my nerves.
And the girls think they know better than me.
You juggling too much.
You need to focus on the girls and the girls alone.
- Let me handle the salon.
- You might be right.
You up to it? Up to it? I'll add some Caucasians and Asians in this equation.
That's where your real coin gonna come from.
See, don't get ahead of yourself.
Is that a yes? That's a "run things by me first before you turn my salon into bougie central.
" Mm-mm.
Bad and bougie central.
(BOTH LAUGH) (SIGHS) (DIALING) (LINE RINGING) Hi.
Yeah, it's Alexandra Crane.
I know you're closing, but can you keep the store open? WOMAN: Of course, Miss Crane.
You're a VIP customer.
Okay, great.
Yeah, I'll be there in ten minutes.
Bye.
(INSTRUMENTAL POP MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO) - The hell? - Welcome back to Atlanta.
Hey.
Look, I know you may think you're alone, but you're not.
You know, whatever we got to deal with with Ayanna and Midtown, we gonna do it together.
Something else going on? What's up? Me and the girls been talking.
We feel like our music is kind of in this crossroads spot where it's either gonna pop off - or flatline.
- Say what's on your mind, Star.
So we were thinking I was thinking we might need a change.
What kind of change? Like management.
You gonna say something? Nah, I'm straight.
You just keep talking.
Carlotta, this is not easy for me.
No? What's hard for you, Star? Is it hard for you 'cause maybe you're feeling some type of way 'cause you know it's wrong? And who's supposed to manage the group? You? - Listen, if I could - Just, no, no, no, you listen.
You think going it alone in the world makes you unique.
It don't.
You sleep with the president of the label.
Then you drop a video without talking to me first, and who's there to clean up your mess? Me.
So, this how you want to play this? 'Cause I'm not the problem here, Star.
You are.
You create your own drama.
(CARLOTTA SCOFFS) You not unique.
You selfish.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah - Hey I done kept it real from the jump - Kick, kick, kick, ooh - Yeah Pull up the fan, see me then see a hell of a man WOMAN: Miss Crane? Miss Crane.
Thanks for keeping the store open for me.
It's a rule for all VIP customers, Miss Crane.
Thank you.
(SMOOTH JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING) (KNOCKING) (NO AUDIO) (MUFFLED): Come help, please! Somebody, please! (CRYING): Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Somebody, please.
(SOBBING) (WHISTLE BLOWS) (SOBBING) ("MISTY BLUE" BY DOROTHY MOORE PLAYING) Ooh Hello.
So do I get my own parking spot? We can talk about that on Monday.
9:00 a.
m.
? Been such a long, long time COTTON: But this is just business.
(JAHIL INHALES, GROANS) Okay, okay, okay.
Stop complaining now.
Maggie could've had you killed.
(SIGHS) She knew that dropping the dime on Leonard for killing Hunter and Eva would probably smoke my ass out.
(WINCES) She never got over me letting those girls free from that man.
- (GROANS) - I-I'm sorry.
But I didn't have no money for her.
I paid her with the only thing I had.
I think what happened with Hunter and Eva is enough punishment.
Turns the flicker to a flame Maggie's never gonna know that you helped me, Lottie.
Never.
- Is there enough blood? - Yeah, it's enough blood.
I can't believe you got me in this mess.
When I said good-bye to you that night I thought I was never gonna see you again.
- You okay? - JAHIL: (GROANS) Yeah.
Take off the gloves.
Listen to me good, baby Take care of it, all right? - CARLOTTA: Keys.
- JAHIL: No, no, no.
Give it to her.
- Cotton? - Yeah.
- Where you going? - Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you.
But somewhere far from here.
- (THUNDER RUMBLING SOFTLY) - (JAHIL SNIFFS) Baby You ain't coming back, are you? Not if I want to stay alive.
Heaven knows I tried I got to clean up.
You know, Lottie - Ah - Baby if you didn't come tonight, if you, if you didn't know what to do I'm glad we're through I probably would've just let him take me.
Deep in my heart, I know I've lied Thank you.
I've lied Ooh Just the thought of you Misty blue I got to go.
Oh, honey It's been such a long, long time (THUNDER RUMBLING SOFTLY) Looks like I'd get you off of my mind (JAHIL GROANS) - What's up with the girls? - They dumped me.
Oh, that Star ain't never gonna change.
I'll tell you that right now.
And I ain't have no paperwork on them.
I thought my word was cool.
Maybe I've been out of the game too long to know what the hell the new rules are.
This is the music business; there ain't no damn rules.
If that's what you're looking for, go make your own.
This new label president, she's trying to push them aside.
I argue with her, but she ain't trying to hear me.
Stop arguing, just give her something that she needs.
(LAUGHS): Yo.
You show up on my doorstep half dead giving me advice.
Hey, I could show up at your doorstep all the way dead, I'd still try to give you advice.
No, I don't play that ghost stuff.
(LAUGHS): You ain't gonna have my hands in no clay.
You ain't no Patrick Swayze.
(BOTH LAUGH) - Ow, ow.
- Careful, careful.
- (HIP-HOP BEAT PLAYING) - NOAH: Hey.
Can you, uh, put that on loop right quick? - Copy that.
- Get some of these lines.
(NOAH MURMURING LYRICS) - That good? - NOAH: Yeah, that's good.
Yo.
Looks like you decided to sign.
Congrats.
I need the booth.
Can you get out? What are you doing? Oh, does this, does this talk-back button not work? Does this talk-back button not work?! Get out the booth! I need it! - Look.
- Now! Can you turn the music up, please? - Thank you.
- Do not - Copy that.
- You know what? Say I won't! - This bitch is crazy.
I'm out of here.
- Hold on.
- Get out the booth! - Okay, okay, okay.
Sh (DOOR OPENS) All right.
Come on, let's go.
Let's get out of here.
- (MUSIC STOPS) - (NOAH SIGHS) Where are you going? Home.
What am I supposed to do, record myself running back and forth? Figure it out.
It's track number three.
And FYI, all these buttons work.
Another glass of champagne? Only if you join me.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Come on.
Aren't you basically off anyway? You've got a point.
- To a great night of shopping.
- Yes.
Let me get these wrapped up and get you out of here.
Okay.
What did I do with that bracelet? Is everything okay? Nothing.
It must be on the other tray.
Probably the bubbly.
Really? Andy, you're fired! You're cute.
Oh, and, technically, HR would have to fire me, and they're closed right now.
And besides, they love me.
So, thanks again.
See you tomorrow.
Oh.
And, uh, Carlotta Brown's here to see you.
I assume you heard your girls have been parked since they released their video.
(CHUCKLES) I did my homework on you.
You the black sheep of the family.
This is your last stop.
And if this doesn't work, what you got left? Small trust fund and a mean shoe collection? Do I need to call security? I am security.
I'm security for those girls.
And if you take your head out your ass for a minute, you'll see that I'm security for you, too.
You want to prove you belong at the head of the Floyd family table? Put my girls back in the showcase.
Be the first to break a hot girl group.
Don't let God-given talent pass you by just 'cause you got your perfect surgically-enhanced nose bent.
It was a bad doctor.
Put the music video back up.
If we don't get 100.
000 views in five days, then we walk, empty-handed.
But if we do, you put us back in the mix.
(AMPLIFIED HEARTBEAT) - We're not firing Carlotta.
- You're ruthless.
You won't be competing for a spot in the showcase.
You not unique.
You selfish.
- Move.
- Will you leave me alone? Look, I'm trying to help you.
Whatever you got inside you right now, let's put it down.
Don't lose it.
- I got you.
- What, you gonna record my vocals? Yes, I'm gonna record your vocals.
Come on.
Get in there.
Star.
You're a weird-ass dude.
(SIGHS) What track is it? Three.
("LITTLE BIRD" PLAYING) I'm ready when you are.
Give me a minute.
Can we cut the lights down or something? It's super bright.
Little bird Don't be scared to spread your wings And fly Little bird You'll never fly again if you Don't try Just don't be afraid Of what the world has done to you Just know you're strong enough To make it through Make it through Oh Little bird Letting go of pain is just a start Little bird Let it go and you can go so far There will be times When you feel alone Oh, oh But I'll be right here Right here with you All along All along, oh Little bird Everything will be Just fine Little bird I believe you can touch The sky.