Empire (2015) s03e12 Episode Script
Strange Bedfellows
1 Previously on Empire There is no us.
You're still in the closet, anyway.
Those suspicious-looking people over there - are looking for you.
- LUCIOUS: It's Tariq.
He thinks that you're gonna flip on something.
- I don't know anything about Cookie.
- That's a subpoena.
When Lucious finds out, he'll arrange for you to disappear.
So you can accept the government's protection, or you can take your chances.
Maybe I should go.
Maybe you should stay.
- You know who Rafael is? - Very big hitter in Vegas.
I set up a meeting tomorrow night.
You interested? I've been trying to get Empire into the Vegas market for years.
- Some reason Pop won't touch it.
- (gunshot) GIULIANA: Sorry we got off to such a messy start, but I'm still available to do business if you're interested.
Wake up, man.
Was I dreaming last night or did we fill the hot tub up with syrup? How we gonna top this tomorrow? Tomorrow's about to be next level.
Hakeem the Dream turns 21.
Yeah, bro.
So, uh, is moms and pops gon' hit you with this party or what? They like to surprise me, so y'all gonna have to wait and see.
But best and believe tomorrow's gonna be the biggest night of my life, and y'alls.
Y'all gonna be telling y'all kids about this legendary turn-up.
Well, I don't plan on having kids, but I'll tell yours.
Hey, everybody wake up.
We got waffles! (phone ringing) Oh, man.
We're gonna be doing this social media thing, y'all.
I mean, I can't remember the last time I was so nervous.
But I've been hiding, y'all.
I've been hiding my entire life.
I'm about to lose somebody that I love because they can't be with me because they can't stand me not being true to myself.
So, Jamal, yo, I'm out here in these streets, baby.
I'm coming up to see you.
- Philip.
- Hmm? - D-MAJOR: I'm here to see Jamal.
- Wake up.
Get dressed.
- That's right.
He suspect? - DOORMAN: Yes, sir.
(elevator bell dings) I know some of you out there won't be feeling this, but if you can't accept me for who I am, that's you.
So now about to make it official with the man that changed my life.
(elevator bell chimes) All right.
Hey, babe.
What the hell? Are you kidding me? You and soldier boy? Derek, what the hell are you doing right now? And get up out of my house! I did what you told me to do.
- What I told you to do? - Yeah.
You said the only reason we're not together is because I'm not living my truth, so I changed all that.
- What? - I'm out of here.
No, wait, Philip.
You don't have to.
Hey, you misunderstood me, all right? Philip, you don't have to go.
Yeah, well, you need to straighten this out.
I'll talk to you later.
What kind of game you playing with me, man? So how long you been smashing this dude? Ain't none of your damn business, Derek.
Get the hell up out of my place.
- We need to talk.
- Like hell we do! Now! What's up? All set for tomorrow, player.
What are you doing? You know your pops gonna kill you trying to get in his business like that.
Nah, we do this every year.
He pretends I ain't snooping, I pretend to be surprised when he show me what he got me for my birthday.
So it seems that she got away from Marty for a hot minute the other day, and went to go visit your half-brother.
Now, why did you go see Tariq? Dwight said if I helped him with Fatima's bastard, that that awful wife person wouldn't live with us anymore.
But he broke his promise, so I got Tariq to handle it.
So Tariq is still coming for me.
And now he's trying to flip Anika.
But she doesn't have anything on me, does she, Lucious? I never said anything (clears throat) to her outright, but who knows what she overheard.
(clears throat) What's that? You getting that ALS again? I never had ALS.
I have myasthenia gravis.
What is that? Does it kill you? I just get really exasperated dealing with incompetent people who can't do their job.
The surprise over! Boy, what do you want? I got to give it to y'all, y'all good.
I don't I mean, if y'all haven't decided on getting me a present Bugatti Veyron.
HAKEEM: I'm thinking about the black and the red two-tone.
Some gold rims on there, Dad.
Wait, you want another car? Mm-hmm.
I mean, I got an Olds 98 for sale.
Clean with a gangsta lean.
It might be too, uh, too much car for the young 'un, though.
(Hakeem sighs) Did I blow it? Are y'all not planning a surprise party, or what? Look, boy, we know it's your birthday, okay? Happy birthday.
But we can't celebrate it until some of this drama dies down, okay? Mom, this is my biggest birthday party.
I'm about to turn 21.
Well, why don't you act like it? How do you let Anika (clears throat) take off and leave the baby with you without telling you where she's going? What do you mean, "take off"? She's not home? (scoffs) Apparently not.
(lyrical piano playing) People talk and people think what they want Questioning how we love Undeniably, you're all I see And it don't matter when How or where You need to lean on me There's no day or time or place To stop me From giving my loyalty From giving you all of me I'll be your everything I wanna, I wanna be everything I'll be GIULIANA: Is that your lady? As a matter of fact, yes, it is.
Lucky girl.
A calm from the storm up ahead Do you mind if I sit? - Please.
- I'll be steady The rock, the rope, the weight So what do you think about her opening your club in Vegas? My former little strip club that doesn't even have a cabaret license? Your mind can be sure We can help with that.
It can rest in me forever more So if I book Nessa for my grand opening, what is that gonna do for my relationship with Empire? ANDRE: Well, Nessa's got a lot of heat right now.
Empire will but the full power of our resources behind her first solo show.
I wish I had someone like you around when I was starting out.
The breath that you need to breathe Are you a singer? I tried it for a minute, but then I decided talent has no power.
I want to be the boss.
I'll be your everything Why don't you met me here tomorrow night, and we can talk about it? Okay.
I'll be.
Have a good evening.
No, I just thought that we had decided that, uh, that you were gonna let me handle things like this from here on out, not, uh, not Lucious.
I know, I I didn't even know what the meeting was about.
I thought it was a business thing.
Look, do you or don't you have a connect to find out where they've got Anika stashed? Uh, I'm gonna have to dig.
But before I do my digging, you got to tell me, what are you hiding? What does Anika have on you? I'm not hiding anything.
I'm starting to think you don't trust me here, Angelo.
What is this? Um a gun? Why do you have it? Look, possession of a handgun is illegal in New York.
All right, I'm running for mayor here.
I got primaries in ten days It was a gift, okay? It was a gift.
I've never used it, - and I don't plan on using it.
- A gift? It was a gift from Lucious? Well, look, I need you to get rid of it.
Okay, Cookie, whether I become mayor or not, I'm trying to build a life with you.
And that means you're gonna have to put you're gonna have to put things like this away.
Things that, uh, they don't belong in our world.
Okay, I'll get rid of it.
It's gone from our world.
Okay, I'll get rid of this and everything he's ever given to me.
Is that better? - For real? - Mm-hmm.
You promise? I promise.
You ever shoot anybody? How you think I feel to see another MC Get paid usin' my rap style And I'm playing' the background meanwhile I ain't with that, you can forget that You took my style, I'm takin' it back Lucious ain't here.
Who said I was here for Lucious? Yo! You buggin'? Get out! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
- Hey.
- Get out! Chill out, schoolgirl.
Lucious don't like nobody playing with his piece.
Like I said Lucious ain't here.
Come on, now, we both know you're not gonna shoot no - (gunshot) - (yelling in pain) My knee! (sobbing) Oh, my knee! (yells) No.
Never.
All right.
- Did you get the phone? - Yeah.
It's a prepaid.
Can't be traced.
I still don't think this is a good idea.
Okay, you know what, Mom? If I had gone with Tariq, then Lucious would have found me and I would have been dead by now.
All right? So let me just give him a call, I'll tell him I have a plan.
Hopefully, he'll let me come home.
Because at this point, this is the only way that any of us are gonna get a chance to see Bella.
So, check it, we're gonna be club-hopping 21 hours straight.
All my fans' Empire XStream subscription, that's your invite.
So stay logged in, 'cause I'm gonna be dropping hints all night, so y'all can figure out what club we're hopping to next.
Yah! TIANA: Damn.
I wish I was gonna be there.
I'm so sorry, babe.
We'll just have to celebrate when I get back from this tour.
- Promise.
- I promise.
And there y'all have it.
That's how Takeem keep that long-distance love hot and heavy.
But you got to watch all night to get the clues and ride Hakeem's birthday train.
Choo-choo! We out.
It's gonna be lit.
- Litty.
- It better be.
(quietly): Just bummed Tiana not gonna be there.
(sighs) Wow.
Where's your, uh producer friend, Tory? She's gone.
She, uh, died of thirst.
(chuckles) Sit down.
(sighs) Derek, what the hell were you thinking? Uh you said that we couldn't be together because I was in the closet.
So I came out.
You don't come out for someone else.
You come out for yourself.
And you don't throw my name into the situation, especially when it's on social media.
Man, I am trying here.
It's not like there's some playbook for this, you know? (softly): I'm scared, man.
I got cats turning their back on me.
You know how this hip-hop game is.
Yeah, I know.
I'm sorry you got to deal with that.
I just wish that you would've talked to me first, you know? In person.
I done lost three gigs already, man.
I got these cats clowning me on Twitter.
It's like I'm spiraling, man.
I-I'm like, I'm losing, I'm struggling.
Yeah, yeah.
What is he doing here, Jamal? It's all right, Ma.
Uh-uh, no, it's not all right.
He was your supplier.
You're not supposed to be around people who enabled you.
What are you talking about? I didn't enable Boy, you know what I'm talking about.
You better back down.
Ma, he has never been my supplier.
Look, we'll, we'll deal with this another time, all right? Figure something out together, but right now, - I need to talk to my mom.
- Yeah, he needs to talk to his mother.
Maybe you should go talk to yours.
- Mom, please.
- That makes sense.
You guys do the family thing, man.
COOKIE: Yeah, bye-bye.
All right, Queen B.
Mm-hmm.
Keep your dirty hands to yourself.
- Mom, please.
- What? And what, what, what are you, get Bye! - What are you doing, Jamal? - I know.
I mean, but the fool came out for me.
And I know it was stupid or whatever on social media, but he feels really exposed right now.
You don't know what that feels like.
I don't give a damn about his feelings.
You better dump his ass before you lose Philip.
Oh, okay, Ma.
Well, how about you drop Dad, before you lose Angelo? Oh, shut your stupid ass up, didn't nobody come down here - to talk about that.
- Tell you what, you worry about your dirty laundry, and I'll worry about mine.
- Sounds like a plan.
- Okay.
Look, I just came to see if you're gonna show up for your brother tonight.
Of course.
Dre and I are gonna go there, um, when he hits Laviticus.
- He has no idea.
(chuckles) - Mm-hmm.
- You coming? - No.
Keem don't want to club with his mama.
Plus, me and Angelo have a dinner with these bourgie black folk.
You know, they don't even bother me anymore, Jamal.
Am I losing my street cred? Maybe.
I mean, is that such a bad thing? I don't know.
I'm gonna be myself, I'll tell you that much.
Just a little more polished.
- (laughs) - Okay.
Boy, get up, I got to go get my hair done for tonight.
Bye.
Love you.
I love you too.
Stay away from that trash.
Stay away from my dirty daddy.
Shut up.
By the way, me and your father took care of your doorman.
How? - Ma? - Shut up, boy.
Hakeem, I thought you were supposed to get smarter as - you got older, not dumber.
- HAKEEM: Shut up, man.
ANDRE: I'm not letting you stream your birthday mess - live on Empire XStream, all right? - What's your problem, man? - What's your problem, man?! - LUCIOUS: Hold on, hold on! What's going on? Let him have his fun.
It's harmless.
I can think of a million ways it could become harmful for us, Pop.
The cost of security alone I'll pull in ten times the cost of security with all the cash I'll be making on my club appearances.
Why do you keep raising your voice in here? 'Cause he getting on my nerves.
Look, it's his birthday.
Let him have his fun.
Oh, by the way, I'm so sorry, I'm not gonna make it.
Dad, it's bad enough my whole family trying to bail on me now.
Now Andre's trying to wreck my party? - I'm outta here.
- Nice job.
He looks pretty disappointed.
Yeah, he really thinks we're just ignoring his big day.
(laughs) Oh, man, you guys, boy.
He's surprised when he don't get that Bugatti from me.
- Aw, he wants that car.
(laughs) - Yeah, he's out of his damn mind.
I ain't buying him that.
What's up with this, um, Vegas thing? Tell me.
I don't know.
I tried to call the guy back.
Nothing.
Hmm.
What? Uh, nothing.
You thinking about doing some business in Vegas? I mean, I hate Vegas.
I think it's grimy, and there's no upside for our business, but we get this anonymous tip saying that there's this huge business opportunity for us in You sure you don't know nothing about this? No.
Okay.
- I'm gonna see you, Dre.
- Yep.
- All right, Dre.
- Bye, Pop.
QUEENIE: Just yeah, that's good.
Cookie, I'm running a little behind, darling.
- Mm-hmm, that's all good.
- You just need to tell - whoever that is they got to - I'm sorry, tell me what? Tell you that you got to get out of that chair 'cause it's time for my appointment.
- Oh, well, we'll be done shortly.
- Oh.
(sarcastic chuckle) - Give me one second please, madam? - Of course.
I'm sorry, Cookie.
She came in off the streets, put down two stacks, and her friends over there were hella persuasive about it.
Who are they? - (phone rings) - Oh.
Lucious, what the hell do you want? LUCIOUS: Cookie, Anika called.
Says she wants to come home.
Thought you might want to know.
(sighs) I'm sorry about that.
Oh, it's fine.
Sometimes you just need to empty the trash.
I'm on a new level - I'm on a new level - Keep my birthday turned up, hands up! - I'm on a new level - Hey.
Happy birthday, Hakeem! (crowd cheers) Chain with a new bezel What up, y'all? Y'all followed the breadcrumbs, and y'all found us.
We at Club Surrender.
Big ups to Brooklyn, top of the food chain.
21 hours goes on and on, baby.
PORSHA: Hakeem! What? PORSHA: Get over here! Hurry up! Chain with a new bezel You not gonna want to miss this.
What's this? Used to be sleeping in itchy beds Bed bugs in the motel Now you're give me, give me Surprise! Baby, what's up? - Happy birthday.
- Ah! - PORSHA: Happy birthday, Hakeem! - (crowd cheers) Y'all see that, right? My baby came through.
Sometimes you got to surrender to love.
(cheering) First class from a old jail T Ferg did 15 in the feds - How long we been here? - PORSHA: 15 minutes.
All right, so let's get paid.
Baby, Kennedy, stay right here.
I'll be right back, okay? Hey, happy birthday, young buck.
The house is packed.
Think you should hang out a minute.
The party don't stop for no man, you know that.
All right, well, in that case What's this? Your bill.
You thought all that champagne was free? That gets charged against your appearance fee.
Okay, that's not what we talked about.
Look, if your family showed up, Jamal, or your O.
G.
daddy That wasn't the deal, man.
Don't listen to him because I'm here and so is Tiana.
Maybe if you freestyle rap a couple verses, I could dig up five grand.
Hakeem the Dream don't rap for free, everybody know that.
The deal was 50, man.
Where's my money? (chuckles) And who's gonna back you? Your girl and the ho squad? Okay, first of all, who the hell you calling a ho? Pay the man.
Okay.
Come on, man, I was messing Let's get the money out.
Happy? My money.
Yeah.
Hey, I could use another watch, man.
East Coast, West Coast.
Run it, Shaq! Give him the watch.
- That's yours, man.
- Hey.
HAKEEM: Congrats Perfect.
That's great.
And I want to give you a little something.
There's your little money for your little tips for the champagne.
Bounce! Hey, man, I don't know who y'all are, but y'all can roll with us.
Hey, thanks! - It's good, let's go.
- Yeah.
Hey, we got your back, y'all.
Baby.
Come on, let's go.
Hey, yo.
What's your name, bae? That's Kennedy, man.
The party just started.
- Choo-choo! - Bought me a new sho - Turn it up! - (laughter) To the next club! All my put in work.
(doorbell rings) Oh, Miss Anika.
- Hey, Juanita.
- Hello.
Is, uh, Lucious home? He'll be home soon, Miss Anika.
Right now, it's just me and Bella.
Oh, I can't wait to see her.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Mama's here, baby.
Mama is a dead bitch walking.
- Where's my daughter? - Don't worry about Bella, she's safe, which is more than I can say for you right now.
Cookie, I did not snitch on you.
Tariq tried to talk to me, and I ran.
He doesn't even know I'm here.
Look, I know you've been really nice and helpful with me, but you've become a huge problem.
And I don't see a reason why we shouldn't just kill you right now.
What? Let me do it, Dwight.
Mama, please, will you leave? Please.
Okay.
You've got 30 seconds to convince us why we should let you live.
Look, I didn't need to be here right now.
I could've gone to Witness Protection and taken Bella with me.
Well, why didn't you? Because I needed time to formulate a plan.
And now I have one.
I'm listening.
We all know that Tariq is jealous of you.
We know that he wants what you have.
But he's only doing this because he thinks that you stole his father.
Dr.
Freud, we figured this out a long time ago.
- And what I've got, he will never have.
- Yes, but there's one thing that he will take if you let him.
Me.
If we can prove that Tariq and your wife have been involved, they will be forced to drop the case for good.
She got to wear a wire.
That's fine.
Just let me get his trust first.
She's a lyin' snake.
Tariq's too smart to fall for her.
- Let your mama do it.
- Uh Okay, Mama, give me the gun.
Give it to me.
Please.
(exhaling): Oh, my God Where'd you get this? It was in her purse.
Look, you gave it to me, remember? It's none of your business.
You're right.
None of my business.
You got one week to figure out a way to make your plan work, or I'm gonna be forced to let my mama do what she's been dying to do.
I just feel like he turned his whole life upside down, so the least I can do is, I don't know, show him a little kindness.
What does that mean? You're gonna do something out of pity? No, of course not.
It's kind of hard to explain.
You wouldn't understand.
It's just coming out in the music business, it's like It's a lot harder than it would be in the military, right? - (chuckling): I'm sure.
- (chuckles) Okay, you're right.
Maybe you do know something.
(sighs) Look, what I do know is that what you and I have could actually be really special.
I'm not interested in D-Major.
I just I just think that we could show him a little compassion for what he's going through.
I think you're right.
I think we should.
Thank you.
I'm gonna go have the car pull around front so we can surprise your baby brother.
Sounds good.
All right.
I'm sorry.
Look, I got scared and I ran.
No, it's cool.
You didn't tell Lucious, right? Hell no, I didn't tell Lucious.
I just told him that my mom was sick and I left the baby with Hakeem.
- I can't tell Lucious.
He'll kill me.
- Yeah, see, that's what I'm talking about, Anika.
We need to do this before anybody else gets killed.
Look, Tariq, all I know is I don't want Bella to be in the hands of strangers, you know? And I don't want to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life.
I don't know what to do.
I'll protect you.
Trust me.
(vehicle approaching) All right.
But, look, only you.
All right? 'Cause I-I I don't want to do this on my own.
Tell you what, this is what we'll do.
We'll give it a week to let it get back to normal, all right? Then we'll try again.
And forget Witness Protection.
You'll be under my protection.
I won't leave your side.
Thank you.
Hey.
Good to see you, man.
(beeps) Come on.
(beeping) Miss, uh Why is this not working? It's It says D-Major on there.
Is there some kind of mistake? You see it says D-Major? That's me.
(sighs) Do me a favor and call Jamal.
Hey, man, come on.
You don't want to be doing this.
Why don't you just go home? You don't know what I want to be doing.
Yeah, I do.
We both do.
We know exactly what you're going through, man.
We know where you're coming from.
(chuckles) You keep saying "we.
" Like you and Jamal got something real.
I just want you to understand what's going on, man, it'd make this a lot easier.
All right? Oh, I understand what's going on.
The thing is, Philip, no matter how hard you try, you won't never, ever be able to give it to him the way I do.
- Okay, shorty? - Get off of me, man.
Yo, Philip.
Come on, what's your problem? Still had that one coming, man.
D-MAJOR: Hey, Jamal Work, work, work, work, work, work, he said me haffi work Work, work, work, work, work! He see me do mi dirt, dirt Dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt! And so me put in I said drip! ALL: Drop! - Drip! - Drop! Hey, look, y'all already know the spot on the next tour.
- It's Laviticus.
- (whoops) - (whooping, applause) - Ain't no place like home, right? ALL: Yeah! - Happy birthday! - Get that money! You know what I'm saying? Throw that money up.
Work, work, work, work, work, work, work Yeah.
Money for everybody.
And so me put in work Work, work, work, work, work.
(dramatic music plays) What's this? (cheering, applause) (blows horn) Happy birthday, baby! We're official.
One, two, three I want you all mine I'll give you all the signs I know that I took my time But I made up my mind Oh, baby, you know you make me feel Something that I never had You let me know it's real Can't nobody make me feel the way that you do When you 'round me I can't take my eyes off of you, ooh I can see you're 'bout it, love the way that you move Tellin' you you got it and you know it's the truth I feel so alive when I got you right here by my side That's 'cause when I'm with you You know everything is all right Yeah Don't worry, I got you Yeah Don't worry, I got you Yeah Don't worry, I got you - Happy birthday, brother, I love you.
- Don't worry I got you Don't worry you got it I got it, too, so just imagine what we What we could be together Always want to give you my loving You think we gonna forget our baby brother? Hey, what's up, bro? - Happy birthday, Hakeem.
- Where's my gift? - Hmm? - It's in the mail.
- It's in the mail? - You know I'm good for it.
(both laugh) Hey, it's your night.
All right? All right.
Anything you need, yeah You can count on me Yeah yeah Don't worry Don't worry 'Cause I got you Anything you need You can call on me, yeah, yeah Yo, ha, ha, yeah, yo, yo, yo I hold you down like it's nothin' 'Cause I need your lovin', I'd rather have you by my side Than them chicks clubbing, you see them bankrolls I'll spend them on you, and I'll always keep it real No pretending on you, I'm just trying put you under my arm And make you wifey, take you round the world Anywhere you want to sightsee Hey, I'm 'bout to go holler at this shorty.
Watch me.
I'm just trying to change the last name on your I.
D.
- No thanks.
- I'd pay the cost for you baby I seen you all night, girl.
I know you seen me, too.
Just you give me a little smile.
What part of "no" don't you understand? WOMAN: Look, let go of her! Push off, bro.
You too strong.
Hey, yo.
Leave her alone, man.
WOMAN: Get your hands off her.
Oh, who do you think you're talking to? (crowd gasping) Kennedy! Ratchet-ass bitch.
(screaming) Get off! Yo.
(grunts) Stop it! Marcel, go get Andre now! Yah-ha! Dance for Hakeem! - Yeah! - Keem, now just stay back! (excited chatter) (grunts, glass shatters) (crowd shouting) Oh! Hey, hey, hey! Let me go! Let me go! Let him go now! Yo! What's up? PORSHA: Y'all some bitches! (siren wailing in distance) (indistinct radio chatter) This is crazy.
You all right? I just talked to the men I sent to ride shotgun on your ass.
They said you cut them loose.
I thought they were Shine's boys, and you sent them to mess my b-day up.
Why would I do that, Hakeem? Let me think.
'Cause you always do that.
Whatever.
Listen, first of all, it wasn't done on purpose.
It's never on purpose with him.
He's never been held to the same standard as you and me, - 'cause he's the baby, right? - Stop that.
It's his birthday right now, so we'll deal with it tomorrow.
No, did you know that he hired two random dudes to act like his security? - Oh, God.
I didn't hire nobody.
- They said he gave them cash, champagne, watches, in exchange for their services.
Now, in the eyes of the law, that makes them de facto employees of Empire, Jamal.
Well, stop talking about me like I'm not standing here.
I made a mistake.
What was I supposed to do? In an Empire venue.
On company property.
Do you have any idea, the liability? - Ain't you supposed to be a father? - Calm down, people watching.
You just mad 'cause Dad had my back on this.
See, he understands me.
Him and me got something you will never have, - and that's music.
- Oh, shut up, Hakeem, just shut up.
You know I don't know nothing about liability.
That's because you are the liability, - Hakeem! - Dre, chill.
For this family and for this company.
Stop spitting in my face.
You know what? You are 21 years old now.
Yup.
- You a man.
- I'm a man.
You gonna learn to take responsibilities for your actions like a man.
- Like a man.
- So, as of this minute, your channel is shut down.
You are off of Empire XStream for good.
Happy birthday.
Yo, Dre, stop playing with me.
Give me my camera, man.
- What's his problem, man? - Dre always bugging.
- Why don't you calm your ass down? - Yeah, okay, man.
And it is mostly your fault, Hakeem, it is.
How? Come here, baby.
Look, it was all so dope at first, right? And then my party just got ruined.
Seriously? Seriously.
My night just got ruined.
What about my friend's night, Hakeem? You haven't even asked about Kennedy.
Okay, I was about to ask you.
Is she okay? She's in the hospital, and that's where I'm going right now.
All right, we coming with you.
Nah, don't bother.
Just keep making it about you, Hakeem.
It's what you do best.
Baby.
You fluid with the foolishness You just like H2O, without the two in it Now her, too? Brah, this has been the worst birthday party of my life, man.
Gotta watch my back, might get jacked Make the wrong move, I just might get capped Bump that, I'm on a killin' spree I gotta keep the flow tight You know why it's your fault? Because of lyrics like this.
Can you hear 'em? This is you.
Time to become a man, brother.
Middle finger to a chick - I am a man.
- Whoever sabotage a man I am a man.
Ya'll goin' learn today Go to hell with gasoline There's a car waiting for you by the side entrance to take you home.
I'm not going home.
I'm going to get my girl.
Let's go.
I don't, I don't trust 'em, I don't, I don't I don't trust 'em, no, no.
(low-key jazz playing) Mm.
Mm, mm, mm.
(chuckles) Did you just moan? Did you just like it? Well, I'm not complaining.
Bourbon, rocks.
You ready to talk business? I took the liberty of drafting a contract.
I think we should get to know each other first.
Okay.
You want to get to know me here or you want to get to know me somewhere else? - I want to finish my drink.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
- Okay, okay.
So, what do you want to know about me? Are you close to your father? Very.
Then how come you haven't brought him to see me? I want to negotiate our deal first.
And then I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.
Why don't we go back to your hotel? Does your lady know you're here? She knows I'm trying to close a very big deal - Mm-hmm.
- with all kinds of opportunities for her.
That's not good enough, Andre.
You see, I don't ever touch another woman's man.
At least, not without her permission.
This is how I do business, Giuliana.
It's how I've always done business.
Nessa's fine with it.
So, you have an agreement? We do.
Well, I like it.
So, I'm gonna have my people look at the terms of the contract, and if I like what I read, then you and I can do business.
Sounds fair.
Good.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Yeah, you and me fight like animals Are you gonna let me out? Or should I climb over you? Yeah, you and me fight like animals Yeah, you and me love like savages.
You had them high-society folks eating out of your hand.
Even your mother.
Yeah, well, especially my mother.
(chuckles) (Angelo chuckles) (under breath): All right.
- Mm, mm.
- I need you to do me a favor.
Ooh.
That depends.
I was gonna turn this in myself, but then I realized just having this in my possession - is a major violation.
- Mm.
Okay.
Well, I'll take care of it for you.
Okay.
(moans) - Come on.
- Yes, ma'am.
Yes.
(giggles) ("Trance" by Lili Ray playing) You see what you're doing to me What's taking so long, Giuliana? I told you I needed a little time to work my magic.
I'm tired of your crap.
Where's Rafael? Rafael was skimming from you, Gino.
I got rid of the problem.
Watch me have you in a trance Gonna have you in the palm of my hands GIULIANA: Every dollar my husband skimmed.
A gift from me to you.
Another one of your magic tricks? Trying to get Rafi off the hook? Maybe you're the problem I need to get rid of.
Well, if you do that, you'll never be in business with Lucious Lyon.
Watch me have you Paid in Cash was the first CD I ever boosted and my mother beat my ass, but, uh, I must've listened to that thing a thousand times.
I've been trying to get to Lucious Lyon a long time.
I know, and you can't touch him, but I can.
Why would you do this to me? Why? Whoa-oh-oh Why would you do this to me? Do your thing.
Make me believe in magic.
Oh, you know I have tricks.
Gonna have you in the palm Of my hands.
(knocking on door) Who the hell is knocking on my damn door this late? Are you out of your damn mind banging on my door at this hour? I'm here for my girl.
It's time to go, baby.
(Bella cooing) LUCIOUS: Hakeem.
Where do you think you're taking the baby this hour of the night? It's still my birthday, so I'm spending what's left of it with Bella.
Why don't you, um, have a seat for a minute - and let me talk to you? - Why? So you can tell me I can't? No, so I could tell you that I've waited 21 years to hear you say what you just said.
Come on.
It'll just take a minute.
Scoot over, man, give me some room.
You know, the night you were born, the heavens were in an uproar raining cats and dogs.
Your mama just started having contractions, but seeing this wasn't our first go-around, you know, we didn't rush to the hospital or nothing like that.
Your mama actually was hungry for some Chinese food, so I break down to the little corner Chinese spot while your mom called Aunt Carol so that she could watch your brothers.
Anyway, I don't know whether it was the Kung Pao or the lightning, but your mama's water broke.
We never made it to the hospital that night.
I was born at home? I delivered you with your Aunt Carol as a midwife.
(clears throat) But the point I'm making is, you were in such a rush to come into this world, and you've been in a mad hurry ever since.
You're my youngest so I suppose I've indulged you a bit more than I should have, probably to your detriment.
Nature never rushes, and yet she accomplishes the entire universe.
You've said something tonight, though, that let me know that you have your priorities right.
You're a man now but on top of that you're a Lyon.
Hello, princess.
(Lucious chuckling) A Lyon always looks after his responsibility above anything else.
You got to protect this angel with your very life.
Go to your daddy.
(chuckles) Go to your daddy with that crazy old jacket on.
I will.
Hey, son.
Happy birthday.
You're still in the closet, anyway.
Those suspicious-looking people over there - are looking for you.
- LUCIOUS: It's Tariq.
He thinks that you're gonna flip on something.
- I don't know anything about Cookie.
- That's a subpoena.
When Lucious finds out, he'll arrange for you to disappear.
So you can accept the government's protection, or you can take your chances.
Maybe I should go.
Maybe you should stay.
- You know who Rafael is? - Very big hitter in Vegas.
I set up a meeting tomorrow night.
You interested? I've been trying to get Empire into the Vegas market for years.
- Some reason Pop won't touch it.
- (gunshot) GIULIANA: Sorry we got off to such a messy start, but I'm still available to do business if you're interested.
Wake up, man.
Was I dreaming last night or did we fill the hot tub up with syrup? How we gonna top this tomorrow? Tomorrow's about to be next level.
Hakeem the Dream turns 21.
Yeah, bro.
So, uh, is moms and pops gon' hit you with this party or what? They like to surprise me, so y'all gonna have to wait and see.
But best and believe tomorrow's gonna be the biggest night of my life, and y'alls.
Y'all gonna be telling y'all kids about this legendary turn-up.
Well, I don't plan on having kids, but I'll tell yours.
Hey, everybody wake up.
We got waffles! (phone ringing) Oh, man.
We're gonna be doing this social media thing, y'all.
I mean, I can't remember the last time I was so nervous.
But I've been hiding, y'all.
I've been hiding my entire life.
I'm about to lose somebody that I love because they can't be with me because they can't stand me not being true to myself.
So, Jamal, yo, I'm out here in these streets, baby.
I'm coming up to see you.
- Philip.
- Hmm? - D-MAJOR: I'm here to see Jamal.
- Wake up.
Get dressed.
- That's right.
He suspect? - DOORMAN: Yes, sir.
(elevator bell dings) I know some of you out there won't be feeling this, but if you can't accept me for who I am, that's you.
So now about to make it official with the man that changed my life.
(elevator bell chimes) All right.
Hey, babe.
What the hell? Are you kidding me? You and soldier boy? Derek, what the hell are you doing right now? And get up out of my house! I did what you told me to do.
- What I told you to do? - Yeah.
You said the only reason we're not together is because I'm not living my truth, so I changed all that.
- What? - I'm out of here.
No, wait, Philip.
You don't have to.
Hey, you misunderstood me, all right? Philip, you don't have to go.
Yeah, well, you need to straighten this out.
I'll talk to you later.
What kind of game you playing with me, man? So how long you been smashing this dude? Ain't none of your damn business, Derek.
Get the hell up out of my place.
- We need to talk.
- Like hell we do! Now! What's up? All set for tomorrow, player.
What are you doing? You know your pops gonna kill you trying to get in his business like that.
Nah, we do this every year.
He pretends I ain't snooping, I pretend to be surprised when he show me what he got me for my birthday.
So it seems that she got away from Marty for a hot minute the other day, and went to go visit your half-brother.
Now, why did you go see Tariq? Dwight said if I helped him with Fatima's bastard, that that awful wife person wouldn't live with us anymore.
But he broke his promise, so I got Tariq to handle it.
So Tariq is still coming for me.
And now he's trying to flip Anika.
But she doesn't have anything on me, does she, Lucious? I never said anything (clears throat) to her outright, but who knows what she overheard.
(clears throat) What's that? You getting that ALS again? I never had ALS.
I have myasthenia gravis.
What is that? Does it kill you? I just get really exasperated dealing with incompetent people who can't do their job.
The surprise over! Boy, what do you want? I got to give it to y'all, y'all good.
I don't I mean, if y'all haven't decided on getting me a present Bugatti Veyron.
HAKEEM: I'm thinking about the black and the red two-tone.
Some gold rims on there, Dad.
Wait, you want another car? Mm-hmm.
I mean, I got an Olds 98 for sale.
Clean with a gangsta lean.
It might be too, uh, too much car for the young 'un, though.
(Hakeem sighs) Did I blow it? Are y'all not planning a surprise party, or what? Look, boy, we know it's your birthday, okay? Happy birthday.
But we can't celebrate it until some of this drama dies down, okay? Mom, this is my biggest birthday party.
I'm about to turn 21.
Well, why don't you act like it? How do you let Anika (clears throat) take off and leave the baby with you without telling you where she's going? What do you mean, "take off"? She's not home? (scoffs) Apparently not.
(lyrical piano playing) People talk and people think what they want Questioning how we love Undeniably, you're all I see And it don't matter when How or where You need to lean on me There's no day or time or place To stop me From giving my loyalty From giving you all of me I'll be your everything I wanna, I wanna be everything I'll be GIULIANA: Is that your lady? As a matter of fact, yes, it is.
Lucky girl.
A calm from the storm up ahead Do you mind if I sit? - Please.
- I'll be steady The rock, the rope, the weight So what do you think about her opening your club in Vegas? My former little strip club that doesn't even have a cabaret license? Your mind can be sure We can help with that.
It can rest in me forever more So if I book Nessa for my grand opening, what is that gonna do for my relationship with Empire? ANDRE: Well, Nessa's got a lot of heat right now.
Empire will but the full power of our resources behind her first solo show.
I wish I had someone like you around when I was starting out.
The breath that you need to breathe Are you a singer? I tried it for a minute, but then I decided talent has no power.
I want to be the boss.
I'll be your everything Why don't you met me here tomorrow night, and we can talk about it? Okay.
I'll be.
Have a good evening.
No, I just thought that we had decided that, uh, that you were gonna let me handle things like this from here on out, not, uh, not Lucious.
I know, I I didn't even know what the meeting was about.
I thought it was a business thing.
Look, do you or don't you have a connect to find out where they've got Anika stashed? Uh, I'm gonna have to dig.
But before I do my digging, you got to tell me, what are you hiding? What does Anika have on you? I'm not hiding anything.
I'm starting to think you don't trust me here, Angelo.
What is this? Um a gun? Why do you have it? Look, possession of a handgun is illegal in New York.
All right, I'm running for mayor here.
I got primaries in ten days It was a gift, okay? It was a gift.
I've never used it, - and I don't plan on using it.
- A gift? It was a gift from Lucious? Well, look, I need you to get rid of it.
Okay, Cookie, whether I become mayor or not, I'm trying to build a life with you.
And that means you're gonna have to put you're gonna have to put things like this away.
Things that, uh, they don't belong in our world.
Okay, I'll get rid of it.
It's gone from our world.
Okay, I'll get rid of this and everything he's ever given to me.
Is that better? - For real? - Mm-hmm.
You promise? I promise.
You ever shoot anybody? How you think I feel to see another MC Get paid usin' my rap style And I'm playing' the background meanwhile I ain't with that, you can forget that You took my style, I'm takin' it back Lucious ain't here.
Who said I was here for Lucious? Yo! You buggin'? Get out! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
- Hey.
- Get out! Chill out, schoolgirl.
Lucious don't like nobody playing with his piece.
Like I said Lucious ain't here.
Come on, now, we both know you're not gonna shoot no - (gunshot) - (yelling in pain) My knee! (sobbing) Oh, my knee! (yells) No.
Never.
All right.
- Did you get the phone? - Yeah.
It's a prepaid.
Can't be traced.
I still don't think this is a good idea.
Okay, you know what, Mom? If I had gone with Tariq, then Lucious would have found me and I would have been dead by now.
All right? So let me just give him a call, I'll tell him I have a plan.
Hopefully, he'll let me come home.
Because at this point, this is the only way that any of us are gonna get a chance to see Bella.
So, check it, we're gonna be club-hopping 21 hours straight.
All my fans' Empire XStream subscription, that's your invite.
So stay logged in, 'cause I'm gonna be dropping hints all night, so y'all can figure out what club we're hopping to next.
Yah! TIANA: Damn.
I wish I was gonna be there.
I'm so sorry, babe.
We'll just have to celebrate when I get back from this tour.
- Promise.
- I promise.
And there y'all have it.
That's how Takeem keep that long-distance love hot and heavy.
But you got to watch all night to get the clues and ride Hakeem's birthday train.
Choo-choo! We out.
It's gonna be lit.
- Litty.
- It better be.
(quietly): Just bummed Tiana not gonna be there.
(sighs) Wow.
Where's your, uh producer friend, Tory? She's gone.
She, uh, died of thirst.
(chuckles) Sit down.
(sighs) Derek, what the hell were you thinking? Uh you said that we couldn't be together because I was in the closet.
So I came out.
You don't come out for someone else.
You come out for yourself.
And you don't throw my name into the situation, especially when it's on social media.
Man, I am trying here.
It's not like there's some playbook for this, you know? (softly): I'm scared, man.
I got cats turning their back on me.
You know how this hip-hop game is.
Yeah, I know.
I'm sorry you got to deal with that.
I just wish that you would've talked to me first, you know? In person.
I done lost three gigs already, man.
I got these cats clowning me on Twitter.
It's like I'm spiraling, man.
I-I'm like, I'm losing, I'm struggling.
Yeah, yeah.
What is he doing here, Jamal? It's all right, Ma.
Uh-uh, no, it's not all right.
He was your supplier.
You're not supposed to be around people who enabled you.
What are you talking about? I didn't enable Boy, you know what I'm talking about.
You better back down.
Ma, he has never been my supplier.
Look, we'll, we'll deal with this another time, all right? Figure something out together, but right now, - I need to talk to my mom.
- Yeah, he needs to talk to his mother.
Maybe you should go talk to yours.
- Mom, please.
- That makes sense.
You guys do the family thing, man.
COOKIE: Yeah, bye-bye.
All right, Queen B.
Mm-hmm.
Keep your dirty hands to yourself.
- Mom, please.
- What? And what, what, what are you, get Bye! - What are you doing, Jamal? - I know.
I mean, but the fool came out for me.
And I know it was stupid or whatever on social media, but he feels really exposed right now.
You don't know what that feels like.
I don't give a damn about his feelings.
You better dump his ass before you lose Philip.
Oh, okay, Ma.
Well, how about you drop Dad, before you lose Angelo? Oh, shut your stupid ass up, didn't nobody come down here - to talk about that.
- Tell you what, you worry about your dirty laundry, and I'll worry about mine.
- Sounds like a plan.
- Okay.
Look, I just came to see if you're gonna show up for your brother tonight.
Of course.
Dre and I are gonna go there, um, when he hits Laviticus.
- He has no idea.
(chuckles) - Mm-hmm.
- You coming? - No.
Keem don't want to club with his mama.
Plus, me and Angelo have a dinner with these bourgie black folk.
You know, they don't even bother me anymore, Jamal.
Am I losing my street cred? Maybe.
I mean, is that such a bad thing? I don't know.
I'm gonna be myself, I'll tell you that much.
Just a little more polished.
- (laughs) - Okay.
Boy, get up, I got to go get my hair done for tonight.
Bye.
Love you.
I love you too.
Stay away from that trash.
Stay away from my dirty daddy.
Shut up.
By the way, me and your father took care of your doorman.
How? - Ma? - Shut up, boy.
Hakeem, I thought you were supposed to get smarter as - you got older, not dumber.
- HAKEEM: Shut up, man.
ANDRE: I'm not letting you stream your birthday mess - live on Empire XStream, all right? - What's your problem, man? - What's your problem, man?! - LUCIOUS: Hold on, hold on! What's going on? Let him have his fun.
It's harmless.
I can think of a million ways it could become harmful for us, Pop.
The cost of security alone I'll pull in ten times the cost of security with all the cash I'll be making on my club appearances.
Why do you keep raising your voice in here? 'Cause he getting on my nerves.
Look, it's his birthday.
Let him have his fun.
Oh, by the way, I'm so sorry, I'm not gonna make it.
Dad, it's bad enough my whole family trying to bail on me now.
Now Andre's trying to wreck my party? - I'm outta here.
- Nice job.
He looks pretty disappointed.
Yeah, he really thinks we're just ignoring his big day.
(laughs) Oh, man, you guys, boy.
He's surprised when he don't get that Bugatti from me.
- Aw, he wants that car.
(laughs) - Yeah, he's out of his damn mind.
I ain't buying him that.
What's up with this, um, Vegas thing? Tell me.
I don't know.
I tried to call the guy back.
Nothing.
Hmm.
What? Uh, nothing.
You thinking about doing some business in Vegas? I mean, I hate Vegas.
I think it's grimy, and there's no upside for our business, but we get this anonymous tip saying that there's this huge business opportunity for us in You sure you don't know nothing about this? No.
Okay.
- I'm gonna see you, Dre.
- Yep.
- All right, Dre.
- Bye, Pop.
QUEENIE: Just yeah, that's good.
Cookie, I'm running a little behind, darling.
- Mm-hmm, that's all good.
- You just need to tell - whoever that is they got to - I'm sorry, tell me what? Tell you that you got to get out of that chair 'cause it's time for my appointment.
- Oh, well, we'll be done shortly.
- Oh.
(sarcastic chuckle) - Give me one second please, madam? - Of course.
I'm sorry, Cookie.
She came in off the streets, put down two stacks, and her friends over there were hella persuasive about it.
Who are they? - (phone rings) - Oh.
Lucious, what the hell do you want? LUCIOUS: Cookie, Anika called.
Says she wants to come home.
Thought you might want to know.
(sighs) I'm sorry about that.
Oh, it's fine.
Sometimes you just need to empty the trash.
I'm on a new level - I'm on a new level - Keep my birthday turned up, hands up! - I'm on a new level - Hey.
Happy birthday, Hakeem! (crowd cheers) Chain with a new bezel What up, y'all? Y'all followed the breadcrumbs, and y'all found us.
We at Club Surrender.
Big ups to Brooklyn, top of the food chain.
21 hours goes on and on, baby.
PORSHA: Hakeem! What? PORSHA: Get over here! Hurry up! Chain with a new bezel You not gonna want to miss this.
What's this? Used to be sleeping in itchy beds Bed bugs in the motel Now you're give me, give me Surprise! Baby, what's up? - Happy birthday.
- Ah! - PORSHA: Happy birthday, Hakeem! - (crowd cheers) Y'all see that, right? My baby came through.
Sometimes you got to surrender to love.
(cheering) First class from a old jail T Ferg did 15 in the feds - How long we been here? - PORSHA: 15 minutes.
All right, so let's get paid.
Baby, Kennedy, stay right here.
I'll be right back, okay? Hey, happy birthday, young buck.
The house is packed.
Think you should hang out a minute.
The party don't stop for no man, you know that.
All right, well, in that case What's this? Your bill.
You thought all that champagne was free? That gets charged against your appearance fee.
Okay, that's not what we talked about.
Look, if your family showed up, Jamal, or your O.
G.
daddy That wasn't the deal, man.
Don't listen to him because I'm here and so is Tiana.
Maybe if you freestyle rap a couple verses, I could dig up five grand.
Hakeem the Dream don't rap for free, everybody know that.
The deal was 50, man.
Where's my money? (chuckles) And who's gonna back you? Your girl and the ho squad? Okay, first of all, who the hell you calling a ho? Pay the man.
Okay.
Come on, man, I was messing Let's get the money out.
Happy? My money.
Yeah.
Hey, I could use another watch, man.
East Coast, West Coast.
Run it, Shaq! Give him the watch.
- That's yours, man.
- Hey.
HAKEEM: Congrats Perfect.
That's great.
And I want to give you a little something.
There's your little money for your little tips for the champagne.
Bounce! Hey, man, I don't know who y'all are, but y'all can roll with us.
Hey, thanks! - It's good, let's go.
- Yeah.
Hey, we got your back, y'all.
Baby.
Come on, let's go.
Hey, yo.
What's your name, bae? That's Kennedy, man.
The party just started.
- Choo-choo! - Bought me a new sho - Turn it up! - (laughter) To the next club! All my put in work.
(doorbell rings) Oh, Miss Anika.
- Hey, Juanita.
- Hello.
Is, uh, Lucious home? He'll be home soon, Miss Anika.
Right now, it's just me and Bella.
Oh, I can't wait to see her.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Mama's here, baby.
Mama is a dead bitch walking.
- Where's my daughter? - Don't worry about Bella, she's safe, which is more than I can say for you right now.
Cookie, I did not snitch on you.
Tariq tried to talk to me, and I ran.
He doesn't even know I'm here.
Look, I know you've been really nice and helpful with me, but you've become a huge problem.
And I don't see a reason why we shouldn't just kill you right now.
What? Let me do it, Dwight.
Mama, please, will you leave? Please.
Okay.
You've got 30 seconds to convince us why we should let you live.
Look, I didn't need to be here right now.
I could've gone to Witness Protection and taken Bella with me.
Well, why didn't you? Because I needed time to formulate a plan.
And now I have one.
I'm listening.
We all know that Tariq is jealous of you.
We know that he wants what you have.
But he's only doing this because he thinks that you stole his father.
Dr.
Freud, we figured this out a long time ago.
- And what I've got, he will never have.
- Yes, but there's one thing that he will take if you let him.
Me.
If we can prove that Tariq and your wife have been involved, they will be forced to drop the case for good.
She got to wear a wire.
That's fine.
Just let me get his trust first.
She's a lyin' snake.
Tariq's too smart to fall for her.
- Let your mama do it.
- Uh Okay, Mama, give me the gun.
Give it to me.
Please.
(exhaling): Oh, my God Where'd you get this? It was in her purse.
Look, you gave it to me, remember? It's none of your business.
You're right.
None of my business.
You got one week to figure out a way to make your plan work, or I'm gonna be forced to let my mama do what she's been dying to do.
I just feel like he turned his whole life upside down, so the least I can do is, I don't know, show him a little kindness.
What does that mean? You're gonna do something out of pity? No, of course not.
It's kind of hard to explain.
You wouldn't understand.
It's just coming out in the music business, it's like It's a lot harder than it would be in the military, right? - (chuckling): I'm sure.
- (chuckles) Okay, you're right.
Maybe you do know something.
(sighs) Look, what I do know is that what you and I have could actually be really special.
I'm not interested in D-Major.
I just I just think that we could show him a little compassion for what he's going through.
I think you're right.
I think we should.
Thank you.
I'm gonna go have the car pull around front so we can surprise your baby brother.
Sounds good.
All right.
I'm sorry.
Look, I got scared and I ran.
No, it's cool.
You didn't tell Lucious, right? Hell no, I didn't tell Lucious.
I just told him that my mom was sick and I left the baby with Hakeem.
- I can't tell Lucious.
He'll kill me.
- Yeah, see, that's what I'm talking about, Anika.
We need to do this before anybody else gets killed.
Look, Tariq, all I know is I don't want Bella to be in the hands of strangers, you know? And I don't want to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life.
I don't know what to do.
I'll protect you.
Trust me.
(vehicle approaching) All right.
But, look, only you.
All right? 'Cause I-I I don't want to do this on my own.
Tell you what, this is what we'll do.
We'll give it a week to let it get back to normal, all right? Then we'll try again.
And forget Witness Protection.
You'll be under my protection.
I won't leave your side.
Thank you.
Hey.
Good to see you, man.
(beeps) Come on.
(beeping) Miss, uh Why is this not working? It's It says D-Major on there.
Is there some kind of mistake? You see it says D-Major? That's me.
(sighs) Do me a favor and call Jamal.
Hey, man, come on.
You don't want to be doing this.
Why don't you just go home? You don't know what I want to be doing.
Yeah, I do.
We both do.
We know exactly what you're going through, man.
We know where you're coming from.
(chuckles) You keep saying "we.
" Like you and Jamal got something real.
I just want you to understand what's going on, man, it'd make this a lot easier.
All right? Oh, I understand what's going on.
The thing is, Philip, no matter how hard you try, you won't never, ever be able to give it to him the way I do.
- Okay, shorty? - Get off of me, man.
Yo, Philip.
Come on, what's your problem? Still had that one coming, man.
D-MAJOR: Hey, Jamal Work, work, work, work, work, work, he said me haffi work Work, work, work, work, work! He see me do mi dirt, dirt Dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt! And so me put in I said drip! ALL: Drop! - Drip! - Drop! Hey, look, y'all already know the spot on the next tour.
- It's Laviticus.
- (whoops) - (whooping, applause) - Ain't no place like home, right? ALL: Yeah! - Happy birthday! - Get that money! You know what I'm saying? Throw that money up.
Work, work, work, work, work, work, work Yeah.
Money for everybody.
And so me put in work Work, work, work, work, work.
(dramatic music plays) What's this? (cheering, applause) (blows horn) Happy birthday, baby! We're official.
One, two, three I want you all mine I'll give you all the signs I know that I took my time But I made up my mind Oh, baby, you know you make me feel Something that I never had You let me know it's real Can't nobody make me feel the way that you do When you 'round me I can't take my eyes off of you, ooh I can see you're 'bout it, love the way that you move Tellin' you you got it and you know it's the truth I feel so alive when I got you right here by my side That's 'cause when I'm with you You know everything is all right Yeah Don't worry, I got you Yeah Don't worry, I got you Yeah Don't worry, I got you - Happy birthday, brother, I love you.
- Don't worry I got you Don't worry you got it I got it, too, so just imagine what we What we could be together Always want to give you my loving You think we gonna forget our baby brother? Hey, what's up, bro? - Happy birthday, Hakeem.
- Where's my gift? - Hmm? - It's in the mail.
- It's in the mail? - You know I'm good for it.
(both laugh) Hey, it's your night.
All right? All right.
Anything you need, yeah You can count on me Yeah yeah Don't worry Don't worry 'Cause I got you Anything you need You can call on me, yeah, yeah Yo, ha, ha, yeah, yo, yo, yo I hold you down like it's nothin' 'Cause I need your lovin', I'd rather have you by my side Than them chicks clubbing, you see them bankrolls I'll spend them on you, and I'll always keep it real No pretending on you, I'm just trying put you under my arm And make you wifey, take you round the world Anywhere you want to sightsee Hey, I'm 'bout to go holler at this shorty.
Watch me.
I'm just trying to change the last name on your I.
D.
- No thanks.
- I'd pay the cost for you baby I seen you all night, girl.
I know you seen me, too.
Just you give me a little smile.
What part of "no" don't you understand? WOMAN: Look, let go of her! Push off, bro.
You too strong.
Hey, yo.
Leave her alone, man.
WOMAN: Get your hands off her.
Oh, who do you think you're talking to? (crowd gasping) Kennedy! Ratchet-ass bitch.
(screaming) Get off! Yo.
(grunts) Stop it! Marcel, go get Andre now! Yah-ha! Dance for Hakeem! - Yeah! - Keem, now just stay back! (excited chatter) (grunts, glass shatters) (crowd shouting) Oh! Hey, hey, hey! Let me go! Let me go! Let him go now! Yo! What's up? PORSHA: Y'all some bitches! (siren wailing in distance) (indistinct radio chatter) This is crazy.
You all right? I just talked to the men I sent to ride shotgun on your ass.
They said you cut them loose.
I thought they were Shine's boys, and you sent them to mess my b-day up.
Why would I do that, Hakeem? Let me think.
'Cause you always do that.
Whatever.
Listen, first of all, it wasn't done on purpose.
It's never on purpose with him.
He's never been held to the same standard as you and me, - 'cause he's the baby, right? - Stop that.
It's his birthday right now, so we'll deal with it tomorrow.
No, did you know that he hired two random dudes to act like his security? - Oh, God.
I didn't hire nobody.
- They said he gave them cash, champagne, watches, in exchange for their services.
Now, in the eyes of the law, that makes them de facto employees of Empire, Jamal.
Well, stop talking about me like I'm not standing here.
I made a mistake.
What was I supposed to do? In an Empire venue.
On company property.
Do you have any idea, the liability? - Ain't you supposed to be a father? - Calm down, people watching.
You just mad 'cause Dad had my back on this.
See, he understands me.
Him and me got something you will never have, - and that's music.
- Oh, shut up, Hakeem, just shut up.
You know I don't know nothing about liability.
That's because you are the liability, - Hakeem! - Dre, chill.
For this family and for this company.
Stop spitting in my face.
You know what? You are 21 years old now.
Yup.
- You a man.
- I'm a man.
You gonna learn to take responsibilities for your actions like a man.
- Like a man.
- So, as of this minute, your channel is shut down.
You are off of Empire XStream for good.
Happy birthday.
Yo, Dre, stop playing with me.
Give me my camera, man.
- What's his problem, man? - Dre always bugging.
- Why don't you calm your ass down? - Yeah, okay, man.
And it is mostly your fault, Hakeem, it is.
How? Come here, baby.
Look, it was all so dope at first, right? And then my party just got ruined.
Seriously? Seriously.
My night just got ruined.
What about my friend's night, Hakeem? You haven't even asked about Kennedy.
Okay, I was about to ask you.
Is she okay? She's in the hospital, and that's where I'm going right now.
All right, we coming with you.
Nah, don't bother.
Just keep making it about you, Hakeem.
It's what you do best.
Baby.
You fluid with the foolishness You just like H2O, without the two in it Now her, too? Brah, this has been the worst birthday party of my life, man.
Gotta watch my back, might get jacked Make the wrong move, I just might get capped Bump that, I'm on a killin' spree I gotta keep the flow tight You know why it's your fault? Because of lyrics like this.
Can you hear 'em? This is you.
Time to become a man, brother.
Middle finger to a chick - I am a man.
- Whoever sabotage a man I am a man.
Ya'll goin' learn today Go to hell with gasoline There's a car waiting for you by the side entrance to take you home.
I'm not going home.
I'm going to get my girl.
Let's go.
I don't, I don't trust 'em, I don't, I don't I don't trust 'em, no, no.
(low-key jazz playing) Mm.
Mm, mm, mm.
(chuckles) Did you just moan? Did you just like it? Well, I'm not complaining.
Bourbon, rocks.
You ready to talk business? I took the liberty of drafting a contract.
I think we should get to know each other first.
Okay.
You want to get to know me here or you want to get to know me somewhere else? - I want to finish my drink.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
- Okay, okay.
So, what do you want to know about me? Are you close to your father? Very.
Then how come you haven't brought him to see me? I want to negotiate our deal first.
And then I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.
Why don't we go back to your hotel? Does your lady know you're here? She knows I'm trying to close a very big deal - Mm-hmm.
- with all kinds of opportunities for her.
That's not good enough, Andre.
You see, I don't ever touch another woman's man.
At least, not without her permission.
This is how I do business, Giuliana.
It's how I've always done business.
Nessa's fine with it.
So, you have an agreement? We do.
Well, I like it.
So, I'm gonna have my people look at the terms of the contract, and if I like what I read, then you and I can do business.
Sounds fair.
Good.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Yeah, you and me fight like animals Are you gonna let me out? Or should I climb over you? Yeah, you and me fight like animals Yeah, you and me love like savages.
You had them high-society folks eating out of your hand.
Even your mother.
Yeah, well, especially my mother.
(chuckles) (Angelo chuckles) (under breath): All right.
- Mm, mm.
- I need you to do me a favor.
Ooh.
That depends.
I was gonna turn this in myself, but then I realized just having this in my possession - is a major violation.
- Mm.
Okay.
Well, I'll take care of it for you.
Okay.
(moans) - Come on.
- Yes, ma'am.
Yes.
(giggles) ("Trance" by Lili Ray playing) You see what you're doing to me What's taking so long, Giuliana? I told you I needed a little time to work my magic.
I'm tired of your crap.
Where's Rafael? Rafael was skimming from you, Gino.
I got rid of the problem.
Watch me have you in a trance Gonna have you in the palm of my hands GIULIANA: Every dollar my husband skimmed.
A gift from me to you.
Another one of your magic tricks? Trying to get Rafi off the hook? Maybe you're the problem I need to get rid of.
Well, if you do that, you'll never be in business with Lucious Lyon.
Watch me have you Paid in Cash was the first CD I ever boosted and my mother beat my ass, but, uh, I must've listened to that thing a thousand times.
I've been trying to get to Lucious Lyon a long time.
I know, and you can't touch him, but I can.
Why would you do this to me? Why? Whoa-oh-oh Why would you do this to me? Do your thing.
Make me believe in magic.
Oh, you know I have tricks.
Gonna have you in the palm Of my hands.
(knocking on door) Who the hell is knocking on my damn door this late? Are you out of your damn mind banging on my door at this hour? I'm here for my girl.
It's time to go, baby.
(Bella cooing) LUCIOUS: Hakeem.
Where do you think you're taking the baby this hour of the night? It's still my birthday, so I'm spending what's left of it with Bella.
Why don't you, um, have a seat for a minute - and let me talk to you? - Why? So you can tell me I can't? No, so I could tell you that I've waited 21 years to hear you say what you just said.
Come on.
It'll just take a minute.
Scoot over, man, give me some room.
You know, the night you were born, the heavens were in an uproar raining cats and dogs.
Your mama just started having contractions, but seeing this wasn't our first go-around, you know, we didn't rush to the hospital or nothing like that.
Your mama actually was hungry for some Chinese food, so I break down to the little corner Chinese spot while your mom called Aunt Carol so that she could watch your brothers.
Anyway, I don't know whether it was the Kung Pao or the lightning, but your mama's water broke.
We never made it to the hospital that night.
I was born at home? I delivered you with your Aunt Carol as a midwife.
(clears throat) But the point I'm making is, you were in such a rush to come into this world, and you've been in a mad hurry ever since.
You're my youngest so I suppose I've indulged you a bit more than I should have, probably to your detriment.
Nature never rushes, and yet she accomplishes the entire universe.
You've said something tonight, though, that let me know that you have your priorities right.
You're a man now but on top of that you're a Lyon.
Hello, princess.
(Lucious chuckling) A Lyon always looks after his responsibility above anything else.
You got to protect this angel with your very life.
Go to your daddy.
(chuckles) Go to your daddy with that crazy old jacket on.
I will.
Hey, son.
Happy birthday.