Brown Sugar (2002) - full transcript

This romantic comedy centers on a romance between an A&R exec, Dre, at a hip-hop label and a magazine editor, Sidney, who have known each other since childhood.. They find themselves drifting towards being more than friends, even as Dre is engaged, and Sidney starts being wooed by a handsome basketball player.

¶ If y'all feel that shit
right about now ¶

¶ come on, y'all,
make some noise ¶

¶ if you're with me ¶

¶ come on,
y'all, yeah ¶

¶ come on, y'all, make some
noise if you're with me ¶

¶ make some noise
if you're with me ¶

¶ make some noise
if you're with me ¶

¶ it's like that, y'all,
and it sounds so nice ¶

¶ hip-hop, you the love
of my life ¶

¶ we about to go
to the top, y'all ¶

¶ hip-hop love ¶



¶ to the top of hip-hop ¶

¶ it's like that, y'all ¶

¶ and it sounds so nice ¶

¶ hip-hip, you the love
of my life ¶

¶ we about to go to the--
to the--to the ¶

¶ to the--to the--to the--
to the--to the-- ¶

¶ the anticipation
arose as time froze ¶

¶ I stared off the stage
with my eyes closed ¶

¶ and dove deep
into the cosmos ¶

¶ the impact
pushed back... ¶

Sidney, voice over:
I started every interview

I've ever given the same way
for over 10 years.

[On tape] So, when did you
fall in love with hip-hop?

Kool g rap: I basically fell
in love with hip-hop,



you know what I'm saying,
when cats first started

going out to the parks,
you know,

with the 2 turntables,
the mic.

I think it was 1977.

People are rocking
in the parks.

I can remember
back in the Bronx, 1979.

Set up some turntables
in front of the building.

And we was
getting the power

from the street
lamps outside.

Plug it up
into the street pole.

Mc-ing, dj-ing,
b-boying, break-dancing.

Break-dancing
or popping,

beats or rhymes, you know.
I was in love with it.

Probably about
12 years old, man.

And I was watching
wild style.

It was creative,
it was new, it was fresh.

Breakin', rappin',
battlin'.

It was the whole
culture, period.

The bambaataa show,
the afrika islam show.

It was just like our
way of expression.

Hip-hop spoke
directly to me because,

you know, it was speaking
from the language

that the people I was
dealing with was speaking,

and I loved it
as soon as I--

as soon as I got
introduced to it.

I was gonna be dealing
with hip-hop

whether I wanted to
or not.

Like a forced marriage,
it was predetermined.

And I heard Eric b
is president,

and then that kind
of changed my life.

I heard the message,
melle Mel.

There was a rapper
named Eddie cheeba

who was one of
the pioneers.

When I first heard
sugarhill gang.

Rapper's delight.

Rapper's delight.

That set it off
for rap music.

Funky four
plus one more.

Plus one more,
you know what I'm saying?

Furious five, freedom.

Run and them
and Houdini freestyling.

Sucka mc's by run-dmc.

Sucka mc's live.

Grandmaster flash
on the wheels of steel.

Grandmaster caz from
the cold crush brothers.

Cold crush.
Cold crush.

Cold crush.
Grandmaster flash.

Treacherous three,
body rock.

Spoonie gee, love rap.

The first time I heard
rebel without a pause.

Eric b and rakim.

Epmd and them.

I gotta say public
enemy as a group...

You know.

Classics, bangers.

I mean, to this day
they're bangers.

I just love
what it sounded like,

and I loved
what he was saying.

You know, the whole
slick tongue thing.

I felt like these dudes
hit the truth.

Forget everything else you heard
on the radio and all that.

This is it.
This is what I want to do.

I was in.

It was freedom.

Sidney, voice over:
I remember the exact day

I fell in love
with hip-hop. It was...

Bye!

[Play at your own risk
by planet patrol playing]

Yo, look, y'all! Look what
they doing over there!

Come on!

[Men rapping indistinctly]

¶ The mic almost dropped
but I catch quick ¶

¶ and from that point
we get hectic ¶

¶ now, I score the ladies,
I score the boys ¶

¶ I am the one and only
art of noise ¶

¶ what up, hear, hear? ¶

[beatboxing]

¶ Dana Dane ¶

girl, up here!

¶ When out of nowhere
dropped this fiendish fiend ¶

¶ I want your shoes, your
jewels, man, everything ¶

¶ now in his hands,
a knife, a gun ¶

¶ I'm thinking to myself ¶

should I fight
or should I run? ¶

¶ I see his tool, slapped him
up against the dome ¶

¶ would you
believe this fool ¶

¶ tried to rob me
with a comb? ¶

¶ yo, Rick, my, my, ¶

¶ my mellow, my man ¶

¶ get on the mic
and rock this jam ¶

¶ well, I was on
the 41 bus ¶

¶ reading the news ¶

¶ here comes grandma ¶

¶ and she steps
on my shoes ¶

¶ I smile, although
I was quite disgusted ¶

¶ I said "what's
the matter, granny ¶

¶ is your
blind ass dusted?" ¶

Sidney, voice over:
The day I saw slick Rick,

who went
by Ricky d back then,

Dana Dane, and Doug e. Fresh
battle in the Bronx

was the day I truly
met hip-hop.

Little did I know
a year later

Ricky d would would join
the get fresh crew

and record the hip-hop
classic the show,

and of course
the b-side LA di da di.

Dana Dane would drop
a couple years later

with his classic
cinderfella.

But little did I know

how much hip-hop would be
a part of my life.

[Beatboxing]

Hip-hop was as young,
naive, confused,

sometimes innocent,

and sometimes
as mischievous as I was.

And as I grew up...

Later, dre.
Later, sid.

Hip-hip grew with me,

and along the way it took on
all my baggage...

My dreams.

I felt hip-hop,

and hip-hop felt me.

And I know everyone
who loves the music

feels the same way I do.

You know this little
party going on

out here is for you.

I know. I'll be out
in a minute.

I know you can't
be working.

Today's
your last day.

It's the book.

I got to turn in the pages
by the end of the week.

Dre's on the line.

You want me
to put him through?

Yeah. Put him through.

Sidney, on phone:
What's up, baby?

Hey, what's up, girl?

You knew I wasn't
about to let you leave

without my ink, right?

I know you don't have me
on speaker, do you?

No, no. I mean, yeah,
but it's just me.

So, what's good?

Apologize first.

What happened?

Apologize first.
You know the routine.

Say it. "I'm sorry
for being..."

Uh, I'm sorry
for being

a self-centered,
uh, ass.

Actually change that to
"impatient, arrogant ass."

Ok, you can't be adding
extras here, sid.

Tell me something.
Does Simon know

you wet the bed
till you were 12?

Ok, ok, I'm sorry
for being

a self-centered,
arrogant--

no break-dancing.

You crazy,
no, no, you--

no, I ain't
crossing that line.

Just say it, dre. I got
your review in my hands.

I'll put it at the bottom
of the stack. Come on.

All right.

No break-dancing...

No break-dancing ass

who's taking advantage
of his friendship

with the beautiful,
smart, the giving

hip-hop writer of
the Los Angeles times.

New editor of double xl.

The new editor
of double xl

for his personal

professional
advancement.

Are you happy now?

Mm-hmm. Congratulations.

I think you've got
another hit on your hands.

Thank you, sid.

Couldn't wait one week

for the review
to come out, huh?

So what's the deal?

You gonna be home in time
for Russell's party?

Oh, look at you.
Like you're on

a first name basis
with Russell Simmons.

Come on now,
you know how I do it.

Yes, I'll be home
for the def jam party.

My bags are packed.

Cool. Cool. No, I cannot
wait to see you, big time.

All right, girl. Peace.

All right. Bye, dre.

Sidney, voice over:
For many people,

hip-hop was
that first friend.

The first to talk to us...

The first to understand.

Hip-hop has always been
that kind of friend to me.

And like any relationship,

I've watched it grow.

I've watched it change.

¶ Who's the one that can't
comprehend at first? ¶

¶ well, I may sound
like a cell phone... ¶

[song becomes indistinct]

Hey, sid Shaw.

Hey, how you doing,
beanie?

Been trying, um--

what's up?

I'm trying--me
and my man fab are

trying to get at you
for the longest.

What's up
with that cover?

Fab, how you doing?
I'm working on it.

Yo, for real?

Yeah, yeah, I got you.

Thirsty?

Girl, I worked
a double shift

at the restaurant
to get this night off.

I'm about to have a ball.
You should, too.

I'm having fun.

Oh, stop!

[Both giggle]

See? See, this is
why I don't date.

Only guys I meet are
in the industry,

and they ain't never got
their shit together.

What, like him?

Sidney, voice over: Ever
thought you'd see the day

hip-hop grew up?

From red kool-aid block
parties in the Bronx

to champagne toasts
in soho.

Ooh! Ha ha ha!

What're you
drinking, beautiful?

Uh, um...

That'll be a perfect 10

for the lady,
if you please.

And a ketel one
Martini

up with a twist
for the gentleman.

Get up off that chair
and hug me, girl.

What's up, baby?

I have missed you
so much.

I missed you, too.
How you been?

Kiss it.

Look at you.

There you are.
Oh, my God.

I got you, I got you.

Dre, stop it! I can't
believe you left me

over there
with that man.

Don't be mad.
Kiss me, kiss me.

Gimme a kiss,
gimme a kiss.

Yes, that's
what I like.

Sidney here is somebody
I want you to meet.

Oh, my God!

Sidney, Reese.

It's so good
to meet you.

Oh, my God! I've heard
so much about you.

Oh, well, I hope
it wasn't too bad.

No, and you look great.

But I can't compete with
you in that dress.

Oh, please, I think you
are wearing that dress.

And your earrings
are so beautiful.

[Clears throat]

Do you hear
something, Sidney?

Yeah, sounded
like a male ego.

Ha ha ha ha!

That's real funny.

Anyway, this is cute.
Y'all should take

this little act
on the road.

We're just
teasing you.

Oh, there's Steve.
I gotta talk to him

about the arista
deal. Sidney...

Good to meet you.

Ok.

Hurry up. I love you.

I love you.

Not bad, not bad.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, she's pretty
much amazing.

Amazing?

Mm-hmm.

That's not a word
I've heard you use

to describe
one of your women.

Oh, she ain't like
any of the others.

For real.

What's up?

I want to show you
something.

Is that
what I think it is?

Yeah.

Think I'm gonna
do it tonight, sid.

What?
Uh-huh.

Are you serious?
Yeah.

But, dre,
you've known her

for like
5 minutes.

I know, I know, but, um...

I--I think she's the one.
So I'm retiring

the "slow jams deluxe
get the drawers" tape.

The "slow jams deluxe
get the drawers" tape?

Yeah. The one with
Luther, sade,

and the extended mix
of prince's adore, so...

Damn, it's like that?

I'm for real.

What, why are you
looking at me like that?

I don't know.
We're--

we're grown-ups.

I'm so glad you're here.

Oh, I'm happy
to be here. Ohh!

All right,
I'm about to go in.

You'll be fine.

You'll be fine.
Trust yourself.

All right.
My breath tart?

No, you're cool.

All right. Here we go.

[Muffled] Ohh!
Oh, my God!

Dre, oh, my God!

Yes, yes, yes!

¶ Was it good enough
for you? ¶

girl,
I can't believe

you've been here
damn near a month

and you still
not unpacked.

I've been busy.

I mean, there's this
little job I have

at this little
magazine.

Besides, there's order
in this chaos.

I know where everything is
and where everything goes.

So, uh, where does
this go? Ooh!

It's not what you think.

It's a massager
from brookstone.

Oh, come on, sid,
like I don't know--

it's a massager!

Men take too much
of your time.

Time I don't have.

You're turning into
a Terry mcmillian character.

Don't say that,
that's cold!

I'm telling you
you're in trouble.

Oh, it's just I never
seem to find anyone

on the same page
with me.

What, like dre?

Oh, here we go.

Come on.
You're gonna tell me

you never thought
about hooking up?

Dre asked me once
when I was at Columbia

if we should try being
more than just friends,

and...I told him no.

No?! What is wrong
with you, girl?

I mean, we've been through
everything together.

Exactly. So if
you two hook up,

you get the best
of both worlds.

You get the buddy
and the Booty.

I hear you,
but relationships break up.

People get angry,

they never want to
talk to each other again.

I mean, you're divorced.
Terrell was your ace, right?

You still talk to him?

Me and terrell talk
all the time.

We talk
about alimony,

we talk about
that tramp...

Exactly, exactly.

And you know dre.

He's never been with a woman
more than a month.

Yeah, well,
looks like

he's gonna
keep this one.

Guess so. Ooh,
she invited me

to her bridal tea
shower thingy,

and I don't know
what to bring.

You haven't
changed a bit.

Want me to pick
something up for you?

Oh, would you,
would you?

I got you, cuz,
I got you covered.

You're the best
cousin in the world.

So what do you want me
to do with your massager?

High speed, low.

[Both laughing]

Reese: Sidney!

You made it! Hi!

Hey.

Oh, thank you.

I wonder what this is.

Woman: And we called
her Reese's pieces.

Second woman: Ok,
let's move on to the groom.

I'll ask
the same questions.

What is dre's middle name?

Fine.

Romulus.

What'd you say,
Sidney?

You know the answer?

Romulus.

That's right.

That's the name of
this shake dancer,

works club
Mozambique.

Ok, aunt Betty.

Ok, anyway...

Romulus is right.

What is dre's
favorite drink?

Cosmo.
A polar bear.

Ketel one Martini
up with a twist,

but if he's trying
to show off, macallan 25.

Right again.
Macallan 25.

All right, then.

What is dre's
favorite song?

The bridge is over,
boogie down productions.

Ok, sid can't
play anymore.

She knows too much.

Reese: Ok, let's move on
to something else.

How about...

This is from moi.

Oh, you guys,
you guys!

Ooh!
Ohh!

Honeymoon night only.

You're so incredible.
I love you so much.

I'm glad
you like them, darling.

Ok, next, let's do...

Sidney's gift.

Thank you.
Such a sweetheart.

Nice. Very nice.

They're gonna be
perfect with my whip.

[Women laughing]

Sidney:
I'm gonna kill France!

I was
so embarrassed, dre.

And hungry.

I bet you were.

I mean, they didn't
have anything

but those little
cucumber sandwiches

with the crust cut off.

Just keep
the change.

Thanks for meeting me.

You're my dawg.

[Giggles]
It's good, huh?

Mmm!

I love
these bad boys.

It's true.
I can't even front.

Whenever I go out
with Reese,

we always going
to some fancy spot

with white
tablecloths

and a lot
of silverware,

hosting one of
Reese's clients.

I haven't had one of
these bad boys

since we started
dating.

Wow. She must really
be something.

Mmhh.

Yeah, for sure.

She's brown sugar.

Oh, yeah,
the brown sugar.

Yeah.

Break it down for me.

You know, we all looking
for wifey material.

A woman that's fine,

smart, classy,
but not a snob.

You know, hella--hella
sexy, but not a ho.

That's brown sugar.
That's my reesey.

I mean,
don't get confused

by her business suit.

She is a freak
in the bedroom...

A little bit
too much information.

Hey, I'm just
letting you know.

Then on the converse
side of things,

you got the girls
at the video shoots

with their breasts
all propped up

and their booties
hanging out

of their dresses.

I like
to refer to them

as the cyndi lauper
honeys.

They just like
to have fun.

Don't get it
twisted.

I'll tap that
as well.

Oh, I forgot being
best friends with a man

means I get to find out
the stupid and simple

ways they look at women.

Well, that's how men are,
stupid and simple.

See, that's the problem
with y'all women.

You--you're all
too complicated.

You keep trying to
change every man

into
the marrying type,

and you just
can't do it.

Well, I guess Reese
did a good number on you.

Ooh, touché, touché,
touché.

And tell me, then...

Dreski,
what type am I?

You could probably
be in a video.

Do this.
Dre...

Do this.
Dre!

[Beatboxing]

Dre.

[Huffs]

What do you think
about this for the mantle?

That sounds so cool.
I never had a mantle before.

It's cute. It's not
really you, though.

Now this is tight.

Oh, couples love
that piece

because it's not
too masculine,

it's not
too feminine.

I like to call it
a compromising piece.

Let me guess.
Newlyweds, right?

No, we just...

Pu-lease, we are
just friends, that's it.

Oh, um, I'm sorry.

I just thought, um...

Well, if you need
any help

finding friend things
just ask. Mm-hmm.

Why you have to
say it like that?

Say what?

Pu-lease.
Like I ain't shit.

'Cause you ain't.

Oh, damn it, see.

I forgot. I'm supposed
to check out

this mc I want
to sign tonight.

What jail
or group home

does Simon have you
going to now?

Oh, that's funny.

It's open mic night
at Webster hall.

What you doing tonight?

Oh, I can't, dre.

Aw, come on, sid.

You remember how
we used to do it.

Club to club,
up all night,

eggs and bologna
in the morning. Come on.

I can't
hang like that.

I gotta get up
in the morning.

All right, we'll
bump the eggs and bologna.

You can do it.
You got it in you.

What? Hear the music.
Unh, unh, unh.

¶ No eggs, unh, unh, unh ¶

¶ no bologna,
unh, unh, unh ¶

ok.

Just dancing.

Ok, stop it!

¶ Cavi is my name but you
can call me cav ¶

¶ it's all the same
abbreviated or whole ¶

¶ shout it out
so it don't be a secret ¶

¶ it goes cav,
short for cavi ¶

¶ but I'm not from cali ¶

¶ I'm from
the rotten apple ¶

¶ dirty streets and alleys ¶

¶ bed-stuy, Brooklyn
doing it exactly ¶

¶ get at me,
you feelin' it, New York? ¶

¶ all right, listen ¶

¶ I make 'em holler ¶

¶ like missy and ja rule ¶

¶ ain't a crowd in the world
that cav cannot move ¶

¶ a hot doom, cats thinking
it's not true ¶

¶ you come front row
to the show ¶

¶ I got proof ¶

¶ I went from selling candy
in junior high school ¶

¶ to selling spoonie g
to the fiends to nod to ¶

¶ got sent upstate
on the bus, not cool ¶

¶ in my vault thinking ¶

¶ man, should've
listen to ma, too ¶

¶ came home in '99,
what the law gonna do? ¶

¶ I don't move bundles,
I got a new hustle ¶

¶ I quit pie making
and starting rhyme making ¶

¶ building up my name till
I'm one of the 5 greatest ¶

¶ and I ain't saying cav
the best nigga out there ¶

¶ but till he appears,
I'm sittin' in his chair ¶

¶ and I'm gonna need
a few moments ¶

¶ just to get in your ear ¶

¶ to make y'all forget
the dude was ever even here ¶

¶ I got 2 words
for the world ¶

¶ be prepared ¶

¶ I got 3 words
for you, girl ¶

¶ don't be scared ¶

¶ when they ask
for the real hip-hop ¶

¶ it's over here ¶

¶ when they ask
where Brooklyn at ¶

¶ it's right here ¶

¶ Chris Anton vichon
capricorn ¶

¶ breakin' off
with the classic form ¶

¶ and then I'm gone ¶

I don't want
to look too anxious.

Do I look anxious?

Yeah, you look
real anxious.

Tell me
when he comes.

He's right here.

What?

Hey, I'm dre Ellis.
This is Sidney Shaw.

Hey.

I'm from millennium
records.

Wondering
if you were signed.

Uh, no,
not right now.

Nobody caught you yet?

Hey, you doing me
dirt, man.

What's the deal?
I see you.

Why don't you take
this man, give me a call.

You really rip it
on stage.

I remember you, man.

You used to, um,
you used to

hang up posters
for def jam.

Yeah. Ha!
That's right.

You got
a good memory, man.

That was back in the day,
that was back in the day.

Yeah, yeah.

Seriously, though, we're trying
to do some big things with you.

We're looking for artists
of your caliber. What's up?

Why don't you take that

and then shout me out
real quick.

You want to
sign me for pennies

and sell my publishing
for millions?

Oh, that's funny.
You got jokes.

For real, though,

you're looking for
a deal, probably, right?

Why don't you take--
can I put this anywhere?

Well, all right,
but listen,

to be honest
with you, man,

I'm not sure
millennium

is really ready
for what I'm doing.

It's on a different
tip, you know.

I've seen some
of your artists.

No dis.

Oh, that's cool, man.

We're trying to, you know,
broaden our horizons.

But I know
where you're at, man.

I'll get at you, man.

I know
where millennium at.

I know where
the office is at.

Thanks for coming, man.

I'm glad you felt it,
man, all right?

Yo, that was
all right.

Ok.

There's dre.
Yo, that's dre.

Yo, yo.
Excuse me, dre.

Dre, yo.
Yo, dre.

Dre,
we're ren and ten.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
What's going on?

How you doing, brother?
My name is ren--

no, no,
we decided I'm ren.

All right,
whatever, man.

The hip-hop dalmatians,

you understand
what I'm saying?

Yo, you get it?

White
with black spots.

You know
what I'm saying?

Like, we represent
that whole unity thing.

You know, like one unit.
U-n-I-t.

Why?
Because.

Right.
Thank you.

I like that.
Now, let's go.

I'm doing some talking
about the schematics

for the album cover, ok?

What we seeing is this.
I'm gonna be standing there,

right, we gonna have
101 dalmatians around.

All around, all around--
boom--

and I'm gonna have
a white fur coat

with black spots.

It's gonna be
chinchillin'.

I'm gonna rock
a black fur coat

with white spots,
you know what I'm saying?

We flip it on.
Boom.

Like, the audience,
they like, "what?"

They don't know.
They're kinda confused

'cause we do one thing,

we go 160 degrees
to the other side.

160 degrees?

Ren, stimpy.
Stimpy?

Rin tin tin.

Dre: Rin tin tin--rin--
what can I do for you?

All right, dre...

It's ren and ten.

Hip-hop dalmatians.

D-a-l-m-a--

well, you know,
"shens", man.

Ren: No, he don't know.

He don't know,
dun sun.

Let him know.

I'm gonna tell you,
dun sun.

We your new group,
dun sun!

Oh! We just signed
to millennium yesterday!

Right?
In your area.

2002, sun.
Ren and ten.

Look out, world.
What's that about?

What's gonna happen now?

We're gonna take it
all over, you and me.

I mean and him, too.

[Simon chatting
with secretary]

Hey, dre.
Thank you, baby.

Um, did you sign a new act
without consulting me?

Dre, I saw 'em
and I had to sign 'em.

I had never seen
no shit like that.

A black and white
rapping duo.

I know they gonna hit.

Come on, man.
You know that's just a gimmick.

I mean, these guys
they have, like, no skills.

They're just
straight up wack.

Now I saw, last night,
a real mc.

This cat deserves a shot.

He came with the real original,
real, real hip-hop.

I don't give a damn.
I'm trying to sell records

to people
who'll actually buy them.

So I need a group
who is gonna be able

to get me
that mtv rotation, baby.

Now, Ben and Ken--

ren and ten.

They the future, baby.

Now eminem,
he paved the way.

They're gonna be
like Paul McCartney

and Stevie wonder,
you know?

Paul McCartney
and Michael Jackson.

Whoo!

They can do a remake
of the girl is mine.

Oh, shit.
Hell, yeah!

See, that's why
I got you here.

Oh, that's gonna
be tight!

I'm gonna be able
to call it, uh, uh, uh...

That ho is mine.

[Chuckling]
The ho is mine.

Are you serious?

Barber: Yeah,
that's tight.

You really want me
to do this?

Well, if you want to work
for millennium records.

That's what we do here.

We make hits.

Now, you wanna keep it real,
you go to rawkus.

We keep it profitable.

Now, it's too hard
to do both of 'em.

Now, listen, dre...

Go on to your little
bachelor party,

marry that fine-ass
woman of yours,

and have
a nice honeymoon.

When you get back,

you gonna
make it happen

with ren and ten.

Hmm? You hear
what I'm saying?

Yeah.
Yeah.

Yeah.
Smart boy.

[Knocking on door]

I'm coming.

What you doing here?

Aren't you supposed to be
at your bachelor party?

Yeah.

You know what?
I was thinking

about yesterday--
when I got my hat

handed to me
by that mc--

and I realized that I'm
the character you're writing on

when you say that hip-hop
has lost its way.

Dre, I was talking
in general terms.

Sid, I could--I could feel
that look of yours

from 3,000 Miles away.

And I was ready, too.

I was ready
to leave millennium.

You know, give them
my high-minded speech

and just bounce.

Then I started thinking
about the money,

upward mobility,
the suits...

And I punked out.

You didn't punk out.

Well, you gotta admit,
I punked out a little bit.

Not even a little bite-sized,

"melt in your mouth,
not in your hand" punk out?

Ok, maybe a tiny
bite-sized punk out.

See?

Dre, we all sell out
a little in our careers.

It's how you survive
the business.

Why did it all get
so complicated?

I mean, all I wanted
to do was make music,

and now
I'm not doing that.

All I'm doing now
is making deals

and 10% of them
is shady.

All right, 30%.

Fine, 50%.
But you see what I'm saying?

Come here.
Come here.

You'll be all right.

Just trust yourself.

Do you remember
when we saw

get fresh
and the kangol crew?

How could I forget?

That was a good day.

I wish I could
go back to that day.

It's gonna be ok.

Uh...
You'd better--

you'd better go.
You'd better go.

Mm-hmm.

You'd better go.

Uh, wait. Dre?

Wait, wait.

Uh...

Are you sure you want
to do this tomorrow?

Yeah.

Yeah, um...

Yeah. Yeah.

I love her
and, uh...

You know, I want to
marry, um...

Reese.

I want
to marry Reese.

I love her.

Ok.

Well, uh...

You better get
to that bachelor party.

See those strippers.

Right.

Right. Ok.

Peace.
Bye-bye.

[Door closes]

[Organist playing]

What was that about?

What?
What was what about?

He just looked at you
like you had 3 breasts.

What happened?

Nothing.
Nothing happened.

Francine:
Wait a second.

You boned him,
didn't you?

Sidney: Shh!

[Whispering]
No, I didn't.

[Whispering]
Oh, you little ho.

What you gonna do?

Nothing!

It was just
a little kiss.

Tongue?

A little bit.

[Organist plays
the wedding march]

Did you feel anything?

It was a mistake!

Mistake my ass.
She gonna marry your man.

Dre is not my man,
he's my friend.

That's it,
end of discussion.

Guests: Shh!

Reverend:
Ladies and gentlemen,

please be seated.

You're just gonna
let it go down like that?

Do you
Reese Marie whigham...

Can we talk
about this later?

Why? You only think
you're friends?

That's your man
up there.

Francine, shut up!

Say something!

...till death do you part?

I do.

She don't even
know him.

Do you, Andre romulus Ellis,
take Reese Marie whigham...

You're seriously gonna
let her marry him?

Yes!
France!

...to hold in sickness
and in health,

for richer,
for poorer,

till death do you part?

I do.

He don't mean that.

The rings.

Say something.

If there is anyone here

who has just cause
why these two

should not be
lawfully married,

let them speak now...

That's your man
up there.

Francine,
shut up!

Say something then.
Shh!

[Clears throat]

By the power vested in me
by the state of New York,

I now pronounce you--

husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

I can't believe it.

I present to you,

Mr. and Mrs. Andre Ellis!

[Organist plays
the wedding march]

Sidney, narrating:
The union of hip-hop

to the mainstream was
a hard thing to imagine.

Hip-hop was always this
personal, regional thing

that belonged to just me.

Starting with fab 5 Freddie
and yo! Mtv raps!

Anyone with a television set
and cable box

could get a piece
of hip-hop.

I knew I was
gonna have to share,

and that was hard
to get used to.

¶ One shot to your heart
without breaking your skin ¶

¶ no one has the power ¶

¶ to hurt you
like your kin ¶

¶ kept it inside,
didn't tell no one else ¶

¶ didn't even wanna
admit it to yourself ¶

¶ and now it just burns
and your back aches ¶

¶ from 15 years
of holding the pain ¶

¶ and now you only have
yourself to blame ¶

¶ if you continue
to live this way ¶

¶ get it together ¶

¶ get it together ¶

yeah, not next Wednesday,
but the Wednesday after.

Ok, looking forward to it.

Hot 97 called again.

They still want you
to come in for an interview.

Tell 'em I can't
do it right now.

I got too much
on my plate.

And we just got
the release dates

for kelby Dawson's album.

It works with
our next issue.

Great, when can we
get an interview?

Tomorrow night.

The nets are playing
the Knicks on Wednesday,

so if you're free--

mm-mmm.
Get rashad to do it.

Well, here's the thing.

According to his agent,

he specifically
asked for you.

[Sighs]

Look, you need
to catch a man,

but you not dangling
the right bait.

I look fine.

You dangle enough
for the both of us.

Ok, now look,
I know you don't want

to make that little friend
of yours jealous,

but you need
the real thing.

It's a massager
from brookstone.

Whatever you want
to call it.

Listen,
you got to go inside,

Katrina's gonna
hook your hair up,

then we gonna get you
some real clothes

so you look incredible
for your date

with kelby Dawson
tonight.

I'm meeting kelby
on business.

This isn't a date.

But it's an opportunity,

so you gotta dangle.

I'm not gonna
dangle.

All right, all right.

He's here.

No. No, I'm not.

They're dangling
enough already.

Bye.

Sidney Shaw.
How are you?

Good.
How you doing?

Good.
Kelby Dawson.

I'm sorry
I'm so late.

I'll try not
to hold it against you.

And thanks
for the drink.

How'd you know
I like perfect 10s?

I've got my sources.

Well, thanks for giving us
this interview,

especially considering
you don't do much press.

Were you surprised?

Well, yeah.

I don't know too many
professional athletes

that avoid
the spotlight.

I thought all you guys
wore diamonds in each ear,

minks, and did
the cabbage patch

in the camera
after you make a free throw.

The cabb--
that's funny.

But you're wrong
about the mink.

Hi!

Kelby: So, perfect 10, huh?
I've never tasted one.

Dre: Hey, y'all.

Talk to you later.

What's up?

Hey, dre.
How you doing?

Hi.

Dre: I didn't
even recognize you.

You look so amazing.
You look nice.

Thank you.
Thank you.

It's been a while.
How you been?

Good.
You know, I just--

you know, settling
into the new gig.

How was the honeymoon?

Oh, wow.
Oh, it was nice.

Thanks for asking.

Dre: It was good stuff.

[Clears throat]

This is kelby.

What's up?
Dre Ellis, big fan.

Except when you're
playing the Knicks.

You're over at img, right?

It was good to see you.
We gotta bust.

Aren't you gonna
introduce your friends?

Dalmatian.
Yo, check it!

[Rapping]
¶ hos and thugs ¶

¶ thugs ¶
¶ drugs and ice ¶

¶ what? ¶
¶ number 69 ¶

¶ garlic chicken
with rice ¶

¶ what?
On the bandstand ¶

¶ moo goo gai pan ¶

¶ from the best Chinese
restaurant in the land ¶

that was nice!

These cats are
ren and ten,

a new act we just signed
at millennium.

Sidney:
Well, congratulations.

Ren and ten,
the hip-hop dalmatians.

Word, y'all, we represent
that whole unity thing.

You know what I'm saying?
Black and white.

Yo, one love, brother.
All right.

Yeah, we're, uh,
celebrating the fact

that they came on
to the label.

They're clients
of Reese's.

They're
the real deal, sid.

Good to see y'all.

Reese: Come on.

Good to see you.

They're the shiznit
and they know it.

[Chuckles]

To the left, fellas.

Good-bye.

That's--that's
your ex, huh?

Dre? Uh-uh.
No, that's my boy.

We grew up together.
It's nothing like that.

Really?

Hmm...

Anyway, we're here
to talk about you.

[Sighs] So...

When'd you fall in love
with hip-hop?

[Instrumental music plays]

Ten: ¶ what? What? What? ¶

¶ hey, yo, ren ¶

¶ yo, what's up,
ten? ¶

¶ yo, yo, yo, big c told me
you was at the club ¶

¶ pushing up
on one of my hos ¶

¶ yo, yo, yo,
yolanda? ¶

¶ yeah, yolanda ¶

¶ man,
that ho is a ho! ¶

¶ man, you still
mess with that? ¶

¶ she may be a ho,
but she's my ho, you know? ¶

¶ the ho is mine ¶

¶ you gotta get
that bitch ¶

¶ the ho is mine ¶

¶ you gotta get her ¶

¶ you gotta soothe
that itch ¶

¶ I'm first in line ¶

wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait, wait.

What you doin'?

What the fuck
is that?

Yo, man!

Yo, we just trying
to put some flavor

on the track,
you know, son?

An ill kind of intro
like the breakdown

they got on
the girl is mine.

Real hip-hop, dawg.

Dalmatian style.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, Ken.

That's a good idea, guys.

A'ight.
Feel me.

That's not a good--
that's not a good idea.

That's a bad idea.

It's ridiculously wack.

Just like this whole
outfit is ridiculous!

Dre, didn't we already have
a talk about this?

Hmm?

Yeah, man.

Yeah, man, we did.

[Together]
¶ mine ¶

you go--
you go up.

¶ I ¶
¶ I ¶

[together]
¶ I ¶

[chuckling]

Whatcha doin'?

Where you going, man?
Where you going?

[Sighs]
I'm out, man.

Oh, come on now, dre.
Whatcha doin', man?

Dre.

Peace.
Where you going?

Dre.

Be out, then.

Wasting all my damn money.
All right, uh...

Go back to the top
from that first ho.

How do you work
this damn board?

Push a button
or something.

[Car horn honking]

Driver: Where to?

Uh, fort Greene.

Driver: You want me to take
the Manhattan or the Brooklyn?

I don't care, man.
Just get me there, please.

Sidney Shaw.

Cell phone: The name
cannot be recognized.

Sidney Shaw.

Cell phone: The name
cannot be recognized.

What am I doing?
What am I doing?

This is mess
with dre day, huh?

Huh?
Do I know you?

Oh, Jesus.

Remember me, man?

The world is small
as hell, ain't it?

Yeah, man.

What happened, man?

That menudo reunion deal
fell through?

You got jokes,
don't you?

What you doing
driving a cab anyway?

Your English is
too good.

Trying to stay out of trouble
is what I'm doing.

What's up with you?
What's going with millennium?

I left millennium today.

What?

Yeah.

What, so Simon owe you
some money or something?

Uh, no.
Nothing like that.

He hang you out a window
or no shit, did he?

You know what, this whole
taxicab confession thing,

we don't really got to do.

If you could
just keep driving?

Hey, not a problem.
Pardon me.

Not a problem at all.

He try to steal
your girl or something?

No, man!
I'm married.

Ain't nobody giving it
to my wife but me.

Chris: I feel you.

You want to know
why I left millennium?

Sure.
Sure, whatever.

Man...
I left millennium

'cause I was tired
of making bullshit

and calling it
hip-hop, man.

I was just tired.

I feel you.

I couldn't take it
no more.

Hey, man...

I had to bounce.

That's tight, man.
I respect that.

You respect that?

Yeah.

[Laughing]

It's like the grinch
who stole hip-hop

growing a heart.

You got a grown-up
heart now.

You gonna go
back to whoville

and give all
the hip-hop whos

their publishing back?

That's funny to you?

I'm just playin'
with you, man.

Pull the cab over.

What, you don't want
to go to Brooklyn no more?

You hurt my feelings.

No, bro, I was
just playing, man.

Don't take it
like that.

Keep the change, man.

Thank you, bro.
Hey, listen, man,

don't let that shit
get you down, man.

Stay black, man!

[Repeating]
¶ make you feel that way ¶

¶ make you feel that way ¶

¶ make you feel that way ¶

¶ make you feel that way ¶

¶ make you feel that way ¶

¶ up and early for the hope
of a brand new day ¶

¶ see a homie you ain't seen
since back in the day ¶

¶ fresh haircut fitted
wit a fat ass fade ¶

¶ end of work,
we chilling on a Saturday ¶

¶ how you felt when you
first heard the daddy Kane ¶

¶ rakim, krs,
hey I had that tape ¶

sid?

Excuse me?

Man: Yeah, can I get you
to sign this for me?

Thank you.
Thanks.

What's up, baby?

Can you
believe this?

Oh, my goodness.
They're from kelby.

You must give
good interviews.

He wants a date.

Yes, he does.

Now, see I would've
just written you

a little note that said,
"will you go out with me?"

With a "yes" box,
"no" box,

and a "maybe" box.

Yeah, you've always been
such a romantic.

You, uh...
You got a minute?

Yeah.

What's going on?

Dre: All right,
how about this one?

Ok, ok, ok.

¶ Yes, yes, y'all,
and you don't stop ¶

¶ and 1, 2, common says
the beat's a sure shot ¶

come on, dre.
It's common sense.

I used to love h.E.R.

You said his name.

It's one of the tightest cuts
of all time.

¶ I met this girl
when I was 10 years old ¶

¶ and what I loved most
she has so much soul ¶

¶ she was old school,
when I was just a shorty ¶

¶ never knew
throughout my life ¶

¶ she would
be there for me ¶

yeah, man.

See, that's why I write
and don't rap.

[Laughs]
For real.

That song
reminded me of us.

It does?

Yeah,
back in the day.

Do you remember
that feeling?

Just how hip-hop used
to make you feel?

Especially
back then.

It was so real.
It was like air.

Do you remember
how you felt

the first time
you heard

the bridge is over?

The first time?

Yup.

That was real.

Ooh, or, um...
You gots to chill.

The sophomore skate party?

Bonita applebum.
That was a tight one.

Mm-mmm.

And Paul revere.
Ooh, I used to loved that.

See, now that beat
was tight.

The Beastie Boys.

Yeah, man,
they came with it.

Mm-hmm.

You know...

I don't have
that feeling no more.

You know
what I'm saying?

I cannot remember
the last time

I had that feeling.

I can't--
I can't--

you ready to talk?
What's on your mind?

I quit today, sid.

I left millennium.

I just walked away
from it all today.

So, whatcha
gonna do now?

I'm thinking...

I'm thinking I could
start my own label.

You know? Yeah.

Um, you know,
make music

that I want to make.

Music that I think
should be out there.

You know
what I mean?

Bring on artists

and treat 'em
like partners.

Make my money
the right way.

Shoot.

Be one of the good
guys for a change.

You think I'm crazy?

I think you're the bomb.

For real?

I think
you're the bomb.

For real-real?
Yes.

Damn.
That's great, dre.

I can already see us
at the grammys,

basking in your success.

Oh, I like
how that sounds.

The grammys.

Damn, dre,
that's great.

I'm scared, sid.

So, how--
how are you going to--

you got the money?

Uh, I mean, I got
a little something--

a little
something saved.

I'm gonna have to hit up
other sources, but...

You know, I ain't gonna
really stress about that.

That's the last thing

I need to be
worrying about now.

I'm gonna start out
with one artist--

what you doing?

You just found
another source.

Sid, stop playing.
I ain't--

take it.

No, I'm not taking
that money from you.

Come on.

Look, you are
my best friend.

There's nobody
that believes in you

more than me.
So you're taking this check,

you're starting
that label

and it's gonna be hot.

[Church bell chiming]

All right, girl.

[Sighs]

Ow!

I can't believe you
sometimes.

Whoo! So what you
doing tonight?

We gonna celebrate
or what?

I can't, I have--
I have a date.

Oh, with kelby?
Yeah.

So you said
yes, huh?

What's
this cat's number

'cause I'm gonna
call him up

and cancel for you

'cause you hanging
with me tonight.

Uh-uh.
For real.

I got to go.

It's like that?

Just put the money
on the nightstand

and bounce?

Leave a brother
hanging?

Bye, dre.

No kissing
on the first date.

Bye, dre.

Sidney, narrating:
Just when you think you know

everything there is
to know about hip-hop

it finds a way
to surprise you

and remind you
why you fell in love

in the first place.

Good evening,
miss Shaw.

Welcome
to chingalle's.

How'd you know
my name?

Please, this way.

Sidney: Oh, my goodness.

Thank you.

Thank you,
jarmelle.

Perfect 10s.

Thank you.

Whoa, whoa, easy.

[Laughs]

Thank you.

I'll be right back.

Ok.

Hey, reesey-piecey.

Hi, baby.

How you doing?

How was your day?

Interesting.

Oh.

I forgot.

I took your phone again.

Oh! Yeah, I know. I kept
getting phone calls

from all
your ex-girlfriends.

Here.

Thank you, baby.

Baby...

Mmm?

Mmm...

I love you...

And, uh, ahem...

I quit my job today.

Why?

[Sighs] 'Cause,
baby, I just--

I needed to.

I had to. I--

[sighs]

I'm gonna start
my own label.

I'm gonna do
all the things

that I've
ever wanted to do.

I thought you were doing
all of that at millennium.

No, not at millennium.
I wasn't.

I mean, you know
how much I love music,

how much I love hip-hop,

how it makes me feel,
dre--

and I lost that love
at millennium.

How could you make
a change like this

without consulting me?

'Cause this is something
I had to do for me.

Plus, I know
you would've just tried

to talk me
out of it, and--

it's not fair
for you to assume that.

You don't know that.
Reese,

you mean to tell me,
had I told you,

you wouldn't have tried
to talk me out of it?

Yes, I would have tried
to talk you out of it,

but I'm supposed
to do that.

You get so excited,

and you don't
think straight,

and then you do
something like this.

You can't make
a major life decision

just because
you feel like it--

I don't need you
to be my lawyer!

Reesey, I need you
to be my wife.

And a husband is supposed
to consult his wife

when he changes the plan.

And a wife
supports her husband!

Baby, I need
your support!

Ok, fine.

I support you.

I'll call
some money people.

We'll get this
squared away.

That's all taken
care of. Uh...

Sid said she'd help
out with some

of the investing,
and--

Sidney?

Sidney knew
about this before me?

Reesey, baby, please,
you know she's my friend--

your friend. [Claps] Ok.

Damn, dre.
Reese.

Well, I see you have it
all under control.

I'm really
happy for you.

Who, whoa,
whoa, whoa.

Slow your roll.

Reesey! Reese!

No, you slow
your roll.

Reese!

Dre?

I'm fine.

Sidney: You did
all right. [Laughs]

Kelby:
Just all right. Ok.

So--so, you're used

to guys closing
down restaurants

on their busiest
nights, huh?

Commandeering
the kitchen,

serving you
like a queen.

You're used
to all that, huh?

You ballplayers.
All right.

I didn't think so.

You think you're gonna
get some Booty, don't you?

Well, yeah.

Yeah?
[Laughs]

That's the plan.

One of these days.

Come on, that's what
this is all about.

You know, the dating,

the awkward walks home.

That's what
men and women do.

You got it all figured
out, don't you?

I'm just tryin'
to be straight up.

[Sighs]

You put a man
and a woman

together
long enough, and...

Something's
gonna go down.

Well, what makes
you think you gonna be

around long enough
for something to go down?

Well, I think I got
a pretty good shot.

It's not that good.

Especially
outside 20 feet.

And you could work on
that d a little, too.

Oh, really?
Really.

Ok.

Come here.

How was that shot?

Nothin' but net.

Dre: Vichon.
Chris vichon.

V-I-c-h-o-n.

He's a driver.

No, no, it's
not a complaint.

He's a driver.

Never mind. Thank you
for your time.

[Telephone rings]

[Rings]

Hello?

Dre, whispering:
Whassup?

Who is this?
It's dre.

Dre? You do realize
the hour, right?

Well, why you
whispering?

Shh! Quiet.

How was the date?

Good.
"Good" like,

"I had a great time,
but I gotta go"

or "good" like,

"I'm gonna stay
for dessert"?

Good like,
I'll have dessert,

a walk along the promenade,

coffee,
which I'm making now.

[Gasps] Sidney!

Is he still there?

Mm-hmm.
Damn!

You must
like him a lot.

Dre, the man
cooked for me.

So? I cooked for you.

Burnt fried bologna and eggs
hardly qualifies as cooking.

I'm sayin', though,

did you actually
see him cook for you?

You actually saw me
cook for you.

Did you actually
see him cook for you?

No.
Tsk...

He's runnin' game
on you.

That nigger
ain't cook for you!

Dre, why would
he say it if he didn't?

So he could get you
to make him coffee

in the middle of the night
so he could tap that.

I'm a dude.
I know these things.

Well,

his game worked.

Ohh! Sidney!

For real?

Is y'all gonna do it?

Bye, dre.

Sidney!
Bye.

Sid!

Sidney!

Sidney!

There you go.

Thank you.

Mmm.

[Chuckles]

This is good coffee.
Mmm.

This is really good.

Yeah, I, uh--

I got it
from balducci's.

Mmm.

It's a great aroma.

Ahem.

Let's have sex now.

Let's.

Excuse me, sir.

I'm looking for a,
uh, Chris vichon.

He's in there.
Does he--

right there.
Oh, ok.

Thank you.

Watch it.

[Chris singing]

What's up, partner?

What's up, man?
What you doin' here?

Uh...

Actually, I, um...

I'm, uh, ahem--

I'm startin'
my own label,

and, uh,
somebody told me

that this real nice
mc works here.

You--you know him?

What you want, grinch?

What you want me to do,
some mother goose raps?

"There was an old ho
that lived in a shoe."

No, I ain't lookin'
for that no more, man.

I'm lookin'
for some real stuff.

I don't get you, man.

One day
you all shiny-suited up,

then the next day,

you head to the garage
lookin' for the raw shit.

Well, what you got
goin' on, man? What?

You waitin' for
some label to come

and scoop you? You--
what's your hook?

See, that's the difference
between me and you, dog.

I don't need no hook.
My skills is my hook.

You're an mc
that drives a cab.

A taxicab!

Let me tell you something.
First of all, I got a job.

I didn't come to millennium
askin' you for shit.

Hey, man, I got a job,
too, all right?

But I ain't too proud
to ask for help.

Maybe you should be
more proud.

'Cause your rep
is like this.

Come on, man,
I know you was comin'

down here
to do it, man.

You just signed the hip-hop
cartoon puppies.

You think you could
rap with me?

Spotted dalmatian,
smothers brothers dudes.

What am I supposed
to trust you for?

All right, man.

You got me.

All I know is I'm here,
man, all right?

All I can give you
is my word.

I'm tryin' to do
something real.

The way I see it,

real mc'ing,
that's the hook.

That could be our hook.

That's my vision.

All right?
No shiny suits,

no bling-bling,

no spotted furs.

This is the real deal.

On the humble?

I need you, man.

You want--
you wanna help me?

Yeah, man.

You really wanna
help me do something?

Yeah.
All right.

Hold this.

Take this.

Hook up my back seat.

All right,
I'm gonna just--

I'm gonna
place it here,

I'm gonna get you
some coffee.

How long is it
gonna take you

to clean the back seat?

Oh, you--

you want me to clean
the back seat?

I mean, if it's too gully
for you, it's all good.

No, no, no, no! No.

I mean,

yo, I'm gully.

Oh, yeah, you gully?
Yeah!

I don't want you
to mess up

your nails or nothin',
you know what I mean?

I'm gully, man.

I mean, you do
something for me,

I do something
for you, right?

That's
how it goes, man.

Right? You good?
I'm gully.

All right. You find any change
back there, it's mine, ok?

Cool. I got you.

All right, open a window so you
don't breathe that stuff in.

I'm gonna
open up a window.

Gully.

I'll talk to you.

Give me a call.
I will.

I promise.
All right.

See you.

Man: Look at you!

Good to see you.

Hey, Reese.

Sidney, hi!

Hey, how you doing?

I never see you in here.

Well...

I usually don't
have the time,

but...

Ever since dre started
this record label project,

I've had a lot
more free time.

So I guess
I actually have you

to thank for bringing me
back to class.

Me?
Yeah. You know?

For all of your support

of dre and his project.

[Whistle blows]

Instructor: All right,
everybody, listen up.

We're just about
ready to go.

I want you to find
a partner,

grab a pair
of focus mitts.

We're gonna do
some punch combos.

Alternate on my whistle.

[Whistle blows]

Oh, thanks.
I'm already working

with my man
right here.

Just you and me.

Sidney: Whoa.

Ohh! You ok, Reese?

[Laughs]

Oh, yeah, I'm fine.

I'm just...

Fine. I'm--
[Laughs]

I'm just...

Thankin' you.

Ok, Reese. [Laughs]

We're both big girls.

Let's let it out.

You have a problem with me
and my friendship with dre?

No, I don't
have a problem

with your friendship
with dre.

I have a problem...

That you're
in love with dre.

What?

It's understandable.

Dre's an incredible man.

Listen,

me and dre have been
through a lot together.

So, yes, I love him
as a friend,

like a brother,
but that's it!

[Whistle blows]

Friend,
brother, whatever.

He--he lets you in...

In a way that he hasn't
let me in yet.

And all the secrets...

I have to...

Beg for...

You already know!

So just maybe
the fact that...

You're that close...

Bothers me!

[Whistle blows]

I realize my friendship

with dre may make
things awkward...

But I am not gonna
apologize for it!

I don't want you
to apologize for it!

That's not
what I'm saying.

I knew you were
friends with dre

when we got married,

but this is not
what I expected.

This was not
part of our plan.

I never see him any--

more...

Because of this...

Record label thing!

You just said
"record label thing,"

like it's a hobby
or a distraction.

This label is more

than just
a thing to him!

Well, you know,
like I said, I guess...

You know him
better than I do.

¶ You take ¶

¶ you take ¶

¶ you take ¶

¶ you take ¶

¶ yeah, yeah, let's do it ¶

¶ I know you're ready,
right? ¶

¶ then let's do it ¶

¶ we'll do it next to it ¶

¶ put your arms and legs
next to it ¶

¶ and rock whatever else
is left to it ¶

¶ you take ¶

¶ you take ¶

¶ when you invited me ¶

¶ like this,
like a mad clean ¶

¶ like, focus, man ¶

¶ you got to give it to me ¶

¶ you need
to give it to me ¶

¶ you better give it to me ¶

¶ give me some fine, fine ¶

¶ give me brown sugar ¶

¶ leave the ground
shook up ¶

¶ got the world sweatin'
like fiends without hookup ¶

¶ come on ¶
¶ you take ¶

¶ you take ¶

¶ you take ¶

¶ when you invited me ¶

¶ you got to give it to me ¶

¶ you need
to give it to me ¶

¶ you better give it to me ¶

¶ give me some fine ¶

¶ brown sugar ¶

¶ leave the ground
shook up ¶

¶ observe the way,
how we make it sound ¶

¶ word up, like,
you got to give it to me ¶

¶ you need
to give it to me ¶

¶ you got to give to me ¶

¶ give me brown sugar ¶

¶ lick your lips to it ¶

¶ work your hips to it ¶

¶ steady rockin'
like this to it ¶

¶ you take ¶
¶ damn, baby ¶

¶ you take ¶
¶ damn, baby ¶

¶ you take ¶
¶ damn, baby ¶

¶ damn! Ooh, ahh ¶

¶ ooh, ahh, ooh, ahh ¶

¶ ooh, ahh ¶

¶ ooh, ahh, ooh, ahh ¶

¶ you take ¶
¶ damn, baby ¶

¶ you take ¶
¶ damn, baby ¶

¶ you take ¶
¶ damn, baby ¶

mmm!

[Laughs]

More wings!
More crab cakes!

All: Whoo! Yeah!

All right, y'all.

Hold up. I got
something to say.

Since this is
the last meal

uh, of the year,

I would like
to propose a toast.

Man: Hey. Yeah.

Um, I'm a little--
little bit twisted,

so--so don't
hold me responsible

for anything
I might say.

Yeah, but we won't
hold you sis-sponsible.

[All laugh]

Dre: Anyway,

this has been
a hell of a year,

as all of y'all know,

full of ups and downs.
Um...

For one, I married
this beautiful young woman

beside me--mmm--

which is cool.

But I also lost
my job at millennium.

No, no, bruh,
the job lost you.

[Laughs] That's right!

Yeah, ok, I like that.

I like that.
But because of it,

I, um--I was able
to start my own label.

All, clapping:
All right! Whoo!

That took
a lot of courage.

Thank you.

I would like
to thank all of y'all

for all
of y'all's support

during this, uh--
this time.

I would
especially...[Sighs]

Like to thank
my best friend,

who, uh, left
that 75-degree weather

to come back home.

You are the perfect verse

over a tight beat.

All: Ooh! Word up!

Dre: To hip-hop.

And to the new year!

All: Yeah! To the new year.

Hippy-hip-hip!
Yeah!

Chris: Yeah, yeah! Ok.

Let's get
to the food! Yeah!

Excuse me. Uh, since--uh,

since we're
all celebrating,

I'd like to--excuse me.
I'm sorry.

I'd like to take this
to another level.

Ok, bruh,
could we just stop

at the food level
real quick, though?

Let me just do this--

do this real quick,
and then--

and then we'll eat.
Thank you.

All right.
Can I have one--

one, uh--
one second, please?

Let me take this.

Ok. Ahem.

Man: Ohh!
Oh, my goodness!

Oh, my goodness.

Oh, shit, we ain't
never gonna eat now.

I love you so much.

Would you do me the honor

of being my wife?

I don't--I don't know
what to say.

Say yes.

Yes.

All: All right!
Aah! Yeah!

Yes.

Sidney: So,
what is the difference

between rap and hip-hop?

It's simple.

It's like the difference

between saying
you love somebody

and being in love
with somebody.

Rap is just a word.

Um, what are you doin'?

Gettin' more to drink.

You know what
I'm talkin' about.

Gettin'
into this whole...

Marriage thing.

Don't you think this is
just a little too fast?

You've only known the cat
for a couple months.

About as long
as you knew Reese

before you got married.

That's why
you doing this?

This whole
competition thing?

What, I marry Reese

and you marry
sasquatch?

Oh, so now I'm doing
this 'cause of you?

You arrogant
son of a bitch!

You really on your own sack
right now. So I guess

since I can't marry you,
I'm marrying kelby.

No, no, no, no! No,
that's not what I meant.

No. Hey--sid,
that's not what I meant.

Sid, don't--

sid!

Sidney!

You need to talk
to your friend.

[Laughs] What y'all
goin' through?

You crazy.

Ahh, here we go.

[High voice] Hey--

hey.

Hey.

What you doing?

Just gettin'
these champagne flutes.

[Chuckles] Yeah,
that's funny.

You ever wonder why they
call them champagne flutes?

[Laughs]

No, I never really
thought about it.

Oh, shoot!

Hey, don't break
the flute now.

[Laughs]

If you find out,

get back to me
and let me know.

I will. Hey, that's
a nice outfit.

You look real--
real nice.

And the food
was tight, too.

It was tasty
and nutritious.

Oh, shit. Tasty
and nutritious. Oh!

Hey.
Hey!

Hey, what's goin' on?
Congratulations, man.

It's a big move.

Good luck to you, man.

Look,
I've been meaning--

I've been meaning
to talk to you

about my album, man.

About my album,
you know?

Your album?
Yeah.

Oh...

[Drunk] It's so hard
to get respect

as an mc when
you're a ballplayer.

Right, right.

Rappers
who play sports.

Yeah. Yes.
Same thing.

But I was thinking,
you could be my mentor.

Right.

You know
what I'm sayin'?

Yeah.
Like, you could help me

with my lyrics.

You could
work it out so my--

my--my lyrics
get tight.

Tight.
Tight lyrics. Right.

Like a--
like a rap coach.

Like a--
like a rap coach!

Right.
Like, exactly!

¶ New year's Eve ¶

¶ kelby d in the venue ¶

¶ popped the ring ¶

¶ got marriage
on my menu ¶

marriage
on my menu, man!

That's tight. It's not
just basketball with you.

Yo. Yo!
Dre? Dre!

Yo, you got
a 2-way, man?

Yeah. Dre?

Anybody seen dre?

Kelby: Yo,
you got a number?

Hey, dre.

Hey,
you all right?

Yeah. Come over here
real quick.

Hey, uh,

what's up with, uh,
Sidney's homegirl?

Sidney--oh.
Francine?

Yeah, yeah.
Yeah. She's cool.

[Chuckles]
You feelin' her?

He was all nervous,
though.

It was kinda cute.

[Laughs]

Called my food delicious
and nutritious.

[Laughs] He did?

We was talkin'
a little bit,

you know
what I'm sayin'?

You slick dog!
You feelin' her, man!

So spit at her, man!
She's real cool.

No, no, no, no!

That's what I'm
sayin', you know.

I don't wanna
just, you know,

overwhelm her with
all my game, you know?

I wanna conserve
my game.

I don't wanna just blow
it all on one shot--

you ever notice how
when a guy's tryin'

to mack you,

his voice either
go real high

or real low?
Mm-hmm!

So, I was figurin',
like, you know,

you drop a bird
to Sidney--

shh! Chris.
It's cool.

If you're scared,

just tell me
you scared.

Just tell me.
We cool!

No, I'm--I'm not scared.
I'm not scared.

Listen, if you're
scared of women--

whoa, whoa!
Ooh, bro,

why you talkin'
all loud, man?

You don't know
with this party.

This is how rumors
get started.

What's wrong
with you, man?

So, you gonna
give him any play?

I don't know.
He kind of young.

First of all, I ain't
scared of women,

but I ain't like you.

Ok? I ain't
the black male model.

I don't be in the gym
at all times.

Forget it, man. Don't
even say nothin', man.

It's cool. I got you.
I got you. Let's go.

You gonna
hook me up, man?

Don't play me, man.

Kelby: Mentor!

[Laughing]

Got marriage
on my menu!

Kelby?

You know
what I think?

You should hire
a lawyer

to negotiate
your contract.

You serious?
Yeah, I mean,

why pay an agent 4%
to negotiate numbers

that are already set
by a salary base cap?

Dre, don't say anything.

Quit while we still
have a friendship.

Hey, that's what I'm
tryin' to do right now.

I'm trying to save
our friendship.

I'm worried
about you.

Worried about me?
Yeah!

You need to stop
worrying about me

and worry about
your own marriage.

So you're--
excuse me.

So you're
the attorney

I'm supposed
to hire, right?

Yeah! Very good!
[Laughs]

Dre: My marriage?

What you mean?

What's that
supposed to mean?

Nothing. Nothing.

Sidney.

What's that
supposed to mean?

Kelby: Maybe this
is not the best place--

the best time
to talk business,

but I'm sure we'll have
plenty of opportunity

since our spouses
are best friends.

Best--best friends.

They're so close.

Yeah, well,
how--how do you feel

with them being
so close?

Well, let's just
say it's very hard

to get used to.

Sidney, what did
you mean?! Sid--

can we just
drop this already?

Tell--

tell me
what you meant.

Nothing.
No!

You said...

Te--
nothing.

Just...

Tell me.

All right. Nothing.
It's nothing.

It's just I--I've
been seeing her

at the gym a lot
lately, and...[Sighs]

A lot of guys try
and run game on her,

and, I don't know,
she don't seem to mind.

Hmm.

She's a flirt.
All right?

She flirts--
she flirts a lot.

She's always
been a flirt.

And she's flirted
with me.

I'm cool with that.
She flirt.

Ok.

That's what I thought.

You're probably right.

It's when you
talk like that,

that's what
makes me think

that you're jealous.

What?!
Yes.

Jealous!

No wonder you two
are married.

You're both crazy!

Look here,

contrary to what you
and your wife may think,

I don't spend my nights
thinkin' about you, ok?!

I got a man who's fine,

intelligent, successful,
and gives it to me

on a very,
very regular basis,

and the shit
is the bomb!

So? I don't
care what--

dre, I need you
to be happy for me.

I need you to be
there for me,

just like
you asked of me.

So--so I can have tea

and eat cucumber sandwiches
with the crust cut off!

[Laughing]

[Laughs]

[Laughs]

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Ahem.

You're upset.
I'm sorry.

I'm, uh--

for real...

I'm, uh--
I'm happy for you.

I'm happy for you.
I'm happy for you,

just like you was
happy for me.

All right?

Cool?

All right,
can I get a hug?

Good friends.

You tore up
those cookies.

¶ Oo-ooh ¶

¶ ooh ¶

¶ oo-ooh ¶

¶ ooh ¶

¶ ooh--ooh ¶

¶ oo-ooh ¶

¶ ooh ¶

Sidney: Nice shot.

Hey, beautiful.

Hey.

Mmm...

What you got there?

I, uh...

Wanted us to make
the final decision

on these invites.

All right.

Well, whatever you want
is cool with me.

It's all you.

What's wrong?

I just needed
a writing break.

Oh.

I mean, writin'
these articles

here and there
is one thing, but...

This book is different.

I really want it
to be good, you know?

Yeah.

And, uh...

I don't know if I can
write at that level.

Of course you can!

Can I ask you
something?

Yeah.

What did you think of
the underground review

I wrote on Cassius
in last month's issue?

That was good.

That was really good.

Really?
Yeah.

What was good
about it?

You know, everything.
I mean, the--

yeah, the whole--
the whole thing was great.

It was really good.

You didn't read it,
did you?

What?

Oh, yeah, no. Um...

What about the one
before that?

Uh...

Well, the one you wrote
about me was great.

[Laughs]

Hey, I'm sorry.

Look--look...

I've been on the road.

You know how it goes.

Look, I promise I will
read every article

you've ever written
in your life.

Everything.

Like your essays,
your little love letters,

everything.

Ok? Every single thing.

For you.
[Buzzer]

All right, I gotta go,
Ms. Dawson.

Oh! Oh, my bad.

[Laughs]

See you.

[Music playing]

So, this is where
my money's going?

Ha ha. That's called
brain food right there.

[Cell phone rings]

Richard? Who's Richard?

[Turns off music]

Yo, Chris.

What's up?

You got your cab
with you?

Wait a minute.

Dre.

Dre.

Sidney: Oh, no.

That guy goes to our gym.

Dre, think about this, ok?
Let's just go.

[Sighs] Dre, you don't
want to do this.

Dre: What's up?
Surprise!

Reesey, what--

huh--you--

how--are you doin'?

Hey...

Hey...
Hey...

Guys, what's up?

How are you doin'?

Ha ha...

It's funny runnin'
into you here,

singing love songs
to each other.

Dre...

Shit, that was pretty.
Don't stop on my account.

Oh, dre...

Yeah. Me and sid,

we was just
in the neighborhood.

We thought--you mind
if we join you?

No, not at all.
Not at all.

Richard: Have a seat, man.

Right.
Sit down, girl.

Why you all stiff?

Reesey...

I see you got on my...

Favorite dress

with this area
all, like, "hey."

All out.

Greased up for my man.

I'm sorry. Dre Ellis.
You are?

Richard Lawson.

[Imitating him]
Richard Lawson.

All right.
You sound educated.

Good for you, girl.

I, um...

You guys, um,

friends of Reese's?

Yeah, well, actually,

the funny thing is,
she's my wife.

What?

Richard: Oh...

Look, hey, I'm sorry.
I didn't--

that's cool.
That's cool.

How could you know?

She ain't wearing
the $15,000 ring

that I bought her ass.

I'm still paying it off,
but you understand.

Actually,
I'm paying for it.

Could you not put my
business out on the street?

Will you be joining us
for dinner?

Listen, my man--

you know what?
We were just about to leave.

I'm trying to order
the most expensive

bottle of champagne,
'cause we fixin' to celebrate.

Dre.

We gonna celebrate what?
[Taps spoon on glass]

¶ My divorce ¶
how about that?

And some pork chops.

Dre, come on.

'Cause I'm kind of hungry.
All right?

You're making a scene.

Good. I want to make a scene.
You know what I'm sayin'?

Bye-bye, Richard Lawson.

Sidney:
This is so embarrassing.

I can't believe
you got me to do that.

Hey, stop complaining.

You forget it was me
who helped you

let all the air out of
Shawn's tires

when he asked Angie
to the homecoming dance

instead of you.

Key word: Home...Coming.

High school. We're almost
30 years old, dre.

[Sighs]

Oh, time is a bitch.

I swear, I still feel like
we're just those 2 kids

pop-locking
at the block parties.

You remember my first
little beat machine?

Boy, you thought
you were d-nice.

The tr-808.

Bust this.

[Clears throat]

"Simplicity provides

"a fine line
between eloquence

and plainness."

That's a dope line.

And I know ll didn't think
he was that deep.

That was my first
published article.

I can't wait
for your book to come out.

And when you left,

I went out,

got the L.A. times,
every Wednesday,

for your column.

I'd go to the park
and read it.

I don't know, it just...

Made me feel closer to you.

Uh...

You want anything?

Coffee?

Vodka?
Uh, no.

I wanted them pork chops.

I told you we should have
stayed for dinner.

How can you...
Joke about this?

'Cause I would be
flipping out.

Ha ha!

Sid, I do not know.

I guess I'll break down
later.

You know what, though?
I--I--

I'm glad I know now.

I guess I always knew
deep down inside

that we weren't
meant to be together.

Yeah?

Mm.

And when did you
figure that out?

The night before the wedding.

Something happened

between me leaving the house...

And, uh...

Getting to the wedding.

But, you know,
I shook it off,

'cause, damn,
I had a beautiful woman

that loved me to death.

So, you know,
I took all those feelings

and...Locked them away,

'cause not everybody
can marry their one true love.

It was a pretty difficult
situation.

Do you, uh...

You know anybody
like that?

No, I don't.

No?

But...

I do know somebody

that was friends
with this guy

a long time, and...

She thought maybe
it was more than just...

Friends, but...

Something happened
to her, coincidentally,

before your wedding.

Oh, yeah?

And...She realized
it was nothing more

than just friends.

Nothing?

Nothing.

Just friends?

Just friends.

Sidney: I can't believe
what just happened.

Dre: I know.

I don't know
what to say.

I mean, usually I'm like
the energizer bunny.

You know.

I keep goin' and goin'--

I was talking
about us...

Doing it.

This was bad.

We made a huge mistake.

Honey, I said I was sorry.

I mean, next time I won't
be so caught off-guard.

I'll use a little ginseng.

There isn't gonna be
a next time. Don't you get it?

This was bad.
Real, real bad.

It couldn't have been
that bad.

Dre, I'm not talking
about that.

I'm getting married.
You're still married.

And we--we just got busy.

Where are my shoes?

They're downstairs.

Wait. Where you goin'?

This is your spot.

I need to get myself
together.

I have to meet kelby
after the game.

Wait. You're not gonna
tell him, are you?

What are you gonna
tell him?

Are you gonna tell him?

I don't know.
I--I--I--

no, I'm not.
I'm not. I'm--

he doesn't know
what happened

and I want to
keep it that way.

Well,
you're not gonna...

Are you still
gonna marry this cat

after what
we just had?

Dre...

What just happened
was the most...

Amazing...

Most fulfilling...

Most exhilarating...

5 minutes I've ever had
in my life.

7.
10 minutes.

9?
Ok, 8, whatever.

The point is,

what do we do now?

We can't just go back
to the way things were.

Wait, wait.

What are you saying?

I need space.

Us staying so close, spending
so much time together,

just confuses things
for me right now.

And besides,
we wouldn't even be here

if it wasn't for you
catching Reese.

Why are you talking
like that?

Why does it have to be
all or nothing?

Because we both know

it's the right thing to do.

[Music playing]

[Overlapping conversations]

[Sighs]

Hey.

[Overlapping conversations]

I know you've done this
mad times.

I know you know
what you're doing.

But, you know,
when you go in there,

just, you know,
be firm with them,

you know what I'm sayin'?

Yeah.

Don't punk out
like you did with Sidney.

Just...
You stand your ground.

I never punk out
with Sidney.

You did.

All I did
was respect her wishes.

Sound like some punk logic
right there.

How you figure?
What about Francine?

You were feeling her,
right?

Yeah.

You ain't doin' nothin'
about it.

I'm not...
The Humphrey bogart in this.

I'm the Peter lorre.
I'm the sidekick character.

You the Humphrey bogart.

You had your opening.
You know what I'm saying?

She wanted you to stop her
from marrying the old dude,

but you let it ride,
you know?

Same thing bogey did, man.
You're the same dude.

Man, don't be dissin'
Humphrey bogart, man.

Why not?

'Cause he's Humphrey bogart.
He's the man.

Yo, he was fightin'
a war.

That's what they did
back then.

You know what he needed
to do back then?

He needed to stop
fine-ass Ingrid bergman

from gettin' on the plane
with the corny dude.

And then,

he gonna walk off
in the fog

with some other dude.

Come on, man.

With another dude,
in the fog?

Come on. 2 grown men
walk off in a fog,

you don't know
where they goin'?

Think about it, man.

You smoke too much
grass, man.

I hope you don't think

you walkin' off noplace
with me, man.

Matter of fact,
let me sit over here.

Don't fight it.

I'm not here with him.

I came by myself.
I'm a solo artist.

[Clears throat]
I'm doin' my own thing.

Security.

Dj: A'ight, we got
a new joint for y'all.

I want you
to check this out.

New millennium recording
artists ren and ten.

Ten, rapping:
¶ hey, yo, ren ¶

ren: ¶ yo,
what's up, ten? ¶

¶ big c told me
you was at the club ¶

¶ pushin' up on
one of my hos ¶

¶ yo, yo, yo,
yolanda? ¶

¶ yeah, yolanda ¶

¶ man, that ho
is a ho ¶

¶ you still mess
with that? ¶

¶ she may be a ho,
but she's my ho, you know? ¶

[singing]
¶ the ho is mine ¶

¶ you gotta get
that bitch ¶

¶ that ho is mine... ¶

Trish will see you now.

¶ I was first in line... ¶

wow.

Wow.

Ten and ren:
¶ mine ¶

wow.

Trish: But not before.

Come on, now.

Thank you for your time,
Trish.

I'm from brown sugar
records.

As you know, I'm dre--

put it in.

We'll know on the 17th.

Uh-huh.

Thursday.

Not at 36, uh-uh.

Yeah.

Uh-huh.

Thursday.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah. The 3:00 spot.

[Dre's cd plays]

Yeah, hold that thought.
Can you leave me

a couple more of those?
And thanks for coming by.

Go ahead.

[Cd playing]

Ok. Thank you
for coming by.

¶ I can fix it up
right quick... ¶

Trish: How many?

[Laughing]

¶ Listen, y'all... ¶

I don't think so.

Hey.

What the hell is this?

I said to give me space and
then you pull this stuff?

What--

what are you talkin' about?

Guess what demo I heard

for our unsigned underground
review today.

Are you serious?

Dre, don't act like
you didn't plan this.

You know the editor
does the unsigned reviews.

Why would I need to plan?

I could have just
given it to you at any time.

I was hoping it got
the xxl

'cause the shit's tight,
not 'cause I know you.

Well, I'm not doing the review.
I gave it to Gabe.

Why'd you give it
to Gabe?

I gave you money
to help start the label.

Doesn't the conflict
of interest seem obvious?

[Groans]

All right.
Well, what did Gabe say?

It wasn't a bad review.

He dissed us.

He didn't diss it.
He just wasn't feelin' it.

Sid, you gotta step in.
You gotta do your thing.

You're editor. I mean,
you heard the cd.

I can't do that, dre.
I can't step on his review.

You're the main person

that's talkin' about
hip-hop losin' its way,

how we gotta get back
to its roots.

What's wrong with
getting in touch with why

we both fell in love with
hip-hop in the first place?

'Cause it's about
forward movement.

Innovate and move on.

One minute you talkin' about
you want things to change,

and the next minute
you talking about

you want things
to stay the same.

I do want things
to change.

I just don't like
how things have changed.

And--and I didn't know
this is how it would turn out.

And that's why we need
to look back, ok?

'Cause if we look back,

it will make us
see things--

the mistakes we've made,

things that we never knew
were there before.

And if we just can stop...

Then maybe
we can find that thing...

That we both know
is missing...

And build on that.

Are we...

Are we still talking
about hip-hop?

That's all
we've ever talked about.

It's all we've ever known...

From when we were 10.

Sid, just do me a favor.

Before you do something
you might regret, just...

Just listen again.

Just listen again.

And just follow
your heart.

And whatever you decide...

Whatever you decide
is cool.

Whatever you decide
is cool.

Dre...

Dre.

I've made my decision.

You ain't gonna
change your mind?

What about your heart, sid?

Sid?

Hey.

Can I get you something, sir?

Reese: Yes.

Macallan 25, neat.

Hey.

Hey.

You smell nice.

Uh...

You gonna have to treat me,

'cause I can't afford
that shit no more.

Here.

Please. You couldn't
afford it then, remember?

I had to keep playing
if I was gonna get your number.

Damn. I lost nearly
$200 that night.

Yeah, yeah.

Dre...

[Sighs]

So, what--
why'd you, uh...

Why'd you call me
here tonight?

So we could have a drink,
laugh on our good times,

and, uh, act like
none of this ever happened?

Yes and no.

I went to
a divorce lawyer today.

And...

He asked me
one simple question.

Have we tried
to make it work?

Are you serious?

Dre, let me finish.

We never tried.

We just assumed
it was over,

like we were in
high school or something.

But we're not.
We're married.

We took those vows, dre.

You broke those vows.

Come on.

I know that you and Sidney
have something very special

that you share.

I also know there's a reason
you made me your wife.

And I...

And I'm hoping that
whatever that reason is,

it's enough to make you want
to keep me as your wife.

Oh, reesey.

I do.

I love you.

But I think we both know
that this can't work.

I don't know
if we have enough of...

What it takes to...

To make this last.

I don't know
if we ever had enough.

We can't stay married.

[Footsteps]

Another round?

Damn. Well...

At least...

Stay a while and have
a few drinks and...

Have a few laughs.

I hope you realize
this means

that I have to take half
of everything you have.

Let me make it easy on you.

Here's my little $58.25 now.

Kelby...

Sorry I'm late.
I'm sorry.

Well,
we missed the show.

I'm sorry.
I just got caught

in the middle
of this tug-of-war

between dre's label
and xxl and...

[Sighs]

I don't know what to do.

I feel so helpless.

Kelby, we can see the show
on Saturday.

Yep.

Will you wait up
a second?

How long are you two
gonna play this game?

What are you
talking about?

What am I talking about?

You don't want
to get married.

I love you.

But not the way
you love him.

I'm sorry.

I don't know why
your heart doesn't do

what your mind tells it.

You don't know.

I'm sorry.

¶ Lying here ¶

¶ how bad I feel ¶

¶ the clock tick ¶

¶ and I think of you... ¶

Sidney: I always thought,

one day I would outgrow

my relationship with hip-hop.

¶ Confusion ¶

¶ is nothing new ¶

Sidney: I never thought
it was a fad, like many.

¶ Flash back ¶

¶ all night ¶

but I never thought
it could grow and mature.

¶ Almost left behind ¶

¶ suitcase ¶

¶ of memories ¶

¶ time after sometimes ¶

¶ you picture me ¶

¶ I'm walking ¶

¶ too far ahead ¶

¶ you're calling to me... ¶

Sidney: I thought it would be
an adolescent memory

I'd look back on,

like a crush on the captain
of the football team.

But I realize
we have more than that.

Much more.

We have a history...

A friendship.

We listen to each other.

We laugh together.

We finish
each other's lyrics.

I don't have to pretend
with hip-hop,

and hip-hop doesn't
have to pretend with me.

¶ You will find me ¶

¶ time after time ¶

Sidney: My feelings
have never been more clear,

and I know
they will never go away.

¶ I'll be waiting ¶

to hip-hop.

¶ Time after time ¶

¶ mmm mmm... ¶

wait. Didn't I
already see you?

Mm, yeah.

So what are you doing
back here?

I know that y'all
put a new song in rotation

every week.

So I figure

I'm gonna show up
every week

till you take
a serious listen to this cd.

Then I'm gonna come back

every week

until you put
this here cd into rotation.

Every week.

She say no.

You playin'.

Uh-uh. No, man.

You're not playin'?

I'm not playin', man.

You for real?

For real, man.

Come here, boy!

Yeah!

Yeah, man.

It's you, man.
Whoo!

Whoo-hoo-hoo!

We did it, man.

You are the man!

¶ I worship at the temple
of hip-hop ¶

¶ attended service,
Eric gave a sermon ¶

¶ but the minister
became intensely nervous ¶

¶ when the killa priest
went buck wild ¶

¶ and made the reverend run ¶

¶ I reached in... ¶

she said the Angie
show, right?

They still come on
at the same time, right?

Yes, man.

Still thinking about
Sidney, huh?

Yeah, man.

I told you
you was a punk.

Who you callin' punk?

I know
you be trippin'.

Get your black ass--

now, let me tell you--

you better switch
to that old crack,

'cause the new crack
is killing you.

Don't--

yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, what?

They call me night train

'cause I'll put
a nigga to sleep.

Angie, on radio:
We are happy to have you here,

sid Shaw, editor of
xxl magazine.

What's been going on?

Oh, it's been mad crazy,
working on the magazine,

and, uh...

I just finished my book.

Yay. Good.

It's about hip-hop?

It's my love letter
to hip-hop.

Sweet. What, uh,
what's the name of it?

It's called
I used to love him.

All right.
Like the common joint?

Mm-hmm. That's it.

The classic common joint,

which, actually,
we should play right now,

since we're talkin'
about that.

It's a perfect
opportunity to do that.

Let's do this. It's my
joint right here, too.

I love it.

Um, you want to
dedicate it to anybody?

Yeah. Um...

I would, uh,
like to dedicate this song,

like I dedicated my book,

to hip-hop.

I used to love you.

I still do.

And always will.

You better go get her,
Humphrey.

Common: ¶ what I love most,
she has so much soul ¶

¶ she was old school
when I was just a shorty ¶

¶ never knew throughout my life
she would be there for me ¶

it's hot 97,
blazin' hip-hop and R&B.

Angie mart, sid Shaw
in the place, xxl.

And, uh, we should
get back to the phones.

Ok.
Ok.

Let some people
holler at you.

Let's go to 5.
Where you from?

Dre: Uh, the boogie down--
South Bronx--

and I'm here to set
the record straight.

So, um, I got a question
for--for Sidney Shaw.

Ok.

Uh, Sidney Shaw,

when did you fall in love
with hip-hop?

When I heard kangol crew
and get fresh crew.

Well, I don't think you
understood the question,

so I'm gonna ask you again.

Sid...

When did you fall in love...

With hip-hop?

[Knock on glass]

[Mouthing]
Talk to him.

Dre...

I've been in love
with you

from the first day
I saw you.

[Sighs, whispers]
Thank you.

All right, I got a--
I got a follow-up question.

Uh, why'd it take you
so long to say that?

'Cause I was scared.

And hardheaded.

[Whispers]
And stupid.

[Chuckles]

Real hardheaded.

So, I'm listening
to hot 97

'cause I hear--hey--

no.
Shh!

I hear that they
about to play

cavi's first single.
So I'm like "yo."

This is a big--
down here?

A big day for
brown sugar records.

Big things is
going down, sid.

Just like you said
it would.

And I couldn't be
more unhappy

because for the first time

since...
I can remember...

I didn't have you
to share my life with.

Sidney...

I have loved you

from the first time
I laid eyes on you.

And I love you
still.

You're my air.

So, I don't want to be
your friend no more.

There we go.

They need
to get a room.

They probably will.

I found out
some more stuff

about those, uh,
those champagne flutes.

They call 'em
champagne flutes

because, you know,

they're all long
and narrow

like, you know, like
woodwind instruments,

like, uh, you know,
like a--

flute.
Right.

That's right--
the whole flute thing

is in there,
and, uh--

and the queen of France
Marie antoinette--

I don't know
if you know her--

but, um, you know,
she didn't like

the regular common
glasses,

so she had them
make, uh, glasses

that looked like
her, uh--uh--eh,

you know, like her
upper body. Right.

Yeah. They was
real popular,

like, in the
thirties and--

Chris...
Hmm?

You wanna
go out with me?

Uh--uh...

Angie mart making big
love connections up here.

I'm--yeah--

let's just go out.

That--that's great.

I'm a goer,
I'm a goer.

This is brand new.

A worldwide
exclusive debut.

This is cavi.

Joint is called
brown sugar.

I need you
to feel this.

Cavi: ¶ yeah, y'all,
yeah, yeah, y'all ¶

¶ yeah, yeah, y'all ¶

¶ just my mic side
attention up right here ¶

¶ show 'em how Brooklyn do it,
ya know what I mean? ¶

¶ now, listen, yo,
let's start it up, start it up ¶

¶ let's get it flowin' ¶

¶ let's make a move,
let's get it goin' ¶

¶ world was spinnin' like
everything you want, don't it? ¶

¶ and you've been waitin'
your whole life for one moment ¶

¶ well, baby, here it is,
you better step to it ¶

¶ I know you ready, right?
Then, baby, let's do it ¶

¶ move your neck to it ¶

¶ put your arms and legs
next to it ¶

¶ then put whatever else
is left to it ¶

¶ see, you all there,
now you about to rock 'em ¶

¶ got your focus, man,
now they got a problem ¶

¶ who you talkin' to?
Son right there ¶

¶ the man in the mirror,
I see him quite clear ¶

¶ do your thing, cav,
work it out, dog ¶

¶ open up they minds,
be about yours ¶

¶ silence everyone who ever
tried to doubt yours ¶

¶ get your mind right,
keep your sound raw ¶

¶ heavy bass, man,
make it bounce more ¶

¶ make 'em feel it from the
ceiling to the ground floor ¶

¶ how I sound, y'all,
I know it's crazy right ¶

¶ I know it's crazy tight,
don't ever take me light ¶

¶ it's cav-love, y'all,
and that's what's up, y'all ¶

¶ I'll be damned, I know
exactly what you want, y'all ¶

¶ I make it jump, y'all,
so put 'em up, y'all ¶

¶ brown sugar, Brooklyn,
is 'bout to jump off ¶

¶ you've got to give it to me ¶

¶ you need to give it to me ¶

¶ you better give it to me,
give it, ha ha, to me ¶

¶ brown sugar leave
the ground shook up ¶

¶ got the world sweatin'
like fiends without hookup ¶

¶ you know you want to
give it to me ¶

¶ you better give it to me ¶

¶ you gotta give it to me ¶

¶ brown sugar ¶

¶ ha, lick your lips to it,
work your hips to it ¶

¶ a-steady rockin'
like this tight ¶

¶ one, 2, 3, and to the 4 ¶

¶ the brother cavi-cav
is here to let 'em know ¶

¶ this for my hustlers,
this for my scramblers ¶

¶ this for my sexy mamas,
this for everybody ¶

¶ bang it at any party
and watch 'em rock to it ¶

¶ bounce some pop to it,
this here is hot music ¶

¶ Duke, I'm not losing,
you need to stop foolin' ¶

¶ I know the game very well,
boy, I'm not stupid ¶

¶ sharp and smart movement ¶

¶ applyin' the heart to it ¶

¶ came here to get
the ghetto blocks movin' ¶

¶ and after rockin' in the
porches and backyards movin' ¶

¶ keep it crackin' 'cause I love
the way that y'all do it ¶

¶ you got to give it to me ¶

¶ you need to give it to me ¶

¶ you better give it to me,
give it ¶

¶ ha, brown sugar ¶

¶ leave the ground
shook up ¶

¶ observe the way how we
make it sound good up like ¶

¶ you got to give it to me,
you need to give it to me ¶

¶ you got to give it to me ¶

¶ brown sugar ¶

¶ lick your lips to it,
work your hips to it ¶

¶ steady rockin'
like this to it ¶

¶ damn, baby,
damn, baby ¶

¶ damn, baby,
damn, baby ¶

¶ ooh, aah,
ooh-aah ooh-aah ¶

¶ ooh, aah,
ooh-aah ooh-aah ¶

¶ damn, baby,
damn, baby ¶

¶ damn, baby,
damn, baby ¶

¶ damn, baby ¶

¶ ha, ha-ha ¶

¶ ooh, aah,
ooh-aah ooh-aah ¶

¶ ooh-aah ooh-aah
ooh-aah ooh-aah... ¶

¶ when you invited me ¶

¶ yeah, yeah ¶

¶ I felt it, I felt it ¶

¶ I felt it like a... ¶

[turntable scratching]

¶ Love of my life ¶

¶ you are my friend ¶

¶ love of my life ¶

¶ do what I can
to feel you again ¶

¶ love of my life ¶

¶ I have you, baby ¶

¶ feels like a simple
true love, yeah ¶

¶ y'all know how I met her ¶

¶ we broke up
and got back together ¶

¶ took you to back,
I had to sweat her ¶

¶ I used to roll with
back boys forever in many ways ¶

¶ and boys made better
to grow, I had to let her ¶

¶ she eat the cheddar
and I understood that ¶

¶ lookin' for cheese, that
don't make her a hood rat ¶

¶ in fact,
she's a queen to me ¶

¶ her light beams on me ¶

¶ I love it when
she sings to me ¶

¶ it's like that ¶

¶ who knew you'd
rock my world, and ¶

¶ you be boyin',
I be girlin' ¶

¶ oooh, yeah, hey ¶

[women singing at once]

¶ And it don't stop,
and it won't quit ¶

¶ 'cause it can't wait ¶

¶ and it don't stop,
'cause it won't quit ¶

¶ and it can't wait ¶