Empire (2015–…): Season 2, Episode 8 - My Bad Parts - full transcript

Previously on Empire...
COOKIE: Jermel!

HAKEEM: Thank you for
being there when I needed you.

LUCIOUS:
I got three sons,

and I identify more with
you than any one of them.

COOKIE: Jamal wants
my feedback on a song.

LAZ: Your ex would have
a problem with that?

A problem with my ex.

A problem with my other son.

We're supposed to be
in competition.

HAKEEM: I know about you
and pretty boy.

I know what I'm doing.
Well, I don't trust him.



Please don't
say that to me.

It's just all taking
a little longer than expected.

Swiftstream-- it's ripe
and ready for a merger.

I'm not selling.
Well, I'm not buying.

I'm looking for a partner.

MIMI:
Jago Locke.

He wants to be
in business with you.

It's done.

♪ Had hit records
on my demo... ♪

Lucious, this is
going too far.

There's got to be a less
painful way to reach your son.

Just think about it.

♪ And anything I got
is not a rental... ♪

LUCIOUS: Hey, now y'all know
the old saying...



(crowd cheering)

...a hard head makes a soft ass.

Well, sometimes the only way
to get somebody's attention

is to hit them in the head
with a sledgehammer.

Now, I'm not an Internet dude,

but I respect
you vloggers and bloggers

and you whatevers
for the fact that

you're able to reach the
world instantaneously.

Well, I got a message I
want to send to Hakeem.

It's uncut, it's raw.

It's Freda Gatz
with shots fired!

(crowd cheering)

(machine gun sound effect)

FREDA:
Uh.

(crowd cheering)

Hey, Lucious, I heard
there was shots fired, huh?

(whoops)

They want war?
(siren blaring over speakers)

I thought blood
was thicker than water.

(music begins)

But a lie
don't care who tell it.

♪ Started from the bottom
wit' a eight ball ♪

♪ Always talkin' money,
boy, I hate y'all ♪

♪ I was in the hood
tryin' to make that thing flip ♪

♪ Posted on the mound,
got me watchin' for the pitch ♪

♪ You don't wanna be the man,
guess I'll be it for ya ♪

♪ I got you goin' nuts,
I see the paranoia ♪

♪ Daddy's little son
actin' like a daughter ♪

♪ Now go and get it, get it,
just like daddy taught ya ♪

♪ The king of the jungle's
a lion ♪

♪ But you ain't no king,
boy, you lyin' ♪

♪ You cry to your mother ♪

♪ 'Cause you ain't as good
as your brother ♪

♪ I come from the gutter ♪

♪ In my hood, you a sucka ♪

♪ I'm knowing you softer than
butter, let's keep it 100 ♪

♪ If you look around, boy,
I'm the son ♪

♪ That your dad always wanted ♪

♪ Look at
daddy's little girl, girl ♪

♪ There she go ♪
Come on now, son.

♪ You just daddy's little girl ♪
Hakeem is gonna flip out.

♪ Hey, baby. ♪

Hakeem, don't be weirded out
if it's awkward this first time.

First time?

As in virgin?

As in you following me around
like a little puppy after this?

I knew I shouldn't have told you.
Hey.

Look, what we got is
something special,

and I don't want
to mess that up.

I just want to make sure
I treat it right.

Look, I got you something.

I designed
it myself.

Every single
detail perfect.

It's for my princess.

It's beautiful.

You know, we could
take our time.

We ain't got to rush.

♪ ♪

(phone chirps)

Freda Gatz
going in on me?

Hold on, baby.

♪ Gon' make me have the goons
come get that ♪

♪ Leave your little ass
kidnapped ♪

♪ My bad, you already did that ♪

♪ In my hood, you a sucka,
I'm knowing you softer ♪

♪ Than butter,
let's keep it 100 ♪

♪ If you look around, boy ♪

♪ I'm the son
that your dad always wanted ♪

♪ Look at
daddy's little girl, girl ♪

♪ There she go ♪

♪ You just
daddy's little girl, girl ♪

♪ Hey, baby ♪
♪ Look at... ♪

♪ ♪

Dad. It's so sick.

Crazy.

Y'all, it's so...
it's-it's incredible.

That's because
it comes from

a passionate
commitment, Jamal.

Music is a part
of Pepsi's DNA.

We have a long history

of getting behind
emerging artists

and partnering
with iconic stars.

Wait a minute,
if y'all are so hyped on my son,

why are y'all
out to other artists?

Jamal has a real shot at
becoming the new face of Pepsi.

We're really only out
to ten other artists.

Oh, my God,
that's a damn cattle call.

Dad, stop. Chill out.

Seriously, like,
I-I get it.

It's fine. I would be honored
to submit a song

for your consideration.
Great.

Well, I'll work with you
to make sure it's right.

No interference, of course.

Just support.

And if
your song's chosen...

Dad, if the song
is chosen...

You hear this?
(laughs)

But that's just
the energy we want.

But the window's tight.

You have to submit your
song within the week.

Okay.

LUCIOUS: He will make
the deadline, trust me.

In fact,
I'll go in the studio with him

and help make this

powerful, incredible,
dope-ass song.

Okay, we look
forward to it.

We're really excited
about you for this, Jamal.

The key to getting
this campaign is the song.

Make it great.

MIMI: Wall Street's
going to go negative

on Empire if we don't
close this streaming deal.

I don't give a damn, man.

Wall Street
can kiss my black ass.

And you can kiss my white one.

I have 250 million on the line.

Mimi, Jago Locke jacked up
the price after we already

agreed to terms.

Now, Empire would have to
liquidate assets.

No. Let Jago liquidate
his own damn assets.

Or better yet, why don't
we liquidate his brain stem?

And have the feds raid again?

Why can't you
go for the win?

I don't know
who you think you talking to,

but watch your tone with me.
Pop.

I can't deal with my life
until you get this done.

So you come with something
better, or let's close this.

(door closes)

That is a dangerous way to come
at our biggest investor, Pop.

This is business,
it is not a rap battle.

Oh, it's all the same to me,

as long as I win
in the end of it.

That's why you want
to humiliate Hakeem?

So you can win
in the end?

That's why you want to control
all of us? Not to teach us?

Not to make us
better men?

But just so you can
win in the end?

Well, I think history has shown

you're a much better man
under my control.

As a matter of fact,
why don't you

get Thirsty on the line
and tell him to dig up some dirt

on Jago Locke so I can have him
under my control as well.

How about that?

♪ ♪

♪ I get up with my mind ♪

♪ Stay on the grind ♪

♪ Everything will be mine ♪

♪ Including you... ♪

You better sing!

(laughs):
♪ Eyes on the prize ♪

♪ Gonna make you realize ♪

♪ My goal is the sky ♪

♪ It's what I do. ♪

Yes, yes!

Your keys are shining, baby.

I think it's perfect, Mom.
I love working with you.

Yeah, I know you do,

'cause you can feel
when it's real. (chuckles)

It's only a matter of time

before you come on
back home with us.

Mom, Dad would kill us
if he knew that we were

working together; he'd probably
shut the whole thing down.

You know what kind of magic
we make together.

Why would you want to hide that?

Because this deal is everything.

Like, literally, this is it.

I can't have Dad get mad
and messing the whole thing up,

which you know he would.

Jamal, you have leverage.

Tell him the truth.

Hell, let me tell his ass
the truth.

I know y'all wondering about

this Freda Gatz chick
coming at me.

What, y'all don't think
I'm my own man?

Y'all think that
my father's little pet

can take my last name?

No, I ain't
going down like that.

I'm here to tell all you frauds
and you haters

and Lucious Lyon, too,

I'm-a battle Freda Gatz
for my last name.

And I'm-a show the whole world
who the real Lyon is.

Yeah, boy!
Ah! Yes.

(whoops)
Show 'em, baby!

I ain't playing. I ain't
playing with that chick.

That's it, brother.

Murder, murder!
I'm not playing.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(line rings, beeps)

Hey, Hakeem, it's me.

I was just calling
because, um...

I just wanted to talk to you
about something.

So just when you have a moment,
give me a call back.

Okay, bye.

(sighs)

LAZ: Every single blogger
is talking about it.

Hakeem versus Freda Gatz.

I mean, it's trending
right now. Look.

Ma, where you been?

Boy, how in the hell

could you let Lucious
sucker you into a rap battle?

That's what ol' boy told you,

that Lucious suckered me
into a rap battle?

Look, Keem, I'm not trying
to start any problems.

Hey, brah, I'm not sure

that you should be
calling me "Keem," dawg.

You already got my mom
turnt up, so you clearly

starting problems right now.
Hey!

We are trying
to get this cookout going,

and you go and
announce to the world

that you are
battling Freda Gatz.

Now, do you understand
if she wrecks you,

we lose all cred
before we even had any?

That's what he told you?
She gonna wreck me?

Freda Gatz is a animal.

Now, I'm not
taking anything

away from your talent, baby,
but that is not what you do.

Look...

Laz, I swear to God, man,
say something else, dawg.

Look, don't start getting
emotional, boy, because

I swear, right...
Mom, stop!

You emotional, not me.
I'm on point, like always.

I'm not just popping
on social media.

I'm number four
in the top ten slots.

Because of me, every move Empire
makes promotes Lyon Dynasty.

So, really, I suckered them.

That's if you win.

And thirdly, I don't even
know why you talking.

Is he a partner?

No, you a punk-ass promoter,
so go hand out some flyers

and put them on them walls
over there,

and get up out of here, man.

It's okay, babe.

Ain't no flyers under here?

COOKIE:
It's all good.

Yeah, it's time to go, man.

See you later.

Okay.

All right.

(chuckles):
Hakeem.

You got heart. Don't do this, man.
COOKIE: Hakeem, back off.

Hakeem, back off.

Hey! Hey! Look!

Don't you touch my son!

Okay? Don't ever touch my son!

You get that?

Look, if you lose,

we become Empire's bitch.

And for a start-up
company like us--

look at me--

that's the end,
you understand?

But, Mom, she's trying
to take my name.

You think I'm gonna
allow that to happen?

If I lose, I lose more
than Lyon Dynasty.

I'm-a make that bitch
my bitch.

You better.

Jamal, I need to know
where we stand, baby.

I mean, Hakeem is
fighting for his life,

I'm fighting for you.

What's up with us, boo?

I know, Mom.

(door buzzer sounds)

Mom...
What?

Mom, it's Lucious.
It's Dad.

Mom, go, go, go.
The closet, up there, please!

(elevator bell dings)

Got it.

Yo, what's up, Dad?

Got the song, man.

I was... I was
going crazy all night.

I-I was working
with Thirsty,

trying to deal with
this Stream thing,

and it hit me
out of nowhere.

It hit me,
and it's so beautiful.

I got the song.
Been in the studio all night.

Song for Pepsi?

Yes, the Pepsi song.

All right,
well, let's hear.

I-I got something,
too, though.

LUCIOUS:
No. No, no, no.

The moment you hear this,
it's a rap. It's a rap.

It's a rap. It's a rap.
Bing, bing, bing.

Go. Go for it.

(upbeat electronic music
playing)

See what I'm saying?

It's kind of crazy, right?

It's like this mad generation.

Yeah.

(chuckles)

Kind of tribal, right?

Yeah.

It's world.
(chuckles)

See what I'm saying? That's the song.
Yeah.

You don't think it's
too edgy for Pepsi?

No, no, no, no.
This is the song!

This is the song.
Oh, yeah.

We can tone down the
edges if we need to.

I got the studio
booked. Come on.

Let's go. Come on.

Well, I don't know if we should
do it now, because...

Yo, why is your mama's jacket here?
Oh, that's her jacket?

She always leaving stuff
over here. Come on.

And record this dang song.

Acting like a damn fool.

(elevator bell dings)

Anika?

Oh, my God. (chuckles)

Hi, Rhonda.
Hi.

I was just here
getting my favorite smoothie,

the Soul Cleanser.

Are you okay?

You know what?
I feel like my soul

could use some
cleansing, too.

Want me to come?

Okay.

ANIKA: By the way, you look
amazing. You're barely showing.

Well, for a long time,

we didn't want to have
kids, for many reasons,

but when this
happened...

I don't know.

It's honestly the
happiest I've ever been.

Really?

Yeah.

And then there's
this added bonus,

because, turns out, babies are
like kryptonite for Lucious.

Wait, what?
(chuckles)

Well, do you remember
how he was around Lola?

He just completely
melted around her.

Oh, yeah, he did.

It's just
totally bizarre,

because after being completely
iced by him for years,

this pregnancy has
changed everything.

I mean, he'll drop by
my house just to chat.

Really?

Isn't that crazy?

Wow.

(computer rings)
Hey, Mom?

Ma?

Where are we
with your song, Jamal?

I kind of think
I should do some tweaking

to the song myself, you know?

So you working with Jamal?

That's why I can't
get you to help me

with the biggest battle
of my life?

The battle for Dynasty?

It's not what you think, Hakeem.

How come nothing I do
is good enough for you?

What makes you love Jamal
more than me?

Boy, come over here
and sit down.

Look, I'm sorry
I hurt you, okay?

But this deal
is the biggest thing

to ever happen to Jamal.

And if I can
make it happen,

then maybe I can get Jamal
back here with us.

Well, him?

What about me? Us?

You keep working with Jamal,
I'm gonna tell Lucious.

You know what you sound like?

A snitch bitch.

What?
Yeah.

And what, you gonna
snitch to Lucious?

The man who's trying
to take your name?

Really?
I...

Yeah, I thought
your little punk ass

toughened up, but I
guess I was wrong.

All right, I'll hold this one.

But you better get on point, or
I'm gonna air you and Jamal out.

(chuckles)

Okay, you the boss.

Now get your ass in there

so we can get you
ready for this battle.

I'll meet you
in the studio.

Okay.

(sighs)

LUCIOUS:
Same problem, all the way.

Oh, that's crazy.
(groans)

That was crazy.
I'm tired.

Yeah, so, anyway,
I dug up a mountain of dirt

on your friend Jago Locke.

I mean, it was easy.

He airs it all out.

You can't blackmail a man
who flaunts his foulness.

Look, I know you
want this, Pop.

Every bone in my body says
that we should back out now.

No. Dre's got Beats,
Jay has Tidal.

Empire needs Swiftstream.

If you're worried about Mimi,
Pop, we can...

No, no, that bitch needs to
worry about me! Same with Jago!

Same with you two!
Same with Hakeem!

Same with everyone if we don't
start making some moves soon.

I'm sick and tired of being
out here on this damn ledge.

(sighs)

Okay.

Only way we do this
is to get Mimi

to go in with us
to mitigate the risk.

Damn right.

Yeah.

(knocking)

Hey.

Somebody's in a funk.

(laughs)

You never confirmed for tonight.

Sorry, babe.
I just been hella focused.

Oh.

The thing with Freda.

Yeah. Like, Anika,
can I be honest?

Yeah. I wish I
hadn't done this.

The way Lucious came at me
got me feeling like...

like I'm floating
in outer space or something.

You cannot let him
rule your life, Hakeem.

You need people around you who
are gonna make you feel good.

You know?

Really good.

(chuckles)

Mm, babe.
Oh.

Mmm.

Babe, slow down.

I need to tell
you something,

and I want to make sure you're
in the right mood to hear it.

Can we, like, talk, no touching?
Hmm?

(laughs)

Really?

No.

Look, here's the thing.

I think I'm in love.

You're... you're in love?

Yeah.

(laughs)

Look, I know it sound crazy.

But I ain't never
feel this way in my life.

But we still homies, right?
I still think you're dope.

Yeah. Of course.

Yes.
Great, great.

So what did you have to tell me?

Nothing. Nothing.

I just wanted to
offer you my support

with the Freda
thing, that's all.

I don't know
wh-what's gonna happen.

I got Cookie
and Laura helping me.

Look, I'm sorry
about everything, Anika.

Don't be.

LUCIOUS:
Hey, what's up, Mal?

So, listen. I've been
thinking about this song,

and, uh... not really sure
which way I want to go with it.

What you talking about?
You don't like my song?

No, I love your song.
It's dope.

But I got this other song
stuck in my head, and...

I don't know,
maybe there's a way we could,

you know, combine the two.

Well, let me hear it.

I mean, if it's good,
we'll use that one. Who cares?

(gentle electronic music
playing)

Nice.

(laughs)

It's cute.

Cute. All right.

Cute in a sexy kind of cute.
Yeah.

(instruments playing same song)

(music stops)

Yes, Jamal!

Okay, I see why you wanted
to use the studio. (chuckles)

I see you, boo.
You know, I've been thinking

about what the song needs
to take it to the next level.

Good. Me, too. Yeah,
you know those keys

are angelic, but they're
a little too happy, you feel me?

Put a little edge on that.

Put some stank on it. Run it
back. Let me hear it again.

Mm-hmm, absolutely. Y'all ready?
Yeah.

JAMAL: All right. COOKIE:
Go ahead, run it back.

Come on,
what you waiting for?!

Why y'all standing around
looking like you seen a ghost?

What in the hell
is going on here?

Are you serious, Jamal?
LUCIOUS: You playing with me?

That was her song?

I'm not working with her, man.
COOKIE: Okay, so I left

my spa mani-pedi to
come and deal with this?

Hear me out, please.

LUCIOUS: Is this for real?
JAMAL: Just hear me out.

COOKIE: I don't even believe this.
Just wait, y'all!

This is exactly why I needed
neutral ground.

Now...

I'm gonna need y'all to fuse
both of your songs together.

I'm sorry, that's
not gonna happen.

That's gonna happen.

Charlie, bring up the mics,
please. Thank you.

Here we go, flutes.
One, two, three, and...

(instruments playing
gentle music)

(music stops)

Mom.
What?

Your flutes are

beautiful, they're perfect.
I know that.

They are. Your keyboard...

(playing gentle music)

...are beautiful.

Uplifting, even.

"Angelic" is what I said.

Okay, angelic.

But...

Dad's beat and bass line
will bring it all together.

(playing upbeat music)

(music stops)

That's the whole song.

So this is what
I need from y'all.

We are going to merge
these two songs together.

Uh, that is not gonna happen.
Mom,

these musicians know literally
every single note of this song.

And if y'all can just
work together

for more than two seconds,
I promise you

I can close this thing.
Look, y'all can

play whatever game
y'all want to play,

but at the end of the day,
this is an Empire song.

Empire's paying
for this session.

Actually, no.

I am.

(laughs)

Dad.

Your generation.

Thank you.
All right, come on.

Top.

One, two, three, and...

(upbeat music playing)

(gentle music joins in)

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
No, no, no, no!

Now what the hell
is that, man?!

Oh, my...

That don't work, Jamal. He...

That-that flattened 13th
is killing the bass line.

What?
You got to take that out.

No, I'm not taking
that out, Lucious, no!

Because, first of all, your damn
chorus is too long and scary.

LUCIOUS: Now why don't you
just tell the truth?

You're just trying to save
your dead label by using my son.

That's the truth.
Oh, so now he's your son?

Now he's your son, Lucious?
You hear this?

That's it.

I'm not working with her,
I told you.

Choose.

Yeah, you gonna have to choose.

'Cause, I'm sorry,
this is not the Disney Channel.

We have no happy ending.

Never was a happy ending.

This is an embarrassment
is what this is.

Well, I don't know,

I thought that
maybe y'all could choose

to work together to possibly
do something that would not only

change my life but y'all's, too.

I guess I was wrong,
so I'm done.

Jamal, baby...
No, Ma, I-I'm done.

I'm gonna get him back.

He needs me.
He lives to be me.

He needs me. And you're
gonna lose Hakeem as well.

I got time
on my side.

And I'm gonna rebuild him.

Don't you bet on it.

Hey... why don't we make a bet?

Say word.

When Hakeem wins...

Hmm.

...I get to release

Jamal's next album
through Lyon Dynasty.

And if your Freda Wack...

happens to win,

you can have Hakeem's.

(chuckles)

Bet.

Bet.

Put your shoes in my face again.
Shut it.

Okay, this is a battle rap.
Now, we just gonna throw you

some subjects and you flow, okay?
Go. (hip-hop beat playing)

Phone.

♪ Phone-- got it in my hand
right now ♪

♪ Transferring money
to one of my bank accounts ♪

♪ Same time, texting a shorty,
we going out ♪

♪ Let her stand next to me
and give her a little shine ♪

♪ He ain't even
from the streets, check ♪

♪ And he want to be
the boss, check ♪

♪ He a little fake mogul,
check ♪

♪ And he jealous
of his brother, check ♪

♪ I'm laughing at him 'cause
I ain't even worried 'bout him ♪

♪ If it ain't Hollywood,
we ain't heard about it ♪

♪ Young, rich and flashy,
can't nobody pass me ♪

♪ Line 'em up,
I knock 'em down ♪

♪ Shorty get at me ♪
(whooping)

♪ Rolly don't tick,
my whips bet they be nasty ♪

♪ I got my own money,
I don't really need daddy ♪

(crowd cheering)

♪ Little boy with his nails
done, lookin' like a bitch ♪

♪ He never had to struggle,
all he know is being rich ♪

♪ Me versus dude is like
a kitten to a bull ♪

♪ You know it's hunting season,
one for me and none for you ♪

♪ Damn fool, boy, he know
little Freda win it all ♪

♪ I'm a bitch, I'm a dog,
but a lion when I roar ♪

♪ Check. ♪

JAMAL: I swear, man, the
way Mom and Dad argue,

makes you want to
just say screw it.

Know what I'm saying?
I could submit both songs.

But, man, how you gonna win
with "screw it"?

Don't ask, just take.

You got Dad in you
and you got Mom in you, too.

You got to take the parts
you need from both of them

and fuse them together
for yourself.

Ain't no Mom and Dad.

They're business partners,
not your parents.

It's all on you, Mal.

Oh, CEO talk coming from you.

(chuckles)

So you gonna come see
me and Freda or what?

Tell you this much though,
I want to see a show.

I thought a battle was a show.

Mm-mm. A battle
is a battle.

And that's Freda's game;
you ain't got to try

to follow
that little one-trick fool.

You a MC, but you're
also a performer.

So that's what you do.

You need to work the crowd
and-and hype them up

and give them...
give them real songs

instead of just, you know,
battle raps.

That's how you gonna win.

Make sure you get that damn
chip dust off your mouth, too.

(laughs)

Come on, chief.

♪ Oh, yeah, oh, yeah ♪

♪ You're worth more than
a hundred grand. ♪

Oh, come on,
Mimi's not coming, face it.

Guys, I have to get to the gym.
I mean...

(sharp breaths)

You know, you could always
just put the money up yourself.

Or, you know,

the deal dies, the bank's
analyst rates Empire a sell,

and your stock
tumbles into nothing.

If the deal dies, then
your company doesn't benefit.

Everybody is into streaming.

Okay?
Show me the numbers.

I can tell by your faces
that you're leveraged.

(quietly):
Dre called it.

Mimi got us
flapping in the wind.

You ask me, you bail out now.
It'll be a brutal hit,

but you could
probably survive it.

I don't deal with probablys.

I'm buying Swiftstream.

Lucious, you can
barely afford your half,

let alone the entire amount.

JAGO:
Gentlemen...

I have been advised
to shut up.

Also, I'm tired of waiting,
so I'm gonna go.

I am so very sorry.

Life interfered.

Now, can we wrap this up?

All depends if Mimi has
any more surprises for us.

Lucious, you know that I'm
dealing with personal matters.

Where's that letter of intent?

Here.

Thank you.

I have to get to Positano.

The sooner you sign it,
the sooner we get to work.

Hell with it.

Leverage away.

In six months,
I'm-a own the world.

(woman laughs) JAMAL: It's gonna
be dope, it's gonna be awesome.

We've been waiting for it all week.
Yeah.

You're gonna kill it.
I'm very, very excited.

How you feel?
I'm excited.

Anxious, but excited.

COOKIE: Jamal, you told me
you were using my song.

WOMAN: You'll kill it.
Oh, this is my mom.

This is Cookie Lyon.
Oh, hi. Caitlin Peters.

Hi, how are you? Nice to meet you.
Pleasure. I'm well.

Uh, do you mind
if I have a word with my son?

Of course, not at all.
Break a leg.

Thank you.
Thank you so much.

What is this?
No, no, no, Jamal,

why did you
bring me up in here

when you knew
you invited Lucious, too?

Cookie, have a seat,
please. Sit down.

What the hell is she doing here?
See, what'd I tell you?

I swear to God, I'm not
doing this with y'all today.

Because he is my son, too.
I'm not. Lucious, Cookie...

You're using my song?
No, you using my song.

Sit down. Now. I didn't know.
You want the outside?

Oh, yes, thank you.
You can have it.

Thank you, y'all. I'm so happy.
Thank you so much.

Have a good show, baby. Yes. All right.
I love you, too, Dad.

We love you. Mama, Daddy
right here for you.

Sorry, pardon me.
Oh, you're such a gentleman.

Have a seat.
Thank you.

(upbeat music playing)

That's what I'm talking about.

Bye-bye.

Screw you!

(gentle music joins in)

♪ I get up with my mind ♪

♪ Set to stay on the grind ♪

♪ Everything will be mine ♪

♪ Including you, mm ♪

♪ Got my eyes on the prize ♪

♪ Gonna make you realize ♪

♪ My goal is the sky ♪

♪ It's what I'll do ♪

♪ Oh, hey ♪

♪ I said that I would show ♪

♪ Everybody what they should
already know ♪

♪ I grew up, stood up,
and now I'm ♪

♪ Ready to go ♪

♪ Ready, set, go ♪

♪ I'm ready to go ♪

♪ Ready, set, go ♪
♪ Hey ♪

♪ I'm ready to go, go, go ♪

♪ I'm ready to
go, go, go ♪

♪ Put your hands up
once we turn up the bass ♪

♪ Hey, hey ♪

♪ Hey, hey ♪

♪ Said I can't deny ♪

♪ I often lie ♪

♪ This world is all mine,
but I'll share with you ♪

♪ I'll stay on this star ♪

♪ And ride it as far as I can ♪

♪ And I'll never fall,
watch me soar... ♪

This some BS.
They keep me waiting any longer,

I promise you I'm gonna
shut this place down.

Lucious, Lucious!

I'm gonna shut it down.

The boy got this far on his own.

Look, just don't ruin it by being you.
JAMAL: I don't even care

at this point though,
'cause I got

something better now.
What?

My album, that's what.

This song that I just did--
it killed.

And it was equal parts
Cookie and Lucious.

So that's what
my album is gonna be.

Both of y'all, together.

Lucious,

Cookie-- equal.

Might call it The Black
and White Album. Who knows?

But regardless, it's gonna
be produced by both of y'all,

and you're gonna enjoy it,
because at the end of the day,

that's what all of us need.

Feel me?

Yeah, the question is:
who's gonna release it?

Oh, well,
that depends on tonight,

doesn't it, Lucious?
It don't depend on nothing.

See, now, we-we made a bet.
Your dumb father made this...

(clears throat)
What?

Jamal.

Seriously?

Seriously.

Seriously?
Seriously.

Like, for real for real? Yes!
For real for real.

Seriously?! (laughing)
You got it!

No way. No way. No way.
Who's great?! Yes!

Mom!
Oh, my God!

Who's great?!

Who's great?!
Yeah!

Who's great?! Who's great?!

We great! We great!
Who's great?!

(whoops)

Congratulations, Jamal.
(laughs)

FLEX:
Hold tight, everyone!

We about to get
this thing popping.

(crowd cheering)

Body his ass.

You ain't got to worry.

Hakeem gonna feel
these blades, man.

FLEX:
Ladies and gentlemen,

kings and queens,
you know what it is.

It's the brawl for it all!

We got legendary
Brownsville battle emcee

Freda Gatz!

(crowd cheering)

She wants Hakeem Lyon's title.

Let's get it on!

(crowd cheering)

CROWD (chanting):
Where's Hakeem? Where's Hakeem?

(chanting continues)

JAMAL:
Where's he at?

He's coming.
Everybody relax.

CROWD (chanting):
Where's Hakeem? Where's Hakeem?

(chanting continues)

FLEX:
Uh-oh.

FLEX:
Here comes your Lyon!

(crowd cheering)

With all his pride!

Okay, I'm gonna give them
something that they can both

work with!

(hip-hop beat playing,
crowd cheering)

♪ I'm about to send ♪

♪ Your funny-looking ass
to the circus ♪

♪ Or back under that rock
with the serpents ♪

♪ Claimin' you a rider 'bout
that life of moving, working ♪

♪ You let that flame go but
your life is really worthless ♪

♪ I don't give a damn
where you come from ♪

♪ You're sweeter
than a honey bun ♪

♪ That's why every single person
done desert you ♪

♪ Oh, you need a hug,
sorry, I got to hurt you ♪

♪ Get out of line, and butter
boy'll really have to murk you ♪

♪ Uh, think it's sweet,
I ain't no dessert food ♪

♪ On the same stage,
you should be grateful ♪

♪ You about to get peeled
like a grapefruit ♪

♪ Can't touch me
little boy blue, hoo! ♪

(crowd cheering)

CROWD (chanting):
Freda! Freda! Freda! Freda!

(chanting continues)

♪ ♪

♪ Aw, look at you, boy,
you so precious ♪

♪ I think it's time we let 'em
know just who the best is ♪

♪ If we talking money, gone and
check it off your checklist ♪

♪ Freda 'bout that action,
watch me ♪

♪ Shoot right where
your chest is ♪

♪ I promise I ain't lyin' ♪

♪ When I spit it
and whoever writing this here ♪

♪ Just for you,
I'm really wit' it ♪

♪ Tell your homie
come and get it ♪

♪ It's whatever,
I'm that Brownsville bully ♪

♪ It's nothin' better, this
rappin' just ain't for you ♪

♪ I ain't lying,
I keep it true ♪

♪ I know a place in France ♪

♪ Where we send
lil' boys like you ♪

♪ Who love to dance
and love to show off ♪

♪ They ass in Hammer pants,
it's real here ♪

♪ You better check your time
before you cross the line ♪

♪ 'Cause when them hitters
line you up ♪

♪ Boy, you can't
call your mom. ♪

(crowd cheering)

FLEX:
Ooh!

Did Freda just catch a body?

All right, now I'm gonna drop
an old-school gem.

But just remember,

one of the greatest of all time
has rocked on this beat.

So y'all got to make it happen.

("Flava in Ya Ear" beat playing)

(crowd cheering)

♪ Okay, we all know
your mommy was a hustler ♪

♪ But you not, you crazy if you
think you really touchin' her ♪

♪ But this the type of field
that I play on, I put that ass ♪

♪ In park with no brake on,
I blow like I'm napalm ♪

♪ So you should hit the blunt ♪

♪ And keep on smokin'
till your eyes low ♪

♪ Freda spit that ether, boy ♪

♪ Them bars will make 'em
die slow ♪

♪ I know you mad
'cause it's not you, boy ♪

♪ Your brother the man
and he put on a nightgown ♪

♪ Boy, you look like a fan ♪

♪ I'm sorry, boy,
you gotta cut ♪

♪ The check first,
or make your neck work ♪

♪ Your lady know my best work ♪

♪ This empire all mine
and I ain't got no more time ♪

♪ To stand here
wit' all these lies ♪

♪ Which one is it, you wanna be
the queen or a Lyon? ♪

♪ Tell Cookie get the milk
'cause her baby keep on crying ♪

♪ This here not my swag ♪

♪ And, Lucious,
please give 'em a towel ♪

♪ He sweating,
'bout to make me mad. ♪

(crowd cheering)

CROWD (chanting):
Freda! Freda! Freda!

(chanting continues)

♪ ♪

HAKEEM:
♪ Yo ♪

♪ It's a rumble in the jungle,
all eyes on me ♪

♪ I ain't Floyd,
but I'm on the money team ♪

♪ I'm a star,
nobody else compare to Hakeem ♪

♪ I'm on another level, you
could learn something from me ♪

♪ Bars for days,
wordplay dictionary ♪

♪ Go for blood,
kill everything in sight ♪

♪ Carry scary,
I'm just warming up ♪

♪ They done lit a fire
that they can't put out ♪

♪ I'm a new flavor, hi, hater,
new paper, life saver ♪

♪ No sucka here, top tier ♪

♪ I belong with the greats ♪

♪ Talking Big, talking Nas ♪

♪ Talking Pac,
talking Jay, feel me? ♪

♪ The Dalai Lama of hip-hop,
I won't stop ♪

♪ Doing numbers like
Warren Buffett, I own stock ♪

♪ Slide through in a Wraith,
park it and board a yacht ♪

♪ Ice drip off the neck,
wrist like moonshine ♪

♪ No shade, but I ball,
legend like John Stock... ton ♪

♪ Big Ben is my best friend ♪

♪ Pocket's full of blue stripes,
blowing 'em ♪

♪ Everything foreign ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm owning it,
one time for you ♪

CROWD and HAKEEM:
♪ Two times for Keem ♪

♪ Hands in the air
if you repping the Dynasty ♪

♪ You know the motto ♪

♪ Full throttle ♪
♪ Who the man out here? ♪

♪ Hakeem got it ♪
♪ You want my spot flash ♪

♪ But you can't buy it ♪
♪ It's Hakeem, put a bullet ♪

♪ To the name Lyon, who run it?
♪ ♪ Hakeem ♪

♪ Who run it? ♪
♪ Hakeem ♪

♪ Who the flyest in the world,
who do it like ♪

♪ Hakeem ♪ ♪ Who put on for
the city, show off like ♪

♪ Hakeem ♪
♪ Nobody, nobody ♪

♪ Nobody, nobody ♪

♪ Nah, not even Lucious,
the king Lyon lying ♪

♪ I warned you once before
that I'm just like ya ♪

♪ From now on, I'm cutting ties,
the Empire's dying ♪

♪ Call me Hakeem,
bullet to the name Lyon. ♪

(crowd cheering)

CROWD (chanting):
Hakeem! Hakeem! Hakeem!

(chanting continues)

(crowd groaning)

(electrical crackling)

HAKEEM: Hey, y'all,
I got an announcement to make!

I'm dropping my last name.

From here on out,
I go by Hakeem.

(crowd murmuring)

♪ ♪

FLEX:
All right, who y'all think won?!

CROWD (chanting): Hakeem! No Lyon!
Hakeem! No Lyon!

(chanting continues)

♪ Never loved us ♪

♪ Never loved us... ♪

Hey.

Hey. I'm proud
of you, boy.

Oh, thanks for coming.
Yeah.

You know, all I ever wanted
was to have my boys back.

And even if it's
only for one night,

I am truly happy.

And, Hakeem, you
made it happen.

Yeah, congratulations,
Mr. No Name.

And, Jamal, if you ain't
changed your name already,

your mama might have
a little bit of news.

She gonna tell you
about a bet we made.

(Cookie laughs)

Me and your
father made

a stupid bet.

We both put up
your next album.

Look, look,
look, I know

I didn't have the
right to do it, Hakeem,

but at least you know
I have faith in you. Hmm.

♪ Never loved us... ♪

Dad.

I say this as someone who
loves you more than anything.

Just let us have this moment.

♪ Never loved us ♪

♪ Worst behavior... ♪

Excuse me, sir.
(talking quietly)

♪ Never loved us ♪

♪ Worst behavior... ♪

No, don't let her in.

No, no, matter of fact,
hold on. Uh-uh. Uh-uh.

Hey, Cookie?

COOKIE:
What?

Your sister's here.

Who, Carol?
No, the other one.

CANDACE:
Loretha!

Hey, hey, miss, come on, now.
Loretha!

Loretha!

It's important!
I need to talk to you!

Loretha! It's important, girl! I
need to talk to you! Who's that?

Candace.

Just... Excuse me.

I said, get...
get your hands off of me!

I told you, I need to
speak with my sister.

Excuse me, fellas.
Thank you. Yes.

Thank you.

Candace, can you not
show up around here

acting like you at
the Cherry Hill Mall,

embarrassing me?

Oh, stop it.

You know I wouldn't be
here if it wasn't serious.

Oh, okay, well,
then what is it?

Our sister is
on a bender.

And? What she smoked
don't make me choke.

Child, that's what you came
all the way up here to tell me?

If 17 years of prison
taught you anything,

it's definitely how to
dress like a monkey

and talk like a pimp.

It's our sister!
LUCIOUS: Look, hold on.

You know, just when I thought

nothing could make this night
get good, you showed up.

Thank you.

You're welcome, Lucious.

(laughs)

You know, I never did like
your fake ass, Candace.

Yeah, you show up
around here like

you all concerned
about Carol.

I am.
No, you're not.

The first thing you do is get
to talking slick out your mouth.

Real greasy,

looking down your nose at me
like you ain't from

the same hood I'm from,
married to your white man.

And he's rich.

I can't tell
by them cheap-ass shoes.

Okay.
If your bougie ass

called your family
more often,

maybe you'd know Carol ain't
nothing but a scammer.

All she does is run game,
trying to scam

a hot dollar.

The only thing
that's new is that

she got your number
instead of mine.

Welcome back
to the family, Candace.

She left her kids.

What?
Yeah.

She dumped them at
my house with a note,

saying that this was all
Cookie and Jermel's fault.

(sighs)

What have you
done, Loretha?

What have you done?!

Look, come on.
We-we got to go to Philly.

Philly?!
Yes, Philly!

(Hakeem and Laura laugh)

There go your car, babe.
I'll see you tomorrow.

You sure you don't want me
to come home with you?

Don't make that face.

Yeah, I do, but I want to
make sure we right first.

Okay.

Be safe.

ANIKA:
All right.

Where to?

163rd and Seventh.

Got you.

Buckle up.

Yeah.

Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH