Step Up: High Water (2018–…): Season 3, Episode 10 - Episode #3.10 - full transcript
[Al] Previously, on
"Step Up"...
I know who killed East-O.
[Cruz] And if you knew something
a few weeks ago,
you should've said so
right then and there.
This is the deed to High Water.
A few contracts that
give you control of everything.
[interviewer] What does
your family think
of all this, Angel?
[gunshot]
[Tense music plays]
[Odalie] We can be open
with each other
about anything.
[Angel] I mean,
there is one thing.
You know that new rapper,
Saint Clip?
That's Marquise.
[Odalie] You think that
the hottest new rapper in town
is your ex-fling?
This song, "Unchosen," could be
song of the year.
Where did it come from?
This is my life.
This is my story.
This is "Unchosen."
[Collette]
That motherfucker Sage.
This is his petty
fucking game.
I got something for him.
Isn't that your dance partner?
[Rigo] What the hell
is she doing there?
Fuck it.
- [Al] I told you...
- [Odalie screams]
[Al] ...if you live long
enough, you'll see everything.
[crowd cheering]
[Al laughing]
But check this out.
[funky music plays]
[♪ ♪]
[Singer]
♪ Step up in the spotlight ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ I'm looking ♪
♪ For a better day ♪
♪ Wanna live my dream ♪
♪ Step up in the spotlight ♪
♪ Wanna step up
Step up in the spotlight ♪
♪ Want the money
Want the fame ♪
♪ Want the love
Not the same ♪
♪ I want it all ♪
♪ Step up in the spotlight ♪
♪ Wanna step up
Step up in the spotlight ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
*STEP UP*
Season 03 Episode 10
Episode Title: "Sleep When U Die"
Aired on: December 18, 2022.
♪ Oh ♪
[Lively jazz music playing]
Xzibit's "Get It On Like This"
playing...
[crowd cheering]
DJ, that's my shit! Turn it up!
[laughs]
[Xzibit] ♪ Get some on
Like this ♪
♪ Turn it up, that's my shit ♪
- Cheers! -Cheers!
- Yes, sir.
Uh, yo, everybody!
Yo, DJ, kill it,
kill it, kill it.
Hey, everybody gather round!
I have some profound shit that
I need to get off my chest.
Uh, wait, wait, wait.
Wait, wait, wait.
Before you say anything,
profound or otherwise,
- I'd like to raise a...
- Hmm.
Glass and propose a toast.
The governor has the floor.
Sage, you and your
grassroots support
has fueled this campaign.
When even the DNC
didn't believe in us.
It is because of you.
Your star power has...
Ah, I'ma have to stop you
right there.
That... w-with all due respect,
this moment is not about me.
Sage Rising got us
on the board,
but we got a long fight
before election day.
Let me say I cannot be
more proud to stand behind you
as you take this state back
for our people.
For Iman.
[all] Iman!
And for everybody
that rise with us.
It raises us up.
Our time is now.
- Yeah?
- [all] Yeah.
- [Sage] Yeah?
- Yeah!
- [crowd cheering]
- All right, then let's get it!
DJ, turn my shit back up!
[music resumes]
You should be out there
having fun.
Not in here with me.
I'm right where I want to be.
[upbeat music playing]
[♪ ♪]
[all cheering]
- [man] Hey, start the music.
- [computer beeps]
[Rigo] ♪ So why you be
Jealous of me? ♪
Oh, shit. A Gram... a Grammy?
[laughs]
Whoo! What? Let's go!
Are you ready to slay
the Grammys
in front of
the whole fucking world?
- Am I? Am I? You know it.
- Ah.
- Right?
- Ah, yes.
Finally, the world's gonna get
to hear the real "Unchosen."
Mm. What?
- It is your opus.
- Nah.
We gotta do "Take the Throne."
You know that's what put me on.
Fuck Sage.
Fuck Saint Clip, okay?
No punk in a fucking mask
is gonna steal your life story.
When 20 million people
hear your "Unchosen,"
believe me, they're gonna know
that shit belongs to you, okay?
- Yeah.
- [Sage] Look at all this shit.
That is what happens
when the Grammys hit you
with that
Lifetime Humanitarian award.
I got niggas sending my Cristal
that I ain't heard
from since '02.
"Congratulations, bro."
Bro, get your phony ass
out of here.
We'll drink your shit, though.
We are celebrating
you performing with me
at the Grammys.
Shit gon' be dope.
Yo, Sage, I appreciate it,
but, uh, it's past time
for me to disappear.
Mm, no, no.
Could be a nice little payday.
[whispering]
About 75 Gs.
Damn, nigga.
Not even the money?
You really serious. Okay.
All right, what about Angel?
Sage, it's nothing left
in Atlanta for me but trouble,
and the longer I stay, that's
just trouble for Angel too.
Look, Sage,
I appreciate it, man.
Thank you, but... I don't think
I can risk it.
- Fair.
- [phone buzzes]
Ah-ha-ha-ha, RiRi.
Yo, if I send her
to voicemail, she'll kill me.
Uh, I'ma take this call.
Offer still stands.
- Think about it.
- Ri?
- Okay.
- [Sage] Hey, baby.
- Like, RiRi?
- [Sage laughs] Yeah, yeah I got-
- You talking to Rihanna?
- What?
[Collette]
I wanna rebrand High Water
as the Spartika High Water
Academy.
I want to go nationwide.
We find and we foster
the next Odalie.
The next Rigo. The next Davis.
Wherever they are.
Wow. We can do that?
Jimmy, I'm pretty good at this.
The High Water here
is proof of the concept.
First, we take over America.
Then the world. Tokyo. Berlin.
- London.
- [Collette] Yes.
The most fertile market
in the planet.
What about Sage?
He's not just gonna
let High Water go.
Where are you going?
The gold doesn't spin itself,
Jimmy.
Leave Sage to me.
[upbeat hip-hop music playing]
[Singer] ♪ Run that, run that ♪
- ♪ Fly in, okay ♪
- There you go, and clap.
- ♪ Get money, come back ♪
- Bend back, hey.
Here we go, and clap. Hey!
- ♪ Baby, you know I'm a boss ♪
- [Singer] ♪ I'm a boss ♪
Bring it forward. Check!
[Sage] So I've got
a proposition for you.
Why don't you introduce me
at the Grammys?
Could be the buzzer beater
the campaign needs.
Yeah, what's the point
of getting all that shine
if I ain't gonna
share it, right?
K-a-are you kidding?
That'd be game-changing
national exposure.
That's pretty much
what I was thinking.
[Kasey and Iman laugh]
I guess that means I'd love to.
- Yo, Pop, that's good.
- [dancers applaud]
So lemme holla at ya.
Gotta do this right. Okay.
Five, six, seven, eight.
[indistinct chatter]
It's amazing what you do.
How do you even
come up with it?
I've been thinking
of routines all my life.
It's kind of second nature
at this point.
That easy, huh?
No, actually, I still obsess
over every flip and turn
as I flip and turn at night.
Aw, you just flipping
and turning
all by your lonesome
in there, huh?
Um, don't think you gonna
get somewhere with me
with that one line, okay?
- I don't think anything.
- Mm-hmm. I see you.
You ain't slick.
What the fuck did I do?
[apprehensive music playing]
[♪ ♪]
[Odalie screams]
[rapid knocking at door]
[man] Odalie?
[laughs]
Man.
Angel forgot to mention
you're, like, totally lush.
- You must be Angel's brother.
- Yes. JJ, man.
Nice to meet you. Oh, welcome.
Yeah, nice.
[lively synth music plays]
Would you mind
if I stay here for a bit?
Yeah. Of course.
I need to pick up
a few things, but, uh,
I want to surprise her
when she gets here.
What are you needing?
Ah, like, a gun.
- No. Oh!
- [JJ] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
No, I'm just...
I'm just playing,
but-but this is America,
isn't it?
Don't they, like,
strap you up as a baby
and then just roll you out
the maternity ward?
No, no?
You know, this is true.
[laughs]
As a matter of fact, the guy
that Angel's been seeing
is strapped all the time.
Shit. Sorry.
No, no. What?
You can tell me. Tell me.
It's just, um,
he's not really a good guy.
To be honest,
it wouldn't be the first time
that she's dated someone dodgy.
Nothing but drama
with that one.
Mm.
But still, that's why
we love her, though, innit?
Ah. Okay.
JJ!
- What?
- [both laugh]
[JJ] I'm here now.
[laughs]
- Oh, oh. You forgot about me.
- [Angel] Never, man.
- [doorbell rings]
- [JJ] Yeah.
[Marquise] Yo, how the fuck
did you find me?
Your, uh,
performance with Sage.
[scoffs]
That was just a small hint.
Dumbass.
Here I am wondering
if you dead or alive,
and you out here living like
the motherfucking Fresh Prince?
And why the fuck do you care?
Congratulations on the Grammy.
Happy to see my shit
working for you.
- Man, shut the fuck up!
- Suck my dick, nigga.
What the fuck you want?
It ain't shit left
for you to steal.
Bitch, I want you gone!
The phone... get rid of it,
along with the names in it.
And get rid of that
stupid-ass mask.
And don't you ever,
in your fucking life,
- perform "Unchosen" again.
- [Marquise snorts]
Nigga, this is my song.
Fuck out of here, nigga.
Marquise, I'm not playing.
And what the fuck
are you gonna do?
[tense music plays]
I ain't got nothing else
to lose, 'Quise.
[♪ ♪]
- You're not built like that.
- Try me.
You're right.
I ain't built like that.
Mm-hmm. That's what I thought.
But I am the son
of a motherfucker who is.
Which means all I gotta do
is make one phone call, 'Quise,
and you'll be
laying in the dirt,
just like the niggas
you pour drinks out for.
Marquise,
I don't have to touch you
for you to get touched.
Now, you got 24 hours
to disappear.
Do we have an understanding?
- Bet.
- I thought so.
[♪ ♪]
Hey, man.
You know, it's everything.
Everything is sorted back home.
It was difficult, mind you,
but-but all we need now
is the money.
- And that's it?
- Mm-hmm. Yeah.
- We get it back?
- Yeah. The club is ours.
[both laugh]
[♪ ♪]
JJ, I swear the money was
under my bed in my bag, man.
Angel, man, now,
this ain't funny.
[Angel] I know it's not fucking funny.
[JJ] So what...
Okay, all right.
Who else has been
in this house?
No one. Just me and Odalie.
Odalie!
Have you seen my backpack?
- What backpack?
- My backpack.
Sorry. I haven't seen it.
I don't get the big deal.
You can borrow one of mine,
if you...
[JJ]
Listen, dearie, dearie, love.
We don't care about
the fucking backpack here.
What we care about is the dough
inside the backpack.
Our fucking money.
It's $75,000.
- Wait. You have money?
- Not anymore.
Well, what?
We were robbed then?
Who would rob us?
Nothing else is missing.
I mean,
unless it could have been...
- Don't you even fucking...
- No, no, wait, wait, wait.
Could have been what?
Could have been what?
- [Odalie] Marquise.
- Fuck you, Odalie.
No. Wait, wait, wait.
Wait. Who is Marquise?
He's a criminal,
and she let him into my house.
You're mad. Do you know that?
You're bloody mad.
Well, you're the fucking one
who acted
like we had something special
and gave it all away
for some criminal
who just got out of jail.
So no, Angel,
you're bloody mad.
Or as we say here,
bat shit crazy, okay?
Get your fucking hand
out my face.
All right, all right,
whoa, whoa, whoa.
Don't do that. Who the...
All right, whoa, whoa, whoa!
All right. All right. Go.
Just go. Just g-go. Go.
Fucking go.
Go!
- Get off me.
- All right, man.
What the fuck, man?
[Kasey] AJC will be here in 30,
and then you have a break
until the live feed.
[Iman] Great. Thank you.
Who is that?
[driving inquisitive music
playing]
Hi. Can I help you?
Hi.
I'm Collette Jones,
and this is my institution.
You can help me
by rounding up your people
and kindly
vacating the premises.
[Sage] We got some shit to go over
for the Grammys, okay?
They need releases
so they can play my catalogue,
and I want Iman to intro me,
all right?
- That's non-negotiable.
- [Cruz] I'm on it.
I got all the paperwork,
but there's something going on
with the publishing.
Your music's not clearing.
What are you talking about?
[cell phone buzzes]
Sage.
No, she can't do that.
No, no, what I'm saying is,
she has no fucking right.
I'll figure it out.
Okay, so now Collette
is kicking the future governor
out of High Water
like she running shit.
What the fuck is going on
right now, man?
- Oh, fuck.
- Oh, fuck?
What oh, fuck? Oh, fuck what?
The powers of attorney
that you had me
draw up for Collette.
- [Sage] What?
- [Cruz sighs]
Oh, fuck.
They're fucking copies.
- What?
- [Cruz] They're fucking copies.
They're good copies,
but they're fucking copies.
Look, these just have
your signature on 'em.
She must have the originals,
signed them, executed 'em,
and that's why your
fucking music isn't clearing.
- What?
- Until I figure all this
shit out,
she controls everything.
Your label.
Your artists. Your masters.
Your publishing. High Water.
Your... your fucking penthouse.
[chuckles]
It's all hers.
- [Sage] Fuck!
- Hey!
[Marquise] Look, baby,
there's some shit going down,
and I gotta leave Atlanta
tonight.
All of a sudden,
just like that?
I don't think I have a choice.
It's like, I dunno.
Things are getting crazy.
-I gotta-
-I have to ask you something.
What's up, baby?
You didn't steal my money,
did you?
[apprehensive music playing]
How could you
even ask me that?
'Cause the money was here,
and now it isn't.
You're the only person
that's been in my room
other than Odalie.
Angel, I would never
steal from you.
I would never do anything
to hurt you.
Don't you know that?
I do. I'm sorry.
I wanna come with you.
- You do?
- Yes. Wherever you go.
But I can't
until I sort this shit
with my brother and the money.
What's the deal with the money?
What's going on?
What the fuck.
What? Is this the cunt?
- [Angel] JJ. JJ, calm down.
- [JJ] Is this the cunt?
[Marquise] Whoa. Wait, wait.
Oh, hey!
- [Angel] Stop!
- [Marquise] Ah!
Where's my fucking money?
[Angel] Oh, my God!
Where's the fucking money,
man?
- [JJ] God.
- No, man.
- Give me the money.
- You got the wrong dude.
I ain't take the fucking money.
[grunts]
Fuck sakes, JJ!
I believe him!
Oh, really?
Oh, you believe this shit?
- JJ, chill, man. Please.
- [Marquise] Look, man.
You got the wrong person,
all right?
Oh, no, no, brother.
I don't think I do, yeah?
I didn't take your money,
but look, I can help you.
- [JJ] Fuck you.
- Oh, my God.
Where's my fucking money, bruh?
Stop!
[automated voice] You have
reached the law offices of Ricardo Cruz.
If you are reaching us
after hours, please say...
- [Sage] One.
- [tone beeps]
Yo.
I'm about to see Collette.
She didn't really say anything.
Just wanted me to meet her
for brunch.
I'll hit you after.
[soft R&B music playing
on speakers]
[♪ ♪]
I am under the assumption
that you know what I want.
Of course.
Little gem salad, eggs Benny,
and an almond milk latte.
Yeah, I would order that
for you,
but I don't work
for you anymore.
I love that you're
in a joking mood right now,
but you know exactly
what I'm talking about.
[Collette]
I just signed the paperwork
that you gave me, honey.
You wanted me
to have it all, remember?
Yeah, when I was facing
a prison sentence.
You're a snake, you know that?
Okay, I thought we were just...
I thought we were gonna be able
to handle this like adults,
but...
What do you want? The house?
The Maybach? Publishing? Money?
Well, technically,
I actually own all of that,
so nothing.
But if I still owned that,
that would still
make us partners,
and I really don't want that.
Oh, trust me.
The feeling is very mutual.
Okay, good.
I want High Water.
- High Water.
- [Collette] Hmm.
Just High Water?
I built it. I want it.
It's mine.
How about that?
Oh, and Rigo.
I want Rigo's contract.
[phone buzzing]
Okay, so let me
get this straight.
- I give you High Water...
- And Rigo.
- Yeah, yeah, whatever.
- Mm-hmm.
And I keep everything else,
and we go our separate ways?
Let's talk specials.
- [phone dings]
- Yes. Let's do.
Um, you know, I would love
a Pinot grigio.
Do you want one?
You know,
just for old times' sake.
I need a minute.
More coffee. Coffee.
Thank you.
[line trills]
- [Cruz] Hey, Sage.
- Yo.
Where was Collette the night
of East-O's murder?
At High Water, working.
Don't you know this already?
[Cruz] I don't, actually.
Wasn't she supposed to meet you
at the lake house?
Isn't that right?
[Sage]
Yes, yes. She had a migraine.
- What's-what's the point?
- Hmm. A migraine.
And with a migraine,
she went to High Water to work?
Cruz. Point.
- Spit it out please.
- [Cruz] All right.
Remember when Marquise said
that he would have known
if the hit on East-O
came from the streets
because somebody
would have claimed it,
but nobody ever did?
He said that. You remember?
- Yeah. Yeah, so?
- [Cruz] Hey. Hear me out.
Collette lied to you
about taking money from East-O.
She lied to you about
fucking East-O.
She has lied to you
about everything
having to do with East-O.
Now, I know
this may sound insane.
Is it remotely possible
that she is the one
who fucking killed him,
and she's had me
and you fucking
dancing around like idiots
this whole fucking time
keeping this shit from us?
[tense music playing]
- I-I'll call you back.
- [Cruz] Do what you need to do.
I'll call you back.
[Collette] So who was that?
That was Cruz.
Is he okay with our deal?
Are we good?
Yeah,
I have a counteroffer for you.
Okay.
I keep the house.
I keep the Maybach.
I keep High Water.
I keep the record label.
I keep the publishing company.
And in return,
I never speak on what I know.
Okay. And what do you know?
That you killed East-O.
[♪ ♪]
You gambled
with my fucking life.
You let me go to fucking jail.
- Okay. Listen, Sage.
- [Sage] What? What?
What could you possibly
fucking say right now?
I know. I'm sorry. I know.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Look, I knew you were innocent,
and Cruz,
he-he was gonna get you off.
And-and the longer
I was silent...
...it was just all working out.
Look, I promise... I promise you,
if it went the other way,
I would have.
I would have.
It wasn't fair
you went to jail.
I know.
But it wouldn't have been fair
if I did.
It was out of self-defense.
He was violent.
- You knew that.
- I'm taking it back.
All of it. Everything.
Including High Water.
Especially High Water.
We have a deal?
You promise not to tell anyone.
Not a soul.
Including Rigo.
Still with the fucking kid.
Nah, Collette.
I wo-I won't tell Rigo.
Not a fucking word.
I'll let you do that.
You see,
I want to enjoy knowing
that you have to tell the kid
that you're currently fucking,
that the bitch
that he's currently fucking
is really who killed his dad.
Have fun with that.
[♪ ♪]
[silverware clattering]
[Singer] ♪ I strut my stuff
Like the showbiz ♪
♪ Big shot I grabbed up... ♪
- [Tal] Whoo!
- [Sage] Yeah!
[Poppy] Love the
fucking Grammys, y'all.
Grammy's!
- [Sage] Yeah.
- [Tal] Whoo!
- Ah. That's good. A'ight.
- [Poppy] Mm-hmm.
All right, we are here,
ladies and gentlemen.
Let's go introduce the world
to Iman Walker.
- Yes.
- [Iman] Let's do it!
[Kasey] Let's do it.
[Singer]
♪ We about to turn it up ♪
♪ Finna go get crazy ♪
♪ Someone touching on me
I don't even know this lady ♪
♪ Try to leave, she gon'
Make me do a whole 180 ♪
♪ I'm setting the scene
They ain't letting me leave ♪
♪ Everybody want a piece
And I'm getting fatigued ♪
♪ Magazine cover
Looking like a sex machine ♪
♪ Oh, yes, indeed
Don't forget... ♪
[Sage] No, no, no, no.
You don't want me.
Ah, ah, ah, ah.
I am not who you want.
This is who you want.
I want you to give
all your questions to her.
She is the future of Georgia,
and in my personal opinion,
the whole damn country.
Are you worried about the voter
suppression laws in Georgia?
Well, frankly,
everyone in this country
should be worried.
They're trying to demoralize
people from voting.
Particularly
Black and brown people,
but we're gonna shout.
You know, we're gonna shout
from every street,
every alley and red carpet
that we're not
going to accept it.
Camera time is up.
It's game time.
Let's go, fellas.
I have always wanted
to walk the red carpet.
Can we do it, though?
A-are we allowed to?
It's the Grammys. We got to.
Ah!
[crowd cheering]
- Want me to walk with you?
- I'm sorry.
I've just been burned
too many times
by putting a man
in front of me.
♪ I strut my stuff
like it's showbiz ♪
♪ Tough act to follow,
you know this ♪
[paparazzi] You're the girl
with the TikTok.
You're Poppy. You with anyone?
You look beautiful.
Look this way please!
♪ Real deal, pulling a four up
To the palace ♪
♪ I can make a whole show
From a dumb quote... ♪
[Poppy] Come here.
[Singer] ♪ I'm ready
For my closeup now ♪
♪ All of this applause
I'm ready to soak up now ♪
♪ Hey you got the point
I ain't seen no touchdowns ♪
♪ You the hottest monkey
In the circus ♪
- ♪ So what, clown? ♪
- Hey!
♪ I strut my stuff
Like it's showbiz ♪
♪ Big shot
I ramped up the dosage ♪
♪ Tough act to follow
You know this... ♪
Poppy and I
are seeing each other.
[Singer] ♪ Showbiz, showbiz ♪
♪ I strut my stuff
Like it's showbiz ♪
[♪ ♪]
Okay.
[announcer]
Ladies and gentlemen,
it's the Grammy Awards.
Tonight, performances
by best new artist nominees
Rigo Octavio,
the Frank Santos Three,
and a special performance
by Sage Odom.
[distant cheering]
Hey yo, fam. Thank you.
Good? A'right, cool.
75Gs.
As promised.
[Sage] Shine it, kid.
You look good.
So you really gotta go, huh?
Uh, what's up?
You gonna miss me or something?
Nah. Slow down. Slow down.
[both laugh]
Man, I don't even know
what to say.
Thank you
for everything you've done.
Performing with you tonight
is crazy.
It's all love, brother.
Need you to know that.
Man, you really changed
my life, dog.
[Sage] Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
You changed your life.
You left your heart open.
Made some bold and, frankly,
fucking terrifying decisions.
Shit ain't easy, man,
for nobody.
It speaks to your character.
Contrary to what you might
think about yourself...
I think you a good dude, man.
So, uh, Billy's out front.
Everything's set up.
You good to go?
Thank you, man.
[producer]
Okay, everybody, places.
We're back from commercial
in ten seconds.
And we're back live in five,
four, three, two...
Ladies and gentlemen,
best new artist nominee
Rigo Octavio performing
his new song "Unchosen."
Shout out, ATL!
Shout out my pops,
and shout out
my baby girl 'Lette.
Let's get it.
[cheers and applause]
[soft piano music playing]
Rigo!
We going there. Uh.
♪ These days I need Tylenol
'Cause my head hurt ♪
♪ Getting tired
Of making no bread work ♪
♪ I been walking around
With my chest out ♪
♪ But I'm stressed out
So I'm checked out ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm the best out
And I know it... ♪
Hey, yo. You hear that shit?
He's doing my record, man.
He's doing "Unchosen."
♪ Keep a nigga stressed out
With my motive ♪
♪ Everybody sketched out
On that chalk ♪
♪ Bet I'm off the chain
Whenever I walk ♪
♪ Bet I got the pistol grip
When I walk ♪
That's my life, dog.
[Sage] He jacking your shit.
Why don't you, uh,
go do something about it?
You want me go onstage
right now?
You feel like you don't
belong nowhere, huh?
You feel like you ain't real.
That's bullshit.
Nigga, your lyrics...
Your passion?
Bruh, you real as they come.
You had a father.
His name's East-O,
and let me tell you something.
You are more East-O's son
than this little nigga
could ever be.
♪ Where I gotta say
I'm unchosen ♪
[Sage]
You don't belong nowhere?
Fuck that.
You right where you belong.
Right here right now.
That's your story. Go tell it.
All right.
[Rigo] ♪ Unchosen ♪
♪ Unchosen ♪
[stirring music plays]
- [Marquise] Clip, look.
- ♪ Hold on, wait a minute ♪
♪ You a disrespectful
Motherfucker ♪
♪ Must have lost your mind ♪
♪ You out here fucking up
Thinking you got it ♪
♪ But I really doubt it
'Cause I won't allow it ♪
♪ And I wrote about it
You know that I did ♪
♪ Motherfucker
I wrote all of your shit ♪
♪ So run me that Grammy
And run me that pay ♪
♪ And after that solo, bitch
Run me my fame ♪
♪ 'Cause all of that time
Took on that rhyme book ♪
♪ Yo, that's my life
And them my hooks ♪
♪ I have bills
Doing this bitch ♪
♪ And you still
Spitting my shit ♪
♪ Hold up in there ♪
♪ You a fraud, nigga
You bitch-made ♪
♪ I should introduce you
To my switchblade ♪
♪ But that karma coming ♪
♪ You'll get yours
And I'ma get mine ♪
♪ 'Cause I been waiting
It's on ♪
Clip.
Whoo!
[cheers and applause]
Do something,
you fucking pussy.
So you really want
to battle me, Black Iron Man?
- It's Saint Clip.
- I know who the fuck you are.
[woman]
Should we go to commerical?
[producer] No, no, no,
stay with this. Stay with this.
[indistinct chatter]
Let's get it, then.
[crowd cheering]
♪ Controlling the game ♪
♪ Holding my chain
I'm saying my name ♪
♪ Heavy and ready
When I load up the barrel ♪
♪ The name's Steady
Call the reverend ♪
♪ It's a blessing
You disappearing for testing ♪
♪ Meanwhile, you running
From all your problems ♪
♪ And you capped ♪
♪ Steal your rhymes?
How that happen? ♪
♪ This shit is off the dome
And niggas are still rapping ♪
♪ This boy a snake ♪
♪ I'ma keep it transparent ♪
♪ While I'm looking
At your mask ♪
♪ We know you a fake ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪ Now who the fuck want war?
Niggas know I'm about it ♪
♪ I catch a body
If you try me, bitch ♪
♪ You know I'm a savage
Rigo know I'm a challenge ♪
♪ All that dancing ain't
Gonna save you when I slide ♪
♪ Put the burner to your dome
Let you fry ♪
♪ Motherfucker
You a theater boy ♪
♪ You was never unchosen ♪
♪ I've been around
Since the youth... ♪
You planned this, didn't you?
[laughs]
I just tossed him the oop.
He gotta slam it home.
♪ I have you laying
With your father in a ditch ♪
♪ And I never met your mother ♪
♪ But I'm sure that yo use
A son of a bitch, pussy ♪
[cheers and applause]
[mouthing words]
♪ You wanna be me so bad ♪
♪ But you can't
Share this stage ♪
♪ Always wanted to be somebody
You couldn't but couldn't ♪
♪ 'Cause East-O had you locked
In that fairy cage ♪
♪ That's right
I see you, Marquise ♪
- [crowd gasps]
- ♪ Come on out, little bitch ♪
♪ I'm the one that moved you in
When you got locked up ♪
♪ And blessed you
With them fresh outfits ♪
♪ Boy, you got me fucked up ♪
♪ When you had no bread
And you was out shit ♪
♪ Can't name three people
In the city to fuck with ♪
♪ You jealous,
You're insecure ♪
♪ And your name is whack ♪
♪ And all that talking big
Don't change the facts ♪
♪ You the only nigga
Who don't know who you are ♪
♪ So why don't you
Take off that mask? ♪
[cheers and applause]
- [Marquise] All right.
- No, no, no. Fuck. No.
No more running.
You right, bro.
♪ East-O ain't fuck with me ♪
- ♪ And that set the standing ♪
- Shit.
♪ Only person who ever loved me
Ain't give me no answers ♪
♪ But you was my brother
Before we knew it was true ♪
♪ So why the fuck is I really
Up here pissed off at you? ♪
♪ Look, man, I get it ♪
♪ Shit's fucked up
In the game ♪
♪ And to be honest with you
I made a vow ♪
♪ That I would never
Be the same ♪
♪ But don't get it twisted
My nigga ♪
♪ I'm still
With all of the smoke ♪
♪ So if your homies
Run up on me ♪
♪ Then they all
Gonna be ghosts ♪
♪ They all gonna be toast ♪
♪ 'Cause I don't give a fuck
No more ♪
Let's roll bruh.
♪ I ain't even mad
At you, dog ♪
♪ We could have
Been each other ♪
♪ Only difference between us
Is a different mother ♪
♪ But I ain't jealous of you
I really never was ♪
♪ I just wanted my own things
To smile about ♪
♪ Life is hard
I ain't never get to wild out ♪
♪ You was taking off ♪
♪ And I never wanted
To dial out ♪
Shit.
♪ But you was right
About that mask shit ♪
♪ And every single day been
Feeling like my last shit ♪
♪ When I'm wearing it
Nobody seem to care who I am ♪
♪ Blowing up was never part
Of the plan ♪
♪ I'm still running ♪
[heartfelt music playing]
[♪ ♪]
[cheers and applause]
[producer] Okay, guys.
We're back from commercial
in one minute.
Rigo!
I don't have no time
to fuckin' talk right now.
No, no.
You owe me an explanation.
Oh, yeah? For what?
For being a fucking fraud.
I've only been
what you wanted me to be.
What you made me be.
- I made you great.
- I was already great.
Look, I'm done with this,
a'ight?
And I'm fucking done
with you too.
- No, Rigo, you're not.
- Yeah, the fuck I'm not.
Rigo, I'm pregnant,
and it's yours.
[apprehensive music playing]
[♪ ♪]
[announcer] Please welcome
the Democratic candidate
for governor of Georgia,
Iman Walker.
Good evening.
It is my honor tonight
to introduce
a transcendent artist.
The 2021 recipient
of the Recording Academy's
Humanitarian Award,
Sage Odom.
In "Letters
from the Birmingham Jail,"
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Said,
"The question is not
if we will be extremists,
"but what kind of extremists
we will be.
"The nation and the world
are in dire need
of creative extremists."
Sage Odom is that.
His formative school High Water
exemplifies that vision.
[cheers and applause]
[Sage] Truth is,
I created High Water
to give kids
from my community
a real shot
at getting into this business.
Art is not a pipe dream.
It's not expendable.
It's a commodity.
It's-it's America's
most lucrative export.
Dedicated myself
to bringing around
the most qualified people
to teach,
train, and guide them,
while at the same time,
making sure that
they get the most
realistic experience possible.
Really show them
what this game is about.
Marquise!
[Marquise] Come on, let's go.
[apprehensive music playing]
Fuck.
[Odalie] Angel, wait, wait.
Please, please, please.
Please, please don't go.
- Odalie, get off me.
- [Odalie] No.
[Angel] Let me go.
[Odalie] Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Wait, please. Please.
You're making a mistake.
- [Marquise] Come on. Let's go.
- No!
Shit.
[tense music playing]
[Rigo] Oh, no, no, no.
Wait, wait, wait.
-W-wait. I said wait! Just-
-Man, move.
There it is!
Yo, open up.
This ain't your limo, pal.
[Sage]
This is us getting the art
back to the people
through the artists.
[cheers and applause]
[Singer] ♪ I've got a voice ♪
♪ And I'ma use it loud ♪
♪ I've got a voice ♪
♪ And I'm a use it proud ♪
Upbeat dance music playing...
[Sage] Hey, 'Lette.
So listen, I thought about it,
and, um...
...you should have High Water.
- What?
- It's yours. Always has been.
And inside,
I've always known that.
So take care of it.
Take care of you.
[Singer] ♪ Just thought
That you should know that ♪
♪ We made a voice
We made a voice ♪
♪ We made a voice ♪
♪ I've got a voice ♪
♪ And I'ma use it loud ♪
♪ I've got a voice ♪
♪ And I'ma use it proud ♪
[soft piano chords]
[cheers and applause]
Sage vocalizing...
♪ Things need to change ♪
- ♪ That's true and good ♪
- We love you!
♪ But don't nobody
Want to listen ♪
♪ So I'll be the change ♪
♪ I wanna see ♪
♪ I'll start with me, me ♪
[Angel] There's JJ.
[tense music playing]
[gunshots]
[Angel] No!
[tires squealing]
Marquise!
[sobbing]
[Sage] ♪ 'Cause I know
That I been selfish ♪
♪ But now it's up to me
To do what no one else is ♪
♪ Gather my people
In the hood ♪
♪ Show 'em how important
That mental health is ♪
♪ Financial intelligence ♪
♪ So they can see
What wealth is ♪
[Sage] ♪ I'll be the change ♪
♪ That I want to see ♪
♪ I'll start with me ♪
[singers] ♪ I'll start
With me ♪
[Sage] ♪ Oh, I ♪
[singers] ♪ I'll start
With me, myself ♪
♪ I'll start with me ♪
[Sage] ♪ I'll be the change
I wanna see ♪
♪ Yeah, be the change
That I wanna see ♪
[singers] I'll start
With me, myself ♪
[Sage] Hey!
[singers] ♪ I'll start
With me, myself ♪
- ♪ I'll start with me ♪
- [Sage] Ha!
♪ Be the change I wanna see,
Yeah ♪
Whoo!
Help! Help!
[somber music playing]
Oh, no.
Need help?
I got him.
Come on man, come on.
C'mon.
[car horn honking]
[Rigo sobbing]
[singer vocalizing]
[♪ ♪]
♪ We came forward ♪
♪ Running backwards ♪
♪ No one man's a island ♪
♪ Shotgun riding for you ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ Somehow we made it ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ Although jaded ♪
♪ Was it worth it all? ♪
♪ Could it be more? ♪
♪ And oh ♪
♪ What a way to die ♪
♪ Standing eye to eye ♪
♪ Pretending we're alive ♪
♪ As we grow colder ♪
♪ And oh ♪
♪ The devil that I know ♪
♪ Is better than the devil
That I don't ♪
♪ Was it worth it all? ♪
♪ To the evil ♪
Magic Geddes?
Yeah. Who are you?
That's the motherfucker that
helped you get out of here.
[sentimental music plays]
Oh, shit.
- You're welcome.
- [Magic] Thank you.
Look like you've seen
a ghost, dog.
I-I don't know
what to say, man.
I-I thought you...
You thought I forgot about you.
Nah, man.
Look, uh, after what
you did for me in there?
Don't even get down like that.
[♪ ♪]
[Cruz] Well, uh, you guys
get down with steak?
'Cause I'm fucking starving.
Yeah. Let's go.
- Hell yeah. Let's go.
- Cruz needs some food!
[Sage] I know just the place.
Get you a steak and, uh,
maybe something else you
ain't had in a little while.
[laughter]
[Jimmy] This is now
not just a dance academy...
...or a fluffy feather
in a cap
of the Spartika corporation.
It is, in fact,
the future of Spartika.
The vision is the brainchild
of one person,
our new chief brand officer,
Ms. Collette Jones.
Thank you. Thank you.
The space you're about to tour
is our crown jewel
in our roll out of phase one.
[upbeat music playing]
The establishment
of a national network
of Spartika academies.
Oh, Rigo. Come on in.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Rigo right here,
he is a product
of the academy.
Plucked off the streets
of Atlanta,
groomed into a Grammy-nominated
recording artist.
Then we have Davis Jimenez
over here.
This is our real star.
We have two songs
that are charting right now.
He just inked a three-album
deal with Kasdan Records,
and now he's gearing up
for his very own
Spartika-sponsored world tour
in the next two months.
Bro, this shit is fucking sick.
- Oh, yeah?
- [Odalie] Yeah.
Fuck with me then.
[phone chimes]
Oh, Lord.
Hey, yo, are you talking
to Angel again?
[laughs]
Kinda.
[Rigo] Oh, man.
Shit, I might even
go to London to see her.
What?
I haven't done
enough traveling.
Me neither, shit.
I'll fuck around
and go with you.
For real.
Yeah, Rigo,
you have a kid on the way.
Maybe. That's just a rumor.
It could be fucking Sage's,
shit.
I tell you what, though,
if it's my kid,
I'ma be
the best daddy ever, man.
- For real.
- Hmm.
But shit, if it ain't mine,
I'ma be the first rapper
out of here.
- You hear me?
- [both laugh]
Okay, fine.
If you not a daddy... we out.
If we is a daddy, we out.
I'll just take the baby
with me... it's mine.
Babies fly half off
'cause they little.
[both laughing]
[apprehensive music playing]
[♪ ♪]
- Singer vocalizing...
- [upbeat music playing]
Welcome to our housewarming
party, everybody!
[indistinct chatter]
First of all,
I'm very proud of you.
And this is just
a little something, okay?
It's-it's an air fryer.
- An air fryer.
- [Al] Yeah.
Because I've seen you
cook before, and you need it.
- Thanks, Al.
- [Al] Just plug it in.
Kasey's the real cook though.
Thanks.
Well, two gone. One to go.
Come on, Al.
I know you secretly loved it.
I secretly love my peace.
And my gym. I want my gym back.
- Okay.
- I'm serious.
Trying to kick me out?
I'm staying
so that I can help you.
- You help me?
- Yes.
You want to help me,
you can pay the mortgage.
Oh, okay. I'm good.
No, no, no.
[laughs]
You can stay
as long as you want.
You family, but if you
want to go, you can go.
I'll support you either way.
I'll think about it.
Y'all having a good time,
right?
Hey. Okay.
Maybe all of this isn't so bad.
[both chuckle]
Having our own place.
All you have to do is say yes,
one day at a time, Poppy.
They've got their whole world
in front of 'em.
[Sage] She deserves it.
She deserves everything
that's coming to her.
And I'ma make sure she gets it.
She is my creative and
spiritual heir to the throne.
[Iman] So?
[Sage] So.
What's next for Sage?
Come on, what does a guy
like you do for an encore?
I don't know. Not sure.
But for the first time
in my life,
I'm not worried about it.
I'm happy.
I feel good. Yeah.
[Singer] ♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Let yourself feel free ♪
[bell tolling]
[soft sentimental music
playing]
[♪ ♪]
Finally.
[chuckles]
[Angel] Let's give it a minute.
Oh, you're gonna love this.
Look.
- You ready?
- Yeah.
Ah.
[heartwarming music playing]
[♪ ♪]
Hey, a'ight, a'ight, a'ight.
Enough of that. Enough of that.
Get a room.
- [Marquise] Yo!
- Get a room, man. Get a room.
- [all laughing]
- We pulled it off, bro!
We did it, man. We did it.
- [Angel] Oh, my goodness.
- Yes, we're here. We're here.
[Marquise] Man.
[indistinct chatter]
How's it looking out there?
I think we gonna do all right.
You know you've made
all my dreams come true, right?
I would do anything for you.
[cheers and applause]
[lively dance music playing
on speakers]
Make some noise!
[Singer] ♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
Give me another one,
I can't hear you!
♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
Oh, look!
[Singer] ♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
[Angel] Oh my God! [Laughs]
- [Tal] Yo! Hey!
- [Angel] Welcome.
- This is crazy.
- I know. Hi.
- Oh, hey, love. How are you?
- What's going on? Are you good?
[Angel] Good to see you.
Just thought I'd take
a trip to London.
Got a few good reasons now.
[Angel] I'm so glad
you made it.
[Tal]
Yeah, I wouldn't miss it.
No Saint Clip
performing tonight?
No, man.
This is, uh,
this is where we work now.
You know what I'm saying?
Plus, Saint Clip is dead too.
- You feel me?
- Yes.
I hate to interrupt
the meeting, guys,
but I really do have to go
and get changed.
Okay.
[JJ] I need you to make
some fucking noise
for the greatest club
in London!
[crowd cheering]
Hey, yo,
I gotta make the rounds.
I'ma send some Cristal
y'all way.
Y'all kick back.
Order what y'all want.
I'ma see y'all soon, a'ight?
- So?
- So?
Is London everything
you dreamed?
Hmm.
London's all right, I guess.
It's all right, you guess?
Look who we have here?
What the fuck
you lot doing here?
We came here to collect, baby.
Listen, we're done here.
We both know that.
I already paid you off.
[DJ] Ladies and gentlemen,
let's give it up
for Angel
and the Black Hall Dancers!
[Singer] ♪ I keep my nails
On glacier ♪
♪ Real icebreaker ♪
♪ I look cute when I step
Out the cruise ♪
♪ If she wanna fight
I'ma take off the hoops ♪
♪ I ain't scared when
They pull up in the groove ♪
♪ Roll on wolf bitch,
I don't recruit ♪
♪ Couple things
That I wanna get into ♪
[thug] We didn't know
you were gonna turn this dump
into a fancy cash machine,
mate.
I'll tell you what, bruv.
From here, you pay
the family moving forward.
Fuck off.
Where do you think
you're doing, cupcake?
Come on, bruv.
Put that thing down.
[thugs grunting]
[Singer] ♪ Real icebreaker ♪
♪ I look cute
When I step out the cruise ♪
♪ If she wanna fight
I take off the hoops ♪
♪ I ain't scared
When they pull up... ♪
Come on!
[Singer]
♪ Now how 'bout you? ♪
♪ Fuck do you do? ♪
♪ Who the fuck
Fucks with you? ♪
[both grunting]
♪ Why you can't
Save no ends? ♪
♪ Who, what, and when ♪
♪ Shame on them... ♪
[crowd cheering]
[thug grunts]
That's all you got, bruv? Huh?
Fuck off. Fuck off.
Yeah?
That's exactly what your mom
and your dad said,
right before I did them.
- Fucking cunt!
- [Thug] What are you gonna do?
[gunshot]
Hey, hey.
What's up, man? You good?
Nah, bruv. Not yet.
[gunshots]
Now I am.
Hey, you go back inside, yeah?
I'll deal with this lot.
Don't tell Angel. Yeah?
- JJ, what the fuck is...
- Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
Later, man. Later.
Welcome to the family, bruv.
[crowd cheering]
Go, Angel!
Indistinct rapping continues...
[♪ ♪]
[heartfelt music playing]
[Singer]
♪ Sometimes I'm overwhelmed ♪
♪ With everything I feel ♪
♪ 'Cause I know ♪
♪ How we break so easily ♪
♪ Maybe the only thing
That matters is love ♪
♪ Maybe love
Is the medicine we need ♪
♪ This is a prayer
For the broken ♪
♪ So beautiful and strange ♪
♪ It's all so temporary ♪
♪ So temporary ♪
♪ But we are not alone ♪
♪ So hold me like you'll ♪
♪ Never let me go ♪
"Step Up"...
I know who killed East-O.
[Cruz] And if you knew something
a few weeks ago,
you should've said so
right then and there.
This is the deed to High Water.
A few contracts that
give you control of everything.
[interviewer] What does
your family think
of all this, Angel?
[gunshot]
[Tense music plays]
[Odalie] We can be open
with each other
about anything.
[Angel] I mean,
there is one thing.
You know that new rapper,
Saint Clip?
That's Marquise.
[Odalie] You think that
the hottest new rapper in town
is your ex-fling?
This song, "Unchosen," could be
song of the year.
Where did it come from?
This is my life.
This is my story.
This is "Unchosen."
[Collette]
That motherfucker Sage.
This is his petty
fucking game.
I got something for him.
Isn't that your dance partner?
[Rigo] What the hell
is she doing there?
Fuck it.
- [Al] I told you...
- [Odalie screams]
[Al] ...if you live long
enough, you'll see everything.
[crowd cheering]
[Al laughing]
But check this out.
[funky music plays]
[♪ ♪]
[Singer]
♪ Step up in the spotlight ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo ♪
♪ Yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ I'm looking ♪
♪ For a better day ♪
♪ Wanna live my dream ♪
♪ Step up in the spotlight ♪
♪ Wanna step up
Step up in the spotlight ♪
♪ Want the money
Want the fame ♪
♪ Want the love
Not the same ♪
♪ I want it all ♪
♪ Step up in the spotlight ♪
♪ Wanna step up
Step up in the spotlight ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
*STEP UP*
Season 03 Episode 10
Episode Title: "Sleep When U Die"
Aired on: December 18, 2022.
♪ Oh ♪
[Lively jazz music playing]
Xzibit's "Get It On Like This"
playing...
[crowd cheering]
DJ, that's my shit! Turn it up!
[laughs]
[Xzibit] ♪ Get some on
Like this ♪
♪ Turn it up, that's my shit ♪
- Cheers! -Cheers!
- Yes, sir.
Uh, yo, everybody!
Yo, DJ, kill it,
kill it, kill it.
Hey, everybody gather round!
I have some profound shit that
I need to get off my chest.
Uh, wait, wait, wait.
Wait, wait, wait.
Before you say anything,
profound or otherwise,
- I'd like to raise a...
- Hmm.
Glass and propose a toast.
The governor has the floor.
Sage, you and your
grassroots support
has fueled this campaign.
When even the DNC
didn't believe in us.
It is because of you.
Your star power has...
Ah, I'ma have to stop you
right there.
That... w-with all due respect,
this moment is not about me.
Sage Rising got us
on the board,
but we got a long fight
before election day.
Let me say I cannot be
more proud to stand behind you
as you take this state back
for our people.
For Iman.
[all] Iman!
And for everybody
that rise with us.
It raises us up.
Our time is now.
- Yeah?
- [all] Yeah.
- [Sage] Yeah?
- Yeah!
- [crowd cheering]
- All right, then let's get it!
DJ, turn my shit back up!
[music resumes]
You should be out there
having fun.
Not in here with me.
I'm right where I want to be.
[upbeat music playing]
[♪ ♪]
[all cheering]
- [man] Hey, start the music.
- [computer beeps]
[Rigo] ♪ So why you be
Jealous of me? ♪
Oh, shit. A Gram... a Grammy?
[laughs]
Whoo! What? Let's go!
Are you ready to slay
the Grammys
in front of
the whole fucking world?
- Am I? Am I? You know it.
- Ah.
- Right?
- Ah, yes.
Finally, the world's gonna get
to hear the real "Unchosen."
Mm. What?
- It is your opus.
- Nah.
We gotta do "Take the Throne."
You know that's what put me on.
Fuck Sage.
Fuck Saint Clip, okay?
No punk in a fucking mask
is gonna steal your life story.
When 20 million people
hear your "Unchosen,"
believe me, they're gonna know
that shit belongs to you, okay?
- Yeah.
- [Sage] Look at all this shit.
That is what happens
when the Grammys hit you
with that
Lifetime Humanitarian award.
I got niggas sending my Cristal
that I ain't heard
from since '02.
"Congratulations, bro."
Bro, get your phony ass
out of here.
We'll drink your shit, though.
We are celebrating
you performing with me
at the Grammys.
Shit gon' be dope.
Yo, Sage, I appreciate it,
but, uh, it's past time
for me to disappear.
Mm, no, no.
Could be a nice little payday.
[whispering]
About 75 Gs.
Damn, nigga.
Not even the money?
You really serious. Okay.
All right, what about Angel?
Sage, it's nothing left
in Atlanta for me but trouble,
and the longer I stay, that's
just trouble for Angel too.
Look, Sage,
I appreciate it, man.
Thank you, but... I don't think
I can risk it.
- Fair.
- [phone buzzes]
Ah-ha-ha-ha, RiRi.
Yo, if I send her
to voicemail, she'll kill me.
Uh, I'ma take this call.
Offer still stands.
- Think about it.
- Ri?
- Okay.
- [Sage] Hey, baby.
- Like, RiRi?
- [Sage laughs] Yeah, yeah I got-
- You talking to Rihanna?
- What?
[Collette]
I wanna rebrand High Water
as the Spartika High Water
Academy.
I want to go nationwide.
We find and we foster
the next Odalie.
The next Rigo. The next Davis.
Wherever they are.
Wow. We can do that?
Jimmy, I'm pretty good at this.
The High Water here
is proof of the concept.
First, we take over America.
Then the world. Tokyo. Berlin.
- London.
- [Collette] Yes.
The most fertile market
in the planet.
What about Sage?
He's not just gonna
let High Water go.
Where are you going?
The gold doesn't spin itself,
Jimmy.
Leave Sage to me.
[upbeat hip-hop music playing]
[Singer] ♪ Run that, run that ♪
- ♪ Fly in, okay ♪
- There you go, and clap.
- ♪ Get money, come back ♪
- Bend back, hey.
Here we go, and clap. Hey!
- ♪ Baby, you know I'm a boss ♪
- [Singer] ♪ I'm a boss ♪
Bring it forward. Check!
[Sage] So I've got
a proposition for you.
Why don't you introduce me
at the Grammys?
Could be the buzzer beater
the campaign needs.
Yeah, what's the point
of getting all that shine
if I ain't gonna
share it, right?
K-a-are you kidding?
That'd be game-changing
national exposure.
That's pretty much
what I was thinking.
[Kasey and Iman laugh]
I guess that means I'd love to.
- Yo, Pop, that's good.
- [dancers applaud]
So lemme holla at ya.
Gotta do this right. Okay.
Five, six, seven, eight.
[indistinct chatter]
It's amazing what you do.
How do you even
come up with it?
I've been thinking
of routines all my life.
It's kind of second nature
at this point.
That easy, huh?
No, actually, I still obsess
over every flip and turn
as I flip and turn at night.
Aw, you just flipping
and turning
all by your lonesome
in there, huh?
Um, don't think you gonna
get somewhere with me
with that one line, okay?
- I don't think anything.
- Mm-hmm. I see you.
You ain't slick.
What the fuck did I do?
[apprehensive music playing]
[♪ ♪]
[Odalie screams]
[rapid knocking at door]
[man] Odalie?
[laughs]
Man.
Angel forgot to mention
you're, like, totally lush.
- You must be Angel's brother.
- Yes. JJ, man.
Nice to meet you. Oh, welcome.
Yeah, nice.
[lively synth music plays]
Would you mind
if I stay here for a bit?
Yeah. Of course.
I need to pick up
a few things, but, uh,
I want to surprise her
when she gets here.
What are you needing?
Ah, like, a gun.
- No. Oh!
- [JJ] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
No, I'm just...
I'm just playing,
but-but this is America,
isn't it?
Don't they, like,
strap you up as a baby
and then just roll you out
the maternity ward?
No, no?
You know, this is true.
[laughs]
As a matter of fact, the guy
that Angel's been seeing
is strapped all the time.
Shit. Sorry.
No, no. What?
You can tell me. Tell me.
It's just, um,
he's not really a good guy.
To be honest,
it wouldn't be the first time
that she's dated someone dodgy.
Nothing but drama
with that one.
Mm.
But still, that's why
we love her, though, innit?
Ah. Okay.
JJ!
- What?
- [both laugh]
[JJ] I'm here now.
[laughs]
- Oh, oh. You forgot about me.
- [Angel] Never, man.
- [doorbell rings]
- [JJ] Yeah.
[Marquise] Yo, how the fuck
did you find me?
Your, uh,
performance with Sage.
[scoffs]
That was just a small hint.
Dumbass.
Here I am wondering
if you dead or alive,
and you out here living like
the motherfucking Fresh Prince?
And why the fuck do you care?
Congratulations on the Grammy.
Happy to see my shit
working for you.
- Man, shut the fuck up!
- Suck my dick, nigga.
What the fuck you want?
It ain't shit left
for you to steal.
Bitch, I want you gone!
The phone... get rid of it,
along with the names in it.
And get rid of that
stupid-ass mask.
And don't you ever,
in your fucking life,
- perform "Unchosen" again.
- [Marquise snorts]
Nigga, this is my song.
Fuck out of here, nigga.
Marquise, I'm not playing.
And what the fuck
are you gonna do?
[tense music plays]
I ain't got nothing else
to lose, 'Quise.
[♪ ♪]
- You're not built like that.
- Try me.
You're right.
I ain't built like that.
Mm-hmm. That's what I thought.
But I am the son
of a motherfucker who is.
Which means all I gotta do
is make one phone call, 'Quise,
and you'll be
laying in the dirt,
just like the niggas
you pour drinks out for.
Marquise,
I don't have to touch you
for you to get touched.
Now, you got 24 hours
to disappear.
Do we have an understanding?
- Bet.
- I thought so.
[♪ ♪]
Hey, man.
You know, it's everything.
Everything is sorted back home.
It was difficult, mind you,
but-but all we need now
is the money.
- And that's it?
- Mm-hmm. Yeah.
- We get it back?
- Yeah. The club is ours.
[both laugh]
[♪ ♪]
JJ, I swear the money was
under my bed in my bag, man.
Angel, man, now,
this ain't funny.
[Angel] I know it's not fucking funny.
[JJ] So what...
Okay, all right.
Who else has been
in this house?
No one. Just me and Odalie.
Odalie!
Have you seen my backpack?
- What backpack?
- My backpack.
Sorry. I haven't seen it.
I don't get the big deal.
You can borrow one of mine,
if you...
[JJ]
Listen, dearie, dearie, love.
We don't care about
the fucking backpack here.
What we care about is the dough
inside the backpack.
Our fucking money.
It's $75,000.
- Wait. You have money?
- Not anymore.
Well, what?
We were robbed then?
Who would rob us?
Nothing else is missing.
I mean,
unless it could have been...
- Don't you even fucking...
- No, no, wait, wait, wait.
Could have been what?
Could have been what?
- [Odalie] Marquise.
- Fuck you, Odalie.
No. Wait, wait, wait.
Wait. Who is Marquise?
He's a criminal,
and she let him into my house.
You're mad. Do you know that?
You're bloody mad.
Well, you're the fucking one
who acted
like we had something special
and gave it all away
for some criminal
who just got out of jail.
So no, Angel,
you're bloody mad.
Or as we say here,
bat shit crazy, okay?
Get your fucking hand
out my face.
All right, all right,
whoa, whoa, whoa.
Don't do that. Who the...
All right, whoa, whoa, whoa!
All right. All right. Go.
Just go. Just g-go. Go.
Fucking go.
Go!
- Get off me.
- All right, man.
What the fuck, man?
[Kasey] AJC will be here in 30,
and then you have a break
until the live feed.
[Iman] Great. Thank you.
Who is that?
[driving inquisitive music
playing]
Hi. Can I help you?
Hi.
I'm Collette Jones,
and this is my institution.
You can help me
by rounding up your people
and kindly
vacating the premises.
[Sage] We got some shit to go over
for the Grammys, okay?
They need releases
so they can play my catalogue,
and I want Iman to intro me,
all right?
- That's non-negotiable.
- [Cruz] I'm on it.
I got all the paperwork,
but there's something going on
with the publishing.
Your music's not clearing.
What are you talking about?
[cell phone buzzes]
Sage.
No, she can't do that.
No, no, what I'm saying is,
she has no fucking right.
I'll figure it out.
Okay, so now Collette
is kicking the future governor
out of High Water
like she running shit.
What the fuck is going on
right now, man?
- Oh, fuck.
- Oh, fuck?
What oh, fuck? Oh, fuck what?
The powers of attorney
that you had me
draw up for Collette.
- [Sage] What?
- [Cruz sighs]
Oh, fuck.
They're fucking copies.
- What?
- [Cruz] They're fucking copies.
They're good copies,
but they're fucking copies.
Look, these just have
your signature on 'em.
She must have the originals,
signed them, executed 'em,
and that's why your
fucking music isn't clearing.
- What?
- Until I figure all this
shit out,
she controls everything.
Your label.
Your artists. Your masters.
Your publishing. High Water.
Your... your fucking penthouse.
[chuckles]
It's all hers.
- [Sage] Fuck!
- Hey!
[Marquise] Look, baby,
there's some shit going down,
and I gotta leave Atlanta
tonight.
All of a sudden,
just like that?
I don't think I have a choice.
It's like, I dunno.
Things are getting crazy.
-I gotta-
-I have to ask you something.
What's up, baby?
You didn't steal my money,
did you?
[apprehensive music playing]
How could you
even ask me that?
'Cause the money was here,
and now it isn't.
You're the only person
that's been in my room
other than Odalie.
Angel, I would never
steal from you.
I would never do anything
to hurt you.
Don't you know that?
I do. I'm sorry.
I wanna come with you.
- You do?
- Yes. Wherever you go.
But I can't
until I sort this shit
with my brother and the money.
What's the deal with the money?
What's going on?
What the fuck.
What? Is this the cunt?
- [Angel] JJ. JJ, calm down.
- [JJ] Is this the cunt?
[Marquise] Whoa. Wait, wait.
Oh, hey!
- [Angel] Stop!
- [Marquise] Ah!
Where's my fucking money?
[Angel] Oh, my God!
Where's the fucking money,
man?
- [JJ] God.
- No, man.
- Give me the money.
- You got the wrong dude.
I ain't take the fucking money.
[grunts]
Fuck sakes, JJ!
I believe him!
Oh, really?
Oh, you believe this shit?
- JJ, chill, man. Please.
- [Marquise] Look, man.
You got the wrong person,
all right?
Oh, no, no, brother.
I don't think I do, yeah?
I didn't take your money,
but look, I can help you.
- [JJ] Fuck you.
- Oh, my God.
Where's my fucking money, bruh?
Stop!
[automated voice] You have
reached the law offices of Ricardo Cruz.
If you are reaching us
after hours, please say...
- [Sage] One.
- [tone beeps]
Yo.
I'm about to see Collette.
She didn't really say anything.
Just wanted me to meet her
for brunch.
I'll hit you after.
[soft R&B music playing
on speakers]
[♪ ♪]
I am under the assumption
that you know what I want.
Of course.
Little gem salad, eggs Benny,
and an almond milk latte.
Yeah, I would order that
for you,
but I don't work
for you anymore.
I love that you're
in a joking mood right now,
but you know exactly
what I'm talking about.
[Collette]
I just signed the paperwork
that you gave me, honey.
You wanted me
to have it all, remember?
Yeah, when I was facing
a prison sentence.
You're a snake, you know that?
Okay, I thought we were just...
I thought we were gonna be able
to handle this like adults,
but...
What do you want? The house?
The Maybach? Publishing? Money?
Well, technically,
I actually own all of that,
so nothing.
But if I still owned that,
that would still
make us partners,
and I really don't want that.
Oh, trust me.
The feeling is very mutual.
Okay, good.
I want High Water.
- High Water.
- [Collette] Hmm.
Just High Water?
I built it. I want it.
It's mine.
How about that?
Oh, and Rigo.
I want Rigo's contract.
[phone buzzing]
Okay, so let me
get this straight.
- I give you High Water...
- And Rigo.
- Yeah, yeah, whatever.
- Mm-hmm.
And I keep everything else,
and we go our separate ways?
Let's talk specials.
- [phone dings]
- Yes. Let's do.
Um, you know, I would love
a Pinot grigio.
Do you want one?
You know,
just for old times' sake.
I need a minute.
More coffee. Coffee.
Thank you.
[line trills]
- [Cruz] Hey, Sage.
- Yo.
Where was Collette the night
of East-O's murder?
At High Water, working.
Don't you know this already?
[Cruz] I don't, actually.
Wasn't she supposed to meet you
at the lake house?
Isn't that right?
[Sage]
Yes, yes. She had a migraine.
- What's-what's the point?
- Hmm. A migraine.
And with a migraine,
she went to High Water to work?
Cruz. Point.
- Spit it out please.
- [Cruz] All right.
Remember when Marquise said
that he would have known
if the hit on East-O
came from the streets
because somebody
would have claimed it,
but nobody ever did?
He said that. You remember?
- Yeah. Yeah, so?
- [Cruz] Hey. Hear me out.
Collette lied to you
about taking money from East-O.
She lied to you about
fucking East-O.
She has lied to you
about everything
having to do with East-O.
Now, I know
this may sound insane.
Is it remotely possible
that she is the one
who fucking killed him,
and she's had me
and you fucking
dancing around like idiots
this whole fucking time
keeping this shit from us?
[tense music playing]
- I-I'll call you back.
- [Cruz] Do what you need to do.
I'll call you back.
[Collette] So who was that?
That was Cruz.
Is he okay with our deal?
Are we good?
Yeah,
I have a counteroffer for you.
Okay.
I keep the house.
I keep the Maybach.
I keep High Water.
I keep the record label.
I keep the publishing company.
And in return,
I never speak on what I know.
Okay. And what do you know?
That you killed East-O.
[♪ ♪]
You gambled
with my fucking life.
You let me go to fucking jail.
- Okay. Listen, Sage.
- [Sage] What? What?
What could you possibly
fucking say right now?
I know. I'm sorry. I know.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Look, I knew you were innocent,
and Cruz,
he-he was gonna get you off.
And-and the longer
I was silent...
...it was just all working out.
Look, I promise... I promise you,
if it went the other way,
I would have.
I would have.
It wasn't fair
you went to jail.
I know.
But it wouldn't have been fair
if I did.
It was out of self-defense.
He was violent.
- You knew that.
- I'm taking it back.
All of it. Everything.
Including High Water.
Especially High Water.
We have a deal?
You promise not to tell anyone.
Not a soul.
Including Rigo.
Still with the fucking kid.
Nah, Collette.
I wo-I won't tell Rigo.
Not a fucking word.
I'll let you do that.
You see,
I want to enjoy knowing
that you have to tell the kid
that you're currently fucking,
that the bitch
that he's currently fucking
is really who killed his dad.
Have fun with that.
[♪ ♪]
[silverware clattering]
[Singer] ♪ I strut my stuff
Like the showbiz ♪
♪ Big shot I grabbed up... ♪
- [Tal] Whoo!
- [Sage] Yeah!
[Poppy] Love the
fucking Grammys, y'all.
Grammy's!
- [Sage] Yeah.
- [Tal] Whoo!
- Ah. That's good. A'ight.
- [Poppy] Mm-hmm.
All right, we are here,
ladies and gentlemen.
Let's go introduce the world
to Iman Walker.
- Yes.
- [Iman] Let's do it!
[Kasey] Let's do it.
[Singer]
♪ We about to turn it up ♪
♪ Finna go get crazy ♪
♪ Someone touching on me
I don't even know this lady ♪
♪ Try to leave, she gon'
Make me do a whole 180 ♪
♪ I'm setting the scene
They ain't letting me leave ♪
♪ Everybody want a piece
And I'm getting fatigued ♪
♪ Magazine cover
Looking like a sex machine ♪
♪ Oh, yes, indeed
Don't forget... ♪
[Sage] No, no, no, no.
You don't want me.
Ah, ah, ah, ah.
I am not who you want.
This is who you want.
I want you to give
all your questions to her.
She is the future of Georgia,
and in my personal opinion,
the whole damn country.
Are you worried about the voter
suppression laws in Georgia?
Well, frankly,
everyone in this country
should be worried.
They're trying to demoralize
people from voting.
Particularly
Black and brown people,
but we're gonna shout.
You know, we're gonna shout
from every street,
every alley and red carpet
that we're not
going to accept it.
Camera time is up.
It's game time.
Let's go, fellas.
I have always wanted
to walk the red carpet.
Can we do it, though?
A-are we allowed to?
It's the Grammys. We got to.
Ah!
[crowd cheering]
- Want me to walk with you?
- I'm sorry.
I've just been burned
too many times
by putting a man
in front of me.
♪ I strut my stuff
like it's showbiz ♪
♪ Tough act to follow,
you know this ♪
[paparazzi] You're the girl
with the TikTok.
You're Poppy. You with anyone?
You look beautiful.
Look this way please!
♪ Real deal, pulling a four up
To the palace ♪
♪ I can make a whole show
From a dumb quote... ♪
[Poppy] Come here.
[Singer] ♪ I'm ready
For my closeup now ♪
♪ All of this applause
I'm ready to soak up now ♪
♪ Hey you got the point
I ain't seen no touchdowns ♪
♪ You the hottest monkey
In the circus ♪
- ♪ So what, clown? ♪
- Hey!
♪ I strut my stuff
Like it's showbiz ♪
♪ Big shot
I ramped up the dosage ♪
♪ Tough act to follow
You know this... ♪
Poppy and I
are seeing each other.
[Singer] ♪ Showbiz, showbiz ♪
♪ I strut my stuff
Like it's showbiz ♪
[♪ ♪]
Okay.
[announcer]
Ladies and gentlemen,
it's the Grammy Awards.
Tonight, performances
by best new artist nominees
Rigo Octavio,
the Frank Santos Three,
and a special performance
by Sage Odom.
[distant cheering]
Hey yo, fam. Thank you.
Good? A'right, cool.
75Gs.
As promised.
[Sage] Shine it, kid.
You look good.
So you really gotta go, huh?
Uh, what's up?
You gonna miss me or something?
Nah. Slow down. Slow down.
[both laugh]
Man, I don't even know
what to say.
Thank you
for everything you've done.
Performing with you tonight
is crazy.
It's all love, brother.
Need you to know that.
Man, you really changed
my life, dog.
[Sage] Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
You changed your life.
You left your heart open.
Made some bold and, frankly,
fucking terrifying decisions.
Shit ain't easy, man,
for nobody.
It speaks to your character.
Contrary to what you might
think about yourself...
I think you a good dude, man.
So, uh, Billy's out front.
Everything's set up.
You good to go?
Thank you, man.
[producer]
Okay, everybody, places.
We're back from commercial
in ten seconds.
And we're back live in five,
four, three, two...
Ladies and gentlemen,
best new artist nominee
Rigo Octavio performing
his new song "Unchosen."
Shout out, ATL!
Shout out my pops,
and shout out
my baby girl 'Lette.
Let's get it.
[cheers and applause]
[soft piano music playing]
Rigo!
We going there. Uh.
♪ These days I need Tylenol
'Cause my head hurt ♪
♪ Getting tired
Of making no bread work ♪
♪ I been walking around
With my chest out ♪
♪ But I'm stressed out
So I'm checked out ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm the best out
And I know it... ♪
Hey, yo. You hear that shit?
He's doing my record, man.
He's doing "Unchosen."
♪ Keep a nigga stressed out
With my motive ♪
♪ Everybody sketched out
On that chalk ♪
♪ Bet I'm off the chain
Whenever I walk ♪
♪ Bet I got the pistol grip
When I walk ♪
That's my life, dog.
[Sage] He jacking your shit.
Why don't you, uh,
go do something about it?
You want me go onstage
right now?
You feel like you don't
belong nowhere, huh?
You feel like you ain't real.
That's bullshit.
Nigga, your lyrics...
Your passion?
Bruh, you real as they come.
You had a father.
His name's East-O,
and let me tell you something.
You are more East-O's son
than this little nigga
could ever be.
♪ Where I gotta say
I'm unchosen ♪
[Sage]
You don't belong nowhere?
Fuck that.
You right where you belong.
Right here right now.
That's your story. Go tell it.
All right.
[Rigo] ♪ Unchosen ♪
♪ Unchosen ♪
[stirring music plays]
- [Marquise] Clip, look.
- ♪ Hold on, wait a minute ♪
♪ You a disrespectful
Motherfucker ♪
♪ Must have lost your mind ♪
♪ You out here fucking up
Thinking you got it ♪
♪ But I really doubt it
'Cause I won't allow it ♪
♪ And I wrote about it
You know that I did ♪
♪ Motherfucker
I wrote all of your shit ♪
♪ So run me that Grammy
And run me that pay ♪
♪ And after that solo, bitch
Run me my fame ♪
♪ 'Cause all of that time
Took on that rhyme book ♪
♪ Yo, that's my life
And them my hooks ♪
♪ I have bills
Doing this bitch ♪
♪ And you still
Spitting my shit ♪
♪ Hold up in there ♪
♪ You a fraud, nigga
You bitch-made ♪
♪ I should introduce you
To my switchblade ♪
♪ But that karma coming ♪
♪ You'll get yours
And I'ma get mine ♪
♪ 'Cause I been waiting
It's on ♪
Clip.
Whoo!
[cheers and applause]
Do something,
you fucking pussy.
So you really want
to battle me, Black Iron Man?
- It's Saint Clip.
- I know who the fuck you are.
[woman]
Should we go to commerical?
[producer] No, no, no,
stay with this. Stay with this.
[indistinct chatter]
Let's get it, then.
[crowd cheering]
♪ Controlling the game ♪
♪ Holding my chain
I'm saying my name ♪
♪ Heavy and ready
When I load up the barrel ♪
♪ The name's Steady
Call the reverend ♪
♪ It's a blessing
You disappearing for testing ♪
♪ Meanwhile, you running
From all your problems ♪
♪ And you capped ♪
♪ Steal your rhymes?
How that happen? ♪
♪ This shit is off the dome
And niggas are still rapping ♪
♪ This boy a snake ♪
♪ I'ma keep it transparent ♪
♪ While I'm looking
At your mask ♪
♪ We know you a fake ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪ Now who the fuck want war?
Niggas know I'm about it ♪
♪ I catch a body
If you try me, bitch ♪
♪ You know I'm a savage
Rigo know I'm a challenge ♪
♪ All that dancing ain't
Gonna save you when I slide ♪
♪ Put the burner to your dome
Let you fry ♪
♪ Motherfucker
You a theater boy ♪
♪ You was never unchosen ♪
♪ I've been around
Since the youth... ♪
You planned this, didn't you?
[laughs]
I just tossed him the oop.
He gotta slam it home.
♪ I have you laying
With your father in a ditch ♪
♪ And I never met your mother ♪
♪ But I'm sure that yo use
A son of a bitch, pussy ♪
[cheers and applause]
[mouthing words]
♪ You wanna be me so bad ♪
♪ But you can't
Share this stage ♪
♪ Always wanted to be somebody
You couldn't but couldn't ♪
♪ 'Cause East-O had you locked
In that fairy cage ♪
♪ That's right
I see you, Marquise ♪
- [crowd gasps]
- ♪ Come on out, little bitch ♪
♪ I'm the one that moved you in
When you got locked up ♪
♪ And blessed you
With them fresh outfits ♪
♪ Boy, you got me fucked up ♪
♪ When you had no bread
And you was out shit ♪
♪ Can't name three people
In the city to fuck with ♪
♪ You jealous,
You're insecure ♪
♪ And your name is whack ♪
♪ And all that talking big
Don't change the facts ♪
♪ You the only nigga
Who don't know who you are ♪
♪ So why don't you
Take off that mask? ♪
[cheers and applause]
- [Marquise] All right.
- No, no, no. Fuck. No.
No more running.
You right, bro.
♪ East-O ain't fuck with me ♪
- ♪ And that set the standing ♪
- Shit.
♪ Only person who ever loved me
Ain't give me no answers ♪
♪ But you was my brother
Before we knew it was true ♪
♪ So why the fuck is I really
Up here pissed off at you? ♪
♪ Look, man, I get it ♪
♪ Shit's fucked up
In the game ♪
♪ And to be honest with you
I made a vow ♪
♪ That I would never
Be the same ♪
♪ But don't get it twisted
My nigga ♪
♪ I'm still
With all of the smoke ♪
♪ So if your homies
Run up on me ♪
♪ Then they all
Gonna be ghosts ♪
♪ They all gonna be toast ♪
♪ 'Cause I don't give a fuck
No more ♪
Let's roll bruh.
♪ I ain't even mad
At you, dog ♪
♪ We could have
Been each other ♪
♪ Only difference between us
Is a different mother ♪
♪ But I ain't jealous of you
I really never was ♪
♪ I just wanted my own things
To smile about ♪
♪ Life is hard
I ain't never get to wild out ♪
♪ You was taking off ♪
♪ And I never wanted
To dial out ♪
Shit.
♪ But you was right
About that mask shit ♪
♪ And every single day been
Feeling like my last shit ♪
♪ When I'm wearing it
Nobody seem to care who I am ♪
♪ Blowing up was never part
Of the plan ♪
♪ I'm still running ♪
[heartfelt music playing]
[♪ ♪]
[cheers and applause]
[producer] Okay, guys.
We're back from commercial
in one minute.
Rigo!
I don't have no time
to fuckin' talk right now.
No, no.
You owe me an explanation.
Oh, yeah? For what?
For being a fucking fraud.
I've only been
what you wanted me to be.
What you made me be.
- I made you great.
- I was already great.
Look, I'm done with this,
a'ight?
And I'm fucking done
with you too.
- No, Rigo, you're not.
- Yeah, the fuck I'm not.
Rigo, I'm pregnant,
and it's yours.
[apprehensive music playing]
[♪ ♪]
[announcer] Please welcome
the Democratic candidate
for governor of Georgia,
Iman Walker.
Good evening.
It is my honor tonight
to introduce
a transcendent artist.
The 2021 recipient
of the Recording Academy's
Humanitarian Award,
Sage Odom.
In "Letters
from the Birmingham Jail,"
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Said,
"The question is not
if we will be extremists,
"but what kind of extremists
we will be.
"The nation and the world
are in dire need
of creative extremists."
Sage Odom is that.
His formative school High Water
exemplifies that vision.
[cheers and applause]
[Sage] Truth is,
I created High Water
to give kids
from my community
a real shot
at getting into this business.
Art is not a pipe dream.
It's not expendable.
It's a commodity.
It's-it's America's
most lucrative export.
Dedicated myself
to bringing around
the most qualified people
to teach,
train, and guide them,
while at the same time,
making sure that
they get the most
realistic experience possible.
Really show them
what this game is about.
Marquise!
[Marquise] Come on, let's go.
[apprehensive music playing]
Fuck.
[Odalie] Angel, wait, wait.
Please, please, please.
Please, please don't go.
- Odalie, get off me.
- [Odalie] No.
[Angel] Let me go.
[Odalie] Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Wait, please. Please.
You're making a mistake.
- [Marquise] Come on. Let's go.
- No!
Shit.
[tense music playing]
[Rigo] Oh, no, no, no.
Wait, wait, wait.
-W-wait. I said wait! Just-
-Man, move.
There it is!
Yo, open up.
This ain't your limo, pal.
[Sage]
This is us getting the art
back to the people
through the artists.
[cheers and applause]
[Singer] ♪ I've got a voice ♪
♪ And I'ma use it loud ♪
♪ I've got a voice ♪
♪ And I'm a use it proud ♪
Upbeat dance music playing...
[Sage] Hey, 'Lette.
So listen, I thought about it,
and, um...
...you should have High Water.
- What?
- It's yours. Always has been.
And inside,
I've always known that.
So take care of it.
Take care of you.
[Singer] ♪ Just thought
That you should know that ♪
♪ We made a voice
We made a voice ♪
♪ We made a voice ♪
♪ I've got a voice ♪
♪ And I'ma use it loud ♪
♪ I've got a voice ♪
♪ And I'ma use it proud ♪
[soft piano chords]
[cheers and applause]
Sage vocalizing...
♪ Things need to change ♪
- ♪ That's true and good ♪
- We love you!
♪ But don't nobody
Want to listen ♪
♪ So I'll be the change ♪
♪ I wanna see ♪
♪ I'll start with me, me ♪
[Angel] There's JJ.
[tense music playing]
[gunshots]
[Angel] No!
[tires squealing]
Marquise!
[sobbing]
[Sage] ♪ 'Cause I know
That I been selfish ♪
♪ But now it's up to me
To do what no one else is ♪
♪ Gather my people
In the hood ♪
♪ Show 'em how important
That mental health is ♪
♪ Financial intelligence ♪
♪ So they can see
What wealth is ♪
[Sage] ♪ I'll be the change ♪
♪ That I want to see ♪
♪ I'll start with me ♪
[singers] ♪ I'll start
With me ♪
[Sage] ♪ Oh, I ♪
[singers] ♪ I'll start
With me, myself ♪
♪ I'll start with me ♪
[Sage] ♪ I'll be the change
I wanna see ♪
♪ Yeah, be the change
That I wanna see ♪
[singers] I'll start
With me, myself ♪
[Sage] Hey!
[singers] ♪ I'll start
With me, myself ♪
- ♪ I'll start with me ♪
- [Sage] Ha!
♪ Be the change I wanna see,
Yeah ♪
Whoo!
Help! Help!
[somber music playing]
Oh, no.
Need help?
I got him.
Come on man, come on.
C'mon.
[car horn honking]
[Rigo sobbing]
[singer vocalizing]
[♪ ♪]
♪ We came forward ♪
♪ Running backwards ♪
♪ No one man's a island ♪
♪ Shotgun riding for you ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ Somehow we made it ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ Although jaded ♪
♪ Was it worth it all? ♪
♪ Could it be more? ♪
♪ And oh ♪
♪ What a way to die ♪
♪ Standing eye to eye ♪
♪ Pretending we're alive ♪
♪ As we grow colder ♪
♪ And oh ♪
♪ The devil that I know ♪
♪ Is better than the devil
That I don't ♪
♪ Was it worth it all? ♪
♪ To the evil ♪
Magic Geddes?
Yeah. Who are you?
That's the motherfucker that
helped you get out of here.
[sentimental music plays]
Oh, shit.
- You're welcome.
- [Magic] Thank you.
Look like you've seen
a ghost, dog.
I-I don't know
what to say, man.
I-I thought you...
You thought I forgot about you.
Nah, man.
Look, uh, after what
you did for me in there?
Don't even get down like that.
[♪ ♪]
[Cruz] Well, uh, you guys
get down with steak?
'Cause I'm fucking starving.
Yeah. Let's go.
- Hell yeah. Let's go.
- Cruz needs some food!
[Sage] I know just the place.
Get you a steak and, uh,
maybe something else you
ain't had in a little while.
[laughter]
[Jimmy] This is now
not just a dance academy...
...or a fluffy feather
in a cap
of the Spartika corporation.
It is, in fact,
the future of Spartika.
The vision is the brainchild
of one person,
our new chief brand officer,
Ms. Collette Jones.
Thank you. Thank you.
The space you're about to tour
is our crown jewel
in our roll out of phase one.
[upbeat music playing]
The establishment
of a national network
of Spartika academies.
Oh, Rigo. Come on in.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Rigo right here,
he is a product
of the academy.
Plucked off the streets
of Atlanta,
groomed into a Grammy-nominated
recording artist.
Then we have Davis Jimenez
over here.
This is our real star.
We have two songs
that are charting right now.
He just inked a three-album
deal with Kasdan Records,
and now he's gearing up
for his very own
Spartika-sponsored world tour
in the next two months.
Bro, this shit is fucking sick.
- Oh, yeah?
- [Odalie] Yeah.
Fuck with me then.
[phone chimes]
Oh, Lord.
Hey, yo, are you talking
to Angel again?
[laughs]
Kinda.
[Rigo] Oh, man.
Shit, I might even
go to London to see her.
What?
I haven't done
enough traveling.
Me neither, shit.
I'll fuck around
and go with you.
For real.
Yeah, Rigo,
you have a kid on the way.
Maybe. That's just a rumor.
It could be fucking Sage's,
shit.
I tell you what, though,
if it's my kid,
I'ma be
the best daddy ever, man.
- For real.
- Hmm.
But shit, if it ain't mine,
I'ma be the first rapper
out of here.
- You hear me?
- [both laugh]
Okay, fine.
If you not a daddy... we out.
If we is a daddy, we out.
I'll just take the baby
with me... it's mine.
Babies fly half off
'cause they little.
[both laughing]
[apprehensive music playing]
[♪ ♪]
- Singer vocalizing...
- [upbeat music playing]
Welcome to our housewarming
party, everybody!
[indistinct chatter]
First of all,
I'm very proud of you.
And this is just
a little something, okay?
It's-it's an air fryer.
- An air fryer.
- [Al] Yeah.
Because I've seen you
cook before, and you need it.
- Thanks, Al.
- [Al] Just plug it in.
Kasey's the real cook though.
Thanks.
Well, two gone. One to go.
Come on, Al.
I know you secretly loved it.
I secretly love my peace.
And my gym. I want my gym back.
- Okay.
- I'm serious.
Trying to kick me out?
I'm staying
so that I can help you.
- You help me?
- Yes.
You want to help me,
you can pay the mortgage.
Oh, okay. I'm good.
No, no, no.
[laughs]
You can stay
as long as you want.
You family, but if you
want to go, you can go.
I'll support you either way.
I'll think about it.
Y'all having a good time,
right?
Hey. Okay.
Maybe all of this isn't so bad.
[both chuckle]
Having our own place.
All you have to do is say yes,
one day at a time, Poppy.
They've got their whole world
in front of 'em.
[Sage] She deserves it.
She deserves everything
that's coming to her.
And I'ma make sure she gets it.
She is my creative and
spiritual heir to the throne.
[Iman] So?
[Sage] So.
What's next for Sage?
Come on, what does a guy
like you do for an encore?
I don't know. Not sure.
But for the first time
in my life,
I'm not worried about it.
I'm happy.
I feel good. Yeah.
[Singer] ♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Let yourself feel free ♪
[bell tolling]
[soft sentimental music
playing]
[♪ ♪]
Finally.
[chuckles]
[Angel] Let's give it a minute.
Oh, you're gonna love this.
Look.
- You ready?
- Yeah.
Ah.
[heartwarming music playing]
[♪ ♪]
Hey, a'ight, a'ight, a'ight.
Enough of that. Enough of that.
Get a room.
- [Marquise] Yo!
- Get a room, man. Get a room.
- [all laughing]
- We pulled it off, bro!
We did it, man. We did it.
- [Angel] Oh, my goodness.
- Yes, we're here. We're here.
[Marquise] Man.
[indistinct chatter]
How's it looking out there?
I think we gonna do all right.
You know you've made
all my dreams come true, right?
I would do anything for you.
[cheers and applause]
[lively dance music playing
on speakers]
Make some noise!
[Singer] ♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
Give me another one,
I can't hear you!
♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
[♪ ♪]
♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
Oh, look!
[Singer] ♪ We 'bout to blow ♪
[Angel] Oh my God! [Laughs]
- [Tal] Yo! Hey!
- [Angel] Welcome.
- This is crazy.
- I know. Hi.
- Oh, hey, love. How are you?
- What's going on? Are you good?
[Angel] Good to see you.
Just thought I'd take
a trip to London.
Got a few good reasons now.
[Angel] I'm so glad
you made it.
[Tal]
Yeah, I wouldn't miss it.
No Saint Clip
performing tonight?
No, man.
This is, uh,
this is where we work now.
You know what I'm saying?
Plus, Saint Clip is dead too.
- You feel me?
- Yes.
I hate to interrupt
the meeting, guys,
but I really do have to go
and get changed.
Okay.
[JJ] I need you to make
some fucking noise
for the greatest club
in London!
[crowd cheering]
Hey, yo,
I gotta make the rounds.
I'ma send some Cristal
y'all way.
Y'all kick back.
Order what y'all want.
I'ma see y'all soon, a'ight?
- So?
- So?
Is London everything
you dreamed?
Hmm.
London's all right, I guess.
It's all right, you guess?
Look who we have here?
What the fuck
you lot doing here?
We came here to collect, baby.
Listen, we're done here.
We both know that.
I already paid you off.
[DJ] Ladies and gentlemen,
let's give it up
for Angel
and the Black Hall Dancers!
[Singer] ♪ I keep my nails
On glacier ♪
♪ Real icebreaker ♪
♪ I look cute when I step
Out the cruise ♪
♪ If she wanna fight
I'ma take off the hoops ♪
♪ I ain't scared when
They pull up in the groove ♪
♪ Roll on wolf bitch,
I don't recruit ♪
♪ Couple things
That I wanna get into ♪
[thug] We didn't know
you were gonna turn this dump
into a fancy cash machine,
mate.
I'll tell you what, bruv.
From here, you pay
the family moving forward.
Fuck off.
Where do you think
you're doing, cupcake?
Come on, bruv.
Put that thing down.
[thugs grunting]
[Singer] ♪ Real icebreaker ♪
♪ I look cute
When I step out the cruise ♪
♪ If she wanna fight
I take off the hoops ♪
♪ I ain't scared
When they pull up... ♪
Come on!
[Singer]
♪ Now how 'bout you? ♪
♪ Fuck do you do? ♪
♪ Who the fuck
Fucks with you? ♪
[both grunting]
♪ Why you can't
Save no ends? ♪
♪ Who, what, and when ♪
♪ Shame on them... ♪
[crowd cheering]
[thug grunts]
That's all you got, bruv? Huh?
Fuck off. Fuck off.
Yeah?
That's exactly what your mom
and your dad said,
right before I did them.
- Fucking cunt!
- [Thug] What are you gonna do?
[gunshot]
Hey, hey.
What's up, man? You good?
Nah, bruv. Not yet.
[gunshots]
Now I am.
Hey, you go back inside, yeah?
I'll deal with this lot.
Don't tell Angel. Yeah?
- JJ, what the fuck is...
- Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
Later, man. Later.
Welcome to the family, bruv.
[crowd cheering]
Go, Angel!
Indistinct rapping continues...
[♪ ♪]
[heartfelt music playing]
[Singer]
♪ Sometimes I'm overwhelmed ♪
♪ With everything I feel ♪
♪ 'Cause I know ♪
♪ How we break so easily ♪
♪ Maybe the only thing
That matters is love ♪
♪ Maybe love
Is the medicine we need ♪
♪ This is a prayer
For the broken ♪
♪ So beautiful and strange ♪
♪ It's all so temporary ♪
♪ So temporary ♪
♪ But we are not alone ♪
♪ So hold me like you'll ♪
♪ Never let me go ♪