04x06 - Save the Center, Part 1

[bunniefuu]

[hip-hop beat]
[audience cheering]

♪ My name is Karma

And I'm on the road to greatness ♪


♪ Lyrically gifted

Because of my imagination ♪


♪ Now that I'm here

Let me tell you what I stand for ♪


♪ Making music that'll get you

On the dance floor ♪


♪ And when you hear my songs

They're so amazing ♪


♪ Around the world for girls

I'm trailblazing ♪


♪ This is my moment

And I'm in the light ♪


-♪ So here's what I'm 'bout to say ♪

-[music dies]


-Huh?

-[girl] What happened?

Wait. This isn't right.

-[cackling]

-[gasps]

Has anybody ever tried to take you down?

Stick around.

I'mma show you what went down!

[laughter]

-Guys, can somebody tell me who this is?

-[all] That's the CeCe Dupree!


Ma, she's the hottest rapper

in the world right now.


Hey, y'all. It's your girl, CeCe.


She's got millions of followers

and about to build…


The super-sound skyscraper.

What's a super-sound skyscraper?

It's gonna be the coolest

hip-hop spot of all time


with concerts and recording studios

and roller coasters and fireworks

and, and--

CeCe's gonna announce

where she's building it soon.


Your city might be the location

of the biggest musical skyscraper ever.


-[cheering]

-Where do you think CeCe will pick?

Tokyo? Paris? Cairo? Or…
[gasps] The moon.
I wouldn't be surprised.

CeCe is the coolest rapper

in the universe.

[clears throat] Karma.

You were supposed

to be downstairs ten minutes ago.


-I'm working on your beat.

-[chuckles] My bad.

Hit play and clear the way!

I'm ready to record my song

on the… golden microphone!

[pants]

-Pause. Rewind.

-Huh?


You can't record

until your song gets finished.


My song is finished.

The lyrics are… good enough.

You know what I always say.
[both] Good enough is never good enough.
Well, here's what I wrote for the ending.

-[hip-hop beat starts]

-♪ Here it is, here I am ♪


♪ Steppin' into the spotlight

I am Karma… ♪

And… uh, um…

♪ Those tacos look tasty

Can I have a bite? ♪


Karma, do you really want that line

in your first song?

[sighs] No. I guess not.
But I've been working on it for months.
I wanna record it now.
I know, but you gotta do the work.

If you do, I know you'll get

on that golden mic soon.

Hm. [sighs]

[sighs] Lady K doesn't think I'm ready.

But I know I am.


I don't believe

you have to be so particular.


This community center

does not pass inspection.

You're violating tons of building rules.

The heating pipes are broken.

Just listen.

[clattering, farting]

Pardon me.

Uh… I had a big bean breakfast.

Hm.
And in here there's a faint smell of…
[sniffs] Whoo! A stink!

Oh, well, that's a new air freshener

we're trying.


The plumbing's backed up,

the floors are crooked,


and don't even get me started

on the ceiling.


[sighs] City rules state that

unless you can pay for the repairs

by the end of the week,
we'll have to close the community center.
It'll cost… about $,.
[all] $,?

We can't raise

that kind of money in a week!

The whole neighborhood uses this place!
What are we gonna do now?

-I have terrible news!

-[Dad] We know, Kar-Star!


Your mom's trying

to get the city to change their mind.


And I made a fundraiser

on allornothing.com


so people can give money

to save the center.


Plus, when they donate,

the gold coin goes…


♪ All or nothing ♪


♪ Don't be buggin' ♪


And I'll sell toilet paper helmets

to raise money, too.

But I'm gonna need a new commercial.

-Major…

-[barks]


-Hold still, boy.

-[whimpers]

The toilet paper helmet.
It's your number one for a number two.
[flushing]
Whoa! Whoa!

-[Karma grunts]

-[barks]

[crashing]

[chuckles] With everyone helping,

I know we can do this.

We can save the community--

[reporter]
We're live

in Hansberry Heights,


where music superstar CeCe Dupree

is holding a press conference.


I know you're wondering,


what's a person like me

doing in a place like this?


Well, I, CeCe Dupree, see

something special in Hansberry Heights.


That's why I'm gonna turn

your busted community center


into the super-sound skyscraper.

[cheering]

-Wow!

-Wait. What?


I chose Hansberry 'cause

your neighborhood's got hip-hop history,

but it could use an upgrade.
[crowd gasping]
[man] Oh, my!
[all] Whoa!
Check this out.

♪ Yes, my name's CeCe Dupree ♪


♪ Can you imagine

How great this place is gon' be? ♪


♪ Hansberry Heights

You know we'll go far ♪


♪ 'Cause I can turn everyone

Into a superstar ♪


♪ I'mma save your community

And so much more… ♪

I've gotta see this.

♪ …you need in store ♪


♪ Guitars, pianos, violins, drums ♪


♪ If you hungry, here's a hot dog cart

Come get some ♪

And concert stages and studios, too?

♪ Whatever that you didn't have before

We gon' do ♪


-What about a roller coaster?

-Or fresh juice bar?


♪ I told you if you stick with me

We'll go far ♪


♪ Yes, to the prizes

The jewelry, the money ♪


♪ Some people think I'm joking

But it's really not funny ♪


♪ Hansberry Heights, don't question me ♪


♪ I'm so good, so true ♪


♪ Say yes to me ♪

Hi, Ms. Dupree. Um…

♪ When we were lost

And our whole neighborhood was down ♪


♪ Thanks for giving us a chance

And turning things around ♪


♪ Our center means so much

Now it's here to stay ♪


♪ Thank you, Ms. Dupree

You saved the day ♪


-[crowd cheering]

-Go ahead, Miss Girl. You got skills.


-What's your name?

-[chuckles] Karma.

Karma, we should work together.

It's not every day

I come across a talent like yours.

[gasps] You wanna work with me?

Of course! Meet me tomorrow

and we can record a song.


And really get you ready

for the spotlight.

Rashid! Where are you?
[pants] Yes, CeCe?
Schedule a time for me and Karma tomorrow.
And why aren't you filming me for my fans?

I told you, always have

the camera on me! Ugh!

Yes, CeCe.
So… you in, girl?
You know it.
[chuckles] Oh.

But somebody told me

I'm not ready to record my song yet.

Whoever told you that is just jealous.

Now, is this girl ready for the big time?

You tell me.


-OK! I'm in!

-All right, then.

CeCe you later.

-Wow!

-[Lady K] Hm.

Mm, mm, mm.
Oh! Lady K!
CeCe's gonna save our center.
Can you believe it?

Actually, I can't.

It sounds too good to be true.

She wants to help our neighborhood.
But why? We don't need BeeBee.

We can help ourselves

if we put in the work.

But CeCe is helping us.
She's even helping with my rap.

She's gonna record

my first song with me tomorrow.

Oh. Karma, do you really trust NeeNee?
[sighs] It's CeCe.
And how come you're not happy for me?

I just don't want you to take a shortcut

and end up regretting it.

CeCe said you're probably jealous.

I've been with you day after day,

writing, working on your beats.


You really think

I don't want you to shine?

Then why won't you let me?

Good luck tomorrow. I hope CeCe

is as good as you think she is.

[sighs]
Why is Lady K trying to stop me?
Doesn't she think I'm a good rapper?
[sighs] At least CeCe believes in me.

♪ Every day I thought

Lady K was my hero ♪


♪ But the way she's talking to me

Has me feeling like a zero ♪


♪ Wow

Why she trying to steal my shine? ♪


♪ I put in work every day

And she knows my grind ♪


♪ I've been focused

Determined, calm, patient ♪


♪ Correcting my mistakes

Used all of my concentration ♪


♪ Sorry, Lady K

I'm going the other way ♪


♪ CeCe says I'm ready

I got nothing else to say ♪


I'm gonna record my very first song

tomorrow with the CeCe Dupree!

[CeCe] That goes over there.
No, not that over there. This over there.
Rashid, where's my breakfast?

-Here, CeCe?

-A purple scone? Ugh!


I don't eat food

that clashes with my outfit.

A lot clashes with your outfit.
You should be filming me right now.
Always be filming me!

-Hm.

-[Karma] Hi, CeCe!

Karma, you made it.

Remember Karma, everybody?

[chuckles]


Gotta go. We've got some

super-secret music-making to do.

[chuckles]
So, let's hear your best song.
[Karma] OK. Here goes.

♪ My name is Karma

And I'm on the road to greatness ♪


♪ Lyrically gifted

Because of my imagination ♪


♪ But let me tell a story

How I doubted my name ♪


♪ And I lost my confidence

Until my daddy explained ♪


♪ That Karma means destiny ♪


♪ If I put good into the world ♪


♪ It comes back

And that's bringing out the best in me ♪

Hm… Um…

♪ Here it is, here I am

Steppin' into the spotlight ♪


♪ I am Karma

And, uh… ♪


♪ Those tacos look tasty

Can I have a bite? ♪


Ooh! I love it!

You eat those tacos, girl!

Now, tell me the story behind the song.

Well, one time some kids

made fun of my name.

But my dad told me what it means.

That if you put love out into the world,

you get love back.

I try to live my life like my name.
CeCe loves that.

-And so will my followers.

-[gasps]


Millions are gonna hear your song

when I post it.

You're gonna be huge.
Rashid, isn't she gonna be huge?
Uh-huh.
Oh, thank you, CeCe!
All right, now. CeCe you later.
Thanks again. Bye, girl.
Hm.
[Dad] Mm, mm, mm.

-[tablet pings]

-Karma, no tablets at the breakfast table.

But CeCe hasn't uploaded my song yet.

It's been days since we recorded it

and noth--


-[TV]
Hey, it's your girl, CeCe.

-[gasps]


And welcome to "Good Morning, Brenda."


With Brenda. I'm Brenda.


Today, I'm releasing my latest single.

Exciting. What inspired the song?

Well, one time some kids in school

made fun of my name,


but then my dad explained

what my name means.


That if you put love out into the world,

you get love back.


Not a lot of people know,

but that's what CeCe means.

What?
I try to live my life by my name.
Oh! Wow! What a coincidence, Kar-Star!

-That sounds like what happened to you.

-But… But…


♪ My name is CeCe

And I'm on the road to greatness ♪


♪ Lyrically gifted

Because of my… ♪

Man, CeCe Dupree is fire!
But that's my song.