01x09 - One by One, Into the Dark

[bunniefuu]

Angel dust [crowd cheering]


- [Mr.

Books]

Yeah
- Angel dust [Mr.

Books]

Yeah Yeah Angel dust Angels with dirty faces Angels with broken wings The devil's dust, PCP Invading bloodstreams People lining up to get it Fantastic knew how to flip it Illegal substance destructive And plus addictive Trusted and respected Almost got me arrested All the time I invested in school Is now in question Shao, prone to v*olence Like a dog returns to its own vomit A fool for chaos Taking what we could salvage Hustling is a art I'm just trying to be smart Strung our bodies out in the park Shaolin was my heart We stood for loyalty All we had was each other's backs My raps were like crystallized powder Before cr*ck Raw, uncut Like what they sold In front of the storefront The sidewalk was my brother's office We cut our losses I had choices I took a pen Became the voice for the voiceless My people walking in a zombie state
- Life is short, even mine's at stake
- Angel dust The government says that angel dust can k*ll you if you take it.


- Or it can cause you to k*ll others.


- Angel dust [Koch]

The scourge of angel dust has been linked to psychosis
- Angel dust
- v*olence, schizophrenia.

And the epidemic runs
- especially rampant in the Bronx.


- Angel dust My administration will hunt down these poison
-pushers and arrest them one
-by
-one until we get directly to the source.

Angel dust Dust Angel dust Dust [Ra
-Ra]

Hey, Dad.

What? What you all want? Dad, I wrote up a little proposal this morning.


- Like a contract.


- Contract? [Ra
-Ra]

You let us continue to perform, and we promise to come straight home.

And not miss school, do our chores, look after each other, stay out of trouble and away from dr*gs.

And, Daddy, if we fail to live up to any part of this contract we'll never perform again.

See? It says that there on page three.

Page three, huh? Let me ask you something.

Did I b*at your asses last night or did I show rare mercy and restraint? Rare mercy and restraint.

Correct.

And yet despite my mercy, y'all got the nerve to come into my kitchen to wheel and deal? We really love music, Dad just like you.

And our crew? We're going places.

We're good at it.

And girls are starting to like us now, Dad.

You boys ain't selling dr*gs?
- No, no, no way, Dad.


- Dad, just look at Article 1.

Your devoted musical offspring will never ever sell dr*gs, period.


- What about Dizzee?
- He's not.

I swear.

I keep an eye on Dizzee all the time, right, Boo? Mm.

Mm
-hm.

He does.

Ra
-Ra's like 5
-0.

Really.

Go to school.

So, you'll take a look at it, then? Just Go to school.

Go.

Devoted musical offspring, huh? [chuckles]

[Ra
-Ra]

Trust me.

My daddy's gonna go for it.

[Ezekiel]

Not my Tia Wanda.

Till I apologize to Gunns, I'm grounded, curfew and everything.

I don't know if I feel like apologizing to that assh*le.

I ain't trying to be played like Papa Fuerte.

No way.

But a curfew won't do.

What about our shows? What's happening, man? Zeke, man, you the head MC.

And as your manager, I'm telling you, I have aggressive plans for expansion.

So, yo, even if you ain't sorry, you have to march your ass to Queens today and go apologize to this dude.

I I know you don't want to, but but for the music.

Maybe when you say you're sorry, you could just cross your fingers behind your back, like they do.

Use techniques the white man taught you.


- [grunting]


- [crowd cheering]


- Damn.


- [girl]

Yo, Ezekiel is
- so fine and intelligent.


- I don't know.


- I like the soulful one.


- Yeah.

[Yvonne]

Y'all should come to our show.


- I'm Yvonne.


- I'm Tanya.

[Yvonne]

We new here.

And we Zulu queens.

[Tanya]

Walking the path of righteousness.

Well, I'm enchanted to make your most divine, foxy acquaintances.

I'm Ra
-Ra.


- Nice to meet you.


- [Ezekiel]

I'm Ezekiel.

[Yvonne]

I know who you are.

That's my number at the top.

And that's hers.

[Ezekiel]

I appreciate the offer.

And you fine, girl, but I already go with somebody.

You do, but do she? I, for one, refuse to disappoint our rapidly growing fan base, Zeke.

I'm just saying.

[Gunns]

dr*gs, crime, urban decay.

These are intractable problems facing our city.

As Robert Moses himself once said: "I raise my stein to the builder who can remove ghettos without removing people, as I hail the chef who can make omelets without breaking eggs.

" But break the egg and you create life.

A new beginning.

Take, for example The Unisphere.

Designed by my pal Gil Clarke, and commissioned for the '64 World's Fair, by whom? Robert Moses.

My great mentor, yes.

You know, back in the 1930s, this entire vista, this gorgeous expanse, it was an irreparable wasteland.

Fitzgerald dubbed it a "valley of ashes" in The Great Gatsby.

But where Fitzgerald saw only ruin Moses saw unbridled potential.

And I still see potential in you, Ezekiel.


- You do?
- Make no mistake you committed an unforgivable offense the other night at the Ivy Social Club.

The victim's father's been a good friend to the mayor.

But fortunately for you, I'm a man in ample possession of the power to broker absolution.

The only question is, will you do what's necessary to earn my largesse? [Ezekiel]

Mr.

Gunns, I wanna apologize for what happened.

You've given me encouragement and wisdom and a helping hand, and I just want you to know that what they're saying about me is not true.

I did not pull a g*n on Chips Henderson and definitely didn't rob him.

I know.


- You do?
- Mm
-hm.

I'm relieved to hear you say that.

But there was a g*n.

And it belonged to a friend of yours.

A street tough disguised as a waiter selling dr*gs?
- Mr.

Gunns, I can explain.


- No need.

None at all.

I'll need the name of the boy.

Ed needs to hold someone responsible, publicly.

I can't do that, he's my friend.


- My best friend.


- He's your worst enemy.

And now And I know this is difficult for you but he's become your litmus test.

Will you throw away your future to save a g*n
-toting ghetto thug whom we both know has no future? Did he even have the slightest consideration for your future when he pulled that g*n on Chips Henderson? You right.

I know that.


- Tell me his name.


- I can't.

[sighs]

Well, you will.

I warned you this day would come, Ezekiel.

Didn't I? Don't bite the only hand feeding you.

I'm sorry.

I don't need this.

And I don't need you.

I got another hand feeding me, it's my music.

Music? [laughs]

Sure.

Why not become an astronaut while you're at it?
- Or play second base for the Yankees.


- I don't expect you to understand.

If you're expecting to waltz in and become the next grand concert pianist, be advised, there is no affirmative action at Carnegie Hall.

Yeah, I'll keep that in mind.

You're not just gonna lose the internship and Yale.

There will be repercussions.

This incident will follow you wherever you go.

And the repercussions for Francisco Cruz in the Bronx will be immediate.

Is that what you want? I can't control what you do.

Only what I do.

And I stay loyal to my people.

Unlike you, Mr.

Gunns.

You know, I learned a lot from you.

Just like you learned from Mr.

Moses.

Thank you.

Oh, and, uh, for the record, you and him are a lot alike.

You both have big visions for the city but, yo, the ends don't always justify the means.

[lighter clicks]


- [Mylene]

Oh, my God.


- [Yolanda]

What? I love weed.

[both laughing]


- How you feeling?
- [Mylene]

I don't know.

Papi had me singing for hours in the new church today,
- but I'm trying to stay positive.


- [Regina]

Mm.

Speaking of which, have you spoken to Roy? Uh, no.

I mean, I left another message, but nada.

'Cause I was talking to Shane.

I thought I'd see why the label's throwing you shade.

Regina, you just went and talked to Shane? What? He's He's got a little crush on me, so I thought I'd capitalize and get the scoop on why they ain't pick up the phone.

[Mylene]

Well, sh*t, what'd he say? Between me and you, I think they're trying to figure out if you're still their disco star or not.

Are you being serious? [Regina]

Personally, Mylene, I blame your father.

You being so f*cking intense.

You need to hit that joint.

It's just, I think it's good to keep the momentum up and not let your papi limit us.

I'm not gonna let these opportunities pass me by 'cause of him.

None of us should.

Especially you, Mylene.

Because you got a real f*cking sh*t here.


- [siren wailing in distance]


- [dog barking]

We need to talk.

How did your meeting go? Uh Pretty good.

Francisco called.

He said you cursed out Mr.

Gunns.


- 'Cause he's r*cist.


- Oh, Lord.


- [Wanda]

Sit down, Ezekiel.


- Can't right now.

I got a gig.

[Leon]

You also got a curfew.


- I know, but
- Sit down.

I can't right now.

After the gig, I promise Sit your ass down! I can't.

I'm bringing in money.

I'm putting food in the fridge.

Plus the Con Ed bill, I paid that on my way home.

All from making music.

You're lying.

I know you're lying.


- I know you're selling dr*gs.


- Nah, I'm a musician.

[Leon]

Hey, look here, son.

Now, I ain't saying you pushing dope.

I can't call what you're doing out in the streets, but we are telling you you have a curfew.

So, don't make your Aunt Wanda have to tell you to sit your ass the f*ck down.

I can't.

Not now.

After the gig, I'll come straight home, but right now, I gotta go.

What, you gonna b*at me? Gonna chain me to the radiator? I'll find a way out.

I'm gonna be an MC whether you like it or not.

Over my dead body.


- Come at me then.

Come at me.


- Stop.

Stop! Ezekiel Figuero, I love you.

And Lord knows that I am proud and fond of you.

I think of you as my own son.

But listen to me.

You leave this house tonight don't come back.

Ever.

Do I make myself clear? Yeah.

I understand.

Yeah.

I love you, too.

You just remember one more thing, boy.


- Pride cometh before the fall, son
- f*ck yourself! Pride cometh before the fall.

[crowd cheering]

[drumbeat playing over speakers]

[record scratching]

[Ezekiel]

One, two We did it Freedom We live it One, two, y'all We made it Freedom
- Let's take it
- Come on, Books Are you ready to rock with us? Ain't nobody stoppin' us Boo
-Boo Are you ready to rock with us? Ain't nobody stoppin' us Dizzee Are you ready to rock with us? Ain't nobody stoppin' us Ra
-Ra, too Get ready to rock with us Ain't nobody stoppin' us Get Down Brothers We came to rock And you know we had to fight To reach the top Five young kings, we came to rock And you know We had to take it to the top Blood, sweat and tears, we had to spill Imperial MCs with two wheels of steel This is our time to stop the clock You know we had to fight To reach the top We're the Get Down Get Down Brothers Want the Get Down Get Down Brothers [Shaolin]

Yo! Yo, you really broke out today, Books.


- For real.


- [Ezekiel]

That's one way of putting it.

[Shaolin]

I'm proud of you, B, spreading your wings and sh*t.

How about tomorrow we take some money, hit the hardware store and do this place up right? Of course, you stay here as long as you want, brother.

Yeah, how about forever? It's cool with me.


- You good?
- Yeah, yeah.

I'm just thinking about this thing Leon said about pride before the fall.


- Wondering if you did the right thing?
- Nah,
- I know I did.


- Cool.

What about that college sh*t? Ahh, I squashed that.

I ain't going.

Okay, good.

So, I did you a favor.

Crashing that cr*cker college event sh*t.

Nah, man, just 'cause it worked out right don't mean you wasn't wrong.


- Who you calling wrong, B?
- I'm calling you wrong.

And if I'm ever wrong, which, you know, I doubt I will be, but if I'm ever wrong, I want you to tell me.

That's what partners are for, right? Yeah, you right.

From now on, we're living for the music.

What about your girl?
- What's she gonna say about that?
- [exhales]

sh*t.

Hey, at least you got a place to bring her back to, right?
- Yeah.


- Yeah.


- Yeah, yeah.


- Cool out, man.

All right, B.

I'll let you rest.

Just remember, you in the streets now, Books.


- You got it?
- I got it.

Good.

Hasta mañana, B.

[Ezekiel]

Dear Mom if you're up there looking down, you must think I'm crazy, throwing away my big chance.

And maybe I am.

But if making something of myself means losing myself, then what am I making? Do my ends justify my means? I started thinking no.

I don't need no colleges who are against half
-black and Puerto Ricans.

I need to be where the party people be freaking.

My brother Shaolin, though we bonded for life, five brothers till they turn out the lights.

Till they turn out the lights Yeah, till they turn out the lights We did it from the Bronx.

We did it from the Bronx And the projects
- We are survivors.


- Real life survivors
- Yeah.


- Everybody out there say "yeah"
- In the air.

Forever.


- Put your hands in the air Get Down Brothers forever We swear 'cause we are as
- Unbreakable, unshakable.

As one.


- As one We'll fight.

And won't stop.


- No, till we reach the top.


- Won't stop [sample playing indistinctly]

We gotta fight to reach the top Get Down Brothers We came to rock And you know we had to fight To reach the top Young kings, we came to rock And you know We had to take it to the top [gibbering in rhythm]

Had to spill Imperial MCs and two wheels of steel This is our time to stop the clock You know we had to fight To reach the top Want the Get Down Like that.

[both]

Get Down Brothers
- We got the crowd going at the same time.


- [banging on door]

Did you hear something? [banging continues]

Somebody here.


- Who the f*ck is it?
- I'm about to find out.

[Francisco]

Ezekiel Figuero! I spoke to your aunt and I know you're in there!
- It's Papa Fuerte.

Don't answer it.


- Open this door!
- Shao, they after you.


- Go home!
- [Francisco]

Open the door!
- Nobody's here.


- [Ezekiel]

Shao.

They're after both of us.


- Yo, you old Puerto Rican f*gg*t! Go away! Oh, sh*t! Who called me an old Puerto Rican f*gg*t? That was you? What you gonna do about it? Mira, mama bicho.

Yo te saco de aquí y te rompo la f*cking cara.

Yo te saco el corazón, y te lo como aquí vivo, mama huevo.

¿Tú sabes quién yo soy? Yo te mato aquí, nadie va a saber nada.

¡Yo soy un diablo!
- What's he talking about?
- You don't wanna know.

Just back off.

And as for you, you were supposed to go to Gunns to apologize to him.

And instead you tell him to go f*ck himself?
- Not in those exact words.


- Oh, not in those words? You're a comedian, too? Listen to these words.

Number one, you are forbidden to see Mylene ever again.


- I can explain
- No, no.

No, you don't need to explain nothing, because I know who you are.

You're a waste of intelligence and ability.

That's who you are.

You're a fake.

You act like you want something better but then somebody goes to bat for you and what happens? You turn around and then you show your true colors with all of this here.

With the beer and the marijuana and your no
-good
-piece
-of
-sh*t drug
-dealing friend.

You don't wanna improve yourself.

You wanna get high and make noise with scratchy records and hickory
-dickory
-dockity nursery rhymes that don't say sh*t! I gave you a chance! I gave you a chance and you screwed me I didn't screw you.

How did I screw you? Gunns! That's my partner! That's That's That's my friend!
- [Ezekiel]

He ain't your friend!
- Excuse me? I'm sor I'm sorry if I did you wrong, but Gunns ain't your friend or your partner.

I heard Gunns and the mayor got no intention of letting you build anything.

They're getting ready to dump your ass.

No empieces con mentiras aquí.

I'm not lying, sir.

I wish I was.

I wish I was.

I heard a bunch of kids talking at the Yale Club.

Shao heard it, too.

Even his daughter, Claudia, she told me her father just uses people.

That he calls you "the arrogant spic" behind your back.

Gunns is a devil, Papa Fuerte.

He's about to cut you loose.

I would've told you sooner, but I w I was scared, and I'm sorry about that.

Okay.

You both heard what you heard.

But that's just politics.

My houses will be built.

Believe me.

These boys downtown, they just They play games, you know? But don't you worry.


- Papa Fuerte can play some games, too.


- Yeah, I know you can.

Okay.

You and me, we're not finished here.

We'll discuss later.

Sorry for the disturbance.

I'm sorry you f*cked with the Get Down Brothers.

Shao.

[chuckles]

Go buy yourself a new door.

Why you gotta say some sh*t, man? Walking up in my place like you own this sh*t.


- [door closes]


- Hi, my angels.

I won't be home for dinner.

I have a meeting with Councilman Herrara, then the zoning board, and then the fundraiser for our sister church in Patterson, New Jersey.

After which, I'll be meeting with Minister Ruiz to talk about his plan for broadcasting Holy Ghost Radio from our very own church, featuring Mylene Cruz and the Soul Madonnas.

[chuckles]

Of course! Ah! Jehovah will bless you for this work.

Okay.

Wish me luck!
- [door closes]


- What's bothering you? I haven't heard from Roy or Shane since that day at the church.

Are you sure neither of them have called? Not that I know of.

Have you called them? Yeah, I called them a couple days ago and they haven't called me back.


- Let me get my purse.


- For what? I'll take you to see Roy.

I can't just go down there without an appointment.

Listen to me.

In this life, if you want something, you have to pursue it.

You can't just rely on life to pursue you.

Or on your father to compromise.


- Mami.


- [Lydia snaps fingers]

Go.

Change your dress.

¡Vaya! Here come the judge Here come [over speakers]

The judge Everybody know that he is the judge Here come the judge, y'all Here come the judge, whoo!
- [Shaolin]

So, what, you a DJ now, Annie?
- [laughs]

You ever heard of Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham?
- Nah.

But this b*at is funky, though.


- Ain't nothing new under the sun, honey.

Mr.

Markham was rapping to that there b*at at the Apollo before you were ever born.

And now this sh*t is coming back around.

sh*t always comes back around, especially with black folks.

From Cab Calloway to Ali, to you, sugar.

You ask for me, Ma? I asked for you both because I want you to cut a record together.


- A record? Like a Get Down record?
- Together?
- 'Cause that ain't a thing.


- Yeah, it ain't a thing.

Well, it can be.

A novelty record.

Super High Voltage presents: Shaolin Fantastic and the Get Down Brothers.


- What?
- What I saw the other night, Shao
- was an epiphany.


- No.

No, Ma.

My label is known for good music.

We make sophisticated disco music for m*therf*ckers with good taste in music.

But you ain't making no money, Clarence.

And I heard that "Disco Biscuit" bullshit.

You hear of "Pigmeat" Markham? He broke the Top 20.

And went on to perform the same routine for the next 20 years.

[softly]

f*ck "Pigmeat.

" That's a novelty.

And novelty records make money.

Money.

Money.

Ma, it'll ruin my reputation.

f*ck your reputation, Clarence.

This could be my retirement fund.

[Annie laughs]

So, what do you say, sugar? You and your boys ready to get paid? ["Ripped Off" playing]

Ripped off Robbed and cheated Been mistreated Love, I need it bad So bad
- Bad, bad
- So bad Ripped off Robbed and cheated Been mistreated
- Love, I need it bad
- I need it bad Took a lot of courage to come down here unannounced on your own.

So, what can we do for you, Mylene? I haven't heard from either of you since Jackie played you his new song.

Why? What, you didn't like it, or you just
- like, trying to get rid of me?
- Mylene, you know me better than that.

But I'm talking to Roy.

What? You dumping me or something? 'Cause I don't know what I did wrong.


- Mylene
- Shane.

Why don't you give me and Mylene a little privacy here?
- But, Roy
- Shane, just do it, please.


- [door closes]


- I need a bong hit.

You mind? Okay.

Sorry, but
- yes, I'm dumping you.


- Why?! This is hard for me, too.


- But you're making a mistake, Roy.


- Am I? Yeah.

'Cause I'm great.

You know, I'm young.

I'm fine.

I'm built, and I sing better than everyone on your label,
- including f*cking Misty Holloway.


- I don't disagree.

What's your f*cking problem, then? I made up my mind.

Yeah okay.

Well, that's your loss.

See, I'm gonna be a star with or without you.

No, you're not.

I make stars.

I know stars.

I'm a f*cking star myself.

My parents wanted me to be a doctor.

I defied them.

I started this company with an old tape recorder and a $50 savings bond from my bar mitzvah.

I'm a multi
-millionaire now.

And to this day, my parents don't speak to me, Mylene.

Ever.

Okay? Marlon Brando left Nebraska.

Marilyn left wherever the f*ck she came from.

Even the Bee Gees left f*cking Australia, but you, Mylene, you're never gonna leave your family.

You're never gonna give yourself the chance to become the kind of star you have the potential to be.

Because you lack the kind of raw, intense, naked ambition that hurts and wounds and stabs and scalds.

My ex has it.

Donna has it.

Irene Cara has it.

You don't.

You're useless to me without it.

I don't need another one
-hit, two
-hit wonder.

I'm in the business of stars.

So, you're gonna pay the Get Down Brothers 1500 each, cash upfront, and it'll be our record? Like, legit? Like, forever? No bullshit? That's what the contracts are for.

You take this contract, show it to your friends and then you'll see.


- This all sounds really nice, Annie.


- No, it don't.

But, Annie, how you plan on making a record using other people's records? Reach in there, sugar.

Go on.

Now, don't you worry about how Mama gonna make it.

You take that money, you spend it on your friends [Annie chuckles]

you tell them there's more to come the moment they sign.

And just leave the rest up to me.

Ain't that right, Clarence? I mean, I had a plan for you.

Even now, this week, there's something big, very big.

And now I'm f*cked because you can't handle it.


- Your parents would never allow it.


- But what is it? Old pal of mine.

Legendary film producer's in town.

Robert Stigwood.

Heard of him? Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Bee Gees, Jesus Christ Superstar.

He's putting together this movie
-musical extravaganza.

Gone With the Solar Wind.

Big budget.

Big stars.

There's a part in it, for a girl, acting part.

Stigwood wants Misty to play the lead.


- A young girl who sings.


- But that's me.

She's gotta be sexy, though.

I'm sexy.


- Yeah?
- Yeah.

There's this thing I got set up on Friday night.


- This Friday?
- Yeah, why? Well, my church is having their first potluck supper.

There, there, there.

That's what I'm talking about.

I'll skip it.

Whatever.

Just please, tell me what's on for Friday.

It's a new club, Ruby Con.

It's like the new Studio 54, but less riff
-raff, better music, all the celebrities, plus the downtown artists, the literary crowd.

All the tastemakers.

Plus, they got go
-go girls, and they got live animal acts.

And I got this song we originally wrote for Misty for you to perform live at midnight called "Toy Box.

" You bring the house down Stigwood will probably cast you in his movie.


- Not Misty.


- I'll do it.

It's a kind of sexy song.

Even raunchy.

And the costume.

I mean, you'll be covered, but barely.

Yeah, okay.


- I'll just let Regina and Yolanda know.


- No Regina.

No Yolanda.

True divas, they don't share the stage with anybody.

And no Jackie, either.

And no parents.

Okay, that's fine, but I can't do it without Regina and Yolanda.

I can't do this without my girls.

I need Stigwood and this downtown crowd
- to meet you, one
-on
-one.


- [sighs]

Then I can't do it.

You were right.

Sorry, Mr.

Asheton.

Okay, okay.

Shane will rehearse the three of you, but
- if you decide to back out on this thing
- I won't.

The proof's in the pudding.

I am the pudding, Roy.

You watch and see.

[door opens]

[man]

Breaking news today, as the Post throws gasoline on allegations linking Bronx boss Papa Fuerte to arson for hire.

Francisco Cruz calling for Herbert Gunns, please.


- [woman]

One moment, please.


- Thank you.


- [Gunns]

Francisco.

Hello.


- Herbie, hey.

How you doing? Listen, I just wanted to clarify.

You know, I found you that kid, pero are we okay?
- About the article in the Post?
- No, no.

Not that, Herbie.

You know that's bullshit.

Francisco, Ed's considering defunding your houses.

Really?
- He's freezing construction immediately.


- Change of heart, huh?
- We know how much you've done for Ed.


- Herbie
- But until this thing blows over
- It'll f*cking blow over.

we have to hold our horses.

["Ghetto Disco" playing]

Ghetto Disco [over speakers]

That's the name of the place, yeah
- Ghetto Disco
- [knock on window]

Party hardy Night and day, yeah
- Ooh
- You wanted to rap, Cadillac? You heard what them Get Down faggots did in my club? 10
-51 wasn't enough for them.

Thinking they high and mighty 'cause my mom indulges them.

They rolled into my club.

A disco club.

Bringing their dirty little friends.

Next thing my mama tells me, we're making a record of their bullshit music on my label.

First Inferno and now this? You should've seen them.

Rolling on the floor, not even spinning a whole record.

And disgraced the whole place.

Man, it was disgusting.

That's cold, man.

Can't let them young
-bloods walk all over you.

Sure enough, n*gga.

So, what you need from Popeye? Tonight, I want you to f*ck with their supply.

When you dip their sh*t make sure that wet got something extra on it when you hand it to the little runt Boo
-Boo.

They sullied my dance floor.

I'm putting bodies on theirs.

Dig? I dig.

[car door shuts]


- Ooh
-ooh
-ooh
-ooh
- [turns up music]

The Ghetto Disco [Boo
-Boo]

Wish Dizz was here to help.

[Ezekiel]

He only likes that wet.

There's more lint and dirt than sh*t we can actually smoke.


- Trust me, keep scraping.


- [Shaolin]

Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.

Yo, Shao, yo, you got some weed? Because I'm dying over here.

Do I got some weed? [all whooping and cheering]


- Yes!
- You're our hero, man.


- [Boo
-Boo]

I asked for it.


- [Ezekiel]

Let go.

[Shaolin]

Hold up, hold up.

Hold up.

Hold up.

Yo.

There's more.

There's more.

[Boo
-Boo]

Pizza! Nah, little man.

What's that, bro? This is a m*therf*cking recording contract to record our very own m*therf*cking Get Down Brothers record.

And we getting m*therf*cking paid to do this sh*t.

[in unison]

A record?
- Yes, a record.


- Like, on wax? On wax! A real m*therf*cking record! But it's like you said.

How are we gonna make a record out of other records? Let the labels sort all of that sh*t out because they gonna pay us $1500 each upfront.


- For real?
- For real.

I got one for each and every one of you to sign right now.


- We fixing to be rich!
- [Ra
-Ra]

We rich?
- Oh, sh*t!
- We gonna be rich! Yo, mansions and yachts, man! Mansions and yachts! Yo! So, uh, whose record label are we signing with? Fat Annie's new label.

I told you we blew her away at Les Inferno.

She had a vision, bro.

And when it comes to money, bitch got a nose like a bloodhound, man.

Be like, "Scooby
-Dooby
-Doo," and sh*t, man.

Yo, she be like Dino from The Flintstones but black.

I already told you, I f*cking hate drug dealers and I'm sure as sh*t ain't signing no contract to work for one.

n*gga, are you crazy? [Ra
-Ra]

Bro, look, Zeke.

I hear you, I do.

But let's just take a moment to assess minor facts versus major opportunities, man.

We agreed to put the music first.

To live for the music, not for gangsters.

This is living for the music, Books.

Come on.

Well, I ain't signing it.

Well, we finding somebody else.

Who? I'm the wordsmith.

I write the rhymes.

Without me, there is no group.


- Fellas, look, we can solve this, man.


- Ain't no puzzle, Ra.

If he in, he gonna sign this contract.

Come on, man.

Just sign this sh*t.

Just sign it.

You know you want to.

You think those white folks whose dicks you been sucking downtown ain't a hundred times worse than Annie? I gotta go see Mylene.

Later, y'all.

[sighs]

[disco music playing over speakers]

[woman moaning over speakers]

[man]

Excuse me! This is not the Special Ed Lonely Hearts Virgin Spinster Nunnery here.

You people move like you've never ridden a good hard baloney pony in your life.

Follow me.

And five, six, seven, eight.

Grind it.

Now ride it.

Lower.

Take it, don't break it, get naked, now shake it! Better.

That's better you little hussies.

Now harlots, ready? Here we go.

And spasm.

[grunts]

Spasm.

[grunts]

Multiple orgasm.

[grunts]

Spasm.

Yes, Gloria Gaynor.

Yes, Donna Summer.

And then there's Maude.

Come on.

Go.

What's your name, sweetie? Yolanda.

Yolanda, what's the matter? You afraid of the johnson? Huh? Thrust it.

Thrust it.

So hot, you got the fever.

Make his johnson a believer.

Yes.

Agony.

Ecstasy.

Gyration.

Elation.

Pump it, bump it, hump it, strumpet.

Hump it! Don't forget.

Lips and teeth.

Lips and teeth.

Ready for my close
-up, Mr.

DeMille.

Once again.

I'm the C
-A
-S
-A, the N
-O
-V
-A And the rest is F
-L
-Y You see I go by the code Of the doctor of the mix
- [Boo
-Boo]

It's a dope mixtape, right?
- [girl]

Yeah.

[giggles]

And a time to chill
- To act civilized and act real ill
- [girl giggling]

But whatever you do in your lifetime You never let an MC steal your rhyme Oh, yeah.

This is nice.

Is that you rapping? No, that's Grandmaster Caz.

He's nice.

Truth be told, he might be the nicest MC out right now.

But mixtapes is old news, 'cause we about to make a Get Down record.

[girl]

Y'all sing? Nah, we gonna put out a record of us MCing and Shao cutting and sh*t.

Oh! Like y'all do at the club.

And pay us, too.

Wow.

My friend's a moneymaker.

Yeah, but my dad's been cracking down, so when this record deal goes through, I'm gonna have to stop scrambling and sh*t.

Don't do that.

You gotta make as much money as you can.

Why? So I can buy you endless supplies of pink champale and chips? Yeah, but what I really want is that dust.

As a matter of fact, let's get dusty right now and have some real fun.


- Last one.


- We on our way to Popeye's to reup, right?
- True.


- So, then kiss me.

Yo, E, no peeking.

[girl giggling]

Yo, I see you peeking.

Okay, look.

I know you mad at me and I don't blame you.

I'm mad at me, too, because I made you mad at me.

But even though You know, I'm mad at you, too.

Mad at me? Who are you to be mad at me? Okay, but if we only got a minute here, could we just like like Like, I mean, it's Because it's not what [sighs]

I've known you my whole life.

I still can't get the words out.

Words is what I do.

That's who I am.

It's like Or who I think I am.

Zeke, what is it that you want? I just want my butterscotch queen for like a second.

My beautiful, glorious, gorgeous, sweet
-tasting, breathtaking, startling, staggering, heart
-daggering, luminous, caramel
-coated, golden, magnificent, lost
-in
-your
-eyes, my
-soul
-for
-a
-subway
-token Boricua butterscotch queen.

Can I? [chuckles]

Can I have you on the fire escape right now for, like, a second? All right.

I get it.

Because life ain't
- a black and white movie on channel 9
- Ezekiel.

Shut up.

My father is gonna be home soon.


- You're not very popular right now.


- I know.

But you know what?
- I think you're f*cking Ret*rded
- [sighs]

for leaving your internship and getting kicked out of your house and dedicating yourself to this stupid f*cking music that you can't even make a real record out of, Zeke.

And, oh, God.

Shaolin, don't even get me f*cking started.

Okay, I can explain.

See, downtown, at my internship, or at Yale I'm the lucky orphan child whose fate depends on being one of the good negroes, and never losing my cool or saying what I actually think, or, God forbid, being me.

On the mic I'm the master of my destiny.

And I love it.

Like you love to sing.

[sighs]

We can't fight that, can we? The thing is I'm the one who's always talking about breaking free.

But you're the only one who's actually doing it.


- Yeah, well, you breaking free, too.


- Not really.

I have a chance to.

What you mean? Roy has a song for me.

I'm supposed to perform it live at, um, Ruby Con's.

Yeah, that's the place to be.

Yeah, and you know, I could be in a movie.

I could be in California.


- Wait, for real?
- Yeah, but I can't tell no one.

Not my parents or my tio, no one.

This song, Zeke, it's All right.

Sing it for me.


- No.


- Yeah.


- No.


- Yeah.

Zeke, no.

Because it's dirty.

In fact, I have to be really sexy and great.

And if I'm both, then, I might actually get a part in this movie.

I I might be a little jealous, but
- [chuckles]


- that's your dream.

Could you just Could you please be there when I sing? And if I get stuck or I mess up, I can just find you?
- [door closes]


- [Ramon]

Hi, my angels! Es mi padre.

I'll be there.

When you break free.


- Okay.


- Te amo, butterscotch.

[Mylene chuckles]

[rap song playing]

[men chattering and laughing]

Hey, yo, baby, don't you listen to him He's a joke And only tells you that stuff Because he's broke He can't do nothing for you He's just full of it And, baby, being with him Just don't benefit you I can support your habits Your wants and needs You need someone who writes Instead of someone who reads Your girls will be jealous It's you they'll envy Yo, why you banging on the door like you 5
-0 or something? [Boo
-Boo]

Check it out, y'all.

Double dust.

[Shaolin]

Double? Why? They had to mix it up real quick.

Popeye said he heard there was a crazy demand.

That's right.

If you'll excuse us, we gotta talk business.


- You think we can move all of this?
- Yo, scram, man.

[Shaolin]

Boo.

It's all good.

I'm gonna be right out.

No, we can't sell all this dust in one night.

It's dangerous.


- Think about my fans.


- Fans?
- Think about our fans, man.


- [laughs]

Oh.

So, you think people be rolling through here, coming for your little music show, huh? As a matter of fact, I do.

[laughing]

Y'all get offered some shitty little novelty record, now you got your heads all gassed up like you the m*therf*cking Jackson 5.

[laughing]

n*gga, please.

Make no mistake no matter how good you think you are, you're just the commercial.

Good or bad, the product is the f*cking show, man.

So, when you get out there and you dancing around sell it.

[Ezekiel]

I wanna be clear.

Me signing this is about making music.


- [Annie]

Of course.


- And music only.

We are gonna make musical history, sugar.

Welcome to Super High Voltage, baby.

[laughing]

[Dizzee]

Dear Thor, the Get Down Brothers, we made it.

And we're gonna show everybody that there's this invisible little army, and we're hungry and scared, but we're on our way.

And we won't stop, will we? Dreamin' away [man]

Paroled.

Vandal 1552.

Alias, Thor.

See you next time, Picasso.

[both laughing]

[Thor]

What's up, Crash?
- Daze.


- Yo, Thor.

When'd you get out, man? You seen Rumi? Nah, man.

He's been solo since you got locked up.

All right.

Thanks.

[Daze]

We've missed that lightning.

[Dizzee]

And even though no one loves our little army, one day the world will see the messages we leave them, and they'll know we tried to help them to find the right song.

This is our time to stop the clock You know we had to fight To reach the top We're the Get Down [Dizzee]

Will you join me, Thor, when you're set free? We're the Get Down Get Down Brothers Dizzee Ridin' through the city In a OJ, all the girls think I'm sexy Yah We had to break the locks We fought our way up to the top I'm Ra
-Ra Live in the flesh Coming hard with rhymes I finesse We had to break the locks We fought our way up to the top And I'm Books I be the walking library Fought my whole way here And y'all hear me We had to break the locks We fought our way up to the top And I'm MC Boo
-Boo I'm one of the prophets Combination to the safe, I got it Yah We came to break the locks And he is DJ Shaolin
- [record scratching]


- [crowd cheering]

[Ezekiel]

Give it up for Shaolin Fantastic.

[cheering]

I'm Dizzee, the man The high exalted With my spray paint can I b*mb iron horses They told me I was young and lawless Now everybody gonna see How fly my art is I'm like Van Gogh I rock the Kangol With the S
-O
-U
-T
-H Bronx flow Get Down Brothers Man, you know we fresh Ra
-Ra, grab the mic 'Cause I'm outta breath You rock the Kangol I rock the Jordache Show me where's the money I'm gonna get that fast I'm in a limousine You got a bus pass You keep the WIC check I'm about the cold cash Like a lawyer or doctor 'Cause I'm always a watcher On the stage I'm a shocker And on the mic I'm a rocker See, I'm not an imposter They call me Ra
-Ra, I'm hotter Than a sun ray
- MC Boo
- [all]

Andale! Streetwise, some say I'm before my time w*r chief of my clan New York is mine I might not be the tallest guy But when females look inside my eyes They stop, they stare They hypnotized Caught the Boo
-Boo flu They fevers high Like the Jackson 5 I'm like Michael in the front Ba
-ba
-ba
-ba
-ba
-ba
-ba! Yeah, I can hear God answering me It's been so hard Looking at my family tree It could've been so beautiful The talknologist Knew he didn't need no colleges Who are against Half
-black and Puerto Ricans I started thinking I need to be Where the party people be freaking My brother Shaolin Know we bonded for life Five of us brothers Till they turn out the lights Till they turn out the lights Yeah Till they turn out the lights Because we did it From the Bronx and the projects We are like real life survivors
- Everybody out there say "yeah"
- Say "yeah" Everybody put your hands in the air
- Get Down Brothers forever, we swear
- [screaming]

'Cause we are as As one [cheering]

We had to break the locks We fought our way up to the top [Shaolin]

Sing it with us! [all & crowd]

We had to break the locks We fought our way up to the top Sing it with us! You can't, can't, can't stop us You can't, can't, can't stop us You can't, can't, can't stop us We're here, we're here We're here forever We're here forever We're here forever We're here forever We're here forever You want the Get Down Get Down Brothers Want the Get Down Get Down Brothers Want the Get Down Get Down Brothers Want the Get Down Get Down Brothers Want the Get Down Get Down Brothers Yeah [scratching]

[cheering]

[Shaolin]

Yo, yo, yo, we got big news for y'all.

If you from the South Bronx and love the Get Down Brothers, make some m*therf*cking noise.


- [crowd whistling and cheering]


- We about to make musical history.

That's right.

We about to make the first ever Get Down record.

[Dizzee]

Hit me.

[Shaolin in distorted voice]

It's the Get Down Brothers.

There'll never be another.

Yo, what's going on? Make some noise!
- [crowd cheering]


- I'm f*cking with the right I'm f*cking with the left [indistinct distorted chattering]

Now you're in my blood [feeds back]

[Shaolin]

There's more where that came from.

Think you're awake? Nope.

You sure? No.

Dreamin' away It's a picture? Is it? Dreamin' away
- [Thor]

We shouldn't have come back here.


- [officer 1]

Two offenders.


- Vandal Squad in pursuit.


- [Thor]

Quick, quick, in here.

[officer 1]

They're heading for the tunnel, boys.

[Dizzee & Thor panting]

[officer 2]

Get them! Hold them down! [Dizzee yelling]

Dizzee? Dizzee! Dizzee!
- Don't worry, man.


- Rumi? One day One day they'll see.


- This way!
- Until then feast in my name.

[officer 1]

And a side order of justice.


- sh*t.


- [officer 2]

We got one Caucasian, one extraterrestrial.

Check it out.

[Rumi]

The purple crayon? Dude.

Come on.

I know the way.


- Where?
- To the opera.

Is it safe? It's safer than here.


- Apprehending the alien.


- [dogs barking]

Too slow, bro.

We've decoded it, Thor.

The thousand
-year
-old secret.

We're free! Eternity! It's the sea fused with the sun, and we've got the key! Huh.


- Now you're in my blood
- You ever been in love? Once.

How'd it end?
- [chuckles]

It hasn't.


- Now you're in my blood
- Now you're in my blood
- I gotta wake you up.

Why? Wait.

Not yet.

I'll keep you safe.

But now you're in my blood Rumi.

Love is a dying breed
- Rumi.


- Yo.


- Rumi.

Rumi.


- [Ezekiel]

Oh, sh*t.

Yo, Dizz was smoking that sh*t.

Yo, yo! Hey, yo! Move! Hey, yo.

That's my brother, man.

Move.


- Yo, Dizzee, wake up!
- [Thor]

Yo, give him some space.


- Look, we gotta keep him warm.


- [man]

You gotta get up.


- [Thor]

We gotta call an ambulance.


- [Ra
-Ra]

The cops?
- [Ra
-Ra]

Wake up!
- [Boo
-Boo]

Wake up.

It's the f*cking dust, man.

[Ezekiel]

Shao, what do we do, man?
- [Shaolin]

I told him.

Yo.


- [Boo
-Boo]

Wake up.

It's the dust.

The f*ck you smiling at, n*gga?
- Look at this sh*t, man.


- Look at this sh*t.

My brother's on the f*cking ground.

I told you, get back.

[Little Wolf]

You think I care about your brother, man?
- Now you're in my blood
- [sirens wailing]

[barking]


- Now you're in my blood
- [all clamoring]

[woman over radio]

44
-Adam on the air.

[man over radio]

44
-Central on the air.

[woman]

I'm receiving a call from a location called 10
-51.

Verified male caller Ronald Kipling states that multiple aideds are at the location.


- Please check and advise when you're 84.


- [man]

Ten
-four.

44
-Adam to Central, we're on the scene.

Heavy narcotic smoke.

Half these kids are unconscious with difficulty breathing.

Put a rush on all ambulances.

Requesting additional units forthwith to our location.


- [sirens wailing]


- [woman]

What's going on over there? [man]

f*cking angel dust.

[funk music playing]