01x07 - Under Pressure

[bunniefuu]

(Nikki) Previously on "The Breaks"...

You fired.

I'm happy to have my
one and only baby back home.

Shouldn't be burying no -year-old

'cause he went out to a club.

I'll see you in court, Counselor.

If we lose the civil suit,

the insurance ain't gonna cover that.

(woman screaming)

Smoke always said you was funny.

Damita, let me holler at you.

- Yeah, what do you...
- (grunting)

(DeeVee) Takes a real tough
m*therf*cker to hit a lady, right?

(coughing)

(Nikki) Imani X is ready.

Well, you tell her to leave her demo.

(Ahm) Geronimo ain't coming back, Bruce.

This sh*t ends today. Truce.

- Number three.
- Run, bitch.

Long as the law know how
dope we was a few weeks back,

when we was here, recording all day.

Else there ain't no "we."

I don't know, just something about you.

- Loyal, aren't you?
- I try to be.

It'll carry you far.

That's my girl.

Mom.

♪♪

♪ Ice, ice baby ♪

♪ Now that the party is jumping ♪

♪ With the bass kicked in
and the Vegas are... ♪

(music turns off)

- Striking.
- Thank you.

I know you've gotten calls from
Cory Robbins and Bill Stephney.

And Russell Simmons and Will Socolov,

just to name a few.

Yeah, the difference between
them and you is they know rap.

Well, we know how to take
rap to the next level.

We can get your client's music
on the radio. They can't.

And those independents...

they're not prepared to
create what I believe will be

the biggest phenomenon since MC Hammer.

- Atlantic made us an offer too.
- We'll b*at it.

♪ I got a girl named Sally
and she don't squawk ♪

♪ Or eat pork with a spoon or fork ♪

♪ But I heard that ♪

♪ Some people don't like the way ♪

♪ The way Sally walk ♪

Totally stay with me
as long as you like.

- Thanks.
- Yeah.

So, what are you gonna do for work?

I don't know, I'll figure it out.
I have no choice.

You love me long time.

That lyric sets Asian feminist
discourse back like years.

It doesn't do much
for the sisters either.

Yeah. Oh, speaking of,

Damita getting Uncle Luke
as her first cover, huh?

She's interviewing Luther Campbell?

Oh, you haven't talked to her?

I left a couple messages,
all of which she ignored.

You should keep trying.

For real. Call her.

Why do I have to call her?

- Come on, just do it.
- She played me.

(winces) Ow.

I told you to stay out of it.

Whatever.

Ow, Damita, what the f*ck?

That hurts you?

Gordy could've k*lled you.

Whatever.

(winces)

Wait, where are you going?

You just got here.

Yeah, I wanna get there early
and prep for my interview.

Wish me luck?

I wish you could stay a little longer.

Why?

So I could wish you good luck.

Damn... you're just dope.

Mother, journalist...

Nurse. Horrible nurse.

What don't you do?

Waste time.

Hm.

- Ow, ow.
- Oh... oh, sorry.

- I'm sorry.
- It's fine, it's fine, it's fine.

♪ I begin to take the long way home ♪

♪♪

Like... so what's the holdup?

Hashim is the only reason why I even got
booked tonight because he invited me.

Nah, Hashim is not the reason

why you got booked tonight.

Your talent got you the gig.
You're doing Mr. Hashim a favor.

And I'm down. Lil Ray, Josie and me,

we're gonna be in the house tonight.

Okay, so where's Nikki?

Miss Jones and I parted ways.

(scoffs)

So, when you getting me in the studio?

That's what I wanted to talk to you about.
I'm checking on it.

I'm waiting to hear back
from this particular studio.

They got Living Color in there,

so we're gonna get you
in there real soon...

Barry, you know I don't care about

- what studio I record...
- Yeah, but I care

about the studio. I care about it.

Man, when's sh*t gonna pop?

I need sh*t to pop.

I know, right, right, right, right.

So listen, when you
get on the stage tonight,

I want you to spit fire out there.

k*ll the crowd. Can you do that?

I always do.

You do. You do, you do, you do.

Good, good, good, good, good, good.

That's what the deal is.

Thanks.

Yo...

John, John, John, John, John.

I need five aspirins.

Five, yeah.

♪♪

Let's just say he
knows what he's holding.

Yeah, I heard it.

I'm telling you, it's really...

- This way.
- I'll call you back in a minute.

Miss Jones, how can I help you today?

Thank you so much for meeting me.

Please, take a seat.

To what do I owe this pleasure?

I'm not with Fouray anymore.

I'd like to inquire about
a possible position.

- A&R, right?
- To start.

How's your ear for talent?

I'm told it's good.

Hm.

So, bring me an artist worth signing

and we'll talk about
a future for you here at EBJ.

Thank you so much. I... I...

Let's just see what
you come up with first.

- Now, if you'll excuse me?
- Mm-hmm.

- Thank you.
- And you're welcome.

Well, wait, what do you mean,
you've closed the books?

That's still my photo
on the album cover.

You still owe me the money.

No... no, I can't wait
three more months, Larry.

Film stock, new lenses.
I need the money now!

You... you know what, Larry? f*ck you!

Whoa. What's up?

That d*ck at Choice Records
won't pay me.

That's the money I needed to finish
sh**ting the video tonight.

So, why don't you just call Barry
and have him pay for it?

Barry just... Barry just
needs to see the video.

We'll get it on Music Box

and then he'll understand
how much he needs this.

Fouray is just like the rest of them.

He make a whole bunch of promises
and never come through.

I'm... I'm really sorry.

- It's not your fault. It's my fault.
- Oh, no.

Look, I'll figure something out.

Don't worry, I got this.

I'm gonna get you your video.

♪♪

♪ Yeah ♪

(David on recording)
Ladies and gentlemen,

you are listening to the sounds

of the one, the only...

(DeeVee) Ahm...

...and super producer DJ DeeVee!

Yeah, rest in peace.

- My man David.
- (knocking)

Yeah, always remember this moment, baby.

Uh-huh, hey, yo, Ahm.

(Ahm) Yeah.

- Talk to 'em one time.
- Yeah.

Let 'em know...

(music stops, knocking continues)

Hey.

(woman) I'm sorry for tripping.

My landlord is wiling,
and my sister's all up in my face,

talking about my mom need
new insulin needles,

- and I ain't know who else to call.
- You good.

You need something,
you call me, all right?

I'm working a double on Saturday
so I'm gonna hit you back.

You don't need to do that.

I got some Chinese in the fridge.

You want some soda?

Yeah.

♪ What you want ♪

♪ What you're feeling I am feeling too ♪

All right, well,
I'll try to stop by later

if my mom can take the baby.

Please do.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Rest up.

Okay.

(exhaling)

Goodness.

That woman.

(knocking)

(chuckles)

- Couldn't wait?
- Mr. Van Putten?

Detective Purdell, NYPD. Got a minute?

Name was Tina.

She crossed paths with your friend,

Ahmed Harris, and someone else

you might know, goes by Scooby.

Poor lady. She was intimidated.

Refused to work with the NYPD,

and things still
didn't go so well for her.

I can protect you,

but you gotta make a decision,

sooner rather than later.

(sighs)

- What?
- Nothing.

I'm just surprised that you called.

You know, I heard you went back home

and I didn't think you'd
be coming back so soon.

Me neither.

Okay, so why'd you come back?

I don't know, it just didn't feel right.

Nah, I feel you.

Sometimes it takes a minute
to figure out what's right.

Right?

- Yeah.
- (chuckling)

What, you looking for work?

Looking.

How are things?

You know... Fouray's a mess, like usual.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

Yo, homey, OD'd.
I had to call in a favor

and everything to get him squared away.

- sh*t, he okay?
- He's cool.

You know, he's all right.

How's Imani? Is she recording?

Is she in the studio?

Nah.

(sighs)

So, we gonna talk about
what happened or what?

I can't.

Not yet. Not yet.

All right. Cool.

I do like the hair, though.

- Oh, I know you like the hair.
- Oh, you know I like the hair.

- I know you like the hair.
- That's why you did it, huh?

♪♪

Hey, Dad. It's, uh, it's me.

Uh, hopefully you get this.

I think you're right about Onondaga.

I think... I think
I gotta leave... today.

(sighs) Something crazy just happened

and I'm a little shaken up,

so, uh, when you get this,

can you please just meet me
at the "Village Voice"?

I gotta go say goodbye to somebody.

Peace.

(car stereo playing music)

♪♪

(man) Yo, Prep School.

What's up?

You know, man, we was just rolling by

your pop's crib,
we was in the neighborhood.

That's... that's dope.
I'll... I'll see you around.

Where you headed, man?

I'm just going to the Ride.

The radio!

We was just going that way.

Hop in.

Nah, I can make my...

Come on, man. Get in the car.

- (clears throat)
- (gasping)

No, bitch, where you been?

And this hair.

- Got a new cut and sh*t.
- (laughs)

I had to go back home to help my mom.

- Oh, word? Is she good?
- She good.

All right.

Yo, you need to get back with Fouray.

What the f*ck is up with him?

He been holding off on me
getting in the studio.

- Yo, really?
- Word.

He... he was short on
my check last week,

but I didn't think it
was affecting his artists.

No worries. I'm sure he'll be cooking
the books by tomorrow, I'm sure.

Yeah, he better get his sh*t together.

Yo, it's been a minute.
What's up with you?

You know, me and Hashim
going to Carwash tonight.

Put you on this list or what?

Yes, count me in.

Yo, I would love to get
a plus-one if I could.

I'll see what I can do.

letters. Ronald Daniel Henricson.

And I was hoping to add "Junior"

and a coma, so that's another seven.

Also, birthday, date of death.

I never figured a headstone
inscription would be so costly.

Hm.

I wanna settle.

A settlement is a compromise.

The incident needs to be heard in court

for a determination of final justice.

What about forgiveness?

Your brother deserves a full reckoning.

Ronny deserves to be buried.

Man, you don't need the money?
What you doing this for?

A lawsuit ain't gonna bring
no one up out the grave.

(door creaking)

♪♪

(woman on intercom)
Ernesto Sierra, line one.

- Take a message.
- Okay.

- You should take that.
- I'm not interested.

Sierra's artists is wack.

Well, Mattie Taylor doesn't think so.

Listen, like I told you, man,
I'm not feeling this plan.

Well, be that as it may, sir,

you don't have much of a choice.

So, whenever you decide
to settle on a name

for the label of
the company or whatever,

just make sure it doesn't
include "Fouray."

- So, what am I supposed to call it then?
- Anything but "Fouray."

- But Fouray is my name.
- Exactly.

Listen, I came in this world a Fouray,

I'm gonna leave this world
a Fouray, too.

f*ck this bankruptcy bullshit.

What I need is some cash.

I was supposed to have Imani
in the studio yesterday.

It ain't a good look.

First step: bankruptcy.

- Second step...
- No.

The first step is Imani.

I'll find the money.

You have to be realistic, man.

Look, I'm not gonna go bankrupt.

Since when do I like bank on failure?

I'm trying to help you.

It's not about banking on failure.

Good. Then we done.

(chuckling)

(sighs) Let's be clear.

You lose this case, it's over.

You lose everything.

Well, that means you
better win this damn case.

And if for some reason,
you're feeling like

you're not capable of winning this case,

then, Mr. Anders,
you need to let me know,

'cause then I'll get my ass out there

and find a lawyer who can.

Sure you will, Barry. Good day.

It's like a f*cking Rubik's cube.

Figure out one side,
the other side all f*cked-up.

I feel you. Yeah, but, look,

SRR needs an extra $ ,
for tonight's showcase,

and hair and makeup says they
need an extra room to set up in.

Yo, look, B, maybe I can come back

- another time, all right?
- No.

Now is the right time. Right now.

Actually... I need you
to call your man, the hookup.

No, no, no, you don't wanna do that.

- That's some serious sh*t, B.
- This is some serious sh*t!

Are you crazy?

You don't have anybody else
that you can call?

Nobody?

(coin clanking)

(siren blaring in the distance)

Hey, Mattie, it's Nikki.

Uh, I was calling to invite you
to a show tonight.

(Mattie) Sounds lovely, but I'm
already booked for Live Crew.

How funny.

That's the show I was talking about.

(chuckles) Maybe I'll see you there.

Hope so.

(horn honking)

Hmm... you know what I miss?

What?

When things was nice.

Yeah.

Smoke used to always talk
about your skills.

How you be spitting.
His eyes would light up.

The only other time I seen
that twinkle in his eye...

was when it was just me,
him and the baby.

I should've took a photo or something.

♪ Head of the class
I'm changing the course ♪

♪ New syllabus, new diligence ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, life's still a bitch ♪

♪ No more letting off
for the thrill of it ♪

♪ 'Cause it feels venomous ♪

♪ Used to cook raw now
I'm in the kitchen with... ♪

So, what you got going on after this?

You meeting up with anyone?

- Nope.
- Good.

'Cause I'm taking it
upon myself to get you

to the police station, all right?

Time to quit procrastinating
on all this alibi business.

You feel me?

Yeah, no doubt.

Hey, you just missed the ex...

He knows where he's going.

So, you and Ahm, y'all about to put out
a record together or something?

Nah.

I don't know, maybe.

What you mean, you don't know, man?

Hey, I could, uh,
get to the station myself.

Relax, man. We good.

You must've really f*cked
with that n*gga Ahm, yo.

'Cause you about to put it all
on the line with that alibi.

You know, that's appreciated.

I know many a n*gga who stood tall
and still got m*rder*d.

'Cause m*therf*cker got worried

they was gonna cop a plea

even after they signed the paper.

See, some n*gga would rather dime

than even think about the possibility.

But our Prep School,

he gonna do the right thing
'cause he know Ahm

gonna do right by him.

Ain't that right, Prep School?

Yeah.

(chuckles lightly)

(Nikki) Hey.

Hey.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to meet, uh...

Oh my God, what happened?

Turns out that Gordy
didn't like my article either.

He... what the f*ck?

- I'm over it.
- No, f*ck that.

Nah, I just wanna move on.

Did you press charges?

I don't need a pity party.

You need to tell the truth.

Really? A lot of good it gets me.

This is not about the article.

No man should put
their hands on you, period.

Look... I am really
sorry about what happened.

Don't be. You spoke the real.

Fouray's a shithead.
Let's just put it behind us, cool?

Cool.

You wanna get a drink?

Yes. I really need one.

Me too.

You've done a lot with the place.

All these people working for you.

(chuckles) I'm impressed.

Mm, actually, that's...

that's why I wanted
to bring you down here,

so you can see what
I've been working on.

Oh, please. I'm an old man.

What else do I have to do?

You know, I have to stop your mother

from telling everyone

about the big check our son gave us.

That woman and her mouth.

We're gonna get robbed.

You know, Pop, about that money, um,

like I said, you know, you can tell,

I've been working like crazy down here

to get this going and...

I know I told y'all not to worry about

all the stuff you've been
seeing on the news.

But, uh, it's just...

What is it, son?

Well, I'm gonna need to borrow

some of that money back,
but just for a little bit.

You know, I've got this artist...

my artist, my label,

and... and...
and with all the things

that's going on right now,

I'm just a little short on cash.

You missed Sunday dinner.

- The last time that happened...
- I know.

I told you, I'm sorry, Pop,
but those days are done.

Now I'm focusing on
my label, and that's it.

I just want you to be okay.

I'm okay, Pop.

I just need this money to cover my bases

for the next few weeks,

and then I'm gonna sign
my distribution deal

and... and then I'll be fine.

Okay.

How much do you need?

♪♪

We say dirty words,
but everybody say dirty words.

Obscenity.

You can't talk about
p*ssy, d*ck or assh*le,

but I can go to the movies
and watch a man's head

get blown off. Isn't that obscenity?

Not legally, but according to

Federal District Judge Jose Gonzalez,

your material is.

Man, f*ck Judge Gonzalez.

I should be able to say
what I damn well please.

That's freedom of speech. That's
what the United States of America

is supposed to be all about.

You sound very patriotic.

Patriotic? I am America.

(hip hop music playing)

♪ One... ♪

Uh-uh, play that back
from the beginning.

(laughs)

(David) Super producer DJ DeeVee!

Who that?

It's one of DeeVee friends.

He one of the ones that got k*lled
at that Rex Boogie thing.

Your boy DeeVee, I heard
him on the radio, right?

He got radio connects, you need
to get this tape over there...

- Nah, we ain't doing all that.
- Why?

'Cause this music sh*t is just for me.

I ain't doing it
so people get to know me.

Oh, that's some bullshit.

You ain't white.
You need to do this sh*t,

and you need to do it
for one reason only,

so you can get out of this sh*t hood.

- That ain't never gonna happen.
- Why not?!

Me and Smoke used to always
talk about getting out.

Smoke used to promise.

He...

Hey.

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

(sobbing)

♪♪

I gotta bounce.

Stay as long as you want.

(door opens and closes)

♪ Hit it ♪

♪♪

Ooh, this is my jam! Ooh, yeah.

- Yeah, you like it, you like how...
- Ooh, hey! Hey...

So, baby, you got what you need
to write something dope?

Yeah, one last question.

What would you say to your female fans

that listen to you rap about
women in a degrading way?

What would I say? I wouldn't say sh*t.

And first of all,
I ain't degrading women.

I ain't talking all women anyway,

just certain women.

But don't all women deserve respect?

Not the ones who don't
respect themselves.

So, you mean like prostitutes
don't deserve respect?

I mean prostitutes, I mean hoes...

Like ones with multiple sex partners,

or ones whose baby daddy ran off?

Why are you tripping?

Because I don't know why
the f*ck you deserve a cover.

Who the f*ck are you to determine

what woman deserves your respect?

If you wanted to sit on my lap,

all you had to do was ask.

(girls laughing)

I got everything that I needed.

Thanks.

Oh, no. Oh, don't be mad.

Come on, baby, there's...
there's room on this lap now.

Don't... don't be...
don't be mad.

- f*ck you.
- Oh, okay.

You'll be back.

(phone ringing)

(groaning)

- Hello.
- (DeeVee) Dad?

Junior, what's wrong?

Nothing, I'm all right. I just, uh...

Look, I... I got a...

Some detective came by the house today,

showing me pictures of a dead witness,

and then one of Ahm's boys just
picked me up off the street.

What? Where are you? I'm on my way!

No, no. I still have to do my show.

Your show?

Boy, don't nobody care about your show.

Dad, Ahm's boy is still
outside waiting for me.

Okay? If I leave right now,
he'll know what's up.

Please, just meet me here after my show.

- I finish at : .
- Yeah, all right, yeah.

I'll be downstairs by : .

(sighs) Thank you.

Thank you, thank you. All right, bye.

♪♪

So, you're really gonna
help these guys get bigger?

It's a business.

Yeah, but they perpetuate
the worst stereotypes.

It's just a spectacle. Spectacle sells.

But you're a woman
who has power, you don't...

Nikki, every label needs
to have a few cash cows.

That's how we keep
the lights on, pay the bills.

But then after that,
you can take a risk?

- On?
- On a rookie.

Who's really got something to say

that's both empowering and uplifting.

The one and only Mattie Taylor!

When they told me
you were coming yourself,

I made sure to put my good drawers on.

Luther, looking forward
to the performance.

Yeah, I knew you was a freak.

Better watch yourself,
you might end up on that stage.

- Well...
- Y'all want some drinks?

Hey, yo, Roscoe!

I got this good sh*t over here, man.

And this one, she's f*cking every drop.

- Yo, that's right.
- Let's go.

♪ I'm not hot but I'm burning
when I'm burning warm ♪

♪ I'm like a wizard
I make a blizzard in a storm ♪

♪ Have knowledge from a college
with a dorm ♪

♪ And I'm greater than Schwarzenegger ♪

♪ I'm strong you be hurtin'
when I sing a love bird song ♪

♪ I'm strong like Norman
but my name ain't... ♪

You think he gonna sing?

I just hope he don't piss on my seats

before we get to the station.

Did you fart?

That was you. It wasn't me.

♪ cr*ck of dawn to the groove ♪

♪ It's your move, you little
pawn, on the record ♪

♪ 'Cause everything is specific ♪

♪ I'll just say checkmate
then move the bishop ♪

♪ To queen number four,
know what's in store ♪

♪ Sing to the king then take the board ♪

♪ To the crib before she can
think again ♪

♪ How I knock the boots
from here to Michigan ♪

- ♪ I'm caught up ♪
- Man.

Woman.

Verse.

Infinity.

♪♪

FM The Ride.

(Damita) I told Luther to go f*ck himself.

Damita?

Yeah, I did.

I don't believe you.

I did. I lost my sh*t.

Well, maybe you got, uh, I don't know,

something that you gotta say.

I do, and I will.

What's up? You blew up my pager.

Yeah, I, uh... I just, um...

I wanted to tell you, uh...

Are you okay?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, most def, I...

(clears throat)
I... I just wanted to tell you

that this morning was...

Amazing.

What you doing later?

(sighs)

I don't know, I just...
you know, I gotta go.

I gotta go.

Uh, I'll... I'll talk to you in a minute.

- Okay.
- No, I'm sorry.

I gotta change the records.

Uh... bye.

♪ ...never sabotage a good time ♪

♪ But when they're not around
the fights commence ♪

♪ I'm the one you're against
and it doesn't make sense ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm the one that
you claim to love for life ♪

♪ But all I get is gray hairs
and strife ♪

♪ And I can play some old stuck-up... ♪

♪♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Quiet on the set
'cause I'm ready to handle you ♪

♪ I'm black royalty,
pay me my mechanicals ♪

♪ In dollars and cents, I ain't in it ♪

♪ For the hollers and gents,
be like Imani ♪

♪ Why you so volatile
I'm just looking at the mic ♪

♪ Boy, where's your follow-through ♪

♪ Evil emcees out there
they kind of cute ♪

♪ But they can't compare
and they can't contest ♪

♪ 'Cause next to me she's just
another model in a body suit ♪

♪ Call it what you want
I'm making no apologies ♪

♪ My rhymes slice like a Kn*fe
through your arteries ♪

♪ Razor-sharp incision such comedy ♪

♪ Go and get my eight stitches
'cause they never could ♪

♪ Envision a girl like me already hot ♪

♪ Shining just like a megawatt
for the dimwitted ♪

♪ You can either step up or retire ♪

♪ Imani X in effect feel the fire ♪

♪ Baby, baby take me higher ♪

- ♪ Imani, Imani feel the fire ♪
- Yo, she's dope, right?

- Yeah.
- Yup.

- This girl's gonna be a star.
- Hope so.

I robbed my mom's safe
just so I could film her.

♪ Coming back harder than hard
but you don't know the half ♪

♪ I'm on a mission and I know the path ♪

♪ She is able as Cain and y'all
already know the rap ♪

♪ The eye of the storm
when all the sky's overcast ♪

♪ So take a photograph and if
you know the math ♪

♪ It'll be wise to stop
trying to define me ♪

♪ Or trying to out-rhyme me ♪

♪ Competition getting left behind me ♪

♪ Imani only in your mind
stepping into the ' s ♪

♪ Take a look and you'll find us ♪

♪ 'Cause you ain't really hot son ♪

♪ You a slingshot I'm a shotgun ♪

♪ Ready to pop when cops come
you really got one ♪

♪ Imani gives props 'cause I'm not one ♪

♪ Homey, you paper weight
so go and make a face ♪

♪ And get down to this week's sound ♪

♪ Just like "Amazing Grace" ♪

♪ You could either step up or retire ♪

♪ Imani X in effect feel the fire ♪

(crowd shouting)

♪ Baby, baby take me higher ♪

♪ Imani, Imani feel the fire ♪

You get her for me,
you'll be my new A&R.

♪ Imani, Imani feel the fire ♪

♪ It's the capital H
from the bottom I hit the T-O ♪

♪ Baby, you can see
my reach I see zero ♪

♪ I go when they say not
fresh in a t*nk top ♪

♪ Dice game the big lot
pick it up, see low ♪

♪ Just shut your mouth in the situation ♪

♪ You ain't got say Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪ Strong Island ♪

♪♪

(Ahm) Yeah.

(David) Ladies and gentlemen,

you are listening to the sounds

of the one, the only...

(DeeVee) Ahm...

...and super producer DJ DeeVee!

(chuckles) Yeah, rest in peace.

My man David.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Always remember this moment, baby.

- Uh-huh, hey, yo, Ahm.
- Yeah.

- Talk to 'em one time.
- Yeah.

Let 'em know... one time.

♪ Live and direct from the boss ♪

♪ All praise due respect to the source ♪

♪ For keeping me through
all the pain and the loss ♪

♪ No need to be disarm... ♪

k*lled that. Imani X, you loud.

Word, loud.

I'm just a mirror.

That's it.

That was dope!

- (both laugh)
- Thank you.

Imani, please meet Mattie Taylor.

It's so refreshing
to hear a young artist

who's got something to say.

Someone who defies stereotypes,

who's empowering and uplifting.

Damn. Thank you.

Why don't you stop by my office?

I'd like to bring you on board EBJ.

(chuckles) I don't
even know what to say.

Think about it.
But don't think too long.

Bitch, you a company girl now?

Yo, Mattie has reach.

And from what
you told me about Fouray...

Wait, where is Barry?

Nah, I ain't seen him.

But if EBJ is getting into rap,

you definitely going
to the top of that pyramid.

See?

Nikki... what you doing?

Yo, what you thought about tonight?

Oh, check it. I talked to the guy

about the studio,
we definitely getting you

- in the studio tomorrow.
- Are you?

Yeah, stay away from my artists.

This one right here,
you gotta watch this one.

- She kinda slippery.
- f*ck you, Barry.

I've always had her best
interest at heart... always.

Oh, her best interest? How?

Mattie Taylor, who don't
know sh*t about hip-hop?

I'm what's best for Imani X.

You wouldn't even listen
to her demo, remember?

Wouldn't let her audition.

- Hold up.
- What?

I'm gonna tell you something...

you better watch yourself.

You keep playing games with my artists,

I'm gonna play games with you.

You do that, Barry.

Don't judge me.

So, is that why you met me today?

Hmm?

This doesn't change anything I said...

about us.

Except you didn't say anything about us.

Assassins everywhere.

Yeah, but it was probably more
Mattie than Nikki, though.

Yeah, f*ck 'em. I'm gonna take EBJ down.

f*ck Nikki Jones.

And what's up with that
Ernesto Sierra dude?

Did they close on anybody yet?

- No, I don't think so.
- Good.

Tell Tamika I said set up a meeting.

I'm going after Vanilla Ice.

Please tell me you're kidding me.

I'm going after Vanilla Ice.

♪♪

Run, Junior!

Come on!

(sirens blaring)

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no...

Turn around, get against the wall.

- Turn around.
- Me?

Whoa, whoa!

Oh... okay, all right.

Don't make this any harder
than it has to be.

- What are you doing?
- Let's go.

I didn't do anything, Dad.

That's my son.
Where are you taking him?!

He's under arrest! Get out of here!

I'm gonna come get you, Junior!

He just left.

(g*nshots)

(woman screaming)

(man) Somebody's sh**ting out here!

(g*nf*re continues)

- (man ) I see him, I see him!
- Yo, get him, he's running!

He's moving, he's moving!

Around the car, around the car!

He's at the back of that car!

(panting)

(man) Get inside, get inside!

What?

(men shouting)

Jesus Christ!

Yo, give it up, Ahm!

(g*nf*re continues)

(glass shattering)

(siren blaring in the distance)

Come on.

(Nikki) Next time on "The Breaks"...

This is the biggest night of my career

and it's game time, baby.

(Nikki) You only have one
chance to break an artist.

You don't need to explain
that to me, Nikki.

Do I gotta keep
looking over my shoulder?

It's New York City, man.

Do you know how many
people spend their entire

miserable lives, wishing for
a chance at greatness?

What's up?

Everybody's talking about
that song you did with DeeVee.

Ain't no protection
nowhere in this game!

Ain't you figure that out by now?

(woman) Darryl Van Putten, Junior,

charged with obstruction of justice.

Yo...