[upbeat hip-hop music plays]
♪ ♪
[Raq] Previously on Raising Kanan...
[Kanan] What happened?
[Marvin] We gotta get the fuck out of here.
[Dr. Steele] When he wakes up,
he could be different than who he was before.
It's not unusual for people with this kind of injury
to experience significant bouts of anxiety, even rage.
This bitch tell me she done.
And now she got my work?
Your chart says that the father is recently deceased.
That kind of a loss, coupled with the terminated pregnancy,
is a lot to grapple with.
[Raq] Everybody loses something every day.
Death gotta be easy, Kanan.
'Cause life is fuckin' hard.
Your grandmother has kidney cancer.
You're the only one in the family who knows.
My period's late, Kanan.
I could give a fuck about your partner.
What I need to understand
is why you neglected to tell me that you had
a connection to Marvin Thomas.
I don't even know if I could save myself entirely, but...
Marvin gotta take the fall.
First, they had that CI on me.
And now they track me, pressin' up on me.
I could shake the trees a little bit over at the Bureau.
Shake they fuckin' trees.
Let these motherfuckers know they barkin' up the wrong one.
Again, if you've ever seen your father interact
with Detective Malcolm Howard...
[Juke] You fucked up my whole life tonight,
and you really think I'ma answer your questions?
[Shirley] This is Lowell Gelfand.
He owns a few independent labels.
[Baptiste] It means that our victim, Fredrick Williams,
had a lengthy criminal record.
It wouldn't surprise anyone if self-defense was involved here.
This is gonna have to be between the two of us.
I don't like mixing my businesses.
It confuses the conversations.
The Army? For real?
That's what you want?
I don't know.
I thought it was.
The Army's not for everyone.
LaVerne, it's a very conservative institution,
uh, especially when it-when it comes to
c-certain, uh, societal issues.
Stories I could tell.
[gunshot]
There's places they can take you.
[Rileyy] ♪ I'm a hustler, baby I'm a hustler, baby ♪
[50 Cent] ♪ Yeah, I know Heartbreaks, setbacks ♪
♪ Bitch, if I crap out I'm sure I'ma get back ♪
♪ I been through the ups and Downs, you know I get around ♪
♪ So to me It's all a part of the game ♪
♪ If I ain't the coke man Or the dope man ♪
♪ I'm almost for sure, man I got to take it ♪
♪ No need to say shit I'm gon' take it ♪
♪ Robberies turned homicide It's nothin' to play with ♪
♪ Make money Make, make, make money ♪
♪ When shit hit the fan We'll take money, Southside ♪
♪ Beef with the best of 'em ♪
♪ Done shot At the rest of 'em, yeah ♪
♪ Checks, I'm collectin' 'em ♪
♪ Check, boy I'm finessin' 'em ♪
♪ Bag Supreme Boy, you fuck around ♪
♪ Put a big bag on your head ♪
♪ Before the weather break You're dead ♪
♪ Let's get to it, they Don't do it like we do it ♪
♪ Nah, cop it, whip it Bag it, flip it ♪
♪ Re-up, we up G'd up, what up? ♪
♪ Runnin' round this bitch Still not givin' a fuck, hey ♪
♪ When it come to that paper There'll be no complications ♪
Ha ha. That's right.
♪ Put a hole in a nigga Right in front of you ♪
♪ Your heartbeat pacin' ♪
[Rileyy and 50 Cent] ♪ And it's all right ♪
[50 Cent] ♪ That's how We do it on this side ♪
♪ Niggas get to it On this side ♪
♪ I know heartbreaks Setbacks ♪
♪ Bitch, if I crap out I'm sure I'ma get back ♪
♪ I been through the ups and Downs, you know I get around ♪
♪ So to me It's all a part of the game ♪
♪ If I ain't the coke man Or the dope man ♪
♪ I'm almost for sure, man I got to take it ♪
♪ No need to say shit I'm gon' take it ♪
♪ Robberies turned homicide It's nothin' to play with ♪
♪ Hey, hey ♪
[Rileyy vocalizing]
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three!
[soldiers] 15.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 16.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 17.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 18.
Conditioning is the only way you weak-ass queers
will ever obtain combat readiness.
Combat readiness will allow you sovereign cock suckers
to survive the field of combat.
In cadence!
[whistle blows]
- One, two, three. - [soldiers] 19.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 20.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 21.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 22.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 23.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 24.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 25.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 26.
[singer] ♪ Here we go, yo ♪
[Grown Kanan] In the hood, we talk about soldiers.
Niggas who ain't never scared.
Always down to die for the cause, fall for they flag.
But the truth is,
them motherfuckers ain't no real soldiers.
Real soldiers understand the fuckin' chain of command,
got discipline, strategy.
[Phife Dawg] ♪ To show you Where I come from ♪
♪ I'm vexed, fumin' I've had it up to here ♪
♪ My days of payin' dues Are over ♪
♪ Acknowledge me as In there, yeah! ♪
♪ Head for the border Go get a taco ♪
♪ Watch me wreck it From the jump street ♪
♪ Meanin' from the get-go ♪
♪ Sit back, relax And let yourself go ♪
♪ Don't sweat what you heard ♪
- Mark. - [gunshots]
[singer] ♪ Yes, yes, yo Who got the vibe? ♪
♪ It's the Tribe, y'all Tribe, y'all ♪
♪ Real live, y'all Live, y'all ♪
♪ Inside, outside Come around ♪
♪ Who's that? ♪
♪ Brown! ♪
[soldier] Commence with combat training exercise.
[Charlie Brown] ♪ The word is the herb ♪
♪ And I'm deep like Bob Marley ♪
♪ Lay back on the payback ♪
♪ Evolve, rotate the gates ♪
♪ Contact! Can I get a hit? ♪
♪ Hit! ♪
♪ Boom bip with A brother named Tip ♪
♪ And we're ready to flip ♪
♪ East Coast stompin' ♪
[Grown Kanan] Real soldier's been trained to kill.
So no matter how hard you think you and your crew is,
you ain't no real soldiers.
You just niggas playin' some fake fuckin' war
that only ends when everyone lose.
- Assault! Assault! - [gunfire]
[reporter] Are you changing...
[overlapping chatter]
After an exhaustive investigation,
the NYPD has determined that Detective Malcolm Howard
was involved in a narcotics operation
with Ronald Mathis, a known drug distributor.
The Department had initiated an investigation into him
and his connection to the drug trade in Queens.
It is our belief,
and a preponderance of the evidence suggests,
that these murders were carried out by foreign nationals.
While we continue to try to identify, locate,
and arrest said individuals, for now,
the local investigatory component
of this case is concluded.
- Commissioner! - [reporters chattering]
What about Howard's partner, Detective Shannon Burke?
Do you still believe she committed suicide?
We absolutely do.
How is it still possible for this precinct
to maintain public trust?
The NYPD is comprised of the best
and most professional men and women in the world.
The actions of one detective are an anomaly, not a trend.
Any trust that's been lost or compromised
will be earned back.
In conjunction with the Chief of Detective's office,
we're rolling out a host of robust,
systemic changes that include, but are--
And that's that.
The Howard investigation is done.
They can always restart it, but for now, it's on ice.
Well, what these feds talking about?
That, I don't know. But I'll find out.
They off me, though?
As far as we can tell.
Now, how about you don't get cozy
with no snitch-ass white motherfuckers
from here on out, though?
I ain't a nigga that get cozy.
Again, the word that's been passed on to me
is that the task force has been disbanded,
and the investigation into Marvin is dead and buried.
Well, we need to hear about the feds
before we start dancin' in the fuckin' end zone.
I'll gather some additional intel.
[soft dramatic music playing]
♪ ♪
[gate creaks]
♪ ♪
[checkers rattle]
[foreboding music]
♪ ♪
Fuck!
[hip-hop music playing]
[singer] ♪ Oh, shit ♪
♪ I'm sitting in a building ♪
♪ What up, kid? ♪
[machine whirring]
Movin' a whole lot of work.
We just clearing less.
Costs gone up.
That's what I'm talking about, man.
Ain't shit we could do about how much we make.
Market is what it is.
But we can fuck with how much we spend.
So we gonna drop the startin' hourly for the new guys.
Got it.
Inventory is getting real tight.
I'ma get at Raq and see where our product is.
[clears throat]
I'll circle back with you later.
Word.
How you, uh-- [clears throat]
How you feelin', Krystal?
I'm good, O-Cee. What about you?
[chuckles] Still fuckin' with that allergy season.
Shit never ends for me.
My sinuses are all tore up.
I hope that gets better.
It won't.
- [door clicks] - O-Cee's a strange kid.
[laughs]
Like, the nigga's good with numbers, not people.
But business is about relationships, Kanan.
And nobody but you
want a relationship with that nervous boy.
O-Cee a'ight.
Krystal always got eyes on this work.
[soft music playing]
My eyes are on you, baby.
And you know I like what I see.
♪ ♪
[car horn honking]
You can stop and smell them flowers
in Southside Jamaica, nigga.
Ain't no flowers in Southside Jamaica, big brother.
[R&B music playing]
[singer] ♪ Somebody who knows my body ♪
♪ Better than me ♪
♪ Oh, baby Take me to a place ♪
♪ Make me feel ecstasy ♪
Go get a jimmy hat.
[sighs]
[singer] ♪ I've been waiting For your good love ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Good love ♪
I could pull out.
Like you did before?
No, baby, we handled that.
I handled that.
Yeah, but I paid for it.
[distant siren wailing]
Paying is the easiest shit you can do, Kanan.
I wanted that baby,
but I did what I did because you asked me to do it.
Well, 'cause it was the right call.
It was the right call for you.
I want to be a mother.
I want to love a child and have a child love me back.
Krystal, it don't always work out that way.
[tense music playing]
[scoffs]
Just because you and your mother have
some kind of fucked up relationship doesn't mean
it'd be the same for me.
♪ ♪
I know you're talking to other girls, Kanan.
I'm not stupid.
Tell me you're not.
I'm not.
Hmm, and you're lying.
'Cause I saw you outside talking to Mikaela
- the other day. - Mikaela?
She just a hood rat. Don't even mean nothing.
Stop it.
[scoffs] You know what?
Fuck this.
Krys.
Man, what?
♪ ♪
[door slams]
[indistinct chatter]
[phones ringing]
[soft dramatic music playing]
♪ ♪
You want to see me?
Shut the door, Garcia.
I'm assuming you saw that press conference?
[scoffs]
And I'm assuming you heard the commissioner's comments
for the barrel of bullshit that they were?
You mean all that crap about the foreign nationals
hitting Howard?
I mean everything.
The task force has been disbanded,
but this case is not closed, not by a long shot.
The Bureau only cares about organized crime,
and they don't think Howard gets them anywhere
in that regards right now.
But for you and me,
there's no world where the murder of a cop,
even a dirty one, goes unanswered.
I'm probably six months
from them making me take early retirement,
but until then, I still got work to do.
When I walk out of here for the last time,
I want this case closed.
I don't want it hanging over me
for the rest of my fucking life.
So this one's a passion project for you and me.
You're gonna be a one-man band.
But it needs to be on the QT.
Not a goddamn whisper.
Press up your informants.
Lean on your locals.
Squeeze hard on anyone you can.
Whoever put Howard down is still out there.
And my guess is the shooter is the same one
who wet him up by Baisley way back when.
Somebody's got to pay, Garcia.
And this bill is way past due.
♪ ♪
How our favorite soldier doing?
She hit me a few weeks ago,
told me it's a lot of suckers screamin' at her face and shit.
Know she used to that.
She Marvin Thomas' daughter.
Now that somebody all cleaned up and dried out,
they got jokes.
The important thing-- you need to keep yourself busy.
Find some shit you care about.
When niggas don't care, they get careless.
It's not what you need to be on right now.
I got a meeting.
This cat that Shirley linked me with.
Guy who put out Fame's single?
That lil' Puerto Rock nigga gettin' love on the radio
for that song y'all did.
But I heard the police took a warrant out on him.
Word around is that, uh, he's been talkin'.
Then got scared and said too much and he got to runnin'.
Fame ain't no snitch.
When niggas lookin' at a long bid, they get real chatty.
I just wanna say,
thank you, Marvin.
Raq told me you kickin' in on that rehab bill.
You always there for me,
through thick and fuckin' thin.
I just need you to know...
it don't go unnoticed or unappreciated.
I heard that.
You wasn't lyin', though, brother.
That therapy thing is some other, other shit.
It's a'ight.
[Lou-Lou] "It's a'ight"?
What happened to Mr. Fuckin' Breathin'
and Talkin' and Feelin'?
He got straight shit on by some cracker-ass motherfucker
he was tryin' to help.
And I did right by that fool.
He still did me wrong.
That ain't how it's supposed to work.
Fuck, Gerald, man.
Fuck everybody.
You did right by me.
I ain't gonna do you wrong.
I ain't countin' those chickens yet.
[dryer buzzes]
You may want nothing to do with me,
but you can't get enough of my washer and dryer.
[sighs] I need that re-up.
You going through this work I'm giving you fast.
Making less on it, though.
Well, maybe you and I can sit down,
go through your books, and see what's what.
Trim out some fat.
My books a'ight.
Police movin' on.
All of that mess in the rearview for now.
Ain't nothin' but open road up ahead for us.
Hey,
until you steer us into fuckin' traffic again.
[chuckles]
Just let me know when we getting' that inventory.
Quân wants me to come through for a conversation
before he hits us off again.
I'll keep you posted?
♪ ♪
[sighs]
♪ ♪
[sighs]
♪ ♪
[siren whooping]
[tires screeching]
I keep tellin' you, I don't know where Fame is at.
Yeah, I keep telling you that you're full of shit.
Two months now since anyone's seen your homie,
and you expect me to believe that you don't know anything?
I don't expect you to do shit, Five-O.
I'm just telling you, don't matter
how many times you roll up on me, it don't change shit.
I don't know where Fame is.
- [grunts] - Fuck!
[groaning]
- What about Detective Howard? - [coughs]
You hear anything about what happened there?
That was y'all dirt, man.
I just heard that cop
was playin' with niggas that don't play.
I can make your life real tough out here, Kanan.
Real complicated.
I ain't worried.
You should be.
Fuck you, Garcia!
[tires screeching]
♪ ♪
[soft dramatic music playing]
♪ ♪
[Sergeant Rankin] And one, two, three.
[soldiers] 30.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] 31.
One, two, three.
[soldiers] 32.
One, two, three.
- [soldiers] 33. - [Sergeant Rankin] Halt!
Recover.
[soldier] Sir, yes, sir!
Yo, where's Chalmers goin'?
Dishonorable discharge.
They found some faggot magazines in his foot locker.
They kickin' him out for that?
They better.
I don't want no homo finger in my ass
when we're in some foxhole together.
Shut the fuck up, Dannon.
No one gives a fuck about your ass.
[indistinct chatter]
Don't push-up!
Front lean and rest position, move.
Fix your face, Thomas.
[drumming playing]
And one, two, three.
[soldiers] One.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[soldiers] Two.
[Sergeant Rankin] One, two, three.
[knocking]
[cashier] No.
Yes. I-I'm sorry.
We are only doing deliveries today.
The usual.
Number 37.
[tense music playing]
Yo, I saw that shit.
Thievin'-ass motherfucker.
Did that shit right in front of my fuckin' face.
You stealin' product.
I don't know what you're talkin' about.
Bullshit. Empty your pockets.
I didn't take anything.
You put 'em in your drawers.
Pull them pants down, nigga.
That is my nephew. What did he do?
Your nephew a motherfuckin' thief.
Drop them drawers.
He ain't gonna save you, Egg Foo Young.
Drop them drawers.
Told you.
T-This is a misunderstanding.
What your nephew misunderstand about
my work being pressed up against his dick?
Uncle Richard, I'm sorry.
Get your ass out of here, nephew.
Don't ever let me see you here again,
because I'll fuckin' deep fry you, Karate Kid.
His mother is very sick.
How long you think you'd stay in business
if you let every motherfucker out here with a sick mother
steal them spring rolls?
You'd be closed before breakfast, nigga.
Nobody taxin' our shit.
Not on my watch.
♪ ♪
You put the extra fortune cookies in there?
[lively chatter]
[chatter and laughter]
Hey.
♪ ♪
I'm raising your prices 20%.
Fuck out of here, Quân.
You can't just drop a increase on me like that.
I can.
And I just did.
♪ ♪
Have a good day.
♪ ♪
[indistinct chatter]
[attendant] Please have your tickets out
when you get to your seats.
The bus will be leaving shortly.
[tense percussive music playing]
♪ ♪
You're gonna love this.
You're gonna be thrilled.
My Paulette and her husband, Tomasso, they're expecting.
- Ah! - [laughter]
Hey, Grandpa Stefano. [laughs]
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
And they all lived happily ever after.
Yeah, yeah, after, after.
After that cocksucker caught your straight right hand
to the jaw, that is.
Love hurts sometimes.
[laughs]
Hey, listen.
I know it's been a while since, uh,
our last adventure together,
but I got something that
I think could use your soft touch.
I got this bookie in Corona.
He's skimming off the top, and I warned him already.
But he's not a good listener.
He doesn't respond well to constructive criticism.
So you want me to try, um, destructive criticism.
[laughs] You kill me, man, you know?
Now, look, whoa.
I don't want it to be too acrimonious.
You know, the guy's a decent earner.
You know, maybe just ring his bell, see who's home.
Ding dong.
[laughs] Yeah, that's my man.
That's it. [laughs]
[singer] ♪ Fine ♪
♪ How are you so fine? ♪
Lou Thomas.
[chuckles]
Feels like I've been waiting for you my whole life.
Come on in.
[singer] ♪ So wild, yes ♪
♪ I lost the road, A sunken heart ♪
[phones ringing]
Numbers keep getting stronger for yours and Famous' song.
Who knows?
We get some more wind in our sails,
we might be hanging some new hardware on these walls.
Anyone heard from him, by the way?
Not that I know of.
Kid's got a hot record
and isn't even around to enjoy the win.
It's a real shame.
Oh. He'll circle back.
Fame just gotta clear his head.
Hey, I know that you've been waiting for me to get out
to have this conversation,
and I really appreciate the patience.
What, you-what? You think you're the first guy
to ever go to rehab, Lou?
I've been three times myself.
Cocaine, liquor, and pussy-- in that order.
Although between us, the sex addiction nonsense
was just me trying to convince my wife at the time
that I didn't have any control over myself
when I fucked her sister.
Point is, no one is beyond redemption, my friend.
Everyone can be saved.
♪ ♪
[indistinct chatter]
[gentle music playing]
♪ ♪
Juke?
For real? It's you?
Hey.
[laughs]
I can't believe it's you.
Can't believe it.
♪ ♪
[heavy sigh]
I'm a big gut guy, Lou.
And my gut is screaming at me here.
Lou's the one.
Lou is the one.
And what exactly am I the one for again?
I got a hip-hop imprint.
It's not that different than your Bulletproof Records.
Only with a few less corpses
and a couple more million in financing.
I want you to run it.
The biggest success we've had so far is this little single
that you and Famous threw together in the back
of Cafe Vous, which tells me
you know how to do something I don't.
[chuckles]
I'm just a-a schmuck from Great Neck,
who's still sleeping off a bad trip from Woodstock.
But, I do know enough to know
that rap is the future and that you see it
in a way I can't.
[exhales] I, uh...
I listened to the acts you got signed like you asked me to.
Mm-hmm.
Talk to me.
Hip-hop is honest.
Whether you on a corner or you in a club,
something about the music get to you.
Could just be the beat.
Could be the rhymes.
Whatever it is, it should reach you.
You only got one artist that got that realness.
B-Rilla.
B-Rilla's real, all right-- a real pain in my ass.
And he's currently really residing
in Manhattan Correctional.
I was just talking to my attorney
about voiding our deal with him.
His first album didn't even chart.
Not his fault.
Flow was hot. Production was weak.
So,
if I hold on to the problem child that is B-Rilla...
You'll come on board, and we can build this imprint--
W-wait, that's not what I was-- that's not what I was saying,
Mr. Gelfand. I was--
No, Lowell.
Lowell.
I just got out of rehab with nothing...
[chuckles]
But questions about myself and where I'm headed.
And the only answer that I got that makes sense at all is...
I gotta leave my options open.
My next decision is the most important decision
that I will make.
Point is, I don't think I'm ready to decide
anything right now.
Why don't we do this?
Go meet with B-Rilla because...
if you love him, I love him.
So talk to him to see what you think.
If he still intrigues you and if you decide something
I said to you today sparks your interest,
let's keep talking.
Like I said, Lou, I've been to rehab, too.
And remember how they don't let you close your door
when you're in there?
So let's not close this door here either.
Not yet, at least.
You're a good man.
Not yet, but I'm aimin' for it.
[smooth music playing]
♪ ♪
He just fuckin' with me because he can.
Because he know that I can't go nowhere else.
Hey, look, I don't have much sway with Quân.
And all we do is arrange for the transportation
of the product,
you know, put down stakes with the other families
to secure the territories where it's sold.
Everything else is between you and him.
Yeah, well you told me that I had to fuck with him,
that he was the only game in town.
Because we got an existing arrangement with him.
[sighs]
Well, what if I wanted to be Quân?
Step up the ladder and be the supplier.
Well, there's a lot of rungs you'd have to climb,
and then you'd have to have a friend
with a whole lot of poppy fields.
And those friends are hard to find and even harder to trust.
But what if I found one?
[sighs]
Look, if you make me an offer,
a better offer than our Vietnamese associate,
I think that would be something worth discussing.
[dramatic music playing]
[SWV's "Weak" playing]
[Iesha moaning]
[singer] ♪ I don't know what it is ♪
♪ That you've done to me ♪
[both moan]
♪ But it's caused me to act ♪
Damn, Juke.
[singer] ♪ In such a crazy way ♪
Helps when you got one of your own.
Mm, it really does.
♪ ♪
[singer] ♪ It's a feeling That I want ♪
When I saw you earlier today,
I thought maybe you weren't happy to see me.
Mm-mm, just surprised.
I wasn't expecting you.
But I'm glad you're here.
[singer] ♪ On my mind ♪
♪ I can't figure out Just what to do ♪
So, how long they let you out for?
[music fades]
I let myself out.
You quit?
Ain't you gonna get in trouble for that?
Maybe. [sighs]
Probably.
Shit, who the fuck am I kidding?
Definitely.
Fuck the army.
I couldn't be myself in there.
And I'm not lyin' about who I am, not for nobody.
So, you're just going home now, or...
Mm.
I was thinkin', maybe,
I could stay and kick it here with you.
Just for a minute.
See what this college life is really like
for a little bit, if that's OK.
Or not. I-I mean, like, I could go.
- I should have called you first. - Mm-mm.
I-I-I shouldn't have bounced like that.
- Juke. Juke. - That was really stupid.
You didn't do anything wrong.
Not at all.
I'm happy to see you.
But.
Yeah.
A lot has happened since we last saw each other.
I mean, I'm in college now.
I'm learning all kinds of things,
but mostly what I'm learning about is me.
And what I'm realizing is, I don't know me.
I haven't made myself sick since I've been here.
That's great. [laughs]
Just like you, Juke,
just tryin' to figure myself out.
And figure out where you belong.
And as much as I care about you,
I think I gotta do that on my own
for a little while.
[gentle music playing]
♪ ♪
[B.T. Express' "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" playing]
[singer] ♪ Ooh ♪
- ♪ Come on, do it ♪ - [door creaks]
- [door rattles] - [Braxton] We're closed.
Come back tomorrow.
I ain't here for eight ball, brother.
Your friend in Queens
wants you to stop skimmin' off them bets you takin'.
I'm here to make sure you hear him.
Make sure you know what time it is.
[grunts]
You tryin' to pull a gat on me? Are you out your fuckin' mind?
Just came here for conversation.
And you wanna get into a fuckin' gunfight?
[singer] ♪ Do it, do it ♪
Bitch-ass nigga.
White man got you sweepin' up after him
like a fuckin' janitor.
[laughs] I make Stefano too much money
for you to do shit to me anyhow.
See, I call shots
while your Stepin Fetchit-ass run errands, mother--
[gunshots]
[dramatic music playing]
Didn't call those shots, did you, Black man?
[gunshot]
[funky music playing]
[singer] ♪ Gotta do it, yeah, come on ♪
♪ I'm satisfied, I'm satisfied ♪
♪ How you do it, yeah ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[Raq] That's the last of what you fronted Ronnie and Kanan.
Y'all even now.
We're even on what we invested.
We ain't even on our return.
[Pop] You think we put up that money
just to get the same shit back?
We give money to make money.
We own a piece of the business.
Y'all ain't say nothin' to me about ownin'
a piece of nothin' when I told y'all
I was puttin' Ronnie down.
Y'all just said his debt was going to be mine.
[chuckles] Clearly, you are not aware
of one of investing's foundational pillars--
the return.
It take money to make money.
You took from us. Now you makin' for us.
Any deal you made with Ronnie went in the ground with him.
With all due respect, this conversation
doesn't involve you, Raq.
We financed Kanan and Ronnie's enterprise, not yours.
Hold- hold on.
I had my shit up and running
way before I even met y'all and before I even met Ronnie.
OK, you wanna hold on to the profits
from your reefer business, have at it, young buck.
But all the money from that horse you movin'?
That gets divvied up between us.
The--
Well, like he said, I wasn't part of any deal
you and Ronnie made.
Y'all did that on your own.
This is some bullshit. What the--
I'm startin' to think you got a real problem
with loyalty, baby.
[Snaps] And I'm gonna agree with my better half.
You put a bullet in the back of your business partner's head.
And while I hesitate on weighing in on family matters,
it's clear that your devotion to your mother
is suspect at best.
And this all speaks to a certain dearth
of fidelity on your part when it comes
to your family and friends.
You don't know shit about me.
We learnin', though.
- Come on. Let's go, Kanan. - I'm not done talkin'.
[tense music playing]
♪ ♪
You listen to your mother, son.
And we'll continue this conversation
when you've settled down.
♪ ♪
Go home.
We out, Kanan.
♪ ♪
You gotta be real careful with Snaps and Pop, Kanan.
They didn't get to where they are
without dropping a whole lot of bodies behind them.
Oh, like how you got to where you are?
I can say the same to you.
You decided to do Ronnie on your own.
And you decided to do what you did.
I saw an opportunity to solve a problem in the moment,
and I took it. That's all I did.
That problem was my father.
It was the right thing to do.
Do you even know the difference
between right and wrong?
I know the difference between life and death.
And I know the only reason
you still breathing right now is because of the calls
that I've made.
You alive because of me.
Now, you may not like my decisions,
but you love the results.
Look, I ain't forcin' you to work for me.
You want out, just give me the word and you can go.
Exactly.
You ain't sayin' shit 'cause ain't shit to say.
You makin' more with me than you ever did
because I'm gettin' you more work at a better price.
Our business is good, Kanan.
And it can get even better.
I mean, this is what we always talked about, you and me.
♪ ♪
It's one thing not to be able to trust my son.
I mean, I can almost live with that.
But I have to be able to trust my business partners.
♪ ♪
[engine turns over]
[tires screech]
[indistinct chatter]
[soft dramatic music playing]
♪ ♪
[door buzzer blares]
♪ ♪
- Smack the shit out of you. - The hell?
Playin' with you.
[indistinct chatter]
[B-Rilla] The fuck do you want?
- I'm Lou Thom-- - I know who you are, my nigga.
You got out that record with, uh, Rico Suave?
Shit wack as hell.
Streets seem to disagree.
Fuck the streets.
They don't know no better.
They only play that shit y'all give 'em.
What you here for?
I've been talkin' to Lowell Gelfand
about that hip-hop thing he doing.
I listened to who he got.
You're the only artist worth something over there.
I wanted to see where your head was at, what you thinkin'.
I'm thinkin', fuck that Jew motherfucker.
Fuck Gelfand.
Fuck his label.
Fuck this industry.
I've been signed to that nigga for two years.
I'm still on fuckin' welfare, so fuck all y'all.
That's what I'm thinkin'.
What you in here for, man?
- Some shit I ain't do. - What didn't you do then?
Well, I didn't rob nobody.
Look,
the opportunity to work with you is real interesting to me.
I respect you and your talent.
And I think we might see this music shit the same.
I just wanna know if you down.
In case you ain't notice, I'm in jail, nigga.
I can't do shit from here.
Tell me you ready to work, I'll get you out of here
by the end of the day.
You get me out of here by the end of the day,
I'll tell you whatever the fuck you want.
♪ ♪
This type of carcinoma...
is a menace.
Despite everything we've tried,
your scans appear to indicate
that the cancer has grown
in both your kidneys
and spread to your lungs as well.
"Appear to indicate"?
Sound like you not sure.
[somber music playing]
I'm dyin', baby.
♪ ♪
We could increase and intensify the chemotherapy.
But I'm concerned that that would be a harder road
to travel to a destination
which isn't gonna change appreciably.
That motherfucker wasn't never gonna listen to reason.
And he disrespected the hell out of me and you.
He's replaceable, man.
There's a sucker on every corner
in Southside Jamaica can do the job.
Dad.
With they eyes closed.
What the fuck?
Um, my daughter who was supposed
to be in basic training just walked through my damn door.
Yo, um, I gotta go, Stefano.
- I'll hit you later. - [phone beeps]
I ain't even know you comin' home.
Me neither.
Well...
[laughs] Juke's back.
- [laughs] - My baby's back!
[Kanan mutters]
- I got you. - [grunts]
[laughs softly]
- Oh. - Pardon me.
Get your chair.
Oh.
- Thank you, baby. - Mm-hmm.
I'll, uh, make you that tea?
Mm-hmm.
[soft music playing]
♪ ♪
[Kanan] I know we all about holdin' secrets from each other
in this family, but this feel like one secret
you can't hold like that.
♪ ♪
I don't know what's worse--
facing death or...
facing my kids.
The FBI is no longer interested in pursuing
an investigation into you and your family.
However, they do remain focused on organized crime,
specifically one Stefano Marchetti.
My mole inside the Bureau informs me
that both you and Marvin were observed
separately meeting with Mr. Marchetti earlier this week.
My Marvin?
Marvin Thomas?
- I assumed you knew. - Yeah, yeah.
That's right. That's right.
I knew that.
They was talking about fish and tanks and shit.
Well, the FBI is willing to offer you
what amounts to be a Get Out of Jail Free card
for you to use at any time in exchange for information
that could be used to prosecute Mr. Marchetti.
Feds want me to snitch?
They want your help
and are willing to compensate you substantially for it.
My source made it sound like a standing offer,
so it might be a conversation we could
return to later if necessary.
Good to know.
[record scratches]
[B-Rilla] ♪ Fresh out the cell, I'm well ready to risk it ♪
♪ Trigger happy, see the Spark soon as I lift it ♪
♪ Red Lobster, my favorite Part is the biscuit ♪
♪ Could have been locked in A prison, been a statistic ♪
♪ Really not right in the Head, kind of sadistic ♪
♪ Allergic to you pussy cats, Give me some distance ♪
♪ Nigga act foul? ♪
♪ Pow, gone in an instant ♪
♪ I'm a soldier when I'm sober, Don't need liquor ♪
♪ Watch his body drop, throw The Glock in the East River ♪
♪ Niggas love to play hard ♪
♪ Let's see, nigga ♪
♪ I watch heart drops when They mentioning B-Rilla ♪
♪ Oh, you can catch me Right on the block ♪
♪ Just me chilling ♪
♪ Ask anybody you know, The street's filling ♪
♪ I'ma keep moving these drugs And keep killing ♪
♪ Shot after shot, My nigga, I keep ♪
♪ Pow! ♪
♪ It's a murder ♪
Decided to come through.
Just so I could slap you in your stupid face.
[sighs] Take your best shot.
♪ ♪
You're too damn cute to smack.
[B-Rilla] ♪ B-Rilla back ♪
And you a dime.
And you--you my girl.
[B-Rilla] ♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Y'all wack-ass rappers ♪
♪ Tell 'em to change that game ♪
♪ Y'all know how to give it up ♪
♪ I said I just killed a nigga I love, it got me real sick ♪
Sit down.
[B-Rilla] ♪ But a snitch, The snitch ain't something ♪
♪ I could deal with ♪
♪ Hoodie and my Timbs on, Body be still warm ♪
♪ Paramedics, we're too late ♪
♪ That nigga been gone ♪
♪ The hoes love it ♪
♪ I'm so rugged, cold-blooded ♪
♪ I want it all upfront, Nigga, no nuggets ♪
♪ If you ain't on that timing, then you won't cut it ♪
♪ There's body bags in my Trunk, nigga, no luggage ♪
♪ When I get in this mode, I'm really focused ♪
If you aren't a sight for sore eyes.
Hey, Shirl.
You look good.
I feel good.
[B-Rilla] ♪ Closed casket ♪
Any word on Famous?
Sometimes success is harder to manage than failure.
[B-Rilla] ♪ Closed casket ♪
I'm doin' my best not to fuck up my own wins
one day at a fuckin' time.
I like the new guy.
[B-Rilla] ♪ You know I keep killing ♪
[Lou-Lou] He got some potential.
Mm-hmm. So do you.
Someone's lookin' for you.
[B-Rilla] ♪ Bitch ♪
♪ It's a murder ♪
♪ Yeah, B-Rilla, nigga ♪
[record scratching]
- [singer] ♪ A killing ♪ - [B-Rilla] ♪ Whoo! ♪
By the way, Louis had me get a friend
of his out of Manhattan Correctional earlier today.
As it falls outside the scope of our retainer,
I'll be forwarding you an invoice for that.
Well, Lou's label guy gonna pay for that.
- All right. - But you can send me the bill.
You know, one of these days,
you gonna tell me who all your connects are, André.
You got peoples in the FBI, the NYPD.
You know what they doing before they do.
Well, if I share all my trade secrets, I become superfluous.
And that's the last thing any attorney wants to be.
And if there ain't no need, then a nigga's unnecessary.
Precisely.
But don't worry.
I still need you, André.
- Yes, you do. - [both chuckle]
I'll be in touch.
[tense music playing]
♪ ♪
[engine turns over]
[hip-hop music playing]
[B-Rilla] ♪ Look, I'm Rochester's finest ♪
♪ I'm up late upstate, Mask and a duct tape ♪
♪ On it till the sun breaks ♪
♪ Broke trying to get dough ♪
♪ You can hear the wind blow ♪
♪ Creeping through your window So I gotta tiptoe ♪
♪ Now I'm in your basement ♪
♪ I saw a couple paintings ♪
He's got presence and charisma, I'll give him that.
[Lou-Lou] He got a lot to say.
We just gotta see if he know how to say it.
[B-Rilla] ♪ Shots get to ringing ♪
♪ Now you know what's next, Gotta load up the Tec ♪
So you wanna make some money, Lou?
♪ ♪
I wanna make some music.
I'll have my lawyers draw up an employment contract for you.
♪ ♪
No doubt.
Yo, one water, two whiskey.
♪ The paper feel like I hit the lottery ♪
♪ Hit your whole crew so none Of y'all could follow me ♪
♪ Put your hands up ♪
♪ Yeah, nigga, it's a robbery ♪
♪ When I'm in kill mode, It's like a demon ♪
♪ Live inside of me ♪
♪ Catch a rabbit slippin', Feel like I hit the lottery ♪
♪ Hit your whole crew so none Of y'all could follow me ♪
♪ I said it's New York's finest ♪
♪ I shoot cops, I move rocks ♪
♪ Hustle on two blocks, Stash in a shoe box ♪
♪ Feel like a giveaway ♪
♪ Should have picked A different day ♪
♪ House party getaway, If you think I'm kidding ♪
♪ Play it back to the corner Before I kick my feet up ♪
Yo, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Cut that shit. True story.
Nigga got out of jail today.
I'm up on stage tonight.
All this could change on a dime.
- Play that shit. - [record scratches]
- [person] Yeah! - [B-Rilla] ♪ Put your hands up ♪
♪ Yeah, nigga, it's a robbery ♪
[Grown Kanan] There's a difference between
a performer and an artist,
just like there's a difference between
a soldier and a killer.
♪ Put your hands up ♪
♪ I told you, Tuck your chain in, nigga ♪
[elevator dings]
♪ Put your hands up ♪
[Grown Kanan] Soldiers are trained, prepared.
Just like a performer, they taught that shit,
schooled in the game.
But a artist is a natural.
That talent is God-given.
Can't be taught.
Can't be learned.
So you fuckin' her?
[both grunt]
[tense music playing]
'Cause if you fuckin' her...
[grunts, groans]
You could be damn sure she fuckin' you, nigga.
- Hey, w-w-wait a second-- - [gunshot]
♪ ♪
[Grown Kanan] And it's the same for a killer.
That shit is just in 'em.
It's just part of who they are.
See, it's real simple.
Soldiers are made.
Killers are born.
[hip-hop music playing]
♪ ♪
[singer] ♪ That supply and demand ♪
♪ Stack cheese with ease, That's the master plan ♪
♪ That supply and demand ♪
♪ Keep files by the pile So we stackin' grass ♪
♪ That supply and demand ♪
♪ Stack cheese with ease, That's the master plan ♪
♪ That supply and demand ♪
♪ Keep files by the piles, Y'all, we stackin' grass ♪
♪ Who left it open And let them boys in ♪
♪ That new shit on your Block now, pick your poison ♪
♪ Black or red tops, Jamaican or Puerto rocks ♪
♪ You cut that shit proper, It's popping at every spot ♪
♪ That green come clean, I'm keeping every cent ♪
♪ Fuck Uncle Sam, Nigga, I'm tax exempt ♪
♪ I keep that heat close in Case a boy wanna test that ♪
♪ The last fool that tried's at cyprus taking a dirt nap ♪
♪ Pushing product Hand to hand ♪
♪ Defense no zone, I'm man to man ♪
♪ Got the top notch tops, Fuck what they said ♪