[quiet R&B beat]
I wanted a Wu seller release
for every quarter, and then come with a second group album
at the end of the five years.
But I've got nothing from Dirty.
GZA's not ready.
I lost all of Deck's music.
MECCA: Look, I know the flood fucked up your whole plan,
but you haven't slept in here in a week.
People are coming over to celebrate Rae's album deal.
You need to show your face.
[gun cocks] [laughs]
- [gunfire] - Whoa, whoa!
RZA: Y'all are my brothers.
It's time to let that shit go.
You're signing to Elektra, yo.
'Cause all I ever wanted to be was on Def Jam.
[distant shouts and shrieks]
Yo, chill the fuck--
When is this shit coming out?
When my cousin stop
trying to big bro me.
[siren wailing]
SHURRIE: It's Dirty.
He's in the hospital.
NURSE: Okay? PERSON: Yeah.
[background chatter]
Hi. I'm looking for Russell Jones.
Russell Jones.
Oh.
You mean Ol' Dirty Bastard?
Yeah, that's right.
His room is right down there.
- Room 412. - Thank you.
Tell him Nurse Shana shift just started.
[grunts]
'Rie.
Whassup?
Hi.
[Shurrie clears throat]
[sighs]
How you doin?
[scoffs]
Wonderful.
Ha.
SHURRIE: What happened?
Yo, it was wild.
[optimistic R&B music]
I found this little kitten, right?
A stray. So I'm thinking,
yo, I gotta help this little guy out,
you know what I'm sayin'?
So I scooped him up and I took him... to a church.
Just as I was about to set the little dude down,
some muhfucker come in with a bomb strapped to his chest,
talking 'bout how he's about to die for our sins.
I said, "Sir,
I ain't never sinned in my whole life!"
Nigga said, "Then you better save yourself."
So I picked up that little pussycat,
ran as fast as I could, jumped out the fucking window!
Next thing you know, I got medics
pullin' blue and yellow stained glass out my arm,
forcing me into the ambulance.
Hmm.
And the kitten?
Don't you know
they don't let felines on ambulance?
No!
That shit's fucked up, 'Rie.
For real.
I'm glad you made it out alive.
[sighs]
Shit, me too.
Am I the first person here?
The whole family been playin' telephone.
[Dirty coughs, groans]
Well, Bobby's on his way.
[groans]
Do you think you could get me some, uh,
red Jell-O?
It's like the only thing I can eat with this busted-ass tooth.
[groans] Please.
Yeah, okay, okay. Sure.
[lightly edgy music]
♪ ♪
[grunts]
[car engine starts]
[tires screech]
[hip-hop music]
[men grunting]
[blade resounds]
♪ ♪
[gun cocks]
♪ ♪
[dice thud]
♪ ♪
[blade resounds]
[no sound]
RZA: Hey. Yo, where he at?
He's gone.
What, they--they let him out already?
Fuck. Yo, I knew it.
You know, I shouldn't have smoked or drank last time.
We coulda got here faster, I told you.
Now, which one of our drunk asses was gonna drive?
He actually stole my car keys and bounced
when he found out that you were on the way.
MECCA: You want these? SHURRIE: Why not?
Well, I gotta get home to Infinite, so...
RZA: Hey, yo, yo, yo, hold up.
What, uh,
what exactly happened?
[sighs] I don't even know the story.
I think he jumped out of a window or something?
Are you fuckin' kidding me?
Are you being serious?
Yeah, that's Dirty.
All right, you...[sighs] you want a ride home or something?
No, I'm okay.
Y'all wrap up with the nurses, okay?
All right, come here.
MECCA: Bye, girl.
"Alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, PCP."
MECCA: Look, there's nothing you could've done
to prevent this-- he's responsible
- for his own actions. - I shoulda--
I shoulda been there. DIVINE: Yo, where is he?
RZA: He took Shurrie's car and he dipped.
What? RZA: Found out I was
coming up here, he made his grand escape.
DIVINE: What the-- God damn it, Bobby.
- Is he okay? - Yeah, we don't know.
Yo, but look, we gotta find him, a'ight?
We can head to Brooklyn, and then we can hit Stapleton.
DIVINE: Find him on foot? RZA: Yeah, nigga.
DIVINE: Nah, nah, search parties don't make no sense.
Let's just go back to the office,
and then we'll make some calls, okay?
[hip-hop music]
♪ ♪
POWER: Where the fuck is Dirty?
U-GOD: Well, I did see Dirty at the strip joint last month,
but he peaced out before I could say anything.
DENNIS: Yeah, my brothers was saying that they saw this nigga
cursin' out old ladies and shit back in Stapleton last week.
Hey, yo, son, that's crazy
'cause I just heard yesterday he was shaking down
some bootlegger at the market and shit.
Ha. Fucking right, son.
U-GOD: Must be gettin' real nice, you know what I'm saying?
Yo, staying nice is what I heard.
Yeah, that explains why he been duckin' us.
DENNIS: Nah, nah, but Dirty-- Dirty always stay nice,
you know I'm saying?
This is some other shit, though.
Him fuckin' himself up so bad,
he end up in the hospital and all that?
That's 'cause he gotta finish his shit.
Yeah, but all I'm saying is I just got 'Rie that whip.
Nigga better not fuck that shit up, for real.
- [chuckles] - Better not fuck up all that.
Word up to that.
But, yo, any of y'all need a ride to Shaolin?
I gotta attend to some business.
- Nah. - Nah.
DENNIS: Yo, if you see him, though,
get my girl keys back, please.
- POWER: A'ight. - Bring his ass here, man.
SHA: Yo, son probably spent all his advance money already.
I don't know what he think this is.
Yo, I don't even got my solo secured yet,
and all I could think about is my next verse.
SHA: Exactly, that's what I'm saying.
We all out here living in the fuckin' sticks
like some fucking Boy Scouts and shit.
[Deck laughs] We here to make music,
you know what I mean?
Wake, up, eat, sleep, write--
that's it, know what I mean?
Well, for you, nigga, it's more like
eat, sleep, eat some more.
DECK: Eat more. U-GOD: Some more.
- And more. - And eat some more.
Hey, yo, shut the fuck up.
You know what I mean?
He be reppin' the Clan, we like that,
know what I mean, cool,
but you can't lean on your brother
for your solo jump in.
Yo, I ain't even ready for all that, for real.
I'm kinda glad labels ain't checking for me yet,
know what I mean?
I been havin' a dream and shit about the same thing.
Nightmares and shit.
Fans seein' me on the street,
shootin' at me and shit.
Yo, I had a dream like that and shit one time, too.
Every time I wake up, I'm askin' myself,
who--who am I, know what I mean?
Like, as a rapper and shit.
You Raekwon the Chef, god.
- That's who you are. - Yeah, son.
Know what I mean? Just keep giving the people
what they like, you know?
"C.R.E.A.M" and "Can It Be."
You spit your truth. That's who the fuck you are.
SHA: I don't know, I only got, like,
four joints after 36 Chambers, man, I'm--
Yo, yo, yo yo yo,
you just need a little inspiration is all,
- know what I mean? - Nah, I--
Why don't we turn on a flick or somethin'?
You know that always get my mind going.
Yeah, yeah, you right,
I think I got a good one, too.
Dora.
[uneasy music]
♪ ♪
[phone rings distantly]
He's okay, though?
[phone rings]
Nah, it's just we got this big Elektra meeting tomorrow,
and he's supposed to be there.
DIVINE: Yo, I can go over there.
No, don't come over. RZA: We understand,
- we're just asking-- - Yeah, I got it.
RZA: Look, there's a lot at stake.
- SHURRIE: I got it. - All right, all right.
SHURRIE: Okay.
All right...[sighs] later. SHURRIE: Later.
- DIVINE: He good, right? - Yeah.
So how you feelin' about this Elektra meeting tomorrow?
We gotta push it.
We can't do it if Dirty ain't showin' up.
I pushed it like five times already.
Yeah, I know.
You know, we still don't have shit.
You fucking-- RZA: Y'all think that
Dirty and I just be beefing out here for show?
Like, he comes through undercover late at night
to record his tracks while everybody else is sleepin'?
Nah, nigga.
A'ight?
That meeting ain't happenin' this week.
DIVINE: Okay, look Rizz.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,
y'all two need to settle this, all right?
You know the competition ain't restin',
and our reputation is at risk of bruising.
A'ight, look.
He ain't ready.
And I ain't ready either.
DIVINE: [sighs] Okay, okay, um,
I'll push the meeting once more.
But you really gotta figure this out.
Because if we don't turn in this album in time,
we'll be in breach of our contract.
Like what? Like--like, we gotta pay
the 175k for Dirty's album?
- No, it's 800,000. - Oh, fucking shit.
Yes, that is the penalty for breaching.
[sighs] And you know what, even though we're doing well,
we are also expanding,
so it's not like I got an extra million under a mattress.
RZA: If you were so worried about money,
I don't know why you would lease a place like this, yo.
The Staten office wasn't exactly saying,
"Look out, we taking over."
This location gets us more, and every piece plays a role.
But I'ma calm my ass down because
you gon' turn in that album in time.
[slaps leg, sucks teeth]
- Right? - Get the fuck outta here, yo.
Bong-bong.
[sighs]
MECCA: Take a breath, baby.
Yo, I don't know what the fuck to do.
[huffs]
What you need to do is take a break.
[huffs] Yeah.
I took a break last night, and...
all this shit is blowing up in my face.
I'm talking rest and relaxation, not partying.
Look, I know you think I don't get it,
but I'm just trying to help.
You're about to snap.
I can see it.
[exhales sharply]
A romantic night starting now.
I already have a few ideas.
Your work will be here tomorrow.
Yeah.
All right.
You and me.
MOVIE CHARACTER: There he is, boys...
Hey, yo, now we back in the '30s and shit, son?
Yo, why they keep jumping around and shit?
We in the '20s, son.
And he's telling they whole life story, man.
You gotta follow along, pay attention.
GARY: Peace, G.O.D. DENNIS: Peace, bro.
What y'all got, bro? Let me get some.
SHA: Yo, you looking for something in particular, son?
GARY: Anything with no swine, lord.
Mm-hmm.
Yo, you know when these dudes was running around
little Italy doin' crimes and shit,
our people, we was in Harlem listenin' to Marcus Garvey.
Trying to clean ourselves up, man.
- Oh! - Yo, yo!
Go get the broom, man, clean it up.
Yo, come on. GARY: Indeed, indeed.
I know about power and refinement, lord.
I'll be back with the broom. SHA: A'ight.
He remind me of Max, though, from this shit, for real,
like the way he be
calculatin' his movements and studying and shit.
Yeah, whatever, whatever, son.
Favorite character is Noodles.
He be coming through with the ill hats and all that, son.
You know what I mean?
SHA: If you ain't watching the flick,
you gotta take that to the west wing, son, come on.
Whatever, y'all, that's that Staten Island shit, man.
Exactly. Our "costora nostora."
MASTA KILLA: Costa nostra.
For real, like Staten Island was like
a haven and shit for the mob back then, son.
But now, we the new family
puttin' on for the island, for real.
What you sayin'?
I'm sayin' that... that's who you are.
The Tony Montana of the streets, nigga.
Hmm.
DENNIS: Mm-hmm.
Hmm, I like that right there, word.
Nah, Tony Montana period.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's it, that's it.
SHA: Son, that's it, that's the record!
That's what we bringin' to the game and shit, son!
Yeah, yeah. SHA: We was a Mafioso.
I'm talkin' about larger than life mafioso,
I'm--not this street shit.
Not this street shit, I'm talkin'--I'm talkin' epic.
I'm talkin' movie, son.
Oh, yeah, I see it, I see it. SHA: Cinematic.
Word. See it like a Zenith, god, word.
[mellow hip-hop]
♪ ♪
RZA: Fuck that.
I always thought the movies made it,
you know, look too perfect. [chuckles]
You know, this my first time too.
- Really? - Oh, yeah.
You've lived in this city your whole life almost,
and you've never been to the top
of the Empire State Building?
I never thought it was for me.
Thought it was... [background chatter]
- for these people. - [chuckles]
Not anymore, baby.
Look how far you've come.
Your determination was the first thing
I noticed about you.
Even when you were off the music,
you always knew something bigger was comin'.
Yeah, that's true.
MECCA: I really wanted to be a part of that.
This is the part of the journey where I get off.
[exhales] What are you...
I'm sorry.
- I can't do this anymore. - [exhales]
MECCA: I love you so much, Bobby,
but you've been all work,
and I've tried to be supportive.
No, you have been supportive.
Babe, I wouldn't-- I wouldn't had made it
these past six months without you.
You know that.
- I feel like I'm in the way. - But you're not.
I started sleeping in that giant-ass bed
putting pillows around me because you were crashing
in the studio most nights.
It got lonely up there.
But you told me that you was cool with that.
Because I knew how stressed you've been.
I'm not gonna beg you to come to bed.
You have to want that.
I do.
Well, I don't see your "to do" list
getting shorter anytime soon.
[exhales] Look...
I know I haven't put in the time with us.
But I will.
But the flood just pushed everything back.
I don't even got a single beat ready for Deck yet.
Why are you bringing up Deck right now, Bobby?
This is what I mean.
Okay, Mecca, please.
- You a queen. - I know that.
You're the one who said this was our time,
that you were ready.
Did I fully believe you?
No.
But I believed that's what you wanted.
Not like when you left me in Ohio
after everything we went through.
RZA: All right, that was fucked up.
But you right.
You know I...I love you, girl.
You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
You know that?
And I want you here.
I need you here with me.
I know you, and I know you think
you can handle your Wu-Tang business
plus expanding plus us,
but no one can do all that.
I could. I'm determined to, all right?
[tearfully] I love that about you--I love that about you.
But I've given this a lot of thought.
[breathes shakily]
I wish it wasn't this way.
- Mecca. - But this is...
this is what's right.
Mecca.
Please, please.
I'm sorry, Bobby.
- I love you. - I'm sorry.
[somber music]
♪ ♪
[thump]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[groans]
SHURRIE: Pedialyte, for when babies have diarrhea.
- You feelin' shitty? - [snickers]
Your mom called. She wants you to go home.
But you can crash here if you really want.
[exhales]
Man, I'm sorry about your car, yo.
I think one of them doctors
put a chip in my head or something, for real.
You know I wouldn't even mess with you like that.
You play too much.
- Me? - Yeah, you!
Look at your wrist!
Playing too much.
There's things in this life you have to take seriously.
I take life serious.
SHURRIE: You know you have that meeting
with Elektra too, right?
DIRTY: I don't give a damn about no meeting.
Yo, this whole thing with Bobby
and this fuckin' label...
I'm dead serious about that shit, yo.
That shit hurt.
You feel me?
SHURRIE: Yeah, I do.
And I know he can be a control freak, but--
He be acting like...
I don't know what's good for me.
Like I'm a kid or somethin'.
But you're taking it really far.
So why you ain't mad at me?
Oh, I'm furious.
Yeah, you messing with my sitter,
which means messin' with my baby
while you was fucked the fuck up?
I'm not letting you live that one down.
[sighs]
But you can start by washing my car
when you feel better.
Little wax on, wax off action?
Yeah, that's right.
I can do that.
Can I turn this on?
Yeah.
Just keep it quiet.
Okay.
[sighs]
[whispering] Shit.
[tires squealing]
Ooh-hoo-hoo!
This my shit!
[groans]
Yeah.
[R&B music]
DIVINE: Hey, baby, you need help?
- NIA: No, I got it. - You sure?
Hey, peace, peace.
Hey, son.
DIVINE: I know what you're here for.
You're here for that check, yes?
'Course I'm here for that check.
- What's up, Nia? - Whassup, U?
U-DOG: I'm loving the place, son.
Oh, thanks.
We actually got Def Jam seven blocks that way,
then we got Loud five blocks, one avenue that way.
And then we got Sony three avenues
and two blocks that way.
A'ight, son, I see you, son.
[chuckles]
Yo, why my, uh...
why this so short?
Well, actually, you can see on the line
what's been taken out for health insurance and taxes.
Yo, just--just do the math, it all checks out.
Yo, I don't need none of that.
DIVINE: Yeah, you do. Otherwise, you'll owe
one lump of taxes at the end of the year, and that's--
that'd be a harder hit to take.
You know, in some ways, hustling was
more straightforward, know what I mean?
Yo, what about this health insurance, son?
Well, God forbid something happens.
Or if you want a physical and, you know, not pay $300.
All right, son, whatever.
- Yo, God, you good? - Yeah, man.
Sound kind of sexy when you talk like that.
- DIVINE: About taxes? - Mm-hmm.
- And health insurance. - Mm.
All responsible and knowin' how to run a business.
I'm proud of you.
Oh, thanks, baby.
Mm-hmm.
I gotta get all our money squared away
as soon as it comes in.
We may end up owin' Elektra at the end of the year,
and I really can't have our debts, you know,
running on top of each other, know what I mean?
They'll figure it out.
Yeah.
- It's not gonna get to that. - [sighs]
I hope so.
It's not, trust me.
[whispering] I do.
- Good. - I do.
[knocking]
- NIA: Lucky. [giggles] - I--I know.
Package from Def Jam.
All right.
Ooh!
Yo, baby, do you remember
which box we put the DAT player in?
DENNIS: Yo, yo, nah, for real, though.
SHA: Word. DENNIS: When son popped 'em
in the eye and the diamonds and shit went flying, god?
Word, that's when they leveled up right there.
DENNIS: Yeah, but niggas lost the diamonds, though.
That shit crazy.
Nah, you right, you right.
That's--that part was on some dumb movie shit.
DENNIS: Nah, but they was on some hard shit
when they was stickup kids, though, for real.
SHA: Word.
No fucking with the jakes and shit.
- SHA: Word. - Bagging all the little honeys
and all that. SHA: Word, word.
From stickup kids to bigger and better.
- DENNIS: Right, right, right. - Know what I mean?
Sound like it's straight outta our books, know what I mean?
That's some deep shit right there, god, for real.
Word, god, word. Word.
Word.
Hey, yo, son. DENNIS: Yo, what up?
Yo, you gotta be on this album with me, son.
Oh, yeah, word.
Yo, but I'ma 'bout to be guesting
on all--all the best tracks.
I mean the whole thing.
Know what I mean? On some movie co-star shit.
Think about it, son.
That's what made "Once Upon a Time in America" so great.
Plus, Tony needs Manolo.
Sss... SHA: Come on, son.
Whew! SHA: It only makes sense, son.
Yo, yo, yo, yo, son. SHA: It only makes sense, son.
Yo, word, word, god, word.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm feeling it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, fuck it. SHA: Word.
Yeah, we 'bout to do the whole album in the morning.
SHA: Word, word, this shit gotta be the most gangster,
most ill album in the fuckin' streets.
Yeah. SHA: My shit gonna be
thorough in every borough, son.
Right, right, right.
SHA: Yo, son.
You know how niggas be quotin' our lyrics and shit?
Our verses? DENNIS: Yeah, yeah,
they be biting our shit, too, Word.
What if they start quotin' our--our scene, son?
Oh, shit.
Word, so, like, the movie scenes
is connected to the tracks.
- Right, right, right. - But they also connected
to each other and shit...
- Right, right, right. - Know what I mean?
So at the end of the track, we start--
and me talkin', you know what I'm saying?
[intercom beeps] Me and you walk outside--
GARY: Yo, who seen the remote?
Rae, Ghost? DENNIS: Yo, yo.
- GARY: Y'all had it last. - Yo, genius,
the shit was already missing, god.
Come on, damn, son!
So, we walkin' and talkin' and shit--
Nah, son. I'm off that at the second, son.
Niggas has got me fucked up and shit, man.
DENNIS: Hey, yo, hey, yo, let's take a walk
and keep politickin', nigga.
Stay in the-- stay in the mindset.
You right, son. DENNIS: Word up, word up.
GARY: Hey, I know one of y'all
got it somewhere. Check your rooms.
I'm tryin' to watch Shaolin vs Lama and shit, god.
NIA: I think that's it,
you can actually just stick that in there,
and I can take this down the hall.
Hey, you don't have--no, you don't have to take that.
- Oh, no, I can take it. - [snickers]
DIVINE: I'm sorry.
Hello. DIVINE: Hey!
RODRIGUEZ: Good to see you, man.
Good to see you too. RODRIGUEZ: Yes, man,
I was nearby having lunch,
thought I'd stop by and congratulate you
- on the new space. - Oh!
Well, thank you. RODRIGUEZ: Yeah, man, yeah.
I'll be seeing you tomorrow. I'm really excited
to hear what RZA and Dirty been working on.
Uh, well, actually, if you could just
give us a little more time.
You're gonna be very excited from what you're gonna hear.
You want to reschedule?
- DIVINE: Yes. - Again?
I know, I know, my brother. [chuckles nervously]
Divine, I can't go back to the people
I report to and tell them we're two-thirds
through the recording budget
and we still have nothing to show for it.
Listen, I've been working around
the creative needs of artists for many years,
but at some point, it all comes down to delivery.
And I don't wanna hold you in breach of your contract.
Oh, we goin' there with it. RODRIGUEZ: Mm-hmm.
Respectfully. RODRIGUEZ: I have to.
Listen, if Dirty's record is late,
then we gotta push back the release date,
which affects our entire catalog
and affects people's jobs.
With you expanding your business
and hiring personnel.
I know you can understand that.
Respectfully.
[heavy music]
So, uh... tomorrow it is, then.
- RODRIGUEZ: Excellent. - [chuckles]
RODRIGUEZ: Great space you have.
Yeah.
Yeah, thank you.
[knocking on door]
Hey. Peace, god.
Look, I'm--I'm sorry, but, you know,
I couldn't get that Dirty meeting pushed.
Your beats will just have to do.
We can't afford to be in breach, Bobby.
We just can't.
Bring in ten to play in--
- Ten? - Mm-hmm.
- For Dirty. - Mm-hmm.
By tomorrow.
Got it.
Where's Mecca?
Mecca went back to Ohio.
Uh... this life was too much for her, you know?
Yo, Mecca was great for you.
[sighs]
Yeah. Just, uh... I didn't give her enough time.
Bobby, you can't say you haven't been busy.
I just didn't see it coming, yo.
DIVINE: Hey, I'm sorry, little bro.
Listen, it's not easy getting to where we're goin'.
It's funny, in chess, they call...
they call what I did
the queen sacrifice, right?
Only, uh, you can only make that move
if you know you're gonna win.
We, uh...
we gotta win, Vine.
Yeah, abbott, we gonna win.
[sighs]
Um, hey, so listen, uh...
I got the, uh, "All I Need Remix"
here for your approval.
Already? DIVINE: Mm-hmm.
Who did it?
Puff.
Yeah, a'ight.
How does it sound? DIVINE: It's good.
I mean, I could see it playing nationally, Bobby.
Well, let's hear it.
[Puff Daddy's "All I Need Remix" plays]
SINGERS: ♪ To get by, by ♪
♪ You're all I need ♪
♪ Like sweet mornin' dew ♪
♪ I took one look at you ♪
♪ And it was plain to see ♪
♪ You were my destiny ♪
♪ With you, I'll spend my time ♪
♪ I'll dedicate my life ♪
♪ I'll sacrifice for you ♪
♪ Dedicate my life to you oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ I got a Love Jones for your body and your skin tone ♪
♪ Five minutes alone, I'm already on the bone ♪
♪ Plus I love the fact you got a mind of your own ♪
♪ No need to shop around, you got the good stuff at home ♪
♪ Even if I'm locked up north, you in the world ♪
♪ Rockin' three-fourths of cloth ♪
♪ Never showin' your stuff off, boo ♪
♪ It be true, me for you, that's how it is ♪
♪ I be your Noah, you be my Wiz ♪
♪ I'm your mister, you my missus with hugs and kisses ♪
♪ Valentine cards and birthday wishes? Please ♪
♪ We on another level of planning, of understandin' ♪
♪ The bond between man and woman and child ♪
♪ The highest elevation, 'cause we above ♪
♪ All that romance crap, just show your love ♪
[vocalizing]
♪ ♪
So, watchu think, yo?
It's a long way from the album version, fo' sho'.
You happy?
I got a track with Mary J. Blige, son.
If you ain't happy about that, you just a asshole,
you know what I mean?
Yeah, oh, yeah, yo.
Oh, nigga. Yo, how was your tour, yo?
Tshh. Tour was crazy, son.
I just started missing my girl like crazy.
That's really what made me write the shit, you feel me?
Yeah.
[chuckles]
Yeah, I do.
♪ Born to science my alliance analyzes ♪
♪ Wild surprises, keeping my eyes wide to this ♪
♪ The unfortunate, laying in mountains counting ♪
♪ With jewelry on, can it be the next team house the phone ♪
Hoo! Word, son. Yo when-- when you wrote that shit, dog?
Few weeks ago, son.
- Word, that shit's hot, son. - Word.
So boom, so boom, we be--we basically
got like a full track already.
Yeah, son, we just need RZA to cook up the beat
- and shit, son. - Mm-hmm.
You know.
Yeah.
[birdsong]
Hey, yo, I finally feel like I'm
catching this Zen shit, god, for real.
Word. It smell mad good out here, too, son.
- DENNIS: [laughing] Word up. - Word.
So what you been sitting on, son?
[clears throat] [branch snaps]
[bird squawks]
- Yo. - [squawking continues]
Hell nah, nah, I ain't fucking with this.
Chill, son, that's just a squirrel, son.
Nah, nah, that ain't no squirrel.
That's the--that's that Jersey Devil shit, god.
Je--whatchu talking about, Jersey Devil?
It's that kangaroo horse nigga
that be eating people and shit like that!
[scoffs] Are you serious right now, son?
DENNIS: Yo, yo, yo--
SHA: Come on, we just got here, son!
Yo, this woods and all this shit?
Yo, god, this shit ain't for me, a'ight?
The woods and all that. Naw, shit.
Who told you about-- you not from Jersey!
[mellow hip-hop]
♪ ♪
Hmm.
Honey, I'm home.
[chuckling]
DIVINE: Yo.
Peace.
Mm.
Yo, this is definitely where we're gonna get that billy at.
Know what I mean? Nah, for real, it look good in here.
Yo, appreciate that. Nia came through and, you know,
she gave it some love, know what I mean?
Yeah? How she doing? DIVINE: Yeah, yeah.
Eh, she okay. You know, smooth sailing.
I'm, uh--yo, listen, I'm actually about to head.
I gotta go pick her up some dinner.
Oh, well, look, let me get right to it, then.
[exhales]
So, look, so you know that I been trying to push
this Wu Wear shit, right?
- Mm-hmm. - And, you know, the mom
and pop stores, they nibbling, but these department stores
ain't buying shit unless there's a demand.
So, I got a retail spot out in Staten.
Okay. POWER: Great location,
you know what I'm saying?
The rent is decent.
I just need the investment.
DIVINE: Uh...
- Listen, I love the vision. - Right.
But to be honest with you, now's not the time.
What is it? We got money in the bank, don't we?
Come on, son, we got all these plaques up in here.
Right?
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, no, of course we do.
- POWER: Word. - Yeah, 'course we do.
POWER: Come on, man.
I look forward to seeing it come to life,
you know what I mean? POWER: Word up.
Mm-hmm.
Waiting on you now.
GARY: ♪ When it was your wife that shop stolen narc ♪
♪ Catch a swollen heart from not rollin' smart ♪
♪ I put mad pressure on phony wack rhymes that get hurt ♪
♪ Shit's played like zodiac signs on sweatshirts ♪
♪ That's minimum and feminine like sandals ♪
♪ My minimum table stacks a verse on a gamble ♪
♪ Energy is felt once the cards are dealt ♪
♪ With the impact of roundhouse kicks from black belts ♪
♪ That attack the mic-phones like cyclones or typhoon ♪
♪ I represent from midnight to high noon ♪
♪ I don't waste any-- ♪ Yo.
[chuckles]
Oh, that shit's hard, nigga.
What's up with you, god?
Nothing, yo.
We got this meeting with Elektra tomorrow
and me and Dirty ain't record shit.
Man, not a fucking thing.
A'ight?
And now I gotta make ten perfect Dirty beats
to convince this fuckin' label that we all good.
Damn.
But I'm gonna come through for Dirty.
- I got to. - He's your cousin.
I don't care if you niggas ain't talk for two years.
At some point, everything's gonna be a'ight, bruh.
Yo, I don't think you get it.
We don't have two years.
We set y'all up in different shops so we could take over.
If we don't deliver...
then what?
Yo, these labels are gonna give our slots to other artists.
Yo, these five-year contracts, they cover everybody's solos.
We only got one done so far, nigga.
And we got four more years. You do the math.
Cuz, I understand you under some stress.
But when it's my time to go up? Tshh...
I promise you, you ain't gonna have to take that pressure.
I appreciate that.
- Nah, for real. - Nah, for real.
[small laugh]
We're the standard bearers of hip-hop, god.
This ain't supposed to be easy, son.
[moody music]
RZA: All right. GARY: It's gonna be good, cuz.
ACTOR: You want to save that girl's life?
Then it's this or we're dead. Now take off your jacket.
These are for you. Time to cover that ass up.
You kickin' me out?
Nah, you can stay another night.
Just don't forget about my carwash.
A'ight, but...
what's these?
Yo, I know Ghost got something better
for me back there.
Let me get that blue polo or something, come on.
- Excuse you? No. - [sucks tongue]
You really gonna let me out here walking in these rags?
[sighs] You're worse than Infinite.
Listen to me.
You get what you get and you don't get upset.
You sound just like your brother.
I'm giving you clothing and shelter.
A thank you wouldn't hurt.
There you go again, man.
Are you serious right now?!
Like, I been takin' care of your ass all day,
and now you want to be treated like a grown-ass man?
[sighs]
Look, that's not gonna happen until you stop
acting so immature all the time.
Stealing my car.
Getting yourself so hurt you end up in a hospital,
worryin' everybody who cares about you?
If you want to be treated differently,
you need to grow up.
[edgy music]
♪ ♪
[door thuds closed]
[upbeat rhythm]
♪ ♪
[Dirty's "Hippa to Da Hoppa" beat plays]
♪ ♪
[music stops]
[phone pad beeping]
[line ringing]
SHURRIE: Hello?
- Hey, yo, what's up, 'Rie? - Hey, Bobby.
Is, uh, Dirty still there?
SHURRIE: No, he left last night.
- Shit. You know where he at? - No.
We got this meeting with the label today,
and I really want him to be there.
SHURRIE: I don't know, Bobby.
He knows about the meeting, but you know
you're gonna have to do it yourself.
All right.
- Later. - Later.
[sighs]
[door opens]
Oh, I'll come check later, cuz.
No, you good.
I'm just finishing up this last beat.
Oh, yeah? RZA: I got ten solid beats
for this label meeting--I think we're gonna blow them away.
Bobby D, you is a machine, god, I ain't gonna--
What's up with you, yo?
What's on your mind? I wanna hear it.
You sure? RZA: Yeah, yo.
I'm not playing with this one, cuz.
I'm in a whole other different chamber on this, cuz.
RZA: Yo, you wanna lay it down?
'Cause you know I got that staccato beat
for you with that Willie Mitchell sample on it.
Yo, lace it up, Bobby, let's go.
♪ ♪
[birdsong]
[exhales]
SINGER: ♪ Dreams of you are so fine ♪
♪ So fine... ♪
[music continues, muffled]
Yo, yo, come on, son.
Damn, son, my bad.
[muffled moaning]
Sound like your man GZA putting in work.
[sighs]
[muffled music continues]
[muffled grunting and moaning]
Yo.
Yo, god, yo, yo, this fucking house shit is killing me, son.
Hey, yo, how the fuck are we supposed to do
a album with the loud-ass bird chirping
and this nigga fuckin' all the time, son?
Naw, it's too early for me.
SHA: It's not weed. My cigarillo shit.
I got the perfect solution.
SINGER: ♪ That my love is gone... ♪
RZA: You see where they recorded this shit, son?
DENNIS: Belgium.
Or Belize.
We could go wherever we want to record this shit, son.
That shit just came to me, it's--that's my new
conclusion with this.
Just like Nas was talking about with that one joint,
about getting away with the pen and the pad.
Word, One Love.
You better believe we ain't just going there
- for two days, son. - Hmm.
You know what I mean?
Let's do this whole fucking album out there--
- anywhere. - Shit, I'm about to
go start packing now.
- Word! - Swear I'm 'bout to fuck
somebody up in here. SHA: Word.
Close my door, son.
Tony and Manolo these niggas.
SINGER: ♪ Whoo, hey ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ ♪
Ah, shit. Yo, I forgot some documents.
I'll be right back, okay?
PUFF: My man. RZA: Oh, shit.
- RZA. - Yo, what up, Puff?
Whassup?
Not much. What you doin' around here?
Just bought that building right over there.
Damn, a'ight.
What about you? What's up, playboy?
Yo, this is, uh, this is my office right here.
Oh, damn.
RZA: Yeah, hell yeah.
Neighbors? RZA: Neighbors, yo.
Yo, how about that remix?
The execs are going crazy.
I smell a Grammy, and you know what?
That's all I need.
[both laughing]
That's a good one, nigga.
How about that next collab, man?
Let's keep the people talking.
Uh, yeah, yeah, that's, uh, that's a great idea.
Look, they always trying to divide us in New York,
but we gotta stick together if we want to stay on top.
Word.
Look, we gotta get to this luncheon meeting
real quick, so I'ma see you around.
RZA: Word.
- A'ight. - All right, man.
[Dirty's "Raw Hide" beat plays]
DIVINE: We're thinking that this is gonna be a great
collaboration track, you know what I'm saying?
Like, this is the way for you to get more of the Wu,
more of the Clan onto this album, right?
RZA: Yeah, yeah. DIVINE: Yeah, yeah.
This is, you know, every--
every track has its own unique style,
you know what I'm saying? DIVINE: Yes, absolutely.
Like, check this, check this, a'ight?
[music stops, new song starts]
All right, this one right here, you gotta love.
If you don't, I don't know why we here, you know?
♪ ♪
- [rhythm shifts] - Oh, see you hear
- that switch-up? - You gotta hear
- the switch-up, right? - It's good.
Just wait for it. Wait, wait.
[descending whistle sound]
[music intensifies] DIVINE: Boom!
RZA: Yeah! DIVINE: Come on!
Come on!
RODRIGUEZ: RZA, these beats are great.
We know you make great beats.
But they're not songs.
We need Dirty to tell us his vision.
DIVINE: We know you were hoping to hear a single,
but the beats are done for almost an entire album.
That is great progress.
Yeah, but I need something to bring to marketing.
If we don't have songs, we can't start on the album art,
and we get further behind.
So, when is Dirty gonna be here?
Well, shit, we-- we got a concept.
And we do have ideas for the album art,
so I don't think we as far behind as it seems.
Look, this album, like many first solo albums,
is gonna be all about, uh, Dirty's personality.
Which we all know is fucking unique as hell, man.
With Dirty's voice along with the beats,
I mean, it's gonna-- it's gonna top the charts.
Sho!
It's gonna be spontaneous.
Like I just walked into the room
and you ain't even know I was comin'.
You wanna know what my album gonna be?
I'll tell you.
My welfare card, son.
[chuckles] DIRTY: Yeah.
Play a beat so we can show 'em how we get
down in Shaolin, you know what I'm saying?
[Dirty Ol' Bastard's "Hippa to da Hoppa" begins]
♪ Hippa to da hoppa and you just don't stoppa ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Oh, shit, here I go once again ♪
♪ Rhymes get shitty from the time that I spend ♪
♪ I come old like toe fungus mold ♪
♪ Ask my grand-pop pop, duke gave me soul ♪
♪ Then I came through with that old Al Green shit ♪
♪ Saaa-die, taught me the ballistic ♪
♪ The shit is blurry in your eye with the high note ♪
♪ Down with the Brownsville, oops, you got smoked ♪
♪ This shit I'm dropping is stinking up your area ♪
♪ When I'm comin' through like a messenger carrier ♪
♪ I keep my breath smelling like shit so I can get ♪
♪ Funky, baby, uh, I'm not having it ♪
[exhales]
- [Rodriguez chuckling] - Yo.
[applause]
RODRIGUEZ: All right, I mean,
that's some unique Dirty shit, guys.
I love it, I want more of it.
But I can't give you an advance on it.
- At least not the rest of it. - Okay.
RODRIGUEZ: Keep working. DIVINE: Yeah.
- RODRIGUEZ: Keep working. - Thank you.
RODRIGUEZ: It's fantastic.
RZA: Thanks for your time.
Got subroom right there.
Got the bathroom to your right.
This right here, son? This one you, king.
Word.
Oh-ho, y'all didn't even fuck it up yet!
How would we fuck it up? Another guy was gonna show up?
But yo, it's important that you made it, though.
Word. But yo, why I don't got a king mattress, son?
You know a king needs a king!
Don't even worry about that, son. It's big enough.
I had two honeys in here the other night. Two, nigga.
Yo, what?!
Yo, where the abbott at, son?
Probably in the lab with the basement and shit,
but holler at me if you need something, a'ight?
Word, son yeah.
U-GOD: ODB is back!
[chuckles]
[giggling]
Yeah!
GARY: Dirty!
- What up, son? - Spot been a little cold
without you, god.
Hey, you know, son, I'm about to come light this shit up.
GARY: Yeah, of course you will. Yo, check this out, god.
♪ I flow like the blood... ♪
Yo, this is that classic genius fire leveled up, son.
Yo, it need a hook.
♪ ♪
Nah, on this track? DIRTY: On this track, son.
Nah. DIRTY: Yo, your rhymes
is the illest. But they mad complex.
If you put a simpler part to it,
you gonna invite more people to the party, son, yeah!
GARY: We can't compromise the music
to make it more accessible.
You remember that shit we used to kick when we was kids?
Simple. Joyful.
Like, when me, you, and RZA was in "All In Together Now."
♪ When the MCs came ♪
♪ To live out the name ♪
♪ Ba-bada-ba-ba-ba-bada-ba ♪
Oh-ho-ho!
All I'm saying-- we used to love them
joints, you know what I'm saying?
A'ight, a'ight. Yo, but look,
we gotta make it a little longer, god.
I gotta kick that shit on some shit like... psssh...
♪ When the MCs came to live out they name ♪
♪ And to perform, some had ♪
both: ♪ To snort cocaine!
♪ To act insane ♪
♪ Before Pete Rocked it on ♪
♪ Now listen to the track ♪
[vocalizing]
DIRTY: Oh, hold up son.
both: ♪ With the building to be born ♪
Hey yo, come on, Rizz.
Yo, do it again.
ALL: ♪ When the MCs came to live out they name ♪
♪ And to perform, some had ♪
♪ To snort cocaine, to act insane ♪
♪ Before Pete Rocked it on ♪
♪ Now on with the mental plane to spark the brain ♪
♪ Building to be born ♪
Yo, RZA, dude!
RZA: Hey, yo, yo. DIRTY: Ha ha ha!
You took that shit to another chamber, nigga!
- Word. - Yo, for real, yo.
Dirty mind might be a mystery,
but he pulled that hook out with the quickness, lord.
'Cause I ain't never stop ♪ singin' ♪
RZA: So, what y'all trying to do, y'all, you wanna--
you wanna record that shit or what?
- DIRTY: Yeah, come on, sure. - Nah, nah, nah, nah.
I think y'all should talk first, god.
Word, y'all handle that.
Peace, see y'all later.
A'ight.
Let's talk, cuz.
Yo, uh...
I'm sorry for signing you to Elektra
before talking to you about it.
I should've involved you in that conversation.
Yeah, you should have, son.
But...
I do think Elektra's the right spot for you.
Yeah, we'll see. [sniffs]
Can't be treating me like no kid no more, son.
We're not teenagers.
Yeah, I know, nigga.
And you can't be out here fucking around
when we got work to do.
I'm ready to work now.
RZA: Shit.
What's changed?
Yo.
Shurrie got some wisdom in that
big-ass head of hers, son.
Yeah, she--she do.
Well, shit, yo.
We know Elektra's now ready to work with us.
[chuckles]
Yo, how the fuck your ass even come up with that timin'?
I told you, son, you gotta trust
the Ol' Dirty bastard, man.
A'ight, a'ight.
Man, I got this.
Plus...
I need some money, man, I ain't gon' lie.
Needed that shit.
Nigga ain't got a dime left.
You spent all that shit already?
Hey, you know how them strip clubs be.
[laughs] RZA: Nigga.
Oh, shit.
Ay yo.
The Genius was playing me that--
that Puff remix from Meth joint.
RZA: Yeah?
What you think?
It's a'ight. [sniffs]
Might be our biggest hit ever.
But it ain't Wu-Tang. [sniffs]
Hey, I'm trying to hear more about this, uh,
about this welfare card shit.
DIRTY: Yeah, I'm telling you, yo.
I was at Shurrie crib, uh, watching some Pryor shit.
- RZA: Oh, word. - Some, uh, Silver Streak.
Ooh! DIRTY: Yeah, son.
- Got me thinking. - Yeah, yeah.
DIRTY: Feeling something for the album, like,
some comedy shit, you know what I'm saying?
Not like Pryor, but I don't even know yet.
Some Ol' Dirty Bastard rap-comedy album.
With no father to its style, you know what I'm saying?
RZA: Hey. Remember this?
[funky music plays]
Yeah!
SINGER: ♪ Ooh ah ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I was born too free to not be me ♪
♪ ♪
Anybody wanna pile on my back can see my lawyer about it.
♪ ♪
♪ Hearts are wild ♪
♪ And love is free ♪
♪ Pain is real ♪
♪ Was born to be ♪
♪ Hearts are wild ♪
♪ And love is free ♪
♪ But pain is real ♪
♪ Was born to be ♪
♪ Born to be a wild heart ♪
♪ Hearts are wild ♪
♪ Wild heart ♪
♪ And love is free ♪
♪ Born to be a wild heart ♪
♪ But pain is real ♪
♪ Wild hearts ♪
♪ I was born to be ♪
♪ Born to be a wild heart ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Born to be a wild heart ♪
♪ Hearts are wild ♪
♪ Love is free ♪
♪ Wild hearts ♪
♪ Pain is real ♪
♪ Born to be born to be a wild heart ♪
♪ Hearts are wild ♪
♪ And love is free ♪
♪ Wild heart... ♪
Get on the line.