[JEROME JONES' "GO DOWN" PLAYING]
* Go down
* But come up for air
* Go down But come up for air *
* I ain't no square
* So girl make like you know
* And I got something better
* Much better Than just my dough *
* Girl I got that
* Good shit, good dick
* Flashy rip I'm a hood bitch *
* Hood bitch I'm a hood bitch *
* My icy risk makes you sick
* It gets better
* Order another round
* It's about to go down
[**]
* Harlem life is...
* Harlem life...
* Harlem life is hard body
* Uptown, baby
* Harlem...
* Harlem life is hard...
* Harlem life is hard body
* Less than 16, but eight
* But eight, let's sum it up
* And make This whole city late *
* Less than 16, but eight
* Could sum it up And make this whole city late *
[SIREN BLARING] Shit.
* Late, late...
[SIRENS BLARING IN DISTANCE]
* But eight 'Cause something that... *
All right. Freeze.
Do not move.
MAN: Sorry, Ma. I just needed the money.
So is this how you got your MP3?
Hello?
Money for what?
Cross the street.
For what?
For a contest.
What contest?
The winner gets a record deal.
It's tonight. Look, I had no choice.
Rob, you always have a choice.
Always.
It's not like you would have given me the cash.
Try me.
MAN 2: You ain't never wonder
why a car like that was just sitting there?
Parked like that?
Whose is it?
Electric.
Who's that? He's syndicate.
Syndicate?
The mafia, son.
Are you serious, man?
Yeah, I'm serious, son.
Damn.
* Girl you dancing
* Girl you turn around
* Please don't--
* Don't hurt me
* Go down
* Don't hurt me
* Go down
* Girl, you move so freaky
* If freakin' is a crime Then I'm guilty *
* My icy risk makes you sick
Committed! WOMAN: Whoa, he's bad.
MAN: What up, what up, what up, yo?
Let's hear it for Young Rome.
And now, my dawg from the pound, y'all.
DJ Trippe and Rob Royce.
Hey, yo, what's good, fam?
Coming straight out of Harlem.
Know what I mean? We gonna have a good time tonight.
It's gonna be all good.
* Ugh, look, listen *
* This Harlem life Is hard body *
* It's like I'm in hell With cats selling cracks *
* In my building lobby
* Pissy elevators and things
* I pray that my dreams Become reality *
* 'Cause I ain't trying To be another casualty *
* Watching the block Like a hawk in the sky *
* Sometimes I take the train Ride to compress my high *
* 'Cause I can't let my lows
* Put my pride behind bars
* I'm thinking of good money
* Fly cribs and cars I think deep *
* I don't really need An el or a drink *
* What you think I been guzzling *
* Nutcrackers all day?
* I free my mind by rollin' dice In my hallways *
* Harlem nigga
ROB: Yeah. Ha-ha.
Yeah. Put your hands up.
That's that punk that ripped off my rims?
Let's shut this club down.
[GUNSHOT]
[CROWD SCREAMING]
MAN: This way. ROB: I got to get my mom.
MAN: I'll get your mother. Just go, man.
ROB: Shit!
[SIRENS BLARING IN DISTANCE]
Okay. No.
Um, I'll call you back.
Bye.
Who was that?
Ma.
It was your father.
My father?
Thought you said you didn't know where he was.
Well, I do.
He's in Puerto Rico, and he wants you
to come stay with him for a little while.
I don't even know that dude.
I don't even know what he looks like.
He's still your father.
To me, he's not.
Someone shot at you last night
in front of my own eyes.
Well, Ma, what you want me to do, keep running?
You are going, and that is that.
I love you, son.
* Hey, hey Babylon papi *
* What you gonna do? Come on, papi *
* Hey, hey Babylon papi *
* What you gonna do? Come on, papi *
* Shorty, give me a ring Give me a call *
* And I'm a-take you shopping
* Spendin' it all And this is how we flow *
* How we ball Come through *
* I'll show you What I'm capable of, huh *
* Holla at me if you willing And you ready *
* Showin' up heavy We lay it down steady, huh *
* We will do it The fair way... *
Robert?
Yeah.
Let me take this for you. No, no, it's cool, I got it.
The car is over here.
[**]
You speak Spanish?
No.
It's okay.
Most people here speak English.
You gonna meet Marivi, my wife, and Javi.
This is Marivi.
Hola.
It's very nice to meet you.
Hi.
Uh, we-- We made a bed for you.
It's not much, but, uh...
It's yours as long as you need it.
It's much more comfortable than it looks.
Well, then I, uh...
I guess I better be getting back to work.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
I'll see you in the morning.
Well, I'm sure you're tired, so...
The bathroom is down the hall.
Okay.
Have a good night, okay?
Thanks.
Good morning.
How did you sleep?
Fine, thanks.
Now, I hope you're hungry.
Breakfast is almost ready.
[REGGAETON MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
MARIVI: Javi.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR] Javi, come on. I have to go.
Robert, this is Javi.
What's up?
This is Robert. He was so excited to meet you.
But, anyway, I have to go to work,
so you make yourself at home.
Show him around.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
You know, show him the city.
And, uh, okay, here is some money your dad left,
just in case you need anything.
All right.
I'll see you later. Okay? Sure.
Bye-bye.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
You smoke?
Smoke what?
JAVI: New York, really?
Uh, one day I would love to live in New York.
My father told me a lot of stories about New York.
Your father?
Where is he?
He died.
He died like a few years ago.
I'm sorry, man.
That's okay, man.
I hear you have some problems back home.
[MEN LAUGHING]
JAVI: Oye, you see that bald guy on the left?
Up there.
Oh.
You ever need anything,
he's the guy to talk to.
He'll take care of you as long as he likes you.
Oh, okay. [SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Uh, how you say, it's--
The unofficial mayor of the neighborhood.
Oh, you want to go to Old San Juan,
get some piraguas?
I got money, brother.
Oh, so-- Oh, so that's how you do it?
You ask for money, you get money, right?
Muchacho, no, man.
It's 'cause you're here I got this, brother.
You want to play a game? You want this $20?
If you catch it, the money's yours. You ready?
You ready?
Right here. Yep. You ready?
[LAUGHS]
[**]
Oye, Puerto Rico! Watch out.
Yeah!
So look, man.
Back home, I stole some rims from this dude, man.
That's the reason why I'm here.
Have you ever really needed to do something real bad, man?
And you just couldn't?
Yeah, pero not that bad. Heh.
I guess you had it a little bit better than I did.
Shit happens, man.
Don't worry about it.
WOMAN: Please come and see us, okay?
JAVI: Mira, check this out.
I'll see you there.
Hola.
Do you guys want to come to a show tonight?
Ten o'clock. My friend's performing.
Bye. Bye.
Damn. That's how y'all doing it in Rico?
That's how we do it. Whoo!
Voltio. You ever heard of Voltio?
He's an amazing reggaeton artist.
His music is like a mix of, like, reggae,
rap, parranda,
merengue. Oh, that's-- That's dope, man.
Seems like a crazy combination, man.
It's like music from the ghetto.
You know, it's about our struggle, our dreams.
You ever had a dream?
Come on, tell me.
All right, well, you know what I'm saying?
Maybe, you know, getting in front of an audience,
performing, you know.
Rapping, doing my thing, you know.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Same here, brother. It's the same, man.
Everybody has a dream, man.
And dreaming is free.
[LATIN MUSIC PLAYING] Okay, senora.
[WOMAN SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
Gracias, Linda.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
You like the food, Rob?
It's a typical Puerto Rican dish.
Ma. You think he's gonna say your food sucks?
There's a reggaeton show tonight.
Oh, really? Again?
JAVI: No, pero, Dad, it's Pedro's son.
Julio Voltio.
Oh, yeah, yeah. Julio.
You're gonna see tonight. You're gonna see.
You know, Roberto's a musician also.
He played with some of the best--
Ah, Marivi, please.
So you used to play music, huh?
I don't play anymore.
[VOLTIO'S "CHULIN, CULIN, CHUNFLY" PLAYING]
[RESIDENTE CALLE 13 AND VOLTIO SINGING IN SPANISH]
What's up, mama?
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
[MAN RAPPING IN SPANISH]
[RAPPING IN SPANISH]
* What you gonna do...
[IN SPANISH]
It's good. All right.
Always, brother, always. Yeah. Ha-ha.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Man, say hi to your father Roberto.
[IN SPANISH]
[MAN SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
Hola, Mimi. Como esta?
It was good. It was so good.
Thank you so much. You liked it?
I did. It was good, right?
Thank you.
Hey, I saw you on the stage.
It was hot.
Oh, thank you. Thank you.
How do you guys know Voltio?
His father and my father went to the same school.
Oh, yeah? They had a band called
The Artichokes.
So you guys are musicians too?
My brother is a rapper from New York.
I'm trying to be, you know what I'm saying?
Trying to be. But I--
Yo, C.C. Hey.
We got to talk.
Leave me alone.
I'm not your girlfriend anymore.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
Just talk to me. I can't.
Do you want to come smoke a cigarette with me?
So you smoke now? Yes, I do.
Hey, my bad about inside, you know what I'm saying?
[SIGHING] It's okay.
Look, I don't really smoke.
I don't either. Heh.
Rob, right?
Yeah. C.C.?
Yeah. All right. Heh.
C.C.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
We are headed to San Juan. Alexis and Fido are playing.
Do you guys want to go?
Let's go.
All right.
[LISA M.'S "HEY LADIES" PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
* Oh...
* Hey
* Hey...
[WOMAN SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
JAVI: Oh, yes, C.C.,
nice boyfriend.
[C.C. SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
* Come out And make your own rules *
* Right, right
* Hey, ladies What you want to do? *
* Tonight everything Feels so good *
* Go out And make your own rules *
Okay.
* Right, right... [LAUGHS]
The Vega brothers are getting some tonight.
[WOMAN RAPPING IN SPANISH]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[ALEXIS & FIDO'S "ESO EHH...!" PLAYING]
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Come on, let's go dance.
ROB: Ha-ha. Let's groove.
[RAPPING IN SPANISH]
There you go, Mimi.
Come on, dance with me.
[RAPPING IN SPANISH]
So, um, can I see you again?
Why?
What you mean, "Why?"
Why do you want to see me again?
Because we have things in common.
[LAUGHS]
No, but I think you're cool.
Okay. I'll give you a call.
Yo, Javi.
Yo, what's the number?
[LAUGHING] 255-3489.
He's crazy.
All right, do you got it?
Yes, I got it.
Okay.
I need to go.
All right, peace.
That was funny.
[LAUGHS]
Adios.
Call me.
[ENGINE STARTS]
C.C.: Bye.
MIMI: Bye.
ROBERTO: Do you have everything?
Shh.
[DOOR OPENS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SNORING]
[**]
[SIREN BEEPS]
[SIRENS BLARING]
Yo! Yo.
Hurry.
Come on, right here.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
[PHONE RINGING]
[DOG BARKING]
[SIRENS BLARING]
Hello.
Hola, Rob.
Yeah, what's good?
Am I calling you too early?
Oh, no, just in time.
Can I come over?
I need some help with something.
Oh, yeah, sure, no problem.
[GUNSHOT]
Are you okay? I'll call you back. Bye.
[**]
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Come on.
[GUNSHOT]
[SOFTLY] Shit.
[GUNSHOT]
[SIREN BLARING]
[GUNSHOT]
[DOGS BARKING]
[GUNSHOT]
Oh, shi--
[GUNSHOT]
[SIREN BLARING]
[REGGAETON MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
Yo. What's good, man?
What you doing?
Making music. Come sit down, I want to show you something.
All right.
[REGGAETON MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
That's your basic reggaeton beat.
Okay.
[MUSIC LOUDENS]
Hey, yo, man, how'd you get all this stuff?
I broadcast music online.
Oh, that's what's up.
This is something I've been working on.
[MUSIC STOPS]
[REGGAETON MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
Okay. Okay.
Hey, yo,
but slow it down a little bit.
No, no, no. The idea is to go the other way.
Otherwise you have hip-hop.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Okay. Yeah.
Okay. Okay. Keep going. Keep going.
Okay.
Okay. These are--
Sing. Come on. Okay. Okay. Ugh.
[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
* You know what I mean Your boy Rob *
* Comin' straight out Of Harlem, uptown, baby *
* Ugh, uptown...
Okay. Check it out, check it out.
* Yo, I'm trying to be The Superman of the ghetto *
* Get these people Take this music *
* To a whole 'nother level Trouble found me *
* And I found myself In Puerto Rico *
* Spot got hot I had to roll *
Something like that? Yeah.
Something like that? That's off the hook.
ROB: Oh, yeah.
[ROB LAUGHS]
C.C.: We moved from New York to Puerto Rico when I was 8.
Anyway, I came here to talk about personal business.
Oh, personal business? Yeah.
Well, what personal business is that?
I actually plan on making it to New York this summer
to study dance.
I have this application that I need to correct.
Can you do it for me?
It's in English. But your English is perfect.
Spoken, not written.
It's not a lot. It's just a couple of pages
and you can just, you know, correct it as you go.
Okay.
So, um, what do I get out of this?
Why do you have to get something out of it?
Well, I mean, usually I charge a fee, but, you know.
Heh. Um...
I can give you my lucky charm bracelet.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH] Hey. What's up?
Play this.
Hey, what's up, man? What is it?
Calm down, papa. I'm not gonna mess up your date.
Okay.
[REGGAETON MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
ROB: * Writin' my rhymes...
You recorded?
* In the corner...
This is you?
* I'm trying to be the Superman Of the ghetto *
* Get these people Take this music *
* To a whole 'nother level
* Trouble found me Then I found myself in-- *
This is crazy. This is real hot.
You guys need to record this.
My neighbor has his own studio.
I can call him if you want.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
ROB: That would be dope. Okay.
All right.
Bye.
* Go hard or go home
* Open my eyes Now I see myself *
* On the rise...
[**]
[SALSA MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
What have you been up to?
I'm sorry, what'd you say?
What have you been up to?
Well, nothing.
Did you happen to see anyone
hanging around the house today?
No. Why?
Someone stole Marivi's engagement ring.
No, I haven't seen anybody around here today.
It meant a lot to her.
It meant a lot to me too.
Hey, Rosie.
WOMAN: Thank you, C.C.
MAN: Hold on a second.
Ahem. Uh, excuse me. Um, can I ask you a question?
I was wondering-- I saw you at the club,
and, uh, you dance great.
Oh. You've got some great moves.
Oh, thank you. Thank you.
What's your name? I'm C.C.
I'm Jeffrey. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.
I was wondering if you'd ever consider
taking on, like, private clients.
I have to check with the hotel. I don't think they allow it.
I'd be willing to pay handsomely
and make it worth your while.
I'll look into it, okay?
Okay. Will you take a card?
Sure. Maybe call me?
Okay. Nice to meet you.
[REGGAETON MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
Mmm.
I'm not feeling it. I don't like it.
No. Look, try it like this:
[BEATBOXING]
You know what I'm saying? That's too much hip-hop.
What? That's how all the best hip-hop records were made.
No, it's not supposed to sound like that.
Look, man, just try it. Just-- Just check it out.
You check it out.
Yo, why you being all stubborn for, man?
Just-- Just try it. [DOOR CLOSES]
Yo, look, man, I'm not trying to battle with you, okay?
But if we gonna make music,
then we've got to make music as a team.
How we do music as a team if you want to do one thing,
I want to do another? You-- You tell me.
What are you talking about? I'm doing hip-hop.
Pero we're in Puerto Rico, not New York.
We don't do hip-hop, we do reggaeton.
I-I like 50 Cent and Snoop Doggy Dogg, pero...
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Okay, yeah, and I like Daddy Yankee, and, uh,
what is his name? Uh, Pitbull.
BOTH: But that's not the point.
I swear...
[CHIRPING]
Yo, you hear that?
What--? Yo, what's that?
A, uh... A coq--
A frog, the coqui.
Whoa.
I like that sound, man.
You might want to use that,
you know what I'm saying?
Like, in a song or something.
Yeah, yeah. [WHISTLES]
JAVI: No, no, no.
What?
[WHISTLES]
Okay, okay, okay.
[WHISTLES]
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[WHISTLES]
[**]
[PHONE RINGING]
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Hello.
C.C. [OVER PHONE]: You there? Yo.
Rob? Uh, yeah.
What's good?
Nothing, I just wanted to call you and say thank you
for correcting my paper.
Thank you.
Ah, it's no problem.
I spoke to my friend about using the studio.
I think I can get that for you guys.
Ah, thanks.
Appreciate that.
I'll get in contact with him
and I'll let you guys know, okay?
All right.
Peace.
Talking to her, right?
That's her? You talking to her?
Talking to none of your damn business, that's who.
Not my business? Yeah.
Everything around here is my business.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Say what? Say what?
I know where you live.
I know where your parents work, you'll see.
All right. [SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Whatever, man.
[IN SPANISH]
[WOMAN SPEAKING IN SPANISH OVER RADIO]
You understand what they're saying?
No. Don't know.
It's that today is...
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
It's Constitution Day.
Oh, okay.
But I thought Puerto Rico was, like, a-- A colonized country.
Something like that.
It is.
We're the oldest colony in the world.
Well, that's easy to say.
We have no natural resources. Tourism is it.
What about reggaeton and sugar?
The truth is, we know we can't be a dependent country forever.
The economy is broke anyway, so something has to happen.
To that day, salud.
ALL: Salud.
ROBERTO: You hear anything about the ring?
MARIVI: No. Not yet.
I'm sure it's somewhere.
Mom, you're always losing something and then you find it.
Yeah. [SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
He's speaking the truth.
I hear you're working on a song.
We are.
What is it?
Well, you know, it's a little bit of everything.
You want to hear it?
No, no. Not while we're eating dinner.
Maybe later.
How you doing?
Just working on my music.
I know we haven't had a chance to talk about things.
About us.
Well, you don't have to.
I just...
I just want you to know
that I always thought about you.
I know it's not fair for me
to try to be a father after all these years.
So don't.
It's not what you think.
Look, who cares now?
You-- You have to know, son.
No, I don't. I--
No, I don't.
[SIGHS]
[REGGAETON MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
* Never thought I'd see the day That I'd be gettin' money *
* Making music so these haters Can't take nothin' from me *
* When the chicks wouldn't holla I just played them back *
* All I had was the flow And a ball cap *
* Wall to wall, boom-boom Across the room *
* Thinking to myself They'd be dancing to me soon *
* I'm in the game, but I'm Still in the streets though *
* Prepped for Harlem And Puerto Rico *
* Puerto Rico
* Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
That was hot.
You guys make a crazy team together.
Oh, thanks.
We appreciate, you know what I'm saying?
The recording spot. Thanks.
You're welcome. Where's Javi?
Oh, he had to run some errands. Yeah.
[ENGINE STARTS]
So...
what you want to do?
Um...
Do you know a place where we can go get some drinks?
[CALLE 13'S "ATREVETE TE" PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
You know, there's a place like this in New York.
Or New York is just like this place.
ROB: Looks like in Puerto Rico,
you can go all day and all night.
Do you dance to this music?
No, not really.
[LAUGHS]
Why are you laughing? Why not?
I don't dance, you know what I'm saying?
I'll show you. Come on.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
Welcome back, Senor Skylar.
Yeah, I'll be right back. Don't go too far.
Hola.
Hi. How are you? Very good. How are you?
I'm good. I'm just waiting for my class to start.
Uh-huh. This must be fate.
[LAUGHING] Yeah.
Uh, I'm waiting too, you know, for that phone call. So?
I asked, and we're just-- We're not allowed to.
Really? Yeah.
Okay, well...
What are you--?
Just down here scouting talent.
You don't happen to sing, do you? No. I don't sing.
But I have some friends that are really talented.
Really? I'd-- I'd love to hear them.
Well, I can get you their music if you want it.
That'd be great. That'd be excellent.
Okay, um, how long are you in town for?
Just a couple more days.
Okay. We'll talk.
Call me? Yeah.
I've heard that before. Don't call me, I'll call you?
Bye.
So I heard you had a date last night.
[LAUGHS]
How did it go?
Oh, it was cool.
We went to the club,
chilled, you know, danced and stuff like that. Uh-huh.
It was cool. I enjoyed myself.
So do you like the music here, or--?
Oh, yeah, yeah, the music is real different.
I like it. Marivi.
[CONVERSING IN SPANISH]
Ready?
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Okay, I'll see you at home.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
See, yo, I don't know nothing you just said, man.
Talking in Spanish, Espanol.
[TOILET FLUSHING]
[GRUNTS]
[IN SPANISH]
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
[WHISTLES]
[IN SPANISH]
[RAP MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
[SCREAMS]
["COQUI" PLAYING OVER STEREO]
MAN: Can I get you something else?
WOMAN: Margarita, please.
MAN: Right away.
He's really good.
[MAN SPEAKING IN SPANISH OVER PA]
[**]
[PHONE RINGS] I'll be right back.
[SIRENS BLARING]
C.C.: You know, I never thought
that he would go after your family, Rob.
I'm so sorry.
Look, don't worry about it.
Marivi, she's gonna be okay.
Plus, I know it wasn't your fault.
You know what I'm saying?
I had some good news for you.
The record producer that I met?
He really liked your demo.
Oh, yeah?
Hm.
Yeah.
Look, I'm gonna get back inside and see how she is.
See you later, all right? Okay. See you.
Hey.
I'm sorry, I didn't-- Shh.
[WOMAN SPEAKING IN SPANISH OVER PA]
Let's go outside.
How is she?
Yeah-- Yeah, she'll be okay.
They gonna let her out tomorrow.
So, what's gonna happen to the dude who did it?
He'll be dealt with.
Who? You? Or the man?
There's a way of doing things in our neighborhood.
She was asking about you.
I didn't know if I should come in there or not.
No, I'm happy you did.
[DOMBI'S "ESPADOLTA" PLAYING]
Ha-ha-ha.
* Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...
[MAN SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
[MAN RAPPING IN SPANISH]
Hey, Vico.
Vico.
Oye, Vico.
MAN 1: Yo, Vico, where you going?
MAN 2: The mayor has a message for you.
Around here, we don't hit no woman.
Yo, the mayor doesn't like that, man.
Beating up on women?
What are you thinking, huh?
[ALL SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
You're not bigger. The rules are the rules, man.
[ALL YELLING INDISTINCTLY]
JEFFREY: So anyway, as I was saying to C.C.,
you guys put together a kick-ass demo, but I got a producer
who's gonna take you to the next level.
All right? ROB: Okay.
But we want to be able to do
our music the way we want to.
Right. And the guy I got in mind, he's the best.
The best producer in New York. Peter Black is his name.
Produced Usher, everybody. And you're gonna love him.
You're gonna love him.
Let me talk it over with my business partner.
Yeah, you should. But you've got to do it quickly
'cause I've got to get out of town. All right?
All right, cool.
All right.
So you'll let me know? I will.
Thank you for seeing us. Take care.
My pleasure. Thanks, C.C.
All right. I expect a call.
So?
I don't know.
What do you mean, you don't know?
Do you understand what just happened here, Rob?
I mean, I understand.
But I don't know if you do.
A record executive just left here, and he wants
to cut your record and you're talking about something else.
Calm down, mama. Calm down.
Look,
Robert, I think she's right.
What we have to lose?
Yeah!
[ALL LAUGH]
Adios.
So it's off to New York.
Ha.
Yeah, exactly what you wanted.
Actually, it's-- It's even better.
Yeah, why?
'Cause you're coming.
Oh, and also because Jeffrey wants
to introduce me to some artist managers
that need dancers for music videos.
Yeah, that's cool.
That's good, right? Yeah.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
You sure?
Okay, well, I...
guess I'll talk to you later.
Okay.
Phone.
Bye.
Call you.
[LAUGHS]
Hi, Ma.
So, uh, we got a producer
who wants to record us in New York.
MOM [OVER PHONE]: That's great.
What about the guys that are looking for you?
The producer got us a place to stay in Brooklyn,
so he won't find me there.
I'll text you the address, all right?
Okay.
Meet me there. I love you.
Love you too, babe.
[DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE]
[LATIN MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
Hey, Robert. What are you doing here?
Well, um...
I came to tell you that I'm leaving.
What? You're leaving? Why?
We got a gig back in New York.
You serious?
Yeah. Heh.
Congratulations.
You know, I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time.
Something I really need to tell you.
Have a drink with me.
You know, when-- When I met your mother...
I was, uh, playing with a band in New York.
And I...
Heh. I was a mess at that time.
Booze.
Drugs.
And we had our whole life in front of us.
One night, after the show,
Tanya was waiting for me in the car with you.
You were...
You were just a baby then.
And I got behind the wheel
and I was drunk.
And we had a horrible accident.
Now, thank God we survived,
but Tanya didn't want to speak to me after that.
She asked me to leave.
So I came down here to start over.
And I-- I was calling her and calling her,
but she had disappeared with you.
I couldn't play music after that.
And I never again returned to New York.
It's still all about you.
You know, it's always been about you.
Look, as far as I'm concerned, I didn't have a father.
And now all of a sudden you and my mom decide that I do?
You know, man,
maybe if you hadn't abandoned us in the first place,
I wouldn't have ended up like this.
Hiding, running.
I'm supposed to be dead.
Robert, I-I am so sorry.
Just forget it, man.
[SIGHS]
[**]
So I guess you'll be leaving us soon.
Yeah.
That's too bad.
Well, I just wanted to tell you
that I really appreciate you, you know,
allowing me to stay here and all, and--
I'm really sorry about the trouble and stuff.
It's okay.
Look, before you go,
there's something I want to show you.
Go in the box in the corner.
This one? Mm-hm.
[**]
Sit down.
These are yours.
Your father always looks at those
every time your birthday comes around.
September 28th, right?
Mm-hm.
What's wrong?
I mean, I wasn't gonna sell it or anything.
I don't know why I took it. I just...
I'm sorry.
Don't worry.
I'll just, uh, tell him I found it somewhere.
You have every right to feel the way you do,
but just so you know,
he was so happy to see you.
[JAVI SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
Take care of yourself, okay?
Do you have your tickets?
JAVI: Yeah, I think so.
Do you have everything you need?
Take it easy.
All right.
Let's go to New York.
Take care of them.
Okay.
Listen to it, okay?
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Okay.
And make sure you clap when the plane lands.
It's tradition.
[W7'S "GET DOWN" PLAYING]
* Hey, hey Babylon papi... *
ROB: Man, it feels good to be home.
* Hey, hey Babylon papi... *
What up, New York?
* Hey, hey Babylon papi *
* What you gonna do? Come on, papi... *
Yo, man, look at this.
This is dope.
This is crazy.
I told you guys Jeffrey was gonna hook us up.
Well, I hope this place comes with a cleaning lady.
Oh!
[LAUGHS] [PHONE RINGING]
What's good? MAN: Hey.
B, I'm saying let's go out, man.
Let's go out and celebrate.
Hey, man, why don't you come swoop your boy up?
[VOLTIO'S "CHEVERE" PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
MAN: Yo, have you spoken to your ex since you got back?
Oh, no. Uh-uh.
You still think about her?
I mean, from time to time,
but, I mean, you see what I got.
Hey, she got that spice, son.
For real.
Don't let it happen again, my man.
Oh, what you talking about the falling-in-love thing?
Never. Never.
You want to dance?
Never. Never.
* See them tryin'
* They think they flyin'
* But they can't keep up With white lion... *
[DRUMS BEATING OVER SPEAKERS]
[HIP-HOP BEAT PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
So, what do you think?
It's got a layer of African fusion.
I mean, I don't mind combining it with something else,
I just wasn't too crazy about that, you know what I'm saying?
Yeah, I think the boys were-- Were hoping
to stick to the original beat.
Is that right, guys?
Did you at least listen to our demo?
What demo?
The one sent from the office. They didn't send that?
PETER: No. JEFFREY: You're kidding me.
Javi, do you got some music on you?
Yeah.
All right.
[MUSIC STOPS]
["COQUI" PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
All right, all right. I can work with this.
JEFFREY: You kids can take it from here, eh?
Absolutely.
C.C.,
let's jet.
Where you going?
He's gonna introduce me
to some artists for a music video.
We'll do something tonight, all right?
All right. JEFFREY: See what you can do.
PETER: No, I got it. It'll be great.
Be back later, all right? Yeah.
Bye.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Bye.
[RAP MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
Hey, baby.
There she is.
What's going on?
What do you mean?
You know exactly what I mean. You're acting weird.
Did I do something?
I don't know, you tell me.
Look, I thought we had plans tonight.
Like, tonight.
Rob, look, I'm sorry.
Jeffrey took me around everywhere, [SCOFFS]
and my battery died today--
Oh, come on, man.
Look, I understand you've got to go out and do your thing,
but it's the way you doing your thing.
Using what you got to get to the next level.
So you have a good time?
What? You and Jeffrey.
You don't know a thing about me!
All I know is what you told me, okay?
How you always want to get what you want.
Fuck you!
I don't need this.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
[DOOR CLOSES]
MAN: Where to, miss? [SNIFFLES]
I'm going to Manhattan, 240 Central Park West.
Okay.
[**]
JEFFREY: I'm glad you called.
So this is my apartment.
C.C.: It's nice.
JEFFREY: Thank you.
Can I--? Can I get you a drink,
or do you want to talk about anything?
No, thank you. I just...
I'd rather just go to sleep.
You sure? Yeah.
Okay.
Uh, well, let me show you where you're going.
You can stay down here.
You got fresh sheets and towels
and a bathroom back here.
You can make yourself at home.
["COQUI" PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
PETER: Let me try this.
Yeah, that's better. Yeah.
WOMAN: Hi, boys.
You guys know Noelia, right? She's got an amazing voice.
Jeffrey asked me to have her sing the hook on your song.
What? No, no, no. No way.
Yo, look, my man, we've been talking to you all day.
And those are not even the tracks that we gave you.
Now you asking us to incorporate somebody on our hook?
We need something commercial, something people know.
People are tired of the same old. Oye, oye.
We were brought here to make our music.
We are making your music.
No, we're making your music.
You know what, man?
If you don't like it, you know where the door is.
PETER: Come on, come on. JAVI: Okay, stop. Take it easy.
Come on, come on.
[DOOR CLOSES]
We are going to lose the deal, man.
Look, man, I understand that this is a great opportunity,
but I'm not feeling this, man.
Damn, we're so close.
Close to what, Javi?
That music in there was wack.
And we can't do it like this.
This is not how dreams come true.
We gonna do it,
we got to do it our way.
JEFFREY: Let me deal with it. All right, whatever.
Yeah, bye.
What happened?
Your friends-- Ahem. --just quit.
Don't worry about it.
Anyway, I-I--
I invited some artists over for cocktails.
But why? That's all I'm asking.
Why would you quit?
Ma, they was messing up the music.
But these people are professionals.
Maybe they were trying to help you.
Look, don't worry.
I'm not gonna be like dad.
[SCOFFS]
What do you mean?
He told me what happened.
Don't worry, Ma.
I understand.
You do?
I love you, Ma.
I love you too, son.
WOMAN [ON TV]: New Yorkers are preparing for the annual
Puerto Rican Day parade this Sunday.
Many of our local celebrities will be attending.
And some of Puerto Rico's greatest reggaeton artists
will be performing, such as Voltio, Alexis y Fido,
Calle 13 and others.
In other news, the weather in New York--
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH] --has been hitting highs,
and the beaches have been very crowded.
Please stay tuned for...
["COQUI" PLAYING OVER STEREO]
* I never thought I'd see the day *
* That I'd be gettin' money
* Making music so these haters Can't take nothin' from me *
* When the chicks wouldn't Holla I just played back *
* All I had was the flow And a ball cap *
* Wall to wall, boom-boom Across the room *
* Thinkin' to myself They'll be dancin' to me soon *
* I'm in the game, but I'm Still in the streets though *
* Prepped for Harlem And Puerto Rico *
* Puerto Rico
* Is where she come from
* She asks me
* Do I love that reggaeton?
[MAN RAPPING IN SPANISH]
[RAP MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO]
* Hell, no I don't think so *
* Turn your body cold From the heat... *
[R&B MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
I want you to pay attention to what's going on here,
what these guys are doing, what she's doing.
So when you make your own record,
you'll be more familiar with the process, okay?
NOELIA [OVER SPEAKERS]: * I need you now...
But I don't want to be a singer.
What do you mean, you don't want to be a singer?
Come on. That's what they all say in the beginning.
You'll be a great singer. [GROANS]
* Your touch...
What?
Nothing.
* I wanna make love to you...
Look, I'll be right back. Where you going?
Just going to the ladies' room. I'll be back.
* I'm here waiting for you [DOOR CLOSES]
[R&B MUSIC CONTINUES THROUGH WALL]
[**]
Oh, what am I doing?
ROB: Yo, man, I wonder
where she at.
Does she know anyone here?
No, I don't think so. I mean, J-- Jeffrey.
[SIGHS]
Ah, what a prick, man.
I'm so glad we didn't sign anything before coming here.
It's a good move.
Word.
[RAP MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO]
What's up, beautiful?
You need a ride, mommy?
Tell that kid of yours we want to talk to him.
Tell him Electric wants to talk to him.
Tonight, 9:00.
Remember...
we know where to find you in case he forgets to show up.
You got that?!
Let the cops deal with it.
Ma, the cops don't care nothing about this.
To them, I'm one less nigger.
Watch your mouth.
I know these dudes.
All they gonna do is keep messing with me,
keep looking for me.
You are on probation.
This time I won't be able to get you out of jail.
Look, I'm not running no more.
I ain't running no more.
[**]
[KEYS BEEPING]
ROB: Dear C.C., I just wanted to apologize
for what I said to you.
[C.C. LAUGHS]
[LAUGHING] I just-- I think I'm drunk.
You think? I think.
Really? Yeah.
Can I tell you a secret?
What?
You're so beautiful.
[LAUGHS]
You're-- God, you're--
You're handsome too, and...
And what? What?
[LAUGHING] I don't know.
Old?
No. I wasn't gonna say that.
What were you gonna say?
I don't know.
Well, I'm just trying to--
[CLEARS THROAT]
--tell you how special you are.
I want you to know that, okay?
And talented.
I mean, you-- You have a bright future
and you-- You-- You can do anything you want.
Dancing, sing if you want.
You can have anything you would want.
You got something-- Pardon me.
I don't feel well.
ROBERTO [OVER PHONE]: Hola. Papi.
Papi...
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
The producers, they screwed us.
They're messing up the music. I-- Uh--
I-- We have no money,
and I can't stay with Tanya for too long.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
I'll take care of it.
[STATIC CRACKLES]
Hello?
Hello? Hello? Hello?
Papi.
Hello?
H-- Ah.
[DIAL TONE HUMMING]
MAN: Right then, you know what I'm saying...?
[PRAS MICHEL'S "PA LA CALLE" PLAYING OVER STEREO]
* Hey, yo, six million ways To die you better choose one *
* Take the handshake Or get the handgun... *
MAN: Yo, yo, yo. MAN 2: Oh, he there?
That's him. That's him, right?
That's the kid, son.
That's him? Yeah. Ha-ha.
Yo, keep it low, keep it low, keep it low.
ROB: What I got to do to make this right, man?
All right. Cha-cha. You pick one of my boys--
This clown right here.
--fight them, shoot a fair one,
then we done.
* Baby, proceed with caution
* 'Cause everybody's living In the locomotion... *
Hey.
What are you doing here?
Just wanted to make sure you feel okay.
MAN: Punk! MAN 2: Yo, pick me. Come on.
MAN: Whoa. Whoa.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
MAN 2: Get him, get him. Get him. Yeah.
MAN: Come on. Yeah, yeah.
I just want to kiss your lips. No, Jeffrey, I can't.
C.C., please, come here for one second.
MAN 2: Yeah, yeah. All right, all right, all right.
[ROB GRUNTS]
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, get him, get him, get him.
Please, C.C., don't-- No!
[ROB GRUNTING]
ELECTRIC: That's for my 'Vette.
That's for being a punk.
Stop.
That's for wasting my time.
Stop!
[TIRES SCREECHING]
Cops. Break up, break up. Here they come.
[SIRENS BLARING]
MAN: Yeah!
[**]
[SOBBING]
[KNOCK ON DOOR, DOOR OPENS]
Javi, it's for you.
Hello.
[IN SPANISH]
Yo, yo, what you doing?
Wake up. You're not gonna believe what just happened.
Voltio wants us to join him at the parade.
He just called me right now.
What parade?
MAN [OVER TV]: We're here at the 49th annual
Puerto Rican Day Parade, being led
by Grand Marshal Marc Anthony and his wife, movie star
and recording artist Jennifer Lopez.
We're having great weather here in New York
and the spirits in the crowd are running high.
Some of Puerto Rico's greatest musicians have joined
the parade, including artists such as Voltio.
According to police estimates, the crowds are now building
to over three million people.
[MARCHING BAND PLAYING FANFARE]
[HORN HONKS]
[PHONE BEEPS]
ROB: Dear C.C.,
I wanted to apologize for what I said to you.
I wish I understood myself a little better.
And in case I don't see you or go back,
I wish that you become an amazing dancer.
You deserve it.
Peace, Rob.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
Where are you?
[BAND PLAYING LATIN MUSIC]
[CROWD CHEERING]
WOMAN: Puerto Rico!
WOMAN: Hi, J. Lo! Hi, J. Lo! Hi, J. Lo!
[VOLTIO PLAYING "CHEVERE"]
* See them tryin'
* They think they flyin'
* But they can't keep up With white lion... *
[CROWD CHEERING]
VOLTIO [IN SPANISH]:
[CROWD CHEERING]
All right, let's go, baby.
MAN: Yeah, Puerto Rico, baby!
[IN SPANISH]
Javi, what's up, papi?
Hey, yo, what's good, what's good?
All right, all right, all right. So check it out.
My name is Rob,
coming straight out of Harlem.
You know, uh, we came to do
a little something for y'all today.
That's my boy Javi coming straight out of Puerto Rico.
Matter of fact, I love Puerto Rico.
Yo, yo, do a little something for 'em, Javi.
[REGGAETON MUSIC PLAYING] ROB: Okay.
[RECORD-SCRATCHING]
Yes, sir.
So check it out.
Y'all can put your hands up just like this.
Put your hands up. Yeah, yeah.
Don't be afraid. It's all good.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
[IN SPANISH]
[ALL CHEERING]
[IN SPANISH]
Julio Voltio.
It's good to see you.
[LAUGHS]
Hey, how are you?
It's great to be here in New York City.
It's good to see you.
ROB: Man, this is crazy.
JAVI: Yeah, I can't believe he came.
[IN SPANISH]
[**]
I'm so glad you're here.
I am so proud of you, son.
Thanks.
Yeah.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
Did you get my message?
Yeah, I got it.
So I'll see you after?
Los Hermanos Vega.
All right. All right, let's do this.
Here we go.
Yeah. Put your hands up.
Ha-ha.
["COQUI" PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
ROB: C.C., baby, I see you.
JAVI: Go, C.C.!
[RECORD-SCRATCHING]
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH] Put your hands up.
ROB: * I never thought I'd see the day *
* That I'd be getting money
* Making music so these haters Can't take nothin' from me *
* When the chicks wouldn't holla I just played them back *
* All I had was the flow And a ball cap *
* Wall to wall, boom-boom Across the room *
* Thinking to myself They'll be dancin' to me soon *
* I'm in the game, but I'm Still in the streets though *
* Prepped for Harlem And Puerto Rico *
* Puerto Rico * Puerto Rico
* Is where she come from
* Hey, she asks me
* Do I love that reggaeton?
[OMARION AND VOLTIO'S "COQUI: THE RE-MIX" PLAYING]
* Tonight we're gonna Reggaeton the whole block *
* I see a party In the streets *
* See myself in the Benz Climbing in the seat *
* The hood is like heaven now
* Reminiscing on them days When I thought *
* About throwing in the towel The night before *
* The first of the month Was like Christmas Eve *
* This Harlem kid kept A hustle up his sleeve *
* Sometimes I felt Like I couldn't breathe *
* In order to make it
* Had to sit back And play naive *
* And it hurt Watching my mom struggle *
* When you're broke And you're hungry *
* Trust, it's hard To stay out of trouble *
* It's survival Of the fittest *
* Whatever it took To bring food to the table *
* Money, I did it Even my girl lost faith in me *
* Left me out in the cold Alone *
* Trapped In this negative energy *
* Missing her deeply But I had to keep on moving *
* I refuse to let This darkness keep me *
* Puerto Rico
* Is where she come from
* She asks me
* Do I love that reggaeton?
[MAN SINGING IN SPANISH]
* Tonight we're gonna Reggaeton the whole block *
* It's all love But it was just a distraction *
* The streets never sleep There's no time for relaxin' *
* Writin' my rhymes From my fire escape *
* In the corner Wrap the drapes *
* Around me like a cape, ugh
* I'm trying to be the Superman Of the ghetto *
* Get these people Take this music *
* To a whole 'nother level Trouble found me *
* Then I found myself In Puerto Rico *
* Spot got hot I had to roll *
* Livin' with my pops Who I really don't know *
* Still missin' my lady Tryin' not to let it show *
* Her new man telling her I'll probably never blow *
* That was water to the soil So the blow could grow, ugh *
* Robbin' and doin' his thing In the zone *
* Like we say it from Harlem Go hard or go home *
* Open my eyes Now I see myself on the rise *
* Ninas bonitas everywhere
* Puerto Rico
* Is where she come from
* She asks me
* Do I love that reggaeton?
[MAN SINGING IN SPANISH]
* Tonight we're gonna Reggaeton the whole block *
* All you got To do is whistle *
[CHIRPING]
[VOLTIO RAPPING IN SPANISH]
* Puerto Rico
* Is where she come from
* She asks me
* Do I love that reggaeton?
[MAN SINGING IN SPANISH]
* Tonight we're gonna Reggaeton the whole block *
[PRAS MICHEL'S "PA LA CALLE" PLAYING]
[WOMEN SINGING IN SPANISH]
* Hey, yo, six million ways To die *
* You better choose one
* Take the handshake Or get the handgun *
* Triple style, the flow The helpful ransom *
* So come, get some You little punk *
* Why take the cake? All he gets is crumbs *
* March to the beat Of the reggaeton drum *
* Da, diggi-dee Diggi, diggi, diggi, dum *
* Come on, Haitian, Jamaicans Puerto Ricans *
* Once they speak my name So often *
* I'd rather get burned Before they tap my coffin *
* So when you come, baby Please proceed with caution *
* 'Cause everybody's living In the locomotion *
* Living like calle loca Loca *
* Hit it out the park Like Sammy Sosa *
* Soca classics Like Coca-Cola *
* What is this? I'm not your baby *
[WOMEN SINGING IN SPANISH]
* Hey, yo, too severe When I pump in fear *
* To near not to hear Words are crystal clear *
* Pressure on my peers Like Belvedere *
* Grey Goose 'em down Then send 'em here, come on *
* It's not a matter of pride It's a matter of principle *
* Shouldn't be so simple
* Could have blast you With a quatro-cinco *
* Check the lingo
* Mi espanol es muy bonito
* Shoot this fair one Shouldn't never dare one *
* Used to scare one Never really bare one *
* A loose deuce-deuce Won't you spare one? *
* To the left for the hook And I'll prepare one *
* Electric, baby I'm electrified *
* Better check the rhythm And identify *
* Simplify my style, yeah I was born to rap *
* 'Cause I'm super fly When I'm super high *
[WOMEN SINGING IN SPANISH]