[Bobby Barnes' "Keep It Funky" playing over speakers]
♪ Keep it funky now ♪
What'd I tell you about sucking your thumb, huh? You'll mess up your teeth.
Look at your lips. You wearing my red lipstick. You think you grown?
Nobody in the house wears red lipstick besides me. Let's go.
Where are we going?
To the Park Jam. Just follow the music, Ms. Peggy.
The champ is here. The champ is here.
-The champ is here! -Okay, Ranita.
Enough with all that yelling. We get the point.
Well, excuse me.
There you go. That's right.
Hey, hey, hey!
Oh, shit. They're here.
The Queensbridge Battle Rap Champ has arrived. Let's get it on!
Everybody to the DJ booth. Come on.
Let's get it on. The Queensbridge Battle Rap Champ has arrived. Let's go.
The champ is here. The champ is here.
Oh, you don't know-- That's right.
Bro, I ain't battling no little girl.
-You can't be serious. -You asked for the Queensbridge champion.
All right, who's going first?
Remember, this is hip-hop, breaking, MC-ing, graffiti and DJ-ing.
Why do we do it? Peace, love, unity and to safely have fun, all right?
Now, let's get this battle started!
My man got this.
Can I curse?
I don't care what you do as long as you win that $50.
♪ Yo ♪
[Mike James Kirkland's "What Have We Done" playing]
♪ What have we done? ♪
It's the way I like it.
Go, Fast. Go, Fast.
Go, Fast.
Stop, you're gonna cut me with your teeth.
So what? I'm getting in my kisses.
Shante. Come on. If you're gonna do this, go take that in your room,
and tell Latifa to come out here and let's get dinner going. It's ready.
♪ What have we done? ♪
Watch this.
Shante, stop.
Mommy want you.
♪ What have we done? What have we done? ♪
Mommy, I picked out my room.
You did? Well, let me see.
-I like this room with the window. -Mm-hm.
And I really, really, really want it.
You have to fight that out with your sisters. What do you think?
You can have what you want.
-Go wash your hands. -Okay.
Ho-oh!
What's all this, baby?
We're celebrating.
Celebrating what?
Life.
-New beginnings, honey. -All right.
-Alrighty, then. Come on.
Tell me you love me.
-You know how I feel-- -I wanna hear you say it.
-Tell me you love me. I'll tell you this.
Come on. Come on, come on, come on.
We're dancing. Let me see what you got.
Let me see if you still got it.
All right, Fastima, five more minutes.
Can't be late your first day of school.
Man, y'all are lucky.
-No.
But it don't matter. I'm happy we have a backyard,
so she can stop playing on dirty-ass mattresses.
Yeah, that's true.
Anyway...
you see them new Sergio Valente jelly bean jackets?
-Mm-mm. -Fresh to death.
I gotta get me one.
Yeah, and the jeans, too.
So, when you, uh, grab yours, make sure you grab me one, too.
Well, you ain't shit, Shante.
Excuse you?
I ain't battling you again, Ronald.
Yeah, she already dusted your ass, you need to kill that noise.
-Nobody talking to your big-head ass. Watch your mouth.
I'm the dopest rapper in the Bridge.
No, the world. I've been practicing. I'm ready now.
You need to practice some more.
-All right, Fast. Time's up, come on. -I got 50 I could beat you.
Fifty She ain't took a battle for less than 100 in years.
-Get your broke ass out of here. -Seventy-five.
-I don't have 100.
You don't have a battle neither. We Audi 5000, homeboy.
Move.
Y'all a bunch of ugly chicks. Mad 'cause nobody wants y'all.
Take them slanted eyes back to the projects.
-Word up.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Say something else.
Come on.
Good morning, class. We have a new student joining us this semester.
Welcome Ms. Lolita Gooden.
Y'all can call me Shante.
Young man.
-He already know he don't.
So, tell us a little bit about yourself, Shante.
Uh...
I'm from Queensbridge, but I went to school in Woodside.
Woodside? You know, Woodside is a really good school.
Not to say that 802 isn't. But it...
Understand what I'm saying?
Yeah. I had to transfer, 'cause I needed to be closer to home.
My little sister started school, and I gotta pick her up.
You know, grown people stuff.
Oh.
All right. Uh, well, once again, welcome to 802.
You can have a seat.
Now, I have strong rules. One of them is keep your area clean.
Don't lose it. I'll hang it in my new room.
-You gotta color inside the lines, Fast. -Mommy said I don't.
[The Harvey Allison Experience's "This Is Our Love Story" playing over speakers]
♪ How it was when we first met ♪
♪ I said I know you... ♪
-Mm.
You know Gina's kids, Sharonda and Nicole?
Ah.
What do you think about bringing them to that house we're gonna get?
-Yeah, baby. They could come.
Because, baby. I mean, you know, that's why I dig you, girl.
You always thinking about everybody else.
But we ain't gonna be able to get that house right now.
I got something for you.
And we gonna get that house.
-You have to open it and see.
-Yes.
-I saved it.
-Peggy. -I saved a little bit every day.
I will do anything for my babies.
Oh, babe. You know what?
We getting that house.
Are we?
We getting that house, girl.
-Getting that fucking house. Come here.
You should be sleep. You a big girl now. You gotta get up for school.
You should do the same. You gotta go to school, too.
Go to sleep.
So, you telling us you a Guardian what today?
You need to go ahead and take that shit back to the store.
You can't stop crime with a T-shirt and a hat.
-You gonna get your ass hurt.
He already look hurt.
Don't look for me when you get robbed on the train.
-Whatever. -Aw... Here we go, man.
Kill that noise. Sucker.
Whatever. He's a sucker.
Hey. Pick out what you want, man.
Aw. Look at Lil Cross. Cutie pie.
Looking just like his daddy.
Who blowing you up
No.
But, yo, can you help him pick out some candy?
-I gotta make this call quick.
You can have whatever this is. Hey. I'll be right back, all right?
You want a bite?
You know you definitely buying my licorice, right?
All right.
Where your daddy at?
Should've never took him.
He gave me $15. I ain't know he was gonna take this long.
-Yeah.
Yeah.
Check it.
Listen.
♪ Thought you was dapper Now you the rappin' babysitter ♪
♪ Should've told him Don't try to play me, you crazy nigga ♪
♪ Guess that's what happens When your heart swoon ♪ ♪ Leave the crew And open up Shante's Romper Room ♪
♪ Look like you're in business black ♪
♪ And all you need is some diapers And Similac, ha ♪
Come on, little man.
Got you some candy?
You owe me more money. You took all day.
-I was gone five minutes. -Five minutes too long.
-We could've left him here. -Mm.
Who you think you are?
Hmm?
You funny as hell, Bee.
Project kids be hustling.
Come on, man.
Drop that beat.
I hear you out here fucking with my door, Shante.
What do you want?
I wanna come in.
What time does this key lock my door?
You wanna be playing with ho's,
keep your ass out there, but stop knocking on my door.
Hey, hey, hey. Come on, now, Peggy.
Let her back in.
No, Dave.
If she wants to hang it on the streets, let her stay her ass out there.
My door locks at nine o'clock.
And that goes for anybody.
Peggy.
That goes for anybody.
Come on.
-Thanks, Dave. -Yeah.
♪ We movin' Everybody, we movin' ♪
♪ We movin', we movin' ♪
Fast.
Knock it off. Go sit down somewhere.
♪ Everybody, we movin' We movin', we movin' ♪
Neek, got your stuff packed?
-Yeah, I been packed. -Okay.
Shante! Latifa!
Bring yourself out here. Dave will be here any second.
We been ready. -Hurry up.
Mom, when we finished moving, you gonna see me battle?
I'll see you battle, but right now, battle your ass to the front door.
We gotta go.
Girls. Girls. What are you doing?
This is a happy day. You should not be angry.
I'm not angry, but do you ever close your mouth? Give your mouth a break.
Finally.
What's up, y'all?
I just came to see if y'all left yet.
Not yet. But the truck's on its way.
He was supposed to be here hours ago.
You're not telling me what I think you're telling me.
I'm not telling you anything.
[Supreme Jubilees' "It'll All Be Over" playing over speakers]
Why?
We gonna get it back. I promise.
That was everything I have.
Twenty thousand dollars.
Why would he take that away from my babies?
You know how long it took me to save that money?
How many toilets I cleaned? How many asses I wiped?
Why, Gina?
-Every time I try to leave-- -Here.
Go ahead and have a drink.
No, that ain't gonna get me out of here.
It'll take your mind off it for now.
♪ It'll all be over ♪
♪ And we won't have to cry no more ♪
Shante. Get your thumb out your mouth.
Know how much I paid for them braces?
You gonna put your thumb in your mouth and ruin your teeth?
She the only one in the projects with braces.
Come here, little girl. Come here.
-Let me see if they even work. -All right, Ms. Peggy.
-Shante, go. -No. Let's see if they working.
All right.
Okay? It's okay.
-Take the girls in your room, Shante. -Come on. ♪ It'll all be over ♪
♪ And we won't have to cry no more ♪
Ms. Peggy, it's okay.
Girl, it's okay. You can let it out now.
I'm all right.
We gonna be fine.
♪ It'll all be over ♪
Move. Get off my bed. I don't want you here.
No.
-Move. -No.
-Move, little girl. -This is my bed, too.
Stop, that hurts. You don't know how to comb my hair.
Stop moving.
Ow.
Stop! I want Mommy to comb my hair!
Mommy's sleep. We can't wake her.
Stop!
Go ahead.
What you all doing? You two should be out the door. Time for school.
Come on, Neek. I need your help.
Okay.
Mommy, are you up?
I need my hair combed. Shante don't know what she doing.
Mommy?
Come on, wake up.
Dudes ain't shit, Shante.
They really ain't shit. Like, straight up wack.
Did they even find him yet?
He gone, Ranita.
-Motherfucker. You ain't shit, Shante.
♪ It's time I cleaned your clock You a dusty nigga ♪
♪ Swing all you want But if you touch me, nigga ♪
♪ I won't rest Till you in a grave or hearse ♪
♪ You a second-rate man This is ladies first ♪
♪ I'm Shante You couldn't play me out ♪ ♪ You the type to take the food Out a baby mouth ♪
♪ You worthless, always perpetratin' ♪
♪ I keep a cross medallion You probably work with Satan ♪
♪ Don't trust you As far as I can throw you ♪
♪ You ain't shit around the way I fly global ♪
♪ Another hard rap You all in my bra strap ♪
♪ You step to me all you'll get is a hard slap ♪
♪ if you ever had a thought in your mind That I was wack ♪
♪ You must be buggin' out high off crack ♪
♪ Tryin' to stay strong But everything you say weak ♪
♪ I kill a track and all you is Is a deadbeat ♪
♪ I'm the best I don't care what the rest think ♪
♪ And I ain't rhymin' no more 'Cause your breath stink ♪
Gimme, gimme, gimme, all your little bank.
-We kicking ass, and taking numbers. -Right. That's my girl, Shaunie.
She killed them. He wasn't ready.
That's cool, but when you going to the store for me?
I need some new clothes.
You got dough?
There was something in there.
-Wasn't nothing in it. -Show me.
It wasn't nothing in there.
Say something else and see what happens to your ass.
When was the last time you took your ass to school?
I don't want no fucking social worker
showing up at my goddamn house anymore, you understand me?
I want better for you, and I'm tired of this shit.
And if you don't like it, you can see your ass to my front door.
I'm doing this for us, Mommy.
We need money.
I don't give a shit about no money. I want you to go to school.
You have 30 minutes.
So, good luck, my young geniuses.
Mr. Lester, I need a test.
Oh. I forgot you were here, Ms. Gooden.
How can you? You're never here. Hallway, please, now.
-Yeah, I know what a PINS warrant is. -You must not know.
They came up here looking for you.
They asked me to turn you in when I see you.
So, what's up
Nothing.
Listen, I know the streets are calling, but you must find a way to rise above it.
And you know what? You can.
Because you are tremendously smart, Shante.
Hey, Ms. Peggy.
Hey, Ms. Denise.
Where you all off to?
Waiting for they daddy. He's supposed to take them for ice cream,
but you know how that go.
Don't worry, baby. I'll keep an eye on them.
Hey, girls!
You looking beautiful.
Looking like Easter Sunday out here.
I don't know why we gotta wear these dresses.
Because I said so.
Hey, yo, y'all out here looking crazy.
Hey, I got this young dude in Jamaica trying to battle you.
What? You don't mess with rap shit no more?
I don't battle for less than 250. I don't waste my time.
-Been about it.
All right. Two-fifty ain't shit. We gonna see what's up.
-Yeah.
Don't we look good
All right, Shante.
-If you need to go to the bathroom, go. -I don't have to go.
Fast, just go and use the bathroom.
-I'll go with you. -No.
Come on, girl.
Stop. I'm not going.
Why don't you wanna go in?
You scared you gonna miss him?
Get up.
Get up, Fast. We not going in the house.
Neek, LaLa. We need to crowd around her.
Come on. Spread out your dresses.
Fast, come in the middle of us. You can go right here.
What she need to do is just get in the house.
Don't get it on my feet.
Ah.
I feel like a whole new woman.
Just a damn shame.
These babies learning how to be disappointed by men
at such an early age.
It's gonna happen sooner or later.
Shante!
There's some beans and cornbread on the stove if y'all hungry.
Baby, just sit down.
Or go on back to your place. I'll look after them.
I want y'all to take this as a lesson.
You don't ever wait for no motherfucker.
This is what happens when you think they love you and you find out they don't.
Trifling-ass motherfucker.
Come on, Shante. Come on inside and get something to eat.
Give me my baby, Shante.
Don't be giving me no attitude, 'cause I ain't him.
-No.
You know what time my door closes.
Mommy.
Get on my fucking nerves, man.
I'm out here fucking trying.
Karate Bob in the place to be.
All right. For this, it's gonna be 500.
-Go on ahead and do that for 250.
For six cashmere sweaters?
-Mm-mm. It costs 1000 in-store. -Two-fifty, Shante.
It's only gonna take you 30 minutes, there and back.
Two hundred and 50 bills for 30 minutes of work?
You can't beat that.
Miss
Hey! Come back here!
Fuck you! I'm done!
Hey, yo, I'm for real about that 50 a week.
-Don't be coming up short. -I won't.
Here.
Put your money in this, all right? This what you put it in every week.
And I'm serious about coming up short, Shante. I'm counting that shit.
Tone.
Thank you.
It's all good, Shante.
We family. That's why I'm inviting you into my spot.
Ah. Man, these lights be tripping and shit.
So... how you gonna pay this rent, huh?
You still be boosting?
Man, you old-school hustling.
Let them bums do that shit.
We out here heavy, right? You need to get down.
I told you to be there in a minute.
Hey, yo.
Shante. What's up?
That phone do something to you?
No, it's broken.
I got you. Use my cellular if you want.
-Dial the number and press the red button.
Hello? Shante. Hey, where are you?
I can't tell you.
How are things?
I ain't coming back, Neek. Not to live.
-But I'm gonna bring some money, though. -Mommy. She's been drinking a lot.
I wanna leave, Shante.
I wanna live with you.
Can you come get us?
Everything copasetic?
Yo, Shante.
The fuck?
What you want A dart.
I'm not rapping.
The fuck you think this is, a free concert?
-Hi, I'm VJ Ralph McDaniels. -And I'm the Vid Kid.
-We've been receiving letters and calls -Crazy mail.
about people telling us they don't know what time the Box comes on.
They don't know what time Video Music Box comes on?
-Tell them what time it is. -Monday through Friday, 3:30...
Hey, yo, Shante.
-All right.
Money for rent is in the jar.
It's piling up, waiting for you to take it.
Let it pile.
-Yeah. It's in the fridge.
Word.
Yo, Shante, what you got on, yo?
You can't be walking around like that. Need some pajamas on around this joint.
All these dudes here. You can't be walking around like that. Straight up.
What you mean? I always wear this.
No, Bee.
What? Ever since I moved in here, I wear the same pajamas.
No, yo.
Hey, yo, yo, where you going?
Stop it, Tone.
Come on. Stop tripping, yo.
-No, Tone. -Shut up.
-Chill out. -No! Tone, quit--!
-Stop fighting, yo. -No, don't.
Shut up.
Stop!
-Come on. -Don't.
-You gotta go, yo.
You gotta go.
-Get the fuck out. -No.
-You better leave-- -I don't got nowhere to go, Tone.
I don't give a fuck.
-Now, come on, yo. Let's go. -All right. I'll do it.
I'm sorry, I'll do it. Come on, I'll do it. I can't leave.
Out there in the world thinking you grown, and you're back now?
You tell me one good reason why I should let your ass back in my house.
Because you my daughter?
Y'all got any more clothes?
I ain't picking that up. What you think this is?
-I'm telling Mommy you ain't cleaning.
How are you gonna make it out to tell her?
I missed you, old mean butt.
Hey, yo!
Yo, yo, Shante!
Yo, you still rhyme?
-Yeah. -I got this beat I want you to rhyme over.
-I ain't got time, I got laundry to do. -One verse. It ain't gonna take long.
-I ain't got no money to give you.
You still work at the Sergio Valente factory?
I want jeans for me and my sisters. I want Western Sergios.
All right, I can get those.
-Yeah.
I need to put this in the laundry. My mother been on me.
-I gotta get it done. -All right. Hurry up, though.
-I only got ten minutes. Put on the beat. -One second.
-I need four pair of them Western Sergio. -All right, I got you.
Yo, you heard that song by UTFO, "Roxanne, Roxanne"?
-Yeah.
All right, we'll see.
Marley, what you doing?
You wasting my time.
You gotta put the headphones on to hear the beat, Shante.
I'm about to play it back.
[UTFO's "Roxanne, Roxanne" instrumental playing]
♪ Well, my name is Roxanne A-don't you know ♪
♪ I just a-cold rock a party And I do this show ♪
♪ You see I met these three guys You know it's true ♪
♪ A-let me tell you And explain them all to you ♪
Shante, where you going? We gotta play it back and listen.
I'm done. I don't wanna hear my mother talking shit.
You on the radio. Oh, my God.
Oh, my God, Shante! Oh, my--!
Oh, my God! Oh, my God! You're on the radio!
Stop calling. You're gonna get me in trouble.
I wonder what I sound like.
You're Shante? We heard you on the radio. You sounded dope.
All right, back up, back up. She's a superstar now.
Okay. Come on.
Move it, move it. Move. No, she ain't signing.
It's crazy how Shante is all over the newspaper.
Newspaper
Oh, you don't know?
Well, what happened now?
-I think she should tell you.
Goddamn, Shante is always getting herself into some mess.
-Thank you. -Don't have no kids, Raoul.
Shante.
I heard you was in the newspaper. What did you do now?
You can't keep yourself out of trouble, can you?
-They been playing my song on the radio.
♪ My name is Roxanne And they call me Shante ♪
♪ But every time-a I say A rhyme-a just-a like-a this-a ♪
So, that's where all this rapping shit is going.
Okay, well, I like it.
But who is Roxanne? That ain't your name. I ain't name you Roxanne.
Is that your name? I don't think that's your name.
I didn't name you no damn Roxanne, now.
♪ If you're tryin' to be cute And tryin' to be fine ♪
♪ You need to cut it out 'Cause it's all in your mind ♪
♪ Tryin' to be like me Yeah, is very hard ♪
♪ You think you are God But you do eat lard ♪
♪ Tryin' to be cute And you're tryin' to be fly ♪
♪ Don't you know... ♪
Show me your teeth. We need to check for braces.
No, no. See, look, on the flyer, they said anybody could get in.
They got 2500 for the winner. We here to win that.
Nope. She won't show her teeth.
I told you, we can't let the girl with the braces battle.
All these "rapper chicks" that's making diss records about me?
What we at now, like, 50 or something? That's crazy.
Fifty diss records about me for this one song.
They should be thanking me,
sending me gifts for Mother's Day, 'cause I birthed they asses.
♪ No ands, no buts, or suppose No coke up your nose ♪
♪ No dope in your vein And then it won't cause no kind of pain ♪
♪ But yet, and still You're trying to be fly ♪
♪ I ask you a question, I wanna know why ♪
♪ Why'd ya have to make a record 'bout me The R ♪
And you know it like a poet,
this is Magic 106FM, WHBI. It's called "Roxanne Speaks Out."
Hope you got it on tape, you may never hear it again.
Coming up on ten minutes before the 2:00 hour in the a.m.
[Nu Shooz's "I Can't Wait" playing over speakers]
Good?
We good?
-Yeah.
Right on. You need something, let me know.
Sparky Dee, Sparky Dee, Sparky Dee.
What you gonna do about "Sparky's Turn"? She cold got busy--
Man, get out of here, I told you, I'm done talking to you.
Oh, you don't like to hear this? I can turn it off if you want me to.
Yo, come--
Shan, I don't even know why you bother to argue with fools.
Ain't that right, Ranita?
Everyone all right over here?
Oh.
Look at you, Shante. Looking all grown-up.
-I'm glad everything working out for you. -Thank you.
Need something to drink? I got you.
When you got free time, let me take you out. Me and you.
-Treat you to your success. Let's go.
Leave that little girl alone.
She ain't gonna be little forever. Ain't that right, Shante?
I ain't little now.
Shaunie.
You ready to go?
Yup. She's ready, I'm ready. I got school tomorrow. Let's go.
-I could take you home, Shante. -She already got a ride.
It's all good, big man. Good job getting him out of here.
You don't know me, homeboy.
It's all good, homeboy.
I'm just saying. Shante gonna need some protection.
She a big superstar now.
All right.
If y'all need something, I'm around.
♪ You know I love you ♪
♪ Even when you don't try ♪
Yo, Shaunie.
I need to holla at you.
A hundred dollars That's all this rap shit pay?
I battled three times tonight.
-I make more than this on the street, Ray. -Come on, Shaunie. We only made $500.
We owe 100 for the limo, and the rest we split with everybody.
Look. This is how it works. It don't matter whose show it is.
If everybody's working, everybody gets paid the same.
We gotta take care of the family.
I'm gonna book you mad shows. You gonna eat out here, I promise.
Check out what I got for you.
-You know I don't drink, Ray. -Just open it.
You know we use these bags for everything.
Damn.
This is dope.
"Roxanne Shante."
Say it loud.
Thanks, Ray.
I got you.
The champ is here. The champ is here.
We used to get busy.
You should've seen us, Antwan. Killing them.
Well, you still killing them now.
Yo, and keep killing them.
All right, yeah. Ain't nobody fucking with you while I'm around.
Like tonight? Yo, I don't play with nobody putting their hands on you.
I'm always gonna be right there, ready.
I know you will.
Yo, Shaunie.
-Of course she is.
This ain't nothing new. I been telling them the champ is here.
Y'all crazy.
No.
-We just love you, Shaunie. -Yeah.
Aw.
I love y'all, too.
Hey. You like the way I say that?
No.
-The champ is here. The champ is here.
The champ is here.
Boogie down Bronx, how y'all feeling tonight?
Let's hear you make some noise!
This is my DJ, Marley Marl, with the funky mixes.
We about to kick a new track for y'all. A subject I know all about.
♪ It's a story I came to say ♪
♪ Tell you just about those runaways How you run away ♪
♪ And you leave home Just thinking you're grown ♪
♪ Wanna be on your own ♪
♪ I'm here to stop you Right in your tracks ♪
♪ I am your conscience For you to turn back ♪
♪ I came to tell you what it's about ♪
♪ How you should stay in And you shouldn't go out ♪
♪ I don't wanna tell you yes How the story goes ♪
♪ In case you didn't get the knowledge And you don't know ♪
♪ I wanna tell you just how it is Out there in the streets ♪
♪ And all the other biz This is what happens straight to you ♪
♪ And don't stop me until I'm through ♪
♪ First you run away to a city, yes Saying I'm gonna live and be super fresh ♪
♪ It don't work that way, don't you see? So, come on, listen straight to me ♪
♪ I'm your conscience and your guide Saying don't run away ♪
♪ Straight from the inside Don't run away ♪
-Word. He got locked up last night.
Antwan beat the shit out of somebody that owed him money.
-Yup.
Great show, Roxanne.
-It was dope. -Thanks.
Can I get your autograph?
-I don't know. It ain't looking too good.
You forgot to answer the question.
Look what he asked me. Like we in school or something.
And you checked "no"? Shaunie, you cold.
You cold.
Here you go. I don't need no man, and you too young for me.
But we the same age.
Exactly.
I shouldn't even be here.
After you.
Before we go in, I need you to put on this bandana.
I ain't putting that on. For what?
Just put it on.
I already told you, I shouldn't even be here.
Shante, stop acting so tough.
-Let me do something for you. -You ain't gotta do nothing for me.
This is so damn stupid.
You gotta cut me some slack. I'm gonna do some white folk shit for once.
Hold out your hands.
Is this mink?
Who you think I am?
It looks a little big.
I'm pretty sure it fits.
-That ain't for you. That's mine.
You like it?
Cross, why you playing with me?
Just wanted to match your fly...
when I take you out tonight.
I don't know about this.
People gonna think we a couple.
Ain't nobody ever gave me nothing like this.
Here, let's get it right on you.
Cute.
I like your freckles.
I ain't ready for all that.
Me neither.
[The Georgettes' "Would You Rather" playing over speakers]
♪ Would you rather ♪
♪ That I never fell in love ♪
Pull over right up there.
Right in front of this car.
♪ I wouldn't be ♪
♪ Too much for you to see ♪
♪ Just how in love with me ♪
Pop the trunk button.
Be right back.
♪ Happy we would be ♪
♪ You can run along ♪ Everything all right? We don't gotta go out.
No. Just a little tired.
Let's go.
This is why I do this.
[The Egyptian Lover's "Egypt, Egypt" playing over speakers]
♪ Roxanne, Roxanne ♪
♪ I wanna be your man ♪
Homeboy, you see who the fuck she with?
It's nothing like that. I'm just singing a song.
Come on, Cross.
You're beautiful.
You cute, too.
Pretty eyes.
Every girl in here gonna be all on you.
It's obvious who I'm here with tonight.
Why you messing with me, Cross?
You know how old I am?
Good.
I don't trust shit moving out here, Shante.
There's something about you.
I want family.
A family bond. I need that in my life.
Let me give that to you.
Give what to me?
Love, Shante. You ever feel that?
Hmm?
♪ Get it right, baby, Roxanne Shante ♪
♪ Hi, Roxanne, and how do you do? ♪ ♪ My name is Sparky Dee I'm pleased to meet you ♪
♪ Let me tell you something, girl That you should know ♪
♪ I'm Sparky Dee and I'm running this show You got braces in your mouth... ♪
I'm telling y'all, this is huge.
We gonna get paid. Mm.
Check it. We take them out on tour like prize fighters.
Make it a big event every night.
Roxanne Shante vs. Sparky Dee. Round One.
This will be epic. I mean, you ain't never seen anything like this before.
And they're ripping each other apart.
Fans gonna love this.
♪ A right guard This is something that you must learn ♪
♪ Because you took it too far Yeah, that's right ♪
♪ Now it's my turn, yes, to get on the mic To prove to you that I'm the best ♪
♪ When I say my rhymes And prove they are fresh ♪
Hey, you, new dude.
-I'm in a rush. Next time.
Yeah, you. You see a lady carrying bags, you help her.
-My bad.
You gotta pay some dues around here.
You gotta put in work if you wanna get to my level. -Take my bags. -Let me kick my rhyme to you.
Yo, kid, if you wanted to rhyme, you would've started already.
But fuck it. Rap.
Yo... Yo...
What's your name?
-Nasir. -Nasir.
If you don't have your rap together the next time I see you,
I'm gonna fuck you up.
I'm dead serious, too. Take your ass to school.
Why you over there, Ranita?
Just about to walk to school.
-We can get you a ride. -No, I'll walk.
-Yeah, I know.
Wish you could have found a way to come.
I don't.
You was my first DJ and hype man.
Feels like they waiting on you.
Come here.
Why you so sad, Ranita?
It's not like I'm not coming back.
I don't wanna go either.
The first record was "Roxanne's Revenge." I did it to prove a point.
To prove to him that I could rap.
The way it was done was, she was doing laundry, washing drawers.
I told her to forget about the laundry, come up, do this record.
-So, she came up--
Just gonna bring up I was doing laundry?
-He always telling the laundry story. -It's the truth.
She was doing laundry, I told her to come up and do this record.
Marley, I wasn't washing drawers. It was my mother's laundry.
Yo, if it wasn't for me, Shaunie, you'd still be washing panties.
Whatever. I still did our biggest record in one take.
Boom. I made a record and did laundry at the same time.
See what I've been telling you? Gotta embrace and be nice
when they're yelling, "Roxanne, I wanna be your man."
Let their imagination work.
Feed them.
Hmm? Be a fantasy to them.
Yeah, they can be your man.
Like this dude right here. Feed his ass. Look, it's all a part of being Roxanne Shante, okay?
Look, Shaunie, you a phenomenon now.
You coming, Roxanne?
Got you.
I own, like, ten of these types of garages.
We get cars left and right.
-That's right.
These Southern boys get money, too.
-Gimme a minute, playboy. -All right.
I wanna show you what we call Southern hospitality.
I saved this one for you.
Seriously? We just met, Doug. I don't know about all that.
I don't care.
You Roxanne Shante, baby.
You bigtime. You deserve it.
It's nothing for me.
I'm just enjoying this time with you. Let me spend the money.
So, do you want it?
Of course.
We got a connect at the DMV. Should we put the car in your name?
-I don't think it can go in my name.
It can go in my manager's name.
Let's do one more.
You like jewelry?
You shouldn't be taking gifts from people.
-You heard me.
You shouldn't be taking gifts. You know what they want.
Ain't nobody giving nothing. Mind your business.
-You doing some ho shit, Shaunie. -Fuck you, Marley.
-No, Ray. She acting like a ho.
-You just mad 'cause you can't fuck me.
We brothers and sisters. What is y'all on?
Word up. She really feeling herself right now.
Don't nobody want your young ass.
You know what? Give me this shit.
Get off me.
Fuck you. I don't give a fuck about that shit anyway.
Give it to one of your girlfriends, broke-ass house DJ.
-I fucking made you. -Make another.
You just jealous. You wanna be in my spot.
What's up, Shaunie? What's the deal with y'all?
-Fuck him.
I ain't DJ-ing your shit no more. Ever again.
Find somebody else. We done.
Yeah, you jealous.
-Yo, he got all my records. -Yo, wait.
You have to kill him to get those records from him.
-He dead, then. -Chill, Shaunie. You ain't got to do that.
I'll beat-box the show for you.
Yeah.
-Yeah, that's what I do.
Watch. They gonna love us.
-I'll see you soon. -Go back to school, little girl.
Hey, baby girl.
-Blackout, it's cool. I know him. -She in good hands, big man.
That's your new bodyguard? What happened to the other big motherfucker?
-I needed some shit.
Plus, you know, I had to come check on my Shante.
Roxanne, Roxanne. Mm.
I wanna be your man.
-It takes a lot to be my man. -Get your bitch-ass out of here, man.
-My bad, yo.
I just ain't seen you in a minute.
See if I bruised those freckles.
I gotta go do this show.
I'll be right here.
Let's do this.
You getting close to him, Shaunie?
-This ain't good. -Don't need to hear this right now, Shan.
All day.
♪ We came here tonight to get started To cold act ill or get retarded ♪
♪ I'm Shante and I rhyme to death ♪
♪ Just rap so fresh Till I get outta breath ♪
♪ Now this is something That we do have to do ♪
♪ And this is a team That I must introduce ♪
♪ I'm Shante, he's Biz Markie ♪
♪ We rap so fresh That they think it's three ♪
♪ Three of us who rap together ♪
♪ Strong as a bond That's tougher than leather ♪
♪ My name is Shante, and yes I'm top choice ♪
♪ And you can tell By the sound of my voice ♪
♪ That the way that I rap That I am the best ♪
♪ Higher than the rest Plus, considered fresh ♪
♪ Threw on my FILAs and my FILA suit ♪
♪ Stepped out my house I just knew I was cute ♪
♪ Bumped into Biz, he had on FILAs, too ♪
♪ I said, "Yo, Biz Markie, What you wanna do?" ♪
♪ He stepped out the house chilling Yes, you know ♪
♪ Went outside It's kind of cold, you know ♪
♪ So, I threw on the bomber So I could get loose ♪
♪ Matter of fact, it was my black Goose ♪
-Get off me, man-- -Ow.
You hit me in the my mouth, you asshole. I told you I was sorry.
Let me see, let me see.
You all good.
My bad, yo.
Just get a little possessive over you.
I don't want nobody to fuck this up.
I told you, it's just part of my job.
I don't even like it when they do that.
I understand.
Hey. Sorry.
Yo, Shaunie.
Man, our tour money is gone.
-I put my bags down in the bathroom.
When I came out the stall, a couple of my bags were gone,
and the money was in one of them. This just happened.
You call the police? Tell the hotel people?
I had a lot of other shit in them bags. I can't call the cops. It's gone.
So, you telling me all our tour money is gone?
Most of it. I had already given Marley and Sparky their cut,
and I was about to bring you yours,
and I come out the bathroom, and my bags are gone.
Fuck, man.
It's gone.
There's nothing I can do.
Back up.
Marley?
-Man, fuck this. Give me my money. -Chill.
Let go, Sparky. Fuck this rap shit. I need my money.
-It ain't worth it, Shante. -Let go, Sparky.
Fuck all y'all. If Antwan was here, he'd beat the shit out of you.
Antwan ain't gonna do shit. -Fuck this.
Ain't no fucking money in this shit anyway.
That's right. Fuck them.
You don't need them, Shaunie. You got this without them, all right?
All right? Here.
I know what we out here doing and saying about each other.
But we still sisters at the end of the day.
Yo, nigga. You think I'm playing, huh?
You ran off with my fucking package. You better hit this motherfucker back.
You ready to order?
Still looking. Give us five more minutes.
I'll take a beer. Whatever you got.
We got High Life.
How about you, miss? You look like you need a drink.
I bring you the beer, okay?
I'll come back.
What you staring at?
You looking at me the whole time.
Trying to figure out who you are and why you in my motherfucking face.
This your new boyfriend, Shante? Huh
You wanna be grown so bad, you got yourself an old man?
You a nasty motherfucker.
What do you want I keep trying to tell you.
You stir up enough shit, eventually, shit's gonna splash you on your ass.
And I see this piece of shit is all over you.
Do you know how old she is?
She's 16.
-You look like you damn near my age. -You sounding like a scorned woman.
Somebody must have hurt you real bad. Hate every man walking.
You don't want her to be happy? You want her to be miserable like you?
Just a trifling motherfucker. Shante, you fucking this nigga?
-I ain't got time for this.
Yeah. Take your punk ass out the restaurant.
-Cross, wait. -Don't you be running after no man.
I'm moving to Jersey with you.
-Go back there with your crazy-ass momma. -No.
You ain't ready for all this, Shante.
Go.
You'll learn how to control your mouth, or I'll keep beating your ass.
Keep disrespecting me, keep doing that shit.
Get the fuck up. I ain't playing with you. Get up.
Fuck out of my house.
Get the fuck out.
Get the Huh?
-Fuck you, motherfucker! I hate you!
Come on, Roxanne. I know you can give me a smile.
I can't.
Come on. But you're too pretty to not be smiling.
I can't move my fucking jaw. Take the damn picture.
It's beautiful.
See
-No, I'm good. Thanks, though.
What's been up, Shaunie? We've been looking for you.
Heard you in Newark with a family and everything.
Congrats on your son.
Yo, check it. I got some good news.
Cold Chillin' got a deal with Warner Bros.
They don't wanna do it without you. They wanna push you.
Ray, it's been four years, and I ain't got no damn album.
Tell me why. 'Cause you don't wanna pay me.
That's what we gonna do, Shaunie.
Get that first album out, and then take you out on tour.
For real.
Look. I'm sorry, Shaunie. That's just how I thought shit was supposed to be.
I promise. Not this time.
We've all learned.
Fuck you. Fuck rap.
I ain't making no money rapping.
Really. Fuck Roxanne Shante.
Because of her, I'm getting my ass beat every day.
Think about this, Shaunie.
Act right, Shaunie.
How do I look?
You look good.
-You used to hate the clothes I got you. -Yeah, them church clothes.
Shaunie, I can't believe you wanna cut all this beautiful hair.
I have to, 'Nessa. Roxanne Shante gotta go. She is the ponytail and I need a change.
I hate to cut it.
Hey, Ms. Peggy.
Hey, 'Nessa. Hi, Mommy.
Hey, Shante.
Your old man kicked you out, and you're running back home?
I brought the girls clothes, and was gonna take them to get ice cream.
Well, they can't go.
No ice cream before dinner.
Mommy.
Why are you getting your hair fried?
You got my house smelling like you been ironing dirty jeans.
Why don't you go to the beauty salon, superstar?
Shante.
Why are you coming in here?
Why you all tensed up?
Are you gonna act like that now?
Can I finish my bath?
I only hit you 'cause I love you.
You know that, right?
If I didn't care, I wouldn't do that.
Come on.
I love you, you know?
It looks good on you.
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It's a lot going on, Cross.
The record label want me back.
Well, go back, then.
And my sisters need me.
It's just a lot, and I can't...
I can't.
I just...
I think it's quits.
It's quits.
Fuck you think this is?
This is some grown-up shit, Ms. Roxanne Shante. Ain't no quits.
How are those ribs feeling today?
You did fracture three of them, so you're gonna be in pain for a while.
Get some rest and we should be able to release you tomorrow morning.
We talked to your father. He going to sign the release forms.
You talked to my father?
Yeah, Mr. James Cross.
He was here with your little brother? You didn't see them?
Shante.
Careful, okay? Be careful.
Ms. Gooden, do you need anything else?
No.
-Thank you, nurse. -You're welcome.
All right now, girls. Come on. Sit down. Sit down.
Give your sister some room to breathe. What the hell happened to you, Shante?
I just wanted to be a kid, Mommy.
That's all.
I watched my whole life change that day.
I lost you.
I lost my friend.
I lost my mommy.
When you took that drink...
it all fell on me.
I'm so sorry, baby.
I'm so sorry.
So, you mean you haven't seen Chucky in two weeks?
That motherfucker.
Look, Shante, you gotta talk to him.
You gotta get Chucky back.
You don't miss your son?
Of course I miss my baby.
Then you gotta talk to him.
Well... at least let me talk to him.
Dial the number.
Hello?
-Put Shante on the phone. -She don't wanna talk to you.
Put Shante on the phone or I'm hanging up.
You gotta talk to him.
Come home, Shante.
Say it.
I hit you 'cause I love you.
Now, bring your ass back home.
I just want Kareem.
You just want Kareem That's all you want?
-Cross, just stop.
-I ain't coming back. -No, bitch, ain't no stopping this.
You want your son back? You're gonna listen to me, goddamn it.
I gave you the world, Shante. And now you don't wanna act right.
I should've beat your ass worse.
You shut your mouth, we wouldn't even be in this situation.
You know what? Fuck it.
About through with your ass anyway. You want him back? Ten Gs.
You got 10 thou?
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Now, bring your ass back home.
You know, Shante, you people never cease to amaze me.
I...
I can't help you buy your baby back. You can't buy and sell people.
What is wrong with you? This is like modern-day slavery.
The chutzpah of this motherfucker. Wants to sell his own kid for $10,000.
And you sit here wanting me to give you fucking paperwork
to solidify the sale? It's un-fucking-believable.
Fuck.
I can't believe I'm gonna help you with this shit. And you better not tell a soul.
You ain't even gotta pay me back.
I owe you one.
Again, my bad about that, Shante.
Yo, let me know where you gonna meet up with dude.
You know I can get that 10 back and it'll be all yours. For real.
You meet him, give him the bread, and then you move out with the baby.
And we move in.
It'll be just another nigga dead. People die around here all the time.
Won't nobody think twice about him.
You won't ever have to worry about him again.
I can't do that.
You sure, Shante?
What's the shit you want me to sign?
You always gonna be my woman.
Remember that.
Chuck.
It's a big house in Newark.
Oh, baby. It is so good them girls are moving out there with you.
-Mm-hm. -Yeah, Ms. Peggy told me. She was--
The way she was smiling? I ain't seen her grinning like that for years.
Yeah. And my first album about to drop.
-It's looking good, Ms. Denise. -Congrats.
Girl, I am so proud of you. Making all of us out here look good.
This cutie-pie here.
We about to get ice cream and check out the Park Jam if you wanna come.
Oh, no, girl. My back has been giving me problems.
But I'm still hanging in there. Like a loose tooth.
I'll cook some food. That's what I'll do.
You want some of that? That's good, right
You better not walk past me and not say nothing.
-Peace, Shante.
You done grew up on me.
-Nas.
All right, Nas.
Bust your rhyme.
You remember what I told you if you ain't know your shit.
-Hi, Ms. Denise. -You gonna get fucked up.
-Let me hear it. -Take your ass back upstairs.
Go ahead. -Nobody got time for this.
You thought I was playing? -Look at your girl.
-Look at that. She just like you. -Hey, Mommy. Come check this kid out.
He say he can rap. He gotta prove it, though.
You trying to battle rap my girl, Nasir?
The Queensbridge Champ since she was 9? She ain't never lost.
How much money you got? She don't rap for free.
♪ I'm older now, devoted Ready to hold it down ♪
♪ New kings of Queens it seems That they stole the crown ♪
♪ Got props for watching cops in vans ♪
♪ Holding rocks in their hands Trying to be Roxanne's man ♪
♪ Pent it for my brothers Submitted in the jungle ♪
♪ Group they summer youth checks Put it in the bundle with that crumble ♪
♪ Ready to serve Not just merging these words ♪
♪ I'm firm 'cause I learned From the best girl in town ♪
♪ And I vowed to make these Jects World renowned ♪
♪ And if they ever make a record Diss me I go wild like ♪
♪ R-O-X-A-N-N-E ♪
Yeah.
-That was good. -Thanks.
Good job.
Take your ass to school.
The reason it's important for a man to know more about a woman
is 'cause then he knows the things that she likes done,
and the things he should do to keep her happy,
'cause that's what we're trying to do. Get more back into the family thing.
And you can't have a family if you don't know what it takes to have one.
The reason why I feel we lost the family thing is because--
And, fellas, please don't get mad at me. Please. Please don't.
--men weren't living up to their responsibilities.
I don't know if I should say this.
They weren't. I say that because fellas got more into hanging out.
They didn't wanna be home, flowers--
Nobody was buying flowers anymore. You had to die to get flowers.
♪ Well, Mother's back Yes, the queen is home ♪
♪ You best believe to get off my throne ♪
♪ All you other MCs I will demolish ♪
♪ Just for me You can wax and polish my chin ♪
♪ Because I don't care ♪
♪ To talk back to me You know you wouldn't dare ♪
♪ I gave you a chance To see who you could be ♪
♪ And now I see that you can't be me ♪
♪ Two of y'all Matter of fact, even four ♪
♪ Now I think it's gonna take much more Of you to do what I do ♪
♪ And this is the reason Why I'm telling you ♪
♪ When Shante's in the place Give up the mic ♪
♪ 'Cause to rhyme on the mic Is what I like ♪
♪ To do as a fact And you know that's true ♪
♪ That's the reason why I'm here Telling me to you ♪
♪ Because Mother's home That's what I say ♪
♪ And the reason why I say it In the very nasty way ♪
♪ Is because I gave y'all girls a chance ♪
♪ And you can't even make The people dance ♪
♪ Girls, you know I feel ashamed ♪
♪ When you're ever on-stage Don't mention my name ♪
♪ Don't let them know That you learned from me ♪
♪ The S-H-A and the N-T-E ♪
♪ I gave you a chance Just to get it together ♪
♪ I am leather You're nothing but pleather ♪ ♪ I gave you a chance to show your style ♪
♪ But now I am back and I will get wild ♪
♪ Shante ♪
♪ I take up for y'all Everywhere I go ♪
♪ I talk about y'all girls At every show ♪
♪ You don't appreciate the things That I do for you ♪
♪ Well, now it's over Your turn is through ♪
♪ I gave you a chance To see if you could rhyme ♪
♪ But now I see you're on my yacht ♪
♪ You try to imitate everything I say ♪
♪ Well, you can't be me 'Cause this is one Shante ♪
♪ One Shante And I'm that girl ♪
♪ Rocking and shocking around the world ♪
♪ I'm known everywhere that I go ♪
♪ They break they necks To come to my show ♪ ♪ To see me diss dumb girls like you ♪
♪ I gave you a chance But now youse through ♪
♪ You try it again I'm telling you now ♪
♪ I'm letting you know If you can't roll down ♪
♪ Don't even bother picking up a mic ♪
♪ 'Cause you know just Yes, what I'm like ♪
♪ When I get loose or I get mad ♪
♪ You know, yes, girls That you are had ♪
♪ I took my chance I took a rest ♪
♪ Just to see if y'all girls Yes, could be friends ♪
♪ But now I turn on the radio ♪
♪ And I listen to your rhymes Then I say: "So?" ♪
♪ So what, girls, y'all try real hard ♪
♪ Listen to your rhyme I say "Oh, my God" ♪
♪ They made girls who are such a shame ♪
♪ I worked so hard To get y'all in the game of rap ♪
♪ And I tried very well ♪
♪ Now, I see I'll take you to hell ♪
♪ Straight through hell Out the other side ♪
♪ Get on my back I'll give you a ride ♪
♪ You never had a ride like this before ♪
♪ You never, ever pick up a mic anymore ♪
♪ Now I must see that I'm coming home ♪
♪ So, please, y'all jesters Get off my throne ♪
♪ The royalty has just arrived ♪
♪ Back in the place When I stepped inside ♪
♪ You best believe the things I say ♪
♪ Don't you know youse not Shante? ♪
♪ The S-H-A and the N-T-E ♪
♪ Five-foot-four or five-foot-three ♪
♪ I really could not tell you exact ♪
♪ But exactly, girls, you are wack ♪
♪ Shante ♪
♪ Well, Mother's back Yes, the queen is home ♪
♪ You best believe to get off my throne ♪
♪ All you other MCs I will demolish ♪
♪ Just for me You can wax and polish my chin ♪
♪ Because I don't care ♪
♪ To talk back to me You know you wouldn't dare ♪
♪ I gave you a chance To see who you could be ♪
♪ And now I see that you can't be me ♪
♪ Two of y'all Matter of fact, even four ♪
♪ Now I think it's gonna take much more Of you to do what I do ♪
♪ And this is the reason Why I'm telling you ♪
♪ When Shante's in the place Give up the mic ♪
♪ 'Cause to rhyme on the mic Is what I like ♪ ♪ To do as a fact And you know that's true ♪
♪ That's the reason why I'm here Telling it to you ♪
♪ 'Cause Mother's home That's what I say ♪
♪ And the reason why I say it In a very nasty way ♪