♪ I'm the main attraction ♪
College is all about independence.
It's where we learn to do things on our own,
like laundry, managing your schedule...
or, for me, starting my own business.
Big Frank... - Mm.
- 23 sacks last season. - Mm-hmm.
Dude, they're gonna have to name a wing of the ER
after you.
Tell me, what is your workout routine?
Well, first...
I start with 200 push-ups,
and then I wake up.
Mm, okay.
Lately, life has been forcing me to become more independent,
whether it's my dad not supporting me
or someone I thought was a brother betraying me.
Bro, don't talk to me like I'm a little kid.
I don't need to be patronized, and unlike you,
I've actually lived in the real world.
And now you're back from the real world.
And where are you living? At my house, rent-free, right?
I've been having a rough go of it,
but in the letdowns, I have been finding my come-ups...
You're the Squid.
Starting with signing the crown jewel of my company.
And I used that momentum
to line up a bunch of other meetings
with uncut gems to potentially add to my roster.
Thank you. Oh, no, bro.
Let me tackle this bill.
[LG's "I Mean Business"]
So, Kara, do you have a number
of followers you're trying to get to?
Um, I'm not really good with numbers,
but I've always felt that more is better.
Agreed.
Now, I know what you're thinking--
"But Big Daddy Andre, aren't you scared to go broke?"
[cell phone chimes, vibrates]
And my answer is "yes."
But scared money don't make no money.
[cash register bell dings]
So success isn't free.
And when you're flying solo,
you're stuck footing the bill.
So right now it's very one for all,
and I need it to be a little more all for one.
See, my clients rely on me for all of their needs,
and these bitches are needy.
[cell phone chimes, vibrates]
Oh.
Wow, uh, Pro West Bank has gotten quite comfortable.
I need an investor, like, now.
both: ♪ Watch out, world ♪
♪ I'm grown now ♪
♪ I'm grown ♪
♪ Learn something new every day ♪
♪ I don't know so I'ma feel my way ♪
♪ Got the weight of the world on me ♪
♪ But no regrets ♪
♪ This is what I say ♪
both: ♪ Watch out, world ♪
♪ I'm grown now ♪
♪ I'm grown ♪
♪ You can't tell me nothin' ♪
both: ♪ My heartbeat is so loud ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Mama, look, I'm grown now ♪
♪ I'm grown ♪
♪ Get me right, get me right ♪
♪ Lights, camera, action, got her famous overnight ♪
♪ So, yeah, yeah, we right ♪
♪ We get it right... ♪
Never good spirits with these Johnson guys.
- What's up, brother? - Yo.
Yo, how's that partnership with you and Ray going?
- I been pretty lucky, man. - Hmm.
I mean, Ray's been dependable,
and I've been getting some good opportunities
at The DougOut.
But you're not satisfied with that.
You want a bigger slice of the pie, right?
Mm, no, do you see that sign downstairs?
It's pretty big.
Look, man, I-I just need to borrow some money.
Look, well, why don't you reach out
to one of your Gamma brothers
that haven't partnered up already?
Just not my Ray.
You need to find your own Ray.
You know who has good advice?
Aaron. - No.
Look, look, bro.
He gives good advice. Why not him, all right?
He--he did his thing fundraising for the Gammas
and getting them scholarship money.
I was tricked into doing that by Aaron.
Bro, you need to let the past be the past
and be mature enough to let it go.
[groans] Oh, my God.
[light music]
'Sup?
♪ ♪
Okay, I know you guys have had your differences,
but I'm gonna need you two to put your differences aside
and be adults.
I need my boys to be here for me.
Oh, I've set my differences all the way to the side.
Mine are so far to the side, they're actually in the back.
Okay, I'm being serious right now.
I have it on good authority that a critic
from "The Times" is coming.
- Oh. - Which "Times"?
The good one.
And--and the grading criteria is ambiance,
food, and drinks, okay?
You have an entire staff trained in hospitality.
Why do you need our help? - This is a huge opportunity.
And I need my day ones there to hold me down.
All right, I'ma hold you down, I'ma hold you down.
Firm grip, two hands. Don't worry.
Oh, I'll hold you down like gravity.
Thank you. This-- this is what I needed to hear.
That's the love.
So how can I--
I guess, how can we help?
I'm gonna need a packed house full of impressive individuals.
Aaron, for you, that's intelligentsia,
authors, professors.
You heard him. That's me, cream of the crop.
- [scoffs] - All right.
And, Andre, I need you to bring the good vibes, okay?
All of your best Gamma brothers here,
the best ones, though, the ones that they put on the brochure,
not the ones you crop out.
I'm sorry, so--so what you're saying is, I bring the fun.
Did you hear that, Aaron? I'm--I'm the fun one.
- I did not hear that. - That's exactly what--
Day ones, I said we need to be on the same page.
We're not even in the same library right now.
- Right. - Yeah.
Your powers combined
will give me an A-plus review in "The Times."
You got it.
May the best man win.
- Oh, the best man will win. - Uh-uh. I'm the best man.
I need to win.
[hip-hop beat]
All of my client wooing dug me into a hole,
but, luckily, I'm about to climb out
with three magic words-- increase credit limit.
To be clear, you're a student,
your current job is hopeful CEO,
you don't pay rent because you've got a deal,
and you want your credit limit doubled?
Is that correct? - Yes.
Yep, that is what we've been talking about
for the past 20 minutes.
Time is money. [chuckles]
Okay, so we've just been trying
to figure out how you have a credit card here at all.
[door closes]
- You a'ight? - Ah, yes.
I'm great. I'm good.
Is that a bloodstain? - No.
[sniffing]
No. - Okay.
Excellent. What's good? - Everything.
Your boy just got invited to Art Basel in Miami.
Are you kidding me? Let's go! What?
A week ago,
you were spray-painting the library at school,
and now you're gonna be featured in one
of the biggest art shows in the world?
- What can I say? - We better make it rain.
- Let's go. - Whoo!
We gonna make it rain, bro. - Yeah.
Uh, by the way, we're late on our late fees.
Uh, the deadline was yesterday,
and I was so busy being excited
that I forgot to tell you, so...
All good.
Uh, and-- and, uh, some supplies.
And we'll need a place to stay, so...
Solid. Of course. Right? Cool.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I totaled it all up.
It should be, like, four grand, five grand.
Let's say five grand to be on the safe side.
Let's say five. Let's say five.
I like that. You know, that's--
Actually, five's one of my favorite numbers.
So that's--that's kind of crazy that you said that.
- Yeah. - I was in here with the five.
It's kind of a lot of money,
and if it's too much, I can go--
Bro, are you kidding me? It's all good.
That's--that's light work for a dude like me, okay?
Half a loaf? What? We'll get that done.
This is like a dream come true, man.
I-I don't even know how to thank you, bro. I--
Has anyone ever told you you are the best manager?
- Dude, stop. - No, no, no.
You are the best friend.
Oh, wow. Hey--Ooh!
♪ ♪
Knock, knock. [knock at door]
Hey, Professor Jackson, come on in.
- What up? - Sit on down.
I was just thinking about you. [clears throat]
You know what's crazy?
A mere year and a half ago, we were sworn enemies.
But now we're like, uh, Cal U's version
of Kevin Hart and The Rock, yeah?
You know what? I will take Kevin Hart,
'cause you have been my rock this past year.
- Oh. - And in honor of that,
I'd like to invite you to drinks tonight.
How's that sound? - Isn't this serendipitous?
- Okay. - Anyway...
I'm waiting for the ink to dry on a deal,
but I may have something very good for us to celebrate soon,
something that I couldn't have made happen without you.
- Me? - Yes.
Okay, it's time to celebrate.
Let's go "Jumanji" in this bitch.
I don't get the reference,
but you can explain it to me over drinks.
Gentlemen, we just got invited
to go to a very exclusive event at The DougOut,
and I was told to bring only the best of the best.
- Yo, yo. - Hey.
Before you ask, food will be free,
and drinks will be half off, so...
So "exclusive." What's the vibe?
Is it more so like Shade Room or like a TMZ type?
Uh, split the difference.
What's the, uh--what's the time on this, you know?
I got a hard out soon, so...
[cash register bell dings]
Damn, that's a nice-ass watch.
Is Brock wealthy?
[indistinct chatter]
[cash register bell dinging]
Peep the limited-edition off-white shoes.
And did y'all see the clarity on those Cuban links?
I think I found myself a new business partner.
[mellow hip-hop music]
Yo, Kiela, can I ask your advice on something?
Do you promise to take it?
No. But what do you think about getting into bed
with one of your very rich friends?
I mean, um, financially speaking, of course.
Oh, um, Andre,
I'm--I'm, like, flattered, but, you know,
all my money's actually tied up in a trust right now.
Oh, no. No, no, no.
I'm talking about my fraternity brother, Brock.
Oh. [laughs] Okay. Thank God.
'Cause, um, yeah, I-I lied to you.
I have all my money.
Are you sure you want a partner?
I know you've kind of been, like, riding solo,
and partnerships can be difficult,
especially with a friend.
Well, he's more than my friend.
He's, uh--he's like a brother to me.
And what's better than partnering with family?
Didn't your dad just tell you no?
I'm talking about chosen family.
- Oh, okay. - People who chose me.
Kiela, can you please tell this man
that peonies and lilies do not match?
Okay, it's my night, and I say it does, okay?
Now, which one goes best with my fit?
- Ooh... - You're wearing a tuxed--
Oh, okay. Wow. Yeah. - Is it too subtle?
Or should I have went for the top hat?
- Oh. - Yo.
Yo, yo, yo, yo. - Yeah? Yeah?
You put that-- you put that on.
Yo. - Yo!
Yo, it's almost overwhelming, the look, honestly.
I mean, you are giving--
you're giving Bruce Wayne, right?
You're giving James Bond... - 'Cause he's a superhero.
Mr. Darcy, right? You're bewitching my--my mind.
My mind and my soul have never seen something
as exquisite.
Okay, okay, but, no, no, seriously, guys.
Remember, food, drinks, ambiance, okay?
Support me. - Yes.
- I support you. - Yes, sir.
We all support you.
Just let me take that away. - But me the most.
- No peony? - No, no, does not needed.
[Flwr Chyld's "Conversations with Saturn"]
♪ Head in the clouds ♪
♪ I'd rather be high than down and out ♪
♪ Just tryna get closer to you ♪
♪ Come help me out ♪
♪ Where we headed now? ♪
♪ The rocket's outside, let's go out ♪
♪ Flying in a space with no boundaries ♪
♪ No bounds, yeah ♪
Okay, he's here-- Andre, I need you
to turn things all the way up with the Gammas,
but not too much.
Precision turnt levels incoming.
Okay, sweet Kiela, I need you on hawk eye--
hawk-eye vision, okay?
Make sure that the table is facing Aaron's with the dean.
- Copy that. - Okay.
- What can I do? - Do what you do best.
- Mm-hmm. - Have a blast with that man.
I'm about to light this bitch up.
You understand me? - There you go.
Celebration time... [glasses clink]
Engage.
[indistinct chatter]
Another round for the impressive gentleman.
[laughs] Oh, thank you, sir.
And cheers... - Cheers...
to the bright futures of tomorrow.
Hear, hear.
I bet you probably wondering what all this news is about.
No, not at all.
Just every waking moment since you mentioned it, yes.
[laughs] Well, the wait is over,
because I have just secured a seat on the board...
of Pro West Bank.
Pow! [laughs]
- That's it? - Yeah.
I mean, wow, okay.
That's very cool. Congrats.
Um, what does that mean exactly?
Well, it means, uh, I'll be going to work
about once a month. - Uh-huh.
It means I'll be leaving school,
and it means I'll be making lots of money.
- [chuckles] - [laughing]
How is that good news for me?
It's good news for all Black men.
Really? 'Cause it sounds like it's only good news
for one Black man in particular, that being you.
What happened to the "Change the world" shit that--
Come on, don't go all Marcus Garvey on me.
We made change, and now I'm making dollars.
I owe you a lot of credit.
When the bank learned that I raised $5 million
in an afternoon--
You know the worst thing is-- it's not that you're stepping
on my head for your own personal gain.
Jackson, don't get all dramatic.
The worst thing is that I actually thought
you were my ally here, my friend.
That's what I get for shaking hands with the Devil, right?
You know, I gave you my barber's number, man.
His direct line.
Here you go.
- That was crazy. - Yeah, sorry.
Damn.
Y'all muddled the shit out of this hibiscus.
Oh, is that bad or good?
[pen clicks] Okay.
- What was that? - I'm sorry.
Look, I just go the worst news from Dean Carnegie,
and I just--I can't believe he'd screw me over like that.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
You--you couldn't wait to go off on him
until after you were strategically sitting
in front of the critic? - Look, I'm sorry.
But don't worry. I'm gonna make up for this.
I got you.
How we doing? You having a good time?
Yo, what's up, my brother? Of course.
What are you working on?
I've been so inspired lately, dude.
- Mm. - You know what I'm saying?
I've been drawing something up that's 14x10.
- Inches or feet? - Feet.
You know I don't believe in the metric system, man.
Okay, so we'll--we'll have to pay for that
and then the supplies and shipping.
So--so what are we looking at-- like, around two racks?
[inhales sharply] At least.
Okay, fantastic.
I'm gonna catch up with you in a bit.
Holla.
[indistinct chatter]
What's going on, playboy?
How you doing? - Good, good.
You enjoying the night so far?
Is this, uh, exclusive enough for you?
Could be a few more biddies,
but, you know, I'm having a good time.
You know what? Let's keep the good times rolling.
- Yeah. - All right?
- Yeah, we got to link up more. - Yes, yes. We should.
You know, and, also, speaking of linking up,
you strike me as a smart, savvy kind of guy, you know?
Someone who'd be interested
in a mutually beneficial business partnership,
something that-- - In.
Great, I guess we'll just get everything ironed out.
In, in, in, dude.
You had me at "hello." - I don't think I said "hello."
You've been wheeling and dealing
for the past few weeks in the chapter room.
You got a lot going on. - Yeah.
I just want to be around when it goes down.
So what you're saying is, you want to invest
in Andre Johnson Entertainment with me,
and in turn, you get to be in the room where it happens.
Yeah, you got yourself a deal, partner.
- All right, then. - Yeah.
Wow. That was a lot easier than I thought it was gonna be.
I-it's always great when someone recognizes you
for all that you do.
Excuse me. Hey, hey.
Hey. - I'm sorry, guys.
Pardon me for one second. - Just really quick.
I'm actually in the middle of something, so...
I need you to take these lobster-roll corndogs
over to table ten, just real quick.
- Why can't you do it? - Because Dean Carnegie's
over there, and we're beefin' right now,
and I don't feel like talking to him.
Oh, okay, all right, so this is--
this is you getting it done with your own two hands.
Well, lucky for Doug, I'm here.
I'm always here. Dependable Andre, that's me.
If you don't take these lobster-roll corndogs
over to where Dean Carnegie's sitting in three seconds
I'm gonna drop 'em. One...
Go ahead. Drop it.
I'm gonna drop 'em like it's hot. Two...
No, you won't, 'cause you're a bitch.
2 3/4.
2 1/2. - That's backwards.
I didn't get my PhD in math, all right?
You don't have a PhD at all.
- You don't have to yell-- - PhD in math? What PhD?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa, what is this?
You guys are causing a scene.
Go upstairs for a chat.
And by "chat," I mean yell.
See what you did?
There are times in your life
when you realize you've really screwed someone over,
especially when they're screaming,
"You screwed me over!" over and over again.
It's times like these
that really put things into perspective
and make you realize that some shit
just isn't worth risking that bond.
I put everything into this bar,
and all I needed you both to do
was to put your differences aside
so I can have one night.
You know, unlike you two having it out
at the Cal U bike racks like a couple of middle schoolers,
I'm in the real world, taking real risks.
I needed you guys to be my guys tonight.
You're totally right.
We messed up.
I'm really sorry, man.
I-I know what it feels like to, uh... be abandoned
by someone you thought you could depend on,
and I don't want to be that to my friends.
We should've been there for you.
We should've all been there for each other.
Mm, so what, now? Now you guys are cool?
It's all--it's all good, yeah?
I mean--wait, no, actually, there was one more thing.
I was wondering, could you sing
"When You Wish Upon a Star" for us?
Wait, I see it now.
Jiminy Cricket, that is it. - Yeah.
Oh, this is funny?
Yeah, is this where we want to take it?
- I mean, yeah, yeah, yeah. - It's my bad.
That was--we took it too far. No disrespect at all.
Serious question--
on a serious note, for real, let's be serious.
What's life like as a peanut?
Do you think you could get me a fair deal on Park Place?
Okay.
Why? Because you a bum living on the Gamma couch?
Gamma couch? You have a weak lumbar, dude.
You might as well move back to the crib.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
'Cause I haven't changed my mind
about what you did with Carnegie.
Well, I have, all right?
Backing Carnegie was not the best move.
I got to break up with my barber.
I love Darrel.
- Damn. - Yeah, that's tough.
Well, you know, I got to get my hair cut,
if you want to come to mine. - Sure.
- Yeah. - Oh, really cute.
I guess tonight isn't a bust anymore
if I get you two to get along.
Maybe tonight wasn't a bust at all.
I feel like I could fix things with the critic.
Let me just whip up a strong margarita, and we'll--
Oh, he left. He said he had a great time.
- Yes. - He gave me, like, a fat tip
and is gonna give the bar an A-plus review.
- Yes! Yes! - Whoo!
This is what happens when you have a crew.
This is what happens when I have my crew.
Thank you.
Wait. No, are-- are you for real?
This is what happens when you have Kiela,
because I did this,
which is why I will be taking the next two weeks off,
fully paid. Bye.
I get it.
[playful music]
- Yo. - Yo.
We're hitting up the strip club later.
Student-discount vibe. You trying to roll?
I wish I could, but I told Doug
I would stay behind and help him clean up.
But you guys have fun.
See, that's why you're a good business partner.
Yo, Gammas, strip club.
So, I, uh-- I guess you're partnering up
with H&R Brock, huh?
I'm afraid to answer in fear of another lecture.
Oh, no. Okay, no more lectures.
I have spoken my piece.
Wow, you're actually growing.
Okay, just one more piece of advice, though.
- Hmm? - Try to learn
from the disaster that was you working with Annika.
You know, you're-- you're in a partnership now,
and it's not just about you.
You have to listen and compromise.
Just can't help but to look out for people, huh?
Only people I care about.
You, uh--you missed a spot, by the way.
It's just-- - Oh.
[chill music]
♪ ♪
What? I was just...
making sure she didn't trip.
♪ Call me Goata like baa, never fall to the vultures ♪
♪ My words are weapons, got a solid-gold pen ♪
♪ In my holster, not pretentious... ♪
I used to think depending on someone else
was a sign of weakness.
But I've learned there's no shame
in asking for help.
That's what brothers are for-- support...
♪ ♪
Whether that be financial
or emotional...
♪ Climbin' Mount Fuji just to say ♪
♪ That I've seen it all ♪
♪ [...] want beef... ♪
Yo.
Or "libational."
Thank you, sir.
♪ A lot of you [...] need the Lord ♪
The best brothers I could ask for.
Cheers.
And that's how you know who you can really depend on.
No matter how hard the relationship bends,
it never breaks.
[hip-hop beat]
♪ ♪
- Hey, welcome back. - Oh, it's good to be back.
Although I was starting to get used
to the smell of stale beer and abject horniness.
Well, there's no stale beer here,
but you might want to vacuum in your bedroom
'cause there's still some cat hair in there.
- A cat? - Yeah. You see, it was feral.
I was lonely, and, um, I named him Andre Jr. Jr.
Mm, by the way, I heard you broke your love pump.
Where'd you hear that?
- Um, it's in the streets. - It doesn't matter.
It's a long story. We don't need to talk about it.
I've got all morning.
[playful music]