[spray paint can shaking]
[theme song playing]
♪ Okay, okay, okay ♪
♪ Mama K ♪
♪ Yeah, you already know One, two, three, four, let's go ♪
♪ From LSK you bet it, we don't play My sisters, my friends gonna slay ♪
♪ And you know we got the power Anything we dreaming is ours ♪
♪ What's coming, what's running, ekse We super don't stay in our lane ♪
♪ We're not playing, we don't play You're gonna know our name ♪
[singing in Chinyanja]
[theme music ends]
[news intro music playing]
This is Geoffrey from Zambia News, reporting from downtown Lusaka,
where workers have completed the upgrade to Lusaka's solar-powered station.
With the Kafue Dam and the Katete Wind Farm under repairs,
Lusakans are desperate
for solar power more than ever.
Huh!
More than ever, hm? We will have to do something about that.
Speaking of solar power,
famed vlogger Sunny from the Block accidentally electrocuted herself
while attempting to steal solar power.
As Sunny was taken off to Lusaka Criminal Psychiatric Ward,
she screamed an important message to the people,
"Load shedding leads to bad hair days!"
[chuckling] Too true, Sunny. Too true.
[phone ringing]
Whicka-whicka-whicka what?
[sighs]
Listen, I need you to get me solar panels.
Lots of solar panels.
♪ If it is panels that you need I will get them with speed ♪
♪ The Chipata Solar Factory Should be more than satisfactory ♪
Then I need you to go to the Lusaka Psychiatric Hospital
and pick up a very special vlogger.
I think she has a sunny future.
[chuckles]
[upbeat music playing]
Ah, Komana! Mr. Mwiinga! Welcome, eh! Welcome
I'm so glad you could come this evening.
I am honored to be invited, Mr. Magedzee.
It is your hard work that has brought you here.
Your final version of the solar-powered Carbon Capture device is brilliant.
Running green and producing green.
Oh, it is true. No one deserves this more than you, mwanangu.
It's pure genius.
Which is why I am extremely happy to make you
one of the recipients of my
-Young Geniuses Scholarship Program. -[exclaims]
-Congratulations, Komana. -Thank you, Mr. Magedzee.
This scholarship is sure to help you become the next best inventor in Lusaka.
Oh, my daughter will continue to impress you with her hard work
-and ingenuity, Mr. Magedzee. -[watch buzzing]
[chuckles] I know she will.
I simply cannot wait to see her next groundbreaking invention.
Next groundbreaking invention?
♪ First to grab the panels Then the lady ♪
♪ Soon Lusaka will be super shady ♪
-[Zee] Uh-- -[gasps]
What do you think you're doing, Snap Back?
T.O.M.I., activate bad rap blockers.
[T.O.M.I.] Bad rap blockers operational.
♪ Listen up, girls Just stop your attack ♪
♪ If I don't get these panels It's gonna be whack ♪
♪ Sorry, Snap, we just blocked your rap ♪
♪ So we gotta take Those stolen solar panels back ♪
Oh! T-Mlilo in the byu byu, throwing down rhymes.
Now let's drop the beat 'cause it's battle time.
[gasps, whimpers]
[grunts]
[upbeat music playing]
[groans]
-Yo! Yo! Yo-yo! -Yeesh!
Are you okay?
[groans]
♪ Hey, Za-Mpezi, hey, girl ♪
♪ Why don't you be my mob? ♪
♪ So I can keep stealing And finish the job ♪ [chuckles]
Eh…
♪ Let Snap Back do his stealing ♪
-♪ And finish the job ♪ -Huh?
-Snap Back is getting away. -Hm?
[Temwe groans] Stop!
Za-Mpezi, it's us.
She's being hypnotized by Snap Back's bad rap.
Za-Mpezi!
[grunts]
[panting]
Ah! Is she okay?
[groaning] [gasps]
-What's happened? -[horn honks]
♪ Thanks for making this a breeze My boss, he's got big plans for these ♪
[horn honking]
Mm…
[groans]
Hey, muntu wanga, there you are.
[grunts] Working through lunch again, Komana?
-[groans] -Hey, what's vutaling you?
Hee musa, not only did I miss a battle,
but Mr. Magedzee said he wants to see my next invention.
-But you just got your scholarship. -I know.
But to keep it, I think I need to create something groundbreaking.
-What is it? -Cheaper solar power for the people.
But I barely have time to focus because--
Your life keeps getting in the way?
[groans]
-Now? -What? Art class?
Maybe the distraction'll be good for you.
I don't need any distractions now.
-Okay, so dodge art class. -Dodge class?
-Do I look like Temwe? [gasps] -[Temwe] Excuse you.
I'm actually here.
-Today. -[both laughing]
Hm.
[sighs]
Now, I want to see passion in your art.
Mine the depths of your soul.
Let your emotional heart bleed onto your paper.
But we're just practicing circles.
[laughing]
Ah-ah. Art is vitality. Art is life.
Drag yourself over hot coals to burn greatness out of you,
and into the world for all to gaze upon.
[gasps] Mwiinga!
Don't panic, Ms. Tembo. I'm already done.
Did Agnes Buya Yombwe splash some paint around and call it a day? Hey?
Then go shopping?
No!
No! She suffered for her art. As should you.
-Believe me, I'm suffering. -[girls giggling]
"Art Inspiration from Everyday Life."
This is our most important project of the year. Dig deep.
Be true to yourself. I expect 100% effort.
[gasps] Dig deep?
Where? How? Tagu.
♪ Yo, Βoss, Sunny from the Block Has joined the team ♪
♪ And I got the solar panels For your super scheme ♪
Bring everything to me.
It's time for this vlogger to get powered up.
[tense music playing]
In the troublemaker's line? Komana, how?
Hi, Temwe. You're here to see Mr. Nkwashi, too?
Hm. I practically live here.
Ooh, ooh, ooh.
What did you do? Skip class? Fall asleep in math again?
Wait! Did you put a dent in a locker with your bare, clenched,
-angry fist? -Pepe! Nothing like that.
Eat the teacher's lunch? Graffiti on school property?
Speak backwards for an entire day? [inhales]
No! No!
What are you here for, kanshi? The people want to know, mune!
I want to drop art class!
Eh?
Yes, sir. I've prepared a presentation. May I use your projector?
Thank you, sir.
So, according to a UNESCO report,
only 35% of STEM students in higher education globally are female.
And in Africa, the data is even more appalling.
Studies show that girls have so many challenges
which make it difficult for them to perform well in science and technology.
This brings me to art.
It's unnecessary and ultimately detrimental
to my already overloaded schedule.
How, you ask?
There are 24 hours in a day. eight hours recommended sleep,
another two hours for logistical movement, another seven hours of school,
three for homework, 45 minutes for food consumption,
20 minutes of bathroom breaks, including showering,
which leaves me less than three hours for extracurricular pursuits.
I simply have no time to sacrifice for art class.
-Certainly you, a man of intellect… -[snoring]
Sir!
[gasps] What? Ka.
Why are you disturbing my life with this lecture?
-So, you'll let me drop art class, sir? -No. It's required for graduation.
But, sir, I'll never get a distinction in art class.
My continuous assessment, my scholarship, creating groundbreaking inventions.
Everything will be "dragged over coals and burnt" to nothing.
Do you want to ruin my life? Sir?
-So what if you don't make a distinction? -[gasps]
If you get a merit, the world will not end.
A mer… A merit? You mean the thing that sits beneath a distinction?
Oh, you're too good for a merit, eh? Perhaps art class will humble you.
Eh. This guy. Sir.
Who's next? Better be a normal delinquent this time.
[Temwe clears throat]
-'Sup? -The usual?
You know how I roll.
Basa, he could have made an exception.
He knows how important this scholarship is to me.
Ah. Temwe was right, that man is just evil.
That's your struggle? You don't know struggle. This is struggle!
Um, it's punishment for a crime you actually committed.
Eh! That is the real crime.
[Zee] Ah! Iwe. Load shedding happens.
You'd think I could get dressed in the dark.
Eh, every time I tried to iron this, the power went out.
Ah, speaking of dark, it's dry season. Why does it look like it's about to rain?
Is Storm Drain messing with the weather?
I'm sending a photo to Mama K.
Done! Let's get out of here, man.
Just one last tag from Temwe the Great.
Iye ka Temwe, you just finished serving punishment.
-You want more? -Hey!
I can find a way to repurpose this.
After I figure out how to make art "inspired by life."
Hey, if art inspiration is what you need, look no further.
No offense, but I think I need help from an expert.
-What? I'm an exper-- -Shh.
I know an art expert.
Heh? Who?
[funky music playing]
Yeesh.
How can Komana not see that Chipo loves her?
Awe. So clueless.
[clears throat] Hi, Komana. Zee said you needed me?
Yes, Chipo. I need you…
to coach me in art.
I heard you're the best.
Oh, my heart, it beats in fits and starts.
To know of all the rest you think Chipo the best.
I am honored, Komana.
Okay. I'm trying to find my artistic inspiration.
How amusing that a muse herself would seek out a muse?
What can inspire more than inspiration herself?
Well, wherever she is, I can't find her.
Eh. Never mind.
Let me just see some of your work.
[stuttering]
I brought the wrong sketchpad.
-[Temwe yelps] -Let's talk about art instead.
Okay, so what inspires you?
The sun, how she shines.
Oblivious, unapologetic,
radiant, and she doesn't even know it.
What are you saying, Chipo?
I don't understand.
I'm sorry. I'm not explaining this well.
You're just so incredibly smart. So…
So what? If I'm so smart, how come I can't get inspired to make art?
Inspired by science? No problem. I get science.
This art stuff goes over my head.
I'm never gonna find my inspiration.
Never gonna get that distinction. Never gonna keep my scholarship,
and never going to create the next great invention.
Never, never, never!
[girls exclaim]
-[alarm beeping] -[girls groan]
Ah! Ndalumba.
Thanks for trying to help, Chipo. I have to go.
So, that was inspiring, no?
No! I'm done! Done with this art thing. Let's get to HQ.
[girls] So clueless.
Girls, this is the photo Komana sent me earlier.
And this is from the current drone footage.
It is not Storm Drain doing this, eh. It is somebody else.
-How? -A person?
Hm. Whoever it is, you need to fly up there and deal with her now.
Not only is the woman blocking out our sun,
she's stopping Lusaka's solar power station from getting energy.
[powering down]
-Right on cue. -[T.O.M.I.] Backup generator one engaging.
Thank you, T.O.M.I. Run the crash report.
Hey, didn't you girls say that Snap Back was stealing solar panels?
Eh! Snap Back said, "First I grab the panels, then the lady."
-Eh! She must be a part of the plan. -We've got to stop her. Fast!
Wait! How are Komana and I supposed to get up there?
Our transports don't fly.
We need to think of something fast-fast.
Oh! We still have those nanolocusts we saved from the Locust Pocus attack.
These robobugs are in for a major-major upgrade.
Yes! Up-cycling that villain's flight tech to the next level.
-[cheering] -We did it!
[chuckles] You're going down, solar blocker.
[horn honking]
Girls, approach with caution. Eh?
Eh, is she texting?
Her suit's hooked up to the disc somehow.
-Let's talk to her calmly and-- -Auntie!
Why are you blocking the sun?
Oh, hey fans!
Because I'm Sunblock. [chuckles]
But we need the sun.
So does my vlog.
Behold me in all my glory!
Eh, my sister, we can't behold anything. It's dark.
Eh, whether you're Sunblock,
olo sunscreen, olo SPF 50, whoever you are, please move.
Mm? Mm-mm-mm-mm.
Whoever I am? Look me up online!
All I see here is info about sunblock lotion.
[scoffs] Stupid sunscreens, always stealing my thunder.
Check out the next page.
-Mm… Nope. -The next page.
Uh… I don't--
[groans] Kani. Page five.
Halfway down the line. @sunblockdivaaa with 3 A's.
Oh, yeah. At the bottom.
"Sunblock has the ability to harness the power of the sun."
But why?
Because energy is…
[chittering] …power!
Whoa!
[people screaming]
Yay! Don't underestimate my influence.
[laughing manically]
Hi-ya!
[grunts]
[tense music playing]
[yelping]
Watch out!
[yelling]
K-Bongo!
Code Red! Code Red!
K-Bongo is in free fall.
-No! -Oh, no!
[yelling]
[Sunblock laughing manically]
Mess with me and you shall get blocked.
And not just online.
Eh, auntie, we get it.
Good!
Now, time to soak up more rays, and finally go viral!
[electronic whirring]
[Team 4 groaning]
With the power of the sun, she's too strong.
Oh-ho! She's sucking up all the city's solar power for herself.
T-Mlilo's right! K-Bongo, is there a way to suck the power
from her and give it back to the station?
Um… Yes!
But we're going to need cables. Lots of cables.
[both laughing]
[Monde] ♪ Completing the circuit ♪
[humming]
I hope this actually works.
So, what am I supposed to do?
What you do best.
Oh! Nice upgrade! Chwe, chwe, chwe!
Let Operation Suck The Power begin.
[upbeat music playing]
Back for more punishment, I see.
I bet you were all up in my mentions. Whoop-whoop.
You don't have that many followers.
Yes, I do!
[laughing]
[grunts]
Ayewa Kani. Ayewa.
[groans]
[yelling]
[Komana] Hey, Sun-blockhead.
What do you want?
Shouldn't get so attached to things.
Remove these things from me now. Now!
Dislike. Dislike!
M-Kozo, now!
[yelps]
What are you doing to me?
[yelping] No!
This is not how I wanted to go viral.
We're taking back the power you stole.
Wow.
I've never seen Lusaka light up like this.
Would you say it's even inspiring?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
How dare you?
As soon as I get more power from the sun, I'm going to block you from my vlog.
Oh, no, you don't.
[laughing manically]
You!
-[chuckles] -[grunts]
You haven't seen the last of Sunblock. Check my vlog.
[grunts] You need a reality check, sister.
No one is watching!
-Hi-ya! -[gasps]
Follow @sunblockdivaaa!
-[crashing] -[car alarm ringing]
[Team 4 cheering]
-That's what's up! -We did it!
Whoo!
[Team 4] Team 4 in the byu byu!
Chabwino Ndithu, girls! Great work!
I'm totally following her vlog.
Wena hayi! [laughing]
Thank you for coming, Mr. Magedzee.
I dare not refuse a summons from you, Ms. Mwiinga.
I would like to present my art piece inspired by…
Spray paint.
No!
Science. And the beautiful city lights of Lusaka.
-[Temwe] Awesome. -[Zee] Beautiful.
My inspiration and passion gave me the idea to develop a solar paint,
which can beautify the community
and power it as well.
[beeping]
Well done, eh!
A marriage of science and art.
The very epitome of smart art.
Thanks, Chipo. Smart art. I like the sound of that.
And trust me, I suffered for this art.
But, as long as I get a distinction, I'm good.
Oh, this assignment carries no specific grade.
No grade?
How can you grade inspiration?
All I asked is that you put in the effort,
and you did not disappoint, Komana.
No grade? No grade. No grade?
-Snap out of it, Komana. -But hot coals. I suffered!
[clears throat]
Was this invention groundbreaking enough, Mr. Magedzee?
Can I keep my scholarship?
Mm-mm, Komana, I fear you misunderstood me.
Your scholarship is completely secure.
And after seeing this, I know I gave it to a worthy recipient.
Your invention isn't just groundbreaking. It's inspired.
-Well done, sisi! -That's our girl.
Komana, the smartest artist.
[upbeat music playing]