- ♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ Lord help me wade ♪
♪ Father, father, forgive ♪
- Make sure you mention all the hardware we won
at the Stellar's and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- You want to write the script?
- No, no. It sounds more humble coming from you.
- All right, just so I'm clear, we're doing this press tour
to promote your upcoming album?
- No, it's all for the good of the kingdom.
And our music ministry is only as good
as the ears that hear it.
- And I'm along for the ride because...
- You said you wanted to keep up
the appearance of a solid marriage.
- No, I think I said I wanted you
to look at me like you wanted to be with me.
- And here we are.
- [huffs] Okay.
All right, so how do you plan
on finishing this album without Taj producing?
You two were working on a duet, right?
- Until he went behind my back.
- And that's an unpardonable sin?
- He took that girl to Caesar.
- Yeah, because you said no.
- You're on his side?
- He's our son
and your favorite producer,
so there must be a way to work this out--
for the kingdom.
- If he says, "I'm sorry," and means it,
I'll think about it.
- ♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ Lord help me wade ♪
[door opens]
- Love.
Love, what are you doing?
- We've been avoiding this room,
keeping the door closed and looking away
when we walk down the hallway,
and I'm tired of it.
We've turned this room into some type of a tomb.
The counselor's helping me work through my feelings of loss.
But I miss our daughter so much sometimes it hurts.
- We'll always miss her.
- But I also know that we can't keep living in the past.
- We'll move forward...
together.
- Okay.
[soft dramatic music]
♪ ♪
We haven't--
not since...
- I know.
But I want to.
I want us to be us again.
[upbeat gospel music]
♪ ♪
- So maybe I can catch up with you tomorrow,
we'll talk about it?
- All right. - So you do still work here.
- Ms. Moore.
- You've been ignoring my calls
- Hey, I'll see you. - And my texts.
- I just want to know, have you done anything
with the video I gave you?
- It's an ongoing investigation,
and as soon as I know anything I'll call you--
- Man, bullshit!
Dani's killer is still out there,
and y'all are acting like Dani doesn't matter.
That her family, me,
all the grief and the suffering just doesn't matter.
- I know how much she meant to you.
- Means-- how much she means to us.
We don't just forget about her 'cause she's...
- Okay, what I can tell you is that based
on the caliber of the weapon and the shell casings
found at the scene, we believe the same individual
that murdered your friend, Dani,
also broke into your apartment and shot at you.
- No shit.
I could have told you that,
detective.
This is a waste of time.
- Miss Moore.
[line trilling]
[ringtone playing]
- Hey.
- You still asleep?
Look, I need you to get up.
The cops ain't done a damn thing.
I have to get justice for Dani myself.
- Look, you ain't gotta do it alone, all right?
I won't be gone that long.
- I love you.
But nah, I got this.
What's it like out there on the road?
- Ma, it's everything.
Like, the energy of the crowds each night.
There's thousands of people
rapping out lyrics at the same time.
The parties don't end till sunrise.
[chuckles]
- I miss those parties.
Wish I was there.
- You know, you can be.
Shit, I could fly you out now.
- You trying to be the Jay to my Bey?
- Always.
- [sighs] I can't.
But, um, you keep having fun, baby.
Just not too much fun.
- All right, well, I love you.
[bass-heavy music]
- ♪ Fired up, fired up ♪
♪ Fired up, fired up ♪
♪ He say he wanna worship my body ♪
- Maybe this is the start of a new life.
- It's the start of our new life.
- [on radio] ♪ I just wanna show you ♪
♪ A good time ♪
- This Essence, right?
- Yeah. That song's been fire
from the moment it dropped last week.
- ♪ He say he wanna worship my body ♪
- What are you thinking about?
- My mama.
- Really? Right now?
- Yeah, and my brother.
- Damn.
- Sorry, babe.
But I think I found a way to prove myself
and to bring my family back together.
You know what, you just--
I love you. Thank you so much.
- Uh, love you too.
- Thanks for fitting me into your schedule.
I know it's kind of open right now.
- You need to stop. - Just kidding.
[laughter]
But I stopped by your place, and--
- Yeah, I spent the night at Essence's.
- Oh. Oh!
Is she the one you're deciding to break your pledge with?
- [sighs] - Did God tell you?
- Well, I mean, he didn't tell me she wasn't.
- Now Taj, do you really believe that,
or are you just trying to make yourself feel better
for sleeping with her?
And no judgement. No judgement.
It's your pledge.
Honestly, I didn't think you could keep it.
- [laughing] - And I say that with love.
- Yeah, I'm feeling it. I'm feeling it.
We all have issues, right?
- Yeah.
- How you doing?
- I'm better.
I'm better. I'm better.
- Uh-huh. - You remember
what they taught us in Sunday School.
Joy is Jesus first...
both: Others second, yourself last.
[laughter]
- I'm trying to move that Y up a step.
- Okay.
I'm happy for you, sis.
- You don't think it's selfish?
- Nah, you not capable of being selfish.
You care too much about others.
- And what they think about me.
I'm also working on that.
- So what you wanna ask me about?
- What would you say if I went after your job?
- Run. - Oh.
You are not a track star.
[laughter]
But I'm serious. - Yeah, so am I.
Why would you want to do that to yourself?
- Well, 'cause you made it seem like fun and fulfilling.
And I need a change, and I really wanna try it.
- So then you should.
- Good, 'cause I did.
- What? - I asked mom,
and I know it's easier to ask for forgiveness
than it is permission.
- Uh! - But you're my brother,
and I wanted to ask for your permission.
- Yeah, after the fact.
What'd she say?
- She said yes-- with a lot of disclaimers.
- Well, congratulations.
I'm here to help if you need me.
- Actually, you remember Malcolm's song,
"The Me You See"? - Of course.
It's a great song.
- Well, Mom wants to replace your track.
- Ouch. - I'm sorry.
- No, not a surprise.
Uh, who you got?
- I was thinking Essence.
- [laughs]
- With you vocal producing. - Oh, you're serious.
- Please, Taj. It'll kill.
- Yeah, me. It will kill me.
How can I go back there now?
- Well, because Mom's sorry.
- Sorry? Those words actually passed her lips?
- Well, not those exact words. - Yeah, I didn't think so.
- But she is and she will-- apologize.
- Really?
Well, this I gotta hear.
- Me too.
- The first time I visited her father's church
and saw her singing in the choir,
I knew she was the one for me.
- He failed to let me know.
- Well, I joined the choir, didn't I?
- What about you? Were you just as smitten?
- It was a divine appointment.
Marriage is a partnership, isn't it?
- Yes.
- One built on mutual respect
and love.
Above all, love.
And I knew who that man should be from the moment I met him.
[R&B music]
- ♪ Yeah ♪
♪ ♪
♪ All of my life I've been waiting ♪
♪ For someone who can love me, girl ♪
- Denita. - Hey.
- I made your favorite.
- [huffs]
- What is it? What's wrong?
- Daddy said no.
- What?
- He won't give us his blessing.
- I'll talk to him.
- It won't do any good.
He says God has someone else in mind.
- God does?
Or your Daddy does?
Who needs his blessing?
- [chuckles]
- Let's get married, start a family.
- ♪ I just wanna ask you to be my wife ♪
♪ You can be my better half for the rest of my life ♪
- I--I can't.
- Why not? - He'll cut me off.
I'll lose everything--
my family, my church, my singing...
my calling.
- I love you.
- I know.
- I though you loved me too.
- I do, but...
- The kingdom comes first.
- ♪ All through the day and night ♪
♪ I just wanna be with you ♪
- I love you.
- Baby, don't do this.
- I'm sorry.
- Denita.
Denita.
- ♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ I've just gotta be with you ♪
- ♪ What must I do or say ♪ - ♪ Yeah ♪
- ♪ You got me in a daze ♪
♪ I just wanna be with you ♪
- ♪ I just wanna be with my love ♪
♪ All through the day ♪
♪ All through the night ♪
♪ I just wanna be with you ♪
- It was love at first sight.
- And we've kept our eyes on the Lord ever since.
It's kept us for 30 beautiful years.
- What a remarkable love story.
- No relationship is perfect though,
and ours is no exception.
Denita and I are co-writing a book
on the keys to a happy marriage.
- Mm-hmm. - And how ours survived
an early indiscretion of mine.
- Oh, my.
Count me in for preorder.
You two are so brave.
- [chuckles]
The only way to be.
Right, baby? - Yes.
Yes.
- [singing along] ♪ My mind, I didn't realize ♪
♪ Love was right there all the time ♪
♪ It was love, love, nothing but God's love ♪
♪ It was love, love,
♪ Nothing but God's love helped me ♪
- ♪ It was love, love ♪ - ♪ Love ♪
♪ Oh ♪ - ♪ Nothing ♪
♪ But God's love ♪ - ♪ Nothing but God's love ♪
- ♪ It was love, love ♪ - ♪ No, no, no, no ♪
- ♪ Nothing but God's love ♪ - ♪ It was nothing but love ♪
- ♪ It was love, love ♪ - ♪ Nothing, nothing ♪
♪ Nothing, nothing ♪ - ♪ Tell 'em I been looking ♪
♪ For God's love ♪
- ♪ Just when I thought I lost it all ♪
"To my beloved daughter, Rebecca Belle.
"With you always in love,
Mama."
- ♪ Love was there all the time ♪
- ♪ Your love, your love, your love, your love ♪
- ♪ Love was there all the time ♪
- ♪ It was there all the time ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ ♪
- We were supposed to present
as the perfect couple in perfect harmony,
as we pushed my perfect new album.
- I thought being authentic would make us more relatable.
Should I have run that by your father?
- Don't make this about Daddy.
This is about us. - No, they're one
and the same, as far as I can tell.
We're not married to each other,
we're married to the kingdom--
your father saw to that.
[tense music]
♪ ♪
[downtempo music]
♪ ♪
- You work with all these people?
- Most of 'em.
You can hear my touch in their tracks.
- Migos-- Zyan's on tour with 'em.
- That right?
- You pull some strings?
- You don't think he could have done it himself?
- I know you didn't want him in the studio.
- [scoffs]
I don't want him in your life.
He's--he's bad for you.
- You don't know that.
- I've seen it many times. It's like a cliché.
Bad boyfriend ruins promising young singer's career.
- That what happened with my mom?
- No, it isn't.
That was...
professional jealousy.
- I been listening to my song--our song.
Makes me feel like my mom's still with me.
- Music keeps memories alive.
One of the few ways to be immortal.
- That's what I want to do with Dani.
I wanna make sure people never, ever forget her.
Look, I know you said it ain't gospel,
but Taj said--
- Taj said?
- You weren't interested, he was.
All right, we just worked on it a little bit.
- I'm your producer, Taj is not.
- Then produce me.
- I'm trying. - All of me.
Don't just ignore how much this means to me.
- Well...
You gotta walk before you run.
- [scoffs]
- Your next step is joining us at worship shed.
- A what?
- It's where gospel artists come together, worship,
experience God, and write.
- Sounds like church to me.
And how is this supposed to help me with Dani's song?
- It'll give you a chance to see how some songs are birthed.
Give it a chance. Keep an open mind.
I think you're gonna be surprised.
Oh, and Chandler Moore is gonna be joining us.
- Who?
- Someone you should know.
He's a songwriter with an incredible testimony.
- [sighs]
- I have found the perfect person
to sing with you on "The Me You See."
- Oh?
- Essence.
- Essence?
Taj's Essence?
The Essence leading him astray?
- Superstar Essence.
Essence who has millions of followers.
Essence who has made it no secret
that she wants to sing gospel, and will bring
millions of listeners to Gospel
who will then want to hear and buy more
from you.
That Essence.
- You're serious?
- Yes.
- Did your brother put you up to this?
- No, actually. Uh, it was all my idea.
- I wouldn't boast about that.
- You know all the noise that Caesar made
with Rbel's duet with her mother?
- [huffs]
- If you do this collaboration with Essence,
it will crush that
and bury it.
- So who will produce it? You?
- Yes, with Taj's help.
- Taj? A little awkward, don't you think?
- He wants to.
I think this is his olive branch.
You know, his way of saying,
I know I messed up, and I wanna make it right.
- He said that?
- Not in so many words, you know, but--
- Okay.
I want to hear him say, "I'm sorry."
And I want to sit down with Essence,
make sure she's right with God
before I jump on a track with her.
- Great.
♪ ♪
[clears throat]
- I have to say, it is humbling
being in the presence of gospel royalty.
- Aw, you're very sweet.
But you're queen of your own realm.
- I grew up listening to your music.
My mother played it.
And when she finds out that I am gonna sing
with Denita Jordan-- if you approve, of course--
oh, she's gonna tell everybody.
I mean, everybody.
- When did you know you wanted to sing gospel?
- I always have.
I mean, it's one of the many things
that attracted me to your son.
- Mm. - Such a talented producer.
- So Essence, what's your testimony?
- Uh, your story.
What is your reason for wanting to sing gospel?
- Oh.
I just love the way it sounds.
I mean, it gets the people moving,
it gets them all stirred up.
- Gospel sound's one thing,
but the power's in the anointing.
Do you have a covering?
- [clears throat] - Um...
- Wh--where do you go to church?
- Oh. I don't.
[dramatic music]
I'm more spiritual than religious.
- I see.
- You know, I think we all could be more spiritual
- Mm-hmm.
- Well, it's easier to sing about Him
when you actually know Him.
- Or Her.
- What the?
- Mm-mm. I think I'm good--
- Uh, Essence was so gracious
to squeeze us into her schedule before she leaves for tour.
- Oh, I--I couldn't pass up this opportunity.
- But we have to do it today.
♪ ♪
- Well...
I'll leave the details to C.J. and Taj, then.
♪ ♪
Anything else, Taj?
- No. You?
♪ ♪
- I guess not.
♪ ♪
[piano playing slowly]
♪ ♪
- You know, shame has a way of crippling you.
You know, boxing you in,
stopping all of your progression.
♪ ♪
It keeps you in hiding and broken, if you let it.
What happened to me as a child, it changed me.
I mean, I didn't know who I was.
I mean, I didn't even know what I was.
But grace changed that for me.
You know, I believe that God gives me songs out of my pain.
And some of the most beautiful things come out of the ashes,
out of your painful moments.
♪ ♪
You know, and grace taught me
that my past didn't have to determine my future.
[peaceful music]
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Your grace, Your grace ♪
♪ ♪
♪ There's nothing like it ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Still hard to believe it ♪
♪ ♪
♪ But still, You always give in ♪
♪ Oh, Your grace ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And it's always reaching ♪
♪ Right now, it's reaching me ♪
♪ ♪
♪ The story is still being written ♪
♪ Because of grace ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And when I look back, I remember ♪
♪ The hand that held me ♪
♪ And when I look back, I remember ♪
♪ The love that kept me ♪
♪ So many other places I imagined to be ♪
♪ But here with grace and me ♪
♪ Oh, Your grace ♪
♪ ♪
all: ♪ Thank you, Jesus ♪ - ♪ Ooh ♪
all: ♪ I'm not where I should be ♪
- ♪ I'm not where should I be ♪
- ♪ This is my testimony ♪
♪ Yeah ♪ - ♪ Oh, yeah ♪
all: ♪ Thank You, Jesus ♪
♪ You have redeemed me ♪
♪ You have, yes, You have ♪
♪ Thank You, Jesus ♪ - ♪ I just wanna thank You ♪
all: ♪ Thank you, Jesus ♪
♪ I'm not where I should be ♪
- ♪ I'm not where, I'm not where ♪
- ♪ Thank you, Jesus ♪ all: ♪ Thank you, Jesus ♪
♪ You have redeemed me ♪
- ♪ You have... ♪ all: ♪ You have redeemed me ♪
- ♪ Thank You, thank You, You have... ♪
all: ♪ You have redeemed me ♪
- ♪ Redeemed me ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Oh ♪
- I don't know how you got Mom to agree to this...
- Ooh.
- But--[chuckles] Essence is excited.
- Well, thank you for making it happen.
I know how crazy her schedule is.
- Yeah, she happened to have this one tiny window
and didn't want the negotiations to drag on and on.
- Right.
- Which is why she's keeping her reps out of it.
- Mm.
- Because she knew that they'd ask for the moon,
and I told her gospel doesn't have money that she's used to.
- Mm, no.
Well, thanks.
Uh, I'm looking at this,
and we can do most of the riders--
room temp, room light, fresh flowers,
food and drink preference, but...
- Mm-hmm?
- A new toilet seat, the masseur, and burning sage?
- That's to clear the air.
- Of?
- Unclean spirits?
- Now-- - I don't--I don't know, okay?
She's not a diva, okay? She's not.
- Okay.
No more than our mom. [chuckles]
- Well, you don't have to worry about the masseur,
because she has one that travels with her.
- Now, see-- - [laughs]
- [laughing] Diva. - Hey.
- [sighs heavily]
[soft dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- Oh, excuse me.
- No, excuse me.
I'm sorry, I was just looking for a little privacy.
Uh, you know, I always get a massage before I sing.
It just... [sighs heavily]
it relaxes me,
it improves my airflow.
Just helps my voice.
♪ ♪
I could leave.
- No, no.
As long as you're here, continue, please.
- Would you like a massage?
His hands are magical.
- [chuckles softly] Thank you.
That's all right.
- Okay.
♪ ♪
[sighs heavily]
[keyboard tapping]
[whoosh]
- [sighs]
[whoosh]
- Hey.
Got a minute?
I know you're probably thinking, "Why am I here?"
I get it.
I felt the same way when I first started
coming to these worship sessions.
- Hmm...
yeah, everybody here seems to have it all together.
Probably come from perfect, little families
and live perfect, little lives.
Like you.
- Nah.
Ain't nobody here perfect. [chuckles]
Especially not me.
There's a lot of me you don't see.
- But the way you sang that song...
- Bro...
when I was at my lowest point in life,
grace saved me.
I struggled with depression and anxiety so bad.
I didn't even know if I wanted to be here.
That song is a part of my testimony.
- Yeah, I'm not even sure I have a testimony...
let alone sing or write about it.
- Of course you do.
I mean, it's what you've been through--
your journey, your challenges.
Sometimes we try to bottle it up inside,
but when you can get it out through a song,
It's like-- it's like freedom.
- [chuckles]
- If you knew my whole story, you'd understand.
- So what changed?
- My perspective, my prayers,
and my focus
on what I knew God can do in me and through me.
[soft dramatic music]
- Yeah.
I wish things could change for me.
- They can and they have.
Look at you, Rbel.
You're beautiful, okay? - [chuckles softly]
- You are talented.
Your song just went viral.
I mean, people are starting to know your name.
Listen, you are blessed, Rbel.
Grace has certainly found you.
♪ ♪
- [chuckles softly]
- Listen, I really respect Essence.
I mean, she's been at the top of the pop charts since...
- Oh, yes. - Forever.
[both chuckle]
But do you realize that you're basically sleeping
with a younger version of our mom?
[dramatic hip-hop music]
♪ ♪
Just think about it. - Mm-mm.
- I've been looking forward to this.
- Not as much as me. - Aw.
- Just sayin'. - [chuckles]
[phones chimes]
- Hey, ladies. You guys ready to try one?
- Yeah. - Here we go.
- Say a prayer. - I am way ahead of you.
- ♪ How do you feel when you look at me ♪
♪ When I'm not my best, is it hard to see? ♪
♪ Do I let you down? ♪
both: ♪ No, you're still my child-- ♪
- ♪ Child like-- ♪ - Okay, we're gonna stop.
Uh, Denita, you're stepping on Essence's line.
It's a-- it's a duet.
- Gotcha.
- Okay, so we're gonna take it again from there.
[delicate piano music]
♪ ♪
- ♪ Cause I know the plans ♪
both: ♪ That I have for you ♪
♪ To prosper your life-- ♪ - Oh, my God.
- ♪ And make all things new ♪
♪ It's on the way ♪
- ♪ How much can I take? ♪ - ♪ How much can I take? ♪
♪ Please trust me when I say ♪
both: ♪ The me you see ♪
- ♪ I'm never far-- ♪
- ♪ It's just so hard to believe ♪
- Why? Why is she over-singing her?
- You know her.
- ♪ I need to know that... ♪
both: ♪ You're working together on things ♪
♪ [singing over each another] ♪
- This is your session. Stop it now, please.
[rock music build-up]
- Okay, I'm not getting the duet vibe--still.
So we're gonna take it again,
and then next time, we'll split the tracks.
But for now, while we're here,
let's take a run at the bridge, shall we?
Okay.
[rock music build-up]
- ♪ My God supplies all my needs ♪
♪ So I know He sees me ♪
- ♪ I'm glad His favor's on me ♪
♪ I know He sees where I'll be ♪
- ♪ But still His love will prevail ♪
♪ If I stay strong and believe ♪
- ♪ But I'm the head, not the tale ♪
♪ Don't forget that when you leave ♪
- ♪ But I ain't goin' nowhere 'cause His hand is on me ♪
- Oh, dear. Taj, get your mother.
- Uh-uh, uh-uh. - Just--
- ♪ 'Cause I'm free ♪ - ♪ Pray to let everything go ♪
- ♪ The devil don't want no smoke ♪
- ♪ See, I'm so glad I've been changed ♪
- ♪ Don't ever forget my name ♪
- [vocalizes intensely]
- ♪ See me ♪ - ♪ See me ♪
- ♪ The devil's a lie ♪ - ♪ I'm about that life ♪
- ♪ But not tonight ♪ - ♪ Girl, say bye-bye ♪
♪ See me, yeah ♪
♪ Little girl ♪
[quirky tense music]
What?
♪ ♪
- I want this to be amazing.
Are you gonna stand up to her?
- This is her world.
And if you want to play in it, you gotta play by her rules.
But I happen to know 'em all.
And I will make sure that you get a gospel song
that you love.
♪ ♪
- Okay. [chuckles]
- You asked me to produce.
- I allowedyou to produce.
- Well, we're here now.
So let me do what I'm here to do,
which is help your brilliance shine.
You're always going to win a singing battle,
but for this song, we have to prove
that we can dominate the charts.
[soft dramatic music]
- Okay, we're back. Let's go again, y'all.
[delicate piano music]
♪ ♪
- Rbel, come on up here.
Y'all, give it for Rbel. Y'all, give it up.
[chatter and applause]
♪ ♪
♪ You have redeemed me ♪
♪ You have, you have, oh, Jesus ♪
♪ ♪
- You got this.
- That song that you sang that went viral--
all right, have y'all seen it?
I mean, that was-- it was amazing.
I mean, so dope.
It spoke to me in so many ways.
You know, we often wonder if anyone can hear us,
if anybody feels our pain.
God does.
I mean, His grace proves that.
- I'm not sure I know what grace is.
- Of course you do.
I mean, it's the reason
you're standing here right now.
I mean, I bet you can sing about it.
[chuckles]
- Nah, I can't.
This isn't me.
- You can. You can. You just sing what you feel.
Sing what you feel.
♪ ♪
- I feel...
lost.
- Well, start with that,
and just sing from your heart.
♪ ♪
- ♪ I'm not where I wanna be ♪
♪ But thank God ♪
♪ I'm not where I used to be ♪
♪ No, I'm not ♪
♪ Your grace and Your mercy found me ♪
♪ Thank God, Thank God You found me ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, Lord ♪
♪ You found me ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Ooh, Your grace ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪
- Wow.
[cheers and applause] Yeah.
Amazing. Amazing.
So good.
[somber music]
♪ ♪
- [whispering] You gotta calm down, CJ.
- Hey, your mom still didn't apologize to me yet, so...
CJ.
Hey, you good?
You been crying?
- Taj, I'm in way over my head with this.
- No, you're not.
- I don't know what I was thinking.
- No, you're not.
This duet is a great idea,
and you're going to produce an amazing song, okay?
I know it.
I wish you could see yourself the way that I see you.
The way that God sees you.
Sis, I'm so proud of you.
I'm so proud of you.
Okay? - Thank you, Taj.
Thank you.
I'm working with the church counselor on all of this.
I'm just still kinda...
- Good, but you still need to see a licensed therapist
or doctor, okay?
- Yeah. [door creaks]
Okay. - You got it.
- Thank you.
[clears throat]
Ladies, you both are here for the same reasons.
- Charting. - Praising.
- Okay.
God has brought us all here,
together in this room, to share His message.
So let Him use us.
We're gonna do it again, and this time,
we're gonna come from a place of reverence and humility.
All right.
[soft gospel music playing]
both: ♪ See me ♪
♪ When storms fill the nights ♪
♪ See me ♪
♪ When love don't feel right ♪
♪ See me ♪
♪ Here comes your suddenly ♪
- ♪ Mm ♪
both: ♪ Life's not easy ♪
♪ So remember the me ♪
♪ You see ♪
♪ ♪
- Whoo! - Gift of your mom.
Wow. - So good!
- All right, I see why they call you the queen.
- [laughs] Thank you.
I like her.
- No, it's all about her.
This the queen right here.
- Okay.
I'll admit it. Song's gonna kill.
- [laughs]
- Why didn't you tell me you wanted to produce?
You're good at this.
- No one ever asked me.
- Well, you did your thing with this.
- I learned from the best.
[upbeat music]
♪ ♪
- Oh, thank you.
This brought us closer,
and I feel more like family now.
- Oh, I'm--I'm glad.
- And I think your mother likes me.
- Yeah, I did hear her say that.
- Aw, baby, I gotta run. My plane is waiting for me.
But when I get back,
let's pick up right where we left off.
- Ooh. [both laugh]
Have a safe flight, baby.
- The queen! - Bye.
There you are. I'm still waiting.
- Um, for what?
- Your apology.
- My apology? What about yours, Mom?
How could you cut me off so easily
after everything I've done?
- I cut you from the label, not the family or the church.
- It's the same thing, Ma.
- Really?
♪ ♪
- God bless you, sis.
- You led me to believe that Taj was sorry.
Then you turned around and did the same thing to him
to get this song recorded.
I didn't know you had it in you.
- What are you doing? You shouldn't be here.
- I know who started the fire in my club.
Yo' bitch.
- First, watch how you refer to the First Lady.
Second, you're either mistaken or you're lying.
- I got the surveillance footage.
It's her.
No mistaking it.
You're lucky I got to it
before the arson investigators did.
- [sighs] How much to make this go away?
- It's not about that.
[tense music]
There wasn't much damage, and...
the insurance money came through.
We'll be open by Amateur Night.
- Then what do you want?
- I'm here to deliver a message.
Your friends prefer discretion,
and your wife is drawing too much attention.
You need to check her.
Get your house in order, or your access will be cut off.
- What, completely?
- No more favors or covering up your dirt.
♪ ♪
I'm just the messenger.
But if the First Lady steps out of line again,
the next thing to burn...
will be this building.
♪ ♪
- Now, what has my bride beaming like this?
[both laugh]
- Seein' a new path forward, honey.
This is going to be my new office.
- Hmm.
- We made magic in the booth today.
- Oh, so that song from my heart
was the gift that I thought it was.
- Yes, it was. - I knew it.
So did your mother when she stole it from me.
[both laugh]
- Once it's a hit
and you're known as a hit songwriter,
you'll be able to record all of your songs.
- Ah, as long as you produce me.
- I got you. [laughs]
[soft music]
♪ ♪
- Taj?
[laughs]
You did not have to come check on me.
- I was on my way home from the recording session
with my mom and Essence.
- With your girlfriend and your mom, huh?
What was that like?
- Uh...it was...
enlightening.
So that text you sent, you sounded like
you were really going through it.
- Caesar had me in this writing session
with Chandler Moore.
- Chandler?
Okay.
Well, you don't need me no more.
- I don't know. - [laughs]
- I kind of like where we were going.
- Me too.
Well, we can keep working on it, if you want.
And only if Chandler's busy.
- Okay. All right. Okay.
[laughs]
- That, uh, text you sent...
♪ ♪
- I felt like Caesar was tryin' to...
you know, take me to church.
And it brought back a lot of memories
of feeling...
unwelcomed and unworthy.
- Not all church folk are kinfolk.
- [inhales deeply] - I know.
Ignorant people in the church hurt you,
so you feel like all of the church hurt you.
Well, as a--as a part of the church,
I want to say I'm sorry.
We're sorry.
♪ ♪
- It all went away when I started to sing.
All those feelings,
they just went away.
And I felt accepted.
I felt...
grace, I guess.
Those people, they're different.
You're different.
I really wish Dani could've met you.
- I feel like I'm getting to know her through you.
♪ ♪
- Uh, do you...
- No, I'm-- uh, nah, I should go.
- Okay. All right. - Uh, you good?
- Yeah, I'm good.
- You sure? - Yup.
- Have a good night. - Good night.
♪ ♪
- A fire? Really? You're a arsonist now?
- I don't know what you're talking about.
- They have footage, Denita.
What possessed you to set Vivid on fire?
- I didn't. - Denita!
- Not the club.
A little dumpster fire. - [sighs]
- And then it grew
and grew and grew.
- Look, why start a fire at all?
- That man came after our family,
our son.
He had a video of Taj
inside the very place that I was protesting.
- [sighs]
- And he was about to go public with it.
[tense music]
This footage, it's...
- Handled.
But you were impulsive and reckless and wrong.
- I made a mistake.
I've prayed about it.
I've been forgiven.
- Forgiveness requires contrition, and...
you don't seem sorry.
- Sorry enough not to make the same mistake twice.
Can you say the same?
- [scoffs]
- I didn't think so.
[chatter and laughter] - [laughs]
I've been busy.
- I can tell. - Yeah.
You miss me?
- Of course. - Mm-hmm.
What you doin' right now?
- I'm working on Dani's song.
- Damn, late to be working.
- I got inspired.
[phone chimes]
What you doin', sendin' me pictures?
- [laughs] Nah, not this time.
[dramatic music]
- It's the detective.
- What'd she say?
Rbel, what'd she say?
♪ ♪
- They got him.
- ♪ Know eventually, everything works out for me ♪
♪ So take the wheel, I'ma chill, I'm just riding ♪
[sirens wailing]
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ Lord, help me wade ♪
♪ Father, Father, forgive ♪
♪ We don't want no problems out here ♪
♪ We tryna live ♪
choir: ♪ Get up ♪
♪ Some black morning, Jesus calling ♪
♪ Wake up ♪
♪ A new beginning, this time, we winning ♪
♪ Look up ♪
♪ The kingdom's in me, [indistinct] ♪
♪ What's up? ♪
♪ God's behind me, I'ma keep on fighting ♪
♪ Get up, get up, get up, get up ♪
♪ Get up ♪