Original subtitles

[music]

What's all this?

What do you mean?

Dylan, don't tell me you forgot about the research assignment!

Oh, I didn't forget.

Oh, good!

Because I don't even know what research assignment

you're talking about.

Everyone has to present

their history research topic today for approval!

Since when?!

Since Mr. Elliot became history sub two weeks ago

and told us to do it.

Wait, for reals?

I thought that was a joke!

I'm sure I'm not the only one who forgot.

Nope, you are.

You'd better think of something fast.

Well then, what's your topic on, Christian?

The history of you always having toilet paper on your shoe?

[Christian] Man!

Dylan, what are you gonna do?!

No problem.

I'll fake somethin' up on the fly.

You mean make something up?

No, he means fake something up.

He's good at faking last minute,

and pretending it wasn't last minute.

It's kind of like... freestyling.

So, what exactly do I have to do?

Find a period of history that interests you,

and talk about it.

Oh, okay. I can do this.

Well, I hope so.

Otherwise you're gonna fail this class

and have to take it again next year.

As long as I don't have to go first,

I'll think of somethin'.

Salutations, young scholars!

Let's expedite you selling me on your history topics.

Since you're already standing, why don't you go first, Dylan?

Dylan who?

Okay.

Imagine an ancient New York City.

Ooh! Interesting.

That's right. The '80s.

That's interesting...

Wait. What's that sound?

Is that the sound of the history of hip hop?

I think it is.

Wait, what's that sound?

Is that the sound of Dylan repeating history next year?

I think it is.

[music]

* Ma knew I wasn't foolin', not a regular guy *

* Everybody follow me, I'mma take you on a trip *

* Buckle up, let's go, I'mma get you all a hit *

* I'm a star, came up from a block in Chi-Town *

* Livin' large

* I'm tryin' to balance school and these bars *

* Came far, ain't no better feeling *

* I tell 'em, you gon' love Young Dylan *

* Young Dylan, Young Dylan Young Dylan, Young Dylan *

* Tell 'em you gon' love Young Dylan *

[door opening]

-Hey, baby. -Hey, Grandma.

What are you doing?

Well, your mom and dad are out runnin' errands,

so I thought I'd sneak some of Yasmine's polish

while she was gone.

That woman's talents are questionable,

but her polish game is strong!

Bethany.

My mama's gone.

Her fancy and expensive nail polish

is just sitting up there...

unprotected.

What are we waiting for?

So, how was school?

Great!

The lunch lady gave me

an extra scoop of mashed potatoes,

and I didn't even have to ask!

And my research topic was approved.

That is a good day!

Dylan?

Did your topic get approved?

Yes and no...

Mostly no.

You wanna explain that?

Well, I may have forgotten to do it.

Dylan...

But I was gonna freestyle it,

and I even came up with the perfect subject

right on the spot!

The history of hip hop.

But Mr. Elliot shut it down.

He sure did. It was pretty embarrassing.

For Dylan, not for me.

He said the history of hip hop wasn't a "serious subject".

But it is to me!

It's the most important music in my life.

So, that's it? You just fail?

No, Mr. Elliot said that

since Dylan wants to talk about music and New York,

he should research the history of the Harlem Renaissance.

Yeah, I have one day to research and prepare

an entire presentation.

But it sounds so boring.

Boring? It is not boring at all.

In fact, the Harlem Renaissance

was an important era for our people.

When you think of the music and the poetry of the time...

There is a clear connection between it and hip hop.

If that's so true,

then how come I never heard about the Harlem Renaissance?

It doesn't sound like it has anything to do with me

or what I do.

Dylan, Charlie, sit down.

I'm gonna tell you about the Harlem Renaissance.

I actually heard about it before,

-so I'm just gonna go... -[Viola] Charlie.

Sit your behind down.

Yes, ma'am.

It was a...

magical time.

It was an important time.

Yo, what is she lookin' at?

I have no idea.

The year was 1927.

1927?!

Whoa, her eyesight's good!

Back then, people didn't always value

the contributions of African Americans.

During the Harlem Renaissance,

some very important people challenged that notion.

They proved that African Americans

were intelligent, valuable, and equal.

And that we could be whatever we wanted!

If we set our minds to it.

There were folks like the great poet,

Langston Hughes.

Ella Fitzgerald, now she could sing her face off!

There was Josephine Baker, she could sing and dance.

She was the toast of Paris, France.

She wasn't my favorite, though.

And of course, there was Cab Calloway.

He was classy with a capital "C".

We also had some of

the best minds and thinkers of the day,

like W. E. B. Du Bois.

People like W. E. B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes

wrote about how brilliant we were.

We fought for our freedom with our literature, our poetry,

art, and music.

Okay, okay! I'm startin' to feel this.

Oh, Charlie, get my notebook, please.

Appreciate it.

All right.

What else you got, Grandma?

Did they all know each other?

Well, of course they did!

They would all meet up at

a nightclub called the Dark Tower.

It was owned by a woman named A'Lelia Walker.

She was gorgeous, if I do say so myself.

A'Lelia Walker?

Any relation to Madam C. J. Walker,

the first woman to become

a self-made millionaire in America?

Yep!

Madam C.J. Walker was A'Lelia's mother.

Get outta here!

Mm-hm!

All the artists of the day would gather at the Dark Tower.

To debate, sing, dance, fellowship,

and most importantly...

to get inspired.

[music]

[Dylan] Excuse me.

I'm new in town, and I have a few questions.

Sorry, I have to leave.

But he can answer any questions.

That's Langston Hughes.

Tell him James sent you over, and I'll be back later.

Uh-oh...

You might wanna remove that toilet paper

from your shoe before you go.

Dang it!

[music]

[cheers and applause]

Wow! What a doll!

Hey, gorgeous!

I got more drip than ice cream in the summer.

Fresh!

I think she just gave you more drip.

Have a seat.

Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Ella Fitzgerald!

[applause]

* After you've gone and left me crying *

* After you've gone, there's no denying *

* You'll feel blue, you'll feel sad *

* You'll miss the dearest gal you've ever had *

* There'll come a time *

* Now, don't forget it

* There'll come a time

* When you'll regret it

* Someday when you feel lonely *

* Your heart will break like mine *

* And you'll want me, only

* After you've gone

* After you've gone away

Ladies and gentlemen,

Cab Calloway and Josephine Baker!

[music]

* Someday, you'll be down, honey *

* You'll still be with me right back where you started *

* After I've gone

* After I've gone away

[cheers and applause]

Wow!

That was amazing!

It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hughes.

The pleasure's all mine... uh...

Dylan. Young Dylan.

James said it was okay to come over.

He'll be back later.

Excellent.

What do you think of this as a title?

"A Dream Deferred".

Sounds appropriate.

You talk strangely.

Where you from, Young Dylan?

I'm a performer from Chicago.

I wanna be a part of the Renaissance,

and become famous, too.

Then you'll have to talk to Miss A'Lelia Walker.

She owns the Dark Tower.

I like to call her

"The Joy Goddess of Harlem's 1920's."

[Dylan] Thanks! Nice to meet you, Mr. Hughes.

Oh! Mr. Calloway, you are sick.

I am?

[Dylan] No!

Where I'm from, that means you are amazing.

Oh, sounds confusing, but thank you.

Can I ask you a question?

Sure, kid. Make it quick.

Okay.

How can I get an audition to perform here?

I came here to make a name for myself.

Hm, well...

Ah, Josephine Baker. Meet...

Young Dylan.

-Yeah. -Oh!

Aren't you just as cute as can be?

I know. I know, I get that a lot.

You think you can tell that to the doll over there?

Kid wants to audition to perform here.

How exciting!

Well, you'll need to talk to Miss A'Lelia.

So I've been hearin'.

Well, I'm gonna go change.

Au revoir, sweetie.

Au revoir to you, too, Miss Baker.

W. E. B. Du Bois,

what an honor it is for you to join us here tonight.

It is my honor, A'Lelia.

You and your club are the talk of the town!

People of all colors from all over the world

are lined up to get in here.

I know.

[Dylan] Excuse me, Miss A'Lelia.

Yes? Who are you?

Oh, I'm the next big thing. I rap.

You wrap what? Gifts?

No! I rap lyrics.

It's a unique skill.

Oh, and...

not to brag, but I'm really great at it.

It's gonna be what every kid in Harlem wants to do.

And you can say you were there from the beginning.

So... What do you say?

I say...

No.

[music]

[music]

Okay!

Where were we?

The Harlem Renaissance starts our nightclub.

All the greats are there.

But especially Ella Fitzgerald, who could sing like an angel.

And don't forget about the new kid from Chicago

who's tryin' to make a name for himself.

And he just asked Miss A'Lelia Walker

if he could perform, but she said no.

Oh, yeah.

Well...

How can you say no?!

You haven't even heard what I could do yet.

Sorry.

I'm not gonna change my mind on this.

Please, Miss A'Lelia. If I could just...

[A'Lelia] I don't have time to talk about this right now.

[music]

Hello, A'Lelia.

It's quite a crowd you got here tonight.

My boss, Lucky Luciano,

head of the New York crime family,

sends his regards.

What does Luciano want?

He's lookin' for a guy named James.

Comes in here a lot.

And usually has toilet paper stuck to his shoe!

He scraped the boss's car, and left a note on the window.

I don't know James.

If he left a note, he sounds like a standup guy.

Did the right thing.

Yeah, that's why the boss wants me to thank him repeatedly.

To the face!

Like I said...

I don't know James.

All right.

Well, if he ain't here, he ain't here.

Might as well stick around and enjoy the show.

You know...

I think she's lyin'.

I'm gonna stick around until that James shows up.

We have to get word to James that he has to get out of here,

or he's done for!

Excuse me, my good man.

Yo, James, you need to get outta here.

You know the car you scraped up and left a note on

belonged to Lucky Luciano?!

[James] Seriously?! I have the worst luck!

And it gets worse.

Lucky's goon is here, looking for you!

[James] What?! Thanks for the tip.

[music]

Run!

You get back here!

[music]

[Goon] Ah-ha!

[police sirens]

It's the cops!

You're lucky, kid!

[police sirens] [music]

You good?

Yo!

You good, man?

Thanks for the assist.

A few minutes later, and I would've been a goner.

No problem, man.

I'm glad we got back here in time to hear this amazing story.

That Dark Tower Club is heatin' up!

I know, poor James.

I feel bad for everyone,

'cause they only got to hear Ella Fitzgerald sing one song.

Viola...

are you wearin' my nail polish?

Bethany and Rebecca used it, too.

Grandma, I thought the history of the Harlem Renaissance

was gonna be boring, but it's not!

Please tell me it all worked out at the end.

Well...

Hey, Mr. Du Bois!

I saw you talking to Miss Walker earlier.

You think you can put in a good word for me,

so I can hit the stage?

I don't even know what you do, son.

Are you a musician? A poet?

Well, I'm kinda right there in between.

You know, I'm an emcee.

I put poetry into music, then I spit in the mic.

No, sir!

A gentleman doesn't spit!

Particularly into a microphone that everyone else has to use!

Gross!

[applause]

All right, all right, all right.

The Dark Tower Club is in for a real treat tonight.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage

Mr. Langston Hughes.

What happens to a dream differed?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore and then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat,

or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode? 'Splode, 'splode?

[snapping]

Play anything!

Yeah.

* Good to know where you're goin', know where you been *

* Start a Renaissance go there again *

* Fly tailored suits we can wear again *

* The dream never died, it's somewhere within *

* I be in the groove like Langston Hughes *

* Lyricist and poet all thanks to you *

* Write about the times that we made it through *

* And get Ella Fitzgerald to sing the blues *

* Du Bois wrote about the soul of Blacks *

* Niagara Movement wasn't holdin' back *

* Cab Calloway, man, you gots to love *

* He always got it poppin' at the Cotton Club *

* Self-made Madam Walker

* A'Lelia Walker, Madam's daughter *

* Dark Tower, party so classy

* Teach you all about it if you just ask me *

* Harlem Renaissance, Black excellence *

* Tell all the brothers be their best again *

* Tell all the sisters get dressed to win *

* 'Cause I'm goin' down in history next to them *

* Voilà *

[cheers and applause]

Hey, kid.

You turned that music into... somethin' else.

Yeah, I call it hip hop.

[All] Hip hop?

I don't know much about that, but look, A'Lelia,

I think you should let Dylan perform here once a week.

As a favor to me. What do you say?

I say...

No.

[all groaning]

But I will let him perform here every night.

This is great!

I wanna be a legend, just like all of you.

Tell you what, kid.

You gotta be willing to do the work.

[Josephine] And...

make a lot of sacrifices.

I'm dedicated, I promise.

Do you take your studies seriously in school?

An artist has to commit to learning.

Langston is right.

You can't create art that will teach

if you haven't committed to learning yourself.

I feel you.

Oh.

[music]

[music]

* Tell all the sisters get dressed to win *

* 'Cause I'm goin' down in history next to them *

* Voilà *

And that was the Harlem Renaissance!

It was a magical time, an important time.

Thank you.

Dylan, I owe you an apology.

Not only did you do the assignment,

but you proved to me that hip hop's history

rests within the Harlem Renaissance.

I know, I like to teach the needy.

And teach you did!

I think for your next history assignment,

you can do it on the history of hip hop!

Hold up, Mr. Elliot!

Let's not get too crazy.

This is a one and done.

We'll see about that.

[music]

[music]

[music]

[Nickelodeon theme]