THEY ARE THE TEAM TO BEAT, BUT EVEN ANOTHER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP STILL WON'T GET YOU A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP.

IN COMPETITIVE STEPPING NO ONE HAS DREAMS OF GOING PRO.

BUT THESE YOUNG MEN FROM ST. LOUIS, FERGUSON'S THEIR BACKYARD, THEIR REALITY.

THEY KEEP COMING BACK TO EXHAUSTING PRACTICES AND A COACH WHO DEMANDS THEY GET IT RIGHT, ON STAGE, IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THE STREETS, WHERE A MISSTEP COULD COST YOU YOUR LIFE.

YOU CAME TO SEE THE GENTLEMEN OF VISION.

HEAR MY VOICE CLAP ONCE.

[CLAP] HEAR MY VOICE CLAP TWICE.

[CLAP, CLAP] ALL RIGHT.

NOW I DON'T WHO CALLED THE CALL AS FAR AS GOING ON STAGE STEPPING RIGHT NOW, BUT WE HAVE A SYSTEM WITH GENTLEMEN OF VISION HOW WE RUN OURSELVES.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHO MADE THE CALL.

ARE YOU A CAPTAIN?

OKAY PUSHUP TIME.

AND THEN I HAD CAPTAINS WHO FOLLOWED HIM ON STAGE.

PUSHUP POSITION.

LET'S GO.

WE HAVE TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AROUND HERE.

WE'RE MISSING A LOT OF PEOPLE MR. PRESIDENT, MR. VICE PRESIDENT.

WHERE THE TEAM AT, MAN?

OH MAN, THIS CIRCLE SHOULD BE FULL.

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS IS ALL I ASK FOR.

WE'RE MISSING A LOT OF PEOPLE 49, 50.

WHAT?

NO SIR.

NO SIR.

14, LET'S GO.

I WANT TO WELCOME YOU ALL BACK.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

[INAUDIBLE] ANYBODY WANT TO TALK?

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND IT STARTS WITH EVERYBODY SITTING NEXT TO YOU, IT STARTS WITH THE MAN TO YOUR RIGHT AND TO YOUR LEFT.

WE'RE ONLY AS STRONG AS OUR WEAKEST LINK RIGHT NOW.

AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A LOT OF WEAK LINKS.

ARE YOU PRACTICING?

YES SIR.

CAN'T HEAR YOU.

YES SIR.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

YES SIR.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

YES SIR.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

YES SIR.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

YES SIR.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

YES SIR.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

YES SIR.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

YES SIR.

TEN YEARS FROM NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME BACK AND SAY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOU AND YOUR LIFE?

TEN YEARS FROM NOW.

WORKING ON MY DOCTORATE IN PSYCHIATRY.

GAME DESIGNER.

WORKING ON WRITING MY BOOK.

FINISHING UP MY MD-PH.D.

I WANT TO BE IN THE ARMY.

A CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST.

ONE OF THE TOP DRUMMERS AROUND THE WORLD.

BEING A MECHANICAL ENGINEER.

AND WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THAT YOU CAN FULFILL ALL THOSE DREAMS BUT IN 2015-16 THAT YOU ALL LOST ALL OF YOUR NATIONAL COMPETITIONS?

WE'VE GOT OUR DREAMS, BUT WE HAVE A REUNION YOU ALL WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT LOSING.

HOW WOULD YOU ALL FEEL ABOUT THAT?

IT'S OUR SENIOR YEAR.

I'M NOT TRYING TO TAKE NO L'S MY SENIOR YEAR.

THE FUTURE IS IN WHOSE HANDS?

OURS.

CAN'T HEAR YOU.

OURS.

ARE WE READY TO PRACTICE?

YES SIR.

ARE WE READY TO PRACTICE?

YES SIR!

ARE WE READY TO PRACTICE?

YES SIR!

ALRIGHT.

BOOT CAMP, BABY.

LET'S DO IT.

STEP TEAM.

ATTENTION.

THAT'S WEAK.

THAT'S WEAK.

5-6-7-8.

KEEP THOSE ARMS STRAIGHT.

HE'S HOT HEADED.

IRRATIONAL.

READY, HALT.

WHEN SOMEBODY THINKS IT'S ALL ABOUT THEM, WE'LL LET THEM GO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD AND WE KEEP MOVING.

WHAT'S GOING THROUGH HIS HEAD?

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

WHAT IS HE --YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

SHANNON, YOU'RE PLAYING WITH MY EMOTIONS.

HE'S LIKE A CRAZY UNCLE.

READY, HALT.

LIKE ONE OF THOSE UNCLE'S THAT JUST SPAZ OUT OF NOWHERE.

WE'RE DOING IT AGAIN.

GO.

[STEPPING] HONOR ROLL THIS YEAR?

YES.

HONOR ROLL THIS YEAR?

HONOR ROLL THIS YEAR?

Y'ALL SAY YOU'RE PRACTICING, BUT Y'ALL DIDN'T KEEP YOUR WORD.

IF YOU CAN GET FORTY BLACK MALES INTO ONE PLACE WITHOUT NO ARGUMENTS AND NOTHING VIOLENT, JUST TO KEEP US STEPPING AND STUFF?

THAT'S A GOOD MENTOR.

NEW PEOPLE, PLEASE LISTEN TO ME.

THIS IS AN ACCELERATED TEAM.

WE'RE NOW NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD.

IF IT WAS EASY ANYBODY WOULD BE HERE.

YOU ALL MADE IT THIS FAR.

JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS WHICH SOME OF YOU ALL ARE DOING IS NOT GOING TO GET YOU ON STAGE HERE.

YOU'VE GOT TO PUT ENERGY TO IT AND SOME FLAVOR TO IT.

LIKE NOW IT'S A PLAIN BAG OF POTATO CHIPS.

BACK TO YOUR POST.

YOU CAN START ANYWHERE BUT KEEP MOVING.

LET'S GO.

JUMP.

BOUNCE.

YOU'RE TAKING HERSHEY'S SPOT.

SHOW ME SOMETHING.

UH-UH-UH-BOOM.

WHAT WAS THAT?

GET YOUR BUTT DOWN THERE.

GET OUT OF MY SIGHT.

OH MY GOD.

YOU LOOK LIKE A LITTLE TARANTULA.

BY YOURSELF.

YOU WERE BORN BY YOURSELF.

5-6-7-8.

OH MY GOD.

LAY YOURSELF OUT THERE, MAN.

WHERE'S YOUR ENERGY?

OH, MY GOD.

DISASTROUS.

SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MISS A DAY OF PRACTICE?

IT'S LIKE MISSING A LIFETIME.

SO NOW YOU'RE AS LOST AS AN EASTER EGG AND WE GOTTA GET THIS THING DONE.

* COME ON.

COME ON, WILLIAM, SKELETON.

* WELL, SHOW ME SOMETHING, MAN.

5-6-7-8.

* I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T.

PLEASE GET OUT OF MY SIGHT.

PLEASE GETETETETET S SIGHT.

ABOUT FACE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY EVERYBODY'S NOT ON HONOR ROLL.

WHAT'S STOPPING EVERYBODY FROM BEING ON HONOR ROLL?

YOU BEEN PRACTICING, NOODLES?

YES, SIR.

A LITTLE BIT.

A LITTLE BIT?

THAT'S LIKE FEEDING A WHALE A TIC TAC.

IS THAT SATISFYING?

NO, SIR.

YOU NEED TO PRACTICE A LOT.

[CHANTING] LET'S GO NOODLES.

LET'S GO NOODLES.

LET'S GO NOODLES.

THE WAY WE COME UP WITH OUR NAMES IS ALWAYS FUNNY.

IT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST TIMES LIKE YOU'RE JOINING THE ORGANIZATION IS YOU GETTING YOUR NAME, IS YOU GETTING WHAT EVERYBODY'S GONNA CALL YOU FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

I'VE GOT TO GET YOU A STEP NAME.

IT AIN'T COMING TO ME YET.

THEY CALL YOU STREET FIGHTER.

THEY'VE GOT ABOUT TWELVE NAMES FOR YOU.

CA$H-U.

SHENANIGANS.

PISTACHIO, THAT'S CA$H-U'S SON.

IT'S JUST THE HEAD.

DO YOU LIKE THE STEP NAME SHADOW?

I DON'T WANT TO BE IN HIS SHADOW.

NO, NOT HIS SHADOW, JUST AS A STEP NAME SHADOW.

OH, ALL RIGHT.

I DON'T CARE.

ALL RIGHT, SHADOW WAS BORN TODAY.

[CHANT] LET'S GO SHADOW.

IT'S PALM TREE OVER HERE.

CHEMIST, SLIM SHIMMY, KID, SNOOPY, STREET FIGHTER, KNUCKLES, [LAUGHS] HARRY POTTER.

IF YOU BRING EVERYBODY IN HERE AND YOU BE, LIKE, IS HARRY POTTER WHITE OR BLACK?

EVERYBODY GOING TO BE LIKE, HARRY POTTER IS BLACK.

WE TOOK HIM, WE WON HARRY POTTER AND YOU GUYS CANNOT HAVE HIM BACK.

[STEPPING] COME ON, FELLAS, REMEMBER YOUR COUNTS.

COME ON, FELLAS, REMEMBER YOUR COUNTS.

WHAT YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT AS FAR AS YOUR CAREER?

WHAT UNIVERSITIES HAVE YOU APPLIED?

STEP TEAM HALT.

WILL YOU PLEASE DROP.

YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND YOU STILL HAVE NOT LEARNED THESE STEPS.

PLEASE DROP.

I'M IN A LOW INCOME FAMILY, SO YOU JUST KNOW THE STRUGGLE OF NOT HAVING ANY MONEY.

[STEPPING] YOU HEAR IT ALL THE TIME.

EDUCATION IS KEY.

EDUCATION IS KEY TO SURVIVAL.

UNDER YOUR LEG, SIR, PLEASE.

SO I ACTUALLY WANT TO ATTEND HOWARD UNIVERSITY AND I WANT TO MAJOR IN BIOLOGY.

5-6-7-8.

[STEPPING] * WHEN I GO HOME OF COURSE I CLEAN UP THE HOUSE BECAUSE WHEN MY MOTHER GETS HOME SHE WANTS THE HOUSE CLEANED AND SHE DESERVES THAT.

SHE WORKS TWELVE HOURS A DAY.

WHEN SHE COMES HOME SHE'S TIRED AND SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LAY DOWN, COME HOME TO A FRESH, CLEAN HOUSE.

IF THE MAN OF THE HOUSE IS NOT REALLY THE MAN OF THE HOUSE THEN SOMEBODY HAS TO BE IT.

IT CAUSE ME TO GROW UP REAL FAST.

** I WANT TO BE A CARDIOLOGIST.

CAPTAINS COME FORWARD.

THIS IS YOUR MESS.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO CLEAN THIS?

WE GOT TO FIX THIS, MAN.

WE'RE GOING TO GET THRASHED THIS YEAR.

MR. WHARTON, ONE OF THE THINGS HE'S ALWAYS TOLD ME, IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SOMETHING, THEN YOU DO WHAT YOU CAN AND YOU DO IT BETTER THAN THE PERSON THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DOING IT NOW.

SO, I APOLOGIZE.

YOU KNOW I NEVER DO THAT.

SO, THAT EXPLAINS WHY I'M PRESIDENT.

YOU GOT ONE MORE YEAR BEFORE I KICK YOU OUT.

YOU GOT TO GO TO COLLEGE, RIGHT?

SO LET'S MAKE IT WORK.

I NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WE'RE GOING TO GO AROUND THE ROOM AND ADDRESS ATTIRE.

DRESS SLACKS.

DRESS SHIRT.

BOW TIE OR TIE.

DRESS SHOES.

FIFTY PUSHUPS.

HE'S JUST DRESSED LIKE A HALFWAY THUG.

[LAUGHTER] COME ON, GET DOWN.

CAN YOU KEEP IT DOWN?

GOV, GOV PLEASE KEEP IT DOWN.

OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS FUNDRAISERS.

WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, YOU'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT MONEY-WISE.

YES, YOU'RE SAYING SKATE PARTIES ARE GETTING OLD BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU HAVE TO THINK OF PROFITS.

IT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE FROM A SKATE PARTY.

WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE AT THE DANCES RATHER THAN THE SKATE PARTY.

ALTHOUGH YOU MIGHT BE PROMOTING YOUR HEART OUT, IF THEY'RE NOT FEELING THE SKATING THEN THEY'RE JUST NOT GOING TO SHOW UP.

IF IT MAKES US MONEY THEN IT'S BENEFITING US, AND THEN WE'LL PROBABLY DO IT.

BUT SINCE THE MAJORITY OF THE GROUP DOESN'T WANT TO DO IT, I DON'T SEE THE POINT OF WASTING TIME.

ANYBODY ELSE?

NEW IDEAS ONLY.

CIGARETTE.

I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE A FREE-STYLE SUNDAY.

I GOT A HOMEBOY AND HE CAN DO IT.

LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN.

[LAUGHTER] ARE YOU INSANE?

NO HOMEBOY.

[LAUGHTER] THIS IS WHEN PEOPLE COME OUT AND SHOW THEIR TALENTS.

THEY COME AND DANCE, THEY COME IN.

YOU WANT US TO HAVE A TALENT SHOW.

OKAY, TALENT SHOW WHAT?

OKAY, MOVING FORWARD.

* I BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF STUFF IN MY WHOLE LIFE.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING.

I WISH I COULD ASK MY PARENTS FOR MONEY.

I WISH I COULD HAVE MY DAD AROUND.

I'VE SEEN A LOT OF DEATH IN MY LIFE FROM SOMEBODY GETTING SHOT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.

RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER WAS THE BLOODS AND RIGHT DOWN THE STREET WAS THE CRIPS.

I HAD A TROUBLESOME PAST.

ADDICTED TO DRUGS.

IT WAS JUST, LIKE, SCARY.

PEOPLE GETTING KILLED OVER THINGS LIKE THAT AND IT'S LIKE I DON'T THINK I WANT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF A LIFESTYLE.

HE JUST WHOOPED US.

I GOT KICKED OUT OF THE HOUSE.

MOST OF THE TIME MY FATHER WAS A DRUNK.

THAT SCARRED ME FOR LIFE.

PEOPLE DO DRUGS, NEEDLES AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

IT'S SAD TO SAY BUT THAT'S REALITY.

SOMETIMES I DO WANT TO CRY BUT I JUST GOT TO SUCK IT UP.

WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE THE NEXT BLACK MALE TO GET LOCKED UP?

WE HAVE DREAMS.

* MY MAIN BARRIER, I BELIEVE, IS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

I FEEL AS THOUGH PEOPLE EXPECT A LOT LESS OUT OF ME.

ONCE AGAIN, I'M AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE.

BUT WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE IT'S ABOUT HOW MUCH I'M WILLING TO PROVE THOSE PEOPLE WRONG.

AFTER I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND GENTLEMEN OF VISION I WENT BACK TO MR. WHARTON AND ASKED HOW CAN WE START THIS AT AN EARLIER AGE, HOW CAN WE CONNECT WITH THESE YOUNG MEN AT AN EARLIER AGE?

AND HE SAID I DON'T KNOW QUINTTON, GO HOME AND BRAINSTORM."

SO I WENT HOME OVERNIGHT, DID SOME THINKING .

I CALLED MR. WHARTON AND SAID, "I GOT IT."

I SAID LET'S START YOUNG MEN OF VISION.

AND HE WAS LIKE, "SPILL IT OUT TO ME."

IT WOULD BE SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE GUYS PRETTY MUCH DOING WHAT WE DO WITH GENTLEMEN OF VISION BUT AT AN EARLIER AGE.

5-6-7-8.

1, 2, 3, 4.

AND WE'VE BEEN ROLLING SINCE 2010.

** EVERY TIME WE GO OUT OF TOWN WE TAKE A COLLEGE VISIT.

WE LIKE TO INTRODUCE THIS TO THEM AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE EVERY YEAR, YOU KNOW, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, ON UP TO TWELFTH, SO THEY ARE GAINING MORE COMFORT IN DOING THESE THINGS.

SO NOW WE HAVE OUR SENIORS, THEY CANNOT WAIT TO LEAVE AND GO TO COLLEGE.

YOU'RE NOT ON A BED IN A ROOM WITH SOCKS.

[CHANTING] WE ARE THE GOV.

NINE TIMES CHAMPION.

CAN'T BE BEAT.

WE ARE THE GOV.

WE GET ONE OF OUR FRATERNITY BROTHERS TO SHOW US AROUND THIS COLLEGE, GIVE US SOME HISTORY OF THIS COLLEGE, GIVE ME A LITTLE BACKGROUND OF THIS COLLEGE.

WE ATTEND SCHOOL HERE.

WE TAKE CLASSES HERE.

WE DO MENTORING TOO, SO WE HELP YOUNGER STUDENTS LIKE YOURSELVES AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

NOBODY'S TELLING YOU TO DO ANYTHING.

YOU'VE GOT TO MANAGE YOUR TIME WHEN IT'S GOING TO CLASS.

WE HAVE SOME GOING TO HOWARD.

WE HAVE SOME GOING TO LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, SOME GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CITY.

WE HAVE THEM GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THEY CANNOT WAIT BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY GOT THE EXPOSURE.

THEY ALREADY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN THEY GET THERE.

AND THEY BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES.

THEY KNOW THAT THEY CAN DO IT.

THEY KNOW THAT THEY CAN DO IT AND THEY WILL DO IT.

ZERO THROUGH OUTTRO.

WHEN MR. WHARTON CAME UP WITH THIS VISION IT WAS NOT ONLY JUST ABOUT STEPPING.

IT WAS ABOUT REALLY MENTORING, IT WAS REALLY ABOUT TRAINING UP THE NEW GENERATION TO THINK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY, TO ALSO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK.

WE'RE CAPABLE WHEN WE'RE TOLD WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE TOLD THEY ARE NOT CAPABLE OF DOING SOMETHING.

HE GROUNDED US.

HE GAVE US THAT ROOT.

HE TOLD US WHERE WE COME FROM AND WHERE WE'RE GOING.

YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR LINES AT?

YES SIR.

INTRO FORMATION?

YES SIR.

GET YOUR FACES ON.

GOV OR YMOV?

YMOV, YEP.

HEY, GET YOUR FACES ON.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR INVITING US TO COME DOWN HERE.

THANK YOU TO MY FRAT BROTHERS FOR THIS INVITATION.

I'M QUINTTON FROM ST. LOUIS MISSOURI.

I BROUGHT TWO OF MY TEAMS, NATIONAL RANKED TEAMS TO COME DOWN TO PUT A SHOW ON FOR YOU ALL.

WE ARE IN A COMPETITION STAGE OF OUR STEP SEASON, NEXT WEEK WE GO TO DALLAS TO COMPETE FOR A NATIONAL COMPETITION.

** [CHEERING] ** [CHEERING] WELL, COME ON, BABY SHOW THEM WHAT YOU MADE OF.

YOU CAME TO SEE THE GENTLEMEN OF VISION.

[CHEERING] * * KING KONG AIN'T GOT NOTHIN' ON ME.

[WHISTLE BLOWS] [CHEERING] Y'ALL TELL YOUR MAMA, TELL YOUR DADDY.

JUST KILLED IT.

Y'ALL JUST KILLED IT.

* [HALLWAY NOISE] PUT DOWN WHAT SEMESTERS YOU NEED AND TURN IT INTO ME.

I'LL GET IT TURNED IN.

OKAY AND LISTEN, DON'T FAIL NO MORE CLASSES BECAUSE THIS SUMMER YOU'RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO GET A JOB OR SOMETHING.

ALL RIGHT?

ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

HOW'RE WE DOING?

NOT GOOD?

IT'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT, OKAY.

GRAB A CHAIR.

LET'S TALK.

HOW FAR ALONG DO THEY SAY YOU ARE?

TWO MONTHS?

SO, YOU DIDN'T TELL YOUR MOTHER.

THE DOCTOR TOLD HER.

ARE YOU GLAD THE DOCTOR GOT IT OUT OF THE WAY?

HUH?

YEAH, CUZ YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE WORDS FOR THAT.

IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND I HAD ALL THE ANSWERS, WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM ME RIGHT NOW?

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

[SNIFFLES] LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN.

I KNOW THIS GENTLEMAN RIGHT HERE.

I DON'T JUST WALK UP TO HIM AND SAY DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT TODAY.

THERE'S A REASON WHY YOU DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER.

PLEASE GET TO THE POINT.

I AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM.

OKAY, SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE CUZ YOU WEREN'T HELPING ME.

HE GOT INTO SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM.

WHAT'S THAT SOMETHING?

ME FIGHTING TREY.

OKAY, WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING TREY?

BECAUSE HE TOUCHED MY SISTER.

NOW WE'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE.

YOU'RE USING STREET JUSTICE IN THE WAY THEY HANDLE STUFF IN THE STREET.

WE GOT A SYSTEM AND A PROCESS IN HOW WE DEAL WITH STUFF IN THE SCHOOL.

DID YOU TOUCH HIS SISTER OR SOMEBODY ELSE DID?

SOMEBODY ELSE DID.

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO YOUNG BLACK MALES OUT THERE ACTING CRAZY.

WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?

THEY'RE GETTING SHOT.

THEY'RE GETTING SHOT, JUST SHOT OR THEY'RE GETTING SHOT AND KILLED.

IS THIS MESS WORTH YOUR LIFE?

NO.

CAN'T HEAR YOU.

IT'S NO SIR OR NO, MR. WHARTON.

NO, SIR.

IT'S NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE, MAN.

LISTEN, YOU'RE NOT TALKING TO YOUR HOMEBOY.

YOU'RE TALKING TO A COUNSELOR WHO KNOWS, OKAY?

IF YOU DO SOMETHING WHEN YOU'RE CONSIDERED AN ADULT, IT'S ON YOUR PERMANENT RECORD.

MR. WHARTON WAS MY JUNIOR COUNSELOR IN HIGH SCHOOL.

MR. WHARTON SPEAKING.

I STILL GET COACHED BY MR. WHARTON ON A DAI B BASIS, NOT EVEN JUST AT PRACTICE, BUT EVEN IN MY LIFE.

I THINK HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR PRETTY MUCH EVERYBODY WHO'S BEEN IN THE ORGANIZATION.

YOU KNOW, HE'S BEEN A DADDY FIGURE FOR SOME, HE'S BEEN A BIG BROTHER FIGURE FOR SOME, HE'S BEEN AN UNCLE FOR SOME.

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN AN INSPIRATIONAL MALE FIGURE THAT ANYONE CAN COUNT ON.

HE KNOWS HOW TO STEP INTO KID'S SHOES.

SO HE CAN HAVE FUN.

HE CAN BE GHETTO.

HE CAN BE PROPER.

HE CAN BE FUNNY.

ALL AT ONCE.

I'M SICK OF THIS, MAN.

YOU ARE FAILING.

THAT'S A 59.

CAN YOUR PERFORMANCE GRADE BE AN "A" IN THERE, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

"A", "B", "C" PERHAPS?

IT WAS JUST A "B" YESTERDAY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WENT DOWN.

ONE DAY, JAMES?

IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING.

IT'S GOT TO BE THE HARD WAY, DAMN.

HE GOT IT ALL.

HE'S ABLE TO DO IT ALL, AND THAT MAKES HIM MORE WHAT HE IS TODAY.

HE'S JUST A LIFESAVER.

HOW MANY OF Y'ALL WANT TO BE ON STAGE WHEN THE SHOW STARTS?

IF YOU WANT TO BE ON STAGE THEN THE HARD WORK IS RIGHT HERE.

THE HARD WORK DON'T START WHEN THE SHOW STARTS.

THIS IS WHERE IT'S MADE AT.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

NO, SIR.

OH, THAT'S WEAK.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

NO, SIR!

OKAY, BOOT CAMP, BABY, LET'S GO.

5-6-7-GO.

SPELL INTEGRITY.

I.

CAN'T HEAR YOU ALL.

N. CAN'T HEAR YOU.

T. MAKE THEM BLADES STRAIGHT, NEW GUYS.

YES SIR.

I DIDN'T HEAR YOU.

IS THAT CLEAR?

YES, SIR!

WHEN I FIRST JOINED GOV I DIDN'T LIKE WHARTON AT ALL, 'CAUSE I ALWAYS THOUGHT HE WAS P PKING ON ME.

BUT I ACTUALLY GOT IN THE CAR WITH HIM AND TALKED TO HIM AND HAD A LONG CONVERSATION WITH HIM, AND HE SAID HE SAW POTENTIAL IN ME.

AND I WAS LIKE, HOW DO YOU SEE POTENTIAL IN ME IF YOU'RE RIDING ME 24/7?

HE WAS LIKE, IT'S A METHOD.

I WAS LIKE, OKAY, WHATEVER.

BUT AS TIME GOES ON I ACTUALLY SEE, LIKE, HE, HE WANTS GOOD FOR ME.

LIKE, HE WANTS GOOD FOR EVERYBODY IN THE PROGRAM.

HE JUST HAS A WEIRD WAY OF SHOWING IT.

[STEPPING] MY MOM, SHE'S ADDICTED TO DRUGS.

A LOT OF KIDS DON'T KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO, YOU KNOW, JUST SIT AT HOME AND LIVE AROUND THIS ALL DAY.

YOU SEE RANDOM PEOPLE, RANDOM MEN AND WOMEN.

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'RE HERE FOR.

YOU KNOW, JUST TO SEE THEM WALKING THROUGH THE HOUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE SISTERS AND ME BEING THE MAN OF THE HOUSE I HAVE TO PROTECT THEM.

YOU KNOW, SO IT'S LIKE, I DON'T WANT, YOU KNOW, OUTSIDERS THAT I DON'T KNOW AND SHE BARELY KNOWS WALKING IN THE HOUSE, YOU KNOW, LIKE THIS IS A DRUG HOUSE OR SOMETHING.

X TO THE 5TH LOOKS A CERTAIN WAY.

I DON'T LIKE THAT TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT, BUT IT'S REALITY.

YOU GOT IT.

GOOD JOB.

PRODIGY, WHAT'S UP?

IS THAT FAIR FOR YOU TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON OUR TIME?

SO MY THING IS, I WANT YOU TO FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT IT, BUT YOU -- IT'S A CONFLICT HERE.

[STEPPING] IS YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME, OR NOT?

YEAH, IT IS.

SO, WHAT'S STOPPING EVERYBODY FROM BRINGING THEIR WORK IN HERE DURING PRACTICE TIME.

SO, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S PEOPLE IN THE GYM WHILE BASKETBALL IS BEING PLAYED DOING THEIR HOMEWORK ON THE BLEACHERS, OR DOING THEIR HOMEWORK ANYWHERE?

[STEPPING] DO YOU THINK THERE'S SOMEBODY ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, LAYING OUT ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD DOING HOMEWORK AT THAT TIME?

YOU GOT TO THINK OF PRIORITIES.

AND WE'RE A PRIORITY RIGHT NOW.

[STEPPING] [STEPPING] THEY DIAGNOSED ME WITH IT WHEN I WAS ABOUT TWO MONTHS.

I HAVE SICKLE CELL.

'CAUSE THAT'S THE FUN PART RIGHT THERE.

YOU KNOW, THE AFTERMATH.

HI, KATY, THIS IS DARIAN.

[ON PHONE] HI I THREW UP.

SO CAN YOU BRING ME ZOFRAN?

[OH PHONE] ABSOLUTELY, I'LL BE RIGHT IN.

WHEN I GO TO THE HOSPITAL, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY KNOWS ME.

LET ME GET THE SUPER DUDE.

IT'S LIKE A THIRD HOME BASICALLY.

SO, IT'S LIKE, IT'S NOT LIKE INTIMIDATING ANYMORE.

I WAKE UP IN MY SLEEP AND IT'S JUST HURTING REAL BAD.

THEN SHE GOTTA RUSH ME TO THE HOSPITAL.

A LOT OF TIMES I HAVE TO MISS SCHOOL BECAUSE I'M FEELING SICK, SO YOU KNOW A LOT OF TIMES IT'S HARD TO CATCH UP, ESPECIALLY WITH ME TAKING HONORS AND AP CLASSES.

SO YOU KNOW, IN THERE IF YOU MISS A DAY IT FEELS LIKE YOU MISSED A WEEK.

YOU KEEPING A LOT OF STUFF IN, BOY.

HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH THIS STUFF BY YOURSELF?

I DON'T REALLY KNOW, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW.

SO, WHO'S ALL GOING TO BE AT YOUR GRADUATION?

I DON'T KNOW.

IS DAD GOING TO BE THERE?

NO, I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW HIM.

YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE I SEEN HIM THAT ONE TIME.

HE DIDN'T TELL ME "I'M YOUR DAD."

SOMEBODY ELSE TOLD YOU.

YEAH.

MY SITUATION AS FAR AS MY DAD.

YOU KNOW, I HAVEN'T REALLY SHARED THIS WITH GOV.

HE WAS MURDERED WHEN I WAS PROBABLY SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS OLD, AND NEVER GOT THE FULL DETAILS FROM MY FAMILY, YOU KNOW, NEVER FOUND OUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO HIM.

EVEN TODAY, WHEN I ASKED, FOLKS ARE KIND OF TIGHT LIPPED ABOUT WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HIM.

[DOG BARKING] THIS IS MY OLD HOUSE RIGHT HERE, MAN.

THREE BEDROOMS AND THERE WAS PROBABLY LIKE BETWEEN 11 AND 15 PEOPLE LIVED IN THERE.

ONE BATHROOM.

I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS POOR AT THE TIME.

[LAUGHTER] I DON'T KNOW, BUT THIS IS WHERE I LIVED, MAN, I'M TALKING ABOUT 11 TO 15 PEOPLE.

SOMETIMES COUSINS WOULD COME SPEND THE NIGHT AND IT JUST WAS WHAT IT WAS.

IT WAS JUST LIFE AS YOU KNOW IT.

IT WAS JUST LIFE.

WHAT WHARTON WENT THROUGH, YOU GOTTA RESPECT HIM.

YOU GOTTA RESPECT HIM FOR WHAT HE WENT THROUGH 'CAUSE A LOT OF US CAN RELATE TO IT.

A LOT OF US DON'T HAVE ROOMS, OR HAVEN'T HAD THAT, AND THAT'S A LUXURY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

SOMEBODY GO IN YOUR ROOM AND SLAM YOUR DOOR, 'CAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR NOBODY ELSE TALK TO YOU.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

TO NOT HAVE THAT SPACE IN YOUR OWN HOME.

YOU SITTING IN THE BATHROOM FOR AN HOUR JUST 'CAUSE YOU KNOW NOBODY ELSE GONNA COME IN THERE.

SO HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT.

YOU NEVER FEEL MISGUIDED WHEN LISTENING TO HIM.

IN FIRST GRADE, AND MY MOTHER STARTED SAVING MONEY AND SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT SAVED MY LIFE OUT HERE.

I LOVE IT, BUT IT WAS A LOT OF MY COUSINS WERE GETTING KILLED IN THE CITY.

YOU KNOW HOW THERE'S ALWAYS THAT BAD HOUSE WITH ALL DRUG DEALERS AND GANG BANGERS ARE AT?

TWO BROTHERS, THEY KIND OF LIKE GOT INTO IT.

AND NEXT THING I KNOW HE GETS A SHOTGUN AND HE'S AIMING IT AT HIS BIG BROTHER.

THAT'S WHEN HIS BIG BROTHER PICKS HIS BABY UP, YOU KNOW, HELD THE BABY IN FRONT OF HIM, AND HE WAS LIKE, I DON'T CARE, I'LL SMOKE MY BABY.

THEN HE COCKED THE GUN AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, WE JUST GOT TO RUNNING.

YOU, KNOW, I'M WITH MY FRIENDS GETTING INTO FIGHTS AND TROUBLE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

BUT I NEVER REALIZED UNTIL I GOT INTO Y.M.O.V.

THAT'S WHEN I WASE THEY ARE THE WRONG CROWD.

YOU KNOW, I NEVER REALLY BEEN ANYWHERE EXCEPT OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR OUT OF ST. LOUIS UNTIL I JOINED Y.M.O.V.

THAT'S WHY I KNOW THE PROGRAM KIND OF SAVED ME.

YOUNG MAN, YOU DON'T ACT LIKE A SENIOR YET.

TALKING TO YOU, CA$H-U.

YOU DON'T ACT LIKE A SENIOR.

WHEN I SEE YOU I DON'T SEE A GUY WHO'S ABOUT TO BE A GROWN MAN.

BY THE END OF THIS YEAR YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO BE A GROWN MAN.

SO, YOU NEED TO REALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT YOUR NEXT STEPS ARE.

OFFICER RANDALL WAS TELLING YOU, YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT.

CA$H-U'S INVOLVED IN A LOT OF BAD STUFF WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE, AND I'M NOT GOING TO PAINT THIS PICTURE LIKE IT'S JUST CA$H-U.

IT'S NOT JUST CA$H-U.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

EVERYBODY IS TEMPTED AND EVERYBODY GO THROUGH THESE THINGS.

I WOULD LIE TO YOU IF I SAID I HAVEN'T.

MR. WHARTON KEPT TELLING ME YOU KEEP HANGING AROUND WITH THE WRONG CROWD, THE PERSON YOU LEAST EXPECT WILL BE THE PERSON TO LOCK YOU UP.

ONE DAY AFTER SCHOOL IT WAS EARLY DISMISSAL AND WE HAD DECIDED TO BREAK INTO SOMEBODY'S HOUSE.

[POLICE RADIO] I SAW THIS TALL, LANKY KID RUNNING DOWN THE STREET WITH A 48-INCH FLAT SCREEN UNDER HIS ARM, JUMPED OUT, PULLED MY GUN OUT ON HIM, SLAMMED HIM TO THE GROUND, ROLLED HIM OVER.

IT WAS CA$H-U.

BROKE MY HEART.

HE PUT ME IN HIS CAR AND HE WAS TELLING ME, LIKE, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THIS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND I WAS JUST LOOKING LIKE -- MY DADDY DIED WHEN I WAS NINE.

I LOOKED UP TO OFFICER RANDALL LIKE A FATHER FIGURE.

SURE ENOUGH HE WAS THE ONE WHO LOCKED ME UP, SO I'M LIKE, DANG.

THEN I HAD TO COME BACK AND TALK TO WHARTON.

WHAT CAN I DO TO GET BACK ON THE TEAM?

HANGING WITH THE WRONG GUYS CAN GET DETRIMENTAL FOR YOUR HEALTH.

SO THERE WAS A REASON WHY OFFICER RANDALL WAS THERE AND NOT SOMEBODY ELSE, 'CAUSE THERE'S YOUNG MEN DYING RIGHT NOW, RIGHT?

YES, SIR.

SO, GOD MADE THE MIRACLE FOR YOU THAT IT WASN'T SOME RANDOM OFFICER.

IT WAS OFFICER RANDALL WHO KNOWS YOU WHO LOVES YOU, WHO HAD YOU SINCE WHAT, SEVENTH GRADE?

EIGHTH GRADE.

EIGHTH GRADE.

WHARTON COULD HAVE GAVE UP ON ME A LONG TIME AGO AND HE WAS LIKE, NO, I AIN'T GONNA GIVE UP ON YOU BECAUSE I SEE SOMETHING IN YOU THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T SEE IN YOU, AND IF I LET YOU GO YOU'RE GONNA GET RIGHT BACK IN IT, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GONNA BE AT.

SO, HE LET ME STAY.

THIS IS RIGHT HERE, THIS IS WHAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS A LIFELINE.

THIS IS A LIFELINE FOR YOUR ACADEMICS.

THIS IS A LIFELINE IF YOU GOT SOME ISSUES WITH BEHAVIOR.

THIS IS A LIFELINE FOR WHATEVER.

FOR WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING THROUGH.

YOU GET LOCKED UP OR CAUGHT UP AND IT'S YOUR FAULT, I'M NOT COMING TO SEE YOU, NOT BECAUSE I DON'T LOVE YOU.

WE'RE HERE RIGHT NOW INVESTING OUR TIME IN YOU.

YOU GET CAUGHT WITH DRUGS ON YOU IN A SCHOOL ZONE, YOU GET CAUGHT DOING ANY OF THAT MADNESS, I'M DONE WITH YOU 'CAUSE I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW THAT'S A TRAP.

IT'S A TRAP.

YOU ONLY GET ONE LIFE.

USE IT WISELY.

BRING IT IN, BRING IT IN.

GOV ON THREE LET'S GO.

[CHANTING] GOV, 2-0, 2-0, [CHANTING] GOV, 2-0, 2-0, DUB 0-9.

YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW.

GO HOME.

GO HOME.

GO HOME.

GET YOURSELF TOGETHER, BOY, KEEP PRACTICING.

CONGRATULATIONS, MAN.

* [CELLPHONE RINGS] [ON PHONE] YOU HAVE REACHED THE VOICE MAILBOX OF --.

[PHONE RINGS] YOU GOT THE HOTDOG MAKERS AND ALL THAT STUFF BACK THERE?

[ON PHONE] YEAH, I GOT ALL THAT.

JALAPEÑOS, CHEESE, CHIPS.

I GOT THIS, MAN.

HELLO MY FAVORITE PERSON.

DID I WAKE YOU UP?

I'M REALLY CLOSE TO HOME.

WANT TO MAKE SURE I STILL GET SOME KISSES TONIGHT.

NO?

EVERYBODY'S GONE TO BED.

* * * CA$H-U.

ONE FOOT IN GOV, AND ONE FOOT IN THE STREETS.

* IT'S NOT THE OUTCOME OF THE STEP SHOW.

IT'S REALLY NOT EVEN -- IT'S NOT THE STEP SHOW ITSELF.

IT'S ALL THE WORK YOU PUT IN THAT'S BUILDING UP TO THE STEP SHOW.

IT'S ALL THE STUFF YOU HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT STEP SHOW.

SO THE STEP SHOW IS KIND OF LIKE, IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE GRAND PRIZE AT THE END TO YOU MENTALLY.

BUT ALL THE REAL MONEY AND GREATNESS THAT YOU'RE GETTING IS ON THE WAY THERE.

* WHEN WE GET ON THE BUS, THE COACHES SIT UP AT THE FRONT AND WE LET THE BOYS DO WHAT THEY DO AT THE BACK, JUST DON'T CROSS THIS LINE RIGHT HERE, AND WE'RE OKAY.

LISTEN UP.

ONE OF YOUR BROTHERS HAS MISPLACED HIS WALLET, SO I'M GIVING YOU CREDIT THAT NOBODY HAS HIS WALLET, IT'S JUST MISPLACED.

IF WE HAVE TO START SEARCHING PEOPLE AND WE FIND THAT WALLET ON YOU, YOU ARE DONE WITH GOV FOR LIFE.

STEALING IS NOT TOLERATED.

HE FOUND IT.

SEE I KNEW IT.

I KNEW IT.

COME HERE MAN, YOU GOT 50 PUSHUPS, COME ON, COME ON.

COME HERE, COME HERE.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR STUFF.

I'M GOING TO LET YOU MAKE IT THIS TIME, SON.

YOU LOOK DISTRESSED ENOUGH.

GET T T T T SISIGHT.

CALL YOUR MOTHER AND TELL HER YOU FOUND YOUR WALLET.

TELL HER YOU'RE GOING TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE IN THE FUTURE.

[LAUGHS] ** NOW, WHARTON HAS A TIME WHEN HE CAN BE A ZERO.

BAKER, YOU'RE LOOKING LAZY BACK THERE.

AND WHARTON HAS A TIME WHEN HE CAN BE AT A HUNDRED.

OMAR, YOU'RE NOT TALKING, YOU'RE JUST LISTENING TO WHAT I SAY.

LOOK AT THAT LINE.

THAT LINE MAN IS OPEN.

THAT'S YOU.

THAT LITTLE WHITE BOY.

HE IS GOOD.

YOU GOTTA KEEP MOVING.

THAT GUY'S RIGHT BEHIND YOU, KEEP GOING.

GET ON THE BUS, MAN, ALL Y'ALL GET IN.

GET OUT OF MY SIGHT.

A LOT OF THEM, IT'S THE FIRST TIME THEY EVER LEFT ST. LOUIS COUNTY AND THAT'S WHY IT MEANS SO MUCH TO THEM.

** HAVE I DISRESPECTED YOU?

DO I DESERVE DISRESPECT?

DO SOME PUSHUPS, MAN.

70 MILES FROM DALLAS.

IF YOU KEEP DOUBTING ME, THAT'S GOING TO HURT.

YOU SAY I'M DOUBTING YOU.

THAT HURTS MY FEELINGS.

YOU KEPT ASKING ME ABOUT MY GRADES ALL THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL, AND I KEPT TELLING YOU IT'S JUST MATH.

IT'S JUST MATH.

SHOULD I NOT ASK YOU ANYTHING?

SHOULD I LEAVE YOU ALONE?

BUT NOW YOU'RE ASSUMING I'M NOT GOING TO GRADUATE.

I DIDN'T ASSUME A THING.

DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP?

DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP CARING, DANNY?

SAY YES OR NO.

DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP CARING RIGHT NOW?

NO.

I'M COMING TO YOUR GRADUATION TO PUT SOMETHING AROUND YOUR NECK THAT SAYS GENTLEMEN OF VISION.

YOU'VE BEEN STAMPED BY THE PROGRAM.

THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

ALL RIGHT.

GET IT DONE.

YES, SIR.

TEXAS, BABY.

THERE IT IS.

* [ON RADIO] OH, YEAH, RICKEY SMILEY MORNING SHOW.

ROCK-TEEZY FOR SHEEZY UP IN THE BUILDING.

IT 'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT STOMP WARS 2016.

GOING DOWN REAL BIG APRIL THE 9TH IN DALLAS TEXAS.

HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STEP TEAMS COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO COMPETE FOR $10,000 THAT WE DONATE BACK TO THE WINNING ORGANIZATIONS.

AND I GOTTA SAY IT, MAN, EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT THE GOV TEAM, THE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION TEAM THAT'S WON IT FOUR YEARS IN A ROW.

ARE THEY COMING BACK TO DEFEND THEIR TITLE?

THE ANSWER IS -- YES, THEY ARE.

THEY'RE COMING TO GET NUMBER FIVE.

WILL THEY GET IT?

ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

YOU GOTTA BE IN THE HOUSE APRIL THE 9TH MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK IN DALLAS, TEXAS TO FIND OUT.

IT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING.

WE GOTTA DELIVER ON OUR PRODUCT.

KEEP IN LINE, KEEP IN LINE.

WHEN WE COME IN, OUR PRODUCT IS GOING TO SPEAK FOR ITSELF.

WE'RE GOING TO CARRY OURSELVES LIKE GENTLEMEN OF VISION.

WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT W EVERY TIME.

UNLESS THERE'S A CONSPIRACY AND WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CONSPIRACIES.

[LAUGHS] ALL RIGHT, GOV.

ROLL, ROLL, ROLL.

COME IN ON ONE.

[FEMALE VOICE] NO STEPPING GO TO ONE.

STOP TALKING.

GET IN LINE.

FASTER THAN THAT, ACCELERATE.

[FEMALE VOICE] THIRTY SECONDS.

STOP TALKING, SHANNON.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

[FEMALE VOICE] TEN SECONDS.

USE THE STAGE.

LET'S GO.

JAMES, GET THEM BLADES STRAIGHT.

GO RIGHT INTO THE STEP.

HURRY UP.

YOU LOOKING CONFUSED.

YOU BETTER GET READY, BOY.

5-6-7-8.

LITTLE BILL, GET YOUR HEAD IN THE DAMN GAME.

IT'S GAME DAY.

JAMES, IT AIN'T ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PERM AND YOUR DAMN HAIR.

YOU'RE THE DAMN STAR RIGHT NOW AND YOUR TROOPS GOTTA BE READY.

I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.

YOUR BODY LANGUAGE SENDS ME MESSAGES.

THAT'S JUST MY BODY LANGUAGE.

THAT'S RIGHT, YOUR BODY LANGUAGE SENDS ME MESSAGES, YOU KNOW THAT?

NO, IT DOESN'T.

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT BODY LANGUAGE.

-- TO YOU.

TO ME.

I'M A DAMN COUNSELOR.

I READ BODY LANGUAGE FOR A DAMN LIVING.

GOV, LET'S GO.

DELIVER THEM BLADES.

JAMES.

YOU KNOW I'M GOOD, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW HOW I ROLL, RIGHT?

GET OVER HERE.

COME HERE, YOU NEED SOME LOVE RIGHT NOW.

[TALKING ALL AT ONCE] WE ON A MISSION.

[CHANTING] WE ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

WE ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

WE ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

WE ON A MISSION.

ON A MISSION.

IN THE KITCHEN WHEN WE WHILE IT.

FIXIN' TO GET IT.

OH.

WHAT SQUAD IS THIS?

WHAT SQUAD IS THIS?

LITTLE BILL, FRONT AND CENTER.

COME ON, LITTLE BILL.

DO WE HAVE SOME EMERGENCY INHALERS?

DO WE HAVE INHALERS ANYWHERE AROUND?

[OVER SPEAKER] GOV TO THE BACKSTAGE AREA PLEASE.

GOV TO THE BACKSTAGE AREA.

[EMCEE ANNOUNCER] HERE WE GO.

REPRESENTING ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS DIVISION STARTS RIGHT NOW.

GIVE IT UP FOR GOV.

[CHEERING] * * HEY, WHAT'S HURTING RIGHT NOW?

DO YOU THINK IT'S BROKEN?

HE'S HURT.

HEY, HAS HE PASSED OUT?

YEAH.

COME ON.

COME ON.

HURRY UP.

* * OPEN YOUR EYES, BROTHER.

OPEN YOUR EYES.

HEY, YOU ALL LEFT IT ON STAGE, MAN.

Y'ALL DELIVERED.

LISTEN.

YOU, MAN, YOU.

I LOVE YOU, OKAY.

I'M PROUD OF YOU.

I WANT YOU TO STICK TO THIS.

YES, SIR.

POSITIVE STUFF.

LEAVE THE STREETS ALONE, MAN.

SEE, THESE GUYS LOVE YOU, MAN.

YOU GOTTA LEAVE THE STREETS ALONE.

THIS IS FAMILY.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

SENIOR YEAR.

YOU DON'T GET THIS BACK.

YOU DON'T GET THIS BACK, BOY.

YOU DON'T GET THIS BACK.

BUT IT'S IN YOUR MEMORIES.

FOR LIFE.

[ANNOUNCER] GIVE IT UP, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FOR YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONS STOMP WARS.

GOV.

[CHEERING] [CHEERING] [CHANTING] GOV WE ARE THE GOV.

TEN TIME CHAMPIONS CAN'T BE BEAT.

WE ARE THE GOV.

* WE WERE ON THE FRONT OF THE BUS AND IT WAS LIKE, WHARTON, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN YOUR BIRTHDAY IS.

THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF THAT WE ASSUME ABOUT YOU, BUT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW.

HE NEVER REALLY BRINGS UP, LIKE, CERTAIN THINGS.

THE STEPPING IS THE FUN OF IT BUT WE WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO TEN YEARS FROM NOW.

WHERE YOU GOING TO BE FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?

THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO SEE.

THE TROPHY'S NOT GOING TO MEAN ANYTHING AFTER YOU GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL.

[STREET NOISE] GOT A LOT OF MONEY.

OH WOW.

WE SAG ON OUR OFF DAYS.

I WONDER IF THAT'S A GANG SIGN.

I'M GOING TO FIND OUT TODAY.

[PHONE RINGS] [ON PHONE] WHAT'S UP MR. WHARTON.

HOW YOU DOING SIR?

[ON PHONE] ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, REAL QUICK, MAN.

I HAPPEN TO GO THROUGH YOUR FACEBOOK.

HAS THAT BEEN CLEANED UP YET?

[ON PHONE] YES, SIR.

YOU SURE?

[ON PHONE] YEAH.

SO THE PICTURE OF YOU WITH THE SAGGING AND THE PICTURE WITH YOU WITH THE HANDS THROWN UP, SO WHAT'S THAT STAND FOR?

[ON PHONE] BLOOD BROTHER.

REALLY?

[ON PHONE] IT AIN'T NO BLOOD OR NO CRIP.

IT AIN'T NOW GANG THING.

SO IT'S BLOOD BROTHER.

[ON PHONE] YEAH.

SO I'M GOING TO DO MY RESEARCH AND HOPEFULLY IT LEADS ME TO THAT MEANS BLOOD BROTHER.

IF IT LEADS ME TO SOMETHING ELSE, THEN WHAT?

[ON PHONE] I'M IN TROUBLE.

MAJOR TROUBLE.

[ON PHONE] YES, SIR.

ALL RIGHT, TALK TO YOU LATER.

[ON PHONE] ALL RIGHT.

ATTENTION.

HEY, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

HEY, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

BOOM BOOM.

THERE YOU GO.

THERE WE GO.

[STEPPING] YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

CAN'T HEAR YOU.

NO, SIR, OR YES, SIR.

YOU BEEN PRACTICING?

WHY NOT?

THIS IS CALLED STEP TEAM.

YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS?

THAT MEANS IT'S A TEAM THING, NOT JUST DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO OUT HERE.

I NEED YOU TO BRING IT, IS THAT CLEAR?

IT'S YES SIR OR NO SIR.

YES, SIR.

OKAY, SO GET YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR HEAD AND GET INTO THE SHOW.

ATTENTION.

AND LET'S GO.

LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

AND LET'S GO.

LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

[PHONE RING] MR. WHARTON SPEAKING.

HEY WHAT'S GOING ON?

I GOT AN ISSUE WITH YOUR SON.

I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO THIS GUY ABOUT HIS SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE.

EVERY TIME I LOOK ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA HE BE THROWING UP GANG SIGNS, AND THIS LAST TIME HE'S SMOKING WEED RIGHT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND I'M LIKE YOU CAN'T LIVE TWO LIVES, MAN.

AND LET'S GO.

AND LET'S GO.

LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

HE'S GOT ONE LEG IN THE STREETS, ONE LEG IN GOV, AND THAT USUALLY TURNS OUT BAD.

YOU KNOW, I JUST LOST A STUDENT RIGHT NOW, JUST GOT MURDERED HANGING WITH THE SAME KIND OF CHARACTERS.

AND LET'S GO.

LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

AND SO HE'S CLOSE TO GRADUATION AND I JUST NEED HIM TO MAKE THIS LAST LEG AND KEEP HIMSELF IN SOMETHING POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE, BECAUSE AGAIN THEM STREETS ARE MEAN.

YES, MA'AM.

TAKE CARE.

ALL RIGHT.

AND LET'S GO.

LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

* YOU'RE FALLING ASLEEP.

YOU'RE STEPPING BEFORE EVERYBODY OUT HERE.

YOU GOTTA WAKE UP AND COME IN AT THE RIGHT TIME.

YOU TWO.

YOU CAN'T STOP NO MORE.

HE IS DEPENDING ON YOU TO KEEP GOING.

GET LOUD, HAVE FUN, LET'S GO.

AND LET'S GO.

LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

AND LET'S GO.

LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO.

* ATTENTION.

RIGHT HERE.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

GOOD JOB.

GOOD JOB.

I HEAR WHAT WHARTON'S SAYING ABOUT ASKING FOR HELP WITH THE PARENTS, TOO, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT CA$H-U WANTS TO DO.

IT'S GOING TO BE CA$H-U'S DECISION TO TOTALLY PUT IT DOWN 'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.

YOU GOTTA TOTALLY PUT IT DOWN.

YOU GOTTA TOTALLY SAY THIS IS NO LONGER FOR ME.

* I KNOW CA$H-U'S GOING TO BE OKAY.

CA$H-U GONNA BE ALL RIGHT, HE'S A HUSTLER.

HE'S GOT A LOT OF AMBITION AND DRIVE, AND THAT'S WHY HE'S WORKING THE NIGHT SHIFT.

SO, CA$H-U WILL BE OKAY.

** WE LEAVE ABOUT 9:50.

[CAR STARTS] AND TRY TO GET THERE BY 10:15 AND I START MY WORK AT 11:00 ON THE DOT.

I PACK BOXES ALL THE WAY TO 7:00 IN THE MORNING.

AT 7:05 I GET OFF WORK TO WAIT ON MY MOMMA.

AND ABOUT 7:30 I BE ARRIVING AT THE HOUSE TO COME IN AND GET ME A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF SLEEP FOR SCHOOL.

LIKE CA$H-U.

IT'S PROBABLY THE BEST THING FOR HIM TO STAY BUSY.

JUST FROM THE ENVIRONMENT THAT HE'S IN.

HE WILL EVEN TELL YOU LIKE SOMETIMES, MAN, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO BE AROUND THESE GUYS, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO DEAL WITH THESE KINDS OF THINGS.

I DON'T REALLY PREFER THIS LIFESTYLE, BUT IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE LIFESTYLE THAT HE'S IN.

AND I GUARANTEE YOU IF YOU GAVE HIM ANOTHER LIFESTYLE, ANOTHER OPTION.

HE WOULD TAKE IT WITHOUT ANY QUESTIONS ASKED.

I GO TO NORTH TECH FOR CONSTRUCTION.

AND WHEN I GRADUATE I'M GOING TO GET IN THE PAINTERS UNION.

SO IT'S ALL BUILDING UP WHAT I WANTED TO BE.

EVERYBODY SAID I'M DOING SOMETHING AND I'M NOT JUST THE SAME OLD PERSON I WAS.

* * * STEP LIKE THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU'RE EVER GOING TO DO IT.

YES, SIR.

STEP LIKE THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU'RE EVER GOING TO DO IT.

YES, SIR.

ATTENTION.

I'M NOT GOING TO GET THIS NOWHERE ELSE.

IT WAS HOME.

IT WAS THE BROTHERHOOD.

** EVERYBODY THERE, YOU KNOW THAT THEY'RE TRULY THERE FOR YOU.

YOU KNOW THAT THEY LOVE YOU.

NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, YOU KNOW THAT THEY UNDERSTAND.

[CHANTING] WE ARE THE GOV.

TEN TIME CHAMPIONS CAN'T BE BEAT.

WE ARE THE GOV.

IT'S A BOND.

* IT'S OVERWHELMING.

TODAY MY FAMILY WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING ON THIS TRIP.

MY MAMA WAS TALKING ABOUT COMING.

NOW SHE CAN'T EVEN COME.

I GOTTA LET ALL THAT ANGER OUT ON STAGE.

IT'S HARD IF YOU DON'T GOT NO FAMILY HERE.

I REALIZE YOU ARE MY FAMILY.

I LOVE ALL Y'ALL, MAN.

CA$H-U?

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

I LOVE ALL Y'ALL.

THIS AIN'T JUST NO STEP TEAM.

IT'S A BROTHERHOOD.

YOU DIDN'T GIVE UP ON ME.

YOU KEPT STRIVING ME TO DO BETTER.

SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND NOT GIVING UP ON YOURSELVES FIRST AND FOREMOST AND NOT GIVING UP ON THE TEAM WHEN YOU COULDN'T KEEP UP.

AND I LOVE YOU ALL, BROS.

I LOVE ALL Y'ALL.

I'M ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE --.

GO AHEAD.

GO AHEAD.

I'M SAD AS CRAP, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

AND I'M HAPPY FOR Y'ALL.

I'M THANKFUL FOR JAMES FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME -- TIN MAN, ALL Y'ALL.

I SEEN HOW IT IS BEING A REAL FAMILY AND I APPRECIATE THAT, MAN.

I LOVE ALL Y'ALL, MAN.

[SOBBING] [CHANTING] GOV.

GOV.

WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE IT RIGHT NOW.

RIGHT NOW.

* GOD-GIVEN TALENT.

GOD GIVEN TALENT.

GOD GIVEN TALENT.

GOD GIVEN TALENT, CA$H-U.

[ANNOUNCER] LET'S GET READY FOR SHOWTIME.

[CHEERING] WHEN THEY HIT THAT STAGE, THEY FORGET ABOUT LIFE.

THEY FORGET ABOUT THE PAIN, THE SORROW, AND THE HEARTACHE.

AND THEY'RE JUST ABLE TO RELEASE THOSE EMOTIONS GOING BACK TO OUR ROOTS IN AFRICA.

** A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THINGS OR LIKE HAD A LOT OF BUILT UP EMOTIONS THEY RELEASE IT THROUGH THE DANCES AND THE CELEBRATIONS THROUGH THE TRIBE AND IT'S LIKE THAT'S OUR CELEBRATION WHEN WE HIT THE STAGE.

AND THAT'S WHY WE ALWAYS TRY TO DRILL INTO THEM THAT IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WINNING.

IT'S ABOUT COMING UP WITH A SHOW TOGETHER.

FROM THE STAGE.

CRITIQUING THE SHOW TOGETHER.

WATCH THE HEAD.

PAUL, YOU GOTTA BE OUT ON THAT ANGLE.

AND PERFORMING THE SHOW TOGETHER.

[CHEERING] [CHEERING] PERFECT SHOW.

PERFECT SHOW.

HOLD UP, HOLD UP.

BREATHE.

OPEN YOUR EYES, BRO.

[LAUGHTER] [EMCEE ANNOUNCER] IN SECOND PLACE WITH [EMCEE ANNOUNCER] IN SECOND PLACE WITH A SCORE OF 396.

GENTLEMEN OF VISION.

IN FIRST PLACE.

THEY SCORED 400.

DEM RAIDER BOYZ.

[CHEERING] ALL RIGHT.

YOU GOTTA HAVE CLASS, MAN.

GOTTA HAVE CLASS.

CONGRATULATIONS, MAN, CONGRATULATIONS.

* YOU KNOW WHAT?

I LOOK AT IT AS WE'RE ALWAYS WINNERS.

I KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING.

YES, WE WANT TO WIN EVERY STEP SHOW, BUT SOMETIMES WE FALL SHORT.

BUT WE TELL THE GUYS, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP HIGH.

THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE ROAD.

* JUST KNOW, MAN, I LOVE YOU AND YOU HAVE EXCEEDED ALL MY EXPECTATIONS, MAN.

YOU'RE NOT WEARING THIS FOR NOTHING.

ALL THAT HARD WORK YOU PUT IN, THAT DETERMINATION, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

YOU WALK ON ANYBODY'S CAMPUS, YOU'RE A LEADER INSTANTLY.

YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

YES, SIR.

ANYTHING IS S S IGIGIGHTHT.

YES, SIR.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

[CHEERING] [CHEERING] WE MADE IT.

SOMEBODY GET THIS PICTURE.

** I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYBODY BACK TO THE STEP SEASON.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

SO WE KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS RIGHT?

YES, SIR.

WHAT TIME IS IT?

BOOT CAMP.

BOOT CAMP, BABY.

LET'S GET IT.

[STEPPING]