Brianna’s Rap Career and Education

On the Come Up

This flow traces the tension between Brianna’s academic responsibilities and her growing hope that music can create a future.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Grades Begin to Slip Grades Begin to Slip from "On the Come Up". Two Futures Compete ACT preparation loses focus Brianna submits an unfinished practice test because she is waiting for DJ Hype’s call. Mrs.

Grades Begin to Slip from "On the Come Up". Two Futures Compete ACT preparation loses focus Brianna submits an unfinished practice test because she is waiting for DJ Hype’s call. Mrs.

Two Futures Compete ACT preparation loses focus Brianna submits an unfinished practice test because she is waiting for DJ Hype’s call. Mrs. Murray warns her that her grades have fallen from Bs to Cs and Ds. College remains uncertain Jayda wants Brianna to pursue college, while Brianna doubts that education will bring the life she wants. Rap feels more immediate and promising than a degree whose benefits seem uncertain to her.

A First Taste of Success A First Taste of Success from "On the Come Up". The Dream Feels Possible Recognition changes her horizon Brianna hears classmates and neighborhood residents praise her battle.

A First Taste of Success from "On the Come Up". The Dream Feels Possible Recognition changes her horizon Brianna hears classmates and neighborhood residents praise her battle.

The Dream Feels Possible Recognition changes her horizon Brianna hears classmates and neighborhood residents praise her battle. Dee-Nice’s record deal makes a music career seem less like a fantasy. School pressure remains The excitement does not improve her grades or settle the question of college. Instead, success increases Brianna’s belief that music could solve the family’s immediate problems.

ACT Prep Returns ACT Prep Returns from "On the Come Up". A Parent Restores Priorities Distraction is curtailed After Brianna’s public response to the petition, Jayda takes her phone and requires hours of studying.

ACT Prep Returns from "On the Come Up". A Parent Restores Priorities Distraction is curtailed After Brianna’s public response to the petition, Jayda takes her phone and requires hours of studying.

A Parent Restores Priorities Distraction is curtailed After Brianna’s public response to the petition, Jayda takes her phone and requires hours of studying. Brianna resents the interruption but understands that the ACT is still approaching. Achievement is not simple Brianna sees Sonny’s study habits as a standard she struggles to meet. School matters to Jayda as protection and possibility, while Brianna sees music as a route to immediate relief.

A Chance Meets a Boundary A Chance Meets a Boundary from "On the Come Up". A Contract Seems Close New songs are expected Supreme tells Brianna that record executives want to hear more and arranges a professional studio session.

A Chance Meets a Boundary from "On the Come Up". A Contract Seems Close New songs are expected Supreme tells Brianna that record executives want to hear more and arranges a professional studio session.

A Contract Seems Close New songs are expected Supreme tells Brianna that record executives want to hear more and arranges a professional studio session. Brianna sees the opportunity as a way to change her family’s fortunes. The cost becomes clear The executives expect her to record lyrics Dee-Nice wrote, while Brianna values writing her own material. The meeting forces her to choose between access to a career and the education-like labor of defining what she will accept.

Study and Music Together Study and Music Together from "On the Come Up". No Single Path Work continues Brianna studies for the ACT with Curtis while preparing for another practice test.

Study and Music Together from "On the Come Up". No Single Path Work continues Brianna studies for the ACT with Curtis while preparing for another practice test.

No Single Path Work continues Brianna studies for the ACT with Curtis while preparing for another practice test. Their studying sometimes turns into flirting, but the exam remains part of her near future. A collaboration on her terms A prominent rapper invites Brianna to make a song, and she accepts only if she can do it her way. Her future now allows music and education to coexist rather than forcing one to erase the other.

During the semester before Brianna’s first battle

After Brianna wins the Ring battle

After Jayda takes Brianna’s phone

The morning Supreme arranges a studio meeting

In the epilogue, during a practice test session