Jamal has been struggling since his older brother, Randy, was arrested. His mom has to work around the clock to try to earn the money to pay for Randy’s appeal, and though Jamal is now the man of the house, he can’t even stand up to bullies like his school principal.

How is he going to help his mom come up with the two thousand dollars they need?

Before long, Jamal gets a visit from Randy’s friend Mack, who runs with the infamous Scorpions gang that traffics drugs all over Harlem. Mack offers a solution to Jamal’s problems: Take Randy’s place as the leader of the Scorpions. Get the money to pay for Randy’s case. Gain respect and notoriety he can’t get any other way.

Jamal knows that the Scorpions are trouble and wants to do the right thing—but the choice may not be up to him.