In the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Los Angeles, Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy), a determined artist grappling with obscurity, works in a record store, yearning for his eclectic music to make it to airwaves via the in-store radio station. By night, he transforms into an MC for Ben Taylor (Craig Robinson) and his musical ensemble at a local club. Despite his enthusiasm, when he approaches the club owner for a chance to perform comedy, he faces rejection.
One fateful day at the record store, a homeless man wanders in, loudly reciting rhymes and dropping the name "Dolemite" into the air. Inspired by this encounter, Moore devises an electrifying stage persona around the stories he’s heard, becoming Dolemite himself. Adorned in flamboyant pimp attire and wielding a distinctive cane, he steps onto the stage, captivating the audience with a comedic and audacious routine called “The Signifying Monkey.” Backed by Taylor and his band, the crowd roars with approval.
Needing funds to record his comedy album titled “Eat Out More Often,” he turns to his aunt for support and enlists his friend Jimmy Lynch (Mike Epps) to capture his performance in front of a live audience at his home. Soon, Moore sells copies from the trunk of his car, swiftly gaining traction and drawing the attention of a record company eager to promote his work. Driven by enthusiasm, he plans a tour through the Deep South to capitalize on his newfound success. In Mississippi, he meets a single mother named Lady Reed (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), whom he persuades to join his tour.
Celebrating their launch, Moore and his crew catch a viewing of The Front Page, laughing at the disconnection between their experiences and those of the majority-white audience. This dissatisfaction fuels Moore's ambition to star in his own film as Dolemite. After facing rejection from a film executive, T.I. as Walter Crane, he boldly decides to pitch the project himself by securing an advance from his record label, which warns him about the repercussions of failure.
Forging ahead, Moore enlists Jerry Jones (Keegan-Michael Key), a playwright, who, despite early hesitations, agrees to script the film. Their journey takes them to a strip club where they entice D'Urville Martin (Wesley Snipes), who reluctantly accepts the role with the caveat of directing the project himself. With the assistance of film students from UCLA, including Nick (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as the cinematographer, they convert an old hotel into a dynamic film set.
As they work on Dolemite, a wild blend of kung-fu and Blaxploitation, Moore's inexperience with martial arts presents humorous challenges. Although the production team enjoys their time creating the film, Martin grows disheartened and walks away after filming wraps, proclaiming nobody would want to see it. Faced with a string of rejections from distributors, Moore contemplates returning to touring but remains unenthused.
In Indiana, a DJ played by Chris Rock (Chris Rock) inquires about the film's release, stirring curiosity and opening new possibilities. Seizing the moment, Moore promotes the film, pouring resources into a grassroots campaign that leads to an excited crowd waiting to see it. The overwhelming turnout boosts his spirits.
The anticipation garners the attention of a Hollywood executive from Dimension Pictures, who previously declined the project but now sees its potential. Arriving at the premiere dressed as Dolemite alongside Lady Reed and the cast, Moore navigates a pivotal moment where the opportunity for collaboration and shared profits emerges.
The night of the Hollywood premiere begins with anxiety as the cast encounters negative critiques but transforms into jubilant ecstasy when they are greeted by a massive, cheering crowd. While those involved enter the theater to catch the film, Moore engages and entertains the audience outside, embodying the spirit of Dolemite.
The film concludes with an epilogue that highlights Rudy Ray Moore’s journey, celebrating his legacy as a trailblazer who continued to tour and star in Dolemite sequels until his passing in 2008. An enduring mark is left, as he is heralded as the Godfather of Rap, with clips from the original Dolemite playing to round out the homage.
