Snipes

A young man from Philadelphia named Erik works for Hype Studio's street promo team, putting up posters for Prolifik. He dreams of breaking into the music industry and watches the local scene closely. He also talks with Cheryl at Hype Studio, hinting at his ambitions and the pressure to prove himself.

Prolifik has already spent his advance, and Bobby Starr pressures him to deliver a full project. Bobby threatens to end Prolifik's career if the music doesn’t come through. Johnnie Marandin, a mob boss who despises Bobby over past ties with his daughter, looms over the operation.

Clarence devises a scheme to have his friends ‘kidnap’ Prolifik and record a faux murder. The plan centers on holding master tapes of Prolifik's album for ransom. He believes this ruse will force the money he needs to salvage the deal.

Erik and his rapper friend Malik steal the studio key from Cheryl’s desk and slip into the studio at night. While there, they witness a murder and manage a tense escape. The experience leaves them shaken and suspicious about what really happened.

The following day, it seems the double murder never happened. Bobby and two gangsters confront Malik at his home and suspect him of stealing the tapes. Erik’s voicemail proves that he and Malik were at the studio, forcing Malik to panic. During the escape, Malik is struck by a car and dies on the scene, and Erik arrives shortly after to break down over his friend.

Bobby's henchmen kidnap Erik and haul him back to Hype Studio. He endures beatings as they press for the location of the tapes. Under interrogation, Erik blurts out the name 'Nino Brown,' Malik’s stage name, revealing what he knows.

Erik escapes with a tape depicting Prolifik's supposed death and tries to reach a pay phone. On the street, he is spotted by Bugsy and Trix, two people he had helped earlier by taking down their posters. He collapses from blood loss as he stumbles away.

Erik wakes up at Bugsy and Trix’s clubhouse, where his nose is sewn up. They watch the 'death' tape with him, and the grainy film pushes him to investigate Prolifik’s death and the missing music. He resolves to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.

Cheryl reveals that the signing of Prolifik was a ruse: the real Prolifik was a rapper named Damon, and Clarence impersonated him. A robbery gone wrong led to Damon’s death, and Clarence used his memory to pose as Prolifik. The failed second album and the need to salvage money drive the scheme.

Johnnie warns Bobby, telling him he has let him down and threatening serious consequences. They decide to go for a ride, essentially to resolve their feud by violence. Cheryl and Erik’s involvement disrupts the plan and escalates the conflict.

Clarence captures Cheryl at an abandoned house and they struggle over a gun. Cheryl is fatally shot during the fight, and Erik arrives to confront Clarence. In a tense standoff, Erik ends up killing Clarence.

Erik leaves with the master tapes, only to learn of Bobby Starr’s demise from Bugsy. He dumps the tapes in a body of water under a bridge and starts walking away. Radio DJ Sway Calloway announces Prolifik’s death and plays his music in the background, sealing the tragedy.