A talented beatboxer with synesthesia tries to make his dreams a
reality while he battles financial hardships, constant criticism from his father,
and family responsibilities as he watches his mother die from Alzheimer’s.

SYNOPSIS:

Los Angeles, 1996, the golden age of hip hop. Bobby Lift, a 22-year-old beatboxer with synesthesia who can see music in abstract visuals, dreams of becoming a successful musician, but his financial situation prevents him from purchasing the new loop machine he needs for his street show. Undeterred, he sends a demo cassette to Capitol Records before heading to Venice Beach, where he competes with other street performers. After Bobby wins the crowd’s attention, Flow Heavy, a hardcore rapper, and his crew attack him and steal his money. Bruised and beaten, Bobby retreats home, where he lives with his alcoholic older brother Nelson, his one-year-old daughter Keebee, their father Earl, and their mentally deteriorating mother, Sally. Bobby's dreams clash with his family's harsh reality. He struggles between the daydreams of his future and nightmares of his past. Years prior, a car crash killed his youngest brother, Christopher, and disabled Nelson. It was Bobby’s fault. Despite facing adversity, Bobby continues to pursue his dreams, hoping to find success and recognition for his unique talent.

The odds continue to stack against Bobby. After he receives no response from Capitol Records, his bike is stolen, and he loses his pizza delivery job, Bobby decides to attend Andre’s party with his best friend Miles and hit rat-pack group of friends. Andre, who’s as huge as a football linebacker, pressures Bobby to perform. Flow and his crew challenge Bobby to a rap battle but, lacking confidence in his ability, he retreats inside where he sparks a connection with Dawn.

At home, Earl criticizes Bobby’s selfish pursuit of a music career while his mom’s Alzheimer’s is worsening and they will soon have to check her into a nursing home, costing them everything they have. The tensions drive Bobby to seek solace with Dawn. The next day, still determined, Bobby steals Nelson’s bike and rides to perform outside Capitol Records. However, his luck has not yet turned. Bobby is arrested and his gear is broken. Omar, an elderly African American musician, bails him out of jail. Disappointed, Omar advises Bobby to make better choices and pursue music more seriously. Bobby visits Tott’s Music Store, as per Omar’s instructions, where he’s finally able to get a loop station on loan. Things are starting to look up. At Venice Beach, Flow apologizes for his previous behavior. His crew has abandoned him, and Flow suggests collaborating.

Things once again take a turn for the worse when Sally suffers a seizure. Bobby rushes to meet Earl at Urgent Care and, when he arrives with his new equipment, Earl is furious that he has once again placed music above his family and smashes it in a blind rage. Earl later apologizes while driving back home and acknowledges Bobby’s talent. Despite this, Bobby enters his room, destroys his beatboxing gear, and removes all traces of his musical aspirations.

Weeks later, Bobby has taken a mundane job at the community library to support his family. Miles consistently tries to deliver Bobby a letter from Capitol Records, but having given up on his dreams, Bobby tosses it away. Bobby and his friends attend Andre’s party and Bobby is again pressured to perform. After resisting, a fight breaks out that leaves Bobby injured and disheartened. Miles and the others express concern for him, but he pushes them away, including his former love interest, Dawn, and walks off, determined to leave his old life behind. While walking home, Bobby witnesses Nelson crash Earl's truck into the front of their house. The stress causes Sally to collapse and Bobby calls 911. With the police on their way, Nelson, having been drinking, leaves the scene and Bobby takes the blame for the crash to save his brother from jail time. Sally is rushed away by an ambulance and the family is forced to send her to a nursing facility. Later, Bobby visits Omar's trailer only to find he has passed on and has left a note expressing his appreciation for their friendship and urging Bobby to continue making music.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Bobby recommits to his dreams. Bobby reconciles with Nelson, Dawn, and Miles and finally takes Flow up on his offer to collaborate. He decides to pawn off the motorbike Omar left for him to finally purchase his own loop machine. Earl expresses regret for not supporting Bobby more and, reflecting on his own abandoned dreams, encourages Bobby to pursue his talent. Bobby and Flow spend weeks rehearsing together and decide to enter a beatboxing duel. The day of the Beatboxing Championship arrives. Bobby and Flow find themselves up against Flow’s ex-crew, who have just broken Bobby’s loop machine. Despite the setback, the pair compete and make it into the finals. They ultimately lose but Bobby and Flow optimistically try to find solace in their success and upcoming studio time.

Months later, things are looking up. Bobby and Flow have worked to create popular CD demos, Bobby’s home life has improved drastically, he is in a stable relationship with Dawn, he now has a job that he loves working at a music store, and has finally heard back from Capitol Records. Bobby continues to pursue his passions one baby step at a time.