In Los Angeles, California, filmmaker A. White plays a scene of his documentary-in-progress, Inside CB4: A Rapumentary by A. White, for the stars of the film, hardcore rap group CB4 (Cell Block 4) members MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson, and Dead Mike. The clip shows the rappers performing for prison inmates, and includes laudatory celebrity interviews. After viewing the footage, the rappers allow A. White to accompany them as they drive around the city. Meanwhile, CB4 and their record producer, Trustus Jones of “In Jone$ We Tru$t Production$,” receive death threats. MC Gusto’s jeep is attacked by rivals firing automatic weapons. After they escape unharmed, MC Gusto explains to A. White what prompted the attack. He recounts that CB4 got their start four years earlier, when he was a high school student named Albert Brown, in the middleclass suburb of Locash, California. Clean-cut Albert watches a rap music video on television with his girl friend, Daliha, who does not understand his love of the hardcore music. Albert Brown, Sr. is also dismayed by his son’s interest. Albert spends time with friends Otis O. Otis, a.k.a. “Stab Master Arson,” and Euripides Smalls, a.k.a. “Dead Mike,” who share his love of rap music. They frequent a nightclub called “Gusto’s,” where they perform during the club’s open-mike nights, and try out several musical personas in search of the right “look” for their group. Gusto, the club owner, from whom Albert later took his name, asks producer Trustus Jones to allow his music sensation, “Wackee Dee,” to perform at the club. When Trustus refuses, Gusto points a gun at him and demands that Wackee Dee take the stage the following night. Overhearing the encounter, Albert asks Gusto if his group can open for Wackee Dee, but Gusto loses his temper and throws Albert and his friends out of the club. Outside, Trustus Jones gives the young men his business card. Euripides tells Albert that their priority should be mending fences with Gusto, since he runs the only rap venue in town, so Albert returns to Gusto’s the next day. However, he arrives just as police are raiding the club for Gusto’s illegal drug dealing. Having seen Albert arrive after the fact, an officer releases the young man from custody, prompting Gusto to believe that Albert set him up. Gusto vows to kill the young rapper. Inspired by crowds chanting for Gusto during the arrest, Albert decides to cash in on the thug’s popularity, and later suggests to Euripides and Otis that they use stories from Gusto’s life to form background biographies for their rap group. Albert takes the moniker, “MC Gusto,” and they name themselves “Cell Block 4,” the place where Gusto has been locked up. Lured by fame and fortune, Euripides and Otis join Albert despite their misgivings. They give themselves “thug” makeovers, and Trustus Jones signs them to a record contract. In prison, the real Gusto sees their music video and, furious that the group stole his identity, escapes to seek revenge. Meanwhile, CB4‘s popularity skyrockets, but Albert’s girl friend, Daliha, is unhappy with changes in his personality. Trustus Jones convinces a groupie named Sissy to pose as MC Gusto’s girl friend, and wholesome Daliha is tossed aside. Later, Sissy has sex with both Albert and Otis. In an attempt to create attention for his political campaign, Virgil Robinson rails against CB4’s obscenities, and has the rappers arrested when they swear onstage. The trio’s night in jail increases their popularity. Albert returns home and apologizes to Daliha, but she does not forgive him. Albert Sr. chastises him for pretending to be a gangster. Escapee Gusto and his sidekick, “40 Dog,” kidnap Albert and force him to participate in an armed-robbery of a record store. Glaring into the security camera, Gusto announces that CB4 is responsible for the crime. He removes Albert’s mask, exposing his face to the camera, and takes the videotaped footage with him. He threatens to release the videotape to the media unless Albert dissolves CB4. The next day, Albert initiates a fight with Otis and Euripides in order to break up the group, and the two start solo music careers. Albert returns to his father’s home, lamenting his choices. Later, Euripides informs Albert that Trustus Jones died after choking in a restaurant when Gusto pointed a gun at him. At the funeral service, Albert apologizes to his friends and suggests they reform CB4, but do so authentically this time. They recruit groupie Sissy to help them retaliate against Gusto. The vixen lures Gusto to a motel room, where police arrest him as a fugitive. CB4 drop their faux-thug personas, and perform their reunion show at Gusto’s to screaming fans.