A talented street drummer from Harlem enrolls in a Southern university, expecting to lead its marching band's drumline to victory. He initially flounders in his new world, before realizing that it takes more than talent to reach the top.
Sound
Drum battles so crisp you'll air-drum embarrassingly hard.
Acting
Zoe Saldaña outshines everyone in her breakout role.
Director
Charles Stone III
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Nick Cannon trained with actual A&T drummers for months; those hands are doing real work.
This film basically invented the 'HBCU movie' aesthetic for mainstream audiences—everyone's wearing it now.
US
