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Chapter 20
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in On the Come Up, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Identity and Individuality
Racism and Prejudice
Trauma, Poverty, and Childhood
Control, Image, and Fame
Summary
Analysis
Several hours later, Malik, Sonny, and Bri are done putting together a music video using newspaper headlines and footage that Malik recorded. Bri thinks that it probably won't change the mind of someone like Emily Taylor, but she reasons that the Emilys of the world don't want to understand someone like her anyway. Aunt Gina texts Sonny and asks him to come home and babysit his little sisters. He offhandedly mentions talking to Rapid, blushes, and tells Bri that Malik talked him into calling Rapid. They talked on the phone for a long time and though they didn't exchange names, Sonny feels as though he knows Rapid's voice. Sonny asks if Malik and Bri will come with him to meet Rapid in case Rapid is a serial killer. Bri and Malik agree as Sonny leaves.
At this point, Bri begins to realize that she can't please everyone with her music or her persona. Especially as a black person and as a woman, Bri will face obstruction and possible harassment everywhere—but that doesn't mean that she shouldn't take pride in who she is and the music she produces. Sonny's happiness about talking with Rapid suggests that he's choosing to take a chance, something that, whether he realizes it or not, will help him grow up and become a more well-rounded individual.
Themes
Malik offers to cook something for Bri and tells her she can hang out, but Bri insists she should go home and check on Jay. She says that everything seems to be getting to Jay, and she's spending time in her bedroom like she did when she was using drugs. To make Bri feel better, Malik puts on a Michael Jackson song, dances horribly, and gets Bri to dance and lip-synch with him. When the song ends, he hugs Bri, rests his chin on her head, and tells her he'd do anything to cheer her up. Then he kisses Bri. She expects to feel fireworks, but instead it's awkward and uncomfortable. They step back and Malik offers to walk Bri home. They walk silently.
Bri and Malik's sub-par kiss encourages Bri to reconsider her expectations in general. Remember that she's wanted this for a while; it's certainly a shock to not have it be everything she wanted it to be. This then becomes a significant moment for Bri as she grows up, as it encourages her to look elsewhere (like to Curtis, who looks totally different to her than he used to) as she begins to exercise her maturity like this.
Themes
Finally, Malik asks what happened, and Bri reminds him of Shana. Malik insists the kiss "just happened," which Bri says is silly. She thinks that there's something between them, but she wonders if they're not supposed to be together. As a gray Camaro passes, Malik admits he likes Bri and says that she doesn't need to make him jealous by flirting with Curtis. Bri incredulously says that that has nothing to do with Malik—he's just jealous that she likes someone else. Malik is shocked that Bri actually likes Curtis.
Saying that the kiss "just happened" allows Malik to shirk responsibility, something that reminds the reader that he too is still young and unwilling to act like an adult at all times. Discovering that Bri actually likes Curtis impresses upon Malik that all of them are coming of age sexually, and none of them are doing so in ways they expected—their friendship will have to adapt if they want to keep it.
Themes
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The Camaro turns around and stops right next to Bri and Malik. The Crown steps out with a gun and tells Bri to hand over Lawless's chain. Bri can barely think. She sees her future flash before her and refuses. At this, the Crown punches Malik and cocks his gun. Bri starts to cry, thinking that Jay could've sold the chain and paid bills by now. The Crown talks about the "disrespectful shit" on Bri's song and points the gun at her face. She stares into his eyes and gives him the chain. He speeds away.
For Bri, the chain is more than just a connection to her dad. It represents hope that her family will be okay when all evidence suggests that things won't be, and losing it makes Bri feel like her world is caving in. This moment also represents Bri's true entry into the world of the rival gangs, as the conflict is now about her, not just other people.
Themes
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