I feel like the introduction to this chapter perfectly explains the fight going on in Zeke’s mind over if he should choose to stick it out with the Get Down Brothers or break out of the Bronx starting with taking Papa Fuerte’s internship.  Mylene and Papa Fuerte represent the people who dismiss rap and hip hop for the most part and encourages Zeke to stay away from Shao and the Get Down.  Shao represents the people who defend rap and hip hop no matter what and pushes Zeke away from Mylene and calling her a bitch

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I particularly think of the scene where Papa Fuerte is explaining his vision for the future to Zeke.  He sees kids in gangs, writing graffiti, and acting up outside his window and he doesn’t blame them for turning to those things but he also doesn’t encourage becoming one of those kids.  Zeke looks and sees Shao amongst the group of people Papa Fuerte is talking about.  His internal struggle was so clear in that scene.

The Get Down Brothers used the cypher to help see what each of them could contribute to the group when it’s time to battle.  The brothers don’t have any credit or fans yet so they need something to get more attention over the Notorious 3.  While the brothers aren’t battling against each other, they switch between each of them and show off their individual talents.  This was their way to boast their skills and gain a reputation on the streets.

Using the cypher as a way to build community is well represented in the Get Down as well, by the time episodes 4 and 5 come around, the boys see each other as brothers (three of them actually are brothers, but that’s beside the point).  They depend on each other to make their art, with Zeke writing lyrics, Shao on the turntable, Boo Boo singing, and RaRa and Dizzee rapping in their own styles.  Joining the Get Down Brothers was important, especially for Zeke because it gives him an art form in which he can speak his mind freely and express himself outside of societal norms.