Director John Singleton returns to the location of his classic ' Boyz 'n' the Hood' with a story about a young black man trying to grow up in the inner city. Jody (Tyrese) is a 20-year-old male who has two children by two different women & yet still lives at home with his mother. Trouble begins when Melvin (Ving Rhames), his mother's new ex-con boyfriend, moves into the house. He & Jody lead a tense co-existence & are soon engaged in open conflict; but will it be enough to force the young man into taking responsibility for his own life?