World's Best 2023

As Prem Patel, a 12-year-old math prodigy, navigates the intricate challenges of adolescence alongside his widowed mother, Priya, he finds comfort in his unwavering dedication to mathematics. His exceptional academic abilities enable him to handle high school coursework with remarkable ease, with aspirations to be the best. After taking an entrance exam, Ms. Sage assigns the class a thought-provoking task: to utilize mathematics to express their identities. In this quest for self-discovery, Prem reaches out to Priya for insights into his late father, Suresh, prompting her to share the fascinating story of how they met at an underground rap club. This reminiscing evokes a sense of nostalgia in Prem, leading to a deep curiosity about his father’s belongings.

As Prem immerses himself in his father’s past, he is visited by a manifestation of Suresh, who encourages him to explore his identity further. This encounter catalyzes an exciting transformation as Prem starts to envision himself as a rapper akin to his father, embracing the vibrant hip-hop culture. His best friend, Jerome, joins forces with school bullies Brooklyn and Sharn for a talent competition, while Prem opts to compete using the alias “World’s Best Emcee”. Drawing inspiration from his father’s old rhyme book, he faces mounting pressure when Brooklyn and Sharn challenge him, but is unexpectedly aided by older students Mercedes and Gabe, who unite with him over their shared passions for hip-hop and mathematics.

Throughout this exhilarating journey, Prem receives wise counsel from Suresh, who appears to him in vivid, imaginative musical moments rooted in hip-hop. As the competition intensifies, Prem grapples with conflicting desires for academic excellence and a newfound love for music. Meanwhile, Brooklyn and Sharn devise a scheme to take Prem’s father’s book, manipulating Jerome into throwing it away. However, Claire, a fellow math prodigy, steps in to rescue the cherished book. Initially dismissive of her help, Prem gets caught in a web of consequences when Mr. Oh informs Priya about his activities, leading to her concerns over his fixation on his father’s legacy.

As Prem dives deeper into the truth about Suresh’s past, he decides to accompany Mercedes and Gabe to the Leopard Lounge— the very place where Suresh and Priya first crossed paths. This shocking revelation shatters his illusions, as he discovers Suresh never achieved his dream of performing at an open mic. This realization ignites a painful confrontation with Brooklyn, ultimately resulting in Prem breaking his arm during a fit of anger.

With stakes rising, Priya firmly declares that Prem must focus solely on his math competition preparations, forbidding any distractions. Rising to the challenge, Prem boldly confronts her, asserting that her reluctance ties back to her memories of Suresh. In a daring move, he attends the competition, where he sincerely apologizes to Claire, now a valuable ally in his academic journey. Meanwhile, Jerome faces the consequences of his complacency as he is expelled from his dance troupe, serving as a humbling lesson.

Navigating through this crucible of self-discovery, Prem and Jerome discover common ground, aiding their mutual understanding. Back at home, Priya discovers Suresh’s journal, absorbing the deeply poignant words he wrote about her, a beautiful reflection of their love story. As the events unfold, Prem refocuses his energies on his studies, enlisting Claire, Mercedes, and Gabe to form a formidable math competition team.

Under the guidance of none other than Doug E. Fresh, the event proceeds smoothly, with the team securing an impressive third place— a vast improvement from their previous year’s performance. With his competitive spirit renewed, Prem finds joy in joining an impromptu group rap session on the streets, sharing his infectious excitement for the music.

As the echoes of the music fade, Priya’s eyes meet Suresh’s ethereal presence, and together they silently acknowledge Prem’s unwavering commitment to pursuing his passions, a touching testament to the enduring power of love, hope, and perseverance.