Scrap Character Analysis in On the Come Up

Aunt Pooh's best friend and a fellow Garden Disciple. Scrap is an easygoing person who often seems as though he's caught in the middle of doing something—his hair, Bri notes, is half cornrows and half Afro, like he lost interest halfway through having his hair braided. He's extremely loyal to Pooh and to Bri, and Pooh often leaves him to take care of Bri while she leaves to sell drugs. He adores Bri's music and is there when she writes and records her first song, “On the Come Up.” Scrap is almost always with Pooh: he's with her when she comes to Bri's call after the Crown threatens her and steals Lawless's chain, and Bri often finds them sitting together on Scrap's car in the apartment courtyard. Fortunately for him, he's not around when the SWAT unit raids their apartment complex, so he isn't arrested. When he joins Bri and Jay to visit Pooh in jail, he demonstrates his loyalty to the Garden Disciples when he shares that he has new Garden Disciples ready to go after the Crown.

Scrap Character Timeline in On the Come Up

The timeline below shows where the character Scrap appears in On the Come Up. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Trauma, Poverty, and Childhood Theme Icon

...to the courtyard of Aunt Pooh's apartment building. Pooh and one of her closest friends, Scrap, sit on Pooh's car, surrounded by other Garden Disciples. Bri explains she got suspended and... (full context)

...arranged for Bri to record a song with a local producer tomorrow. Bri is ecstatic. Scrap suggests Bri do something like "Swagerific"—even though it has no substance, it's catchy. (full context)

...be addicted. She thinks that if the rap thing happens, Pooh will give up dealing. Scrap tells Bri that she has skills and she's good for the neighborhood. He says that... (full context)

...hanging out, as she knows that Jay won't let her record until her grades improve. Scrap accompanies Pooh and Bri to the studio, and Bri sees why: it's a trap house... (full context)

...time in the bathroom thinking about how Pooh never came back to the recording session. Scrap walked Bri home after Doc polished the song and put it on a jump drive.... (full context)

...Jay or Trey have heard her song, though it’s becoming increasingly popular on the internet. Scrap lets Bri into the backseat while reciting some of Bri's lyrics. Pooh doesn't look at... (full context)

Scrap notices Bri's chain, but Pooh nastily reminds Bri that she shouldn't be wearing it. Bri... (full context)

Bri sits with Malik and calls Aunt Pooh. Pooh arrives a few minutes later with Scrap. They both have their guns out and look angry. Bri explains it was the Crown... (full context)

Pooh and Scrap discuss the Crown and Bri figures they're all going to where they know he hangs... (full context)

...in a drug bust. Jay immediately calls the police station, Trey, and Lena, who's sobbing. Scrap's phone goes to voicemail. Jay goes to her room and cries all night, and Bri... (full context)

...to tell Jay, and vows to figure it out alone. At the jail, they find Scrap sitting on the curb. He says he wasn't around when SWAT arrived, but that he's... (full context)

...them to a windowless room. Twenty minutes later, a guard brings Pooh in. She greets Scrap and then envelops Bri in a hug. When they all sit down, Jay says that... (full context)

Scrap knocks on the door and gives Bri his phone. Pooh is on the line. Pooh... (full context)