While still dealing with the repercussions of Hunter's death, Star goes to great lengths to assure that the group gets a release date for their album. A frustrated Simone struggles with bullying and Alexandra moves in with Derek despite the hardships they've experienced. Meanwhile, Carlotta faces difficult decisions when it comes to managing the group and turns to Jamal Lyon for advice.

The girls receive a rude awakening when the fierce new label head, Ayanna, demands they re-brand their image in order to have a shot at competing with the label's other talented artists. A disgruntled Star chooses to take matters into her own hands, causing tensions between her and Carlotta to escalate. Meanwhile, Alex, Simone and Cotton all struggle with adjusting to some major life changes.

While preparing for an upcoming TV appearance with recording artist Noah Brooks, the girls quickly learn that they will be singing backup instead of co-headlining the performance. Anxious for the girls' next big move, Carlotta turns to the new A&R executive, Maurice, for help on a new deal. Meanwhile, Jahil tries his hand at producing music, Cotton struggles with starting her new job and Star comes face-to-face with an unexpected person from her past.

A rattled Star is reeling with emotions, while dealing with the sudden reappearance of her father. A huge opportunity for the girls to perform at the record label party is put into jeopardy after they react to learning that Ayanna has hired Rachel Wells as the label's new social media strategist. Meanwhile, Derek struggles with facing the truth about his fate; Carlotta finds a place of solace; and Cotton begins to bond with her father, Jahil, over their shared pain.

Ayana is quickly reminded of the tremendous pressure she is under to make her family proud, when her father - a legendary music label executive - pays a visit to Midtown. Alex continues to be haunted by her lies to Derek; Star and Simone differ on how best to deal with Brody's mysterious return; and Noah faces a tense encounter with the police during an event thrown by the label. Meanwhile, Jahil works on a plan to debut a new duo he's discovered, featuring his nephew, Angel, and Ayanna's assistant.

Although Carlotta enjoys spending more time with Maurice, her family remains her No. 1 priority and she'll let nothing stop her from protecting them. Meanwhile, things don't go as planned during an interview with radio hosts Headkrack and Da Brat, which Midtown had arranged for its artists to promote the upcoming showcase. Also, Elliot is eager to take his relationship with Cotton to the next level, Jahil realizes he and Brody have a lot more in common than expected and the love triangle drama between Noah, Alex and Star intensifies.

With the showcase finally here, it's time for the Midtown artists to put all their hard work to the test and prove they have what it takes to win. In the process, relationships are tested, ruined and sparked. Meanwhile, Carlotta's salon is under fire in more ways than one, turning everyone's world upside-down.

Major competition ensues between Midtown Sound artists Take 3 and Noah Brooks when they fight for a coveted track produced by one of the industry's hottest producers. Blasts from the past are in full effect when Paola and Jahil explore their complicated history, Noah and Alex revisit their time together and Derek invites a date to the salon's reopening celebration.