Belly is a 1998 crime drama film that follows the lives of Tommy Brown (played by DMX) and Sincere (played by Nas), two childhood friends and drug dealers who have risen through the ranks of the criminal underworld. The film begins with a scene of the pair robbing a nightclub, which sets the tone for the rest of the movie's action-packed and violent storyline.
As they continue to operate in the dangerous and lucrative world of drug trafficking, Tommy and Sincere become notorious figures in their community. Their success attracts the attention of a corrupt police officer named Detective Kelly (played by John Witherspoon), who is determined to bring them down.
Meanwhile, a new player in the game named Markie (played by Method Man) becomes envious of Tommy and Sincere's success and decides to make a move against them. This sets off a chain of violent events that threaten to tear apart their empire and ultimately lead to a shocking and tragic conclusion.
Throughout the film, the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of a life of crime are explored. The harsh realities of life in the inner city are also vividly portrayed through the film's striking visual style, which utilizes bold colors and stylized cinematography to create a sense of raw intensity.
Directed by Hype Williams and featuring a star-studded cast that also includes T-Boz of TLC, DMX, and Taral Hicks, Belly is a gritty and powerful crime drama that remains a cult classic to this day.