Synopsis

California  Schemin’ is James Mc Avoy’s directorial début.

The film tells the true story of two aspiring rappers from Dundee, Scotland, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, who struggle to be taken seriously in the early-2000s hip-hop scene because of their Scottish accents and background.

Frustrated by constant rejection, they come up with a bold scheme: pretend to be American rappers from California. Adopting fake accents, new identities, and the stage name Silibil N’ Brains, they convince the music industry that they are authentic U.S. hip-hop artists. The plan unexpectedly works. The duo starts gaining attention, securing opportunities, and even touring with major artists. But as their fame grows, maintaining the lie becomes increasingly difficult, putting pressure on their friendship, careers, and relationships. Eventually, the deception threatens to unravel and forces them to confront the consequences of their fabricated identities.