Twelve years after the events of the first film, Danielle "Dani" Raymond (Alexandra Shipp), an upper class Brooklyn girl, defies her parents in order to attend a college in Atlanta so she can join and revitalize their once-prominent drum line. Dani's quest to become the first female section leader of the drum line in the school's history will be hampered by upperclassmen (including her cousin, Tyree (Jeff Pierre), her feelings for band mate and rival, Jayven (Jordan Calloway), and the school's crosstown rivals.