Black Ink Crew New York follows Ceaser, Harlem's reigning tattoo king, as he manages his expanding tattoo empire and his rambunctious staff.
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Cast
Ceaser
Cast Member
Ceaser
Ceaser is the owner and creator of the Black Ink brand. From its inception, Ceaser dreamed of turning his business into an empire, and he's accomplishing his dream one shop at a time, with 10 shops open across the U.S. Though his empire is flourishing, he's taken a step back to refocus on his personal life in Atlanta with his new boo Suzette, and becoming the father he's always wanted to be. Will his hard work pay off in his personal and professional life?
Puma
Cast Member
Puma
Puma was a part of Black Ink at the very beginning, but a falling-out with Ceaser led to bad blood between the longtime friends, and Puma opened his own tattoo shop Art2Ink. Ultimately, they were able to squash their beef, and Puma juggles life with his wife Quani, their two kids and being a boss at Black Ink.
Ted
Cast Member
Ted
Ted, born and raised in the Bronx, first came to Black Ink when he was trying to distance himself from life on the streets. Since then, he's always kept an eye out for his cousin Ceaser. Ted's role at Black Ink has increased over the years, from shop manager to VP of operations -- and now, president. After his relationship with Tatti went south, he had to work with another ex at the shop. Has he finally settled down with the love of his life?
Young Bae
Cast Member
Young Bae
Young Bae moved to New York City in 2007, leaving behind an abusive father and a difficult home life in South Korea. With only $73 to her name, she made ends meet by taking any job that came her way -- and she eventually used her street smarts and charm to land a job as a tattoo artist, despite never having tattooed in her life. Along with becoming a successful artist, Bae puts family first as she focuses on raising her son Niko.
Spyder
Cast Member
Spyder
Newcomer and Brooklyn native Spyder is the cover-up tattoo king and the face of the Black Ink Brooklyn shop. On a quest to become heir to Ceaser's throne, this Brooklynite is working toward the lead artist spot at the shop. Will Spyder's hustle and drive award him the crown of lead artist? Or will his bridge-and-tunnel bravado prove to be his downfall?
Krystal
Cast Member
Krystal
After a rocky start at Black Ink, Krystal made amends with the ladies of the shop. Hailing from the Bronx, Krystal is seriously skilled at tattooing. She's also secretly been working on pursuing her dreams of becoming a rapper and getting signed to a major label. Krystal's new relationship with a fellow tattoo artist is blooming, but will she be able to balance work and her personal life?
Rok
Cast Member
Rok
Rok, a talented and heartfelt artist, is back and ready to make a name for himself in the Black Ink world. After the tragic passing of his father three years ago, Rok is trying to compete at the 125th shop while balancing family life. Like Krystal, Rok has a behind-the-scenes relationship that he's bursting at the seams to tell the world about. Will his secret relationship get in the way of his dreams? Will Rok be able succeed in the shop and in his relationship?
Alex
Cast Member
Alex
Alex is known for two things: being one of the best tattoo artists in New York and killing it with the ladies. But after getting together with Donna, he decided to become a one-woman man. Alex has overcome a number of obstacles to get to a good place in life, including an estranged father and a back injury sustained during a Black Ink brawl that nearly ended his career.
Donna
Cast Member
Donna
Donna's dream was to work at Black Ink, so this Cleveland-born girl packed her bags and said goodbye to the Midwest. After many ups and downs with Ceaser, the two finally came to a mutual respect and understanding. She's in a long-term relationship with fellow tattoo artist Alex, but her anger and conflict at the shop threaten everything she's worked for.
Walt
Cast Member
Walt
Walt was a mainstay at Black Ink from the very beginning. Though often caught in the middle of shop feuds, he attempted to keep the peace between his friends. Walt finally had his own place and a good relationship with his kids, and things seemed to be taking a turn for the better, but allegations at the 125th shop led to a major rift with Ceaser and the rest of the crew.
Quani
Cast Member
Quani
Since the opening of Art2Ink in New York, Puma's wife Quani, their daughter Tamia, and their youngest son Zaiden have been supporting Puma as he embarks on his new adventure. As Quani juggles motherhood and her career, she realizes she wants a slower, more suburban lifestyle for their children. Will Quani convince Puma that it's time to leave New York?
Miss Kitty
Cast Member
Miss Kitty
Miss Kitty served as Black Ink's brand ambassador. The D.C. native is as blunt as they come -- and when things don't go her way, she's not one to back down. As Miss Kitty focused on bringing celebrity clientele to the shop, rumors about a relationship with Ceaser's enemy Ryan from Black Ink Crew Chicago led to her being fired and fractured several of her friendships among the crew. She then went to work at 2nd City Ink in Chicago while Charmaine was on maternity leave.
O'S**t/Richard
Cast Member
O'S**t/Richard
One thing's for sure: Wherever the artist formerly known as O' S**t goes, trouble is sure to follow. Whether breaking up fights with his baby mamas or being in the wrong place at the wrong time, O'S**t's life is always interesting. Born in the Bronx and raised in New York and South Carolina, O' S**t is a former college athlete, who tore his ACL early in his sports career. His injury ended his football career, and he turned to his love of art. For O' S**t, tattooing is all about the art. O' S**t's struggle with substance use has been a tough one for him, but after getting sober in California and meeting the love of his life there, O'S**t has a new outlook on life and a new name: Richard.
Melody
Cast Member
Melody
Born and raised in Florida, Melody moved to New York to fulfill her dream of being a successful artist in the big city. Melody's eclectic personality draws in all sorts of clients, from drag queens to the girl next door. While her artistic style is realistic, her tattoos often express spiritual themes that serve as sources of strength for her clients. She brings a fresh perspective to the crew, and she isn't afraid to say what everyone else is thinking.
Jadah Blue
Cast Member
Jadah Blue
Jadah Blue is the life of the party, but cross her the wrong way, and she will put up a fight -- after all, she is a former boxer. When Jadah enters a room, she has heads turning, and by the time she leaves, everyone knows who she is. Jadah has a spitfire personality and is quick to put everyone in their place.
Tokie
Cast Member
Tokie
Tokie moved to New York from Houston. She's bubbly and hard-working, and she wants nothing more than to become a tattoo apprentice. After seeing her body paint skills, Ceaser determined that she might be able to tattoo one day, but the shop needed a receptionist more than anything. Tokie must prove herself to Ceaser and the crew before moving up the ladder.
Kevin
Cast Member
Kevin
Raised in Dallas, Kevin moved to New York to fulfill a lifetime goal of being a tattoo artist in the city. With five brothers and sisters, Kevin always looked for ways to stand out. In high school, he made his clothes to separate himself from the crowd and eventually enrolled at the Art Institute in Dallas where he majored in fashion design. He left the program when a friend asked him to give him a tattoo one night, and after that, Kevin never looked back. Kevin brings a fresh swag to Black Ink with his signature photorealism style and loves the tattoo medium because his clients wear his art. Don't confuse Kevin's Southwest charm for being slow-paced -- he's always ready to turn up and join the party.
Dutchess
Cast Member
Dutchess
Dutchess is a Southern belle, a Daddy's girl, and a force to be reckoned with. Since graduating at the top of her class and earning a business degree, Dutchess has been taking the world by storm. Whether it's a modeling gig in Paris or tattooing celebrities, Dutchess always has her eye on the prize. Dutchess was once engaged to Black Ink boss Ceaser, and she made some boss moves of her own by opening a tattoo shop in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Sky
Cast Member
Sky
Sky is Black Ink's quick-witted and fiery manager. Born and raised in Harlem, Sky brings the real to the shop. She isn't afraid to speak the truth, and though it sometimes causes her trouble, what Sky brings to the table is always genuine. Though she's spent time working on improving her family, Sky continues to challenge herself to become a better woman, a better mother and an entrepreneur. With half of her focus in Miami growing her brand and Her Little Secret Boutique, Sky continues to run Black Ink's HR. With all that's on her plate, Sky worries that all she's done to bring the family together will fall apart when her sons start spending more time together, and Des moves in with his older brother.
Tiffany Perez
Cast Member
Tiffany Perez
Tiffany Perez was born and raised in New Jersey and started tattooing at the age of 21 after her father bought her a tattoo gun for her birthday. Dutchess originally prevented Tiffany from working at Black Ink, but that didn't stop her. She came back ready to prove her worth, and she refused to let Dutchess, or anyone else in the shop, hold her back again.
Sassy
Cast Member
Sassy
Born and raised down the block from Black Ink, Sassy walks the walk and talks the talk. Whether it is modeling for Urban Ink Magazine or helping out backstage at a fashion show, Sassy's style and magnetic energy draw people her way. Even though she left the shop, she stayed loyal to her friend Puma and eventually came back to help out when he rejoined the crew.
Kathie
Cast Member
Kathie
A Dominican-American raised in the Bronx, Kathie is a writer, painter and advocate for meditation and self-enlightenment. She is dedicated to her son Achilles and ensures that Achilles's father O'S**t is keeping up with his daddy duties. Kathie teaches self-awareness and healing through various Eastern spirituality practices.
Naeem
Cast Member
Naeem
A veteran artist, Naeem's reputation proceeds him. Originally from Detroit, Naeem specializes in realism and portraits at Puma's Art2Ink shop. Naeem has a daughter with his girlfriend Alexis. His daughter changed his life, and now all Naeem's focus is on providing a better life for his child. Naeem is dedicated to his craft and strives to be the best tattoo artist in the game.
Phoenix
Cast Member
Phoenix
Raised in Brooklyn, Art2Ink's Phoenix had a rough childhood, constantly moving from home to home. Despite his tumultuous past, Phoenix was inspired to pursue a more legit career in tattooing after the birth of his daughter. He wants to give his five kids the childhood he never had.
Alex
Cast Member
Alex
As the former receptionist of Black Ink, Alex brought that fire to the shop. Alex has an opinion about everything, which is why she and Ceaser were constantly butting heads on questions of artist style. As a side hustle, Alex models in various publications and has graced the cover of both Inked and Urban Ink.