Again within the day, the Blackest channel wasn’t BET—it was UPN. Or The WB. Or Fox on a Thursday night time. As a result of these have been the platforms that gave us extra than simply illustration. They gave us tradition. Not a TikTok snippet, not a branded “second,” however a full-blown temper—braids, dishevelled denims, vocals, storylines and all.
In the event you tuned in on the proper time, you can catch 702 harmonizing within the hallway on Sister, Sister, Future’s Little one cracking jokes with Good Man, or Aaliyah strolling via New York Undercover like she was already a legend, as a result of she was.
702 on Sister Sister
Future’s Little one on Good Man
Aaliyah on New York Undercover
There was Mary J. Blige posted up on The Jamie Foxx Present, Babyface blessing the Martin soundscape, 112 serenading the South Crenshaw crowd on Moesha, and even Bow Wow (again when he was nonetheless Lil’) popping into The Steve Harvey Present just like the lunch desk freestyles have been simply getting began. This wasn’t about advertising or synergy—it was a love letter to us, via us.
Mary J. Blige on The Jamie Foxx Present
Babyface on Martin
112 on Moesha
Bow Wow on The Steve Harvey Present
Mya and Blackstreet on Sister Sister
Someplace between streaming bundles and social media soundbites, we misplaced the plot. We misplaced these little pockets of pleasure the place music and TV collided on regular-degular weeknights. Again whenever you didn’t want a subscription to really feel seen. And no shade to status TV, however think about if at the moment’s ladies had Coco Jones pulling up on Abbott Elementary, or Tems doing a cameo in Bel-Air, or Victoria Monét enjoying a cousin on Run the World?
Black music made these reveals iconic, and people reveals gave our artists texture. That intersection deserves a comeback. As a result of the brand new wave of stars are prepared—and so are we. Anyone name Quinta Brunson, Donald Glover, and whoever’s working Peacock. Let’s convey actual visitor appearances again. Not only for the nostalgia, however for the tradition that by no means left.