Strong Black Legends

Strong Black Legends is a weekly show brought to you by Netflix and Strong Black Lead that honors the best of black Hollywood. Every Tuesday, host Tracy Clayton sits down with the legends that paved the way for black representation both on and off screen.

Welcome to the first episode of Strong Black Legends!In this episode, Tracy speaks to television and film icon, Lynn Whitfield! They talk about her early inspirations, her memories from films she’s starred in like “The Josephine Baker Story” and “Eve’s Bayou”, and hitting a classy twerk. Plus, Tracy tackles the age-old question: "Do you got McDonald’s Money?"

Tracy speaks to Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth Carter! She spills all the deets on what it was like to design costumes on everything from Spike Lee's "School Daze" to "Baby Boy," "BAPS," and "Black Panther". Also, Tracy gives a special shout out to the plastic your grandma put on her couch so she didn't have to fight you!

This week, Tracy honors legend and everyone's pretend uncle, Garrett Morris! He shares all kinds of stories from what it was like growing up in New Orleans to being the first black cast member ever on "Saturday Night Live". He also shares behind the scenes moments from Martin and The Jamie Foxx Show. Then, Tracy ends the episode with a very special shout-out to baby hair.

This week, Tracy speaks with Hollywood legend Loretta Devine. She talks about what it’s like to have a resume THAT long,  “Dreamgirls,” “Waiting to Exhale” and her new Netflix show “Family Reunion.” Plus, Tracy gives flowers to Leon, the hardest working man in Black Hollywood.

This week, Tracy speaks with triple threat Jason Weaver! He talks about being handpicked by Sir Elton John to sing in the original "Lion King," the dramatic oral history of his feature on Chingy’s “One Call Away,” and dishes on that one time he took Beyoncé to the prom (on "Smart Guy"). Also, Tracy smooths it out for a tribute to the soundtrack for the grown and sexy - The Quiet Storm.

This week, Tracy speaks to actor/director/producer Bill Duke! He spills behind the scenes details on what it was like directing "Sister Act 2," shares the small moments that had a major impact on his life, and even gives Tracy a live acting lesson. Also, Tracy gives it up to the boy and girl groups we all grew up on and desperately miss.

This week, Tracy talks to Hollywood legend Margaret Avery. They talk about the Blaxploitation movement of the 70’s, what it was like starring as Gabrielle Union’s mother in “Being Mary Jane,” and her iconic role as Shug Avery in The Color Purple. Also, Tracy channels Maya Angelou and the lingo that all black mothers seem to use.

This week, Tracy talks to comedic genius and our honorary step-daddy, John Witherspoon. They talk about his hustle, being the Father of Black Hollywood, and what the success of “Friday” taught him about money. Also, Tracy gives it up to Gospel music.

This week, Tracy speaks with comedic bombshell, Jackée Harry. They talk about her roots as a dramatic actress, her iconic roles from 227 to Sister, Sister, and whether or not Jackée is going to adopt Tracy. Also, Tracy gives it up to Ricky Thompson and self-care instagram. Success! 

This week, Tracy speaks with the multi-talented actor and director Robert Townsend. They talk about the classic "Hollywood Shuffle," his love of superheroes, and directing Beyoncé in the cult classic "Carmen: A Hip Hopera." Also, Tracy shares her love of Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold.

Strong Black Legends will be back next year. In the meantime, a brand spanking new show called Strong Black Laughs is here to bring you the black champions of comedy and take your mind off all the bullshit. The pre-legend herself, Tracy Clayton, sat down with host Janelle James to get a taste of what’s to come.

We're kicking off Strong Black Laughs with the OG Bad Girl of Comedy, Luenell! Host Janelle James chats with Luenell about going from sleeping in a Denny's parking lot to being booked and blessed, licking Borat's finger, that time she robbed a bank, and what it felt like starring alongside Eddie Murphy in Netflix's "Dolemite Is My Name" and the "Coming to America" sequel.

Janelle James sits down with Mike Epps to talk about his breakout role as Day-Day in "Next Friday," his new Netflix special "Only One Mike," what it was like to star alongside Eddie Murphy in Netflix's "Dolemite Is My Name," and how he managed to turn a tough childhood into comedy gold.

Janelle James hangs with Marlon Wayans to get into what it’s like coming from a comedy dynasty, being heckled by Chris Rock, how he almost played Robin in “Batman Returns,” whether he’s interested in a “White Chicks” sequel, and how every movie he’s ever been in prepared him to play seven characters in Netflix’s “Sextuplets.”

Janelle James sits down with Sherri Shepherd to chat about growing up super religious, how she went from being a legal secretary with legal problems to becoming a booked-and-blessed comedian, how her famous “Ham!” scene in “30 Rock” came to be, why Netflix’s “Mr. Iglesias” is important to youngsters, and how she scored a job on “The View” partly because of Rosie O’Donnell’s breast.

Janelle James hangs with Kym Whitley to chat about getting kicked off of Soul Train, her rude high school superlative, doing improv with Larry David, what it was like to star in “Next Friday,” and how some janky teeth scored her a big role.

Janelle James kicks it with Bruce Bruce to talk about eating Snoop Dogg’s food on set, convincing Kevin Hart not to quit standup, how he ended up being referenced on Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize,” and how he went from being booed four times at the Apollo to becoming a legend.

Janelle James hangs out with Kim Coles to chat about growing up in Brooklyn, reenacting “Roots” in the high school cafeteria, the grueling audition process for “In Living Color,” how comedy is a superpower, why she hates hot sauce, and whether she’s down for a “Living Single” reboot.

Janelle James sits down with Roy Wood Jr. to chat about growing up in Alabama, bombing his first “Daily Show” audition, how almost going to prison paved the way for his career in comedy, and how making it in the entertainment industry is just like becoming Batman.

Janelle James hangs with Nicole Byer to talk about the fundamentals of twerking, not being a fan of children, embracing fat jokes, how her Netflix hit “Nailed It!” inspires hecklers, why you should always ask for more money, and what she’s learned about relationships and herself from hosting her podcast, “Why Won’t You Date Me?”

We back and we black! On the second season of Netflix’s Strong Black Legends, Black-American Tracy Clayton returns with more Black legends of Black Hollywood like Leon, Blair Underwood, Bumper Robinson, Omar Epps and more to chat about their breakthrough career moments and what it feels like to go down in history as the best to ever do it! Tune in every Tuesday to hear these convos and, of course, find out who (or what) is receiving the illustrious Tracy’s Flowers - an honor to a part of black culture given at the end of each episode!

Thanks to the power of manifestation, Strong Black Lead, your tweets and hair grease, Tracy sits down with the man so fly, he only needs one name: Leon. They talk about “The Temptations” and “The Five Heartbeats,” and Tracy gets coached in delivering THAT line we all know and love. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to the cornerstone of the black medicine cabinet: Ginger Ale.

This week, Tracy sits down with Kyla Pratt - the Hollywood legend who’s been getting to the entertainment bag since the age of 8. They get into everything from “Barney,” to “Dr. Doolittle,” to “One on One,” and, of course, her role as Penny Proud on The Proud Family and whether or not there’s going to be a reboot! Plus, Tracy holds a memorial service for The T.V. Theme Song.

This week, Tracy sits down with comedic and acting legend Bill Bellamy! They get into everything from “Def Comedy Jam,” to “Love Jones,” to Bill coining the phrase “Booty Call.” We also got some insight on Bill’s upcoming role in Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to the best part of any cookout - line dances!

This week, Tracy sits down with the always charming Blair Underwood! They get into everything from his first big role in L.A. Law, his heartthrob role in Set It Off, and how he decides what to say yes to.We also chat about his upcoming role in Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to iconic movie soundtracks.

This week, Tracy sits down with the one and only Shar Jackson! They get into everything from her unforgettable character, Nicey, in the 90’s T.V. classic, Moesha, and her fun, but very serious, gaming career. Plus, Tracy serenades us in celebration of the talking parts in R&B songs.

This week, Tracy sits down with the always working, Elise Neal! They get into everything from her breakout role as Yvonne in T.V. sitcom, The Hughley’s, and why the show was so important, and we chat about the funniest moments on set for the Oscar winning film, Hustle & Flow. Plus, Tracy takes us back to a time we all long for--the 90s and gives flowers to 90s slang.

This week, Tracy sits down with the ultimate auntie crush, Taye Diggs! They chat about his role on the ever iconic Broadway musical, RENT, a moment he shared with Angela Bassett in his audition for How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and the improv scene that he wasn’t expecting on the set of The Best Man. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to one of the many focal points of the black community, front porches.

This week, Tracy sits down with Brooklyn-born legend, Omar Epps! The two talk about his breakout role, alongside Tupac Shakur, in Juice and his second time playing another guy named Q in Love and Basketball. They also talk about Omar’s time before his Hollywood career as a student at LaGuardia High School aka the school from Fame. Plus, Tracy heads to the streets of Brooklyn to find out folks’ favorite jams to play at the barbecue and gives flowers to cookout music.

This week, Tracy sits down with 90s heartthrob, Bumper Robinson. They get into his time as a child actor on Warner Brother studio lots, his extensive voice acting career, and the Tupac episode of A Different World. Plus Tracy gives flowers to one of the many sources of black girl magic, natural hair.

Strong Black Lead has a new podcast! It’s called “Okay, Now Listen” and is hosted by Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell. For more fun and black ass shenanigans, subscribe *today* to “Okay, Now Listen” wherever you get your podcasts!

This week, in our special season two finale, Tracy sits down with the legendary triple threat Debbie Allen. They talk about Debbie’s time at Howard University and how she got her role, on and off screen, on the set of tv series, Fame. They also talk about Debbie and Phylicia Rashad’s feature on Solange Knowles’ When I Get Home. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to the ultimate queen, Queen Latifah.

If you like Strong Black Legends, you'll love Okay, Now Listen, with Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell. New episodes every other Thursday. From Netflix and Strong Black Lead.In this episode, Scottie & Sylvia revisit the amazing yet sometimes overlooked 1997 film, B.A.P.S., with Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle Reid. Then they dive into a conversation about what makes a movie a Black classic or Blassic. Plus their “Officially Unofficial Rules of Blassics,” including some of their favorite Blassics of all time. And finally, they share a Blassic film they secretly still haven't seen.Subscribe to Okay, Now Listen and start listening today.  

This week, in our special bonus episode of Strong Black Legends, Tracy sits down with the legendary Halle Berry. They talk about Halle's directorial debut Bruised where she flexes her triple threat muscles as an actor, director and producer. Halle gives us a glimpse into what it's really like being called “The Most Beautiful Person in the World." Spoiler alert: It's not what you think. And we celebrate the iconic and beloved classic BAPS! Plus, Tracy makes sure Ms. Halle Berry gets all the flowers she deserves.