Enter the world of the "Black Ink Crew" and meet the girls and guys that run this black-owned and operated tattoo shop on 113th and Lennox, right in the heart of NYC's Harlem. The employees are a tight, but totally dysfunctional "family." For many of them, this shop is the key to turning their lives around, and for some of them, it's their first legitimate job off the streets. Black Ink is more than just a tattoo shop to the people who work there. The shop is also a magnet for hip-hop stars and athletes, but the real flavor comes from the quite colorful characters that walk into the shop on a daily basis. Inside the doors of Black Ink, you never know what you are going to get. From the sexy new girl on the block, Dutchess, to the party animal of the group, Puma, the characters are crazy, sexy and, most of all, loveable. This hour-long docu-series follows the lives of Ceasar, Dutchess, Alex, Sassy, Puma, and O' Sh!t, as they work, live, party, and hang out in Harlem. "Black Ink Crew" explores the friendships, crushes, rivalries and craziness that comes when a group of friends become family. "Black Ink Crew" premieres Monday, January 7th at 9 PM ET/PT on VH1. "Black Ink Crew" is executive produced by Dan Cesareo, Doug DePriest and Ken Martinez for Big Fish Entertainment. Executive producers for VH1 are Shelly Tatro, Kari Mcfarland, Rick Hankey and Jeff Olde.
Sky enjoys her newfound freedom. Ceaser doesn’t want anyone associated with Puma close by. A surprise visitor tests Ted’s loyalty to Sky.
Donna lets her opinion be known one too many times. Sky finds out that Ted has been stepping out on her.
Ceaser is back in North Carolina to look for a house. Sky informs Puma that he needs to "man up".
In the Season 5 premiere, Ceaser holds a grand-opening party at his new shop. Later, Teddy takes on the role of executive manager of 113th; and Donna's furious to discover that Max is still involved with his ex.
O'S**t returns to Harlem with a new name and love interest. Later, Ted transforms Ceaser's old office and hires a new tattoo artist; and Kitty instigates a brawl after insulting the 113th shop.
Ceaser is forced to confront his employees after learning that Kitty was jumped. A rumor sends Young Bae into attack mode. Nikki finally agrees to let Richard work at 113th. Sky concocts a crazy plan to get Donna back.
Dutchess plans a 24-hour tattoo-a-thon, but a fight between Sky and Tiffany causes trouble; Nikki races to the Bronx courthouse; Donna sells an asset.
Sky gets stitches after Tiffany confronts her about her attitude. Later, Melody hopes to return to Black Ink; Sky tells Ceaser a secret; and Richard and Nikki's wedding celebration takes a turn for the worse.
Walt tries to persuade Richard to deal with his legal matters; and Ceaser's caught off guard when Donna demands her job back. Later, Dutchess returns to New York City to celebrate her magazine cover.
Ceaser is shocked when Dutchess leaves him; Sky asks her female co-workers for a very personal favor; Walt and Sky introduce Young Bae to online dating; Sky fears for her safety when a man from her past shows up at the shop.
The crew takes Ceaser to Miami for some sun, sand and senoritas; Richard battles it out in court with Kathie over custody of their son; Dutchess receives a disturbing phone call that has her questioning her decision to leave NYC.
The crew head out on a camping trip for some team-building exercises, but all hell breaks loose when an unexpected visitor arrives. Later, Dutchess demands proof of Ceaser's affair; and Sky and Donna discover dark secrets from Nikki's past.
The crew tries to persuade Ceaser to reopen the shop. Dutchess returns to New York and makes a shocking discovery on Ceaser’s computer. A friendsgiving celebration turns sour when Sky attacks Teddy about his behavior.
The crew head to Puerto Rico, but a massive screw-up from Teddy threatens to derail the entire trip. Later, Melody loses her cool when Lalo refuses to make the ultimate commitment; and Ceaser and Dutchess come face-to-face.
The crew parties on a boat off the coast of Puerto Rico; Ceaser exposes the truth about Nikki's past; Melody and Lalo commit; Dutchess makes a plea.
The crew celebrate the grand re-opening of Black Ink. Later, Ted is on the defense as Melody makes a power play to become manager; O'S**t reveals information about Nikki; and Melody catches Ceaser in a compromising position.
Ceaser and the crew attend DMX's birthday party; Sky wants to prevent Kitty from becoming Ceaser's new woman; someone from Nikki's past shows up; a fancy dinner ends in a trashed table.
Miss Kitty confronts Ceaser about sleeping with Allison; Richard rushes to the hospital; Dutchess gets her groove back.
Sky shares big news; Ceaser attempts damage control with Miss Kitty; Sky pitches her new workout; Donna believes Sky does not deserve her promotion.
Ceaser learns something shocking about his relationship with Dutchess; after the loss of their baby, Richard's wife, Nikki, hits her breaking point; Kitty attempts to make peace with Dutchess; Bae is caught up in a new romance.
After leaving Black Ink closed for a month, Ceaser is back in Harlem. In North Carolina, Dutchess still has to pay for unexpected renovations before her tattoo shop can open. Kathie warns O’Sh*t about child support payments.
Ceaser's arrest sends shock waves through Black Ink. Puma is opening up a brand new tattoo shop to give Black Ink a run for its money. All hell breaks loose when Ted hires a new tattoo artist behind Ceaser's back.
A new tattoo artist receives a traditional Black Ink welcome. Later, the ladies travel to Miami Beach for Sky's surgery; and Dutchess' wild night at the club could put her relationship with Ceaser at risk.
Sky undergoes cosmetic surgery to get the body she's always dreamed of. Later, Ceaser declares war after learning Puma opened a tattoo shop in close proximity to Black Ink; and Ceaser's shocked when Donna reveals the details of her night with Dutchess.
Ceaser confronts Dutchess about her alleged infidelity. Later, Naeem introduces his girlfriend to the Art2Ink crew; and Walt struggles with his new responsibilities as a full-time father when he's forced to give his kids "the talk."
Ceaser confronts O'S**t about rumors that he slept with Dutchess; and an altercation erupts when Donna refuses to pay Sky for her portion of the hotel bill. Later, Puma's life is put at stake when bullets are fired into Art2Ink.
Sky throws a party at the shop to reveal her new body; and Ceaser attempts to mediate for O'S**t and Kathie. Later, Puma's mother-in-law demands that Puma close down his shop after she hears about the shooting at Art2Ink.
Dutchess spends her last days in New York City attempting to make amends with Donna; and Kathie calls on her spirit guides to exact revenge on O'S**t. Later, Sky's past returns to haunt her as she begins a new chapter in her life.
Dutchess faces a difficult decision when the caterers, guests and supplies for her grand-opening party for Pretty N Ink fall through the day before the event. Later, Donna makes an unexpected visit to North Carolina to confront Dutchess and Ceaser about throwing out her tattoo equipment.
Ceaser's mother tries to intervene in his marriage after worrying that Dutchess is manipulating him; and Sky tests out her new body. Later, Donna confronts Max's ex after growing suspicious.
Donna is jealous when Ceaser doesn't choose her to help open a new shop in NOLA (which drives a wedge between her and Alex), and Young Bae becomes a citizen and a mother.
Donna catches Alex partying with strippers, Sky's son makes a shocking announcement about his post-graduation plans, and Melody reaches out to her mom's estranged family.
An old feud flares up when Jadah arrives in New Orleans, Walt confronts Ceaser about calling him a drunk, and Melody's estranged cousin stands her up.
Ceaser loses it when he discovers the New Orleans shop is completely trashed just before opening day; Donna seeks revenge on Ted for Jadah's firing; a pool party turns into a full out brawl.
Ceaser fumes after learning that an employee was a mole; Bae lets Ceaser's enemies take over the 113th shop; Alex's father faces major surgery; Ceaser comes face to face with former best friend turned rival.
To get back in Ceaser's good graces, Bae hires a new receptionist. Cheyenne calls Ceaser out for being an absentee parent. Jadah attacks her replacement, and Alex blows up when he hears that Donna reconnected with her ex.
The crew heads to New Jersey for a weekend of team-building exercises. Jadah breaks down after a traumatic event. Bae invites her mom to stay with them causing Rob to freak out. And Tokie spirals after receiving a phone call from someone in her past.
Sky finds out some big news about her son Des. Tokie tries to work through issues from her past, and Donna gives Ceaser an ultimatum. Rob struggles to deal with Bae’s mom living in their home. An unexpected guest pops up to 113th, to Sky’s surprise.
Sky grows concerned after Des drops a bomb about his life in Texas; Melody and Lalo's relationship is on the rocks; Donna attempts to apologize to Ceaser and Kitty gets fired up when a woman comes for her job
Ceaser freaks out when Sky tells him she wants to open a shop in Miami. Jadah gets revenge on Ted after finding out that he's officially dating Tati. And Lalo breaks up with Melody.
Ceaser makes a bold move when he finds out that Sky betrayed him. Donna and her twin sister feud over Alex. Melody makes a shocking announcement. And Bae's mom put pressure on Bae to get married before she leaves in two weeks.
After Ceaser shockingly fires Sky, the shop descends into chaos; Bae and Rob receive devastating news; Sky plots her revenge on Ceaser; Ted is furious when Tati gets wasted at a Black Ink party and goes home with another guy.
The crew heads to Westchester for Bae's wedding weekend; Tati attempts to make amends with Ted; Sky opens her boutique in Miami; Bae's rehearsal dinner turns into chaos when Donna and Alex show up.
Ted and Tati take a big step in their relationship, and Sky’s unexpected arrival throws the wedding into chaos. Meanwhile, Bae’s wedding is in limbo after a family emergency, and Ceaser has a melt down over his father-of-the-bride duties.
Sky has a run-in with an enemy, Alex faces a medical emergency, Ceaser gets protective when his daughter goes on her first date, and a violent act leads to chaos at the shop.
The crew is concerned about their safety after an act of violence is perpetrated against the shop; Sky comes to the rescue when Bae discovers the extent of her mother's credit card debt; Tati confronts Ted about his behavior.
The crew heads to the casino to raise money for Walt; Donna and Alex set out to destroy Ceaser; Tati flips when she discovers shocking news about Ted; paramedics rush to the scene to aid an unresponsive Ceaser.
Donna joins forces with Ceaser's biggest enemy; the crew risks it all at the casino to help Walt, and Sky's son Des meets his biological father for the first time.
The crew throws a going away party for Mama Bae; Alex snaps at Donna; Ceaser receives devastating news; Bae attacks Kitty for talking behind her back.
The crew heads to sunny LA to help Sky with her groundbreaking twerk fashion show -- and for spiritual cleansing; Kitty attempts to make things right with Bae; Tati faces the wrath of everyone.
Sky hosts her twerk fashion show in Los Angeles; Ceaser comes face to face with Puma, his biggest enemy; Krystal confronts her estranged father; Donna taunts Ceaser from the fashion show stage.
Cease decision to partner with Puma gets questioned; Bae struggles to save her marriage; Sky talks to her son.
Walt brings his new girlfriend by the shop, which causes Donna to catch a flashback; Young Bae and Rob face difficulties in their marriage; Sky is at a crossroads with her relationship with Des.
Kit's mom passes away in D.C and the news rocks the shop; Donna and Walt duke it out over Jessica; Puma hires new girl London; Bae thinks Puma's motives are shady.
Tati has a run in with the law, and Donna hits a brick wall financially after Uncle Sam comes knocking at the door ready to turn her world upside down. Meanwhile on episode 4, things go haywire when Puma hires London to cover for Kitty, and he runs into a few issues after he tries to bring a little peace to the shop.
In an effort to support Miss Kitty, Ceaser and the crew head down to Memphis, Tenn., so she can reconnect with her mother's roots; Krystal confronts Donna about her behavior during the lock-in.
Ceaser has a new opportunity to expand Black Ink but not everyone is happy with the deal, leaving him to question where loyalties lie; Donna plans a girls' night that's full of rowdy surprises; Walt and Jess can't see eye to eye.
An unexpected drug test has Tati freaking out; Sky announces a huge surprise; Quani makes a decision that shocks Puma; Rok airs out his dirty laundry.
Ceaser deals with the fallout of his arrest; Alex and Donna try to get their magic back in the bedroom; Bae confronts a shocking diagnosis; Sky embarks on a new venture.
Donna brings up people in Brooklyn talking trash about the upcoming Black Ink, which sets Ceaser off on a spiral through the past; Walt tries to make amends with Jessica; Sky embarks on a new business adventure.
Ted comes clean to Ceaser and Puma about why he's been so absent; Mike finally receives his long-awaited paternity test.
The Brooklyn shop is finally open and Ceaser throws a block party to celebrate the grand opening; after Donna gives Alex an ultimatum, things don't go as expected; Crystal has a new jaw and a new attitude.
Rumors swirl about the altercation between Crystal and Miss Kitty; Sky struggles with the future of her Miami shop; news that Tati is dating a new man causes issues for Ted.
The crew heads to Cleveland for the first stop on Walt's comedy tour; Alex finally meets Donna's dad and things don't go as planned.
Walt headlines his first comedy show tour in Cleveland; Kitty threatens to sue Ceaser; Alex tries to win Donna's dad over.
Single, Ceaser seems more interested in chasing women than running his business; Donna receives a threatening phone call; the anniversary party turns into chaos.
Teddy's brother faces life in prison; Sky makes a life-changing phone call; Melody receives a letter from the IRS; a brawl breaks out at Black Ink.
Sky heads to Texas to reunite with the children she gave up for adoption 15 years ago. Meanwhile, Melody is shocked by Lalo’s solution to their financial issues, and Ceaser receives alarming news from his doctor and decides to change his ways.
When $10,000 is stolen from the shop, Ceaser tasks Sky to find the culprit. Bae freaks out when Rob wants to take their relationship to the next level. Melody has a break down when Donna publicly attacks her artistry and questions her character.
Ceaser puts Sky in charge of 113; Kevin decides to come out to his homophobic father; Ceaser is forced to break up with his side pieces; Donna's ex-roommate trashes her.
Ceaser braces for a fight; Donna seeks revenge on her ex-roommate; Bae worries for her mother's safety after she receives death threats.
Ceaser bails out Alex in New York City; Walt has a date with Jadah; a new manager-in-training crosses the line; an artist returns to the shop.
Things get physical when the new manager-in-training criticizes Donna; the crew tries to get Melody to come back to the shop; Sky gets emotional over her tense relationship with her son.
The crew heads to Korea to find Bae's missing mom; Sky goes on the attack after hearing a rumor about Ted and Kitty; Bae fears the worst when the search for her mom hits a dead end; Donna is shocked by the results of a pregnancy test.
Bae continues the search for her missing mom in Korea while struggling to deal with her pregnancy; O'Sh*t clashes with Alex over a client; Sky becomes unhinged as she begins to question Bae's past.
The crew calls Sky out for her behavior in Korea; Nikki drops a bomb on O'Sh**t; Bae is shocked by Rob's reaction to the news that she's pregnant; Ceaser and Kitty rekindle their romance; Jadah attempts to play matchmaker.
O'S**t rushes to Atlanta for the birth of his fourth child; Sky freaks out when Ceaser contacts her son, Genesis; Bae wants a shotgun wedding, but Rob has other plans; Ceaser has an emotional meeting with Sky's son.
Melody meets her father's estranged family for the first time; the rest of the crew heads to the slopes; Ceaser devises grand romantic gestures for Kitty; Sky loses her cool when Teddy hooks up with a fellow Black Ink employee.
Donna is in hot water after Alex posts a scandalous video on her instagram. And Sky attempts to repair her fractured relationship with the son she gave up for adoption 15 years ago.
Donna undergoes emergency surgery, Sky seeks spiritual guidance, and Walt lashes out at a launch party for Teddy's sneaker
O'S**t attempts to bring the mothers of his children together, Sky decides she's ready to have a baby, and Walt hits rock bottom.
The crew decides to secretly order a paternity test on O'S**t's baby, Ted and Sky go on a date that has a surprising outcome, and Walt works to get his kids back.
Sky pops the question to Eliot. Donna is caught trying to steal Mel's client, but O'S**t commits the ultimate betrayal when he seeks a job with Ceaser's biggest enemy. A woman claims Black Ink gave her an infected tattoo.
Sky throws a party that has everybody gagging. A video of Donna getting intimate with a coworker goes viral. Walt puts on an exhibition hoping to get his finances on track. Ceaser’s apartment is invaded by his daughter.
Ceaser and the crew crash Sky's vacation in Miami, Kitty launches an attack on Ceaser, and Alex reveals his true feelings to Donna.