Black to the Future is a 2009 television miniseries that originally aired on VH1 from February 24 to February 27, 2009. The show, which is a spin-off of the I Love the... series, discusses the history of events and trends about African Americans and is hosted by David Alan Grier. The title is a reference to the 1985 comedy film, Back to the Future.
Commentators Debbie Allen Afrika Bambaataa Fantasia Barrino Ty Barnett Garcelle Beauvais Tyson Beckford Eric Benet Ahmed Best Alonzo Bodden Boyz II Men (Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman) Bobby Brown Downtown Julie Brown Michelle Buteau Nick Cannon Jordan Carlos Hosea Chanchez Common Lavell Crawford Affion Crockett Mark Curry Tommy Davidson Bill Dawes Earthquake Dean Edwards Karith Foster Marina Franklin B.D. Freeman Godfrey Jessica Golden Macy Gray David Alan Grier Kyle Grooms Tiffany Haddish Kadeem Hardison Jeremy Hassell John Henton Ice-T Jesse Jackson Jim Jones Leslie Jones Khalil Kain Kool Moe Dee Kenny Lattimore Tom Lister, Jr. Faizon Love Loni Love Luenell MC Lyte Kathleen Madigan Method Man Jerry Minor Finesse Mitchell Modern Humorist (Michael Colton and John Aboud) Garrett Morris Phil Morris Tia Mowry Musiq Chuck Nice Patrice O'Neal Prince Paul Keith Powell Kevin Powell Donnell Rawlings Ray J Christopher Reid Salt-n-Pepa Stuart Scott Amanda Seales Keesha Sharp Sherri Shepherd Rondell Sheridan Sir Mix-a-Lot Sherrod Small Janell Snowden Hal Sparks Aries Spears Rozonda Thomas Guy Torry Harvey Walden IV Jimmie Walker George Weisgerber Elon James White Kym Whitley Hal Williams Michelle Williams Gina Yashere
Recurring segments Brothers with Badges: Ice-T talks about Black actors that played police officers in the given decade. The Most Groovetastic Songs: Chilli lists three popular songs in the given decade. Catchphrases of Color: Jesse Jackson lives through popular phrases in the given decade. Cosmic Girls: Sir Mix-a-Lot discusses women he liked in the given decade. Fashions of the Decade: Downtown Julie Brown shows us fashion styles in the given decade. Whatta Men: Salt-N-Pepa talk about guys they liked in the given decade. Rants: Each celebrity gives an opinion on a topic that was covered by the given decade. Funniest Fellas: Loni Love lists funny comedians the given decade. Soul Sisters: Fantasia Barrino shows us the best female singers in the given decade.
Topics covered by decade
Notice: Throughout the specials they discuss various music, film, and TV shows and spoil the endings of them.
The 1970s Good Times The Jackson 5 Afro The Wiz Sanford and Son Soul Train Funk The Jeffersons Barry White Shaft What's Happening!! Stevie Wonder The White Shadow Harlem Globetrotters Roots
Brothers with Badges of the 1970s: Clarence Williams III, Cleavon Little, and Richard Roundtree
The Most Groovetastic Songs of the 1970s: "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye, "Le Freak" by Chic, and "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge
Catchphrases of Color of the 1970s: "Dy-no-mite!", "Hey, hey, hey!" (Fat Albert), and "Elizabeth, I'm comin'"
Cosmic Girls of the 1970s: Tina Turner, Thelma Evans, and Donna Summer
Fashions of the 1970s: Dashikis, bell-bottoms, afro picks, gold lame, platform shoes, relaxed hair, polyester suits, and shiny alligator shoes
Whatta Men of the 1970s: Billy Dee Williams, Sidney Poitier, and Julius Erving
Sir Mix-a-Lot's Rant on Funk
Funniest Fellas of the 1970s: Flip Wilson, Garrett Morris, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Richard Pryor
Soul Sisters of the 1970s: Gloria Gaynor, Patti LaBelle, and Gladys Knight
The 1980s Mr. T Breakdancing Diff'rent Strokes New Edition Jesse Jackson's 1984 presidential campaign 227 Michael Jackson Rap Mike Tyson "Party All the Time" by Eddie Murphy Whitney Houston The Color Purple Hollywood Shuffle Lionel Richie Do the Right Thing
Brothers with Badges of the 1980s: Carl Weathers, Eddie Murphy, and Philip Michael Thomas
The Most Groovetastic Songs of the 1980s: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin, "Super Freak" by Rick James, and "Mary, Mary" by Run-D.M.C.
Catchphrases of Color of the 1980s: "Did I do that", "I pity the fool" (Mr. T), and "What you talkin' 'bout, Willis? (Gary Coleman)"
Cosmic Girls of the 1980s: Lisa Bonet (The Cosby Show), Holly Robinson Peete, and Vanessa Williams
Fashions of the 1980s: Asymmetrical haircut, door bangers, leather bomber jacket, tracksuit, kangol, Adidas, African medallions, dreads, and the nefertiti hat
Whatta Men of the 1980s: Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Al B. Sure!, and LL Cool J
Patrice O'Neal's Rant on 227
Funniest Fellas of the 1980s: Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Robert Guillaume, and Whoopi Goldberg
Soul Sisters of the 1980s: Tina Turner, Sade (The Sweetest Taboo), and Chaka Khan
The 1990s Martin Waiting to Exhale Michael Jordan Hootie & the Blowfish House Party Forty-ounce beer The Arsenio Hall Show Family Matters Million Man March Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dogg Boyz n the Hood Mary J. Blige Living Single Tae Bo 1992 Los Angeles riots In Living Color
Brothers with Badges of the 1990s: Reginald VelJohnson (Carl), Chris Tucker, and Wesley Snipes
The Most Groovetastic Songs of the 1990s: "What is Love" by Haddaway, "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems" by The Notorious B.I.G., and "Creep" by TLC
Catchphrases of Color of the 1990s: "Homey don't play that", "Show me the money!" (Cuba Gooding Jr. from Jerry Maguire), and "Whoomp, there it is!"
Cosmic Girls of the 1990s: Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, and En Vogue
Fashions of the 1990s: Overalls, HBCU sweatshirt, Halle Berry haircut, Jordans, gear from Cross Colors, high-top fade, baggy jeans, timberlands, and bandanas
Whatta Men of the 1990s: Lenny Kravitz, Djimon Hounsou, and Denzel Washington
Chilli's Rant on Waiting to Exhale
Funniest Fellas of the 1990s: Bill Bellamy, Charles S. Dutton, Mark Curry, and Sinbad
Soul Sisters of the 1990s: Erykah Badu (Tyrone), En Vogue, and Angie Stone (No More Rain)
The 2000s I Am Legend Williams sisters "Hot in Herre" by Nelly Girlfriends Chappelle's Show "Yeah!" by Usher Tyra Banks Undercover Brother Beyoncé Barry Bonds Ray Mariah Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi album Barbershop Kanye West Barack Obama
Brothers with Badges of the 2000s: Denzel Washington, Anthony Anderson, and Ice-T (Law & Order)
The Most Groovetastic Songs of the 2000s: "In da Club" by 50 Cent, "I'm Sprung" by T-Pain, and "It's Goin' Down" by Yung Joc
Catchphrases of Color of the 2000s: "King Kong ain't got nothin' on me!", and "Wazzup?"
Cosmic Girls of the 2000s: Mya, Condoleezza Rice, and Halle Berry
Fashions of the 2000s: Diamond Grillz, black T, Air Force Ones, Members Only jacket, puff vest, body tattoos, fine suit, matte link, and a clothing line with a name
Whatta Men of the 2000s: Derek Jeter, 50 Cent, and Kobe Bryant
Mark Curry's Rant on Barry Bonds
Funniest Fellas of the 2000s: Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey, Tracy Morgan, and Chris Rock
Soul Sisters of the 2000s: Alicia Keys (Fallin'), Jill Scott, and Toni Braxton
References
External links
Black to the Future on VH1