VH1 GETS TATTED WHEN "BLACK INK CREW" RETURNS FOR SEASON 4 ON MONDAY, APRIL 4 AT 9PM ET/PT

Fan Favorites and New Faces Battle To Become Harlem's Best

New York, NY (March 21, 2016) - VH1's ink-inspired drama "Black Ink Crew" returns for what may be the most tumultuous season in franchise history!

Expect some epic next-level events this season including 2 new shops, out of this world tattoos and 3 new artists who bring a fresh new vibe to the scene. Tune in on Monday, April 4 AT 9PM ET/PT as the gang juggles relationships, family, and past rivalries while embarking on quests to build upon their successes, in the series produced by Big Fish Entertainment.

Shop owner Ceaser contemplates opening a new shop on 125th Street to further expand his Harlem reign of the Black Ink brand. His legacy is in the city where he's striving for moguldom, but his heart is with his long distance fiancée Dutchess, who's working to open a shop of her own in North Carolina. She's determined to start her tattoo art empire - but will she be able to cut ties with Black Ink for good? And will Ceaser continue to pursue his professional goals or will his heart lead the way?

O'Sh**t works hard to maintain his sobriety and stay on the straight and narrow. But when Kathie solicits the court for child support, his inner demons creep back, causing him to fall off the wagon. Meanwhile, Sky finally gets the Brazilian butt lift she's been obsessing about for years but her hope to begin life anew ultimately fades as serious issues from her past become impossible to ignore.

Ted now finds himself second in charge and takes his newfound responsibility seriously - sometimes to a fault. Black Ink's apprentice, Donna is eager to hold her own and become a bonafide tattoo artist, until a shocking hook-up on an all-girls trip to Miami derails her ambitions and the tension between her and the crew spirals out of control.

When the mother of his kids takes a job in another city, Walt unexpectedly finds himself stepping up his daddy duties. When placed in a position to have to explain the birds and the bees, this new level of responsibility might prove to be more than he was ready for.

This season, the shop also adds a striking new artist named Melody who brings a very interesting following of clients and vitality with her. After overcoming the struggles of a bi-racial childhood as well as a checkered past of her own, Melody might be the catalyst to a more enlightened and renewed energy in the shop.

Ceaser's greatest rival and ex-Black Ink employee Puma is positioning himself as fierce competition after opening his new tattoo shop, "Art2Ink". New to the Art2Ink team are close friends and talented tattoo artists Naeem and Phoenix, who each have well-known reputations and families to support. But when a shocking shooting occurs at the shop, Puma struggles to hold onto his family as well as his new talent.

Can both shops handle the pressure or is there room for only one crew to succeed in Harlem? Watch this and more unfold on the season premiere of VH1's "Black Ink Crew" Monday, April 4 AT 9PM.

Be sure to 'like' "Black Ink Crew" on Facebook, follow @BlackInkCrew on Twitter and use #BlackInk to join the conversation.

VH1's "Black Ink Crew" is executive produced by Dan Cesareo, Shelley Sinha, Kyle Simpson and Lindsey Bannister for Big Fish Entertainment. Nina L. Diaz and Daniel Blau Rogge are executive producers for VH1.

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