ADDITIONAL NOTES: completed airing its first season on 3/25/13; has yet to be renewed for a second season
DESCRIPTION: (from VH1's press release, January 2013) VH1 is heading up to Harlem and entering the tight but totally dysfunctional family of the "Black Ink Crew" who runs the only black-owned and operated tattoo parlor in the heart of Harlem at 113th St. and Lennox Ave. Premiering Monday, January 7 at 9 PM ET/PT, the hour-long, 12 episode docu-series follows one of the most famous - and infamous - tattoo shops in the country. The shop is a magnet for hip hop stars both old school and new (Cam'ron, Jadakiss, Jim Jones, Asap Rocky, Corey Gunz) as well as pro athletes (Amare Stoudamire, C.C. Sabathia, Stephon Marbury, Brandon Spikes), video vixens and a who's who of urban elite (Tyson Beckford, Keri Hilson). But the real flavor comes from the colorful characters that work and walk into the shop on a daily basis.