Black Celebs Who Created Terrible Things That We Can't Get Enough Of: Tyler Perry, Juvenile and And Others

We’ve said it here before and I’ll say it again: Tyler Perry is the patron saint of trash-ass cinema. That he has such an inspiring rags-to-riches story and a history of employing Black actors and paying them what they’re worth doesn’t save him from the fact that he’s built an empire on writing the same three movies over and over and passing them off as new. His new flick “Duplicity” on Prime Video is being touted by many as his worst yet...but don’t worry...there’s still a basement under the floor to which Perry can still travel. 

Silkk The Shocker made millions in rap music, despite some fans calling him out for rapping perpetually off beat. The “Aint My Fault” emcee even addressed the criticism that he can’t find the beat, telling listeners that “As long as I continue to just do me, then you gotta respect it,” to Respect magazine.

Related to Silkk The Shocker is his brother Master P. The No Limit Records founder not only enjoyed a career in hip hop, he was even signed to the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors’ training rosters, even playing in one preseason game. His successful entrepreneur endeavors, including snacks, pancake mix, and a travel agency, proves he’s a master — no pun intended — of all trades.

Matthew Henson was the first Black man to go to the North Pole wearing a playa coat and a fly panky ring. And he’s totally real...look him up. How could we not stan?

One of two white men to make this list, Jheri Redding, will forever be remembered by us-folk. Why? Because he invented a hairstyle beloved by rappers and aunties worldwide: the Jheri curl.

“Just let your soulll glowww!”

Latrell had Black men in a chokehold with his spinning rims in the 2000s. And if you couldn’t afford those trailblazing spinning rums, you just had to settle for spinning hubcaps.

Alexander was a folding chair innovator whose invention was later a symbol of liberation during the Great Montgomery, Alabama, riverfront brawl on Aug. 5, 2023. We must salute him, and his unsuspecting invention for self-defense.

We salute the Memaws and Madeas who refused to take the plastic off the couch. We have no idea why, but they never took it off. Not even if company came over, and yes, the hot, sticky plastic got stuck on the back of our thighs trying to get up and, we somehow survived.

We don’t know his name for certain, but legend has it that it was a great Black innovator named Jerome who first thought to put 10s in the trunk of a car. This great Black American brought so much joy to the life of many in the south. Thank you, Jerome.

Whoever thought to have Bugs Bunny dress like a thug in the 1990s must be protected at all costs. We’re unsure if they are part of the Black community, but given how many Black folks wore these shirts in the 90s, it may be safe to assume they are.

Finally, we salute the man who gave us the second Negro National Anthem, Juvenile. We will forever remember the song “Back That Azz Up,” a 1998 anthem that commands a swift move to the nearest dance floor and a flood of twerking despite your current location. He’s still taking over for the nine-nine and the 2000.

The second white man to make the list, Copeland is the founder of the source of great joy for Black folks everywhere: Popeyes Chicken. (The best resturants are found in New Orleans, Louisiana. I don’t know why, but the chicken out of that city hits different.)

The former slave who taught Jack Daniels how to make Tennessee whiskey, Nearest’s story was lost to history. Thankfully his story is now known. Hopefully Black folks will stop buying the inferior Hennessy and drink something good. (Yes. Even Hennessy Pure White is trash.)