“Black Ink Crew: Chicago” is back for a new season, and it appears to be more explosive than ever as cast-mates confront their ongoing issues from last season.
During season 4, viewers witnessed Ryan Henry leave the original 9 Mag tattoo shop due to the never-ending drama with his employees, but now he’s back looking to reclaim his throne at the shop. The 9 Mag family fell apart during season 3 after one of the shop’s tattoo artists, Katrina “Kat” Jackson, revealed she was sexually involved with Henry while he was in a relationship with longtime girlfriend Rachel Leigh.
Jackson made an impromptu move to Los Angeles after she and Henry clashed during season 2. In addition to her affair with Henry straining her relationships at the shop, Jackson also felt her artistry wasn’t being recognized and wanted to venture off from the 9 Mag brand, which Henry had a problem with. She returned to Chicago a few months later and demanded to be hired back. Henry refused to let Jackson return to the shop and went toe-to-toe with his crew about his decision.
“This my shop, I don’t want her here, she don’t need to be here,” the 9 Mag owner said in his season 3 confessional.
(From left) Don Brumfield, Charmaine Walker, Van Johnson, Rachel Leigh, Ryan Henry, Danielle Jamison, Katrina Jackson, and Phor Brumfield. (VH1 screenshot)
Henry’s big blow-up with his employees Van Johnson, Charmaine Walker, Danielle Jamison and others who petitioned for Jackson’s return to the shop, left a strain on his relationship with the cast-mates. During season 4 he decided to abandon his shop and move to another location, but not before allegedly vandalizing 9 Mag with a few gunshots.
Former 9 Mag crew memebers Johnson, Walker, brothers Phor Brumfield and Don Brumfield, and Lily Barrios took over 9 Mag’s former space and started Loyal Ink. The building’s management wasn’t please with how Loyal Ink was running business and presented Henry with the opportunity to get his old stomping grounds back. He took the offer and set up 9 Mag just as before in his former space. The Loyal Ink members were infuriated by Henry’s decision, but whether they chose to rejoin 9 Mag will be revealed later on during season 5.
Fans are looking forward to seeing Henry boss up and retaking ownership of 9 Mag.
“Ryan made the biggest business move ever ! and nobody saw it coming he hit that debo 😂 ‘This my shop’ priceless.”
“@Ryanhenrytattoo when ppl thought they can do what you do better. Ryan still running thangs. Period! ‘Welcome to 9Mag!’ Their face was priceless. ❤️ the show. Keep up the good work Boss man.”
“Go Ryan! You should be so proud of yourself #BossMoves, ready for Wednesday 🎊.”
Henry wasn’t the only cast-mate dealing with turmoil in season 4. Don Brumfield and his wife Ashley Pickens appear to still be repairing their marriage despite the tattoo artist’s multiple infidelities. He fought to win his wife back last season after he was seen on Snapchat being fellated by another woman named Ta’Shay who later claimed to be pregnant with his child. The cheating scandal left Pickens heartbroken. She left Don with their oldest son DJ in Chicago while she moved to Texas with their infant son Ashdon to receive the support of her family.
Don has stepped out on their relationship multiple times. He admitted to cheating on his Pickens with his colleague Walker before his marriage. During season 2, he had a baby with another woman during the course of their relationship that he failed to tell his wife about. The tattoo artist also hooked up with a Dominican stripper the night before his wedding. However, Ashley decided to forgive Don for his former cheating actions, and the pair recently brought in New Year’s together, according to the tattoo artist’s Instagram.
Fans who disapproved of Pickens’ forgiving behavior weren’t the least bit surprised that she decided to stay by Don’s side in spite of his slew of affairs.
“Ashley So Damn Dumb 4 Don.. He will continue to play her because he knows Good & Very Well she will ALWAYS take him & all his STD’S ASS BACK 🤦🏾♀️.”
“Omg I cant stand her (Ashley) Like u want A man so bad you’ll let him f–k u over multiple times like that’s not love.”
Folks are curious to see if Don’s infidelities will come back to haunt his marriage.
Brumfield and Pickens weren’t the only couple on “Black Ink Crew: Chicago” experiencing relationship issues during season 4. Chicago artist Phor Brumfield confirmed in October that he split with his ex-girlfriend Nikki Nicole after the season finale aired. The two ended the season on shaky grounds after the model busted him for sending reverse “peen pics” to other women. Phor tried to justify his actions by saying he was “just trying to have a threesome,” but Nicole wasn’t buying it. Although the pair called it quits, viewers will get a chance to see how everything unfolded in their relationship during season 5 of the VH1 series.
Several fans felt Nicole was extremely abusive towards Phor and were happy the pair went their separate ways.
“Good news of the season. Soar higher my man. You’re now free from Nikki’s assault.”
“I’m glad he isn’t with her anymore. She was horrible not the one for him🙄 Phor needs to be great n someone. That supports him. 🙌.”
“Black Ink Crew: Chicago” fans are anticipating an explosive season. The show premieres on Jan. 2 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
Check out the trailer for season 5 below:
