Moving On Up: Ceasar of Black Ink Tattoo Shop Reveals Big Announcement.
By Keydra Manns
If you find yourself in Harlem itching for a new tat, it’s a no brainer you will go to Black Ink. The “Black Ink Crew” has amassed a loyal fan base over the years and business is booming. Not only are they currently filming the 4th season of the VH1 hit show Black Ink Crew, they are expanding and added an additional shop in the heart of Harlem on 125th street between 5th and Lenox Ave.
Gossip blogs criticize the crew for exposing their growing pains, like when cast member Richard “O’ S***”Duncan introduced his 3rd baby mother to the show( they have since ended their relationship) , or when shop owner David “Ceaser” Emmanuel fought rival tattoo shop owner Paul “Puma” Robinson on camera for the world to see.
The new shop will not be open until early March, but Ceaser wants people to know this boy from the hood is wining, unapologetically. He is opening the door for other men like him to follow and securing his spot in Black history.
“Honestly it was such a struggle trying to get here” says Ceaser. Coming from the hood, these are the same streets my cousin Ted and I would run around looking for girls wishing we had something, now we got something, I’m not dribbling a basketball I’m not selling any drugs, this is all clean money.”
Harlem has undergone exorbitant changes socially and economically since Ceaser, 36, was young in the early 2000’s and trying to find his purpose. He spoke openly with Harlem Focus about what it means to be a young Black business owner during this current climate, as Harlem undergoes gentrification. “I feel like this is our home and we don’t have anything, the whole two fifth, they got rid of us. I took a piece back for us and hope other people will follow because this is ours.”
Ceaser isn’t the only one making waves, his fiancé’ and costar Dutchess Lattimore,31, has had a busy year with the opening of her shop down in Charlotte, North Carolina “Pretty in Ink”. Dutchess, as the only female artist of the shop has played an intricate part in the success of Black Ink. She wants people to know that as a brand they are expanding and are good for more than just inking up celebrities, Harlemites and tourist from all over the country.
“I just like to see that our brands are growing” says Dutchess. “In the tattoo industry you see people being tattoo artist and that is usually as far as their career goes. We don’t want to just be tattoo artists; we are currently working with a company and creating blue tooth speakers inside of canvases. We want people to see us as real artists and not just tattoo artist. People say oh you’re just a tattoo artist and I say no I’m an artist, and I have more to offer the world than just a tattoo.”
As far as being considered a “power couple” Dutchess is not feeling that label. “I don’t even like that term, I don’t feel like that is a term for us. I feel like we are just doing what our hearts tell us too.”
True artist they are! Check out ink work done by the Black Ink Crew below. If you can’t get enough of them, don’t worry their 4th season begins airing in March. For additional information follow the link below.
