Episodes
Published 11/29/21
This week, in our special bonus episode of Strong Black Legends, Tracy sits down with the legendary Halle Berry. They talk about Halle’s directorial debut Bruised where she flexes her triple threat muscles as an actor, director and producer. Halle gives us a glimpse into what it’s really like being called “The Most Beautiful Person in the World." Spoiler alert: It's not what you think. And we celebrate the iconic and beloved classic BAPS! Plus, Tracy makes sure Ms. Halle Berry gets all the...
Published 11/29/21
If you like Strong Black Legends, you'll love Okay, Now Listen, with Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell. New episodes every other Thursday. From Netflix and Strong Black Lead. In this episode, Scottie & Sylvia revisit the amazing yet sometimes overlooked 1997 film, B.A.P.S., with Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle Reid. Then they dive into a conversation about what makes a movie a Black classic or Blassic. Plus their “Officially Unofficial Rules of Blassics,” including some of their favorite...
Published 11/22/21
This week, in our special season two finale, Tracy sits down with the legendary triple threat Debbie Allen. They talk about Debbie’s time at Howard University and how she got her role, on and off screen, on the set of tv series, Fame. They also talk about Debbie and Phylicia Rashad’s feature on Solange Knowles’ When I Get Home. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to the ultimate queen, Queen Latifah.
Published 05/05/20
Strong Black Lead has a new podcast! It’s called “Okay, Now Listen” and is hosted by Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell. For more fun and black ass shenanigans, subscribe *today* to “Okay, Now Listen” wherever you get your podcasts!
Published 04/30/20
This week, Tracy sits down with 90s heartthrob, Bumper Robinson. They get into his time as a child actor on Warner Brother studio lots, his extensive voice acting career, and the Tupac episode of A Different World. Plus Tracy gives flowers to one of the many sources of black girl magic, natural hair.
Published 04/28/20
This week, Tracy sits down with Brooklyn-born legend, Omar Epps! The two talk about his breakout role, alongside Tupac Shakur, in Juice and his second time playing another guy named Q in Love and Basketball. They also talk about Omar’s time before his Hollywood career as a student at LaGuardia High School aka the school from Fame. Plus, Tracy heads to the streets of Brooklyn to find out folks’ favorite jams to play at the barbecue and gives flowers to cookout music.
Published 04/21/20
This week, Tracy sits down with the ultimate auntie crush, Taye Diggs! They chat about his role on the ever iconic Broadway musical, RENT, a moment he shared with Angela Bassett in his audition for How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and the improv scene that he wasn’t expecting on the set of The Best Man. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to one of the many focal points of the black community, front porches.
Published 04/14/20
This week, Tracy sits down with the always working, Elise Neal! They get into everything from her breakout role as Yvonne in T.V. sitcom, The Hughley’s, and why the show was so important, and we chat about the funniest moments on set for the Oscar winning film, Hustle & Flow. Plus, Tracy takes us back to a time we all long for--the 90s and gives flowers to 90s slang.
Published 04/07/20
This week, Tracy sits down with the one and only Shar Jackson! They get into everything from her unforgettable character, Nicey, in the 90’s T.V. classic, Moesha, and her fun, but very serious, gaming career. Plus, Tracy serenades us in celebration of the talking parts in R&B songs.
Published 03/31/20
This week, Tracy sits down with the always charming Blair Underwood! They get into everything from his first big role in L.A. Law, his heartthrob role in Set It Off, and how he decides what to say yes to.We also chat about his upcoming role in Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to iconic movie soundtracks.
Published 03/24/20
This week, Tracy sits down with comedic and acting legend Bill Bellamy! They get into everything from “Def Comedy Jam,” to “Love Jones,” to Bill coining the phrase “Booty Call.” We also got some insight on Bill’s upcoming role in Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to the best part of any cookout - line dances!
Published 03/17/20
This week, Tracy sits down with Kyla Pratt - the Hollywood legend who’s been getting to the entertainment bag since the age of 8. They get into everything from “Barney,” to “Dr. Doolittle,” to “One on One,” and, of course, her role as Penny Proud on The Proud Family and whether or not there’s going to be a reboot! Plus, Tracy holds a memorial service for The T.V. Theme Song.
Published 03/10/20
Thanks to the power of manifestation, Strong Black Lead, your tweets and hair grease, Tracy sits down with the man so fly, he only needs one name: Leon. They talk about “The Temptations” and “The Five Heartbeats,” and Tracy gets coached in delivering THAT line we all know and love. Plus, Tracy gives flowers to the cornerstone of the black medicine cabinet: Ginger Ale.
Published 03/03/20
We back and we black! On the second season of Netflix’s Strong Black Legends, Black-American Tracy Clayton returns with more Black legends of Black Hollywood like Leon, Blair Underwood, Bumper Robinson, Omar Epps and more to chat about their breakthrough career moments and what it feels like to go down in history as the best to ever do it! Tune in every Tuesday to hear these convos and, of course, find out who (or what) is receiving the illustrious Tracy’s Flowers - an honor to a part of...
Published 02/26/20
Janelle James hangs with Nicole Byer to talk about the fundamentals of twerking, not being a fan of children, embracing fat jokes, how her Netflix hit “Nailed It!” inspires hecklers, why you should always ask for more money, and what she’s learned about relationships and herself from hosting her podcast, “Why Won’t You Date Me?”
Published 01/28/20
Janelle James sits down with Roy Wood Jr. to chat about growing up in Alabama, bombing his first “Daily Show” audition, how almost going to prison paved the way for his career in comedy, and how making it in the entertainment industry is just like becoming Batman.
Published 01/21/20
Janelle James hangs out with Kim Coles to chat about growing up in Brooklyn, reenacting “Roots” in the high school cafeteria, the grueling audition process for “In Living Color,” how comedy is a superpower, why she hates hot sauce, and whether she’s down for a “Living Single” reboot.
Published 01/14/20
Janelle James kicks it with Bruce Bruce to talk about eating Snoop Dogg’s food on set, convincing Kevin Hart not to quit standup, how he ended up being referenced on Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize,” and how he went from being booed four times at the Apollo to becoming a legend.
Published 01/07/20
Janelle James hangs with Kym Whitley to chat about getting kicked off of Soul Train, her rude high school superlative, doing improv with Larry David, what it was like to star in “Next Friday,” and how some janky teeth scored her a big role.
Published 12/17/19
Janelle James sits down with Sherri Shepherd to chat about growing up super religious, how she went from being a legal secretary with legal problems to becoming a booked-and-blessed comedian, how her famous “Ham!” scene in “30 Rock” came to be, why Netflix’s “Mr. Iglesias” is important to youngsters, and how she scored a job on “The View” partly because of Rosie O’Donnell’s breast.
Published 12/10/19
Janelle James hangs with Marlon Wayans to get into what it’s like coming from a comedy dynasty, being heckled by Chris Rock, how he almost played Robin in “Batman Returns,” whether he’s interested in a “White Chicks” sequel, and how every movie he’s ever been in prepared him to play seven characters in Netflix’s “Sextuplets.”
Published 12/03/19
Janelle James sits down with Mike Epps to talk about his breakout role as Day-Day in "Next Friday," his new Netflix special "Only One Mike," what it was like to star alongside Eddie Murphy in Netflix's "Dolemite Is My Name," and how he managed to turn a tough childhood into comedy gold.
Published 11/26/19
We're kicking off Strong Black Laughs with the OG Bad Girl of Comedy, Luenell! Host Janelle James chats with Luenell about going from sleeping in a Denny's parking lot to being booked and blessed, licking Borat's finger, that time she robbed a bank, and what it felt like starring alongside Eddie Murphy in Netflix's "Dolemite Is My Name" and the "Coming to America" sequel.
Published 11/19/19
Strong Black Legends will be back next year. In the meantime, a brand spanking new show called Strong Black Laughs is here to bring you the black champions of comedy and take your mind off all the b******t. The pre-legend herself, Tracy Clayton, sat down with host Janelle James to get a taste of what’s to come.
Published 11/12/19