>> You're killing it.
It looks amazing.
>> You know, we're already
looking at about another 3,000
more dollars.
>> DUTCHESS: My shop has to open
in eight weeks.
I need to make some money fast.
I'm going back to Black Ink for
business.
That does not mean I need to
concern myself with anybody's
bull [bleep].
>> Ted is second in charge.
>> He don't do anything in the
shop.
He sits on his [bleep] couch.
So I just have to see him in his
element first before I take this
position seriously.
>> Have fun with that, Ted.
>> You knew you had to do this
tattoo, and you have your person
sitting here for three hours.
Your head is not screwed on
right.
>> I'm [bleep] always [bleep]
trying to prove myself to them.
>> OFFICER: Where Ceaser?
>> OS--T: What the [bleep]?
I've never seen this many cops
in Black Ink.
>> MAN: Dutch, you gotta go to
the shop.
>> What the [bleep] happened?
>> You know I at least gotta
finish this tat.
You all really gonna arrest me
like this?
I'm not a criminal.
Unless you gotta get a tattoo,
you shouldn't even be talking to
me.
>> [siren wails]
>> ♪
>> [siren wailing]
>> CEASER: How you gonna treat
me like the common criminal over
child support.
Twenty [bleep] cops deep to
serve a [bleep] bench warrant.
This [bleep] is [bleep] to me,
yo.
>> [siren wails]
>> WOMAN: I look like an idiot.
This is [bleep].
I don't know if this is what's
supposed to be happening right
now.
It's burning a little bit.
Okay, hello.
What's--what's going on?
Hey.
I got like half my [bleep] done.
Can I at least get wrapped up?
I'm not happy.
>> Ceaser gets arrested, and
this client has been here the
whole time assed out, literally.
If it was me personally, yeah,
I'd be pretty pissed.
>> This is how your business is
run, this makes people not want
to come here anymore.
I'm gonna go back in my room,
and then you can wrap me up.
>> You gotta love Blank Ink.
Gotta tell you.
>> I just wanted a [bleep]
centaur, and I got a half a
zebra.
Hello.
>> Yeah, I'll get you all
wrapped up and stuff.
>> This is not what I came to
New York for.
>> WOMAN #2: Oh my God.
>> WOMAN: Let's go back to Cali.
>> Ceaser's arrest is gonna have
a negative effect on Black Ink.
Word of mouth goes a long way in
these streets.
When people find out that
artists are getting arrested
while in the middle of a tattoo,
it's gonna be horrible.
>> WOMAN: I will never be
back here.
>> ♪
>> [sirens wailing]
>> I cannot believe Cease is
[bleep] getting arrested.
I'm completely shocked.
I don't know what's going on.
I just got back to New York.
I didn't want to be here with
the drama, with the bull
[bleep], with the negativity.
Him being arrested makes me
look stupid, because I'm in
love, and I don't know what the
[bleep] is going on with my baby
daddy and his baby mama.
I have a shop that is my
number-one priority right now.
So financially, that is where my
funds are.
I hope that Cease has this
situation under his control,
'cause I can't afford for it to
come out of my pocket.
[bleep].
>> ♪
♪ 'It's 'bout time, 'bout time
>> WALT: Yo, did you all hear
what happened in the shop last
night?
>> About Ceaser?
Yeah.
>> What happened?
>> They took him by--he got him
walking out, handcuffs and all
other [bleep].
>> For child support.
>> That's [bleep] cuckoo you
guys.
I'm not really shocked.
I mean, come on, all of us have
gotten arrested, so what's new?
>> Yo.
>> SKY: What's up?
How're you going?
>> SKY: The Gumby.
>> TED: That's a bull [bleep]
you got, too, bro. [laughs]
>> It's not meant to impress
men, it's meant to impress
women.
>> [laughing]
>> Yo, you was here when
everything happened with Ceaser?
Yeah, I'm doing a tattoo for
this chick Nieke.
The next thing I know, it's like
a total of ten cops, they came
in.
>> Wow.
>> And then I see Ceaser walk
past me.
I'm like, "What the [bleep]?"
>> He was in the middle of a
tattoo?
>> He was in the middle of a
tattoo.
He was tattooing some joint, who
like left--she left ass out.
>> Damn, Cease.
Were there a lot of people in
the shop?
>> OS--T: There was like two
clients who was waiting to get
tattooed.
>> That's a bad look on the
business.
>> SKY: Yeah.
>> Teddy three, four months ago,
this would have been the biggest
joke in the world.
I would have found this to be
hilarious.
But now, with me being a manager
of the shop, this [bleep] has
to change.
We can't have nobody walking out
here with half a tattoo.
This is some bull [bleep],
because it's like basically
you're the only artist here.
Like how [bleep] we gonna stay
open.
>> [bleep] we're not gonna be
able to stay open.
>> This new job that I have is
on the line.
The shop is on the line.
Everything is in jeopardy right
now.
>> ♪
>> Man, we're [bleep].
>> ♪
♪ As a cat goes on
♪ I'll keep on walking
>> PUMA: I'm one of them people
that don't believe in failure.
>> ♪ But I will
♪ Keep on knocking
>> PUMA: I went through a really
bad space after all the [bleep]
went down at Ink 124 and all the
drama with Ceaser.
>> You know what, Puma?
Before the [bleep], get the
[bleep] out!
>> [indistinct yelling]
>> There was so much drama going
on in my life.
>> Is Puma in?
>> Ceaser and Big Joe just rung
our [bleep] bell looking for
you.
[bleep] getting real sloppy
right now.
>> I almost lost my wife and
child.
You know, they didn't want to be
in New York, because she did not
feel safe.
I'm not worrying about them
people.
And you need to stop worrying
about other people, too.
I just need you to come back and
be here.
>> Okay.
>> And I had to change
everything and make sure that
she feels comfortable here.
Not only for herself, but for
her child.
So I saved up a couple of
dollars and found the perfect
spot.
And 135th and 7th is prime right
now.
The name of the shop: Art 2 Ink.
Yeah!
>> Yeah!
>> [bleep] up, P?
>> Gather 'round, mother
[bleep].
>> [laughs]
>> I feel like a phoenix riding
out of the ashes right now.
>> [laughs]
>> It feels good to finally have
the doors open for Art 2 Ink.
It took about a month to get up
and running.
And I got really super dope
tattoo artists.
No, I'm really happy you guys
are here, man.
I gotta make sure you guys gotta
have everything y'all need.
First, I have Naeem.
Really great artist.
All about the photo realism.
>> ♪
>> I love doing portraits.
I love doing anything realism.
This boy right here got talent.
>> Then I got my man Young
Phoenix Snipes I like to call
him.
>> I'm ready to rock out.
>> PUMA: He really impresses me
with his color work.
Especially the color work he
does on brown skin.
>> Me being able to tattoo
different things, different
people, definitely elevated my
art skills over the years.
And I love it.
>> And then I got my boy
Amsterdam Ink.
That's my partner in Art 2 Ink.
Then we got my road dog, mother
[bleep] Sassy, always with me.
My [bleep] day one.
>> PHOENIX: Did you hear what
happened last night?
>> PUMA: What happened?
>> Your boy got locked up last
night.
>> SASSY: Who got locked up?
>> Your boy Ceaser.
>> That ain't my boy.
I don't know what the [bleep]
you talking about.
>> I saw online last night.
>> It's on the Internet?
>> Oh, you didn't peep?
You ain't seen the vid?
>> No.
>> Press play.
>> SASSY: Yo.
Oh my God.
The arrested him in the shop?
>> MAN: They brought the squad,
boy.
>> Yo, they brought like ten
thousand--yo [bleep], what did
he get arrested for?
>> He ain't paying that child
support.
>> PUMA: For somebody that
proclaims they're worth all this
[bleep] money, you can't take
care of yours kids?
But on some real [bleep] though,
like [bleep] like that, man,
that's what we're trying not to
achieve.
>> Let's not associate ourselves
in anyway with either one of
those two names: Blank Ink
or Ink 124.
Like that should be stricken
from our vocabulary.
The secret ingredient to Art 2
Ink being so successful is gonna
be the drama-free environment.
>> I did want us to have fun,
enjoy ourselves.
Let's just all make sure that we
maintain positive energy.
Have you ever been that person
where you feel like everybody
thinks you're gonna fail in
life?
I'm that guy.
>> ALL: [cheering]
>> And it just drives me...to
make me want to win so bad.
>> The Henny don't hit like it
used to.
Look, look, look, stop it.
[laughs]
>> PUMA: I'm on the right path
right now, man.
Things are starting to look good
for your old boy Puma.
>> ♪
>> What does this feel like when
I do this?
[laughing]
>> Wait a minute, wait a minute.
>> I didn't even do nothing.
All I did was touch your back,
and you--
>> It's like a magnet.
>> [laughing]
>> Okay, now--
>> SKY: That's gonna be our new
[bleep].
It's just like--
Look, we don't
know when to stop.
[laughing]
>> [laughs]
>> Oh, [bleep].
>> Hi, everybody.
>> Hey, stranger.
What the [bleep] are you doing
here?
>> Hi.
>> Well, damn, [bleep] is
different.
West Village [bleep] up in
Harlem.
Who knows when I'm gonna have my
breaking point.
I'm [bleep] tired, what?
>> When your [bleep] is doing
whatever she's doing and the
money's in and out of the shop.
If I'm gonna be in this
position, I can't handle that.
>> CEASER: Ted is swimming in a
river of bull [bleep].
>> ♪
>> Hi, everybody.
>> Hey, hey.
>> Damn, y'all look I ain't
supposed to be here.
>> Dutchess left like a month
ago, not saying anything to
anybody.
And now she's wondering why
we're all surprised to see her.
Bitch, you were supposed to be
my mentor.
>> What's up?
>> It's just a little weird that
she's here right now.
Like surprise [bleep].
>> Bring it in, [bleep].
How you feeling, sis?
>> So, Dutchess,
how's it feel to come back
in after you abandoned the crew?
>> So we missed you.
We thought we was gonna see you
for a minute, because Cease said
that he was down South.
Everything's been coming along
well?
Pretty In [bleep] Ink.
Give us news.
I'm excited.
You said you was gonna do it,
and now you's doing it.
That's a big deal.
>> Yeah.
I don't want nobody to jinx it,
so I ain't talking about it.
>> Oh, okay.
>> I need to tattoo at Black
Ink.
But I have no time to be sitting
here trying to get cool with
mother [bleep] that always stay
coming for me.
>> WALT: What's going with
Ceaser?
>> Oh God.
>> SKY: Yeah.
>> There is a headache.
>> TED: Do you know when he's
getting out?
>> No.
>> TED: All right.
>> What's going on with the
wedding?
>> I'm not thinking about that.
>> Okay.
>> So, yep, that's all.
>> You know, I've just been
doing reception and [bleep].
Teddy been doing his job.
He's a manager now.
You know that, right?
He a manager now.
He been doing his thing.
>> TED: I thought you would have
bugged out hearing that.
>> I love the fact that you all
like to be so judgmental of me.
Let's not do that anymore, okay?
>> TED: What?
>> No more judging Dutch.
No more expecting this or
expecting that.
No more of that, because it
makes me feel very
uncomfortable.
>> SKY: What the [bleep]?
Dutchess, we were all good
before you came back from North
Carolina.
Now you wanna come back acting
like we strangers.
How many times do I have to tell
you like we're friends, bitch.
We're not trying to make you
feel uncomfortable.
We know you react to things
differently.
>> No, that's the old Dutchess
who let people get to her
emotions.
I stopped letting that happen.
>> Show us different and we'll
treat you different, love.
>> I am here to [bleep] be a
professional tattoo artist.
And I'm not gonna be concerned
of the [bleep] opinions of my
fiancé' minions.
>> ♪
>> SASSY: Munchkin!
Hi!
You brought me fishes?
Can I have a hug?
Hi.
>> TAMIA: Hi.
>> Long morning?
>> Yeah, I had to go pick up the
little one, man.
>> PUMA: You know what it is,
bro?
My wife is working a 9 to 5, so
it's gonna be a lot more Puma
and Tamia time down here.
When I got Quani to finally
come back to New York, I
promised her that things would
change.
And right now, mother [bleep],
things are changing.
'Cause I am taking more of the
position of being the parent.
So I am Mr. Mom.
I got this.
I think.
I got like a special assignment
for you, bro.
I've always wanted to get a
portrait of my daughter.
>> You got the picture?
>> Yeah.
It's like every picture that I
have of her, she's like super
cheesing.
So this is like the one picture
of her with the mean mode.
So I want the grill picture, you
know what I mean?
Hard-rock Mia. [growls]
I know a few portrait
artists, but I got a really
awesome portrait artist I have
working at Art 2 Ink.
So I might as well let the homie
tattoo me.
You know what I mean?
>> I got you.
>> I'm getting this portrait of
Tamia, because my mission in
life is to be the father that I
never had to my daughter.
So, I might as well dedicate a
little bit of pain on my body
for my daughter, man.
So, what you got like a
daughter?
>> Yeah, man, I just--I just had
a little girl recently.
What could you tell me about,
you know, being a father?
>> The main thing, you just
never want your daughter to see
or want to feel is like she's
not wanted.
You know what I mean?
I don't ever want her to go
through what I went through as
kid, 'cause I've been in that
situation where I felt like I
wasn't wanted.
Going from one aunt's house to
another aunt's house.
That [bleep] not a good feeling,
you know?
I didn't really have a huge
relationship with my parents.
Didn't know my father.
Me and my mom was a little bit
off.
And I didn't really want that to
be my daughter's life.
This shop is mainly for my
daughter.
You know what I mean?
Like I'd rather struggle a
thousand times over than let my
daughter struggle.
>> Well, let's--let's get this
started anyway, brah.
>> Oh, Lord, Lord, Lord.
As much as I love being a
parent, I still realize that I
have opened up a new business.
>> ♪ Playa no more
♪ 'Cause I've grown into a man
♪ And I'm thanking God
♪ Every night
♪ For the girl in my life
>> With Quani making a
sacrifice of coming back and
going out of her way to get a
new job, I wanna make sure I
prove to her that I shall
improve for her sacrifice for
me.
>> ♪ I first met you
♪ In my darker days
♪ Long nights
♪ And a drunken haze
>> With Art 2 Ink, failure is
not an option.
I can't keep doing this over and
over again.
And this is it, man, it's all or
nothing right now.
If I don't get this right, I'm
[bleep] done.
Like mother [bleep] done.
>> ♪ It might sound corny
♪ Or cliché
♪ But I look ahead
♪ After 40 when I'm gray
♪ You think I'll really care
♪ What other people say
♪ When I got a beautiful girl
♪ That loves me still the same
>> And I feel with the positive
energy that I'm putting out
there to the planet, and the
awesome artists that I have
working in my shop right now,
this goal can be achieved.
>> Check it out, bro.
>> PUMA: Damn, bro, first tat,
my daughter, in the new shop.
[bleep] means a lot to me, man,
and I appreciate you doing it.
You did a great job.
>> ♪
♪ Make your body rock
♪ Make, make your body rock
♪ Make your body rock
♪ Make, make your body rock
>> SKY: All right, Dutchess,
where you at, bitch? Come on.
Hi.
What's up?
How you doing?
Get her a drink stat.
I invited Dutchess out for
drinks, 'cause I haven't seen
her since that shop [bleep] when
she was acting like a weirdo.
So I wanted to see if she would
act like a weirdo outside of the
shop.
What's going on?
You look beautiful.
>> I've been stressed.
>> A lot?
>> It's getting out of control.
The guy who's doing all of my
construction work hit me with a
bill that over [bleep] $3,000.
>> Oh, this bitch need her some
money for her shop.
That's why she's up here like
this.
I can see why she ain't' wanna
talk about Pretty In Ink.
I wouldn't want to talk about
that [bleep] either.
Let me get my [bleep] together
first.
>> The main thing I thought I
was supposed to be focused on
was my grand opening.
And I can't even give that
[bleep] the attention it
deserves.
>> Okay.
>> I'm just pulled all over the
place, and Cease with his baby
mama [bleep].
He still hasn't gotten out of
jail yet.
It's too much.
>> You sound stressed [bleep]
out.
>> Bitch, I can't even barely
eat.
I'm sittin' here eating the
cornbread.
>> So why don't you come down to
Miami and relax.
>> Uh...
>> SKY: I got my butt lift
surgery coming up in a couple of
weeks in Miami.
I'm rounding up a couple of
girls.
And I figure why not invite
Dutchess?
She can destress a couple of
notches, and it'll make our
lives way easier at the shop.
Take a breather.
Get some fresh air, relax.
And get your iPad and figure out
ways to pull money.
>> I mean, the only thing is I
feel like I'll just
be...abandoning the whole shop
for a little bit.
But it might be a good thing.
Okay, that might work.
I gotta see what that whole new
ass gonna look like.
I know I came back to New York
to get this money up for the
shop.
But because I'm dealing with so
much stress and all of this
frustration, I think Miami might
be cool.
Maybe it'll just be a moment to
have an escape, I guess you
could say.
>> Cheers to Miami.
>> To Miami.
>> All your problems that you
are going to forget about while
you're down there.
>> Yes.
>> At least for a day.
>> BOTH: [laughing]
>> The new--new [bleep] artist
come in today.
>> Yes, I can't wait!
>> What the [bleep] is going on?
I thought that was Dutchess.
This bitch is Dutchess with
green eyes and moist lips.
>> You smell like jail.
>> I was arrested for my
stupid-ass baby mother and her
being a [bleep] stalking crazy
[bleep].
This is a woman being spiteful.
>> ♪
>> I don't know where Dutchess
is at, but the show must go,
right?
>> Hi, guys.
So sorry.
>> Hey!
>> [bleep] having a rough day
today.
Today I have a photoshoot for a
calendar that me and Cease are
putting together representing
both Black Ink and Pretty In
Ink.
But Cease's still not out of
jail.
And it's really [bleep] [bleep]
up for me right now.
Cease is in jail, so I gotta do
this all by my [bleep] self, but
we're gonna make lemonade out of
these lemons.
I have no choice but to strap up
my big girl boots and make this
[bleep] happen.
I cannot afford to let anybody
down.
And I cannot afford to let any
money be wasted.
Yes.
So we're gonna get this [bleep]
done no matter what the [bleep]
happens.
All right, where my August girl
at?
It's kinda cute.
Can you give me attitude?
Like "I'm [bleep] tired, I'm
"[bleep], what the [bleep],"
like "What?"
Yes.
This entire situation has me in
a state of confusion.
Cease having baby
mama drama doesn't make for a
blissful marriage.
That's his baby mama and that's
his child.
And that's something that's
always gonna be a part of his
life, which is why I haven't
been rushing a marriage.
>> ♪ Why is it so hard
♪ To love you?
♪ Why is it so hard
♪ To love you?
♪ You make it easy
♪ But I make it hard
♪ Oh my God
>> I can't expect to work hard
for all of the things in my life
and just watch them be given
away to somebody that hates my
[bleep] guts and don't even
[bleep] respect me as a human.
>> ♪ Make me a believer
♪ Gonna let you see this pain
♪ Make me a believer
>> You love people for whatever
reason why you love them.
Who's to say I'm going to feel
like that five years from now,
two years from now, two days
from now.
I don't [bleep] know.
Who knows when I'm going to have
my breaking point.
>> ♪
>> TED: Today's gonna be a funny
day, man.
>> WALT: Yeah?
>> You know them new artist
[bleep] come in today.
>> Yes, I can't wait.
>> Cease is in jail, and [bleep]
is unreliable.
So I hired a new tattoo artist
named Melody.
I found Melody on Instagram.
She's very talented.
She does color.
She does portraits.
She does photo realism.
She's a well-rounded artist.
>> What time she trying to come
in?
>> I told her to be here at 12.
Oh there she go.
Hey.
>> Hey.
>> How you doing?
>> I'm good. How are you?
I'm Melody.
>> Walter, nice to meet you.
>> How you doing, love?
Nice to meet you. Teddy.
I'm the one who spoke with on
the phone.
>> Oh, awesome.
>> TED: Oh, you got a little
septum ring and everything.
>> Yeah, it's new.
>> She's looking like a turkey,
bacon, eggs and cheese sandwich
like, seriously, on a croissant.
Not even on the whole wheat
bread, on a croissant, mother
[bleep].
Like she's looking nice.
>> You were born and raised in
New York?
>> No.
>> TED: No.
>> WALT: Where are you from?
>> Florida.
I'm a country girl.
[laughs]
>> What is--
[laughs]
>> Why? What's funny about that?
>> TED: We do have another
female artist here.
A lot of similarities.
>> She's light skinned, tatted,
and with dreads.
[laughing]
>> Let me show you the rest of
the shop.
>> All right, cool.
>> Nice legs.
>> This will be the room you'll
be tatting out of.
>> This is great.
>> TED: Okay.
So you can set yourself up, and
me and Walt will be in the front
talking [bleep] about you.
>> MELODY: That's cool.
>> [laughs]
>> Say it to my face.
I decided to take the job at
Black Ink just because I'm still
new to New York, and I need to
meet people.
I need to build up clientele, I
need to network.
I'm amazing at tattooing.
I mean, I know it sounds crazy
to say I'm amazing at tattooing,
but I really give a [bleep]
about what I'm doing, and it
shows.
>> What you think?
>> Shorty nice, man.
She's nice, she got some
pretty-ass eyes.
Good teeth.
>> Definitely cute.
I wanted to get a little peak at
her ass, but I couldn't.
[sighs]
She's smoking hot.
This is gonna be kinda hard for
me.
Light skin.
>> Hey.
>> DONNA: Who are you?
>> I'm Melody.
>> DONNA: I like you.
>> TED: That's our new tattoo
artist.
>> Wait, why is Ted bringing in
another artist, and I'm right
here.
But she's cute, so I guess it's
okay.
She's so cute.
>> Oh, thanks.
>> DONNA: My first thought of
Melody is, "Does she like
girls?"
I'm engaged and totally faithful
to Maxwell, but [bleep] ain't
cheating.
>> No, Donna.
>> I'm just excited about this.
>> ♪
>> [phone ringing]
>> Hello?
>> CEASER: Hey, baby, I'm here.
I'm by your car.
Can you come out?
>> DUTCHESS: I'm not mad at
Ceaser.
I'm just disappointed in him.
We all know somebody in our life
that had baby mama drama.
But I never thought I would be
in a relationship with somebody
that has those types of
problems.
It's unnecessary, and it's
aggravating.
♪ Hey, my jailbird
>> [laughs]
>> [laughs] You smell like jail.
>> No, I don't.
How you--how you gonna smell me?
It's raining.
>> You smell like jail.
Come on.
It's cold.
>> I was arrested for my
stupid-ass baby mother and her
being a [bleep] stalking crazy
[bleep].
Because at the end of the day,
everybody knows Ceaser takes
care of his kid.
[groans]
>> So?
>> Baby, Crystal now has a
vendetta against me.
Point blank period.
She went to the court, asked for
an increase.
Got the serving papers.
Didn't serve me.
Went to the courts, says she
served me.
And just because I wasn't there,
I get a warrant for my arrest.
I have a crazy baby mother who
would do any [bleep] anything to
destroy me.
She's like my archenemy.
Batman, she's my Joker.
If I'm Superman, she's my Lex
Luthor.
She's just gonna be hateful the
rest of her [bleep] life.
>> Well, I'm just gonna keep her
hands out of my pocketbook.
>> You do that, while she's got
her hands in mine.
>> Miami, baby!
So I met up with Dutchess.
She's coming down to Miami.
>> Dutchess is coming?
Uh.
>> She's not a bad [bleep]
person.
>> She's [bleep] up.
>> ♪
>> Yo, yo.
What's up, man?
>> Does the ass part of your
sweat suit say "Jump In"?
>> Yes, it does.
>> [bleep] mother [bleep].
[bleep].
What up, Dutch?
Oh, [bleep].
[bleep].
>> TED: [laughing]
>> What's your name?
>> Melody.
>> SKY: Nice to meet you.
I am Sky.
I'm the receptionist.
>> Girl, you the party, I see.
>> SKY: Yes!
What the [bleep] is going on?
I thought that was Dutchess?
You guys, she looks just like
her from behind.
This bitch is Dutchess
reincarnated with green eyes and
moist lips.
So I'm like, "Whoa, I can't
"[bleep] wait for these two
ladies to meet."
>> Hi!
>> MAN: What's up?
>> How you doing?
>> Good.
>> What the [bleep]?
>> Well, damn, [bleep] is
different.
It's like this guy looks like a
lady.
Some West Village [bleep] up in
Harlem.
>> I'm actually looking for
Melody.
I'm getting a tattoo by her.
>> Hey, hey, look at you.
My first client at Black Ink is
B Hollywood.
He's a fun drag queen.
And I know him from back in the
day in the club scene in Tampa.
Very cute.
>> Thanks.
>> MELODY: Let's sit down.
Let's talk about your tattoo.
>> Okay.
>> Have you--have you come up
with a solid idea?
>> Since I've moved to New York,
I've been having a lot of issues
with like giving up on my
dreams.
I'm always battling my inner
demons that are telling me to
like go home.
So I decided to go with a
bearded demon today.
>> A bearded demon.
>> I'm gonna run back, get some
sketching together, so I can
kinda show you where my head's
at.
So I'll be right back.
>> Thanks, doll!
Mwah.
>> MELODY: It's super tough to
make it in New York.
And that's my demon, but there's
not very many high-profile black
female tattoo artists out there.
And I'm definitely ready to put
one more on the map.
I won't settle for less.
I'm really excited about this
drawing.
It has everything that I think
you want, so you wanna see it?
>> Yeah.
Oh my God, that's perfect.
>> MELODY: Is it evil enough?
>> B HOLLYWOOD: It's so good.
I love it.
I can't wait.
Let's do it.
>> Yes.
It's gonna hurt like a mother
[bleep].
>> I can't wait.
[laughs]
>> To me, this tattoo means
conquering your demons.
And I'm very familiar with that.
>> B HOLLYWOOD: I'm so nervous.
>> You've got plenty of tattoos,
you'll be fine.
I gotta kill it.
It's my first day in the shop.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ♪ I got demons
♪ I got demons
>> MELODY: I wrestle with a lot
demons of doubt in my head all
the time about am I gonna make
it, am I gonna be up to par for
all these amazing artists?
I think that really it stems
from my childhood.
My dad's black dude from New
York.
My mom is a super country white
girl from Georgia.
I feel like being biracial, I
was very mixed up with
everything.
I didn't really feel like I fit
into any category.
>> ♪ I won't bring
♪ And I won't run
>> I was always happy about my
ethnicity.
It was never something that I
hated.
But it was definitely something
that I felt...kind of alienated
by.
The black kids were very much
that.
And the white kids were very
much that.
And it definitely made me a bit
of a loner.
>> ♪ I'm only human
♪ So underneath my skin
♪ The cuts run deep
>> MELODY: I did feel different.
But...once I finally found
tattooing, that was like finding
the [bleep] Holy Grail.
Like finding the missing piece
to a puzzle.
>> ♪ I got demons
>> My ultimate goal at Black Ink
is to make a name for myself in
New York.
I really don't know anyone in
New York.
So I need to go to a shop that
has foot traffic, so that I can
meet new people and get new
clients.
So I'm down to jump on this
[bleep] carnival. [laughs]
All right, all right,
we're done.
>> B HOLLYWOOD: Oh my God, it's
so beautiful.
Melody!
>> MELODY: You like?
>> Oh, my God, I love it.
>> MELODY: Does it stand for
everything you were going
through, all your turmoil?
>> It really does, yeah.
Thank you so much.
I love you.
>> ♪
>> TED: Whoo! Put that--
>> I was about to say.
[unintelligible]
>> Meghan!
>> DONNA: Melody.
>> Her name is Melody.
>> SKY: Melody!
>> Meghan!
>> Whatever the [bleep] her name
is, it's nice to have some new
blood in the shop.
Hi, boo.
Let me see it!
[bleep] there you, Meghan!
You know that's your new name.
I really liked her tattoo that
she did on B Hollywood.
I know she gonna bring in some
money, because she know what she
doing.
You drink Jameson?
>> Of course I drink Jameson.
>> Yeah, [bleep]!
To the Black Ink Crew!
>> Word!
>> Black Ink Crew.
>> Welcome to the family,
Melody!
>> Salute.
>> SKY: Salute.
I like Melody, because she likes
to party, drink Jameson.
Like nobody wants to drink Irish
whiskey.
Everybody thinks Hennessy is
just the thing to do.
That's why their skin gonna
start looking old.
>> ♪
>> Ah!
Some titties!
That's some titties right there!
>> MELODY: You are so crazy.
>> ♪
>> DONNA: You all look
beautiful.
>> Thank you.
What's been going on?
>> No, bitch.
No, bitch.
What's been going on with you
and this new ass?
>> Why--oh, yes, you coming in
saying a Rachel--I'm getting my
butt lift done in a week.
So, tonight I am having a few of
the girls over for some drinks,
because they're coming with me
to Miami.
You want a shot?
The BFF Alison.
My home girl Dez.
I invited Donna to Miami,
because I'm getting to know her.
I gained respect for you.
I have respect for you now,
that's why I want you within,
and I want to get to know you
more.
I respect someone for being
honest about [bleep] all these
[bleep] at the shop.
Like she's on the level to being
a real bitch.
Like she's on that road.
To a safe, healthy trip.
>> ALL: [cheers]
>> Miami, baby!
Damn!
>> How big?
I wanna know how big.
>> If I was to compare it to
something, like it would be a
little bigger than a Victoria
Secret model type bitch.
Like I got a nice rack.
I want to be just proportion to
my tits.
>> I want you to take advantage
of all that swollen, because it
will go down a little bit, and
it'll look the way you want it
to.
But initially, you're gonna look
ridiculously amazing.
>> SKY: I'm just super excited.
Like after I do the surgery, I'm
thinking about just dating
outside my race for a bit.
>> All right, so what race you
gonna start with is the
question?
>> I was thinking like an
Indian.
Like [bleep] or Habi-be.
>> Yeah, I'm not letting 'em
[bleep] on me though.
Y'all ain't heard about that?
>> ALISON: No, I didn't.
>> Yes, [bleep] [bleep] going on
in Dubai.
A bitch don't got time to be
[bleep] on with this new ass.
But...you know, if the price is
right, I don't know what to say,
you know?
So I met up with Dutchess.
And she's coming down to Miami.
She's coming to support.
>> Dutchess is coming?
Uh.
[laughs]
>> SKY: Let's go in the back.
>> DONNA: Dutchess is shady as
hell.
And I heard she was saying some
weird [bleep] behind my back.
I just wanna know like why the
[bleep] can't you just be like a
real person?
Like...we not friends.
We don't have to be friends.
But don't talk about the child
that never got to be born.
>> Yeah.
>> Like don't do that.
That [bleep] real serious.
When I had my miscarriage with
Maxwell's baby, Dutchess was
trying to be all nice and
sympathize with me because she
went through the same thing.
I lost the baby.
>> DUTCHESS: I understand
exactly what Donna's going
through.
And I mean, I definitely have
sympathy for her.
>> But then I hear she's calling
my baby a bastard.
And my child is no bastard.
Get it right bitch.
Dutchess got a [bleep] up
[bleep] going on in her head.
>> She's not a bad [bleep]
person.
Donna and Dutchess better get
their [bleep] together.
This trip is about me and my
ass, not about their emotional
asses.
>> She's [bleep] up.
>> I don't know what kind of
business you're running.
But I guarantee, I'm the best
[bleep] artist that's walked in
that door.
>> Are you [bleep] kidding me?
Do you know who the [bleep] walk
through these [bleep] door?
>> And do you know who the
[bleep] I am?
Like you guys are all clowns.
>> ♪
>> TED: They got soul food
restaurants.
They got Jamaican restaurants.
What are white people
restaurants?
>> Italian.
>> Italians are black.
Dominicans are black.
>> Jamaicans don't think they're
black.
That's the funniest [bleep],
too.
>> Jamaicans run the world.
That--it makes sense now, with
this Cease [bleep].
He's a [bleep] Jamaican.
>> MELODY: Is he?
>> And he's Dominican.
>> MELODY: Oh, so he's all kinds
of Caribbean.
>> TED: Look who's out of jail.
We was just talking about you.
>> Hello.
>> Who are you?
>> Melody.
>> Who's Melanie?
>> Melody.
>> Melody?
>> Yes.
>> So who's Miss Melody?
Your new friend?
>> I'm a new employee.
>> New employee?
I didn't hire her.
I ain't tell her to come here.
I'm sorry, but if you don't get
a call from Ceaser, then you
shouldn't have pulled up.
Like I don't know what the
[bleep] is going on here, but
I'm still the boss.
>> TED: There goes Cease.
"I'm the boss.
I'm the boss."
You're always like--he's like
[bleep], the black lady that
works at the welfare office.
You can't give them no power,
because it goes to that little
peanut head of his.
>> Melanie--
>> Melody.
>> Melanie, I'm the boss, and I
like to hire people myself.
You feel me?
And I don't really know you.
So I'm sorry about that, but
you're gonna have to go.
This is the united states of
Black Ink, and Ceaser is the
dictator, president, and every
other [bleep] thing.
>> Are you seriously firing me
right now?
>> For you to be working here, I
had to hire you.
You're not hired right now.
I don't know what he was
thinking.
Maybe another time when I'm not
irate, then you and me can sit
down and talk.
>> I don't know what kind of
business you're running.
But I can guarantee, I'm the
best [bleep] artist that's
walked in that door.
>> Are you [bleep] kidding me?
Do you know who the [bleep] walk
through these [bleep] doors?
>> Whatever?
I just feel so disrespected.
And I'm just like, "Who the
"[bleep] are you?
"Do you know who the [bleep] I
am?"
Like you guys are all clowns,
and you're gonna fire me?
The one decent person you have
in your shop?
This is bull [bleep].
>> If you leaving me second in
charge, why did you just unhire
the [bleep]?
>> [bleep] get no approval from
me!
>> If I'm gonna be in this
position, I can't handle that.
>> [bleep] [bleep].
>> ♪
>> This is the bull [bleep] I'm
talking about.
>> Why the [bleep] would you
just kick the [bleep] out like
that?
Like you expect her to not say
nothing to us or about herself?
>> Yeah, I was polite about the
[bleep]!
>> That's your [bleep] problem.
Like you think you can just talk
to people how you wanna talk to
them and they're supposed to
just bow down to you and say,
"You know what?
Okay, Ceaser."
Like she stood up for herself.
That's what you're not used to.
You're used to walking in the
shop, saying what the [bleep]
you want to say, and that's it.
>> I'm the [bleep] boss.
That's how it's supposed to be.
>> That's your [bleep] problem.
It's not supposed to be like
that.
That's not how a boss move.
That title [bleep] you up all
the time.
>> No, it doesn't.
[bleep] done.
I'm sorry, but Ted is swimming
in a river of bull [bleep].
This is my shop, from what I
remember.
And you had it for two days, and
all the sudden you're making
major decisions like this is
Teddy Ink.
>> She actually did a tattoo in
the shop and brought money into
the shop while you and your
[bleep] was gone.
>> First of all, my [bleep] got
her own [bleep].
We got [bleep] here.
>> [bleep] really?
I'm sitting here watching money
go in and out the shop.
You're not here.
We don't know what the [bleep]
going on with Dutchess.
And [bleep] is not reliable
enough.
So I took the initiation and
hired a tattoo artist and
brought some money in.
And the [bleep] worked.
I'm the only one that knows what
the [bleep] shop needs.
Like obviously he didn't give a
[bleep].
He closed the gates down to go
down South.
And now you're back, and you
wanna play this boss role.
Man, get the [bleep] out of
here.
So if you leaving me second in
charge, why did you just unhire
the [bleep]?
Or fire, whatever--
>> Because you ain't' get no
approval from me.
>> In charge.
>> When I'm not here.
>> You weren't here.
>> CEASER: I just got out of
jail.
That doesn't mean you take over.
>> I don't know what the [bleep]
is going on right now.
Either you want me to hold the
shop down or you don't want me
to hold the shop.
Let me ask you a question, Walt.
>> CEASER: [bleep].
>> Didn't I speak to you and Sky
about the new tattoo artist?
>> Yeah.
>> And didn't everybody say,
"No, she would be a good fit?"
>> You talked to Walt and Sky
about her, but not me.
>> TED: When you going through
whatever you're going through,
and your [bleep] doing whatever
she's doing, and the money's in
and out of the shop, if I'm
gonna be in this position, I
can't handle that.
>> Man, [bleep] all that.
All it took was a phone call.
I ain't even trying to hear that
[bleep].
>> This is some bull [bleep].
>> Miami, we're here!
Oh!
>> I'm gonna put this fat here.
>> He is the ass God of surgery.
>> You're gonna need a stick to
beat the men away with.
>> Are you serious, doc?
>> Point blank, she gotta be out
of the shop.
>> Oh, God.
It's my mother in law.
>> I'm taking her now.
Come on.
>> I'm thinking about moving up
this [bleep] wedding.
Why play [bleep] games?
I really trust her, and I love
her.
And I can't see her doing any
bull [bleep].
>> ♪
>> These bitches acting very
frisky and freaky.
>> So that [bleep] air.
Let me [bleep].
>> [groaning] Oh God.