7 more black lead shows that you should be streaming

Jamie Foxx Show

After Martin concluded, came the emergence of The Jamie Foxx Show. Some of this series focuses on Foxx’ s real-life struggles with making it in the entertainment industry. Jamie King (Jamie Foxx) moves to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. The show follows his chase for fame all while working with his aunt and uncle at the King’s Tower Hotel and chasing after Francesca “Fancy” Monroe (Garcelle Beavais).

We all have enjoyed Foxx’s work throughout the years in some of his best films; Law Abiding Citizen, Django, Baby Driver, Ray, etc. There’s another side to Foxx that so many haven’t seen yet if they haven’t seen this show. Since in this scenario Martin would be on Netflix, it wouldn’t make much sense to have both on the same streaming service. With that being said, Hulu should jump on this one.

A Different World

This Cosby Show spin-off showed black fraternities and sororities at work on Hillman’s campus. Unlike other black lead shows, this one wasn’t afraid to address date rape, skin tone, domestic violence, and the L.A. riots. On top of that, according to many people, it was the first television shows period, black lead or not—to address issues with HIV and AIDS.

The show stars Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison), Whitley (Jasmine Guy), and Lena (Jada Pinkett-Smith). The list of soon-to-be or already stars that make cameos is beyond impressive as well: Sinbad,  Jesse Jackson, Heavy D, En Vogue, Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry, amongst others.

Not to mention, 2Pac eventually pops up in the series as Lena’s boyfriend from back home, allowing viewers to bask in the well-documented chemistry between Shakur and his old friend Pinkett-Smith. At the very least this show highlights young black people at college. A Different World is one of the most important TV shows in history that should be viewed by everyone. Since another show from around the same era, Living Single, is already on Hulu, they should consider adding this one as well.