6 Of The Blackest Saturday Morning Cartoons of All Time
With the announcement of the Death of Saturday Morning Cartoons, a look back at the "blackest" Saturday Morning Cartoons was in order. While the majority of these cartoons only lasted one season, averaging 13 episodes, these cartoons tried to capitalize off an act, cater to Black audience and/or educate kids.
The Jackson 5ive - September 11, 1971 – September 1, 1973
One of the pioneers of the boy band craze, The Jackson 5ive are legendary. The Jackson 5ive would go on adventures while their manager Berry Gordy would come up with ideas/publicity stunts for the group to do.
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids - 1972 - 1984
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids created by comedian Bill Cosby, who voiced a several characters including Fat Albert, was an educational cartoon teaching children life lessons dealing with first loves, racism, STDS, drug use, gun violence and death. Fat Albert and The Cosby Kids had one of the longest runs in Saturday morning cartoons history.
Kid 'n Play Animated Series - September 8, 1990 – August 31, 1991
A dog with sunglasses, bright ass clothes and dancing that doubles as a full body workout, this was a 90s cartoon. Kid 'n Play fresh off of a successful rated R movie thought what better way to capitalize off our fame then to produce a cartoon for kids. Produced by Marvel (the comic book company) Kid 'n Play are teenagers who go to school but are also famous rappers. Marvel also published a comic book based on the cartoon that only lasted 9 issues.
Hammer Man - September 7, 1991 – December 7, 1991
Peter Parker gets bitten by a radioactive spider, Bruce Banner is exposed to a gamma bomb but Stanley Burrell (MC Hammer's real name) just puts on a pair of magical dancing shoes to gain his powers. Passed on to him from "Gramps" Hammerman's costume is purple parachute pants and gold chains. MC Hammer hosted the show and rapped the obnoxiously long theme song, This show was the first of Hammer's downfall to going broke.
C-Bear and Jamal - February 3, 1996 – February 22, 1997
Two words, Tone Loc. The rapper plays a hip hop talking teddy bear companion named C-Bear to Jamal voiced by Arthur Reggie III (who also starred in My Brother & Me as Alfie). Other voice actors included Kim Fields, Dawn Lewis, Aries Spears, Paul Rodriguez, and George Wallace as Jamal's dad.
Waynehead - October 19, 1996 – May 17, 1997
Based on comedienne Damen Wayans' own childhood, Waynehead centered around Damien "Damey" Wayne was a young boy with a club foot growing up in the hood.
What are some of your favorite Saturday Morning Cartoons. list em in the comments below.
