90’s Sitcom

90’s black sitcoms gave us laughter, fashion, culture and most importantly representation. The 90’s was truly the golden age, it was the decade with the most black sitcom to date. Thanks to the 80’s, that paved the way for more black leads with shows like The Cosby Show.

It’s unfortunate that many sitcoms got cancelled leading up to the 2000s. But it was an era that gave black people an opportunity to introduce the black experience by giving it a platform. Black people were able showcase their talents and challenge many stereotypes fabricated over the years in television. However, there are those who would argue that the 90’s weren't all that great and that many of the sitcoms enforced these stereotypes rather than trying to dismantle them. They have been criticised for falling into the trap of colourism, with many shows dening dark skinned women the lead role while portraying them as angry and ghetto.

Overall, the 90’s was only just the beginning, it gave television a taste of what creative black individuals were cable off. Many 90’s sitcoms laid the foundation in which many black creators now seek inspiration from. It opened the doors for many young actresses /actors that we have grown to love.

It’s amazing to see how growing up in Britain many of us still found familiarity and were able to identify with many of these characters, even though these shows were based on the black American experience. Goes to show how important representation is and how the black experience is universal and by capturing it, we are able to connect with our brothers and sisters across the globe.

Join us as we walk down memory lane and relive all these monumental moments.

Coming up >

Sister Sister

1994 - 1999

Black British and Talented: Films

Black history month might be coming to an end in the UK but over here at Love of the culture, we are only getting started. Introducing out new series Black British and Talented, a section of the blog where we highlight amazing talent over here in the UK! From Films, Tv shows, Artists, black British talent ain’t to be slept on.

To kick off our Black British and Talented series we thought we would share our top films, each telling different black British stories in their unique way.

01

His House 2020

Available on Netflix 30th October

Remi Weekes is a British director and screenwriter. His latest film His House, follows Sudanese refugees Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku). A couple escaping war and in search of a better life in England. The film takes a dark turn, taking on a horror genre to reveal their fate in an unfriendly neighbourhood.

02

Rocks (2019)

Available on Netflix

Rocks was a crowd pleaser in 2019 London film festival. The drama follows a young girl Shola aka Rocks (Bukky Bakray) who is forced to face the harsh reality of the sudden departure of her mother. Leaving her to juggling school and taking care of her little brother. Attributable to the strong performances by the talented young cast, the film is empowering and uplifting, it highlights the power of sisterhood and family.

03

Framing (2018)

Available on Amazon Prime

Written and Directed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. The film is based on his own childhood, a young Nigerian boy growing up in Essex. The racial drama explores the ramifications of ‘farming’ a phenomenon that began in the late 1960s. Nigerian children were privately fostered by white, mostly working -class families while their parent worked and studies. The film is jaw droopingly brilliant with amazing performances by Zephan Amissah as a child, Damson Idris as a teenager. The films tackles themes on identity, racial abuse, cult culture and many more.

04

Entitles (2018)

Available on Netflix

Directed by Adeyemi Michael a Nigerian born, London raised ,multi award winning Filmmaker/Artist. Entitled is a short film described as a 'fantasy documentary', capturing life as an immigrant. The film shows Michael mother's perspective as a first - generation immigrant from Nigeria now in Peckham. His work deals with reimagine the human experience and placing value on African/ Diaspora life.

05

Gone Too Far (2013)

Available on Netflix

Directed by Destiny Ekaragha, who is the third British black woman, following Ngozi Onwurah and Amma Asante, to have directed a feature-length film that was given theatrical distribution in the UK. Gone Too Far is an authentic adaptation of Bola Agbaje’s Oliver award- winning play. Amazing performance by Malachi Kirby who plays Yemi, a young boy living in Packham. His brother’s visit leaves him conflicted with his identity and questioning everything he thought he knew and learnt about growing up black in Britain. The film is a cross-cultural drama/comedy that explores black British experience as an African, West Indian and Jamaican.