When VH1 first dropped us into the middle of 9MAG in 2015, nobody really knew if a group of Chicago tattoo artists could carry a franchise. It felt different from the Harlem original. More raw. A bit more "windy city" grit. Honestly, looking back from 2026, the chicago black ink crew cast didn't just give us tattoos and shouting matches; they gave us a blueprint for how reality stars actually survive after the cameras stop rolling.
Some of them thrived. Others? Well, they’ve had a rougher go. If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram wondering where the hell everyone went after the show's peak, you aren't alone.
Ryan Henry: The Last Man Standing at 9MAG
Ryan was always the anchor. He had that "boss" energy that felt heavy, almost burdensome at times. In 2026, Ryan Henry is still the face of 9MAG, but the shop has evolved into more of a legacy brand than a TV set. He’s spent the last few years scrubbing his image clean—moving away from the "messy" rumors that dogged him during the middle seasons.
He stayed focused on the ink. That was his superpower. While others were chasing every club appearance in the Midwest, Ryan was doubling down on the 9MAG expansion and his own personal mental health. He’s been pretty open about therapy lately. It’s refreshing, actually. You see him posting about his fitness journey and his kids way more than shop drama these days.
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The Brumfield Brothers: Drama, Divorce, and Fitness
Then you have Don and Phor. These two were the emotional heartbeat of the show, for better or worse.
Don’t Call it a Comeback
Don Brumfield has had a wild ride. Remember the "sanctified" Don? Or the bodybuilding Don? Well, in late 2025 and heading into 2026, the big news surrounding Don has been his split from Ashley. It’s official. After years of viewers watching them try to "fix" a marriage that seemed broken from the start, they’ve finally moved on.
Don has been popping up as a celebrity correspondent and host lately. He’s got that "Bishop Don" energy back. He’s also been vocal about his health after some scary heart issues a few years back. It’s a reminder that these guys aren't invincible, no matter how many squats they post on the 'gram.
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Phor’s Rhythm
Phor is... well, Phor. He’s still balancing the music with the tattoos. He never quite hit that mainstream rap superstardom some fans hoped for, but he’s built a loyal niche. His brand "Phorplay" is still a thing, and he’s navigating the complexities of co-parenting his son, Ej, with Nina.
There’s a specific kind of loneliness Phor used to talk about on the show—that "dark place." In 2026, he seems more grounded. He’s less about the chaos and more about his legacy as a father.
The Women Who Built the Empire
We can't talk about the chicago black ink crew cast without the women who basically ran the logistics while the guys were fighting.
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- Charmaine Walker: She’s the ultimate pivot queen. After the 2nd City Ink experiment and the heartbreaking loss of her mother during filming, Charmaine really stepped away from the tattoo "drama" world. She’s a full-blown entrepreneur now. Between her radio hosting and her sea moss business, Beymoss, she’s arguably the most "corporate successful" member of the original group. She and Neek are still going strong, proving that some reality TV romances actually work.
- Katrina "Kat Tat" Jackson: Kat did what many people are too scared to do: she left the nest. She moved to LA, opened her own shop in Beverly Hills, and became a celebrity artist in her own right. She’s currently working under a development deal with Paramount, making moves that are way bigger than just sitting in a shop in Chicago. She’s the "one that got away" for 9MAG, and she’s better for it.
Why the 9MAG Legacy Still Hits
What most people get wrong about this cast is thinking they were just employees. They were a family—a dysfunctional, loud, sometimes toxic family. But that’s why we watched.
In 2026, the landscape of Chicago is different. The tattoo industry has changed. Social media has made it so you don't need a VH1 contract to get famous for your art. But these guys were the pioneers. They showed that Black-owned shops could be global brands.
Van Johnson, for instance, has kept his head down mostly, focusing on his "Chicagorilla" brand. There was always that friction between him and Ryan—that "who really started this" energy. That tension never really went away, it just moved off-screen.
What You Should Do Next
If you're looking to catch up with the crew, don't just wait for a reunion special that might never come.
- Check out the 9MAG website. Ryan still takes bookings, though they’re rare and pricey.
- Follow the businesses, not just the drama. Charmaine’s sea moss and Kat’s Beverly Hills shop are the real ways these stars are staying relevant in 2026.
- Support the art. Many of the supporting artists like Prince and Draya are still out here putting in work at various shops across the city.
The era of the "reality tattoo shop" might be fading, but the impact the chicago black ink crew cast had on the culture is permanent. Just like the ink they put on people's skin.