Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle have hosted a live version of The New Negroes for a while, and now their efforts have paid off as Comedy Central announced the premiere date of the TV version of their show. TNN is a socially aware stand-up/music series where Vaughn curates great stand-up comedy while Eagle has some of the most interesting people working in music. The New Negroes will debut on Comedy Central on Friday April 19th at 11pm ET and simulcast on BET.
According to Vaughn and Eagle, the pair took inspiration for the series and title from the term “New Negro” as popularized during the Harlem Renaissance, referring to Black Americans speaking up, telling their own stories, and affirming their various identities to dismantle outdated assumptions and beliefs. “Our series gets its title and its mission from a book named ‘The New Negro’ by Alain Locke,” said Vaughn and Eagle. “That book was a collection of essays, poetry, fiction, and music from a generation of emerging artists credited with launching the Harlem Renaissance. In other words, it was a place where black people shared their lives, their perspectives, and their ideals. It was a place where black people could define themselves instead of being defined by others. Our show aspires to do the same with stand-up comedy, music, and music videos. We’re paying homage to that original movement by inviting comedians and musicians to do what they do best: speak.”
The show already released the lineup of comedians and musicians that will appear on the first season of the show.
April 19, 2019
Stand-Up: Chris Redd, Shalewa Sharpe, Langston Kerman, Hannibal Buress (guest) Music: Danny Brown
Music Video Special Appearance: Jake Weisman, Steve Agee, Chris Powell, Madison Shepard, Marcella Arguello, Kyle Mizono
April 26, 2019
Stand-Up: Donnell Rawlings, Ed Greer, Lil Rel Howery
Music: MF Doom
May 3, 2019
Stand-Up: David Gborie, Candice Thompson, Tone Bell
Music: Phonte
Music Video Special Appearance: Keith Lucas, Kenny Lucas (The Lucas Brothers)
May 10, 2019
Stand-Up: Sonia Denis, Sasheer Zamata, Clayton English
Music: Lizzo
Music Video Special Appearance: Candice Thompson, Andy Kindler
May 17, 2019
Stand-Up: Naomi Ekperigin, Kevin Avery, Alonzo Bodden
Music: Father
Music Video Special Appearance: Brodie Reed, Jamie Loftus
May 24, 2019
Stand-Up: Dulcé Sloan, Yassir Lester, George Wallace
Music: Method Man
Music Video Special Appearance: Quinta Brunson, Tawny Newsome, Malcolm Barrett, David Maxime, Kevin Avery
May 31, 2019
Stand-Up: Richard Douglas Jones, Sam Jay, Ian Edwards, Moshe Kasher (guest)
Music: Sammus
June 7, 2019
Stand-Up: Josh Johnson, Will Miles, Dwayne Kennedy
Music: Phonte as Percy Miracles