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The Best Black Ensemble Performances in TV, Film, and Music

Whether it’s your favorite girl group or group of actors in a beloved film, let’s take a look at some amazing performances!

Photo: Justina Mintz/HBO

There’s nothing like a good ensemble cast. Whether it’s in cult classic shows, beloved movies, or in singing groups—the power of the collective can be truly amazing onscreen or onstage.

So it’s that vein that we thought we’d take a look at some of our favorite ensemble or group performances across music, TV, and film. From “Black Panther” to Destiny’s Child—let’s get into it!

“Black Panther”

Featuring: Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Guierra, Michael B. Jordan, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright

When: 2018

“Living Single”- 1993-1998

Featuring: Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, Terence C. Carson, John Henton

When: 1993-1998

New Edition and the New New Edition

Featuring: Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, Bobby Brown, Micahel Bivins, Johnny Gill (original members)

Biopic members: Algee Smith, Keith Powers, Elijah Kelley, Woody McClain, Bryshere Gray, Luke James, Miles Truitt, Caleb McLaughlin, Tyler Marcel Williams, Dante Hoagland, Jahi Di’Allo Winston

When: BET Awards 2017

“The Best Man”-

Featuring: Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Monica Calhoun, Sanaa Lathan, Terrence Howard, Harold Perrineau, Regins Hall, Melissa De Sousa

When: 1999

“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

Featuring: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert, Karyn Parsons, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali

When: 1990-1996

Destiny’s Child

Featuring: Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams

When: Coachella 2018

“Waiting to Exhale”

Featuring: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, Leon, Wendell Pierce, Michael Beachman, Dennis Haysbert, Gregory Hines

When: 1995

“Insecure”

Featuring: Issa Rae Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Jean Elie, Y’lan Noel

When: 2016-2021

The Isley Brothers

Featuring: Ronald, O’Kelly, and Rudolph Isley

When: NPR Tiny Desk Concert 2021

“Juice”

Featuring: Khalil Kain, Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine Hopkins

When: 1992

“A Different World”

Featuring: Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer, Charlene Brown

When: 1987-1993

The Jackson 5

Featuring: Michael, Jackie, Marlon, Randy and Jermaine Jackson

When: 1969

“Set It Off”

Featuring: Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Kimberly Elise, Vivica A. Fox

When: 1996

“Black-ish”

Featuring: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Marsai Martin, Laurence Fishburne, Jenifer Lewis

When: 2014-2022

The Temptations

Featuring: David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Dennis Edwards

When: 1964

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