Culture Classics - New York Undercover - Creators For The Culture

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Before there was The Wire. Before Luke Cage or Power, there was New York Undercover. The OG gritty street crime drama. Debuting in 1994 the show starred Malik Yoba and Michael DeLorenzo as undercover NYPD officers (making history as the first police drama to star two people of color) solving crimes and being dope doing it.

The show had it all, action, suspense, and hip-hop! Who could forget the weekly musical performances at Det. Torres’ father’s club. A who’s who of 90’s hip-hop and R&B stars graced that stage from Jodeci to LL Cool J.

New York Undercover was part of Fox’s urban counter-programming to NBC’s “Must See TV” on Thursday nights in the 1990s. The show teaming up with Martin and Living Single to bring The Culture to network television and aired on the network for 5 seasons. With it’s awesome black and brown cast, stylistic action, relatable plots and hip-hop infused soundtrack, New York Undercover is one of our favorite #CultureClassics.

#FunFact: The original working title for the show was Uptown Undercover, named after the legendary record label, Uptown Records, whose founder/CEO, the equally legendary record producer/executive Andre Harrell, served as one of the show’s executive producers.

Check out the classic intro dripping in delicious New Jack Swing sauce.