Black Ink Crew: Chicago

- Season 1

(2015)

Welcome to 9 Mag, where the only thing tighter than the ink is the bond between shop owner Ryan and his work family. In a city defined by survival of the fittest, the crew gathers to celebrate the shop's one-year anniversary and honor the memory of Ryan's late sister Nova. Meanwhile, Phor expresses his true feelings for Kat, while Don and Charmaine decide to take their relationship to the next level. But when a surprise visitor shows up, the real drama begins.

Ryan is turning 29, so the crew plans a one of a kind surprise party. Don tries to make things right with his girlfriend Ashley, but when he is put on the spot about their future, things go from bad to worse. Charmaine confronts Don about text messages at the worst possible time and Ryan's world gets rocked by unexpected a phone call.

With his first solo music performance approaching, Phor decides to put it all on the line and pursue a relationship with Kat. After a harsh meeting with his lawyer, Van's future at 9 Mag is in jeopardy. Ashley confronts Charmaine at Phor's concert and things gets real.

After confronting Charmaine at Phor's concert and learning the truth about Charmaine and Don, Ashley makes a shocking decision about their relationship. All eyes are on Kat when she does a sexy photo shoot for Urban Ink Magazine, but Ryan worries that the attention may go straight to her head. Ryan spirals out of control as he deals with the reality that the 9Mag family may be starting to fall apart.

After Ryan's meltdown, Kat and Van confront him about his erratic behavior. When the crew questions Kat's loyalty to the shop after she plans to attend a tattoo convention in New York without her 9Mag family, tensions escalate. On the heels of his successful concert, Phor also heads to the Big Apple for what could be a life-changing event -- a meeting with a big music executive. Things heat up when Kat and Phor face their true feelings for each other.

The rest of the 9Mag crew heads to New York City to lend support to Kat and get in some partying while they're there. Ceaser and the NY crew throw a mixxxy party in their honor, but things get ugly when Charmaine taunts Don about their past history. Ryan is finally fed up with Kat's ego, and what begins as an apology escalates into a huge blow up that could damage their friendship forever.

What happens in New York, stays in New York...not! Upon their return from the Big Apple, Charmaine reveals a secret about her and Don's relationship. Phor receives some shocking news about his biological father, while Don works on mending things with Ashley. Danielle's relationship with her high school sweetheart is tested when her feelings for Ryan are revealed. And, when Kat discovers that the guys are talking behind her back, her future at 9Mag becomes uncertain.

Ryan decides to throw a shop appreciation party in true Chicago summer fashion...on a yacht! While Kat takes some time away from the shop to think things through, the rest of the 9Mag crew lets loose. Danielle's confusion about her ex lands her right into Ryan's arms. And when Ashley shows up on the boat, things go from bad to worse for pretty much everyone.

Shocking news at Van's final court appearance leaves him wondering if he should run. Kat's enjoying her time away from 9 Mag, but when the girls fail to pay her a visit, she questions their loyalty. Don decides to take Ashley on a weekend trip to prove his commitment, but he quickly learns that you can't hide from the truth. When Don comes clean to Ashley, it threatens to change their relationship forever.

With the death toll in Chicago at an all-time high, the 9Mag crew hosts an event to help victims of violent crimes. Meanwhile in the Dominican Republic, Don tries to win Ashley back. Van is forced to make a decision that will change everyone's lives. And at a birthday celebration for Ryan's late sister Nova, an unexpected guest arrives and pushes Ryan to rethink what it means to be "family".