The 8 Most Influential Magicians Of The Decade...And They're Black!

black history, list, magicians, news -

The 8 Most Influential Magicians Of The Decade...And They're Black!

This Article was written by Rajon Lynch AKA RJ THE Magician. RJ is a 23-year-old, black magician from Wisconsin (home of Harry Houdini). RJ is a writer, TED Speaker and performing magician who currently works as the director of the Houdini Museum of NYC and Fantasma Magic.

This was originally going to be called “The 8 Most Influential Black Magicians of the Decade”...but there is a problem with that. These magicians are not simply influential because they are black; but they are important, influential and prominent, AND black. The difference in wording seems small, but yet their impact on the magic community as a whole is huge. All 8 of these magicians are influential in different ways, whether as a performer, creator, producer or just a trailblazer in general. These are 8 magicians who have become pillars of the magic community, magicians who have smashed barriers and created paths for generations of younger magicians (like myself) to have a shot at being the next great magician, regardless of color. Now I don’t know ALL of these people, but I am fans of all of them, and I hope to meet them one day in the future.


Ben Barnes: The Chaplain of Chicago

Benjamin Barnes, magician in charge of the Chicago magic lounge

As a midwestern magician myself Chicago and Chicago style magic hold a special spot in my heart. Chicago is one of the pillars of American magic. Known for a quick snappy style and the rich history of magic bars in the last century. The most recent and perhaps well known of those magic spaces is known as the Chicago magic lounge. A former weekly event has transformed into a multi-million dollar multi-stage theater, equipped with booze and incredible entertainment. You can experience magic close up, on a palor stage and even at the bar. Manning the helm of this is operation is Magician Benjamin Barnes. Barnes is known as an encyclopedia of magic and he is also one of the most well connected magicians in the industry. He is responsible for booking the talent at one of the most sought after performance venues in the United States (for magicians at least). A former co-producer of Magic Chicago, Barnes sources the best talent in the country to perform at the lounge. In an interview he gave to the Windy City Times he stated, “You'll see yourself" reflected on the stage," he assures. "Every night at Chicago Magic Lounge there will be at least one woman, one Person of Color; all are bad-ass magicians." 

Kendrick Ice Mcdonald: The 1st famous Kendrick

Kendrick Ice Mcdonald, the first black president of the SAM

The “coolest” magician on this list (I’m sorry, I had to), Kendrick is the #1 magician that is sure to turn heads as he walks into a room. A classic magician that has been featured on, Masters of Illusion and any live big name magic show you can think of. He was also featured in “Art and Soul” of magic documentary, a film highlighting the lives of various black magicians.  Ice was even honored by the Minister of India with the “Performer’s Trophy of Honor”, where he was the only United States representative in their Festival of Global Magic, held in Kerala, India. Ice is one of the most talented performers in recent history and an All Star magician, you'd be lucky to catch a glimpse of. In 2014 he was named the President of the Society of American Magicians, being the first black president ever.

Randy Shine: The Presidential Magician

Ran'D Shine magician

Known as one of the “nicest guys in magic”, Ran’D is  a traveling performer who has been on the college market longer than most new magicians have been alive. His reputation as a great human is part of the reason he is also one of the most well connected people in magic today. Randy has been featured at NYC's Monday Night Magic, the Magic Castle, the Chicago Magic Lounge,  Penn & Teller's “Fool Us” and TWO presidential Inaugurations (including Obama). Ran’D is a founding member of the International Association of Black Magical Artists, an organization dedicated to the preservation of Black magic history, where he was the president. Ran’D has been on a mission producing his “Heart and Soul of Magic” show, which is an ensemble show featuring a cast of all black performers; the first show of its kind. A staple of the college market and an advocate for inclusion in magic, Ran'D Shine is "the new face of the millennium magician".

Jack Goldfinger: The Godfather

Jack goldfinger and the Amazing Jonathan

 The Godfather of black magicians who once referred to himself as “The original overnight success that spent 10 the last 10 years getting there”. Since 2009 one man has had the position of Director of Entertainment at the world Famous Magic Castle previously held  by the great Max Maven. Goldfinger is a bona fide legend in magic and one of the first black magicians to be seen on television. Jack not only curates every person that performs at the castle but more importantly he chooses who comes back. Performing at the magic castle is a rite of passage for every magician who hopes to make it one day. Jack’s legacy as a performer as well as his position as a gatekeeper of west coast magic make him more than worth of the list.

Frank Brents: King of New York

Former Monday night Magic producer Frank Brents

In NYC a pitstop for a well known magician is performing at Monday Night Magic; New York’s longest running magic show. What you may not know is that it was cofounded by  the New York Legend: Frank Brents. The late Frank Brents travelled around the world performing magic in over 40 countries. He performed for King Juan Carlos of Spain, Princess Grace of Monaco, the Rockafellers and even the Kennedys.  Brents had numerous TV appearances including on the Captain Kangaroo show, at a time where African Americans weren’t seen on television. He was known largely for his work with birds, namely his vanishing of a live duck, which was a staple in his act for 30 years. Brents passed away in 2010, but his legacy in New York lives on as one of the greats.

Chris Capehart: Lord of the Rings

Linking ring master Chris Capehart

Chis Capehart is another one of those east coast grandfathers of magic. He paved the way for so many magicians, including anyone performing the linking rings today. Capehart is the real lord of the rings, and was one of the first magic DVD's I watched when learning the classics. He is one of the top family entertainers on the east coast, also being one of the magicians to popularize the ubiquitous Miser’s Dream [trick]. He’s one of the few American magicians that have been asked to perform at the Magic Circle in England and of the even fewer to get a standing ovation after his performance. After over 40 years Capehart has become the inspiration for numerous magicians to come after him, and he has earned the respect and admiration of any big name magician you can think of, from Lance Burton to Jeff McBride.

Michael Vincent: The Champion

Michael vincent UK Magician

 A British magician and former student of the great Slydini, Michael Vincent is a magician still in his prime and killing it. As good of a creator as he is a performer, Vincent has written numerous works as well as created various props/ routines that magicians still use to this day. Vincent not only uses magic to perform, but also as a tool in public speaking, workshops and lectures. His video lectures sell out, not only because of the quality of his magic, but due to the fact that he is a 3 times winner of the Magic Circle’s “Close Up Magician of the Year”. A vital creator, an award winning magician and an “exquisite performer” (According to Harry Lorayne). Magic wouldn’t be the same without Michael Vincent’s contributions.

Eric Jones: Man of Steel

Eric Jones Magician

I wasn't originally going to put Eric on this list because I'm planning another blog about "black magicians you should know", and Eric is very young by comparison to a lot of these magicians. However, his age does not affect his impact and Eric has more than put in the work and deserves a spot on this list. He is one of the most well known and well respected creators and performers in the game. His early DVDs on coin magic (like the metal series) are a huge reason why we see so many young coin guys popping up in the magic scene. Eric Jones also made it normal to see a black magician on TV, being a semi-finalist on America's got talent, a regular on Masters of Illusion, and one of the few magicians to successfully fool Penn and Teller on "Fool Us". If that isn't enough, the rarely sighted coin master David Roth even listed Jones as one of his personal favorites and sat up close at a recent show of his at the Houdini Museum. 

 

-

There are so many magicians that could be on this list. This list however is comprised of 8 people who are responsible for the careers of magicians like me. They are trailblazers that just by being present were an influence on my life but the lives of thousands of magicians globally; not just black magicians. There are even more names I could put on this list, which is amazing considering 50 years ago this list might not have been possible. Thank you for reading this article and helping shine more light on the lives of these incredible entertainers, and keep your eyes peeled for more Black History Month Blogs, coming soon! You can catch a special "Night Magic at the Houdini Museum" magic show February 28th 2020 featuring living legend Ran'D Shine, and Hosted by RJ THE Magician. Tickets are on sale HERE !

 


330 comments

  • Antonia

    I stil can’t believe that I got cured from Genital Herpes through herbal treatment from Dr Excel who I met through the internet, I actually couldn’t believe it at first because it sounded impossible to me knowing how far I have gone just to get rid of it. Dr Excel send me his medicine which I took as instructed and here I am living a happy life once again after testing negative’ and I don’t experience the symptoms no more, a big thanks to Dr Excel, I am sure there are many herbal doctors out there but Dr Excel did it for me, contact him today by visiting his website: https://excelherbalcure.com

  • Furniture moving companies in Taif

    Thank you so much for sharing all this wonderful info with the how-to’s! It is so appreciated!
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/moversinmecca
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/qassim-movers
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/moversinahsa
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/jeddah
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/madina
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/takhazaynintabuk
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/movers-in-khulais

    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/movinginjeddah-samer
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/furniture-storage-in-Taif
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/moving-furniture-in-alkhobar
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/riyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/slricom
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/mecca-movers
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinmakkah/taif

    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/makkah
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/dammam-movers
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/moversinriyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/moversinqassim
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/furnituremovers-qassim

    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/cleaningtabuk
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/cleaningindammam
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/movers-ahsa
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/jeddah
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/riyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/dammam
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/afsh
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/alkhobar

    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/almadina
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/tabuk
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/yanbu
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/rabigh
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/jubail
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/najran
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/abha

    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/movers-alkharj
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/movers-elbaha
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/jazan-movers
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/moversintabuk
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/Company-numbers
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/cleaninginmedina

    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/cleaningindammam
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/cleaning-jeddah
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/clean-makkah
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/cleaning
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/buy-furniture-riyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/furnituremovers-qassim
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/moversinjeddah-abhor
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/transfer-furniture-jeddah

    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/furniture-movers-yanbu
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/moversinqassim
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/movers-ahsa
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/buraydah-movers
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/hail-movers
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/jazan-movers
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/moversintabuk
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/Company-numbers
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversintaif/khamismushait-movers

    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/toqassim
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/transfer-furniture-riyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/takhazayn-aldamam
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/al-hasa-cleaning
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/alahsa
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/movingfurniture-qatif
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/movingfurniture-zahran
    https://sites.google.com/site/movingfurnitureinmecca
    https://sites.google.com/site/movingfurnitureinmecca/cleaninginmecca
    https://sites.google.com/site/movingfurnitureinmecca/gomoom-movers
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/moving-alahsa-to-qassim
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/transfer-furniture-jubail-riyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/furniture-storage-in-jubail
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/moving-furniture-in-jubail
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/Furniture-transfer-dammam
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/Moving-furniture-Dammam-to-Khamis
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/moving-dammam-to-jubail
    https://sites.google.com/site/afashdammam/furniture-storage-in-alkhobar

    https://sites.google.com/site/movinginmeccariyadh/
    https://sites.google.com/site/movinginmeccariyadh/jeddah

    https://sites.google.com/site/moversinnajran/
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversinnajran/dammam
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversinnajran/jubail
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversinnajran/riyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversinnajran/transfere-riyadh

    https://sites.google.com/site/moversalbaaha/
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversalbaaha/taif
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversalbaaha/dammam
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversalbaaha/description
    https://sites.google.com/site/moversalbaaha/taiftoelbaha

    https://sites.google.com/site/transferjazanjeddah/
    https://sites.google.com/site/transferjazanjeddah/riyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/transferjazanjeddah/dammam
    https://sites.google.com/site/transferjazanjeddah/habitat

    https://sites.google.com/site/movingfurnitureinmakkah/
    https://sites.google.com/site/movingfurnitureinmakkah/yanbu
    https://sites.google.com/site/movingfurnitureinmakkah/qassim

    https://sites.google.com/site/transfertojeddah/
    https://sites.google.com/site/transfertojeddah/khamismushait

    https://sites.google.com/site/rabighalalameya/
    https://sites.google.com/site/rabighalalameya/tabuk
    https://sites.google.com/site/rabighalalameya/riyadh
    https://sites.google.com/site/rabighalalameya/qassim
    https://sites.google.com/site/rabighalalameya/dammam
    https://sites.google.com/site/rabighalalameya/mecca
    https://sites.google.com/site/rabighalalameya/jeddahtabuk
    https://sites.google.com/site/rabighalalameya/cleaninginmedina

    https://sites.google.com/site/transferfurnitureyanbu/
    https://sites.google.com/site/riyadhjedah/
    https://sites.google.com/site/movmakkah/
    https://groups.google.com/g/albeetalaamer/c/ZzqtCv4N5fA

    https://groups.google.com/g/moving-furniture-in-jeddah
    https://groups.google.com/g/albeetalaamer
    https://groups.google.com/u/7/g/movingf-urniture-companies
    https://groups.google.com/u/7/g/pnn4230
    https://groups.google.com/g/moversintaifmovers
    https://groups.google.com/g/moversintaifmovers/c/2lFZN8cF9EE
    https://groups.google.com/g/movingf-urniture-companies/c/yhhzR5HaXO8
    https://groups.google.com/g/albeetalaamer/c/hklX8smpaV8

  • Furniture moving companies in Taif

    Thank you so much for sharing all this wonderful info with the how-to’s! It is so appreciated!
    https://bit.ly/3o2IBcy
    https://bit.ly/3ROv71y
    https://bit.ly/3WmrELl
    https://bit.ly/4b6aRkc
    https://bit.ly/4bqz3xG
    https://2u.pw/7p9EBY9
    https://2u.pw/yxjqpH4
    https://2u.pw/NPKsEsd
    https://2u.pw/jVHsVc6
    https://2u.pw/FCZK7oT
    https://rentry.co/c838re94
    https://ko-fi.com/moversintaif
    https://moversintaif.edublogs.org
    https://rentry.co/c838re94
    https://www.reddit.com/r/pnn4230/
    https://www.reddit.com/user/PomegranateLife1229/
    https://rb.gy/oegdmm
    https://rb.gy/8zuqxs
    https://rb.gy/tm6krp
    https://rb.gy/oegdmm
    https://rb.gy/8zuqxs
    https://rb.gy/tm6krp
    https://justpaste.it/f94vk
    https://justpaste.it/f94vk
    https://justpaste.it/avn1a
    https://justpaste.it/agvkp
    https://justpaste.it/c7d5w
    https://justpaste.it/a1881
    https://justpaste.it/agvkp
    https://rentry.co/c838re94
    https://ko-fi.com/moversintaif
    https://www.pinterest.com/dammam_pmm1
    https://medium.com/cleaning-company https://cutt.ly/MwCxTHEc https://medium.com/pnn9299
    https://rentry.co/fo3963yc/raw
    https://medium.com/pvv9499 https://paste.ee/p/Q0bc3 https://medium.com/pnn6766
    https://rentry.co/fo3963yc
    https://medium.com/pnn1559 https://rentry.co/c838re94 https://medium.com/jeddahnakl
    https://www.behance.net/f7a8a5b3

    https://pastebin.com/5cVEFCwd
    https://goo.gl/iRWLXB
    https://goo.gl/53wgB4
    https://goo.gl/fkBcn8
    https://goo.gl/W74Wwp
    https://goo.gl/MKdvqr
    https://www.crokes.com/movinmakkah/info/
    https://yamcode.com/dlyl-shrkat-nkl-aafsh-bgd
    https://hackmd.io/_Csjh1MqTaum7CUWa8Q3lA?view
    https://hackmd.io/moversint/S1uyc369p
    https://cutt.ly/4wCjlqaU
    https://walling.app/H0nJyJwmmyuK1A2saCBQ/-
    https://bitbin.it/lIf4wziu/
    https://bitbin.it/BHOujxrS/
    https://bitbin.it/v00s5VGQ/
    https://commie.io/#NsQEihi9
    https://linktr.ee/movinmakkah
    https://movinmakkah.livejournal.com/306.html
    https://pastebin.com/dVaMZ4Zc
    https://paste.ee/p/SFOIM
    https://oktob.io/pnn9799
    https://oktob.io/posts/81103
    https://oktob.io/posts/82001
    https://oktob.io/posts/81294
    https://oktob.io/posts/81200
    https://oktob.io/posts/81107
    https://oktob.io/posts/81211
    https://taplink.cc/moversintaif
    https://www.tumblr.com/movinmakkah
    https://paste.myst.rs/cj1uyr2j
    https://paste.myst.rs/yaj8vldp

    https://pastebin.com/Sm58m4CC
    https://rentry.co/movinmakkah
    https://www.pastery.net/cmjuct/
    https://pastelink.net/2az9iz5u

    https://paste.ee/p/rNypS
    https://pastelink.net/services%20in%20Taif
    https://paste.mozilla.org/m7EM4sUi
    https://paste.ee/p/kvMBq
    https://paste.rs/Ual13.txt

    https://devpost.com/moversintaif
    https://www.youtube.com/moversintaif
    https://www.pinterest.com/moversintaif/
    https://www.pinterest.com/roqaya65/
    https://www.wattpad.com/user/jeddahnakl
    https://www.wattpad.com/user/linkedmohamed
    https://t.co/bEnKpmhOua
    https://rentry.co/5qunfauv
    https://rentry.co/6szh6378
    https://pastelink.net/jv497vbs
    https://longbets.org/user/jeddahnakl/

    https://rentry.co/v9enh7g6
    https://www.instagram.com/mecca_054/
    https://paste.ee/p/7nHsj
    https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/e8c5a8fe
    https://rentry.co/owf8z7x6

    https://hackmd.io/-HiH-TvPQQG4zUUI0Il3eA

    https://hackmd.io/YJc4k7QiRlGBTxSH_ix6Hg

    https://hackmd.io/@movinmakk/r1WjXP-jp

    https://hackmd.io/_Csjh1MqTaum7CUWa8Q3lA

    https://hackmd.io/@movinmakk/HknekCQpa

    https://is.gd/zMEJDl
    https://is.gd/bdIzKb
    https://is.gd/IkUfsB
    https://is.gd/nXlMSI
    https://is.gd/zfkyFq
    https://is.gd/U1BdUe
    https://linkr.it/1mFylz
    https://linkr.it/4pMGZz
    https://linkr.it/297s0K
    https://linkr.it/4nuVcO
    https://linkr.it/13sKd3
    https://simp.ly/p/3ZbFV2
    https://tinylink.net/3AQsw
    https://tinylink.net/I9O0u
    https://tinylink.net/PzN7W
    https://tinylink.net/9atci
    https://paste.kodi.tv/uginopizob
    https://rentry.co/622f8cod

    https://hackmd.io/Z0CQDnGeQGGWjwLYPiqHkg

    https://bandori.party/user/192402/bbnn7592/
    https://dojour.us/u/pnn9299
    https://dojour.us/e/24030-/preview
    https://www.mixcloud.com/pnn9299/
    https://about.me/moversintaif1
    https://www.furaffinity.net/user/moversintaif/
    https://taplink.cc/moversinqassim
    https://rentry.co/moversintaif

    https://hackmd.io/@MoversinJeddah/SJlHOO4MA

    https://movinmakkah.livejournal.com/

    https://hackmd.io/@moversint/rkUC41_yJe

    https://mastodon.social/@jazanmovers
    https://www.tumblr.com/transferfurniturejeddah
    https://rentry.co/6wv78gdb

    https://hackmd.io/@moversint/BJ5PIGX70

    https://ln.run/y2ztq

    https://kagitumbahs.webnode.page/guestbook/

    https://pastelink.net/v864u2wf
    https://rentry.co/yn62aq7y
    https://rentry.co/9gokq9qx
    https://rentry.co/e975iq3q
    https://bitbin.it/Ufe2Mip4/
    https://bitbin.it/9aZeYGuP/
    https://rentry.co/ceqb9ea5
    https://hackmd.io/LlP4bDsuSyujt0cJ19V8vA
    https://taplink.cc/naqel_afsh_taif
    https://rentry.co/7r4tqvn9
    https://rentry.co/tuwczb25
    https://rentry.co/bxm67g24
    https://rentry.co/gwpyq7ne
    https://heylink.me/pnn6766/
    https://lit.link/en/moversintaif
    https://rentry.co/vih6yuf2
    https://hackmd.io/moversint/SJRE9w2k1e https://hackmd.io/moversint/SyXWIT6J1l
    https://rentry.co/v2qb2uqx
    https://hackmd.io/movinmakk/SyR0s2-x1x https://rentry.co/5i9guay5 https://hackmd.io/movinmakk/rkwepQQe1x
    https://rentry.co/7wodmhgh
    https://hackmd.io/wuyXmYbdSxOJ54ZtXeJqAw
    https://hackmd.io/movinmakk/SkgU0YA8zJx https://hackmd.io/movinmakk/H17a87_Mkg
    https://rentry.co/pox4fy48
    https://rentry.co/i9x48uhq
    https://paste.rs/dZXqx.txt
    https://hackmd.io/@movinmakk/HyTusRCf1e

  • Kianna

    DigitalSouls is the best! Their team is always ready to help, and their marketing ideas really work. Plus, they’re so easy to work with!

  • Kaylen

    Highly recommend Multiwood for all your office furniture needs! The quality is amazing, and the team was so responsive and helpful throughout the process.

Leave a comment

Social Proof