The More You Know: 10 Little-Known Black History Facts

The Fresh Prince & Jazzy Jeff were originally slated to star in “House Party” but the deal with New Line cinema fell through.

Madam C.J. Walker didn’t invent creamy crack or the straightening comb (contrary to VERY popular belief). Charles Nessler developed the very first perm in 1905.

Master P and “How To Rob”-era 50 Cent were the first to give Beyonce/Destiny’s Child national exposure.

Nas (yes, Hip-Hop icon NASIR JONES) wrote Will Smith’s smash hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.”

Eddie Murphy passed on the token Ghostbuster brotha role in “Ghostbusters 1 & 2”

Mary J. Blige turned down Rihanna’s “Umbrella” (yet felt completely comfortable SANGIN’ her face off about crispy chicken).

Will Smith turned down the role of “Neo” in “The Matrix” (which was written by a Black woman–no, seriously) to star in “Wild Wild West.”

Janet and Pac’s freaky scene in “Poetic Justice” was scrapped because of Pac’s refusal to take an HIV test.

Not ONE member of N.W.A had a criminal record.

Malcolm Little washed dishes with Redd Foxx (yes, “Fred Sanford”) at a Harlem restaurant during his pre-Malcolm X struggle years.

Topsy/Instagram/Tumblr