005 Stevie J

Stevie J is the original black dude.

He came out in G1 Crew 1.  Dr. Digit came out in Crew 2.  Rasta came out in Crew 8.  Then, there would not be another black figure until Rod (#115), several years later.

Stevie J's original G1 figure was just a black dude with hair reminiscent of Coolio. This was a very popular rapper, circa 1995.  Even more than his hit "Gangsta's Paradise," Coolio was known for branding his image with his crazy hairstyle.  Now in his 50s, he is still rocking this hairstyle.

Stevie J was only one of three characters to have a second figure released within the G1 run.  His second figure was given cornrows, a backwards-tied bandana, and a microphone.  He now looks like TuPac.  This was another notorious mid-90s rapper.  Tupac Shakur was murdered September 7, 1996 and his killer has never been brought to justice.  This figure was made with five color variants.

There is a G2 figure that is basically the second G1 sculpt with static arms. This figure always wears red. He came as an exclusive figure in one version of the Dragstrip Race Set. 

An early G3 figure of Stevie J is just the second G1 sculpt with bendy arms.   This one came out in the Blastboards series.  He is identical with the bandana and clothes -- but now he also has arms to hold that mic.  He looks ready for an epic rap battle with Rap Masta Thumb.

A later G3 figure no longer carries a mic.  He still has a backwards-tied doo-rag, but he is now bald, and he wears baggier pants.  He actually looks even more like TuPac, but now he doesn't even get a microphone.  This figure has three variants.