Connect with us

Entertainment

The documentary “Freaknik” tells the untold story of an Atlanta street party

Published

on

LOS ANGELES (AP) – If you have ever attended Atlanta’s wildest gathering called Freaknik, be careful: You may appear in a brand new Hulu documentary about the legendary street party that became popular because of folkloric tales of traffic jams, public nudity and highway debauchery.

Many of these photos will undoubtedly be featured in “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told.” But the documentary doesn’t solely give attention to the hypersexual environment and public safety concerns surrounding the festival that began 4 many years ago. It also tells the story of how this iconic event began as an easy black college cookout that eventually attracted 1000’s of people from across the United States, defining Atlanta as the cradle of culture and music.

Advertisement

“It’s more a question of culture. “This is the Atlanta version of ‘Beat Street,’” said Jermaine Dupri, who executive produced the project together with several others, including Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell and 21 Savage. The documentary premiered Tuesday night at SXSW in Austin, Texas. It will stream on Hulu on March 21.

Crowds of people crowd Marietta Street for Freaknik near the intersection of Peachtree Street in Atlanta on April 19, 1996. (Philip McCollum/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, file)

“This is our story about our contribution to culture,” Dupri continued. “Through the music and the parties that happened during Freaknik. It’s much more than just people standing on top of cars and playing music outside.”

“Freaknik” will feature perspectives from Killer Mike, Jalen Rose, CeeLo Green, Rasheeda and Too $hort. The project features Freaknik founders Emma Horton, Amadi Boone, Monique Tolliver and Sharon Toomer, who discuss the origins of the festival and the name Freaknik – a mixture of picnic and freak. The inspiration for the song was the 1978 song “Le Freak” by R&B group Chic.

Advertisement

Dupri initially questioned whether the documentary would focus solely on the sexual nature of the festival. But the music mogul believed otherwise after meeting with Swirl Films producers Jay Allen and Nikki Byles, who told him the documentary would give attention to the full story.

“We want people who haven’t experienced Freaknik to relive the good, the bad and the ugly,” Allen said. “The people who were there will be able to tell their stories and their truth.”

Dupri wants viewers to see how Freaknik has elevated Atlanta’s now thriving hip-hop music scene and helped it turn out to be a destination for Black entrepreneurship and empowerment. He heard criticism about the documentary “putting Black people backwards.” There were also reports that some women would take legal motion to dam the documentary’s release for fear of potential exposure in the flashback clips. It is unclear whether a lawsuit was ever filed.

“It’s all educational. For me personally, it is Black history,” said Dupri, who attended Freaknik. “For those who need that reassurance, I would never allow my name to be associated with anything that would take a shine to Atlanta or do anything that I felt would undo that culture.”

Advertisement

Featured Stories

Uncle Luke called these critics “hypocrites” for participating in Freaknik’s lewd activities, after which criticized this generation for admiring hip-hop artists corresponding to Cardi B, Ice Spice and Sexyy Red, who’re known for his or her suggestive performances.

“They’ll get a taste of their own medicine,” said Luke, who was considered the godfather of Freaknik for bringing his provocative nature to the festival. The footage was mostly crowdsourced, with some of his VHS tapes converted to digital format.

Byles secured other recordings by reaching out on social media and knocking on the doors of former Freaknik participants, who passed on what they were comfortable communicating.

Advertisement

“It’s easy to point fingers at someone else’s children and say they’re living the life they actually lived as parents,” said Uncle Luke. “I wanted to show this perspective. But there’s also this great myth about Freaknik. Many people on the West Coast have heard about it. Some people have heard these stories. It was this story that was never really told. We wanted to tell this story of where it really came from.”

Overall views of the atmosphere at Freaknik21 – Celebrating Savage’s twenty first Birthday at Underground Atlanta on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Prince Williams/Wireimage)

Freaknik was an extensive street party throughout Atlanta from 1983 to 1999. The three-day event, held in April, was organized by black students (Morehouse and Spelman colleges) from the DC Metro Club who were stuck on campus during spring break and decided to assemble in a park to beat the boredom with boom boxes, coolers, and food.

Over the years, Freaknik has turn out to be a grassroots spring break destination, attracting roughly 250,000 partygoers from across the country. The event was so massive that it spread throughout the city center and concrete areas.

However, as Freaknik’s popularity grew, the uncontrollable crowds brought so much of problems. By the mid-Nineteen Nineties, the fun-filled event turned unruly and eventually faded into oblivion after sporadic looting, massive traffic jams, and lewd activities. City authorities shut down the event after tensions continued to escalate between festival-goers, law enforcement and native residents.

Toomer, one of the original organizers, stated that she was impressed by the way the documentary presented the full history of Freaknik. Toomer is upset that the festival has ended, but she hopes that viewers will understand the true essence of their work.

Advertisement

“I think people will have that moment of, ‘I didn’t know that,’ and they will kind of appreciate it,” she said. “I’m excited about it. It was truly – in its best and worst years – a special event. Over the years, having to start a conversation with a word has been frustrating, unlike the experience that so many young black people have had.”

Director P. Frank Williams said the documentary shows the convergence of politics, media, music and culture. He said that it will also affect those that tried to resurrect Freaknik, but to no avail.

“I know people on the Internet and they’re all looking for candy, fun, girls, turnout and cars,” Williams said. “We gave it to you in case you watch the video. But there are also vegetables, which is black culture. Black identity. I’m attempting to go against a system that was preparing for the (1996) Olympics and didn’t necessarily want these kids on the streets. It’s a much deeper story.

“Everyone is worried about their aunts and all these memes,” he said. “But I hope that when you watch, you will see that we did much more than just party.”

Advertisement


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Advertisement

Entertainment

Ryan Coogler talks about Delta Blues, spirituality and why his latest film is entitled “Sinners”: “This is the term judgment, but he is also friendly”

Published

on

By

On Good Friday, everyone talks about the very anticipated edition of the latest film by Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan “Sinners”. Now, before you catch the Bible and start squeezing pearls at the considered a horror movie with the title “Sinners”, you will hear me.

The horror, which the chronicle of what is happening when vampires take over Clarksdale in the state of Mississippi in 1932, is filled with numerical conversations about culture, religion, spirituality and music. During the telephone interview with Ryan Coogler, Grio took a have a look at the mind of the creator of “sinners” and how he managed to present the dissonant harmony of those topics.

Advertisement

“We ended up with” sinners “and in the past I think that this is the only title we could have,” said Coogler, revealing that the film existed under the code name “Grilled Cheese” before he obtained the official title. “This is related to this relationship that Delta Blues has with his twin siblings, gospel music.”

“Blues Music was the first American music that was canceled as the music of the devil,” he continued. “This judgment of music and people who are involved in culture around her is at the heart of this film. This conversation and the recognition that we are all (sinners), and if you point to someone who calls them a sinner, you must also indicate your finger back to each other.”

Ryan Coogler Sinners, Sinners Michael B Jordan, Sinners Movie, What Is Sinners About?, Is Sinners Movie About Vampires?, Ryan Coogler Michael B. Jordan New Movie, Ryan Coogler Sinners Explain, Meaning Behinf Ryan Coogler Sinners, Sinners Movie, Sinners Movie, Sinners Movie, Sinners Movie Explated, Sinners Movie Spirituality, Sinners Movie Folklore, What is the Story Behind the Movie Sinners, Ryan Coogler Sinners Spiritual Meaning Thegrio.com
(Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Copyright IS © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. all rights reserved.)

For Coogler, who grew up in the Baptist church, attended mainly the Black Catholic school of growing up and studied various religions in college, studying the overparted quality of Delta Blues music and a listing of spirituality and carnivality through a various spiritual lens.

“(Religion) has always been something that surrounded me in my life and the fascination of my … relationships of people with spirituality and as a practice in which people decide to deal with the world,” he explained. “And this is also in my films.”

In its fifth feature film, this fascination appears through music – the key a part of the story and the creation of “sinners”. Inspired by his deceased uncle James, who loved Delta Blues Music, Coogler said that he inspired him to make this film after studying the genre that his uncle loved a lot.

Advertisement

“Where Gospel music is created for the soul, the music of Delta Blues is created for the soul and body,” he recognizes the body and all related beauty and ugliness. ”

“Artists were known for accepting their flaws, nightmares, mortality and bodily desires,” he continued. “Some of these songs say about haunting by crimes committed by a lifestyle, by demons, devil or visions of premature death.”

Listening to such artists Robert Johnson, Howlin ‘Wolf, And a playlist of the full Delta Blues Music, Coogler noticed how these topics have evolved into contemporary species, equivalent to in Bone Thugs-N-Harmonie’s “The Crossroads”.

“(I) he realized that they were not the first people who created the song” Crossroads ” – he said, referring to their favorite rap songs from the 90s.” This is one among the hottest songs sung in the tradition of Delta Blues, as an idea and (reference) to the entry from natural to supernatural, life and death. ”

“All these things: supernatural and my love for horror made me think that it would make sense to implement these elements in a way in which these characters from (1932 Mississippi) encounter supernatural” – he added.

Advertisement
Delroy Lindo to join Michael B. Jordan, a movie Thriller Ryan Coogler

Exaggerated with the classic “sinners” of blues “sinners”, he finally emphasizes discussion topics in most religions and sociology: the battle between good and evil, spirit and body, etc.

“Even the most religious person would admit that he is a sinner; everyone is,” noted Coogler. “This is a term of judgment, but it is also a term that is also friendly. (In a Christian context, Jesus spent the most time with that.”

But ultimately the director wants people to rejoice with the film.

“I wanted to do something that was funny and acted as a theatrical edition. We filmed on IMAX cameras, the biggest possible format. We want people to be moved by what we have to say, we want people to talk on the screen and spill their popcorn during jumps, and we hope that he creates something that makes them think and want to come back.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JouLECTX_U

Advertisement

(Tagstranslate) Michael B. Jordan (T) Entertainment

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Solange brings to Houston to Houston to the Eldorado house in a multidisciplinary celebration of black art – essence

Published

on

By

Solange brings to Houston to Houston to the Eldorado house in a multidisciplinary celebration of Black Art

(Photo Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Jil Sander)

Advertisement

Solange Knowles returns to Houston with a deeply personal and using the community project that honors the heritage of black artistry through a multidimensional series entitled. Presented in cooperation with Performing Arts Houston A Project Row Houses, the series is developing for six evenings of programming in places, including Jones Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Eldorado Historical Ballroom in the third Houston branch.

The project means a full moment for knowles and its multidisciplinary studio, Saint Heron. After debuting the soldered iteration at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in 2023, and later expanded his vision to Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Solange now introduces experience in his name day. As described: “With a little luck, Houston may soon have its own Eldorado ballroom.” This time is now.

Every evening he presents a characteristic curatorial lens, intertwining classical music, experimental performances, the Gospel, Zydeco and future sounds that distinguish the influence of the African diaspora on the Houston cultural area. From the honoring of the transformational roles of black women in symphonic music to celebrating the legends of gospel and black southern electronic music, it’s each homage and innovation. Artists are Soprano Zoie Reams, Autumn Knight, Liv.e, Kara Jackson, Rosie Ledet, Twinkie Clark and Sisters Clark and recognized DJs based in Houston, similar to HyperFemme and Big Ace.

Advertisement

In one of the “moments anchoring in the series Saint Heron will present two free shows – film meditation on the holy nature of collecting and telling stories – at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Written by Solange and directed by Nuotam Bodomo, a short premiere in Guggenheim and continues the involvement of Saint Heron in the behavior of black cultural memory.

Dzieie Kanu, Nigerian-American artist and from Houston, may also contribute to the series with an interpretative sculptural installation inspired by the Funkadel parliament, expanding the topics of Afrofuturism and the sound line.

Meg Booth, president and general director of Performing Arts Houston, said about partnership: “Cooperation with Solange, Saint Heron and Project Row to shed light on the heritage of Eldorado inspiring black creativity and community with so many great artists, is a great honor.”

Danielle Burns Wilson, executive director of Project Row Houses, repeated sentiment, noticing a deep connection of Solange with space. “It is so much part of the history of this building – its creative energy resounds in the escort air from now on, will return to the deepening of this connection and pay energy in this historic place.”

Advertisement

Thanks to, Solange continues his careers involved in artistic experiments, community investments and cultural protection. Tickets open to the audience on April 22, 2025, with early access available now for Performing Arts Houston visionaries.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

The Spelman College competition is now the latest Tiktok madness

Published

on

By

TikTok, Spelman, pagents


There is spring in HBCUS throughout the country, which suggests that the competition season is right. This 12 months, the Spelman College competitions have gained a brand new audience in Tiktok as a consequence of the players’ viral movies.

The competitors presented their beauty and brains in the social application and attracted latest viewers outside traditional circles. While the Miss Spelman College competition won’t announce the winners until April 14, latest fans wrote about their favorites once they immersed in the competition.

Participants became popular for his or her excellent introduction, showing their abilities to the crown. Various competitions happen throughout the school, including Miss Black and Gold and Miss Africanidad competitions.

Advertisement
Watch on TikTok

“Your search for the queen is officially completed,” said player No. 4, Aziyah, a younger specialist in political sciences from Atlanta. “Because, like my institution, I start without any.”

Player No. 6 was also his own case for the Crown.

“Slow and stable, this is how queen arise,” said Madison, an English major from the third 12 months in HBCU All-Women. “So I waited patiently, but it’s my moment in the end. Oh, and trust me, I’m going to have it.”

Those who’ve never experienced the culture of HBCU competitions now taste greatness, while loving every second. One asked why public opinion would just discover about this spectacle sector.

“How should I do something,” asked the delighted Tiktker Suzanne Lambert. “And what I want to know, why no one has presented it yet?”

She added: “This is my version of March Madness now.”

Advertisement
Watch on TikTok

Another user has spoiled, as “encouraging” is content because he promotes black perfection.

“This competition revealing” school stunning “in the best possible way. If you know you know, “said the Couture Couture Tiktker.” And all the energy that I spent on the bama rush and breaking it should be spent on this competition. “

The enthusiasm of competitions for Tiktok is much like the previous trend “Bama Rush”, during which incoming student student girls detailed their journeys to affix the brotherhood. Now the headlight light applies to those HBCU women once they race against the crown, while paying national attention.

(Tagstotransate) Miss Spelman College (T) Spelman College (T) Tiktok (T) HBCU Pageants (T) HBCU CULTY

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending