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

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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.

“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.

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.”

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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.

“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.

“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.”


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Coco Austin sparks outrage over ‘weird’ holiday photos as fan notices someone ‘puts hand on her butt’

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Ice-T

The latest photos of Ice T’s wife, Coco Austin Marrow, capture the previous reality star within the holiday spirit, but she could also be on Santa’s naughty list.

On Thursday, December 5, Coco posted cinema featuring her daughter Chanel and clan visiting Santa on the Polar Express within the small town of Williams in central Arizona. In her caption, Coco stated that the holiday was what her daughter “wanted to spend on her birthday.”

A big group celebrated Chanel’s birthday by the Christmas tree and took photos with Santa Claus, wearing matching gingerbread men. However, as the family was decorating the halls, fans noticed that Ice-T was not around for the holiday cheer.

Ice-T's wife, Coco, gets sucked into the web
Ice-T’s wife Coco is thrown into the highlight when fans notice her husband missing in latest family photos. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

Several followers asked, “Where’s the ice?” while some insisted they’d “love” to see the previous gangster rapper in matching family pajamas.

One fan replied convincingly that he was probably busy “filming our favorite TV show.” Ice has played Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola on NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” since 2000. This might be his twenty sixth season within the cop series.

While some focused on the indisputable fact that Coco’s husband of 23 years didn’t make it to the North Pole together with his family, most questioned her being photographed in an intimate photo with a mystery man.

One picture showed the previous video vixen and her sister sitting with a person placed between them. Coco wrapped her legs across the man while his hand appeared to rest freely on his back.

One person asked: “It doesn’t matter if you happen to’re all over it. So that is your latest man? Another observer quickly cleared up the mystery and revealed that the person was Coco’s father.
Finding out that this man was her father made their pose even stranger to some.

“MF, there’s nothing, I’m weird, MF. “Last time I checked you were sitting on your dad’s lap as a grown woman and you sure as hell aren’t taking pictures with his hands comfortably resting on your ass and the other on your sister’s back,” one follower said in response someone tells them to “stop being weird” and “analyze” things.

Coco Austin, Ice-T’s wife, shares photos from a recent holiday party with her family. (Photos: @coco/Instagram)

This Instagram user also had a laundry list of questions. “Who is that guy you took a picture with? And why is his hand on your butt and why is he holding your back tightly in the second photo?”

And this follower shared his perspective on the family photo. “So, as an adult, you sit on your dad’s lap. We’ll hang the whole lot on his legs, and we’ll place our entire hands comfortably on your ass. It’s clear as day because his other hands are directly on your sister’s back. So why would not he respectfully place his hand on your back as a substitute of all over your ass. Weird as hell.

This is not the primary time Coco’s photos have raised eyebrows and mixed feelings amongst fans. She continually posts photos with her daughter on social media, which are sometimes criticized for Coco’s dangerous clothing decisions and poses during “mommy and me” photo shoots.

In October, the family went on a getaway to the Bahamas when Coco posted photos of herself and Chanel in matching swimsuits.

The duo took a couple of photos together, and Coco’s decision to adopt one in every of them in her signature “butt model” pose turned what might have been a cute mother-daughter post into complete chaos.

One Instagram user commented: “Why isn’t any one surprised that she takes a butt picture with her daughter within the photo? That’s fucking weird.

And one other chimed in: “If a black woman had done this, she would have been called all sorts of names.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Ina Garten denies Martha Stewart’s claims about their downfall after fans accuse the Food Network chef of abandoning her friend

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Celebrity chef Ina Garten explains how her friendship with Martha Stewart ended.

On December 5, the TV chef and writer had a private interview with People magazine, during which she was asked to speak about why she and Stewart are not any longer friends.

Stewart initially claimed that Garten abandoned their friendship when Stewart went to prison, but Garten claims this will not be true.

Ina Garten (left) responds to Martha Stewart’s (right) claims about why the two drifted apart. (Photos: @inagarten/Instagram, @marthastewart48/Instagram)

In front of a live audience, the former Food Network chef responded to Stewart’s claims, stating: “Well, let’s just say her story isn’t entirely accurate. And you know that was 25 years ago. I think it’s time to let go.”

The friendship between Garten and Stewart blossomed in the Nineteen Nineties. In fact, Stewart was largely answerable for making “The Barefoot Contessa” as successful because it was. In 1990, after purchasing a house just south of Garten’s, Stewart published her first issue of Martha Stewart Living, which included an article about Garten.

Stewart was also friends with the head of Crown Publishing, which proved useful when Garten sought to publish “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.”

In 2000, Stewart’s production company gave Garten a show for the Food Network called “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Ina.” Unfortunately, because of a rift with the TV crew during filming, the series was discontinued. Garten returned to her roots and published 13 more cookbooks with Crown.

As for her relationship with Stewart, Garten says it’s just distance. Stewart spent more time at her estate in Bedford, New York, which led to them losing contact with one another.

But Stewart believes their relationship became strained when she was sentenced to 5 months in prison in 2004 for lying about selling shares.

She he said The New Yorker: “When I was sent to Alderson Prison, she stopped contacting me. I found it extremely disturbing and extremely unfriendly.” Stewart’s publicist called back to offer an announcement on her behalf, insisting that she was “not bitter at all and there was no dispute between them.”

Now that Garten has given her answer, it’s as much as fans to come to a decision which TV personality they think is true.

Some believed that Stewart was telling the truth. One person wrote on People’s website“I believe Marta. Martha started her, and when Martha went to prison, she abandoned her. Moving to a neighboring country does not prevent the continuation of a valuable friendship.”

A Stewart supporter on E! Facebook News page he said“Ina was a trader. Better not be friends with her.

On Instagram, several people commented on Stewart’s alleged malicious writing: “Marta can hold a grudge” and “Marta doesn’t let go.”

Others supported Garten’s answer in a People Instagram clip. One fan said: “Marta told the truth! But Ina behaved well and showed respect.” Another added: “Not everyone likes everyone. Ina is true, move on.

Calling her bluff, a 3rd added: “Come on, you just don’t want to hang out with prison birds. I fixed it there. I love the documentary about Marta.”

After her 2004 conviction, Stewart served five months in prison, as detailed in her Netflix documentary, which hit streaming platforms last month. “Martha” charts the lifestyle impresario’s rise to fame, her money-making friendship with Snoop Dogg, and the painful personal details surrounding her marriage to ex-husband Andrew Stewart.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Master P’s son Hercy can escape punishment when arrested for theft amid family drama between dad and older siblings

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Master P’s second youngest son and Romeo Miller’s younger brother may soon be free from charges despite the criminal charges against him.

According to ABC 4Hercy Miller, 24, was arrested last month together with Brock Felder, 20, and Peter Dadson Jr. (25) on charges of stealing two fridges from the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah.

The arrest of three Thunderbirds basketball teammates occurred the day before Thanksgiving, and each student was charged with theft.

Arrest documents say that on Nov. 11, surveillance video captured Miller, Felder and Dadson Jr. taking two fridges from the loading dock of a campus bookstore and putting them into two vehicles. Each refrigerator was valued at $1,500.

Master P’s son, Hercy Miller, is charged with theft after stealing a refrigerator from campus. (Photo: @hercymiller/Instagram)

Upon arrival at their residence, police observed one refrigerator in Dadson Jr.’s apartment. and Felder. Miller had a second refrigerator in his garage.

TO the TV reported that Felder told police that one other suspect had the thought to steal the fridges. He also claimed that he had just helped load it into the automobile. Dadson Jr. is reported to have and Miller assumed the fridges can be thrown away.

One statement says Dadson Jr. “he believed they were thrown away and could be taken away.” He claimed the fridges had been sitting on the loading dock for “almost a month.”

Neither of them asked permission before taking the coolers.

The three men were booked into the Iron County Jail and released on Thanksgiving Day. All three were cleared to proceed playing college basketball.

SUU head coach Rob Jeter, he said TMZ calls the December 4 incident a “big misunderstanding.”

Fans reacted to Hollywood Unlocked’s coverage of Miller’s shock and disappointment.

One one that had speculation about Miller’s older brother and his apparent absence from the family wrote, “So Romeo has distanced himself from this family and is now focused on his own family.”

Someone else couldn’t help but mention his father, born Percy Robert Miller.

“Dad’s worth millions and you’re stealing refrigerators! these star kids really need to study.”

Another fan defended Miller, saying: “It’s crazy because it might have gone within the trash anyway. This is so petty, lmao.

Although neither his father nor his brother said anything concerning the incident, Hercy himself sent a message of thanks on Thanksgiving – the identical day he was released from prison.

Reposting the meme that he said“When life seems troubled, as a substitute of resisting, ask God what he’s attempting to teach you or where he’s leading you. Trust that His plans are at all times for your good, even when the trail seems uncertain.

Additionally, Hercy also posted a series of photos together with his family members on the court, including one together with his father, mother Sonya C, older brother Vercy Miller and others.

In the caption, he wrote: “I’m grateful for all of this. Ups. Short. Blessings. Lessons. Failures. Returns. All.”

Hercy Miller is a senior transferring from the University of Louisville. The 6’3 guard has an estimated net price of $2 million due to NIL deals and brand partnerships with Steve Madden, Amazon and more.

TMZ reported that prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss Miller’s case in court on Dec. 6, a spokesman for the Iron County Attorney’s Office said.

This could allow Miller to be free from any charges, even though it’s unclear what’s at stake for his teammates. “Life is good,” Hercy wrote on her Instagram Story later that day.

After hearing the newest update, one social media user he said“master p sent this check” and one other added: “Baby Master P is a businessman. He definitely sent that check.

Hercy Miller, son of rap mogul Master P, shares a post titled “Life is good” after being arrested for stealing from his college. (Photo: @hercymiller/Instagram)

In addition to Romeo and Hercy, Master P and Sonya have a complete of seven children, including 33-year-old son Vercy, 31-year-old daughter Inty, 25-year-old daughter Itali and 19-year-old son Mercy. Their daughter Tytyana Miller died at age 30 from a fentanyl overdose in May 2022.

Tytyana’s struggles with addiction and depression were documented on We TV’s reality show “Growing Up Hip Hop” and put her eldest brother and dad at the middle of the drama.

In a June 2022 interview with Atlanta Black Star, Romeo revealed that “recently,” he told his father that he was expecting his first child.

“Honestly, me and my dad, our relationship shouldn’t be what people think. We are so close, but it surely relies on respect. It’s based on the indisputable fact that he’s a fantastic father,” he said.

Later that 12 months, Romeo accused Master P of drawing attention to the suicide of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who had gained fame as a dancer and former DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”. The former child star blamed her father for failing to acknowledge his own daughter, who was affected by depression or suicide.

Romeo and Master P also exchanged words in a series of now-deleted Instagram posts, including the No Limit Records founder sharing a post about breaking generational curses that omitted to say his firstborn.

Master P was also accused of “trying to gaslight and break” Romeo, in addition to “not taking responsibility for his mistakes/greed.”

“I promoted the company for free for over 15 years, based on my daddies’ word, without being allowed to see any contracts or even meet the team, and I remained loyal… but now I’m entitled to it and I’m ungrateful?” Romeo said in a post after revealing he received his first check from Master P’s Rap Snacks brand.

Hours before the jump to 2023, Romeo reassured fans by revealing that they were on a journey to “start healing” after Some “very difficult conversations.”

It’s unclear where exactly Romeo and his dad are actually. However, Master P responded to questions on their dispute during a separate interview last summer, insisting that “every family goes through this.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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