google-site-verification=cXrcMGa94PjI5BEhkIFIyc9eZiIwZzNJc4mTXSXtGRM Producer DeShawn Plair Shares ‘Freaknik’ Secrets - 360WISE MEDIA
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Producer DeShawn Plair Shares ‘Freaknik’ Secrets

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FREAKNIK: THE WILDEST PARTY NEVER TOLD – AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 12: Cast and EPs attend the SXSW World Premiere of Hulu’s “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” in Austin, Texas on March 12, 2024. (Disney/ Frank Micelotta) DESHAWN PLAIR

America spent the weekend “in Freaknik”, checking to see in the event that they had seen their parents or peers in archival footage from the favored documentary.

While many of the buzz within the months leading as much as the film’s release was about who we would see doing 360p on the streets of Atlanta within the early ’90s, the film focused on the emergence of Southern culture and town of Atlanta specifically. , as a mainstay of hip-hop and black popular culture.

DeShawn Plair, supervising producer, believes that this a part of the story is just too often lost when mentioning the legendary city-wide spring break party. “It was like magic in a bottle with its original purpose,” Plair tells ESSENCE.

We caught up with the three-time NAACP Image Award-winning producer to speak all things Freaknik – the ups and downs – and why “The Wildest Party” has left such an enduring mark on Black culture.

Producer DeShawn Plair Shares 'Freaknik' Secrets

What made you become involved within the production of a documentary about this legendary representative of black culture of the 90s?

Well, what made me need to be a component of this project was Geraldine Porras. She is the showrunner and executive producer. I worked together with her on a Cosby documentary for Showtime.

Of course, I’ve heard all of the urban legends. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sufficiently old to be involved within the early days of Freaknik, but I had heard about it from shows like or . It was a cultural phenomenon. So I believed, “Okay, let me really understand what this is about.” I used to be pleasantly surprised to study its origins.

What did you learn from this process that you simply didn’t know before?

I learned that it was on the streets that Freaknik LaFace discovered latest artists. So So Def was signing latest artists there. Even Outkast, after they started off, handed out sample tapes, because what higher place to advertise music than when 200,000-300,000 students and others were descending on the streets of Atlanta? This was only the start and development of so many artists.

This event is usually remembered as a moment when men were free to objectify, sexualize, and sometimes harass women on the streets, yet there are two women at the middle of the production. Why do you think that it was essential for girls to be involved in telling this story?

It’s true that now while you consider the “Freaknik legacy” you turn into an event where guys have the chance to attend a free meeting with women. But the intention of those students at AUC [Atlanta University Center] there was a time in Atlanta after they couldn’t go home for spring break and needed a secure environment. When they began in 1983, it was a celebration of black joy. It wasn’t even lewd. I wanted to point out, “look, we know what it turned into, but that was the original intention.”

And yes, in some ways it’s a male-dominated history, nevertheless it was also a time when young ladies gained power. They were coming into their very own sexuality on the time, but that did not give people the correct to treat them a certain way. We desired to tell this full, balanced story. [But] we definitely didn’t need to be ashamed of it. We want women’s voices to be heard. In the film you too can hear, amongst others: [sexual violence] survivor.

Everything I do, I actually need it to have an effect on the culture – that’s, the great, the bad, the ugly and every part in between.

Producer DeShawn Plair Shares 'Freaknik' Secrets

You see a whole lot of individuals who were either kids or weren’t even born yet during Freaknik’s heyday attempting to recapture that feeling and aesthetic. The documentary even opens with 21 Savage’s 2022 birthday celebration, a Freaknik-themed party. Why do you think that younger generations who have not had the prospect to live this experience try to reclaim what they think?

I like the best way you express it. It really is what it was. I believe this generation is like that captivated and fascinated by him since it was a time of black joy. It was a time when people felt secure – back within the day. It grew so organically, through word of mouth. The kids knew they’d to be in Atlanta every third weekend in April. We heard stories where people mentioned that they only had $10 and so they jumped within the automotive with their friends and still had a great time and it lasted all weekend. So I believe it’s just that spirit.

Freaknik was a time when the voices of Southern artists might be heard. And then the influence on fashion? Honey. Quite a lot of the archival footage featured girls with beehives, twists, quick weaves, and so forth. It was great to see that influence and that culture, and today persons are recreating those styles.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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As “Ant-Man,” NBA star Anthony Edwards is the new heir to Air Jordan

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The king is (almost) dead.

Long live the (next) king.

LeBron James is still amongst us and continues to command the lion’s share of the NBA’s attention. But heirs to his throne are circling, especially in Minnesota, where 22-year-old Anthony Edwards is introducing himself to the general public. “Ant-Man” is here and he looks like “Thee Man.”

Arguments have been raging recently over the NBA’s biggest player of all time as James closes the gap between himself and the supposed GOAT Michael Jordan. James is the league’s all-time leading scorer and, in his twenty first season, has scored more points than another player combined at this point in his profession. At age 39, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and eight.3 assists, which must have been enough for him to be named to the All-NBA team for the twentieth consecutive 12 months.

But nobody ever said James reminded them of Air Jordan.

It’s no different with Edwards. People cannot stop comparing him to MJ by way of style, athleticism, trash talking and killer mentality. Playing in little-known Minnesota hasn’t helped Edwards to this point, but legends are born in the postseason. When you have made a reputation for yourself, nothing beats two games on the defending champion’s home field.

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“Obviously they (Jordan and Edwards) have a lot of the same mannerisms,” Timberwolves defenseman Mike Conley he said Sport Lisa. “The movements, the fades, the athleticism, the poster dunks, the blocks and the defensive work he does. But the truth is, it is his motivation that is most significant. Same type of work ethic, same type of “I don’t sleep at all at night because I’m ready to play, I’m ready to play.”

The Timberwolves are halfway to the Western Conference Finals and returned home with a win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday. Minnesota has yet to lose in these playoffs, which is a highlight for Edwards. He averaged 31 points in the first round, defeating Kevin Durant and Phoenix, after which began the game with a profession high in the postseason 43 points on Saturday against the Nuggets. He scored 27 points in Game 2 on Monday, putting Denver’s title defense on life support.

Unlike the late great Kobe Bryant, who studied Jordan extensively and have become his closest replica in history, Edwards never intended to replicate his Air. Similarities emerged naturally, built on outrageous physical abilities and insane work ethic, leading to inevitable comparisons around the world. hoop and next wing.

We’ve seen this story before.

Fans and media began looking next Jordan before the original retired (for the first time) in 1993. Victims included busts like Harold “Baby Jordan” Miner and All-Stars like Grant Hill. Particularly susceptible to labeling were Jerry Stackhouse and Vince Carter, amongst others, who followed Jordan at North Carolina. Bryant welcomed this characterization and carried it well.

Edwards prefers not to go there.

“I want this to end,” Edwards said. “It’s the biggest ever. I can not be compared to him.”

Maybe he’ll; his thoughts on the matter are irrelevant. Conversations about sports are driven by questions like “what have you done recently” and “what can you do next?” Stars rise and fade, and we’re addicted to sorting them into generational rankings, lists, and tiers. There’s nothing we will do about it.

Big men have their very own category, and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama (7-foot-4) poses a threat to beat all his predecessors, while Denver’s Nikola Jokic is climbing the charts. But 7-foot players aren’t as easily identified as shooting guards who can grab a rebound and go coast-to-coast or pass a defender at knee.

Technically, there won’t ever be one other Jordan or an all-time great player. Players exit on the pitch, do their thing and rack up the numbers in their very own individual style. And while nobody thinks Robert Horry (seven rings) is higher than Jordan (six rings), winning championships is also a separator.

Edwards is fighting for his first NBA title with no certainty that he’ll ever win it. History is full of wonderful players who didn’t make it, including Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley. There is no shame in being on this list if Edwards suffers this fate.

But he’s running a bona fide challenger now in his fourth season, in an attention grabbing way that means he’s just began and has no intention of stopping anytime soon. He is competing with Wemby, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić for the title of “next face of the league”, the only American of the 4. However, nobody else is closer to becoming the next MJ.

Whether you prefer it or not, “Ant Man” is that guy.

Sit back and revel in.



This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Colman Domingo pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman and Leon André Talley at the Met Gala –

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The Met Gala is certainly one of the most talked-about evenings in fashion yearly and serves as an event fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This 12 months’s event, which took place on May 6, was intended to honor the Costume Institute’s 2024 exhibition “Sleeping Beauties: Fashion Awakening.”

Hollywood red carpet star Colman Domingo discussed the inspiration behind his outfit ahead of the event.

As reported, Domingo’s outfit was partly a tribute to stars Chadwick Boseman and André Leon Talley, late fashion journalism icons who made their mark at the Met Gala by wearing capes.

“They both wore capes at the Met,” Domingo said. “Everything I do, I feel like it has to be done for the culture. It has to be more than just for me. I also wanted to honor those brothers who came before me.”

Domingo said he and Willy Chavarria were brought together by his stylists, who told him the king of the red carpet should work with the reigning CDFA award winner.

“This is kind of the icing on the cake for my awards season,” Domingo noted. “I do know there’s been loads of give attention to my look and style and how I tell stories about clothes and fashion, so I knew it could be a giant moment. So when (The Met) was offered, my stylists (Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald) reached out to see who can be excited about dressing me. To quote Wayman and Micah: “Well, the king of the red carpet should be paired with the newest CFDA award winner.”

Domingo continued: “There were times when it felt like coronation tailoring in some ways. I feel prefer it could look quite a bit like the British Royal Family at times, and I wanted that to be on top. I believe if we go to a coronation and we turn into the king of the red carpet, (The Met) will likely be an actual coronation.

Domingo wore a big black and white Willy Chavarria suit with diamond earrings, silver rings and a bouquet of white flowers wrapped in black satin fabric.

As noted, the actor’s appearance was not only beautiful, but it surely perfectly fit the evening’s theme “The Garden of Time”. According to Vogue magazine, the event’s theme and dress code were inspired by a 1962 short story by JG Ballard that shared a typical theme.

As Lit Hub describes the story: “The dress code for the event is “The Garden of Time,” inspired by J. G. Ballard’s 1962 short story of the same name, through which Count Axel and his wife live and listen to Mozart in an impressive villa, surrounded by a garden of crystals flowers as an indignant and unruly army approaches them. To keep the “approaching mob” at bay, Axel must turn back time by picking the flowers one after the other until they’re all gone and there isn’t any time left.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Scared Katt? Tiffany Haddish claims Katt Williams reacted this way when Kevin Hart showed up at a recent gathering of comedians Dave Chappelle, Sinbad and more

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Photos have surfaced online showing comedian Katt Williams at the identical event with several comedians he has signed up over the past few months.

At the Netflix Is a Joke Festival weekend brunch, where Black comics like Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Tiffany Haddish and more gathered to rejoice veteran comedian Sinbad’s return from a debilitating stroke, the atmosphere seemed crammed with camaraderie amongst attendees frequency.

(left to right) Luenell Campbell and Katt Williams. Second photo: Deon Cole, Kevin Hart, Luenell Campbell, Dave Chappelle (back), Tiffany Haddish and Sinbad (front). (Photo@luenell/Instagram)

In addition to those comics, Marsha Warfield, Mike Epps, Lil Rel, Deon Cole and more got here together to capture precious moments. Fans within the comments were excited to see “so many goats in one photo.” However, two comedians from the “Dark Matter” tour were noticeably absent from some vital group photos.

“Where’s Aunt Mo’Nique?… asked one fan, while one other noted Williams’ incognito appearance.

“Is this Katt dressing like Kanye from the neck up. It looks like his eyes. I really like them each. @luenell you might be just absolutely beautiful inside and out. I’m glad you are getting yours now.

Some were shocked to see Williams in the identical spot after his controversial comments about peers throwing black shade at him.

When the “Friday After Next” star appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s show “Club Shay Shay” in January 2024, he began the 12 months by slamming a whole list of comedians, including Hart, Haddish, Steve Harvey, Chris Tucker, Cedric The Entertainer, Ricky Smiley, Michael Blackson, Faison Love and more. He also has issues with Lil Rel, which Sharpe mentioned in a separate interview.

Although he didn’t say anything bad about Chappelle on the podcast, Williams became upset when the previous Def Comedy Jam criticized the way he painted other black comedians.

After his interview with Williams, Hart explained that he would gain nothing by fueling their long-standing relationship with the “First Sunday” actor, stating, “You don’t entertain the circus, you watch the circus,” during an interview with Fox 5.

Haddish said during a recent interview with “The Breakfast Club” that brunch began around 12 p.m. and that she saw Williams.

“We were outside, OK. So we weren’t in the identical room,” she said before pouring the tea. “Everyone was there and Katt was there and he looked very interesting… very shiny and it was super cool. He talked to everyone, walked across the room and so on.

The Grammy winner then said, “As soon as Kevin got there, no one could find Katt,” noting that he left quickly and missed the ultimate class photo with all of the comedians. “I don’t know where Katt went, but he performed live.”

He claims they took a group photo with all of the comedians, wherein Williams was not present because “Katt moved to the right as Kevin pulled up.”

Haddish added that she hadn’t spoken to the “Soul Plane” actor, but she smiled and waved from a distance.

Williams could discuss with everyone, but only a few had a photo with him. Luenell was part of this small group.

The funny lady, who also starred within the Broadway production of “Chicago” and is a regular member of the touring comedian troupe “Pimpin’ Pimpin’,” appeared in a photo on her Instagram alongside the Ohio native. He wore an all-white outfit decorated with dazzling crosses on his balaclava.

In the identical gallery, she posed with Deon Cole, Hart, Chappelle, Haddish and Sinbad, who sat in a wheelchair at the guts of the group.

Her caption read: “Too many stars (comics) to mention!” While everyone was away, nobody else was seen with Williams, who had just filmed her live stand-up comedy gig for Netflix titled “Woke Foke.”

Several of her 1.1 million followers noticed that Williams and many of his peers he was chatting with stayed close to one another.

“Katt, Kevin and Tiffany in the identical place. Questions,” wrote one person.

Another added: “Katt definitely looks like he’s keeping his distance lol.”

One person commented that they probably all moved in a respectful manner because they’re all professionals and adults.

“At the end of the day,” the comment reads, “Everyone in query is over 40, they are only adults, and they don’t fret about one another. They just take care of business. Politicizing via the Internet.

Perhaps people were on their best behavior in honor of their OG. In honor of his contributions to the world of comedy, we’re hosting the Netflix Is A Joke Fest produced “The Sinbad Tribute Show” on Monday, May 6. The host was Doug E. Fresh, and sets were performed by Cole, DL Hughley, Byron Allen, Mark Curry, DJ Trauma and other surprise guests.

Proceeds from the event were donated to the Sinbad Special Needs Trust to support his recovery from a stroke in 2020. In March 2024, he made a rare appearance in front of a group of students, celebrating the impact of the fan-favorite series “A Different World,” wherein he played Coach Walter Oaks on a series that ran for six seasons.

He later took to social media to share his progress with fans, thank them for his or her prayers and encourage others who’re going through the identical thing as he works to regain his strength.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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