UB Spotlight: JD, Uncle Luke, + P. Frank Talk ‘Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told’

Directed by P. Frank Williams, the highly anticipated “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” premieres this Thursday March 21st on Hulu.

“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” is a celebratory exploration of the boisterous times of Freaknik, the iconic Atlanta street party that drew hundreds of thousands of people in the 80s and 90s, helping put Atlanta on the map culturally.

What began as a Black college cookout, soon became known for lurid tales of highway hookups and legendary late-night parties that ultimately led to the festival’s downfall. At its height, Freaknik was a traffic stopping, city-shuttering, juggernaut that has since become a cult classic.

Rooted deep in its history of Civil Rights, thriving Black leadership, and focus on the uplifting of Black culture and education, Atlanta became the only place a festival like this could grow and thrive.

Though it ceased over two decades ago, the infamous legacy still resonates through nostalgia and a new generation’s longing for a care-free platform that celebrates and promotes Black excellence, joy and fortitude.

The highly anticipated documentary “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” doesn’t disappoint.

Beginning with how it was started, from HBCUs who didn’t travel back home for Spring break. Originally spelled “Freaknic,” started with a picnic with a theme in 1982.

Despite what many may think, the name actually comes from Chic’s 1978 hit “Le Freak.” The freak comes from the dancing and fun in the song. The name was never intended to be scandalous.

In the 80s and 90s, there was no social media, the documentary explores how word would get out about “Freaknik,” year after year. Eventually spiraling into an annual event, that people knew about ahead of time by early 90s.

The people who founded “Freaknik” reunite for the documentary, and share stories of how it came to be and the overall goal.

The documentary also does a impressive job showcasing stories from people who were actually there. Including celebrities like Too $hort, Jermaine Dupri, Uncle Luke, Jalen Rose, Lil Jon, Erick Sermon, CeeLo Green, DJ Nabs, and a list of others.

Atlanta has always been about the fashion and it takes center stage in “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” as being an important imprint of the beginning and the evolution of “Freaknik.”

The street party, with people dancing on cars, came into the mix later. As executive producer JD stated, the entire city of Atlanta was a street party. “Girls would come and jump on your car and dance, and you would let them, because it was a moment.”

Luke states in the documentary, “the 80s “Freaknik” was more about the parties in the park, and the 90s lead to more of the freak.”

Outside of a wild dance party in the streets, with some X-rated moments depending on what Street you were posted on — “Freaknik” was so much more! From delicious food, concerts, events, networking, car shows, hair shows, and the famous Rim Shop.

“Freaknik” was about celebrating young black culture and being in the moment with your cultural peers.

Another highlight is the inclusion of how So So Def, along with other labels used “Freaknik” as a marketing and promotional tool. With sampler cassette tapes and promo items like stickers, posters, etc. Jermaine Dupri broke Kris Kross, Xscape, and Brat at “Freaknik.”

The Dungeon family shares how they used “Freaknik” to market their music, along with Atlanta strip clubs.

Strip clubs and “Freaknik” can not be mentioned, without Uncle Luke’s influence. Who shot his “Work It Out” video at the annual event, The legendary artist and executive producer, speaks on the importance and evolution of “Freaknik.”

The archival footage is the main attraction. There’s Biggie and Craig Mack “Freaknik” footage, women flashing breasts, along with women telling guys to pull their pants down and dudes posing for pics with multiple women, with their junk out and in their hands.

Oh “Freaknik” was a time, the annual event brought in the city of Atlanta 20 million in 1994.

The impact of the Olympic Games coming to Atlanta in 1996 changed “Freaknik” forever. The inclusion of Atlanta for the Olympic Games was great for the city and for the future of the city but played part in the beginning of the destruction of “Freaknik.”

What started as something for college students, turned into people from the streets coming, to grown adults in their 40s coming. That unwelcomed inclusion, was when it became more about the freak.

From there it got worse and men started being disrespectful towards the women, and came reports of sexual assault and rape in 1998. All of the incidents reported, were committed by non college students.

One victim Stacy Lloyd speaks on what happened in her case of being attacked by multiple men.

Some of the later footage shows some disturbing instances caught on tape.

Which led to George Hawthorne who started “Freaknik,” cancelling the annual event in 1999.

“Freaknik” was a pivotal period in Black history and the documentary does a great job of showcasing the time it was!

Jermaine Dupri has a message for anyone who attended, afraid they may appear in the documentary!

UB Spotlight: JD & Uncle Luke + Geraldine & P. Frank Talk ‘Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told’