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'Freaknik' Chronicles: A Candid Conversation With Jermaine Dupri And Uncle Luke
As a child, I was captivated by my mom's vivid tales of Freaknik '92 and '93 – the legendary parties, the infectious music, the wild energy that engulfed Atlanta. Yet, beneath her nostalgic recollections lay a deeper curiosity about the true essence of this cultural phenomenon. Now, with Hulu's latest documentary, Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, executive produced by Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke, the veil has been lifted, revealing the untold history and impact of Freaknik. It's a journey that transcends mere nostalgia; it's an exploration of controversy, celebration, and the seismic influence this event had on Atlanta's landscape and beyond.
But amidst the pulsating beats and the bustling streets of Atlanta, a different story simmered beneath the surface. For every note of music and every surge of energy, there were whispers of chaos and commotion, traffic snarled for miles around. The documentary doesn't shy away from these realities; instead, it confronts them head-on, painting a nuanced portrait of Freaknik's impact – the highs, the lows, and the downright chaotic. Through candid interviews and raw footage, Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke peel back the layers, revealing a narrative both complex and compelling.
At its core, Freaknik was more than just a party – it was a movement. It became a rite of passage for HBCU students, particularly those from the illustrious AUC schools. For one fleeting week, the streets of Atlanta pulsated with a dynamic rhythm, echoing the vibrant essence of community. It wasn't just about the music or the fashion; it was about reclaiming space, asserting identity, and celebrating the richness of Black culture.
Freaknik was an economic powerhouse, igniting a new flame in Atlanta's economy. From local businesses to up-and-coming artists, everyone felt the ripple effect of Freaknik's presence. It was a testament to the power of community, creativity, and collective celebration. In a recent interview with executive producers Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke, they shed further light on the enduring influence of this iconic event and its significance in shaping cultural landscapes.
As an alumna of Clark Atlanta University, the documentary film hit home for me as some of my most cherished memories are from my matriculation at the institution. In an xoNecole exclusive, Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke touched on the importance of HBCUs to Freaknik, highlighting how these historically black colleges and universities served as the beating heart of the event, providing a cultural hub for students to converge, celebrate, and showcase their talents.
It's a sentiment echoed by many who recognize the profound role HBCUs played in shaping the spirit and identity of Freaknik, underscoring the significance of these institutions in fostering a sense of community and belonging for generations of young Black individuals.
“HBCUs are everything about Freaknik. It's the energy. I'm getting more educated on how uneducated the world is about the HBCUs and the energy that's been put out there. I think back to Deion [Sanders] at Jackson State saying that he wanted to take that energy to these HBCUs to give them that attention, Jermaine said. “That's partially part of what we're doing with this Freaknik documentary because the HBCUs have so much energy, and they have put out so many things that become Black culture and Black history. The history books have not been written the way they’re supposed to be, so it's important that we do things like this documentary to help build that energy.”
Uncle Luke further explains how the documentary touched on the legacy as well as the controversy surrounding the event and grassroots origins of Freaknik. It delves into the complexities of Freaknik's evolution, addressing the criticisms and controversies that arose as the event gained popularity. From concerns about public safety and traffic congestion to debates over the handling of sexual assault and misconduct allegations, Freaknik became a lightning rod for societal discourse. However, amidst the uproar, it remained a symbol of resilience and cultural pride for many, underscoring the complexities of navigating identity, community, and expression in a rapidly changing world.
“To me, the most important moment of it all is when you see these young folks come together to create an event for their peers. You don't see that too often these days where a group of African American men and women come together and create something and it went on for a period of time. People don't know about that period of time. The only thing they know about is when Uncle Luke came there, turned the place out, and seeing people on cars all across the highway dancing and partying,” he explained.
“That's what most people in the later years look at and think about with Freaknik. So when people see this story they'll see the rich history and how the Atlanta music scene came about that made JD so great and the artists that he touched like Lil Jon. All the artists that came to Atlanta for Freaknik and did not leave. You don't get that same vibe, feeling, energy, and positivity that you get in Atlanta.”
As we reflect on the vibrant history of Freaknik's legacy, it becomes evident that its impact transcends the boundaries of time and space. What began as a spontaneous gathering in the ‘80s blossomed into a cultural juggernaut, etching itself into the annals of history as a defining moment of the ‘90s. Its influence didn't just fade with the dawn of a new millennium; instead, it solidified its place as a timeless emblem of the Black college spring break experience.
Beyond its immediate cultural impact, Freaknik seeped into the fabric of popular media, becoming a recurring motif in Black movies and TV shows. From iconic films like House Party to beloved sitcoms like Martin, Freaknik became more than just an event – it became a staple Black cultural experience for many. One of my personal favorites remains the episode of Sister, Sister, where Tia and Tamera venture from Detroit to Atlanta for the first time for Freaknik.
As we navigate the ever-changing currents of culture and society, Freaknik stands as a beacon of resilience and celebration, a testament to the power of unity and collective joy. Its echoes continue to resonate through the corridors of time, reminding us of the indelible mark left by those fleeting moments of chaos and bliss on the streets of Atlanta. In the end, Freaknik isn't just a memory – it's a living testament to the spirit of community, creativity, and unyielding passion that defines us all.
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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Mariee Revere On Her History-Making Million-Dollar Sales And The Future Of MoonXCosmetics
If the name Mariee Revere sounds familiar, it's probably because you heard of her beauty and skincare brand, MoonXCosmetics, or you may have heard about her history-making achievement of making $1.8 million in less than eight minutes. But before starting her million-dollar brand, Mariee was just a teenager trying to cure her acne.
While she grew up in the skincare capital of the world, South Korea, Mariee didn't really experience breakouts until her senior year of high school. Like many people who get their first breakout, she didn't know what to do, and there weren't many products out there at that time. So she decided to experiment. What she didn't know was that what she came up with would ultimately be her ticket to success.
"When I graduated high school, I moved back to America, Georgia, and I ended up making, like, the oil, the Rose Galore oil, which is like the staple product of my brand. I don't know what made me make it, but I did, and it literally cleared my face up," she tells xoNecole in an exclusive interview.
"I end up selling it as a body oil first because, obviously, I'm 17, [and] don't have any background as an esthetician or anything like that. I just made a product that worked for me, but people bought it and was using it, and I reformulated it, and then it just stuck like with me."
While MoonXCosmetics is known for its facial products, it wants to expand to body care and home. It just released its new product, Moon-Gel body wash, and it's only up from there. As Mariee continues to grow the brand, it's more than likely that she will see more history-making moments. And so far she has.
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When asked if she feels pressure to obtain more of those milestones, she says yes and no. "I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more," she says.
"I want to say more reach than more like fast-paced sales. I do want that. Obviously, every girl wants that, but I do want to have a better overall reach for my brand because I did take two years off so I was able to learn, [and] study a lot of different things. See how things have changed from 2020 to now."
"I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more."
Another part of expanding for any company is hiring people. Finding the right person to help you can be a hassle, especially for business owners who are used to doing all the work themselves. Mariee can relate to this, and she touched on this topic in her documentaryThe Million Dollar Story. She recommends having someone be your "right-hand man" who you trust to handle the ins and outs of the company.
"I could say, definitely get, like a right-hand man to help you within the process because that really was what helped me. I never had a job. I literally was 18 now, being like, you know, the boss of over 30+ employees at one point in time, and I didn't know anything. I didn't know anything about no W-2s, no taxes, no clock in, clock out because all I [have] ever known was my brand," she explains.
"So I definitely partner with people who are very skewed and versed in those areas, and they helped me get through it. Even to this day, I still have my same person helping me with hiring, firing, [and] doing everything that I can right now because I'm still learning. But obviously people get jobs young, so they have way more experience than me, but still learning."
And though she is still learning, one thing she makes sure to stay on top of is being consistent. Consistency is what trips many people up when it comes to achieving goals, but Mariee says it's all about scheduling. Whether it's when to post on social media or email marketing, scheduling it out can make a world of difference. That same practice also works when planning out her future goals for the company.
"Right now, future goals would be to drop at least five more products before the end of the year. We always do outreach, where we do drives and all that, but definitely do way more this year, she says. "Then really dive into body [care], and then hopefully open up MoonXBody underneath MoonXCosmetics to let that branch out and be open and definitely get back consistent."
For more information, visit moonxco.com.
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