Black culture in the 1980s and ‘90s was driven by social movements and significant moments in music, fashion, film, and television. From the rise of hip-hop and rap music to iconic films such as School Daze and Boyz n the Hood, Black culture was empowered by the struggles of the past as well as the triumphs of this new era. And in Atlanta, Georgia, Black culture permeated throughout the city, especially at an annual outdoor event called Freaknik.

Now known as a cult classic, Freaknik started as the Black college cookout for HBCU students who couldn’t afford to go home for spring break. The event would turn into an iconic street party in Atlanta that attracted tens of thousands of people every year. Freaknik was the No. 1 spring break getaway destination for Black youth. It was known for its late-night parties, hookups, Southern vibe, live performances from artists such as Luke Campbell from 2 Live Crew, and the latest fashion trends with oversized shirts, tracksuits, and the legendary daisy dukes.

Freaknik would elevate Atlanta’s status as a Southern city worth visiting, with people flocking in for the festival from all over the world. The raucous street party and festival would eventually end in 1999, but its legacy would still live on.

Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told is the new documentary on Hulu that immortalizes the Atlanta street party for a new generation. The documentary premiered at SXSW on March 13 at Stubbs BBQ and was hosted by executive producers Jermaine Dupri and Luke “Uncle Luke” Campbell.

The documentary gives an exclusive look at how Freaknik started, including interviews with the original organizers and attendees, as well as original clips from the festival that are sure to take Freaknik aficionados down memory lane. Special commentary throughout the doc is given by Marc Lamont Hill, 21 Savage, and others who explained the cultural impact of Freaknik.

I recently spoke with the documentary producers Nikki Byles and Jay Allen from Swirl Films.

The interview with Byles and Allen is available on all streaming platforms as a podcast episode on JMG Live! Music Lounge.

Watch the full interview below: