The Most Memorable Pics From Freaknik

A real photo gallery from Atlanta’s most controversial event.

Hulu teased the upcoming documentary about Atlanta’s most controversial event, Freaknik, earlier this month. Though an official trailer for Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told has yet to be released, the streaming giant says that the upcoming project “recounts the rise and fall of a small Atlanta HBCU picnic that exploded into an influential street party and spotlighted ATL as a major cultural stage.” Its impending release are making a few people nervous. However, the event will always have historical significance. Here are the most memorable photos from Freaknik.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
MAGA Loses It Over Powerful Statue of a Black Woman in Times Square

Freaknik ‘96

Photo: AP Eric Williams

Misty Coleman from Cincinnati, Ohio sported the words Freaknik ‘96 in colorful face paint on her cheeks at Underground Atlanta. Coleman was not a student but was in town to enjoy Freaknik activities on April 19, 1996.

Welcome To Freaknik

Photo: AP John Spink

Freaknic posters abound as the masses arrive once again in the Black college student spring fling on Atlanta streets on April 7, 1998. Here Georgia Avenue’s Brave’s souvenir church near Turner Field adorns a marque getting locals pumped for the event.

T-Shirts For Sale

Photo: AP Renee Hannans

Freaknik students filled the street between 15th and 10 on W. Peachtree Street as Gregory Castillo (green shirt) a 17-year-old old high school entrepreneur sold t-shirts to the crowd on April 17,1998.

Hairstyles For Days

Photo: AP Jean Shifrin

Dope hairstyles were part of the Freaknik scene along Mitchell Street on Saturday, April 19, 1997.

Flooded Streets

Photo: AP Bita Honarvar

A sea of people flooded Auburn Avenue during Freaknik Saturday April 17, 1999

Traffic Jam

Photo: AP David Tulis

Traffic was at a standstill on the 75/85 connector heading north. Motorists have also become pedestrians on the interstate. Photo taken from the Decatur bridge. Exit 94 is the Edgewood Ave. exit in April 1996.

Pass The Camera

Photo: AP Rich Addicks

Freaknik participants from New York passed off a video camera on Marietta Street near Peachtree Friday night, April 18, 1997, the first day of Freaknik.

Late Night Partygoer

Photo: AP W.A. Bridges Jr.

Late night Freaknik party goers flooded the crowded street of Ponce De Leon around three am as cruisers revel in their freedom. Pictured here is Brandy Jackson from Atlanta on April 20, 1996.

Girl, You Better Run

Photo: AP Jean Shifrin

A woman ran back to her car after posing quickly for another Freaknik participant near Phipps Plaza and Lenox Mall in Atlanta. After the malls closed traffic came to a standstill on Peachtree and Lenox Roads.

Twerk Something, Work Something

Photo: AP Jean Shifrin

A woman gives an impromptu dance while traffic along Lenox Road comes to a standstill after Lenox Mall closed at 6 p.m. in Atlanta, 1995.

Caught On Tape

Photo: AP Jean Shifrin

The back of a minivan provided a good spot for these women from Missouri to videotape who were cruising the parking lot at Lenox Square Sunday, April 20, 1997 during Freaknik.

Freaknik Boxers

Photo: AP DAVID TULIS/Atlanta Journal Constitution

Capturing the true essence of Freaknik 96, Morehouse grad William Simkins (R) tried to sell Spelman student Celeste Springer a pair of Freaknik souvenir boxer shorts for $5 during the Sweet Auburn Street Freedom Festival 4/21.

Let Me Holla At You

Photo: AP Jean Shifrin

Shantrice Billingslea, with back to camera, talked with some men in the parking lot of South DeKalb Mall. Photo taken Saturday, April 18, 1998 at South DeKalb Mall.

Get Your Freak On

Photo: AP Eric Williams

Kool Raul of Memphis, Tenn. and Marcellus Jackson of Raleigh N.C. both partied atop of their Utility Van while park in the parking lot of Greenbriar mall where students and residents alike gathered there to celebrate Freaknik.

Say Cheese

Photo: AP David Tulis

Freaknik participant Richard Gray (L) of Northeastern University in Boston took a picture of his buddy Dwayne Moore (C) posing with Shanell Perkins (2-R) and her sister LaRonda Perkins (R) outside Centennial Park as the party began just past midnight April 17, 1998. A band inside the nearby Tabernacle provided the draw for early Freaknikers.

Keep Going

Photo: AP David Tulis

Freaknikers who left Lenox Mall jam in and on their cars along Peachtree Road in front of Phipps Plaza while city of Atlanta Police Officers attempt to keep traffic moving around dinner time on April 20, 1997.

Parking Lot Partying

Photo: AP W.A. Bridges Jr.

Late night Freaknik party goers flooded the parking lot of the Catfish Station around 1:30 am Saturday. The club is located across from City Hall East on April 20, 1996.

Bust A Move

Photo: AP Curtis Compton

Izola ‘Pee Wee’ Garnet (cq), left, 29, from Augusta, Ga., danced with a passerby at Underground Atlanta on Saturday, April 17, 1999. Moments later police broke the dance up and keep the crowd moving.

Taking In The Scene

Photo: AP Rich Addicks

From Virginia, from left to right, Enrico Alcaire, Jay Robertson, and Antinio Spilotro were hanging out and watching the traffic and sites (from a no parking area) on the Atlanta University campus Friday, April 18, 1997, on the first day of Freaknik.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Why It Is So Hard to Believe These 15 Public Figures Face Accusations of Racism

Why It Is So Hard to Believe These 15 Public Figures Face Accusations of Racism

While the typical face of supremacy is well-known, there is a growing, complex wave of leaders, commentators, and politicians who have been accused of racism—even though they look just like us …
The Ultimate Nipsey Hussle Playlist

The Ultimate Nipsey Hussle Playlist

Seven years after his passing, we’re commemorating the life and legacy of “Neighborhood Nip” with the essential tracks every self-made hustler needs to have on rotation …
Inside FKA Twigs, Shia LaBeouf's Relationship Drama

Inside FKA Twigs, Shia LaBeouf’s Relationship Drama

From the beginning of their relationship in 2018 to now, FKA twigs and Shia LaBeouf have been embroiled in a legal and public back and forth. Let’s dig into the latest! …
Amber Rose Wants White People to Be Able to Say the N-Word Without Consequence...Here's Why

Amber Rose Wants White People to Be Able to Say the N-Word Without Consequence…Here’s Why

Amber Rose says she allows her kids to curse because they have free speech, AND that white people should say the N-word…and the backlash was swift …
Why 'Paradise' Season Two Finale Has Fans So Shook!

Why ‘Paradise’ Season Two Finale Has Fans So Shook!

The season two finale of Sterling K. Brown’s ‘Paradise’ has folks all over social media talking—and for good reason. Let’s get into it! …
NBA Player Fired Over Anti-LGBTQ Pride Month Comments Sparks Free Speech Debate

NBA Player Fired Over Anti-LGBTQ Pride Month Comments Sparks Free Speech Debate

In a heated debate over religion vs. policy, the Chicago Bulls just waived Jaden Ivey for speaking out about the NBA’s pride nights …
Why Every Black American Must Watch the Birthright Citizenship Fight This Week

Why Every Black American Must Watch the Birthright Citizenship Fight This Week

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on President Trump’s attempt to axe the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing citizenship for the descendants of slavery …
Tisha Campbell Explains Why She'll Always 'Protect' Martin Lawrence, But the Internet Has Questions

Tisha Campbell Explains Why She’ll Always ‘Protect’ Martin Lawrence, But the Internet Has Questions

Tisha Campbell may have more positive feelings for her former costar Martin Lawrence now, but some folks online aren’t buying it. Let’s get into why! …
House Democrat Seeks Reparations for Immigrants Impacted By Trump's Policies

House Democrat Seeks Reparations for Immigrants Impacted By Trump’s Policies

Rep. Pramila Jayapal calls for reparations for immigrant families tramatized by Trump’s mass deportation policy …
Black Virginia Family Finds Army Discharge Papers That Unlock a Mother's Secret WWII Legacy

Black Virginia Family Finds Army Discharge Papers That Unlock a Mother’s Secret WWII Legacy

Stacy Brown and her family had no idea that her mother was one of more than 800 women assigned to the only all-Black female battalion during World War II …
What it Cost My Family to Find My Cousin in a Country That Often Forgets Black Women

What it Cost My Family to Find My Cousin in a Country That Often Forgets Black Women

For Black people, uncertainty in America is a frequent state of existence because we are categorically less safe …
Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Allegedly Committing Crime

Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Allegedly Committing Crime

More information about the woman charged with shooting at Rihanna’s home have been released and it’s truly disturbing! …
Florida’s Rooney Rule Challenge is Rooted in White Supremacy – and Legal Fiction

Florida’s Rooney Rule Challenge is Rooted in White Supremacy – and Legal Fiction

OPINION: The ongoing legal challenge to Florida’s Rooney Rule, a policy designed to promote diversity in the hiring of state college coaches and athletic directors, must be understood not as a legitimate legal argument, but as an act of legal fiction rooted in white supremacy …
Top 5 Black Disney TV Shows, Movies That Deserve Anniversary Specials

Top 5 Black Disney TV Shows, Movies That Deserve Anniversary Specials

While many fans are happy about the recent ‘Hannah Montana’ anniversary special, let’s take a look at some Black Disney shows that are deserving of one, too! …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From $100 bills with Trump’s signature on it to renaming buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
The Four Black Women Coaches Who Took Their Teams to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Women's Tournament

The Four Black Women Coaches Who Took Their Teams to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Women’s Tournament

By the time there were 16 teams left in the Women’s NCAA Tournament, four of them were coached by Black women. How did they do? …
This Black Woman Is The Most Gorgeous Barber on TikTok

This Black Woman Is The Most Gorgeous Barber on TikTok

Folks on TikTok are loving this Black barber, who’s not only great at her job, but looks like a model too …
After Tyler Perry Attempts to Pay TSA Works Himself, DHS Officially Steps In

After Tyler Perry Attempts to Pay TSA Works Himself, DHS Officially Steps In

To help ease financial pain on TSA amid the government shutdown, billionaire Tyler Perry stepped in… and then, this happened …
How Carlos Boozer's Twin Sons, Duke Basketball Stars Cameron and Cayden, Saved Their Big Brother's Life

How Carlos Boozer’s Twin Sons, Duke Basketball Stars Cameron and Cayden, Saved Their Big Brother’s Life

Conceived to save their brother’s life, ex-NBA star Carlos Boozer’s twins Cameron and Cayden are living proof that some wins don’t show up on a scoreboard …
Kerry Washington Shares the Marriage Move That Has Made Her Relationship Last

Kerry Washington Shares the Marriage Move That Has Made Her Relationship Last

Kerry Washington is usually private about her marriage to former NFL-star and actor Nnamdu Asomugha. But now she’s opening up like never before! …