In 2010, Atlanta's then-Mayor Kasim Reed took to banning a loosely-conscripted street party called "Freaknik" some 20 years in-the-making. The decision was poorly amongst the adult "no kid-having" population. Incidentally, it was the other half of the populace, the upstanding families of Atlanta, who won the Mayor over to their side.
https://twitter.com/_/status/1113551636507525120
As a result of the ban, a "Freanik" resistance movement came about in the Atlanta underground. "Freaknik" was essentially a Spring Break-like extravaganza where public booty shaking was not only accepted but an encourageable act for those who lied within the physical boundaries of the festival's main stage apparatus.
You could even build a case that "Freaknik" gave way to the global Twerking pandemic before it received the recognition it deserved across International waters. Oh and, the debauchery was indeed centered around a hip-hop based musical itinerary.
https://twitter.com/_/status/1113499438453018625
Fast forward nearly 10 years later and the "Freaknik" resistance movement has come to a head, unfortunately not with the results intended by its extremist core. According to its new organizing committee, the "Freaknik" relaunch will be more family-orientated and far less debaucherous than it was in the 80s and 90s.
"We want everyone to know it’s not the old Atlanta Freaknik," said Tara Thomas, the publicist and branding expert contracted by the main festival committee. "When people think Freaknik, they think party and chaos. That’s not what we want to do. We want it to be a party, but an all-inclusive one."
For what it's worth, Tara Thomas isn't even a native ATLien, as the inspiration to get involved was something she inherited from her spouse, himself a total proto-thot back in the era. If you're old enough to remember the racy video uploads or the concerts themselves, hit us with your thoughts on the "Freaknik" relaunch. Your feedback is not only welcome but necessary in keeping this thread alive.
