Magic City, a renowned strip club in Atlanta, has long been a significant hub for tourists and artists alike.
This establishment is not just about adult entertainment; it has served as an important cultural venue in the world of Hip-Hop, where numerous rappers have launched their careers and created memorable music.
The recently announced docuseries, “Magic City: An American Fantasy,” aims to share the profound impact this strip club has had on hip-hop culture and beyond, showcasing its unique contributions to the Atlanta scene.
Created by Cole Brown and executive-produced by Jermaine Dupri, the duo unveiled the first episode at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami Beach, Florida.
Their goal is to highlight how one club can tell the broader narrative of Black culture and the Southern experience, emphasizing the club’s significance as a cultural milestone.
“I want people to be intrigued by the fact that you can tell the story of the black Mecca that is Atlanta and the cultural impact that it has had through this one club,” remarked Cole Brown.
He further elaborated that the series appeals to those interested in hip-hop culture, Southern culture, and the inspiring story of an individual’s pursuit of the American dream.
The screening of “Magic City: An American Fantasy” took place on June 13 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, coinciding with the ABFF, which is known as the largest gathering of Black filmmakers in the industry.
Following the premiere episode, a panel discussion led by journalist Jemele Hill featured both Brown and Dupri, elaborating on the series’s themes and its portrayal of Magic City’s crucial role in the cultural fabric of Atlanta.
The docuseries is set to premiere on Starz on August 15 and will delve deeply into the evolution of Magic City, which was founded in 1985 by Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney.
As the club approaches its 40th anniversary in 2025, the team behind the docuseries is eager to share its rich history with the world.
Jermaine Dupri expressed that the project provides an overdue perspective on Atlanta’s influence on hip-hop culture.
“In hip-hop, every genre has had the opportunity to show us what life is like in their respective cities,” Dupri noted, pointing out that other cities have been represented in films and documentaries, while Atlanta has often been overlooked.
He emphasized that while skate culture was highlighted in the film “ATL,” the significant role of strip clubs in the city’s culture has not been fully recognized.
“Magic City has been around for 40 years and how it’s connected to the city,” Dupri added, underscoring the club’s importance in Atlanta’s cultural landscape.
The docuseries will feature a myriad of interviews with prominent figures in the music industry, including T.I., Big Boi, Dupri, 2 Chainz, and others who will share their personal experiences with Magic City.
Additionally, the series will shine a light on the talented dancers who have been central to the club’s allure over the years.
Cole Brown highlighted that these women are often misunderstood and that their stories deserve to be told.
“These are some of the most accomplished, entrepreneurial, strongest women I’ve ever encountered. We spent a lot of time with these dancers, and that is something that people get wrong,” he commented, signifying a shift in perception about strip club dancers.
Dupri aims for the series to help reshape attitudes towards strip clubs, pointing out that many go there for reasons beyond simply seeing women dance.
He mentioned that he enjoys the atmosphere for socializing, listening to music, and engaging with friends.
One memorable anecdote shared in the docuseries teaser features NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, who revealed that he signed his $121 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers at Magic City in July 1996.
The narrative surrounding Magic City extends further, encompassing its historical significance in Hip-Hop culture.
From serving as a hangout for BMF in the 1990s to being a platform for political announcements like Stacey Abrams’ “get-out-and-vote” campaign, Magic City has woven itself into various social threads in Atlanta.
Furthermore, the club was pivotal in the music scene, with Magic City DJs being the first to debut numerous national hits.
Brown shared an interesting tidbit about the classic song “Whoomp (There It Is)” by Tag Team, originally titled “Whoomp Magic City.”
To complement the docuseries, Dupri has released a new single titled “Turn Around,” featuring collaborations with T.I., 2 Chainz, and Young Dro, with an album set to drop in August alongside the series.
Through the lens of “Magic City: An American Fantasy,” the team hopes to illustrate that the club is much more than just a strip club.
The docuseries aims to showcase how various sectors, from sports to music and politics, intersect at this iconic location on 241 Forsyth Street, as they share Barney’s inspiring story and the rich legacy of Atlanta’s most famous strip club.
Dupri urged viewers from the South to engage with the series, asserting that it serves to shine a light on cultural contributions worthy of recognition.
“People think this is a documentary about strippers. It’s about the culture and how intertwined it is to this one club in Atlanta,” he concluded.
image source from：theatlantavoice
