The year of 1996 was the year of the advancement of the culture of Hip-Hop and the Black community. Everyone is very familiar with the Atlanta University Center which includes: Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University , Morris Brown College, and ITC, Though I am not really sure if ITC participated in the well known Freaknik celebration, I am very sure that the partnering colleges did.
Freaknik was a small picnic created by students of the AUC that took place in Piedmont Park, but quickly transformed into one of the most eventful functions of the culture, specifically the Hip-Hop culture. In many Hip-Hop songs, Freaknik is referenced on numerous occasions. From Lil’ Kim’s “ Crush On You” song to Luke Campbell’s 5th album, better known as Uncle Luke, many artist became the face of Freaknik.
Everyone knows of Uncle Luke’s famous “Scarred” track that had the clubs booming. Uncle Luke did an amazing job with displaying the comfortability of sexuality, despite derogatory terminology, his music became the go-to tracks for Freaknik. Freaknik was a celebration that promoted freedom of expression and culture and if anyone is familiar with Uncle Luke’s music, you would know that he was all about freedom of expression.
His entire album would be heard throughout the celebration of Freaknik, from Piedmont Park to the Westside of Atlanta. Uncle Luke played a huge role in Freaknik in Atlanta because his music was the basis of the music that set the tone for Freaknik . Uncle Luke’s music paved the way for Nelly’s “Tip Drill” all the way to Travis Porter “Ayy Ladies” and it is the root of Freaknik past.
