Atlanta’s Freaknik Announces 2021 Return and Lineup: Adina Howard, Project Pat, Paul Wall & More

This year’s Freaknik will be hosted at Morris Brown College from October 8-10. Headliners include Adina Howard, Project Pat, Lil Scrappy, Ray J, Pastor Troy, JT Money, and Paul Wall.

Freaknik is set to return this fall in Atlanta, and it’ll be a three-day-long celebration. Years ago, it was a wildly popular unofficial “Black Spring Break” that was known for debauchery and chaos.

Originally launched in 1983, Historically Black College and University students traveled in large numbers to partake in Freaknik. At its peak, it attracted a quarter of a million attendees. Also, it wasn’t abnormal to see vulgar acts taking place in the streets of Atlanta in broad daylight. In 1999, due to violations and complaints, the last official Freaknik was held in Atlanta. Two years back it returned as a family-friendly all-day festival and concert.

The documentation of Freaknik is what has kept the spirit of the celebration alive. Oral stories and photos of its heyday are always floating around. If you do a quick search on Tumblr you’ll find an assortment of videos and images that speak to the fashion and energy of Freaknik in the ’90s.

The 2021 version will be hosted at Morris Brown College from October 8-10. Headliners include Adina Howard, Project Pat, Lil Scrappy, Ray J, Pastor Troy, JT Money, Paul Wall, 95 South, DJ Unk, Field Mob and 8Ball & MJG. 

Last year, the lineup of acts included Project Pat, Uncle Luke, Da Brat, Foxy Brown. To avoid trademarking issues, organizers have officially announced that this is the only official Freaknik. In 2019, there were parties and events marketing themselves as if they were affiliated with the revamp.

Freaknik tickets will be available on June 21 at 9 a.m. EST on freaknikfest.com. At the moment ticket prices haven’t been released. Stay tuned here for additional updates like ticket pricing or additional headliners.