STARZ hosted a red carpet, screening and reception for the new docuseries Magic City: An American Fantasy at the AMC 8 Madison Yards theater in Atlanta, GA. In honor of the iconic Magic City Mondays, executive producers, participating talent and special VIP guests all gathered to honor the club’s enduring impact on music, nightlife and Black culture ahead of the docu series premiere Friday, August 15 on STARZ.
Notable guests included creator/executive producer Cole Brown, executive producer Jermaine Dupri, executive producer Jami Gertz, Director Charles Todd as well as Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney, 2 Chainz, Killer Mike, DJ Esco, Young Dro and more. Much like Magic City itself – an intersection of politics, entertainment and culture, known for drawing a diverse crowd – the event was packed with tastemakers, hip-hop legends and cultural icons.
Through an artistic, dynamic lens the five-part docuseries unveils the untold stories behind Atlanta’s most influential Black cultural hub, Magic City – exploring its historical significance, the role in the rise of Southern hip-hop and its impact on women empowerment within the entertainment industry. As attendees gathered to celebrate the 40-year-old, Black family-owned business, the night was rooted in culture.
To kick off the evening, attendees walked the red carpet before a special screening of the first two episodes, “WELCOME TO ATLANTA” and “WHOOMP! THERE IT IS.” Welcome remarks were provided by executive producers Cole Brown, Jermaine Dupri, and Jami Gertz, and celebrated the team behind the docuseries and Magic City’s four decades as a cultural institution. The celebration continued into the reception, where guests enjoyed themed cocktails and indulged in lemon pepper wings and more from the legendary Magic City Kitchen.
Magic City: An American Fantasy is a five-part docuseries that unveils the untold stories behind Atlanta’s most influential Black cultural hub, Magic City. For four decades, Magic City has been more than just a strip club—it has been a cultural institution, shaping the landscape of music, entertainment and business in Atlanta and beyond. Through an alluring, dynamic and artistic lens, the docuseries immerses viewers in the Magic City phenomenon, exploring its historical significance, its role in the rise of Southern hip-hop and its impact on women empowerment in the industry. Since 1985, Magic City has been a legendary launchpad for countless hip-hop artists, leading to the club’s reputation as the “Black Studio 54.” Now, for the first time, “Magic City: An American Fantasy” tells the full tale of the storied club’s rise to global prominence and how it became the definitive kingmaker in the hip-hop community.
Nonetheless, with every ascent comes complexity. While the club birthed groundbreaking opportunities and cultural shifts, it also existed within an environment that fostered both triumph and turbulence. Magic City: An American Fantasy unpacks these dual realities, offering an unfiltered look at the good, the bad and everything in between, diving deep into the legacy of Magic City—where fantasy and reality collide.
Magic City: An American Fantasy is created and executive-produced by Cole Brown. Drake’s DreamCrew Entertainment, Jermaine Dupri, and Jami Gertz serve as executive producers. The series is directed by Charles Todd and produced by Scheme Engine – a BIPOC-owned studio with a strong focus on women and minority representation – with showrunner and executive producer Bayan Joonam, executive producers Devin Amar and Alex Kaplan, and producers Ashley Brooke and Marlowe Blue.
To learn more about Magic City: An American Fantasy check out our interviews with Executive Producer Jami Gertz and series creator Cole Brown, director Charles Todd and Executive Producer Jermaine Dupri.
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