On Monday, August 11, 2025, Atlanta’s AMC 8 Madison Yards transformed into a cultural hotspot as STARZ hosted the red carpet premiere of its highly anticipated five-part docuseries Magic City: An American Fantasy. Fittingly timed with the legendary “Magic City Mondays,” the evening brought together executive producers, hip-hop royalty, and tastemakers to honor the 40-year legacy of Atlanta’s most iconic Black cultural institution.
Notable names lighting up the carpet included creator and executive producer Cole Brown, music mogul Jermaine Dupri, producer Jami Gertz, director Charles Todd, and Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney. They were joined by an all-star guest list including 2 Chainz, Killer Mike, DJ Esco, Young Dro, and more—each underscoring Magic City’s long-standing influence as a nexus of music, nightlife, and community.
The docuseries—premiering Friday, August 15 on STARZ—pulls back the velvet rope to reveal the untold stories behind Magic City’s role in shaping Southern hip-hop, fostering women’s empowerment in entertainment, and bridging politics with pop culture.
Guests got a first look at the opening episodes, WELCOME TO ATLANTA and WHOOMP! THERE IT IS, after welcome remarks from Brown, Dupri, and Gertz. The celebration spilled into a vibrant reception featuring themed cocktails and Magic City Kitchen’s signature lemon pepper wings—proving that when it comes to culture, Magic City still knows how to make it unforgettable.
About “Magic City: an American Fantasy” Premiering August 15 on STARZ:
“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 king-maker 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.
