For nearly 40 years, Magic City has been more than just a strip club—it’s been a cultural institution, a hit-making factory, and a rite of passage in hip-hop. Now, its legacy is getting the documentary treatment.
Starz has officially picked up Magic City: An American Fantasy, a five-part docuseries that dives deep into the history, influence, and enduring mystique of the legendary Atlanta club. Slated to premiere this summer, the series is executive produced by Cole Brown, Drake’s DreamCrew Entertainment, Jermaine Dupri, Jami Gertz (majority owner of the Atlanta Hawks), and showrunner Bayan Joonam.
Directed by Charles Todd, the documentary originally premiered at SXSW in 2024 and is produced by Scheme Engine, a BIPOC-owned studio that prioritizes diverse storytelling. Additional producers include Ashley Brooke and Marlowe Blue.
A Strip Club, A Hit Factory, A Cultural Powerhouse
Magic City has long been known as the place where records are tested, careers are launched, and hip-hop history is made. Everyone from 2 Chainz and Nelly to Shaquille O’Neal, Quavo, Killer Mike, and Big Boi has passed through its doors—and its DJs have been instrumental in breaking some of rap’s biggest hits.
“Magic City isn’t just a club—it’s an institution,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming at Starz. “This docuseries gives an unprecedented look at the people who built its empire and its impact on Black culture.”
The series will pull back the curtain on Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney, the enigmatic founder behind Magic City, and highlight the women who helped turn it into a global phenomenon. Expect never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive interviews, and an unfiltered look at how the club shaped Atlanta’s music scene and beyond.
More Than Just Twerking and Trap Music
While Magic City is synonymous with hip-hop, nightlife, and luxury, Magic City: An American Fantasy will take a broader look at its complex legacy. The docuseries will explore everything from its ties to the Black Mafia Family (BMF) to its role in shaping women’s sexuality and the commodification of Black culture.
Magic City has even had a moment in politics—back in 2020, former Georgia Governor Stacey Abrams made a now-iconic get-out-the-vote announcement from inside the club.
Between its connections to Starz’s BMF and P-Valley and its longstanding influence in hip-hop, Magic City: An American Fantasy is set to be a must-watch for anyone invested in Black culture, music, and history.
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