Players Ball
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Players Ball is an annual gathering of pimps, held in Chicago, Illinois. The party has been a November tradition since 1974, when pimps from across the country gathered to celebrate the birthday of Don Juan now known as Bishop Don Magic Juan. Every year, the award for "Pimp of the Year" is given out. Juan was the winner 13 years in a row.[1]
The idea stemmed from a scene in the 1973 blaxploitation film, The Mack, in which the lead character, a pimp named Goldie, attends The Players Ball in Oakland, California.
The Player's Ball was shown in the HBO documentary Pimps Up, Hoes Down and the Hughes Brothers' documentary, American Pimp. Other Players Balls take place across the country, most notably in Miami and Atlanta.
Player's Balls in Illinois and Atlanta have been shut down because of the presence of underage girls and because of community protests.
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[edit] Other versions
A well-known non-pimp Players Ball started some years ago in Las Vegas, as a private party for businesses attending the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo. The event is organized by DMoney. Past events have featured performers including Snoop Dogg, Digital Underground, Ice-T, LL Cool J, Fishbone and porn star Ron Jeremy as the MC.
Another version of the Players Ball is an annual spring gathering which the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi holds every spring on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The week of the Player's Ball has been held for over 50 years and consists of daily community service events throughout the week and other various events to keep the Carbondale community active. Usually at the end of the week everything is topped off with Kappa Karnival which consists of rides, free food and beverages, and entertainment. After the Kappa Karnival there is an afterparty at the SIU Arena typically called the "Red Light Special". In past years DJ Kid Capri, Biz Markie, DJ Enuff, DJ Pharris(twice), DJ Timbuck2 of the Heavy Hitters and Free former host of 106th & Park, Toccara Jones, and Yung Joc (rapper),have performed at the SIU Arena.
[edit] References in pop culture
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In 1993, rap duo Outkast debuted with their song "Player's Ball" but references to the actual Ball itself were fleeting.
In 1995, an episode of the sitcom Martin featured a fictional version of the Ball. In the episode, the Ball was attended by blaxploitation stars Pam Grier, Rudy Ray Moore, Ja'net DuBois, Dick Anthony Williams of The Mack and Antonio Fargas. Jerome (portrayed by Martin Lawrence) was awarded Pimp of the Year. Outkast also appeared performing their song "Player's Ball"
In 2004, the sketch comedy show Chappelle's Show featured a sketch parodying Pimps Up, Hoes Down about an annual gathering of player haters (pimps and prostitutes who insult each other) called the "Player-Haters' Ball."
