Rappers OutKast and Ludacris turned out to congratulate the city’s first female mayor-elect, Shirley Franklin. The rappers performed for a crowd of nearly 8,000 people Saturday night, along with violinist Ken Ford and 3rd Faze, a pop trio that was introduced by actor Chris Tucker, who lives in Atlanta.
“Y’all better shut up or I’m going to get the big head,” Tucker said as the audience roared and cheered. But the screams continued. “OK, tell me how fine I am then!”
Not everyone came for the politics – or even knew who had won the November election.
“I’m here for the music; I’m here because I’m hungry,” Corey Dobbs said.
The victory party held in the Georgia World Congress Center was part of a four-day, $500,000 celebration. Franklin was scheduled to be sworn in Monday.
Franklin, a former city administrator, won the Nov. 6 election with a 191-vote majority to avoid a runoff with City Council President Robb Pitts. She replaces Mayor Bill Campbell.
