As FX's Atlanta has just ended its legendary four-season run, fans have begun to look back at moments from the series that will remain in the hearts of viewers. Among these moments is a plethora of surprise cameos that fit the show's nature perfectly and, at times, progressed episode storylines.
Considered one of the greatest shows ever made, the Donald Glover-created series utilized surrealism in a way that hadn't been seen before on its way to becoming a mainstay in pop culture. The guest appearances throughout the show's run went way beyond fan service, as they elevated the series and made their presence felt. Throughout its final season, fans have expressed how much the show will be missed, but Atlanta's rewatchability, humor, and social commentary will easily allow it to live on forever.
Migos Represent Real Atlantans
As Atlanta centers on the come-up of an aspiring rapper in the city the show is named after, it was only right that the series featured a handful of real Atlanta-based artists throughout the series. 2016 was a true turning point for the Migos as not only did they release their biggest song to date, "Bad and Boujee," but they also made their acting debut in the season 1 episode, "Go for Broke."
Migos plays versions of themselves where they act as suppliers for Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles, meeting in a discrete location in the woods. While member Quavo gets most of the dialogue, members Takeoff and Offset play their parts well, as their scenes were nerve-racking but were balanced with great comedic timing.
Lloyd and Jaleel White Play Some Basketball
The season 1 episode "Nobody Beats the Biebs" featured an African American version of Justin Bieber, and while he serves as the Bieber in the Atlanta universe, the real Lloyd and Jaleel White cameoed in the episode as players in an Atlanta celebrity basketball game.
At this point in the season, Alfred is gaining popularity as an artist and is invited to a charity basketball game where he and Bieber have their differences. Lloyd and Jaleel White watch from a distance, and while the two go at each other on the court, the singer and actor marvel at the absurdity of the situation.
Katt Williams Loves Alligators
Katt Williams has been in comedy for a few decades now, and whenever he decides to act, his roles are always hilarious. His role as Earn and Alfred's uncle Willy in the season 2 premiere "Alligator Man" was not only funny but is arguably the best acting performance of his career.
Willy is known to his neighbors as the titular Alligator Man, keeping a pet alligator in his home and letting it loose when only necessary, which he does in one of Atlanta's most surrealist moments. Williams's efforts as Willy would not go unnoticed, as he won an Emmy for his role in the episode. He is the only Atlanta celebrity guest star to reprise their role in a later season, as he appears in season 4's "Light Skinned-ed."
Michael Vick Shows His Speed
The Atlanta Falcons were one of the most popular teams in the NFL during the early 2000s, mostly in part to Michael Vick. Vick and the city were intertwined like few other players have been. While marred in controversy during the end of his tenure in Atlanta, the last decade has seen an attempt at redemption, partially reflected by his appearance in season 2's "Money Bag Shawty."
Vick is known as one of the most mobile and fastest quarterbacks in NFL history, so when Earn decides to race him in a parking lot at the end of the episode to prove himself, it goes exactly how most viewers would imagine.
Liam Neeson Atones For Past Mistakes
Atlanta's third season premiered after a four-year hiatus, and it's arguably its most surreal season out of the four. Taking place in Europe, the main characters run into interesting individuals throughout, including Liam Neeson, who meets Alfred at a bar in Amsterdam.
Neeson's inclusion in "New Jazz" wasn't without a bit of controversy as it brings his comments about Black people from years before the forefront, giving insight into a bit of his past. It served as somewhat of an examination, but there aren't many other shows that would tackle something like this as Atlanta would.
Alexander Skarsgård Shows Up In Paris
Atlanta is noted for having at least one episode per season focusing on each of the main characters, and the season 3 finale put the spotlight on Van, who started a new life in Paris. Fresh off of one of the best films of 2022 in Robert Eggers' The Northman, Alexander Skarsgård makes a guest appearance as one of Van's lovers.
"Tarrare" is a wild but layered episode that deals with different themes surrounding the longing for a new life while still having ties to the old one. Skarsgård's role in the episode is somewhat of a comedic relief, as the fictionalized version of himself provides a handful of laughs revolving around his ridiculous lifestyle.
Gunna Shows That Alfred Is Big Time
When it comes to shows surrounding hip hop, Atlanta-based artist Gunna had one of the best celebrity cameos in FXX's Dave, marking his acting debut. He makes another small cameo in the final season of Atlanta, playing a game of UNO with Alfred in the studio.
In season 4, Alfred is now a star which means collaborating with bigger names, and Gunna is currently one of the biggest names in hip hop, notably releasing his second #1 album DS4ever in 2022. Atlanta has been a love letter to the city's rap scene, paying homage to both artists of both the past and present.
Soulja Boy Inspires A Serial Killer
Soulja Boy paved the way for viral internet challenges that still inhabit the internet to this day, and the episode "Crank Dat Killer" pokes fun at all the "Crank That Soulja Boy" YouTube videos that flooded the platform in the mid-2000s.
As a serial killer roams the city in search of people who made videos to Soulja Boy's breakout hit "Crank That," Alfred realizes that he and an old friend had one uploaded and becomes worried he'll be the next victim. Alfred calls Soulja Boy, asking if he knows anything about the situation, but Soulja Boy is spooked by the situation himself as he packs his things to move out of Atlanta.
Sinbad & Brian McKnight Party At Disney
The 90s were a rich time in pop culture, especially for Disney. The animation giant provided plenty of fan-favorite animated films, including 1995's A Goofy Movie. The film is widely accepted in the Black community, and "The Goof Who Sat By The Door" acknowledges this through a mockumentary episode highlighting a Black man who accidentally becomes the CEO of Disney.
Two 90s staples in Sinbad and Brian McKnight appear as friends to CEO Thomas Washington as they explain the lavish parties he'd throw in the Disney office. Their performances were so convincing that many viewers had to search to see if the story was real, making for one of the best episodes of the series overall.
Cree Summer Ends The Series Right
The series finale of Atlanta wasn't without one last celebrity cameo, featuring one of the most prolific voice actors of all time in Cree Summer. This was Summer's second appearance on the show and first in live-action, as she voiced the children in the animated section of season 1's "B.A.N" episode.
"It Was All a Dream" sees Darius run errands before meeting Alfred, Earn, and Van at a new sushi restaurant. Along the way, Darius picks up medicine from the pharmacy, where Summer's character bonds with him over psychedelic experiences.
Source:gamerant.com