DJ Pooh Remembers ‘Friday’ With F. Gary Gray

Hip-hop producer and screenwriter DJ Pooh stirred up nostalgia this week with an Instagram throwback. On July 1, the West Coast legend posted a behind-the-scenes photo alongside director F. Gary Gray from the set of the 1995 comedy Friday.

In his caption, DJ Pooh wrote: “Throwback. Me and F Gary Gray on set of Friday! 🎥💨.” The grainy black-and-white shot shows the two collaborators deep in conversation, surrounded by lighting rigs and camera equipment. It’s a rare glimpse at the creative minds behind one of the decade’s most enduring cult classics.

Behind The Iconic Snapshot

The image capturing DJ Pooh (Mark Jordan) and F. Gary Gray at work on Friday offers a candid look at the filmmaking process. DJ Pooh sports a backward cap and sunglasses, while Gray, fresh off his music-video career, leans in to discuss the next setup. Though no other crew members appear in frame, the photo’s vintage atmosphere transports viewers back to 1994, when Friday was shooting in South Central Los Angeles.

Dj Pooh’s Early Film Career

Before Friday cemented his reputation as a writer-producer, DJ Pooh was already a respected figure in hip-hop. Born January 29, 1969, he made his mark in the late ’80s as part of the LA Posse, producing for artists like Ice Cube and King T. His film break came when Ice Cube tapped him to co-write Friday, alongside Cube himself. The movie debuted in April 1995 and quickly became a box-office hit, grossing over $27 million against a $3.5 million budget.

DJ Pooh went on to write and produce projects like 3 Strikes (2000) and The Wash (2001), and he even directed the 2002 action comedy, 3 Strikes. His credits span music and film—he’s produced tracks for artists such as Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, and LL Cool J, and he voiced Officer Biggs in video games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Other Nostalgic Posts From @djpooh

This latest throwback is part of a broader nostalgia trend on DJ Pooh’s feed. Earlier this month, he shared another vintage snap: “Throwback… Me, Black, Mista Grimm and Rick!” (@djpooh, June 20). That post revisited his early LA Posse days, clustering the producer with fellow West Coast rappers—influences that paved the way for Friday’s landmark success.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKxMYiHpsWn/

Legacy Of ‘friday’

Friday’s impact on pop culture stretches far beyond its box-office numbers. The film introduced audiences to the comedic chemistry of Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, spawned two sequels, and inspired video games and catchphrases still quoted today (“Bye, Felicia”). Its unflinching look at everyday life in a South Central neighborhood resonated with fans worldwide.

F. Gary Gray went on to direct blockbusters like The Italian Job (2003) and Straight Outta Compton (2015), while DJ Pooh continued to bridge music and film. Their collaboration on Friday remains a high-water mark for both men’s careers.

As fans scroll through social feeds, DJ Pooh’s throwback reminds us why Friday endures: it wasn’t just a movie, it was a cultural moment. And more than 25 years later, those on-set memories still pack a punch—just like the film itself.

Trivia

DJ Pooh's contributions to hip hop and film have garnered him recognition as a key player in the fusion of music and cinema.

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Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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