Grits and Eggs Podcast – Episode 117: Big Bank Black

Release Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Deante’ Kyle
Guest: Big Bank Black

Episode Overview

This episode of Grits and Eggs sees Deante’ Kyle (a.k.a. Big Facts) sit down for an in-depth conversation with Atlanta legend Big Bank Black. Together, they explore the trajectory of Atlanta street culture, the evolution of the city before and after the Olympics, the real-life foundation behind the Duct Tape Entertainment legacy, personal growth, and the changing dynamics of authenticity in the music and media industries. The discussion moves effortlessly from stories of old Atlanta to present-day reflections, with both men sharing honest takes on manhood, fatherhood, transformation, and why it’s essential just to “try it out.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atlanta: Then and Now

Timestamps: 06:18 – 09:00

• Pre-Olympics Atlanta:

  • Both guests reminisce about the cultural shift post-1996 Olympics. Before the games, "It was Atlanta. You had to really be somebody to be recognized in the city." (Bank, 06:41)
  • After the Olympics, the city became more accessible, attracting outsiders and diluting its unique culture.

• Authenticity & "Clout":

  • Social media allows people to curate personalities. "Right now you can make your Instagram be whoever you wanna be for sure." (Bank, 08:40)
  • Contrast between being known for real and being known online.

2. Podcast & Media Game: Hustle, Transition, and Monetization

Timestamps: 02:02 – 05:12; 29:51 – 32:44

• Origins & Outsourcing:

  • Early episodes were friends or fans, but as things grew, they had to find new spaces and systems.
  • The importance of owning both audio and video in media for monetization. "That's why I keep my shit separate. I do the audio with them and I work that video myself. You can get your money off your own video." (Bank, 04:32)

• Entry Barriers:

  • Starting a podcast is the new "saying you’re a rapper"—seen as easy but requires hustle.

3. The Birth and Philosophy of Duct Tape Entertainment

Timestamps: 05:31 – 18:10

• Real Roots:

  • "Duct Tape ain’t nothing but another name for Edgewood." (Bank, 16:36)
  • Formation inspired by witnessing the street-to-rap pipeline and wanting to own their own movement.

• No Paperwork, All Loyalty:

  • Early Duct Tape operated on "sworn secrecy to loyalty," not contracts. "Our paperwork was the DT's on our face." (Bank, 22:00)
  • Keeping ego in check: “I can't just say I started. We did that shit together.” (Bank, 21:50)

• Transition from Streets:

  • Bank describes the real challenge of leaving street life and how partial involvement is a myth: "You really can't halfway do neither one." (Bank, 35:38)

4. Street Life, Reputation, and Consequences

Timestamps: 34:33 – 46:22

• Energy & Reputation:

  • Your reputation follows you, and the energy you put out manifests:
    • "My mama used to say, when they kick that door in, as far as they concerned, you sell drugs." (Big Facts, 36:02)
    • "The energy you put out is what you get back." (Bank, 46:10)

• On the Dangers and Myths of the Streets:

  • Caution against idolizing or glamorizing street life, especially when entertainers rarely show the long-term consequences.
  • “The industry is not the streets ... you gonna run into a paperwork gangster.” (Bank, 40:53)

5. Role Models, Influences, and Authenticity in Music

Timestamps: 41:03 – 43:49

• Rappers as Leaders?

  • Dialogue around why entertainers aren’t always the right people to emulate.
  • “They’re not leaders. Some of them can lead, but they’re rappers.” (Bank, 41:47)

• Manifestation through Music:

  • The power of words and performing the same story over and over:
    • “If your biggest song could be 'shooter,' eventually you gonna have to shoot a [n*gga] on me.” (Bank, 43:49)

6. Evolution, Self-Growth, and the Power of Trying

Timestamps: 47:18 – 59:06, 62:41 – 74:13

• Personal Reinvention:

  • Bank discusses his various life phases, from “Try it Out” Bank, to Duct Tape CEO, to Vegan and Podcaster.
  • “I never wore none of this shit...this is me now. I can see this in my future.” (Bank, 48:03)

• Being the Example:

  • "We got these mics in front of us ... I do this just to show gratitude through actions—show that you can do it." (Bank, 72:21)

• Being Chosen & Willpower:

  • Bank attributes his transitions and opportunities to will and God’s guidance:
    • “Once I get the blessing, then I plan on how to keep it.” (Bank, 69:54)
    • “Once he choose you, you chose.” (Bank, 97:02)

7. Parenthood, Legacy, and Generational Influence

Timestamps: 89:10 – 92:44

• Fatherhood & Grandparenthood:
  • “Me and my kids like brothers and sisters.” (Bank, 89:28)
  • Banks reflects on mistakes made raising his children young and the opportunity for new softness with his grandkids.
  • The importance of staying present in kids’ lives despite relationship strains with the mother.

8. Health Journey and Discipline

Timestamps: 63:00 – 67:56

• Transformation Narrative:
  • Facing pre-diabetes and poor health, he shifted to walking, veganism, and eventually aiming for alkaline eating.
  • “I went from 315 to 202. That’s a whole person gone.” (Bank, 66:28)
  • Real talk about man’s health and, humorously, how "waking up with your dick hard" signals you’re healthy.
    • (Bank, 67:38)

9. On Growth, Ego, and Perspective

Timestamps: 73:45 – 76:36

• Staying Out of the Ego Trap:
  • "For me personally, how I get through it... That’s why I named the shit Perspective. Because I ain’t finna go back and forth with you about my opinion." (Bank, 73:45)
  • Valuing everyone’s backstory and respecting their journey, even if it’s not your own.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Right now you can make your Instagram be whoever you wanna be for sure." (Bank, 08:40)
• "If you gonna say that shit, stand up, that shit gonna come home." (Big Facts, 10:03)
• "You really can’t halfway do neither one. You can’t halfway do this, and you can’t halfway do the streets." (Bank, 35:38)
• "The tongue is so powerful, bro. You could just be rapping something that you don’t feel, but the song’s so hard... eventually you’re gonna have to shoot a [n*gga] on me." (Bank, 43:49)
• "Law of nature: How you gonna want something else, and you don’t even appreciate what you got?" (Bank, 72:17)
• “Once you get a hit, it just lets you know, like, it’s all it take.” (Bank, 54:43)
• "For me, I ain't tripping on being an example because, like, I'm an example for myself. ... You ain't gotta believe what I'm saying. You can see it." (Big Facts, 74:34)
• "Once he choose you, you chose. And you just can’t go against every avenue. It’s gonna be a road paved for you already." (Bank, 97:02)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• Atlanta’s transformation: 06:18 – 09:00
• Authenticity in the age of social media: 08:40 – 09:13
• Duct Tape’s formation and mission: 16:36 – 22:00
• Leaving the streets and community responsibility: 34:33 – 36:34
• Energy, music, and manifestation: 43:49 – 44:11
• Real-life lessons from a sudden hit ("Try It Out"): 48:47 – 54:43
• Health journey and veganism: 63:00 – 67:56
• Growth, perspective, and manhood: 72:17 – 74:13
• On fatherhood and legacy: 89:10 – 92:44

Closing

The episode closes with Bank previewing new projects, speaking on “Hiking with Bank,” “Perspective,” and the Big Facts Network. He highlights his ongoing commitment to growth, gratitude, and keeping it real for Atlanta—and himself.

Deante’ Kyle wraps it up with:
"The song is Try it Out. And everything you did – you just tried it out." (Big Facts, 96:33)

—
This episode is a must-listen for fans of real Atlanta, street-to-entrepreneur stories, and unfiltered wisdom on life, legacy, and growth.