Grits and Eggs Podcast

Host: Deante’ Kyle
Episode 137 – Fat Swag
Date: April 10, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively, raw, and unfiltered episode, Deante’ Kyle sits down with Fat Swag, an Atlanta-based clothing designer and entrepreneur, to discuss pop culture, hip-hop, creative hustle, and the story behind the Fat Swag brand. The conversation flows through the hosts' musical pasts, challenges faced in streetwear as plus-size Black creators, experiences with internet culture, personal growth, body positivity, and the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses. It’s a deep, honest, and often humorous journey through the realities of thriving creatively in today’s world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins & Purpose of Fat Swag

• Background: Fat Swag shares how his journey started with rapping and shifted to fashion when music stopped resonating both personally and financially, especially after the pandemic hit.
  • “I just seen the rap shit kind of declining… So I used to get fly on TikTok and stuff. People making fun of me, saying my clothes too tight… but it was bringing a lot of positive because I was getting a lot of negative.” (15:40)
• Naming & Mission: The brand name was inspired by social media comments, turning negativity into body positive energy for plus-size fashion.
  • “People just started calling me Swag and everybody saying fat and stuff. So I put it together, changed my name, get the ball rolling… named it after myself. I’m Fat Swag. I named the company, it’s Fat Swag.” (16:30)
• Sizing & Inclusivity: Started producing up to 6X sizes—“feeding the streets” (17:16)—and filling a gap for people rarely represented in streetwear and hip-hop fashion.

2. The Creative Grind: Authenticity, Hustle, and Community

• Supporting Each Other: Deante’ emphasizes buying from and uplifting Black-owned brands over chasing designer labels.
  • “I wanna wear all Black folk shit, period... That was hip hop. Like, LL Cool J went to the Gap commercial with the FUBU hat on.” (19:48)
• Authenticity Over Clout: Both agree on not getting caught up in “starter kit” materialism and remaining true to themselves, even as their brands gain visibility.
• Atlanta vs. Florida: Fat Swag compares Atlanta’s flashy, material-driven scene with Florida’s, expressing preference for substance and longevity in fashion over chasing trends.
  • “Atlanta… they do what they do to chase the materialistic things. Like, they really trying to get some money… I’m not focused on money, I’ll be really trying to create stuff.” (27:24)

3. Music, Evolution, and Being ‘Too Authentic’ Online

• Transitioning Careers: Both Deante’ and Fat Swag share stories of leaving behind their rap ambitions in favor of more sustainable, fulfilling creative work.
• Being Socially Conscious: Deante’ discusses his journey from religious exploration to TikTok content creation as a means to have better conversations for his community.
  • “A lot of these conversations… it’s stuff I used to talk about in the studios… I always just kind of been socially conscious.” (12:47 / 14:02)
• Struggles with Internet Perception: They discuss how being public faces online can make people see them as products, not full humans.
  • “A big thing about, like, the Internet is…it just makes you a product to people. So, yeah, they don’t look at you like a full human.” (07:25)

4. Style, Trends, and Vintage Swagger

• Nostalgia and Influences: Fat Swag’s aesthetic is rooted in the 90s and 2000s hip-hop era, evoking Fat Farm and FUBU.
  • “FUBU, that’s really what I be… Those were our brands, bro.” (18:42)
• Design Challenges: Discussing the technical difficulties of making stylish larger sizes, especially denim, and using baggy fits to accentuate comfort and style.
  • “When you making bigger sizes… it’s just hard. Me and you could be the same size, but we not built the same.” (26:02)
• Trends vs Timelessness: Both poke fun at the “bedazzle” trend dominating the Atlanta streetwear market, agreeing on the importance of personal comfort and timeless swag over fast fads.
  • “Too much bedazzled out there, boy... Who own rhinestone, boy, that going dumb right now.” (61:15 / 61:58)

5. Content, Attention, and Platform Fatigue

• Internet Hustle: Deante’ shares his approach to TikTok, Instagram, and podcast promotion:
  • “I’m whacking their ass. Fuck that. Every day I’m trying to hit you three times a day.” (48:38)
• Algorithm Changes: Laments TikTok’s transformation from viral creative hub to ad-choked and AI-driven content machine.
• Media Independence vs. Censorship: Prefers direct-to-audience platforms over mainstream channels, appreciating the freedom to speak authentically.

6. Education, Mindfulness, and Growth

• Learning and Giving Back: Deante’ talks about mentoring at Phoenix Academy and encouraging kids to seek creative trade options beyond music.
  • “There are other mediums of creativity... Rapping, boy, that’s a tough grind…” (31:11)
• Being Mindful: Both share routines for unplugging from their phones and internet distractions to stay grounded and refreshed.
  • “I say I try to raw dog life real quick… At least for an hour, chill for a minute. I don’t try to wake up and get straight to notifications.” (57:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Turning Negativity Into Power:

  • “I didn’t know fat people could be fly or something… It was everybody just calling me Swag. So I really just put it together… named it after myself.”
    — Fat Swag (16:00)

• On Black-Owned Businesses and Hip-Hop Authenticity:

  • “These bigger brands can’t handle them. I’m like, man, I wanna wear all black folk shit, period… That was hip hop.”
    — Deante’ (20:24)

• Body Positivity:

  • “No be calling me fat too, bro… I’m overweight. I’m built like somebody daddy. Cause I am, I’m somebody father.”
    — Deante’ (21:35)

• Personal Growth:

  • “As long as I feel good in my body… as long as I feel energetic… Like 35 hit, my knees start hurting, my back was hurting…”
    — Deante’ (22:26)

• On Remaining True While Growing:

  • “You ain’t try to contort yourself to what others wanted—should just make something for myself.”
    — Deante’ (17:18)

• Platform Strategy:

  • “The more eyes, the bigger the prize. My whole thing when I wake up is I want more people to see me… you ain’t gotta buy nothing, I just want you to see me…”
    — Fat Swag (32:59)

• Supporting Each Other in Real Life and Online:

  • “It’s cooler to support them too. Cause y’all watching my stuff and, like, that’s the same thing…”
    — Deante’ (06:24)

• Podcast Philosophy:

  • “I’m always looking for what I can improve… That’s when you stop feeling like you can improve, that’s when you fall off.”
    — Deante’ (44:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Pop Culture & Hip-Hop Takes (Kendrick, J. Cole, Future) – 03:07–04:50
• Fat Swag’s Origin Story & Naming the Brand – 15:26–17:16
• Body Positive Fashion & Sizing Realities – 17:16–17:58
• Supporting Black Brands & Hip-Hop Inclusivity – 19:48–20:53
• Atlanta vs. Florida: Differences in Creative Culture – 27:20–28:06
• On Baggy vs. Fitted Clothes for Plus-Sized Bodies – 26:02–26:55
• Platform Algorithm Woes and Social Media Grind – 48:38–49:45
• Unplugging & Mindfulness – 57:46–58:31
• Mentoring at Phoenix Academy – 31:03–31:45
• Diversity in Podcast Guests & Community Engagement – 08:46–09:00
• Upcoming: Fat Swag Pop-ups and Community Experiences – 60:36–61:15

Flow & Tone Recap

The episode is marked by candid humor, brotherly love, mutual respect, and a deep sense of community. Both Deante’ and Fat Swag avoid pretension and instead celebrate the power of authenticity—whether it’s in hustling for your brand, rooting for hip-hop’s independent spirit, or just being real about body image and success. They riff easily between serious social commentary, playful fashion critiques, and grounded advice for aspiring creators.

Closing Remarks & Plugs

• Fat Swag:
  • “My name is Fat Swag. I don’t need much from you. I just want you to check me out on any of your social medias. It’s Fat Swag.” (63:30)
• Future Collabs:
  • Hints at upcoming events, collaborations with Deante’, and growth of the Fat Swag brand.
• Deante’:
  • “We’ll see y’all next week. I just want to rap, you know I just want to rap, man.” (64:38)

A standout episode for its blend of hip-hop nostalgia, Black entrepreneur insight, realness about self-image, and grounded, actionable wisdom for creators—all in the unmistakable, conversational tone of the South.