Episode 137 - Fat Swag

Summary

Grits and Eggs Podcast

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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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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)

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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.

Transcript

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[B]

I feel the same way about you, bro. I've been fucking with you for a long time. Everything came out to what it is now. Yeah, we just seen you on Tick Tock and you had good hip hop takes and I'll be with that.

[A]

Yeah, man. That love, bro.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. So you with call new album.

[B]

I ain't get to it. I heard a couple things. I heard you know on other podcasts they was playing what's the record with Future.

[A]

Yeah. And Tim.

[B]

Yeah, I ain't really I with Cole, but I ain't gonna run to it though.

[A]

Yeah, I feel that.

[B]

But I run the A Drake or Kendrick or something.

[A]

Yeah, you seen that had said baby king from dropping the album.

[B]

I seen it was a casino or something.

[A]

Yeah, that little snippet I had wiped the documentary last night. It's like a little 10 minute documentary. So they setting it up like the rollout 5. But the snippet they were playing, I was like, boy, that should help.

[B]

You think he'd be writing for Kendrick?

[A]

I think so.

[B]

Or you think they just.

[A]

I mean, I think it's like a. It's you know, like energy reading. How it is. You know how it is. Like even when. When you doing your. Your art, it's like sometimes it could just be collaborative. It might not necessarily be the whole joint, but let's just say like motherfucker might just be like, yeah, put that on the leg instead of.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? Whatever.

[A]

It's a collab. Collaborative effing hard. Yeah. Shouted tough man.

[B]

I feel like he waited a little too long. It been a minute since he dropped.

[A]

Well, I gotta think though, the melodic blue. I feel like he was trying to figure out like what his spot was for real. Cause you know, I think naturally everybody gonna kind of compare him to bro.

[B]

Yeah. It related and shit.

[A]

Yeah, that's his fault. Kendrick was on a little DOC too. Yeah, that shit, that cold album, cold though. I fuck with it. Like, I think ain't nobody gonna let him like pass Forest Hill Drive. Like for him that just like where n gonna like keep him today?

[B]

You gotta check it out, man.

[A]

It's a double diss motherfucker too. Like, I mean it's streaming but it's.

[B]

I think it take me a while to get to it. Cause I know got to Listen to what he's saying.

[A]

Hell, yeah.

[B]

So I ain't in no rush because I really want to pay attention type.

[A]

Yeah, the he got with future and 10, though, that was solid. I ain't gonna lie. I'd be running that whole, especially with tens coming. If you get Future Intense on the track, you really out of there. Yeah, you got that going. How long you been on? How long your company been open?

[B]

This is my second brand. It's been about four years. I had rebranded when I moved here, and we've been good ever since.

[A]

Yeah, so four years total, but just.

[B]

No, no, it's been about 15 years total. But that. You been just trying to get it with clothes.

[A]

Working with clothes, period.

[B]

Yeah, since I. Since I got out of high school.

[A]

Yeah. You dig what I'm saying? What was your first joint, though? Just like some T shirt type shit.

[B]

Yeah. You know, same old, same old. How everybody do out the trunk, word on the shirt. You know, it's really just support back in the day, so. But yeah, they been fucking with me for a little minute, man.

[A]

I had like, a little T shirt brand called Plug. I just thought that shit was hard. Like, I had made the little design, and I used to pull up to wherever I knew nigga was selling dope at. I was like, shit, y' all trying to fold in, like, $20.

[B]

I gonna fuck with you if you like authentic, if you ask me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I seen you had some hats or

[A]

something the other day.

[B]

I ain't just look clean. I had seen them on your store.

[A]

I was gone. I ain't driving, bro. I was tired as fuck.

[B]

I was gonna bring you some shit, too, but I ain't go to the little warehouse and get nothing.

[A]

It's smooth, bro. It ain't gonna be the last time we see each other. Yeah, man, I had to go put my little fat album. I appreciate you, bro.

[B]

I' I'm glad you be fucking. I don't even be knowing you be ordering shit, bro.

[A]

I just be getting even though you be tossing me shit. I steadily be ordering shit.

[B]

I just be seeing on the Internet. Like, damn, you real for that.

[A]

That I am, though. Like, I think, you know cool. It's cool to have influence, and it's cool for N to want you in they shit, but it's cooler to support them, too. You know what I'm saying? Cause y' all watching my stuff and, like, that's the same thing. I kind of like. I kind of been working on that a lot. Like that whole Golden Rule thing where it's like, it ain't just applying to,

[B]

like, clothes and shit.

[A]

Yeah. It ain't just applying to, like, how I treat you. Like, when I'm in your face, it's like, supporting, like, showing up for, like, they had been asking me to come to that junk. That's the only reason why I came. Cause it's like, I don't really want to go out. But I'm gonna show y' all look. Cause y' all be looking like you

[B]

be wanting to step out. You a step out nigga, or you kind of just be.

[A]

It'd be 50. 50, bro. It really be how I feel.

[B]

I feel like when you step out, do niggas be trying to get woke

[A]

on you and be honestly. No.

[B]

That's how I would think if you step out, niggas want to have a conversation and shit.

[A]

It. It can go any way. Like, a lot of times just show love. Sometimes, like, a nigga might want to get political with the talk. But then I just tell, like, look, bro, we cooling. Like, we ain't got to do that right now.

[B]

We ain't got to do that every day.

[A]

Yeah, I ain't living like that. Yeah, you see the drink in my hand. We cooling. But I think a big thing about, like, the Internet is it not even a parasocial stuff. It just make you, like, a product to people. So, yeah, you're right. They don't want to. They don't look at you like a full human. They just like, this nigga must talk about politics all day. Like, no.

[B]

Be judging your. It's kind of. I feel like it's kind of normal to judge somebody. Like, that's why I asked you, like, how niggas treat you when you go out. I seen you at the Monolio concert.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And since I seen you on the Internet, the first thing I think is, you know what I'm saying? You giving us some information. But you were vibing that night.

[A]

Nah, we was just cooling, like, and stuff like that. Be cool. Cause she rocked with us. But it's like, man, what we finna do?

[B]

We finna put our fist in there, and this bitch.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? Like, I think you gotta. You gotta read the room, too. Like, we probably the oldest folks in there. Yeah, I'm 35, bro. Like, I'm looking like we playing certain songs.

[B]

They looking like.

[A]

Yeah, man, y' all tripping.

[B]

Nah, y', all, boy.

[A]

We had to go run that king to, man. Motherfucker. I was like, yeah, we back.

[B]

I had the party rocking Man, Yeah,

[A]

we having a good time, bro. Yeah, she. She cool with people, too.

[B]

How y' all linked up just from the podcast, huh?

[A]

She really just was, like, reached out, like, man, I'm really a fan of the show type shit. I'm being the city. Like, I let her come up there, and we already been rocking with her, supporting her, so it's like, yeah, naturally. You know what I mean?

[B]

That was hard.

[A]

We be liking, like, it be a diversity, like, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, hey, bro, I might have a goddamn astrophysicist in here.

[B]

I seen some shit like that. You having different people in here. I like that, man. I like the diversity.

[A]

Speaking of, what part of Florida are you from?

[B]

Daytona Beach. Daytona, Boy, you don't fuck with Daytona?

[A]

Fuck no, boy. I don't like Volusia county at all, bro. I'm not fucking with the issue.

[B]

I ain't fucking with them either.

[A]

But I want I tell them if I was in a high speech. I used to.

[B]

Oh, why you did them like that?

[A]

I was drunk, and I had just got my cdl, so I was like,

[B]

shit, you was having a ball.

[A]

I get up out of here. But they ain't even drunk. They ain't like breathalyzed me or nothing. They thought I had just, like, committed a crime type shit. So they really more so focused on searching car, trying to find gun, trying to find drugs. They done tossed my ass in the back, took me. I was in that bit for 13 days. It was during COVID too.

[B]

Geez, you said 13 days? Yeah.

[A]

Cause it was during COVID and I'm out of state, so they wouldn't just let me bond out on 10%. I had to pay the full bond. It was like six wrecks. I wasn't having it like that. I was like, woof. I had to call my grandma. Nigga. That was a great nigga. Say, fuck.

[B]

Volusia county, though.

[A]

Yeah. Not where you from. Where they at?

[B]

Oh, yeah, where they at? Yeah, yeah, yeah. But yeah, man, I'm from Daytona Beach. I was really born in St. Augustine, kind of between over here, over there, but I just say Daytona Beach.

[A]

What made you so when you moved to Atlanta?

[B]

2020 covet. Yeah, I used to. I used to rap. So I came here the same old typical.

[A]

Yeah, I love so much, bro.

[B]

Black Holly thinking. I'm finna you know, well, you know, hoping for the best. But everything done turned around now.

[A]

What made you hit the pivot, though?

[B]

I just seen the end coming, you know, I tried to beat it really you know what I'm saying? You, you know, moving here 2020 Covid, got a little money in your pocket, you just up and then just seen it decline. So yeah, I've been doing clothes, but once I came here doing music, I had put all my focus on one thing and just really started slowly making a pivot when that money was running low, you know, things just looking crazy. TikTok was going up, so kind of just really pivoted.

[A]

I was on the same. I was rapping and wow, like, man, this ain't hitting how long ago you was rapping?

[B]

Cause I probably know you since about the coat, man. I don't even know how long I done. But I've been seeing you on the Internet for a long time.

[A]

When you started seeing me on the Internet, that when I was done with the rapping.

[B]

I think I've seen you before. You got the cdl though, for real? I think so.

[A]

I might have been rapping, buddy.

[B]

You probably was, bro.

[A]

But I. But for me though, it was like, man, I had did this like I had recorded this full album and like the computer crashed. So we was in that like 10 hour session. Bro lost all this.

[B]

You was on some like hot what

[A]

type of music you did.

[B]

Like you was on some live. You was on telling something.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. I'm always message first, you know what I'm saying? But it went on some. I wouldn't say I was too much. Preach to the. I was really just giving my perspective on what. I don't know what I compare it to though. Yeah, I never really. I never. You know what? Wild as it is, I never really got a whole lot of comparisons. I think a lot of would say I had like a Sauce Walker type flow. But I wasn't really a. He be talking though.

[B]

Yeah, but his delivery make it like

[A]

it make it sound fly.

[B]

Yeah. You know. Yeah, he.

[A]

I try to at least talk how I talk to my folks. So I wasn't really trying to do too much, you know, I was never really no fast rapping ass. None of that. It's like I'mma say some fly. But yeah, I'mma package it up.

[B]

What made you like you feel. I know I'm pull. You know what I'm saying? I got some. I want. What made you like go the lane that you going like did something happen to you? You know how people did. Something happened and they, you know, start giving away information. Like you always been like this.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What really happened for you?

[A]

A lot of these conversations, like it's stuff I used to talk about in the studios. It shit I talk about to my friend, period. Like I always just kind of been socially conscious.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I would say more so anything. Like younger when I was getting out the street, I had went to religion. That's what I thought. Like the move was like, I like, well, my grandma had me go get belt tied, so I'm going to go get belt tied and I'm gonna get on that for a minute. And then I went on that. I was like, this ain't it. So I was like, I need to go figure something out. Like I gotta go figure out like what the fuck I'm doing around here. And I had just had a baby and shit too. So, you know, searching for information. Fast forward to like where TikTok come into play is like, I'm like, the music ain't clicking. I just lost this album. And it's like I'm really on some fucked up music type shit. Cause at the time I'm. I think I'm like 32. I'm driving trucks full time now. So I'm really like, man, I don't really even need no music, bro. I'm getting some money, I got some stability. But like more than anything I want to have some better conversation than what I'm seeing having going on. Like the Internet was cool, like tick tock was cool. A lot of people was giving out information, but I ain't really feel like they were talking to me. And I was like, man, I ain't get on here and talk to her. I talk to my niggas.

[B]

Like I feel like that's, that's why everybody gravitated to you.

[A]

Because that's where I was at.

[B]

You made a nigga feel comfortable. You feel me? I ain't even no two woke crazy person, but some me getting information from you, I'mma listen, you know.

[A]

Yeah, but we all like from my neighborhood. It's like we know it's a nigga like me in every neighborhood, but it's just like it's about how you say it. So it's like nine times out of ten if you trying to preach the street, you ain't never did no street shit. Nigga ain't trying to hear that. They gonna feel like you preaching.

[B]

That's what anything in life though, that's everything.

[A]

So it's like where I was involved at them nigga listen to me. But it'll also be like a thing of like they giving me feedback too. Cause it's like they feel comfortable to express in that space. And I was just more so. Like, I used to talk my old lady head off about this shit and she was like, man, look.

[B]

She was like, look, man, go tell somebody else.

[A]

Go holler at them folks on that TikTok, man. She was like, you keep saying you're gonna post on there. You keep saying, like, you'll blow up on there. Just try it. Like at work thing you do, you do it for a year, don't nothing happen. I think I did that shit for like a month. My shit went crazy like north. So as soon as it popped up, I was like, all right, I don't want to be no TikTok nigga though. Cause YouTube, I know that's where the bread at. But then it's like YouTube, you gotta be long form. I don't wanna do no video essays. That's too much editing. I was like, we gonna pop this podcast off.

[B]

Yeah, I fuck with it.

[A]

Yeah, I'm with you though. Cause I. I really. I really with the. The story behind, like, what. Tell everybody, like, what the story behind Fat Swag is and like how it came to be.

[B]

Well, like I said, I used to rap. You dig what I'm saying? So I was a whole nother person, whole nother name. And I just seen the rap shit kind of declining and stuff. Shit just wasn't hitting like it used to hit. Support, support kind of drizzling away. So I was just like, man, need to do something else. So I used to get fly on tick tock and stuff. My fiance was on the TikTok, she getting love. She going crazy. I'm trying to. I'm trying to chase what emotion act of my was declining. So I was getting flying stuff. People making fun of me. Cause a big. I used to be a little bit bigger. You know what I'm saying? People making fun of me, saying my clothes too tight. You know how TikTok is negative and positive. So I was getting a lot of negative, but it was bringing a lot of positive because I was getting a lot of negative. You know, people leave them alone, stuff like that. So just one day I got a positive con. Comment was like, I didn't know fat people could be fly or something. Something. He said something crazy. And it was. Everybody just started calling me Swag and everybody saying fat and stuff. So I really just put it together, change my name, get the ball rolling, became a whole new and got back on the clothes and really just named it after myself. I'm Fat Swag. I named the company it's Fat Swag. Yeah, we just pushing the body positive. We ain't necessarily pushing it. Trying to it just naturally. Yeah, yeah, it's natural. You know what I'm saying? When I was making clothes, making samples, getting feedback, just like I said, I was just a lot of bigger people was making my size do this and do that. So we just went up to 6x, started feeding the streets.

[A]

Yeah, that's the one though.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think the thing I with though is like, you ain't try to contort yourself to what other wanted. Like, should I make something for myself?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. That's a whole nother conversation as well. I was really struggling to find clothes. You know, I used to thrift and you know, it's hard finding 3x4x, you know what I'm saying? So I just started making my own shit and was wondering what I was making. So. Yeah, it seemed like it was kind of easy. It was hard. But I bet though, you know what I'm saying? It was. It was 50. 50.

[A]

Yeah. Cause they try to up the scale on you when you like as soon as you get past 2x, they trying to upscale.

[B]

Yeah, it was. Don't even do 2x no more. These stop at XL and stuff.

[A]

That's a real thing though.

[B]

So I'm feeding my people. We got all sizes. You know, I sell all sizes.

[A]

Yeah, for sure.

[B]

I'm definitely catering to my people.

[A]

Yeah, you really. What's the. What's that style of beanie that you.

[B]

They call it just really a tie beanie. You know, that's kind of what Tupac was wearing and stuff back in the day. That's one that definitely did it for me because I'm a fan of the 90s, we around the same age type.

[A]

Yeah, nah, that's what I was. I was gonna say way into that part because I noticed like, you do a lot of like silhouettes or like, not really silhouettes, but just kind of callbacks to like nostalgic shit. Yeah, that's one of my favorite shit. Like even like. Like this, it just reminds you of like fat Farm, like them Fat Farm days.

[B]

Fubu. That's really what I be. That's the stuff that I'm into. And I really fuck with people that fuck with me. Cause they really fucking with the stuff I'm into, which makes it even.

[A]

Like, them was our brands, bro.

[B]

Like, we was like. But I sell to the younger crowd a lot. And you know, some people just like, they don't even know what they got on, you know what I'm saying? But I like that. And some people do know, and they. I like that they accepted you. Yeah, like, switch. They swag up.

[A]

Yeah. As soon as I got, I seen the first person I seen with the beanie was my boy Marco. And I was like, man, where you get that shit from? You don't know? Fetch away. I'm like, all right, bro. And then you had hit me, like, I don't know how we started the conversation, whatever it was.

[B]

I think I just hit you direct, like, hey, I need the PO Box, like, type shit.

[A]

That's what. And I was like. And I was like, yeah, N. I had hit him up like, yo, nigga, I'm in the game too.

[B]

I appreciate it when you put it on, bruh. That shit like a stamp. You feel me?

[A]

A stamp.

[B]

You got motion now. I don't know if niggas be letting you know. I ain't gonna say, like, not money wise, like, but like just your approval. Just.

[A]

Yeah, nigga was like, what is that? I'm like, yeah, we in there. That's what I be wanting to do too. Cause, like, I really have made it my mission, like, from the beginning. I know that, like, people that they get a little notoriety, a lot of visibility. These bigger brands can't harley them. I'm like, man, I wanna wear all black folk shit, period. I be seeing you with watches, glasses. I don't care what it is, nigga, give me some socks. The underwear I got on from a black owned company, like, in a real way. So. But. Cause it's like, that's what we used to do. That was hip hop. Like, LL Cool J went to the Gap commercial with the FUBU hat on.

[B]

Like, hard.

[A]

We supposed to back though this shit. We supposed to do that for us. And we lost a lot of our brands because it's like once your rappers get popular and they phase out of whatever, whatever it may be, the fubuz, the Fat farm, the Woota Woo Woo, and somebody like a Chanel or Gucci start reaching, niggas get bougie on you, bro.

[B]

I understand, but that ain't what I'm on.

[A]

You feel I ain't on that? Yeah, I ain't on that. I'm more so figuring out how we can keep it home.

[B]

I feel like that's what I'm here to do. Keep it going.

[A]

You know you running that. Cause every time, like, especially the pants, specifically this, this style of pants, every time I wear them hard, nigga be like, who, who? Where you get these from?

[B]

I feel like that's how all my clothes is just. You know what I'm saying? Even if the name right there, they still like where you get this from?

[A]

Where you get that from? Yeah. Cause it popped because it looked different. It do had a nostalgic feel to it, but you could tell it's modern. Yeah, man, you went crazy with that.

[B]

I appreciate it.

[A]

I'm glad you're doing this, bro. For real.

[B]

I appreciate you, man.

[A]

No be calling me fat too, bro.

[B]

You what you consider yourself, you know, you just can't call a fat. It's some out here who. Nah, Brian, I'm big boy, you know what I'm saying?

[A]

But I don't get down none of that. I'm overweight. I'm built like somebody daddy. Cause I am, I'm somebody father.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? But you know what I'm saying? I had went out to one of my photo office the other day and I had on the under armor and I know gunna just did like the under armor piece that he was like, man, we got to get you an unarmed. But you know this don't go pad xl. I was like, all right man, all right. We ain't hitting this. Come on. Why you.

[B]

That's like a. I don't know what they call it, but they, they being shady.

[A]

It was a little shady, bro. I was like, I mean I'm actually an xl, bro. I said it like they squeeze in it he that what's up? I got you. I was like, man, I'm gonna lose some weight. These stop playing with me, bro.

[B]

I be wanting to lose some weight too, man. One day I wake up, I be comfortable in my skin, the next day I'd be, eh. I could lose 15 or something.

[A]

I really think more than anything, as long as I feel good in my body. Like I feel energetic, you know, like 35 hit. Like my knees start hurting and out the nowhere like I woke up today, my back was hurting and I'm like, man, man, you posted it's a combination.

[B]

Ah, yeah, I understand.

[A]

You know how to hear. It's a combination.

[B]

You get you a massage, they'll get in there. You feel me, man?

[A]

I be with the little massage over it. I don't be feeling like that. I need to go holler at a Russian or something. I think I put your elbow in. Yeah.

[B]

Hey, I feel it, man.

[A]

Yeah, but what like, what's the. So you do you have like. Because I noticed on the, on the website it's a variety of things, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But do you do, like, is it a seasonal drop or is it just like a continual flow of just ideas?

[B]

I kind of gravitated to how fashion is right now. It really ain't no season on the Internet, you know what I'm saying? So I do a lot of one off small collections. I'm still learning as I go, so.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

I ain't perfect in that, but I just do. I do whatever I want to do, to be honest. Yeah, if I'm with some, let's get it on the schedule. You feel me?

[A]

That's hard.

[B]

And if they with it, they'll buy, you know what I'm saying? I ain't really pressing anything. I'm just doing me at the moment.

[A]

Yeah, you've been. You've been approached by anybody for, like, collabs and stuff like that?

[B]

I' ma say, yeah. I might not know exactly who they are or anything, but, you know, people always reaching out, trying to do something,

[A]

but I might have to get down and do a little grits and ass bats for that, bro.

[B]

That'd be hard. And you fuck with my boy. Quality. So bitch is already gonna be a one.

[A]

I ain't gonna hold you, bro. That photo shoot you did, quality.

[B]

Nah, the shit y' all did, y'.

[A]

All, Y' all should have fired. I feel you. I feel you. When I got the photos back for my shoot, I was like, boy, this shit here crazy.

[B]

He called me when he was like, you know, that my boy, for real. That's one of the first people I met when I, you know, when I came to Atlanta.

[A]

Okay, cool.

[B]

So we real tight. And, like, when he told me y' all was shooting, I was like, yeah, you finna go crazy, man.

[A]

He went stupid, bro. But when I seen you with the draft day.

[B]

Oh, yeah, that was his idea, man.

[A]

That shit was so crazy, bro.

[B]

He just, hey, man, I need you to do this. I need you do that. I had to go find a suit, bro.

[A]

He had already set up the shoot, so, like, you know, quality. Real talented. So, like, I ain't knowing what his vision is just yet, but I am knowing it's gonna be fly.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

And then I seen your. I think I seen yours, like two days before we went and did our shoes. I was like, oh, yeah, this gonna be. Yeah, bro.

[B]

He that boy in love with that film. I don't let him do him, bro.

[A]

He doing that the right way here, bro.

[B]

You seen the he just did with the American flag?

[A]

Yes. Quality is him, man. I'm. I'm Just happy, you know, more than anything. Just fortunate. Like a call on this, like. And we could do that because.

[B]

Yeah, that's why. That's really the stuff I'm into. I'm really into the art. Like, I ain't really here for the cloud and all the other stuff. You know, I'm. I like the vintage, so I'll be trying to create stuff. You feel me? So, yeah, like, I feel like that's what he does.

[A]

You say you like vintage?

[B]

Vintage. It's just 90s to 2000s, you know, that's my swag. So, yeah, I feel like they was. Everything was authentic back then, you know what I'm saying?

[A]

I had. I had went to the. What you call it the other day, and I seen Adidas, had some jeans type. You ever seen them? Adidas jeans? Yeah. So I was like, I need that. You know what I'm saying?

[B]

I can only imagine.

[A]

But then I'm just thinking, like, the way you build your clothes, the way your clothes look like. Do you do any denim work? Have you done any denim work?

[B]

I'm still playing with the denim. I feel like when you making bigger sizes, it's just a little bit different, you know, with making bigger sizes in general is just hard. Cause me and you could be the same size, but we not built the same.

[A]

That's real.

[B]

So stuff just be harder for me. Like, you know, it's a lot of trial and error. You feel me?

[A]

Yeah. Some of them 38s don't hit like the other ones.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then sometimes I'm grabbing me a 38, it'd be the best pair of pants ever. The next one I'd be squeezing into them.

[B]

That's why. That's why I just wear baggy clothes. I just go baggy, but I be trying to get, you know, people that support me to just go baggy. So, you know what I'm saying? Because the clothes, I feel like us as bigger people, we should be wearing, you know, a little bit back, like, just to make us look better with our body size and stuff. So I be trying to give people a little information. People hit me up a lot, just finding what, you know, asking how can they elevate? They swag and. Yeah, yeah, I'll be trying to help

[A]

putting this stuff on. Man, I appreciate you. Yeah, I could tell. It's like it. It's always cool to me when people are creating a business out of something they truly love and like, they passionate about, it's.

[B]

It's way easier. You know what I'm Saying at first, don't get me wrong, I might have been following some trends and being influenced by the Atlanta culture, but once you find something that you really with, it's just easy, bro.

[A]

What was the biggest difference that you noticed, like, between Atlanta and Florida?

[B]

I feel like Atlanta, they do what they do to chase the materialistic things. Like, they really trying to get some money. And I ain't really. Of course, I'm running a business, but I'm not focused on money. I'll be really trying to create some stuff, like. And really trying to help somebody elevate their swag and stuff. So, yeah, I just feel like Atlanta just let me get a bag, let me get a track haul, let me get a penthouse. Like, I ain't on none of that, bro.

[A]

Yeah, it do be a little starter kid.

[B]

Yeah. And I'm a little bit. And then I'm older. You feel me? I'm. I'm 32. You feel me? So I feel like I ain't trying to be influenced by none of that stuff, man. I just. Just do me, man.

[A]

I got like a 96F150, bro. I'd be happy as hell.

[B]

It don't matter what you got, bro, as long as you straight.

[A]

You know, I'm happy. Cause I was like. I don't know, like, anything that everybody got, I don't want.

[B]

Yeah. You know how it is, though. At a point, I feel like you can kind of still get a little sucked into that, though.

[A]

Like, it's easy. Cause it's very easy. The influence is present.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's more than anything, you can see the appeal of it. Cause I got taste, so I can see the appeal of the shit.

[B]

Yeah. So it's like. I don't know, man. I just. Atlanta, they'll get you if you.

[A]

Yeah, you are. You steadily be going back home. You get a lot of love back home.

[B]

I really don't know. I ain't on Facebook and stuff, so I don't know what's going on. I ain't rocking with the book.

[A]

Yeah. I ain't with you.

[B]

Yeah. I'm not messing with the book. I just. So I don't know what's going on.

[A]

That, like, really keep you stuck in high school, bro.

[B]

Yeah, I. I ain't rocking with it. Like, I just don't like the book, bro.

[A]

I don't like any. I actually, when I had started noticing, like, my following was going up on Tick Tock, I was like, damn, this gonna eventually make it.

[B]

The.

[A]

I went to school with. I was Gonna delete that whole account. I got all my pictures that I wanted. Got them up out of that. I don't even exist.

[B]

I wish I. I ain't getting none of my stuff. I ain't got nothing. I can't show nobody nothing from high school. I ain't got nothing, man. Yeah, I should have did the same thing.

[A]

I. All my was just. Well, more than anything, what I wanted to do was get like all the. I was doing like younger twenties when I first had my babies. And like, yeah, I was. You, you got kids?

[B]

Not yet. Not yet.

[A]

Yeah, my boy, definitely. Yeah, you, You. This your baby. You know what I'm saying?

[B]

Not yet, man. I'mma have children real soon. We. I'm actually getting married this year.

[A]

Hey, congratulations.

[B]

Appreciate it.

[A]

Yeah, you did bring your fiance with you. Yeah.

[B]

Getting married this year.

[A]

Y' all not doing no. Like, I can already see this. Not gonna be the typical wedding dress code. You might go. You go.

[B]

You gotta come dress and press for sure. You know what I'm saying?

[A]

No, no, no. I'm saying like, as far as y', all, like, y' all gonna swag that shit out. It's not gonna be traditional.

[B]

I can't really say what it is or what it ain't. You know what I'm saying? I feel like she's in charge. For real? For real.

[A]

All right, let's ask you, is it. You gonna go to traditional route? This will be some traditional aspects, but it's going to be customized to who we are. Yeah, for sure. What, what you do. You. You in the creatives and stuff like that too. I am a cosmetologist and esthetician, but I do help him. I'm already knowing what going on. Creative love.

[B]

The overload was getting a little. I needed to need some help over here. So she definitely helped me out a lot.

[A]

That's hard, bro. That's what's up, man. Hey, all you got to do is send the invite. Why we in? I'm in now.

[B]

Appreciate you.

[A]

I'll do some color commentary.

[B]

I'm hoping to have some pop ups and stuff this year, man. I would love for y' all to pull up and.

[A]

Bruh, all you gotta do is say the word, make it up.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? I'm trying to just make it a family event, like some fire shit, you feel me?

[A]

I would say it'd be interesting to have you come with me to. I go to Phoenix Academy like once a month or at least every other month.

[B]

Talk to the people, talk to the kids.

[A]

But I know a lot of them are creative. So like, even when I'm talking to them about trades and stuff, some of them is like really on that because they want to get to the money. But other than other, a lot of them want to chase something creative. But like I be telling them like, you know, the rapping shit, you gonna really feel like you gotta do some shit to rap about. But it's other like mediums of creativity. So like, yeah, I ain't a lot. Boy, that's a tough grind. That's a. Cause you might think you the coldest in the world. I never.

[B]

That's really the issue. I feel like it ain't about what you. You know what I'm saying? It's really about your image. And just I feel like you gotta have a little money too.

[A]

Like you do, of course, but I

[B]

might be seeing a lot of people do it on the tick tock. But I can't do that, bro. I can't. Promote every clothes is easy, but rapping

[A]

that a little embarrassing. Telling you that my perspective.

[B]

I never tell nobody what I do. I ain't that type of person. I just walk in the room and just vibe like, I ain't got to be. Yeah. I make clothes like, I'm just chilling, bro. You feel me?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So yeah.

[A]

Cause people be asking me, they'd be like, what you do?

[B]

I'd be like, man, what do you even tell a. When they ask you what you do?

[A]

I tell them I own a media company because that's the truth.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I'm saying?

[B]

Know what I tell them, bro?

[A]

I think I just.

[B]

I think I just tell him. I get fly. I don't even. I don't need. I just don't like. Don't gotta know everything. You feel me? Like, I don't even know, bro.

[A]

But so what's from the time that you like start, right? Like, it's certain milestones that you'll hit. Like, is there any milestones you feel like you really hit in 2025 as far as fashion, it's like, yeah, I gotta keep. I gotta keep my foot on the gas.

[B]

Um, the thing I kind of. The motto I kind of go by on a daily is just like, the more eyes, the bigger the prize. So my whole thing when I wake up is I want more people to see me. So I just be focused on content. Like, I just want more people to see me like, you ain't got to buy none. I just want you to see me like, because you'll later down the line, you might fuck with me. You got to fuck with me right now. But I want you, like, discover me. You know what I'm saying? So, yeah, that's the only thing I'm really worried about.

[A]

That's tough. Yeah. I'm knowing a few people. Like, it been one of my favorite things, honestly, is, like, linking with other creators. It is my favorite shit because I know I do what I do well. But it's also, like, very fun to not have to worry about doing everything good. So, like, my merch stuff. I keep my merch stuff very simple. Because at the end of the day, it is like a promotional tool. And it's like, yeah, it's merch. You know what I'm saying? So it's not a clothing brand.

[B]

You consider them hats, merch. No.

[A]

Now, that's the apparel part.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I look like merch.

[A]

That's what. That's why I keep it. So this year, I wanted to focus on minimizing, like, keeping the merch minimal and just doing collabs. So that's my boy, Dre. There you go right there. That's my boy, Dre. So, like, what's going on? He. Dre. How you pronounce this? Octave. Octave.

[B]

Yeah. We were talking about them hats, my boy. Them hard.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. So we. We just collab on. We. Yeah. I don't know, Dre. How the did we meet, bro? This. I know. I remember we was at. It was a Nike event. Yeah. And bro was like, man, I fought with your get it hit. And I'm like, hold on. Immediately, I was like, boy, you could put. Make me a hat like this that say grits. Yeah, but what is like, from idea to execution? Like, a month we was in there, we was like.

[B]

I was looking at it last night, pulling. So I was like, damn, I'm just hard. I seen it before. But I had really looked at it, like, yeah.

[A]

Cause I told him we got a freaking. With a new color. Like, the new colorways we had already was, like, working on some samples, and I was like, these three colors that gonna snap.

[B]

And y' all telling them now or y'. All. That was. That was just.

[A]

Yeah, these. That was like my little promo pick there. I got one for you. Which color did you like the most?

[B]

I take anything. I think I've seen white and blue. I think that's what I seen on top.

[A]

It was blue, red, and it's like a military gun, like an olive green. I got you.

[B]

But.

[A]

Yeah, man. Yeah. And I like. Cause I'm trying to have a whole fat swag beanie collection. I ain't gonna lie. I like wearing it's so.

[B]

Because my online, we just. You know what I'm saying? We're doing good right now, so it kind of be.

[A]

I know I've been trying to bomb. Got rid of the hoe.

[B]

Yeah. So we definitely doing the best we can.

[A]

You're doing your though, man. Like, it's something to be proud of for real.

[B]

Sometimes I. You know, when you in the moment, you ain't really sitting back and soaking it in. You kind of just tunnel vision. So. Yeah, I definitely appreciate you.

[A]

I've been on the same, bro. I. I ain't. I was just talking to. I was at the studio's Belly Gang

[B]

last night, and that boy so hard.

[A]

He took. He so he'll with shit too. Like, I.

[B]

That nigga so hard.

[A]

And man, I was hearing that hustling, man. That album gonna be crazy.

[B]

I'm ready, bro.

[A]

I was hearing some.

[B]

Last time I was on him, then I had got off him. Cause I kind of like a little bit more uptempo trap. Then I had got back on. I'm like, this nigga snapped, man.

[A]

That nigga be going so crazy, bro. Yeah. But I was telling him, like. Cause I'm asking him like, he. I was like, boy, you just went through the roof. And me and him, we know each other from high school.

[B]

That's hard.

[A]

So I was like, bro, how the fuck do you feel? He's like, nigga, how you feel? Cause that's how I feel. He's like, I don't know how to feel like.

[B]

I feel like that's how it is when you in the moment, like, you just. You just doing you.

[A]

Cause I was telling him, like, boy, I don't know what the fuck going on, boy, I be walking places. People like, boy, I be like, how

[B]

you be getting in all these hip hop rooms, man? They be inviting you or you just like it.

[A]

We be caught before.

[B]

But what do they. Are they calling you in for input or.

[A]

I don't.

[B]

I seen you with TI So I'm like, what. You know what I'm saying?

[A]

Yeah, I was with. So my partner Hashi, he was in town, and me and Took had like a little back and forth on Instagram. Like we was gonna set something up for Expedition. And then him coming on my show. He still do that? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think he. I think he have another season. He just started that live. Yeah. Million followers. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So I guess Hashi had Told him like, yeah, you know what you call that? My partner, he was like, man, call the say F time. He was like, bro, what you doing? I'm like, I'm cooling. He. I come to the studio. You ain't got to tell me twice. I'm in there.

[B]

I would hop about the bed.

[A]

I was already emotion too.

[B]

That was hard.

[A]

Yeah, that was tough. But he was like, really? More than anything was like, I think with what you're doing online, it'd be good to like, really see nigga how they move in person. Cause, like, you know, I get it. Like, sometimes. Sometimes who a person really is don't translate in real life. But like, I'm fortunate, bro. I made it. Being myself like that shit the realest shit ever.

[B]

I can tell you being authentic.

[A]

Real.

[B]

You can tell when a nigga being authentic. Yeah, just by the things they say and shit.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Or like what they don't care about and you know what I'm saying?

[A]

Yeah, for sure. Yeah, it be the nose, boy. That be the nose. For real. Like. But yeah, that shit was smooth. Like, even the cold shit the other night was. I like, bro, this shit crazy.

[B]

I ain't even know nothing about that. What are you just.

[A]

It was a listening party or it was like a. It was like a little just pop up. Like, he was like. They put that shit together in like 12 hours.

[B]

That's your. Now, who was your favorite rapper? Is it him?

[A]

Freddie Gibbs. Like, Freddie, my favorite rapper, Freddie Gill. Schoolboy Q. We talking about your favorite.

[B]

Just favorite.

[A]

Yeah. Freddie Gear. Schoolboy Q. That my two.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

You know what I'm saying?

[B]

I ain't know. I just be wanting to know.

[A]

Like, I. I don't know if I'm

[B]

a hip hop head, but I might be too Southern, but I know a lot about everything.

[A]

Yeah. But I. I like. I fuck with all the elite shit. Like, if I feel like you just elite at your shit to me, I'm

[B]

gonna tell you who my favorite rapper is. I'm gonna tell you if you. I think two chains. Two chains.

[A]

My favorite rapper. That's a solid change.

[B]

I don't think he slept on. I just.

[A]

It's.

[B]

I don't know. He don't. He the one, though.

[A]

I mean, he just work his spot. He don't really try to. I think he do what he do well. And he comfortable with that because, I mean, it don't made him fortunate. I don't know.

[B]

I don't even know if I got anybody else on the list.

[A]

For real.

[B]

Cause I put with Everybody, you feel me? But when it come to him, though,

[A]

I don't know if this will be out. So if it's not, I'mma just tell Tristan to bleep this out. But, you know, he just dropped the book. Yeah, I've been saying I'm gonna moderate. I'm basically interviewing about the book.

[B]

That's hard.

[A]

Matter of fact, I got called tech now.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

I was supposed to call Monday. What's today? Okay. Yeah, we still got.

[B]

Nah. I mean, I had went to a couple of two chains events and I had met him and, But I wasn't on no Groovy.

[A]

I just want play the cool.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But he the truth for sure.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

I wish I could tell him like, you feel me? I just be wanting to.

[A]

You feel me, give him his flowers and shit.

[B]

You feel me?

[A]

Yeah, he hard. We still. Yeah, we gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna moderate that joint, though. And we had a conversation before when he put out the Red clay, you

[B]

know, about the soundtrack. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And so I was like, just trying to figure out what to do. I think, you know, his folks like tech with me. He helped to what I'm doing, but he, and he, he doing his own thing. But it's respect because I, I really, I've been listening since I was down

[B]

to trying to get signed to the. I was cool with one of his producers and they had took me to street his ex. I'm like, I'm almost there. You feel me? I was like, man, I ain't, I ain't trying to be no groupie man. You feel me? But I felt like I kind of made with my style a little bit. I rapped to him, like, when I was rapping and shit.

[A]

So he tough, bro. Like, it's, it's, it's all the way Southern, but he's still popping that lyrical. That's how you popping some lyrical shit. Not like, you know, they're barred. Not lyrical miracle, but like, barred. Like you barred up.

[B]

Barred up with a little bit of swag, you know what I'm saying? Damn near him. You feel me?

[A]

That's it. That's the play. For real.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That shit fly every time. Yeah, I, I, I've always been like, originally being from North Carolina, it was a lot like of in the middle. So we was listening to a lot of New York shit because it's a lot of niggas from New York that come back home, so they, you know, they bring all that shit.

[B]

I f. With New York. I fuck with everything. I'm just a hip hop nigga. I fuck with everything.

[A]

I like everything.

[B]

I f. With west side, I got. I got on them late. Yeah, but his songs be a little short.

[A]

But, man, the beat be crazy, though.

[B]

Crazy. Sometimes I be at the crib, just listen to the instrumentals, bro.

[A]

Me and you both now. What's that one song? It's called the Dojo or something like that.

[B]

I don't even know the names. If he got so much music, then

[A]

they got so many songs. But I know he got songs, he got instrumentals that it's just like, I could just rock with it.

[B]

Sound like gates opening.

[A]

Like, what? I ain't trying to rap on this shit. Nah, I don't want to listen to them.

[B]

I listen when I'm at the computer and vibing it. I just put on instrumental like, or, you know, alchemist type shit.

[A]

But niggas having them, that be the type of shit. Like how nigga put on, like, study music. Nah, nah. I'm finna answer emails to Westside Gun Beats N. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

That shit just make you put you in a good spirit. Yeah, Shit be hard.

[A]

Yeah, that's how I. That's why when I had. I posted them shits on. I posted them videos. I mean, not videos. The photos that me and quality did. I post them HS on Tik Tok and I played that kitchen lights, boy, that made that feel godly, bro.

[B]

Bro. That bit hard. Yeah, I With it.

[A]

And like, he had us in, like, the. He had us in a real, like, Atlanta house.

[B]

He called me, gave me the. Like, he told me what he was

[A]

going to do, and he went so crazy, bro. Yeah, I'm. I ain't gonna lie, man. Like, I understate that. Like, people that do their craft really well. I'm all the way with it. Like, every day of the week. Every day of the week.

[B]

You could tell who really with it because they just. That's. Damn. That's the only thing they talking about. That's the only thing they do. They do it for real. It ain't no I'm doing this, but I'm gonna go do this for the day. Like, that's all they do.

[A]

You can tell that's. That's my focus this year is just like, for me, I want to just work my spot. Like, I'm all the way in on podcasting. We finish start. We just announced a tour. So why I'm.

[B]

How did. What was the tour like? Kind of like it's five seconds podcasting on, like.

[A]

Yeah, we're doing a live podcast.

[B]

That's hard.

[A]

I figured out the structure of it from doing some one off shows last year. And once I figured out what the structure of it was, I was like, okay, it's like rough, rough drafts. I mean, people was enjoying the show. I know they was. But my mentality of like, perfection is like, it's ain't. It ain't fully together.

[B]

What type of person you are a perfectionist.

[A]

With the, with the, with the healthy, like, understanding that it would never be perfect.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it won't stop me from putting it out, but it's just like I'm always looking for what I can improve because I'm knowing that, like, I'm always looking for that. Because when you stop feeling like you can improve on some, that's when you're gonna fall off.

[B]

I'm glad you said that. I'd be listening to what people be saying, bro. That's. That's something to keep in your head. You feel me? Because sure ain't trying to fall off.

[A]

I. It. All right, so for example, right, you, you. You a podcast listener. Like, you're a big podcast listener.

[B]

I ain't gonna say big, but if it's on the net, it's gonna. I'mma see it for sure.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know what I'm saying?

[A]

One thing I noticed about podcasts is like, once they got established and people was really fucking with them, they just started showing up.

[B]

You said they stopped showing up.

[A]

They just started just, just showing up like, oh, yeah, we popping out. I could just show up and talk shit. And it's like, boy, this shit ain't entertaining. This shit is not entertaining.

[B]

Yeah, I see what you're saying.

[A]

Cause you feel like, I got the, I got the, I got the fan base. I got this. I'm getting the money off the ads and sponsorship. I like as far as it being like, actualized, I actualized a real podcast. Now the hard part done, I could just phone it in.

[B]

Nah, I understand what you saying, but that's definitely not how they should be doing it. You feel me?

[A]

That's when I stopped listening. I'm like, yeah, y' all ain't trying

[B]

what other podcast you fuck with.

[A]

To be honest, right now, I don't really listen to other podcasts.

[B]

I was fucking with Joe Bud and I'm hard, but I like, yeah, I feel like once he started expanding it topic wise, like, I was really there for the music. But I kind of.

[A]

The golden era is like him, Rory and Ma. That Joe, Rory and Ma. That was like golden era, I thought

[B]

when he, when he went, made a transition to it. I fought with him. Early stages of the this too.

[A]

I was trying to see what everybody was doing, man. I, you know, I'm like OG podcast I used to listen to is like Bodega Boys.

[B]

Sound familiar?

[A]

Yeah, that's Deez and Mero. Mero actually ain't Merrill, like high 97. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

I just seen that.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. So I used to work some. I used to work some like real labor intensive jobs, bro. So I need something that's gonna keep me coming here. Like. Yeah, if I can't listen to music, I need something that I need. I. I need. Cause just doing this.

[B]

Understand.

[A]

Listening to the sounds of a warehouse, I go crazy in that.

[B]

Yeah. So like, I wanted to ask you, like, when you're doing your podcast and you be taking notes and are you all off the dome like. Cause you be saying some, some real serious topics. So it's like how you be structuring that?

[A]

Like I make sure that I'm at least well researched. I ain't really shooting from the hip like that until I get. Until I establish the facts right. So like I got my. You always see me like looking to the left. I got a big ass whiteboard.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

But I just got talking points. It's not really super, super detailed. The only time I get super detailed is when it's like I'm up at 2 in the morning. I'm like, these are my thoughts about this. And it's like. And I ain't gonna miss a word. So I'll read that bitch like a script. But you won't be able to tell. Cause it's like I've just been able.

[B]

You be looking at yourself like a TV screen or something. I swear I don't know what's on the other end that would it be looking like.

[A]

Yeah, it's a bite, boy. I just. As long as I got my talking points. The thing is, it's like I already know how I feel about this shit. So what I need to figure out is how I'm gonna transition from this topic to that topic to this one.

[B]

Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. You know, I be seeing a lot of the clips, so I don't be seeing the transitions. You feel me? So that's why I was like, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I be telling people all the time, like it's a damn near two hour show, so if you watch the clips, you only getting like 20 minutes of that junk.

[B]

Yeah, I be seeing all the clips. You post a lot of content too. I feel like some people just post one clip.

[A]

I'm whacking their ass. Fuck that. Every day I'm trying to hit you three times a day.

[B]

Same. I was finna say same day. I be seeing and all that shit. I like that shit, bro. I supposed to feed it to him. Somebody will see it.

[A]

Man. I'm trying to. All I'm trying to do is make sure that I'm doing my part right. If I just put it on YouTube and like, yeah, they gonna come over there. Like, that's so arrogant.

[B]

They not going over there.

[A]

They not going over there.

[B]

We lazy now, man.

[A]

These folk consciously. Like I done caught myself scrolling like, what the fuck are you doing, boy? You been on the phone 30 minutes straight. You ain't even liking this shit. You don't even like this sh. You just.

[B]

Just looking.

[A]

They done hypnotized me real quick. Ain't nothing but bullshit ads and like bullshit talking points. And it's like, man, I remember when TikTok was so fine. Like literally damn near every other video was a hit. Boy, you was. I'm fucking with it. You don't think it's still fine like a little bit? Hell nah. That shit, it's watered down now. It's so many ads on that motherfucking.

[B]

It's like I don't be seeing too many.

[A]

It be.

[B]

It be here and there.

[A]

But see this the thing. It be the ads mixed with the. The AI content. So it's not real.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And even like pranks and like that. This all is set up like this is sketch.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

A lot of up cuz like I with 10 times. I like it. It's my. That's my baby. That's what. That's how I came up. I'm never going to turn my back on them. That I came up when.

[B]

When they said they was f. You know when what it was China that took the app or whatever. How you were feeling when they took it for a week or so you were. You were thinking I went tripping.

[A]

I had already. As soon as I hear rumblings or anything, I go ahead and make my pivot in. So I had already built on my Instagram. So I said, I guess I just live on Instagram. And then when it came back I was like, okay, we ain't gonna bank on this no more. Cause they playing games.

[B]

I'm nervous a little bit. I like, oh, you know, selling clothes.

[A]

Yeah, see that was the. That's the. I'm not. I'M not like a director consumer, right? Yeah, I am in a way. But it's digital.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's not like a product. You know what I'm saying? So I was fucked up. Cause I was gonna lose like 500,000 fold.

[B]

That's a lot of people.

[A]

I would be. I was hurting a little bit. I was like, nah, that shit kind of fucked up. This shit lame in hell, bro. I didn't do.

[B]

I knew it was gonna come back. But just the conversation, it was so

[A]

funny when was just on them Chinese apps on Red Note and shit. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

I wasn't going over there.

[A]

I never was doing that, bro. I'm not doing that.

[B]

I wasn't going over if I needed to, I'd be waiting till the last minute.

[A]

Like they had some little fashion over there. But no, that ain't the one.

[B]

I just stayed. I ain't delete the TikTok app. So I just.

[A]

I ain't do that neither. I was like, they gonna, they. I like they come back. It's too much attention. Like one thing America or just capitalism in general in our era right now, it thrive off of attention. That's the biggest currency. That's what all the apps is fighting for your attention. So this is why you getting podcasting on Netflix is because they feeling hit. Like people watching long form shit on YouTube. And on YouTube a nigga ain't gotta worry about the FCC. They ain't gotta worry about niggas. Just like nigga like me, I can't talk how I talk on my show on no fucking Netflix that night.

[B]

They might.

[A]

Nigga, we got a thousand reasons why you can't say this shit.

[B]

Yeah, nah.

[A]

And I ain't trying to go for that. So it's like I like the independent aspect, but I also like listening to people speak freely.

[B]

I think that's what I like too. People be making points, man, even if they right or wrong. Like it just how you put you in a different mind space. Like I fuck with it.

[A]

I like to at least see how you arrived though. Right. Like okay, I don't necessarily agree with you exactly.

[B]

Some people be on some they worried about if he wrong or right, but not the. That's not how what the topic is like, oh, this nigga talking about something serious or something different. You know what I'm saying? That's the stuff I be on.

[A]

That'd be the weird shit about. It's very black and white. And that's not even life. Like life ain't like that. Life ain't black. And white. So more than anything, I really try to spend as much time listening to people I don't agree with as people I do. Because the people I do already agree with might give me a different perspective or more information or like a resource to go find out more. The people I don't agree with or necessarily even think like I'm learning from them, that it's like that's the balance of the world. It is a whole bunch of people out here that ain't gonna like the shit I say on a whole nother. And they ain't even trying to hear this shit. You know what I'm saying? So for me, it's like, what the. Where they getting the information from? Cause it all coming from, you know,

[B]

we all see shit differently too, so.

[A]

And especially America is not like a monoracial society, like mono Ethnic. Ethnic society or. Or what they call homogenous. So, like, things are very difficult here because it's hard to get all these different people from all these different cultural backgrounds, ethnic backgrounds on one page. And then we got the freedom of religion, all these different sexual expressions.

[B]

Is it the goal for us to be on one page?

[A]

I think. I think. I think in theory, everybody would like America to have like a leading direction that's not just catered to white men, but in more homogenous societies, like in Japan, like, you start to see the technology is benefiting the society, like the bullet trains.

[B]

I definitely see the difference.

[A]

You see what I'm saying?

[B]

Having a conversation.

[A]

Because it's no real breakdown. Like, everybody. They running their program and everybody on board because it's beneficial. Now on the outside looking in, I don't know what they problems is, because nobody promote their problems. You dig what I'm saying?

[B]

Feel like America do in a certain way. It might not be promotion, but, you know, everything is promotion, you know, I

[A]

don't know how the world look at us, though. I hear shit, but it's like I'm also watching it in America. I don't know what y' all saying, for real.

[B]

We'll never really know the direct answer to anything. Yeah. You know what I'm saying?

[A]

I like to know. I ain't never been out of the country neither, so that's another thing.

[B]

I've been to Mexico. I don't know. That's really. It is America, I'm saying, you know, people. That's the only way I place I've been.

[A]

That was vibe, though. It's like awesome resort.

[B]

Not a resort was about when I went to the. I Guess the city or whatever. I was a little nervous because, you know what I'm saying.

[A]

But they having that over there.

[B]

Yeah, I was like on the side of the road and I wasn't really with it, but I kept my composure.

[A]

You know, I'm having a good time,

[B]

but other than that, that's the only place I've been. I want to go to Japan though.

[A]

Yes, for sure. Well, in fashion, you know.

[B]

Yeah, I wanted to go out there, get some, you know, flicks aesthetic, you know.

[A]

Yeah, you stepping different than them folks out there too. Them folk be having that shit. They. You know how they do. What I notice about them, they have like a lot of co op in certain cultures.

[B]

What you mean, Zach?

[A]

They had like a whole. They have like a whole sector of people that's like straight up Chicano. Like they, they have like a cholo culture out there, but ain't no Mexican.

[B]

I feel like that's how they use with everything though.

[A]

They just kind of. They really like immerse themselves in certain shit and that should be looking fly. But it's like this is appropriation. But is it?

[B]

I feel like they do that with every like, you know, they got the act black and you know what I'm saying? I ain't going to lie to get out.

[A]

Japan got a stupid ass PR team. If you think about Japan, you'll think like, yeah, hello Kitty and not Pearl Harbor. You ain't think about it. It was like these nigga was really dropping shit off. Yeah, Crazy. They were going stupid over there. They history a little wild, but I'd be interested.

[B]

I think I seen you say something about, say something about them the other day.

[A]

Like I be into shit like that. I like the full scale of the story. Not like you can't fool me right now. Even though that shit look fly.

[B]

Be down there like a history teacher sometimes. You feel me giving that information something we need that you know.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Because it might. If don't nobody talk about it, it's gonna slowly go away. You feel me?

[A]

I'm always, I'm always trying to find somebody to learn from. It's this, it's this professor I've been. Man, I've been trying to tell everybody about that, bro. I don't know what these folk got going. I don't even know how to pronounce this name, bro. I'm gonna be on some YouTube, on some podcasts. Yeah, his name, he. He a Asian dude. His name is. Hold on. I'm gonna find that nigga right, right now, cuz. I know I'd be s. Yeah, his name Professor. Oh, bro, I'mma.

[B]

You can't even say it.

[A]

Yeah, G. It's J, I, A, N, G, X, U, E, Q, I, N.

[B]

Anything with X in it.

[A]

You can try. I'm out of there. Yeah, but I think his name, Professor Jane, man. Bro, I be. So he. He a professor. So he be having full lectures. So I be in the car, my kid, I'm playing full listen. They'd be like, bro, what is we listening? I'm like, shut up, shut up. Hey, you got. You trying to learn something. Learn something. Stop being stimulated by the. All day. Put phones on. Everybody put a phone down.

[B]

Gotta do that. Sometimes I'll be walking in the house

[A]

when I see everybody looking at their phone, even me. I'm like, everybody put the phones up. Everybody put phone up. Like we're just gonna sit in the inside. I do that in the morning. Yeah.

[B]

I try not to pick the phone. I say I try to raw dog life real quick.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

At least for an hour, chill for a minute. I don't try to wake up and get straight to the notifications.

[A]

I just vibe. I noticed anytime that I'm real sleepy and I need to get up, I'm gonna pick that phone up. That gonna happen. Headache and all this like hitting the dope. You like, oh, we're getting day started.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But yeah, I. I really been trying to be a lot more mindful of like that. That how much I'm consuming that. Or at least it's like short form. So like for me, it's like, it's good to listen to a lecture because it's like, I'm putting this down. I got my headphones on. I'm walking away from the phone. I ain't scrolling.

[B]

That's not the same. That's. That's a whole different. That's not the same as strolling on TikTok.

[A]

It's not.

[B]

Yeah, it's not the same.

[A]

That's what I'm saying. Like if I know I want to engage with this motherfucker, I'm like, all right, I need to at least dedicate an hour to learning something before I just get back to the doing. Scroll to the bullshit. Yeah, it finna be the bullshit.

[B]

Definitely.

[A]

And then like text based apps is really trash. Like X and threads and that be so garbage, bro.

[B]

They too judgmental on the X app. It ain't used to be like that.

[A]

Well, it's a lot of bots on them. So it's like now it's like people that make money off of pissing you off. And it's like, man, I can't with this, bro. I don't want to be involved with this, but I'm also a human being. Like, this don't know what he talking about.

[B]

And I'll be like, bro, I don't say nothing. I just. Look, as soon as you say something, they only. Yeah, you can't have no opinion.

[A]

I'm being caught out though, sometimes.

[B]

I can't have no opinion, bro. I keep everything to myself.

[A]

I deleted X completely. I'm just like, I'm not with it.

[B]

You look like you'll be on the place type, man.

[A]

Them used to be trying to crucify me on that. They still be talking. People hit me all the time. Like, boy, they talking crazy about you on Twitter.

[B]

I'm like, death threats and you know, some people take stuff serious.

[A]

I have, but I just don't believe them.

[B]

I mean, we shouldn't, you know, But

[A]

I got a death threat for them too. Yeah. So. Yeah, what it is, what it is. Yeah. I mean, it ain't gonna, you know, I can't let it stop me. So gotta keep doing whatever nine out of 10 is. Like, you might just not like what I'm saying. And it's like, honestly, I ain't never wanted to kill a over that opinion.

[B]

But I can understand, you know, it's a out there that will though. Yeah, we all, we, we all different, bro.

[A]

Yeah, I know.

[B]

I don't put nothing past nobody.

[A]

Me neither.

[B]

That's why I just mind my business.

[A]

Yeah, you in perfect world. You in the world. I'm gonna go in the warehouse, I'm gonna crack my and I'm get back to it.

[B]

You feel me at the crib?

[A]

What you got coming up as far as, you know, Like I said, we trying to.

[B]

I'm trying to really touch the people, man. This year I'm about, I'm. I'm about experiences. So I'm trying to do some pop ups. I'm trying to just, you know, it's certain people, everybody looks at me differently. Some people might see me as a celebrity in their eyes and some people might just with the clothes. So I just want everybody in one space and I just want to shake some hands, take pictures, just give them, give them a vibe for real, man. That swag way.

[A]

Yeah. The fat swag experience.

[B]

Yeah, that's what, that's what I like to do. My fiance, she helped me out a lot with it.

[A]

So y' all ever went to them pop Outs. What's the. What's the pop up on the south side? You know what I'm talking about?

[B]

Atlanta Streetwear market.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. I did, like, three of those last year. And that's where I really kind of set the tone on what. What I could really do. You feel me, man?

[A]

My homeboy was up there, and he told me to come out, though. I said, but don't bring me back here, boy.

[B]

Too much for you?

[A]

Way too much bedazzled out there, boy.

[B]

That's all been saying for the last six months. But dazzle, y' all made me put the bedazzle down. Goddamn.

[A]

I mean, pick it up. That's your. Nah.

[B]

Cause I'll be trying to.

[A]

Nah, I'll be trying to pick the bedazzle up.

[B]

I had to look the bedazzle beast, you know, be. That's what they like, but, you know, that's a trend. You feel me?

[A]

It's a trend. But I was like, God damn. That's a lot of. I like, whoever the. Who own Rhinestone, boy, that going dumb right now.

[B]

Yeah. Have all shapes.

[A]

He had all the rhinestone. That nigga going stupid right now.

[B]

I never really, you know, because when you doing it, you ain't really walking around. So that's a. That's all the feedback people be saying, though. Just everything.

[A]

It was just. Because I think it was just like I was in that spot, and that's the trend. So it's just an influx of that.

[B]

I'm like, oh, yeah, you're right. Yeah.

[A]

And then every person that's selling, like, damn, they're on the same. And I like, boy, I have aged out of this here. But my son, I love that.

[B]

That's what I be thinking about, too, because I'm a little older, so I'd

[A]

be like, you have your own lane, though.

[B]

Yeah, but.

[A]

I mean, but I'm.

[B]

But I can go in another headspace, too, like, you know what I'm saying?

[A]

I can see it, but you know what I'm saying? I can see. I. I can't see. Go get your own a modern T.

[B]

I can do whatever I want to do. So, like, I don't really be turned off by everything. You feel me? If I see some bedazzles, I could see why they with it. I'll put it on, you feel me?

[A]

I like them. I like. I ain't going to lie. I done seen a few, like, pair of pan like jeans, and I'd be

[B]

like, it'd be hard.

[A]

It's hard.

[B]

It'd be straight, but it might not be for you.

[A]

It ain't for me though.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I'm saying?

[B]

I understand.

[A]

I'm in my. I'm in a. More like I want to be comfortable. That's it.

[B]

I think that's what I'm into.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's what I feel like I am today. You feel me?

[A]

Yeah. You went there every day. You know, we kind of went a little matchy matching with the orange, brother. You know what I'm saying? We didn't even discuss this. If you got anything you want to plug as far as you know what I'm saying, just like where people can find you, what your website is, what you got coming up, anything.

[B]

What's going on? Everybody out there? 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. Its Fat Swag.

[A]

Yeah. My boyfriend Swag. Appreciate you pulling up.

[B]

Yeah, I appreciate you, my brother. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, oh, there we go. We good. We good. Yeah. Well, you know, I love, you know, especially summertime anywhere we collaborate. And then when we do the Atlanta

[B]

show, for sure you'll model some.

[A]

For sure. 2s or 3, I'm an Excel. Everybody trying to put that 2 on me. You cool. And then I like how you. You kind of oversized that anyway.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

So my extra comfortable. I think this is 2x though. I ain't gonna lie.

[B]

But it looked like you could fit Excel as well.

[A]

I go Excel, but yeah, either way, we're gonna.

[B]

We're gonna figure.

[A]

We're gonna figure that out. All right, man. Well, you know what I be saying every time. First it's 100 something boy. This episode 100 sign. I know we in them honeys.

[B]

Mama made it. I'm with Deontay. Yeah, I appreciate it.

[A]

Shout out all my Florida bro. You know what I'm saying? But yeah, man, we'll see y' all nigga next week. I just want to rap, you know I just want to rap, man. You want to rap?

[B]

Fate was on my side. Yeah,

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

They say without the proper labor, faith

[A]

don't stand a chance.

[B]

I put my faith in faith and

[A]

stand on fertile land I planted seeds

[B]

Adeline deed turning the trees before rest in peace teas get printed to me.