Grits and Eggs Podcast
Host: Deante’ Kyle
Episode: 82 – "From GA to VA"
Date: August 26, 2025
Episode Overview
In this lively, unfiltered episode, Deante’ Kyle and co-host “Big Ice Cup Jack” broadcast from Norfolk, Virginia (or “Norfolk” as debated throughout), reflecting on their experience at a Black Comic Con and what it means to be Black in alternative spaces. The episode blends playful banter, deep dives into Black identity and “Blurred” (Black nerd) culture, critiques of pop culture and media narratives, and heartfelt moments with fans. Both hosts, joined by Tristan behind-the-scenes, celebrate Black community, confront flattening stereotypes, and encourage inclusion across all spectrums of Blackness.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Norfolk, Black Culture, and Comic Cons (00:04–13:00)
- The team lands in Norfolk for a live taping at a Black Comic Con (“Blurred” culture front and center).
- Playful banter about how to pronounce “Norfolk.” Shout-outs to local legends (Michael Vick, Allen Iverson, The Clips, Missy Elliott, Timbaland).
- Early talk on Timbaland’s AI production moves and their complexity:
"Damn, he be using AI, bro... He got like an AI artist... using they songs to create the AI." (03:40, Deante’)
- Reflections on the joys of connecting with other “Blurreds,” discovering their own nerdy roots:
"We found this out today. We on the highest of keys. We some blur." (08:17, Deante’)
2. The Black Comic Con Experience (13:01–27:50)
- Shout-outs to panel organizer Darren “Flood,” who’s compared to a superhero for bringing the community together.
- Descriptions of the Black Comic Con as uniquely positive and community-oriented:
"I'mma tell you how you know we was at a black Comic Con. Walk around. Smells great. It smelled like shea butter. Well, no Mustang." (18:54, Deante’)
- The culinary scene at the event: cake, ginger lemonade, and more.
- The surreal moment seeing a packed line for their show—other podcasters noticed:
"I know when that line was down, down the hall, they was like, who the is these?” (23:18, Deante’)
- Joy at seeing families, including kids and teens, drawn to the show and podcast (“even our eight-year-old fans out here!”).
3. Fan Interactions & Community Impact (27:51–34:00)
- Immense appreciation for the love from fans, mothers, and new Patreon supporters.
- Meaningful connections:
"Shorty came today with the lock. She had put her mom and her brother on and brought them to the show... She talk about you all the time." (31:22, Deante’)
- Importance of Black community gathering in shared spaces (“people need to be able to see themselves in a room”).
4. Panel Highlights & Wrestling Talk (34:01–46:50)
- Lively panel with academic Dr. Hall (Howard University), selfmade “cool” friends, and a strong focus on inclusion.
- Hilarious dive into pro wrestling nostalgia—the “Attitude Era,” talk of Goldberg, Taz, Sabu, and ECW:
“He just went fast enough to spear your ass. Non wrestling ass. Yeah. He sucked at wrestling. It was just one. It was spear jackhammer one, two.” (43:07, Deante’)
- Panel reveals their “nerd credentials,” recounting how Black “others” (nerds, anime fans) had to fight for acceptance.
5. Blurred Culture, Stereotypes, and Identity (46:51–1:09:50)
- Central theme: The harmful “othering” of Black folks with alternative interests & the need to broaden definitions of Blackness:
"Anything outside of street culture, anything outside of like hood shit, being seen as white folk shit is extremely flattening and ignorant." (53:41, Deante’)
- Blurred and anime culture as resilient, self-affirming, and emotionally intelligent:
"They was doing that shit despite being othered, called lame, called weird. Niggas was still on that—proudly.” (55:22, Deante’)
- Cultural critique on how drug, gang, and pimp narratives flatten Black identity.
- Call for mutual apologies/forgiveness between nerds and those who “othered” them:
“There needs to be an apology issue, and there needs to be some forgiveness so we can grow and be inclusive with each other as a community.” (1:03:09, Deante’)
- Dr. Hall’s contributions lend academic and medical perspectives to the conversation.
6. Live Q&A & Panel’s Emotional Impact (1:09:51–1:20:30)
- The power of live shows—long lines, emergent discussions, candid moments.
- Story of Q5TV, a local creative recovering from a stroke, whose community crowdfunded his event ticket—moving Darren (the organizer) to tears:
“When he was saying... somebody paid for him to be there... Darren was over there wiping tears because he put this together.” (1:18:41, Deante’)
7. Blackness as Spectrum & Media Narratives (1:20:31–1:29:30)
- Strong pushback on monolithic expectations—Blackness includes all interests and styles.
- History lesson: the shift from “intelligent” hip-hop (KRS-One, Tribe Called Quest) to “flattening” mainstream narratives.
- Media’s global power in shaping perceptions of Black Americans abroad:
"If you in Asia... all the movies you see them in, they stealing or they pimping or they selling drugs, you're gonna have a fucked up idea about what the black American is.” (1:26:19)
8. Food, City Reflections & Humor (1:29:31–1:49:00)
- Lighthearted, detailed recounting of their food adventures in Norfolk (oxtail, rice and peas, generous Jamaicans).
- Roasting each other’s sleep schedules, travel logistics, and wild city characters (dude on a “motorized unicycle with a sword”).
- Skits and comedic tangents on everything from presidential habits to “cosplaying gangsters” in the Black community.
9. Dating, Pop Culture, & Colorful Anecdotes (1:49:01–1:59:00)
- Nuanced take on Black folks dating outside their race—but with the caveat: “Just don’t justify it by degrading your own.”
- Stories about family warnings against “bugs in white girls’ hair”—“Mama really brainwashed me in first grade.”
- Joke-filled but pointed critiques of “cooning” and tokenism.
10. Closing Reflections: Progress, Inclusion, & Black Liberation (1:59:01–end)
- The societal impact of the War on Drugs, changing patterns of Black migration, and representation in media.
- Concluding thoughts on the importance of inclusion, self-acceptance, and recognizing that all Black experiences are valid:
“If we flatten our community to identify with the things that they use to stereotype us... we really can’t keep popping this ‘we’re not a monolith’ shit. That’s facts.” (2:05:18)
- Playful sign-off about upcoming Patreon content, future live shows, and support from their Black community “cousins.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On recognizing “Blurreds”—Black nerds:
"We on the highest of keys. We some blur." — Deante’ (08:17) "I love when we do the thing. Like, the show is great. Even the meet and greets. Like, the meet and greets be amazing." — Deante’ (42:53)
- On mainstream stereotypes:
“Anything outside of street culture... being seen as white folk shit is extremely flattening and ignorant.” — Deante’ (53:41)
- On inclusion & apology:
“There needs to be an apology issue, and there needs to be some forgiveness so we can grow and be inclusive with each other as a community.” — Deante’ (1:03:09)
- Community emotion:
“Darren was over there wiping tears... He put this together, bro. That's the power of community.” — Deante’ (1:18:41)
- On the lived spectrum of Blackness:
“There is no standard blackness. There's a spectrum. We have to be willing to embrace all sides.” — Deante’ (1:28:25)
Important Timestamps
- Norfolk arrival / “Blurred” debate: 00:04–08:20
- Comic Con recap & community: 13:01–27:00
- Live panel & Dr. Hall: 46:51–1:09:50
- Wrestling nostalgia: 38:00–46:50
- Discussion of Blackness, stereotypes, inclusion: 53:41–1:09:50
- Q5TV & emotional moment about community: 1:18:41
- Monolith/spectrum of Black identity: 1:25:41–1:29:30
- Food adventures in Norfolk: 1:29:31–1:42:00
- Discussion on dating outside the race: 1:49:01–1:59:00
- Closing/reflections on the impact of media, the War on Drugs, and inclusion: 1:59:01–end
Overall Tone & Style
The hosts combine street-smart humor, sharp social critique, cultural analysis, and warm community energy. The episode is equal parts roast, group therapy session, and celebration—with seamless transitions from jokes and asides to deep, inclusive conversations about identity, belonging, and the future of the Black community.
For full behind-the-scenes, visual recaps, and exclusive content, the hosts encourage listeners to check out their Patreon at $8/month.
