Patiently Waiting
“W
e tellin’ the real Atlanta story,” Big Bank Black explains, of the respect his label Duct Tape Entertainment receives in the city. “Everybody over here was born at Grady Hospital – Atlanta’s most popular hospital. It’s a culture – we’re real Grady Babies. Not to take nothin’ away from the other artists, but we bring the real shit.” What started out as a street movement turned underground record label, Duct Tape Entertainment, which houses the rappers Alley Boy, Trouble, Veli-Sosa, B-Green, Da Undadog, and Da Runts, was solely meant to be a business venture for Big Bank Black. Until he accidently turned into an artist. “Alley went to jail and we were working his record with Gucci called ‘Look at My Charm’,” Black recalls, of the events that led him to the booth. “It was pickin’ up real heavy but he had to take a fall. I really just wanted to keep the campaign goin’, so I went in and dropped ‘Try It Out.’”
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The response to “Try It Out,” a record featuring Kandi (the songwriter appearing on Real Housewives of Atlanta) and produced by Zaytoven, was immediately huge. Though it wasn’t his initial plan to push the record, at the urging of those around him, Black put his support behind it as an artist and businessman. “Try It Out” quickly progressed throughout the city, becoming one of the most requested songs in the club and on the radio, where it stands today. It was a typical blessing in disguise, an unfortunate setback that created all the right opportunities for the CEOslash-rapper. His follow up single “Stop Playin,” which has already landed on many DJ’s radars, is a continuation of the sound Black is capitalizing on. Since embracing his newfound role, he’s added another dimension to Duct Tape Entertainment. “We’re just creating our own lane,” he says. “Alley’s gonna bring the gutta and I’m gonna bring the playa side of it.” Now that his main artist Alley Boy is home and recently signed a deal
with Atlantic Records, Black is working towards branching out his entire label as a cohesive unit. “I’m trying to bring the whole movement at one time,” Black reveals. “’Try It Out’ is the song that caught on first, and we’re gonna let that get us through the door.” With an organized promotions team, a reputable name in the streets, and most importantly, a collection of music that people support, Black and Duct Tape have all the pieces in place. “We’re tryin’ to be the biggest independent label in the south until somebody gives us a major situation,” he continues. “You might even see me passing out CDs myself. We ain’t afraid to touch the people – we’re right there with ‘em ‘cause that’s where we come from.” Words by Ms. Rivercity Photo by Diwang Valdez