Always a big mixtape seller, Fat B, a.k.a. Fat Bastard, is dropping a new tape for All Star Weekend. Also preparing for the release of his debut solo album, the former D.S.R. member explains what really happened with the group and how he’s grown from the experience. For those who don’t know the history, explain how you came up and some of the things you’re known for. Everybody knows me from my underground mixtapes, that’s how I started out. I was collabing with a lot of H-Town artists on the freestyle level. We started traveling and everywhere we’d go we’d leave our mixtapes. Then when we’d come back they’d want us to perform because the whole town knew our music. People know me as Fat Bastard with D.S.R., they know me as Mr. Get In My Belly – they know me for being on “Not a Stain on Me” with Tuck. I also collaborated with Dorrough on his new joint “Caramel Sundae.” A lot of people consider you to be a pioneer of Dallas rap. Would you agree with that I don’t really wanna be a pioneer – I’m like a legend. I feel like I originated a lot of the freestyle in Dallas. We were the first cats to really grind on the mixtapes and move units out of Dallas. It was all freestyled, it wasn’t written. We set a lot of trends. Even though a lot of artists coming out of Dallas today got the dance movement, they’re still using the freestyle swag in their dance songs. How do you view the current music scene in Dallas right now It’s great. We’re at the peak of our game. The whole city is jumpin’ with All Star coming up. We got the Super Bowl coming up next year. We got the hottest music right now. It’s a real big movement. We’re all coming together and have unity. It’s never been better and I feel like it’s my time too. Take us back and explain what really happened to D.S.R. and T-Town Music, from your perspective. It’s the same thing that happens to every other group. Everybody already knows it’s about m.o.n.e.y. Some of the people wanted more than everybody else. It was a lot of issues – miscommunication, greed, and management. You might could say there was favoritism too. What did you learn from that experience that could help others avoid the same issues Do you, but be a team player. Everybody’s time is gon’ come. If you’re in a group workin’ hard, your time will come. Just be ready when it does. Groups aren’t permanent. Most groups break up. Take the promotion you get and really stand out in the group. So once things started to disband with D.S.R., you and Tuck did “Not a Stain On Me.” Where did things go from there for you It blew up in markets we never had before like Kansas City, St. Louis, parts of Indiana – we were going to different places. During the midst of “Not a Stain On Me,” it jumped off the beginning of MPR Ent. It was a whole new label with new financing. That’s the label I’m on now. Free Trini, that’s my CEO. He’s actually George Lopez’ cousin from T-Town. I’ve been with Trini from the day one. I’m doing it for him. What direction are you and the new label moving in now We got the mixtape droppin’ February 4th with Definition DJ Drop. I’ma be promoting heavy during All Star Weekend, hittin’ radio stations and doing in-stores. It’s all Fat B freestyles, no pen, which is what the fans want. The buzz is crazy. We’re in New Era music, all the mom and pop stores. It’s a good look. What about album plans I’ma drop Belly of the Beast after the mixtape. It’s gonna be the first Fat B album ever. It’s real anticipated. We’re droppin’ hot singles, exclusives with other artists, just gettin’ it in right now. You mentioned working with Dorrough. Who are some other people you’ve been featured with lately I’ve still been workin’ with Tum Tum. We’re on both of each other’s projects. I’m everywhere. If you go to Worldstar you’ll see me in the “Mr. Hit Dat Hoe” video, Bone’s video, the Chalie Boy video. We’re gettin’ a lot of cameos in with Mr. Boomtown [the director] and we’ll be shooting my video soon. // OZONE MAG // 17
oung T Words by Ms Rivercity 18 // OZONE MAG