On today’s (April 13) episode of “Big Facts,” DJ Scream, Baby Jade, and Big Bank held an inspiring dialogue with podcast host Famous Animal. The Memphis native’s platform is best known for its street-savvy content, allowing budding artists to be seen and heard. Thus, leading them to more followers, a healthier fan base, and sometimes signed contracts from major labels. At 17, Famous Animal served a two-year sentence for an automatic weapon. Being charged as a minor saved his life, as he finished his bid at the age of 19. This fresh start led to him leaving the streets to work a warehouse job. He soon realized that wasn’t the best fit for him, purchased a $300 camera from a pawn shop, and pounded the pavement in Memphis to interview locals on celebrity news. He’s spoken with artists like GloRilla, Lil Migo, Gloss Up, BlocBoy JB, and many more.
Originally known as “Animal,” he dubbed himself Famous Animal when he went viral off a situation that happened in his hometown, where a rapper’s chain got snatched. “The video was picking up like 200,000 [views] on YouTube, and folks was like, ‘Who is this n**ga?’ They was tuning in because the s**t I was dropping was facts,” claimed the famed content creator. There was a time he tried to turn to rap but wasn’t making money fast enough. Also, the context of his lyrics was genuine enough to possibly get him in trouble, and he felt it was safer to not do music anymore. “It wasn’t even worth it,” the creative admitted.
Moreover, DJ Scream asked the M-Town resident how the passing of Young Dolph, Big Scarr, and Gangsta Boo impacted him. “It personally affects me because they put it down for the M. They held it down and made Memphis look good. I salute them,” he said with empathy. He took the crew down memory lane to a time when Gangsta Boo recognized him in the club and showed him some love. Baby Jade turned the conversation up a notch when she inquired about his thoughts on the death of Tyre Nichols. Although he decided to not touch on the subject too much, the young star did offer his condolences to the Nichols family. The crew dove a little deeper into police brutality and explained the importance of complying in situations involving officers. “Them folks going to have to tell me to put my hands down,” exclaimed Big Bank.
Furthermore, outside of music and YouTube, Famous Animal is trying his hand at real estate and owns a multipurpose facility with a recording studio for new artists, his podcast studio, a clothing store, and more. In addition, he believes the film and production lane is one he is interested in. “Tell 50 cent to call me. I think I got some s**t me and 50 could put together,” the father of one insisted. Dropping “Big Facts” with the team, Famous Animal revealed that there are a few million dollars on the table as some investors are looking to pay him to start a label. However, he shared that protecting the brand he built from the ground up is of the utmost importance. The YouTube star mentioned he hasn’t taken the offer yet because he has concerns such as, “Is it going to take over my platform? Will I lose control of how I want things to go? The authentic way is the best way — I don’t want to come with all that cap s**t.”
In closing, Big Bank asked the “Famous Animal TV” host to share his biggest gem and main moral in life. “Stay down for the people who was there for you the most. When you ain’t have nothing to eat and somebody came through for you when they barely had something to eat for themselves, that’s who you look out for,” he responded. He continued with, “Stay down, stay consistent in whatever you do, it’s going to work out. You got to have faith and believe in it.”
Be sure to tune in every Thursday for new episodes of “Big Facts,” and if you enjoyed this recap, don’t miss the latest installment available here.