In the gritty world of hip-hop, where every lyric carries the weight of a life lived, there’s a beat that echoes far beyond the studio—a beat that pulses through the life of Fatpocket, a rapper from DeLand, Florida. His story is one of quiet determination, a tale born not in the bright lights of a big city but in the overlooked streets of a small town where real grit is forged.
As we spoke, Fatpocket reflected on his summer, casually mentioning, “It’s been good, can’t complain.” His words carried the same unhurried confidence that characterizes his music. Recently, his mixtape dropped, marking another milestone in his burgeoning career. While he didn’t go into specifics about how he celebrated, the satisfaction in his voice was palpable.
Fatpocket’s sound is as smooth as his ride—a 1973 Chevy Caprice that cruises through the streets with Rick Ross and Yo Gotti blaring from the speakers. “I jam to Rick Ross and Gotti,” he laughed when I asked about his favorite cruising music. He likes to take his Caprice on Miami cruises, even though he now lives a couple of hours away in Orlando. “I like to cruise around Miami type shit,” he said, adding that although Orlando is home now, his roots in DeLand, Florida, run deep.
Growing up in a small town like DeLand, Fatpocket understands how easy it is for talent to be overlooked. “Yeah, a little bit, but I think they’re starting to catch on with what’s going on,” he said, reflecting on the industry’s gradual recognition of the jewels hidden in small towns. For him, the inspiration drawn from his hometown is about “wanting more out of life, trying to keep elevating.” His approach to music is akin to selling style—authentic, personal, and deeply rooted in his experiences.
His journey to the mic wasn’t planned; it came together naturally, like the pieces of a puzzle falling into place. In 2022, in the quiet corners of DeLand, he stepped into the studio for the first time, and the result was “3:28am In Miami,” a track that marked his arrival and set the tone for everything that followed. “Selling rap music is like selling style,” he told me, and you could tell this wasn’t just a clever line—it was a truth lived out in every track he’s dropped.
Fatpocket is a father of three daughters, and while he cherishes his role as a dad, balancing fatherhood with a music career is no small feat. “It’s a real sacrifice,” he admitted. The weight of those words was heavy as he explained the struggles of missing important moments, like parent-teacher meetings, in pursuit of his dreams. Yet, he remains unfazed, grounded in the belief that “this whole career don’t make me or break me.” His family supports his career, but he makes a conscious effort to keep his daughters’ lives separate from the hustle of the music industry. “I try to keep it separate… let them be kids as long as they’re gonna be kids,” he said.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Fatpocket recalled how his love for music was shaped by his family, especially his older brothers. “Mostly my older brothers, just hearing them jam music and vibing around. They’d have the car open playing music and hanging out,” he reminisced. His first vivid memory of music was discovering Cash Money Records through his cousin. “When he played that shit, I was like, ‘DANG!’ I never forget that,” he said with a laugh.
His latest mixtape is a testament to where he is now—a man motivated, focused, and always hustling. Tracks like “Thug Therapy” give listeners a glimpse into his mind, a mind that’s constantly working, constantly pushing forward. The music isn’t just about beats and rhymes; it’s about capturing the ups and downs of his life, about making something timeless that speaks to where he’s from and where he’s going. When asked which song from the mixtape best reflects his current state of mind, Fatpocket chose “Thug Therapy,” a track that encapsulates his ongoing transition and relentless motivation.
“People are starting to catch on that there’s a lot of jewels in small towns,” Fatpocket said, a grin crossing his face. And he’s right. His story is proof that you don’t need to come from a major city to make a major impact. There’s something raw and unfiltered about his journey, something that resonates with anyone who’s ever had to hustle to make their dreams a reality.
As 2024 unfolds, Fatpocket is on the brink of something big. His plans for 2025 are set—new music, new moves, and an unstoppable drive to keep grinding. He’s more than just a rapper—he’s a hustler, a man who’s been in the trenches and came out with stories to tell. His words aren’t just lyrics; they’re a blueprint for anyone who’s trying to make it, a reminder that sometimes the real jewels are found in the most unexpected places. What’s next for Fatpocket? More. More music, more hustle, more of that relentless drive that’s taken him from the streets of DeLand to the brink of something great. He’s writing his story, one verse at a time, and it’s a story that’s only just beginning.
