About this episodeBaby Tron takes host Brandon Buckingham on a comprehensive tour of Detroit, exploring the city's hip-hop histo…AI summary
Baby Tron takes host Brandon Buckingham on a comprehensive tour of Detroit, exploring the city's hip-hop history, local culture, and personal roots. The episode highlights the rise of the 'scam rap' genre, the legacy of the Puritan Avenue Boys, and Tron's family history involving his grandmother's drug empire. It also features interactions with his Shitty Boys crew members (Stan Will, TRD), local jewelry store Hutch's, and young artists from the projects, offering insights into Detroit's street life and music industry.
Key takeaways 8
Baby Tron pioneered the 'scam rap' genre starting in 2017 at age 16, with lyrics focused on credit card fraud and online scams, influenced by earlier artists like Boss Man Rich and TJX6.
Detroit's geography is defined by 'miles' (e.g., 8 Mile), with areas past 8 Mile considered 'the birds' and not strictly part of Detroit proper; 6 Mile and 7 Mile are described as more active areas.
The Puritan Avenue Boys were a major narcotics distribution organization taken down by the DEA in 2003, with Baby Tron claiming his block was central to this history.
Baby Tron's grandmother, Brenda Anne Fagan, was a 'queen pin' involved in a major FBI drug trafficking ring in 2015, operating from selling weed to prescription opioids.
Hutch Jewelry, a famous Michigan jeweler, was owned by Dan Hutchinson who was murdered in 2022 by his attorney Marco Bispicus over a will dispute; the store is now run by D. Hasty.
Baby Tron collaborated with Eminem on the song 'Toby' in July 2024, which reached number 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and gained nearly 70 million YouTube views.
The Shitty Boys group (Baby Tron, Stan Will, TRD) has been together since 2015/2016, starting in middle school and high school, maintaining longevity through genuine friendship and shared music creation.
Detroit's housing projects like 'The Digs' (also known as The Jets) are associated with poverty and crime but also serve as a tight-knit community where survival and loyalty are paramount.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“If you ain't from over here, you'll get your ass killed.”
▶ 0:43Baby Tron warning about the dangers of unfamiliar areas in Detroit.
“Anything past 8 mile is not Detroit no more. So like 9 mile, 10 mile, 11 mile, that would be considered the birds.”
▶ 4:49Explaining Detroit's geographical divisions based on street miles.
“My grandma was a queen pin. Yes. ... Brenda Anne Fagan. That's my grandma. Do your boo. Millionaire.”
▶ 11:24Baby Tron revealing his grandmother's involvement in drug trafficking.
“You hit my baby. He dropping anything. You know what I'm saying? We'll drop We drop one evening on PA with it though.”
▶ 9:28Baby Tron asserting loyalty to his crew and neighborhood (Puritan Avenue).
“I'm not going to lie. I don't necessarily know exactly what part of 8 Mile he's from. So remember we just passed where that I told you they shot the 8 Mile movie at the trailer park. I'm not sure if that's where he was really from, but that's right around the corner from here. It still looks [__] up. You know, it ain't gentrified. Not one bit. It looked damn near abandoned.”
▶ 19:20Discussing Eminem's connection to 8 Mile and the current state of the area.
Chapters & Sections (25)▼
0:00Baby Tron Detroit Tour and Scam Rap Historychapter2
2:14Baby Tron Career Milestones and Detroit Breakfast Visit
4:37Detroit Street Geography and Neighborhoods
5:47Detroit Breakfast Spots and Puritan Avenue Gang Historychapter1
7:46Detroit Trenches and Gang Life
10:06Grandma's Drug Empire and Detroit Rootschapter1
12:02Grandma's Drug Empire and Hustle
14:22Hutch Jewelry History and Shitty Boyschapter2
17:18Moist Night Monsters and Coach Whistle
18:19Ice Out Whistle Runs and Shitty Boys History
20:00Jewelry Store Tour and Detroit Hood Visitchapter2
22:31Detroit Hood Tour and Artist Neighborhoods
23:39Detroit Street Culture and Diddy Impact
25:08Political Views, Car Reviews, and Music Career Advicechapter1
27:21Car Customization and Music Career Advice
29:44Life and Survival in Detroit Housing Projectschapter3
31:00Detroit Weather and Project Life
32:32Navigating Detroit Street Survival
34:34Advice on Grind and Making Good Decisions
36:43Studio Session and Eminem Feature Discussionchapter5
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