Written by Alexandria Anglade
T Got Bank’s love for music traces back to his early teens, when he first saw his friend Davon—better known as DropTop—making beats on FL Studio. Even as an eighth grader, Davon was far ahead of his time, converting his bedroom into a makeshift studio, hanging the mic from the ceiling, and mastering each track with care. Together, they recorded six or seven songs, burned them to a CD, and shared their sound with the neighborhood. Tragically, Davon was killed the following summer, and T Got Bank took a long hiatus from music, uncertain of how to continue without his friend’s guidance. Years later, fueled by memories of his fallen brother, T picked up where they left off, carrying that early passion forward in his own work.
His creative process today is straightforward: roll up and head to the studio. While he prefers to have a plan, he embraces spur-of-the-moment changes, especially if his engineer suggests tweaks to a hook or a bar. For T, collaboration with someone deeply invested in the music is non-negotiable—he needs that partnership to ensure the final product is the best it can be. He knows how essential an engineer’s feedback can be, often transforming a good idea into a great track.
Though he hails from New York, most listeners would never guess it based on his flow and accent, a trait he attributes to his father’s roots in Emporia, Virginia. The result is a blend of influences that sets him apart from typical New York stylings. Citing inspirations like Gucci Mane (for the beats), Young Dolph (for the offbeat flows), Money Man (for the bars), and Bankroll Fresh (for hooks), T Got Bank crafts a sound that mixes grit, melody, and a distinct Southern flair. When building his own hooks, he’s mindful of how the crowd will respond live, aiming to give listeners something they can scream out in unison.
As for the message within his music, T Got Bank calls it “Motion Motivation.” He writes for anyone who’s hustling to support themselves and their families, whether that hustle takes place in the streets or somewhere more conventional. It’s a reminder that however you make ends meet, the goal remains to get paid and uplift those you love.
Like many emerging artists, his biggest roadblocks have come from his own desire for perfection. He admits that waiting for everything to line up “just right” has held him back in the past. Now, he pushes himself to release music more consistently, accepting that while the final product might not always match the “perfect” version in his head, it often exceeds listeners’ expectations anyway. Realizing he’s his own toughest critic has helped him let go of self-imposed barriers.
Of all the moments he’s experienced since stepping back into music, T Got Bank counts a collaboration with 1800 Tequila and Pusha T as the most rewarding so far. Initially dismissing the invitation as a hoax, he was soon flown out to Los Angeles for ten days of “Hollywood treatment,” complete with black SUVs, hotel suites, and photoshoots, followed by shows in New York and Detroit headlined by Pusha T. That surreal experience confirmed he was on the right path.
Looking ahead, T Got Bank’s focus is straightforward: keep dropping new material, support the people close to him, and build a lasting presence in the industry. In his own words, it’s about “front ends, back ends” and, above all, staying consistent. If there’s one thing that’s been evident throughout his journey, it’s that T Got Bank has a story to tell, a memory to honor, and the tenacity to make sure his music resonates far beyond his immediate circle.
Instagram: @tgotbankmbc
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