Nicknames have a way of finding us, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. Mine—Big City—was born out of a simple moment of workplace banter, but it grew into something much bigger, shaping my identity in ways I never imagined.
The Origin Story
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, I was working at the flagship theme store of a major sports league. It was a high-energy environment where we worked hard, but we also had fun. Among my coworkers was a 6-foot former college basketball player from Oklahoma—we’ll call her Deana G. She was bubbly, always fun, and had that unmistakable Southern drawl that made every conversation with her feel like a warm summer breeze.
Since childhood, I’ve always had a knack for giving people nicknames. Don’t ask me how it started—I just did it naturally. One day, out of nowhere, I started calling Deana “Big Country.” It fit her—her height, her energy, and that Southern twang. At first, she laughed it off, but I guess after a while, she got tired of it. Because one day, when I called out, “Hey, Big Country!” she shot right back, “Hey, Big City!”
And just like that, it stuck.
From that day forward, just about everyone started calling me Big City. It was one of those organic moments where a nickname takes on a life of its own, and before I knew it, I had a new identity.
Big City Entertainments
Not long after, I ventured into the nightlife scene as a party promoter. The sports league I worked for had strict policies about outside business dealings that could potentially reflect poorly on the brand. To keep my hustle separate and maintain my professionalism at my day job, I decided not to use my real name in the promotion world. Instead, I embraced my nickname and launched Big City Entertainments—yes, with an “S.”
For about 12 years, I built a name for myself in the Bronx and Harlem underground nightlife. I worked with some of the most talented individuals and popular promoters in the game. Together, we created events that became more than just parties—they were cultural experiences. What started as a niche market grew into something much bigger, influencing trends in nightlife, music, and entertainment on a national scale.
A lot of what you see in today’s music videos, social media events, and party culture traces back to the type of experiences we curated. We didn’t just throw parties—we set the stage for a movement.
The Legacy of Big City
Even though my days of nightlife promotion have slowed down, the name Big City remains a part of me. It represents my journey—from a random joke at work to building a brand that left an impact on the entertainment scene. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the smallest moments can lead to the biggest transformations.
So, if you ever hear someone call me Big City, now you know the story behind the name. And to Deana G., wherever you are—thanks for the nickname. It stuck better than either of us could have ever imagined.
