Scotty ATL aka Walter Scott Williams is an Atlanta native that truly loves his city and the culture it has birthed. Before transitioning into the custom grillz space, Scotty was one of the city’s hottest, new rappers on the scene. His love for music was formed at an early age, and in 2015, he released his debut album, which landed him on tour with rapper B.O.B.
Scotty’s transition into entrepreneurship came after his music career started to slow down. In an effort to make money, he began designing custom mouth accessories and officially launched his brand, Grillz by Scotty. Now, the business owner is one of the go-to people for all of our favorite in hip hop and beyond. To-date, he’s created pieces for talents like EBONY’s Cover Star Issa Rae, Big Boi, and Ludacris.
But for him, being a business owner isn’t just about making money, it’s also protecting and maintaining your mental health.
As we celebrate 50 years of hip hop here at EBONY, we sat down with rapper turned grillz maker Scotty ATL to discuss his journey and what the genre’s anniversary means to him.
EBONY: What solidified you as one of the best custom grillz creators out right now?
Scotty ATL: Following the creation of a custom grill for Issa Rae and personally delivering it to her in France on her wedding day, the online buzz surrounding Grillz by Scotty spread like crazy. The experience led to my appearance on the Steve Harvey Show, coverage in various magazines, and recognition on several prominent blogs.
Issa Rae shows her grill. Image: Rich Fury for Getty Images.
You mention that protecting your mental health is just as important as making money. Can you expand on that?
I’ve come to realize that mental well-being is just as important as financial success and business achievements. While having a thriving business is important, maintaining excellent mental health is equally crucial. After all, what’s the point of reaping the rewards of your hard work if you’re not in a good mental state to enjoy them?
Who have been some of your favorite clients so far?
Issa Rae, of course, several of The Atlanta Hawks basketball players, Ludacris, T.I., Revolt, Crown Royal, Puma, Outkast’s Big Boi, and David Banner.
What does the 50-year anniversary of hip hop mean to you?
For me, 50 Years of hip hop means unity and that anything is achievable if you believe in it and stick together.
Rapper Big Boi in his custom grill. Image: Courtesy of Grillz by Scotty.
