Citta Tha FatMac (Quinton Carter) – who has produced three albums in six years; performed at SXSW; and opened for some of the most elite artists in the business such as Z-Ro, Chalie Boy, MO3, Boosie Badazz, and Rick Ross – entertains concert-goers at Spanish Trails Event Center in Maxwell, Texas in March 2021. Photographed by Ursula Rogers.

The Luling Watermelon Thump has been around since 1954, when the principal of Luling Elementary School proposed the idea of a celebration to honor local growers and promote the Luling watermelon market. In a contest to name the event, Luling High School student Carol Ferguson submitted the winning idea: “Thump.” The name comes from the tried-and-true technique of assessing the ripeness of a watermelon (thumping the melon with your finger to see if it makes a hollow sound, meaning it is ready to be eaten – any variation from that means the fruit needs more time on the vine).

Whatever Mother Nature conceives, Father Time will work his will over it, and the Thump is no exception. The celebration is still held on the last Thursday-Sunday in June, but much has changed. The four-day festival now attracts an estimated 30,000 visitors to Luling, which has a population of less than 6,000. Numerous events have been added to the celebration, and the musical attractions have expanded from mostly country music to the inclusion of Tejano bands and, in 2023, the first ever presentation of hip hop on the center stage. 

RJ Palacios, a member of the Thump entertainment committee, engineered that performance after the idea for a hip hop show began as a joke in one of their early planning sessions. RJ took it to heart, believing that in our changing world its day had come. He began collaborating with promoter and local entrepreneur John “Sticc” Heller and WLJ Entertainment to bring the first rap show to the Thump in its 70 years of existence.

When this author asked Heller to comment, he proudly described supplying his personal deejays – DJ HD and DJ Bank Ro – with renowned MC Dat Boy Play to energize the crowd with all genres throughout the night. Heller said that WLJ allowed young, local hip hop artists and rappers to showcase their talents at this inaugural marquee event. With the flair of a ringmaster, he capped off a remarkable night with all-star performances by headliners King Kyle Lee of San Antonio and hometown celebrity Citta Tha FatMac. 

Citta’s choice for this was a twist of fate, considering his street credentials, many industry credits, and his deep roots in Caldwell County. In fact, his grandfather, Carroll “Cal” Carter, worked in the fields that produced the watermelons for the first Thump. 

Citta Tha FatMac (who in full transparency is this author’s nephew) was born Quinton Jarroud Carter on July 8, 1986, in the Caldwell County seat. Inspired by local rappers by his early teens, he began rapping other artists’ rhymes and noticed his rap sound was different, not copied, but authentic. He started a group in 2001 and began to write his own rhymes, soon realizing he had a gift.

Citta is a Southern-style rapper whose music mixes R&B and rap, with influences like Scarface, Jadakiss, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Maroon 5, Pimp C, Michael Jackson, and Snoop Dogg. Born the oldest child of three boys and raised by a single mom, Citta writes music that reflects his humble beginnings. His catchy phrases and memorable lyrics recount his uneven past and point toward limitless potential. 

Youths in general sometimes make some bad decisions, and Citta was no exception. As a result, his freedom was impeded for a collective 10 years, roughly between 2006 until 2017. He used that time to perfect his craft, creating his own personal style and delivery. After his return to society, he used his pent-up energy to create his first solo album, “#4thQuarterHussle” – released April 26, 2018, which he describes as motivational street music for the masses. 

His repertoire continued to grow with his sophomore project, titled “#AmericanHussle,” released April 26, 2020 and aimed at a closer view of his own personal struggles as he walks through life one day at a time. 

If you detect a theme in the release dates for his albums it is not coincidental but a testament of his character: April 26 is the birthday of his grandfather and Citta’s son, Qal, for whom he was named. He also named his daughter after his grandmother and coaches Qali in her love of soccer. 

When asked what advice he would give up-and-coming artists he shares an idiom he credits to his mom “You don’t have to be the loudest nor say the most, if everything you say is real!” 

With the production and release of “Tha Heat Check” in 2023, Citta has produced 3 albums in 6 years, performed at SXSW, and opened for some of the most elite artists in the business such as Z-Ro, Chalie Boy, MO3, Boosie Badazz, and Rick Ross. 

Citta described his Watermelon Thump center-stage appearance as “an awesome experience … high energy, and the crowd seemed to grow every minute.”

Citta Tha FatMac has approximately 20,000 views on YouTube and 50,000 streams to date. Now in his mid 30s, with two children to keep him grounded, he continues letting his creativity flow with his latest single, “Mac and Me.” 

Citta, often wearing his trademark fisherman’s hat with a raspy voice and southern drawl, is a mix between an old school troubadour and a griot, and he has been crowned by his peers “The Chosen One.” Keep an eye out for this rising star.

As for the first performance of hip hop at the Thump, Palacios told this writer he considers the event a success. He and Heller worked on a basis of mutual respect and had sponsorship and strong advocacy from local activist and CEO of the nonprofit Where We Thrive (and my sister) Margaret “Shack” Carter. Palacios said hip hop will return in 2024 with some changes to appeal to a larger segment of the community, with enhanced family participation and enjoyment in mind

Stay tuned…

BY JAMES COFFEE CARTER