Overview

Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded first as a solo project by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band became a trio with an initial lineup that included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun. In 1985, Pezzati was replaced by Dave Riley, who played on Big Black’s two full-length studio albums, Atomizer (1986) and Songs About Fucking (1987). Big Black’s aggressive and abrasive music was characterized by distinctively clanky guitars and the use of a drum machine rather than a drum kit, elements that foreshadowed industrial rock. The band’s lyrics flouted commonly held taboos and dealt frankly—and often explicitly—with politically and culturally loaded topics including murder, rape, child sexual abuse, arson, racism, and misogyny. They were staunchly critical of the commercial nature of rock, shunning the mainstream music industry and insisting on complete control over all aspects of their career.

What Is Big Black’s Net Worth?

Christopher “Big Black” Boykin, known for his role as a bodyguard, musician, and television personality, accumulated a net worth of $3 million during his lifetime. This fortune was primarily earned through his work in television and as a bodyguard, beginning in the mid-2000s.

Big Black’s Career and Earnings

Boykin’s rise to prominence began with his appearance on the MTV show “Rob & Big,” which aired for three seasons from 2006 to 2008, totaling 31 episodes. While specific salary details per episode for “Rob & Big” are not publicly available, reality TV personalities at the time often earned between $2,500 to $25,000 per episode during the earlier seasons of their shows. Given Boykin’s central role alongside Rob Dyrdek, it’s plausible his earnings were at the higher end of this spectrum, particularly as the show gained popularity. A reasonable estimate would place his earnings from “Rob & Big” in the range of $77,500 to $775,000 over the course of the series.

Following “Rob & Big,” Boykin joined the cast of “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” in 2009, starting in season four. This show aired 73 episodes over seven seasons, concluding in 2015. Again, specific salary information is not public, but considering his established presence on MTV and his continued role, it’s likely his earnings per episode were comparable to or higher than his earnings from “Rob & Big.” If he earned an average of $5,000 to $30,000 per episode, his total earnings from “Fantasy Factory” could range from $365,000 to $2.19 million.

Beyond his television roles, Boykin launched a clothing line called “Big Black” in 2007, followed by a plus-sized men’s apparel line called “BDP (Big Dime Pieces)” in 2012. The financial success of these ventures is not well-documented, but it’s plausible that they generated additional income, potentially in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on sales and brand recognition. Without specific sales data, it is challenging to provide a precise figure.

Boykin’s career wasn’t limited to TV and fashion. Before becoming a television personality, he worked as a bodyguard, including for Rob Dyrdek. The earnings from his bodyguard work would have contributed to his overall net worth, though the exact figures are not publicly accessible. Bodyguards can earn anywhere from $30,000 to over $100,000 annually, depending on experience, clientele, and location. His earnings would depend on his rate at the time, but it is fair to say that this work contributed to Big Black’s net worth.

Other Ventures and Assets

While comprehensive details about Boykin’s assets and investments are not publicly available, there are a few things we can assume based on his career and lifestyle. He likely had personal investments, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate, though the specifics remain unknown. Additionally, it is unknown whether he had a house or any property.

It’s worth noting that celebrities often have endorsement deals or other business ventures that contribute to their income. Without public information or press releases, it is challenging to provide accurate details on this aspect of his income.

Given his successful career in television and business, it is reasonable to estimate that Christopher “Big Black” Boykin’s net worth of $3 million was a result of a combination of factors: earnings from “Rob & Big” and “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory,” income from his clothing lines, and potential investments or business ventures.

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