HOMPAGE
UK HIP HOP NEWS
JOIN OUR TEAM AS A CONTRIBUTOR
NEWS UK HIP HOP NEWS
by Alfred Mckenna 2 years ago
How Tragedy & Loss Birthed TJ Porter's Rap Career
Harlem's TJ Porter might only be 19 years old, but he's old enough to remember 50 Cent's dominance in the early 2000s. "He had that aura like, 'I'm that n—a,'" Porter glowingly recalls. "He was wildin'. I was young, and I knew every song."
When 50 bludgeoned the game with his visceral opus Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2003, he had the music world on tilt. Though Porter was probably mastering his first steps as a baby during the earliest part of 50's undisputed reign, as he got older, he relished the rapper's confidence and hit-making abilities. Who didn't? "In Da Club" was ubiquitous, so was his infectious "G-G-G, G-Unit" chant. That type of run is what Porter yearns for, and is hoping to achieve with his debut album Voice of the Trenches, set to be out Friday (June 28) Def Jam.
"I want to have everything in a chokehold, just like Fif," declares Porter.
Like Jackson, Porter's bravado bleeds New York. Either he'll crack a joke and dismantle your ego with his bruising commentary, or he'll flash a pearly smile to signal his satisfaction. When asked about his days as a touted high school basketball star, Porter performs the latter, gleefully speaking on his relationships with future NBA draft prospects Cole Anthony and Julian Newman. But before he goes more in-depth, he pauses and refrains. TJ reminds me that he's not a hooper anymore and that he wants to be taken more seriously as a rapper.
"I'm not a basketball player who makes music, I'm an artist who plays basketball, sometimes," he says. "I make music. I want people to take me seriously as an artist. I'm cool with all the rappers and stuff like Meek Mill] and all, but I need them to take me serious with the music. I want that longevity. I ain't trying to go to the NBA."
TJ's hoops dreams were deflated when his friend Juwan Tavarez, nicknamed Chico, was shot multiples times, with a bullet piercing his head in 2016. Two days later, Tavarez died at Harlem Hospital. Porter was 15.
Following Chico's death, Porter looked at previous messages between him and his fallen friend. There, Porter remembered how encouraging Tavarez was about him picking up rapping.
"When Chico was alive, I started rapping when I was young," remembers Porter. "I was like 11 or 12. I had put out a freestyle he wanted me to make. Everybody was calling it trash, but he was like, 'Yo this is crazy.' He used to gas me up. But then I stopped rapping. I was playing basketball. When he died, I just started rapping again."
Porter's decision to focus on music full-time paid off. His singsong delivery and penchant for sticky hooks caught the ear of music manager and co-host of Complex's Everyday Struggle, Wayne "Wayno" Clark, who forged a relationship with the budding MC and later, inked him to his Triangle Offense Management company. Things continued to look up for Porter. After he completed high school last year, he crafted his biggest record to date, "Tricky," which sits at almost 800,000 views on YouTube. The swaggering tune finds Porter "putting his city in a chokehold," exuding a sharp tongue on the mic, and thrashing those praying for his downfall with his AutoTuned flow. "Tricky" also caught the ears of Def Jam Records and earned him a recording contract that summer.
Enamored with Porter's competitive streak and desire to succeed, Def Jam tabbed the hyphenate to take part in the label's Undisputed album, a project showcasing their latest signees. Among the crop of acts selected were rising star Nimic Revenue, Billboard Hot 100 success YK Osiris and Porter. Featured on two tracks, Porter made it known from the getgo that he wasn't going to let anyone steal his shine during the project's recording process.
"I don't care if you're bigger than me. I'm not gonna be quiet because I'm not at your point. I don't give a fuck," Porter opines. "That's just how I am. I work hard and lock-in. I talk my shit. I think it's because I'm from Harlem. I can back my street talk."
Voice of the Trenches displays Porter's ability to tell stories like a seasoned veteran. On "Harlem," TJ deftly trucks his way through the horn-tinged record, while giving listeners a guided tour of his hometown. On "8 Laws," Porter looks to Notorious B.I.G.'s "10 Crack Commandments" for inspiration, and schools novices on the importance of street ethics over the song's dark production. Despite his attachment to the hood, it's Porter's versatility that has him penciled in as a bonafide star. "Do You Care" and "Need Your Lovin'" convey his softer side, as his syrupy melodies help fortify his position as a promising hitmaker. The cherry on top? Porter's "Father Figure," where he unabashedly speaks on his dad's lack of effort and willingness to be in his life. "Did you ever want me, yeah that's one thing that I wanted to know," sings Porter on the song's chorus.
"He's not a deadbeat. He doesn't do what he's supposed to do," he explains. "I'm your son. I see you spending money on females and all that, but you can't do nothing for your son? So it's like, I don't wanna talk to him. I stopped talking to my father for a few years. I'm a man. I chopped it up with him, and I told him about himself. Now I got my own money, my own car, my own clothes, my own house, I can take care of myself. I'm not going to hold that against you for the rest of my life because God forbid you pass, I'm going to be sad."
And while Porter's relationship with his father remains a touchy subject, he knows that if he continues to chip away at his goals, then his determination will always override his fears and past struggles like someone who once came out of the trenches.
"It took Jay-Z almost 23 years to become a billionaire, I'm trying to do it in 15," relays Porter. "I feel like I'm going to do it and I'm going to do in a shorter time than him."
Previous post King Von's Estate Releases Autobiographical Music Video
Meet Rising Minneapolis Artist Kobenz
What is your name and what city do you rep?My name is Kobenz and I be out here reppin' Minneapolis, MN What first got you into music?I had some pretty messed…
Shell Boog Starts 2021 Off Strong With "Ride The Wave" ft. Prin$e Alexander
Philly Rapper Shell Boog is already kicking down the door for 2021. With her latest album "Romeo" gaining a huge buzz online and building a heavy presence in the streets,…
In latest video, King Von is "Armed & Dangerous"
While all of us mourn King Von's loss, his team continues to ensure that his name remains alive by releasing various cuts that were recorded before he passed away. Recently, fans got to witness a new video from him, for…
Dr. Dre Hospitalized For Brain Aneurysm! Recovering Well.
Prayers up for Dr. Dre! According to TMZ, Dre was rushed to Cedars-Sinae Medical Center in LA yesterday (Jan. 4th) for a brain aneurysm. He was taken into ICU and…
Tyla Yaweh, Gunna + Wiz Khaifa Share Music Video For "All The Smoke"
Today, Tyla Yaweh begins his biggest year yet with the release of his supersonic new music video for "All The Smoke" featuring Gunna and Wiz Khalifa. Watch the clip, directed by Chris Villa (Tyla,…
King Von's Estate Releases Autobiographical Music Video
King Von's estate shares the video for "Armed & Dangerous," directed by Jerry Production. Produced by Chopsquad DJ, "Armed & Dangerous" is a showcase for the late rapper's gripping vocal delivery and gift…
Nyck Caution – "Bad Day" ft. Denzel Curry
He's usually easygoing, but you don't want to catch Pro Era rapper Nyck Caution on a bad day. Letting out his aggression with help from Denzel Curry, Nyck Caution shares "Bad Day," his new single. Tag-teaming atop…
Rep. Cori Bush seeks GOP members' expulsion if they incited "domestic terror attack"
There are plans underway, to introduce a new bill that Rep. Cori Bush is spearheading, which would expel every Republican member of Congress who chose to partake in the incitement of…
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
Upcoming Philadelphia Artists H20 Hadd talks new music, growing as an artist and more!
Don't miss out on new posts
Get hip to the latest rap, hip-hop, urban, pop, indie news and releases coming out of the UK. Follow us on our gram @uk.hiphop.talk
HIP HOP GOSSIP
COPYRIGHT © 2020. UK HIP HOP TALK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Hey Before You Go…!
Let's Make This Official
Get our latest content straight into your inbox before everyone else!