Travis Porter

Originally formed in 2006 as the Hard Hitters, the trio officially switched to the enigmatic moniker Travis Porter in 2008. MCs Ali (Lakeem Mattox), Quez (Donquez Woods), and Strap (Harold Duncan) grew up together in Decatur, Georgia, and formed the band with the hope of taking over the rap world from the underground up. The irreverent crew began to cultivate a strong Internet presence, releasing videos through its YouTube page and releasing four mixtapes, Who Is Travis Porter?, I’m a Differenter, I’m a Differenter 2, and Streets R’Us, in 2009. Travis Porter caused some controversy that year when they inadvertently released a Roscoe Dash single they did a guest spot on, “All the Way Turnt Up,” on one of their own tapes. Dash eventually re-recorded the song with Soulja Boy and released the new version the following year. After releasing three more mixtapes, Proud 2 Be a Problem, I Am Travis Porter, and Differenter Gang, in 2010, Travis Porter found themselves being courted by labels hoping to bring them to a larger audience. They eventually decided to sign with Jive near the end of 2010, but the label would be closed in 2011 by its parent company, RCA. The group’s debut album, From Day 1, finally arrived in 2012 on RCA with productions from Diplo, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, and others. ~ Gregory Heaney