Def Jamâs Young Gun TJ Porter Talks Representing for Harlem, Having a âCelebrityâ Manager, His Sentimental New Single âDo You Careâ and Upcoming Debut Album Voice Of the Trenches
Def Jam Records is in something of a youth revolution. The most iconic label in hip-hop history may be turning 35 this year, but it has its eyes newly fixed on the future, with some seventeen newly signed artists set to showcase on next monthâs release of Undisputed, a compilation recorded over several days last November in Los Angeles. Front and center among the Undisputed lineup is Harlem, New Yorkâs latest ambassador to the music world, 18 year old TJ Porter, who in only a couple of years in the game has begun to serve notice of his intention to follow in the formidable footsteps of the greats that put his neighborhood on the rap map, including Mase, Dipset and ASAP Mob. The young MC has versatility on his side: early singles, like 2017âs âTrust Issuesâ, âQuiet Stormâ and âCanât Waitâ offered bar spitting life lessons; last fallâs Pregame, his release first with Def Jam, found TJ in melodic mode â celebratory on the breakout âGlowinâ Upâ and boastful on âTrickyâ; while his most recent EP, No DisturbanceÂ, released only two weeks ago, goes dark on âThe Donâ, admits to relationship infidelity in âCheatedâ, and claps back at doubters on âŠ