There is no doubt that “Make It Rain” is the definitive contemporary Atlanta strip club classic. Anywhere in America, gentlemen’s clubs far and wide probably heard the simple yet overtly direct opening line of “You wanna see some ass, I wanna see some cash.” Thus, Travis Porter could be seen as early propagators of that scene nearly five years ago when their breakout single for their debut Travis Porter could be seen as early propagators of that scene nearly five years ago when their breakout single for their debut From Day 1 dropped. Ironically, members were Ali, Quez and Strap weren’t even legal drinking age when “Make It Rain” dropped.
Years later, the now three full grown men have essentially spent time out of the spotlight while dropping a slew of mixtapes. Last year, Travis Porter even released a project inspired by 2 Live Crew entitled 3 Live Krew. Not even a month into 2016, the Atlanta trio takes things back to the basics with 285. Based around the more known interstate highway in the area, it’s less hedonistic than previous efforts. However, those wanting the turn-up anthems like “Ayy Ladies.” Speaking with HipHopDX, Travis Porter discusses their fan base, what 285 represents in terms of reinventing themselves and their upcoming collaborative project with Bankroll Fresh.
Travis Porter Explains What “285” Represents
“285” is self-explanatory. We getting back to our roots and our roots are inside of 285. We’ve been doing a lot of traveling and international shows. We just had to come home and get back to the basics. That’s what the name stands for. I wouldn’t say we are all the way re-inventing ourselves, but we’re getting back to the roots. I remember we use to ride around “285” when we had a bucket. It’s about thinking on those couple of memories and a couple of good times. It was a great project. I don’t want to say boys to men. But, it’s a great display of progression. You may have to just ride around 285 to the mixtape” – Quez
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Growing Creatively Besides Their Fans
“I feel like we have a story to tell. We’ve worked with all types of people and producers like Diplo. We’ve dipped and dabbed into different types of music. I feel like it’s made us grow as men. Strap and Ali have kids. It’s really showing the growth over the years. It’s not necessarily older music but it’ll definitely catch that crowd. Earlier in our career, we use to make just straight party music strictly for the colleges. We’re a little bit older than that, but the college students can still groove to it. When we started doing shows and we realized our crowd kept getting younger and younger. We were like damn, I feel old as shit. I felt like our fans are getting younger as we get older. We still go perform for the kids as well as the adults.” – Quez
Describes Disappointment in “3 Live Krew” Reception
“I really feel like the 3 Live Krew mixtape was underrated last year. It didn’t get the exposure it was supposed to but those songs were hard. It didn’t do what it was supposed to do. The mixtape was supposed to bring back that old school Hip Hop feeling in terms of partying. It really didn’t catch the people. It’s cool. I feel as if 285 is more original. That’s probably why a lot of people didn’t catch on. A lot of the songs on 3 Live Krew were remakes or tracks done on old beats. This project should be way better.” – Strap
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Replacing Waka Flocka With Bankroll Fresh For “Streets R Us 2” & Not Fitting Into Contemporary Atlanta Hip Hop
“We have a project with Bankroll Fresh we’re working on which will be the sequel to Streets R Us. The first one was with Waka Flocka. Stay tuned for a lot more videos and music.We don’t fit in at all. We’re making our own lane and doing our own thing. What we did back then was our own thing. But, it seems like everyone sounds the same. It’s time to get back to our original basis which meant just being original.” – Strap
Travis Porter Praises Fetty Wap
“I feel like Hip Hop is at a cool place right now. They’re letting in artists who may not be rappers all the way in the traditional sense. Like Fetty Wap, they let him in. It wasn’t as hard as back in the day. When Fetty Wap came out, they were calling him a one-hit wonder before making hit after hit. I felt like people accepted him. Everything is at a good place right now. I feel like the turn-up thing is alright but the music is good now.” – Ali
