When their ubiquitous single “Make It Rain” hit the airwaves in December 2010, all eyes were on Travis Porter. The Atlanta rap trio — Ali, Quez, and Strap — became instant up-and-comers as rap fans waited to see what smashes they would come out with next. A few months later, the high-energy band dropped “Bring It Back," a follow up success, and it looked like the group was well on their way.

Well, it’s been more than a year since the popularity of those two singles, and the group has finally released their debut album From Day 1 today [May 29] after numerous false starts. While the threesome adequately provides listeners with their signature rowdy, club-friendly melodies and strip club anthems, there are moments on the 14-track LP that suggest they are in search of the momentum that initially propelled them into the spotlight.

With songs reminiscent of early New Orleans bounce music, it is obvious that Travis Porter is playing to their party-enthused fan base on the early part of the album. Harkening back to the late '90s/early 2000s musical styling of Mystikal and Juvenile on “Wobble,” it is in such moments that the trio shines. You can further appreciate the band staying true to their winning formula on the boisterous “Pop a Rubber Band” and the libidinous “P---y Real Good,” featuring 2 Chainz. If you’re not of appropriate age and the latter makes you blush, it’s best that you make sure to purchase the clean version of the LP, as the “explicit content” warning certainly applies.  

Though the trio undoubtedly sounds comfortable offering their rebellious party cuts and hot sex tales on a platter, they struggle to create mainstream, radio-ready material. It’s safe to say that after making their name in ATL’s underground mixtape circle and working the southern chitlin’ circuit, Travis Porter is not ready to go commercial. Listeners can quickly notice the major label cookie-cutter blueprint tracks like the Mac Miller-assisted “Bouncing Like (Whoa)” and “That Feeling” featuring Mike Posner came from. Where those two tracks fall short on their mission to attract a new level of Travie Porter fans, the Jeremih-assisted “Ride Like That” strikes a happy medium for the TP die-hards and mainstream newcomers.

Overall, From Day 1 was well worth the almost two-year wait. It’s clear that Travis Porter is still adjusting to major label life as they toe the line between the ATL strip club and the mainstream arena. The talented trio shows the ability to eventually find the balance which suits their growing fan base. If they continue to put in the hard work to hone their craft, the payoff for those who stuck by them since day one will be worth it.

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(Photo: RCA Records)