Richmond-based rapper, Tim Porter got a few nice shout outs from New York hip hop magazine The Source.
Richmond-based rapper, Tim Porter got a few nice shout outs from New York hip hop magazine The Source. He was featured in March for his new album Coming Soon and again just a few days ago for his newly released song entitled, “We Are Not Villains.”
The song is an anthem for marginalized peoples. “We Are Not Villains” condemns respectability, politics, religious conscience acts and celebrities who forgot where they came from. Here’s an excerpt from the new track:
“Ya big cars, ya white wife, ya lil fame,
Don’t change the fact that you can still be slain,
Even if you in a Benz, you still a nigga, in a coup”
In the June article, The Source breaks down the inspiration behind “We are Not Villians.”
“I never realized how much it was affecting me. Even when I’m around police now, I feel an anxiety that I’ve never felt before,” said Porter. “I don’t think it’s necessarily happening more often now than it was before, but with the emergence of social media it’s more amplified.”
The article goes on to explain how the track uses racial discrimination as its “launchpad.”
“This ain’t about race
“This is war against the youth
Eliminated by the people
we payin taxes to”
The Richmond native proves what The Source concluded when the magazine profiled him Richmond native, back in March, following the release of his most recent album coming soon.
The article spoke about a certain awareness that Porter has. The following is an excerpt from The Source’s March 2015 article:
“Porter positions himself as an evolved rapper in the same thread as Kendrick Lamar and others who feel that their work should carry them, not the logo they have branded across their chest or belt.”
“His sound recalls the efficient production of 90’s golden era of rap, but his sensibility and content seem more inspired by his favorite modern-day rappers which also include Big Sean, Killa Mike and J. Cole. That combination of old-school vibes remixed with new-school spirit is a staple of artists gaining traction in Richmond, including Koncept Jacksonand Lyrix Anthony.”
In “We Are Not Villains,” he quotes Kanye West’s famous line from the 2004 single “All Falls Down,” off his first album The College Dropout. Even if you in a Benz, you still a nigga, in a coup,” Porter throws the words back at the rapper who went from rapping about how the government used crack to manipulate the Black community to needlessly degrading a Black woman to uplift his white wife.
The Source’s article praises the humility in Porter’s music based on his local background, differentiating him from most mainstream hip-hop artists.
Praising his lyricism and delivery, the article notes Porter’s individuality. This individuality, a style that is unique to Porter, is what causes listeners the latch on to Porter’s words. He tells stories that are his alone, and stays true to his roots while doing so.
Porter has the talent and delivery that makes him a real force within the music scene. His stories and topics are not only relevant, but also filled with a sense of pride. The article praises Porter’s hometown pride and concludes, that although Porter is immensely talented and the album could be his big break, that the artist isn’t worried about that.
“For Tim Porter, you get the sense that he’s after something a little more substantial than the effervescent glitter of fame,” the article stated. “If artistic conviction and unabashed hometown pride are any indication of success, then he may have already found it.”
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/timportersd/we-are-not-villians-final
Instagram: https://instagram.com/TimPorterSD
