Artist description Tamar Lamont Porter was born to Tammye Lynette Howard and Darrick Lamont Porter on the fourth day of December 1981, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Tamar is th second eldest out of four children. While living in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the tender age of ten, Tamar wrote his first rap. He was influenced by hip-hop artist such as LL Cool J, NWA, Public Enemy, Rakim, EPMD, Ice T, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, amoungst various other artist. Music was Tamar's life, but at home he also had to deal with much tougher problems, such as his mother's struggling addictions with crack cocaine. At the age of eleven, Tamar moved to Muskegon, MI in search of a better life. Things weren't much different because his father had the same addiction as his mother, but Muskegon did have something else that Kalamazoo didn't. Muskegon has an annual festival in the festival in the park talent show, which allows local people from all ages to showcase their talents and win prizes. Tamar thought it would be a great opportunity to showcase some of his new rap material, so he asked his cousin to join him in the talent show. His cousin agreed. They both performed together. Although their first time wasn't good, Tamar recognized his talents and knew all he had to do was create a style and sound that was totally new to Muskegon as well as the world. In about two or three years later, Tamar decided to rap in front of the public eye again. Tamar felt he knew what the people wanted and that was a show. With the help of his cousins Larry Porter and Paul Dye and a girl by the name of Candice Madison, Tamar formed a group that called themselves the Terrible 2. The idea was to make Tamar and Larry the front men for the group. They wrote the songs, Paul produced and recorded most of the songs, while Candice sang the catchy hooks. Tamar thought is was also time for a better stage name for himself, so he changed it from Sweet T to T-D.O.G meaning Tamar-Dee-Original-Gangster, which in a nutshell explains the life he lived. Now with his new formula the Terrible 2 took Muskegon by storm, winning two competitions in the same year and month. The Terrible 2 continued to do shows throughout Muskegon and other neighboring cities. Tamar thougt for sure he and his group were on their way to stardom, but the parents thought differently. Paul and Larry's parents had other plans for their sons and rap music wasn't an option. Candice mother thought her daughter wasn't good for the group, so she pulled her out. Stuck with himself and songs he and his cousin wrote, Tamar was left with a decision of either allowing his dream of becoming a successful rapper to persih or pursuing a solo rap career. Now at the age of twenty, T-D.O.G has stuck with his rap fundamentals of uptempo beats, with catchy hooks and a style that is new and unique from any other rappers in the world. Believing in what he does and continuing his dream has gotten him the opportunity to open for popular recording artist such as Donnel Jones, Mobb Deep, Black Rob, Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony, G-Dep, Skee-lo, Melvin Riley, also comedians Kenny Howell, Tony Sculfied, and Mr. McGriff. T-D.O.G continues his quest for super stardom as one of hip-hop's most respected artists. T-D.O.G knows it will not be easy, but he sticks with his personal motto, "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST THAT STRENGHTENS ME," and that helps him get through any challenge.

Music Style my own

Musical Influences various

Similar Artists none

Location Muskegon, Michigan - USA

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