Surfacing

Each week the spotlight will be on musicians who are making a commercial breakthrough. -- Chris Lee

D4L

“Down for Life”

Asylum/Atlantic Records

Artist info: The Atlanta-based rap quartet’s major-label debut album jumped onto the national sales chart at No. 22 on Wednesday minus the trappings that have become nearly indispensable for hip-hop success -- that is, without the help of superstar producers, R&B; backup singers or A-list vocal cameos.

Back story: D4L’s singles, “Laffy Taffy” and “Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me,” went from underground mix-tape favorites to national hits based largely on strong word of mouth, solidly priming the pump for the new album.

Influences: The Legion of Doom DJs -- a group of Southern disc jockeys who perfected their trade at strip clubs.

Trivia: The four members of D4L -- shorthand for “Down for Life” -- grew up in different Atlanta housing projects. Although details of their backgrounds are hazy, they say they were street hustlers before forming the group two years ago.