Prof performs in The Current studio
by Sean McPherson and Prof
May 22, 2016
Jake Anderson, better known as Prof, has a reputation for being a party animal who can rap and also can put on a great live show. "I like to have fun, I'm a colorful dude," Prof says, "but I also go super deep; I go to some nasty places; sometimes that's not as shiny and package-able."
To get a sense of the depth of Prof's songs, one powerful example is "Myself," an autobiographical song from Prof's 2011 album, King Gampo. "It's therapeutic," Prof explains. "I have that kind of anger in me from tragic things that happened while I was growing up, so I just sat down for a week and cried and wrote songs like that."
Initially, Prof didn't want such a private song to ever be released, but, encouraged by a good friend who had a powerful reaction to the song, "Myself" not only ended up on Prof's record, it's become a staple of his live shows. Although it connects strongly with the audience, performing such a personal song doesn't always come easily. "There's real feelings there," Prof says, "where almost every single night, I have to go and be as depressed as I have ever been in my entire life with these people [in the audience]. It's really tough for me to get through it every day on the road."
Another tough circumstance facing Prof as he tours has been a back problem that made itself known during a live show. Since the injury, Prof has endured surgery and two physical rehabilitation regimens.
Despite the challenges, Prof's musical talent is augmented by a resiliency and unrelenting drive. "I'm just angry and competitive," he says. "If I was a basketball player, I would be on fire with competitiveness all the time. I can't stay at home; I've got to get out there. I've got to go; that's what it is."
As for the veracity of his party-animal reputation? Prof doesn't mind, as long as he's able to do what he loves. "Tell me the headline that's going to make me the most money, and I'll go with that," he says. "I'm doing my art; it is what it is and I'll never change it, I just want to make a living."
Use the audio player above to listen to the complete in-studio session, during which Prof also describes how his singing voice emerged as an important component of his work, and how he likes to craft sets for his live shows.
Prof will perform at Soundset 2016, which takes place Sunday, May 29, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Songs Performed
"Motel"
"Myself"
"Gasoline"
The songs "Motel" and "Gasoline" are from Prof's 2015 album, Liability, available on Rhymesayers; "Myself" is on Prof's 2011 album, King Gampo, released by Stophouse Music Group.
Hosted by Sean McPherson
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Corey Schreppel
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web feature by Luke Taylor
