PROF: Ray Charles, Bunker Bowling Alleys & Karate Championships

Let’s hop right into this latest single / video, “PACK A LUNCH,“ FEATURING REDMAN — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

Honestly, about as boring and normal a way as a song could get made. I made the beat, liked it, and rapped on it. I like to go on walks and listen to my work in progress to critique it, and while I was walking around “YOU NEED REDMAN ON THIS TRACK” just popped into my head. At that same moment, I saw Doc running out of a burning building with seven or eight medium sized children in his arms. He kept going in and out of this apartment complex dropping new children off, and when he was done he walked up to me and said, “Yoooo, Prof, I’m a huge fan, we should do a track together someday.” The rest is history.

Of course “ PACK A LUNCH” comes courtesy of your forthcoming solo LP, HORSE — Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you?

I never felt stronger or more in control over my career /destiny than now. Brute force, speed, power…the way me and my company – Stophouse – have set myself up to succeed as an independent artist in this industry, it’s going to be an interesting ride. Also, I been a workhorse and built where I’m at brick by brick over a LONG time…Horse seemed fitting.

How then does HORSE either differ and / or compare to previous PROF entries?

It’s a bit more angry and fast than the last few releases. And better. It’s better than my last couple.

HORSE is a Stophouse Music Group release — What are your future plans and / or goals for the imprint? And who all else, besides yourself of course, currently makes up its artist roster?

Right now, the whole company is geared and focused on my success because that has proven to be the best investment of time and money. But I would love to eventually start signing more artists to the label. My dream is to make the world’s 1st record label COUP. If we can get artists who have proven they can grow and earn for Stophouse, I would love to eventually give out ownership of the company to artists. That’s an idea I’ve been thinking about for a long ass time, and probably shouldn’t have said that here…but we’ll see if anyone copies that.

As an emcee, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw your inspiration from?

Those YouTubers who film themselves giving money to homeless people. And…Jake Paul maybe.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Jacob “Jake” Anderson?

I went to a unique school in the ‘hood where every kid had to choose a musical instrument, and take classes on that shit. I suppose that was where it all started. Either that, or that time Ray Charles adopted me and forced me to rap for his love and respect.

Now you’re a native of MINNEAPOLIS, MN, correct? So growing up in ‘The Twin Cities,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Southern rap. Goodie Mob, OutKast. “Soul Food” was the first song I memorized every word to.

In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

Honestly out of every rapper out, and that’s been out, I have the hardest time classifying my OWN shit! Lol.. My biggest tracks are obviously my upbeat joints I got videos for, but if you do even some light diggin’ into me you’ll find I got super deep, dark songs out as well. I have blues tracks out there, trap sounding shit, dumb shit, purple tracks, green tracks; its all in there. I’m a complex human filled with contradictions, I need a wide variety of sounds and emotions to express who I am. But if I had to classify my shit to get placed in a Sam Goody, I would probably say “screamo emo-core” or some shit like that.

Where does your moniker originally derive from?

Dumb shit. I hate my dumb ass rap name.

Switching gears here…

Hell yeah!

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?

Methamphetamines and anger.

What do you want people to get from your music?

Whatever they lookin’ for.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?

Eh…sure. It’s enough out there these days where if you try hard enough you can find some brilliant shit. You just have to sift through a few thousand pounds of dog shit to get there.

Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

I want to build bunker bowling alleys for billionaire doomsday preppers.

To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

I don’t have those. Rosario Dawson posting my shit wasn’t a bad moment I guess.

What’s an average day like for you?

Wake up at 4 am, jump in an ice cold water tornado. 4:15, workout with The Rock. 6:00, eat a few kids. 7:00, business meetings. 8:00, get out of the ice cold water tornado. 9:00am-3:00pm, fornicate with an ovulating woman. 3-6:00pm, write to all my penpal serial killers. 6-8:00, hula-hoop training. 8-10:00pm, pets dogs. 10-4:00am, relax, smoke Virginia Slims and drink cocktails.

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

As much disrespect as possible. Do research, make insults as personal as possible.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

Favorite part, using art as therapy to get a better understanding of who I am. Using art as a vessel to help me get through tough times…and, honestly, just the act of creating something. Something that didnt exist in this universe, and POOF a spark in this infinite dark universe. It’s Godly to me, and gives me incredible fulfillment. Least favorite part, bullying my fans. It’s very draining, but it’s best if I do it myself.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Follow MY footsteps? Jesus Christ, don’t! Lol.

Lastly, what’s next for PROF?

I have to learn how to make bowling alleys.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

You never ONCE mentioned my karate championship titles. Not one.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

If any reader has labored their way through this God awful interview I’ve given, let me leave you with just one quick thought: eating corn on the cob through a picket fence. Cheers, Mike…