# Prof (rapper)
**Prof** is the stage name of Jacob Lukas Anderson, an American rapper, singer, and record producer based in [Minneapolis](https://www.edgepedia.org/minneapolis), Minnesota. He released his first full-length album, *Project Gampo*, in 2007 and has since released five additional albums and three EPs, first on his own imprint, Stophouse Music Group, then on Rhymesayers Entertainment, and later again on Stophouse.[1](https://www.proseandconcerts.com/artist/prof) • [13](https://www.reggieslive.com/band/prof/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Real name / stage name | Jacob Lukas Anderson, known as Prof, and to fans as King "Gampo"[1](https://www.proseandconcerts.com/artist/prof) • [2](https://artsfuse.org/271752/rap-album-review-profs-horse-carrying-minneapolis-on-your-back-aint-easy/) |
| Based in | Minneapolis, Minnesota[1](https://www.proseandconcerts.com/artist/prof) |
| First album | *Project Gampo* (2007); five additional albums and three EPs have followed[1](https://www.proseandconcerts.com/artist/prof) |
| Labels | Rhymesayers Entertainment (signed December 3, 2013); Stophouse Music Group (his own imprint)[3](https://rhymesayers.com/blogs/news/rhymesayers-entertainment-signs-prof) |
| Breakout charts | *Horse* (April 14, 2023) reached #2 Current Rap Album, #1 Heatseekers Album, #8 Top Billboard Album, and #17 Independent Album in its first week[4](https://www.profgampo.com/about) |
| Latest album | *GOOD TIME BOY*, 16 tracks, due June 26, 2026 on Stophouse Music Group[4](https://www.profgampo.com/about) |
| Known for | Energetic live shows and a blend of down-to-earth humor and social commentary[2](https://artsfuse.org/271752/rap-album-review-profs-horse-carrying-minneapolis-on-your-back-aint-easy/) |
## Minneapolis beginnings and Rhymesayers
Prof grew up on the South Side of Minneapolis and came up alongside the city's hip-hop scene.[5](https://www.aaemusic.com/artist/prof/) Before signing with a label he had already put out three self-released albums and three mixtapes of exclusive material, and had built a reputation through a live show described by Rhymesayers as a spectacle.[6](https://rhymesayers.com/blogs/news/prof-new-video-and-liability-album-pre-order-now) His first full-length album, *Project Gampo*, appeared in 2007.[1](https://www.proseandconcerts.com/artist/prof)
Rhymesayers [Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/entertainment), the Minneapolis independent hip-hop label behind [Atmosphere](https://www.edgepedia.org/atmosphere), Brother Ali, and [Aesop Rock](https://www.edgepedia.org/aesop-rock), signed him on December 3, 2013, releasing the song "The Reply" to mark the occasion.[3](https://rhymesayers.com/blogs/news/rhymesayers-entertainment-signs-prof) His label debut *Liability* arrived on October 16, 2015, with guest appearances from Tech N9ne, Waka Flocka Flame, and Petey Pablo and production credits including Ant (Atmosphere) and Aesop Rock.[6](https://rhymesayers.com/blogs/news/prof-new-video-and-liability-album-pre-order-now) In 2012, the local paper City Pages had already named him to its list of Minnesota's 20 best rappers.[1](https://www.proseandconcerts.com/artist/prof)
## The 2020 split and independent success
**Powderhorn Suites.** In June 2020, a month after the murder of [George Floyd](https://www.edgepedia.org/george-floyd) plunged Minneapolis into unrest, Rhymesayers dropped Prof one day before *Powderhorn Suites*, his album celebrating his home neighborhood, was slated for release.[2](https://artsfuse.org/271752/rap-album-review-profs-horse-carrying-minneapolis-on-your-back-aint-easy/) The label cited lyrics and social media posts deemed misogynistic, plus allegations of abusive and predatory behavior.[7](https://www.allmusic.com/album/horse-mw0003982031) According to a detailed retrospective in The Arts Fuse, the label also cited his association with a DJ accused of sexual misconduct, whom Prof had fired several years earlier and whose conduct he said he had not known about; management's full reasoning was never explained publicly, and Prof has apologized for the lyrics and public statements.[2](https://artsfuse.org/271752/rap-album-review-profs-horse-carrying-minneapolis-on-your-back-aint-easy/)
He released *Powderhorn Suites* himself on Stophouse Music Group, and the album reached the [Top 40](https://www.edgepedia.org/top-40) of the [Billboard](https://www.edgepedia.org/billboard-magazine) 200.[7](https://www.allmusic.com/album/horse-mw0003982031) Through Stophouse he manages every part of his career, from releases and visuals to tour production and merchandising.[8](https://www.proftour.org/) Critics noted the album's mixed reception: on the aggregate site Album of the Year it holds a user score of 53 out of 100, with reviews split between praise for its energy and criticism of its writing.[9](https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/295588-prof-powderhorn-suites/user-reviews/)
## *Horse* and the chart peak
*Horse*, his sixth album and first full-length entirely after the split, was released on April 14, 2023. Its commercial and critical fortunes went well beyond his prior releases: it reached a career-high #2 on Billboard's Current Rap Albums chart, #1 on the Heatseekers and Emerging Artists charts, #8 on the Top Billboard Albums chart, and #17 among Independent Albums in its debut week.[4](https://www.profgampo.com/about) AllMusic's review (by Paul Simpson, who has written widely on rap and popular music for the outlet) credited his slippery flows and offbeat, sometimes self-deprecating humor, pointing to the [Method Man](https://www.edgepedia.org/method-man) feature "Subpar" ("I'm doing subpar, how are you?") and noting that the album's serious, introspective tracks, such as "Heaven" and "Tombstones," arrive toward the end.[7](https://www.allmusic.com/album/horse-mw0003982031) The Arts Fuse review highlighted "Louisiana," a song addressing racial inequality, police brutality, and the unrest that followed Floyd's murder, alongside the rowdy anthems of the first half.[2](https://artsfuse.org/271752/rap-album-review-profs-horse-carrying-minneapolis-on-your-back-aint-easy/)
## Personas and style
Prof's best-known persona, King "Gampo," takes its name from slang he and his friends used for something really crazy or wild, inspired by a childhood friend of the same name.[10](https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2012_01_kinggampo.html) The Arts Fuse traces the persona visually to [Harmony Korine](https://www.edgepedia.org/harmony-korine)'s 1997 film *Gummo* and its depiction of white Midwestern poverty, and notes a second adopted title, "Kaiser Von Powderhorn," a homage to Minneapolis's traditionally diverse and progressive Powderhorn district.[2](https://artsfuse.org/271752/rap-album-review-profs-horse-carrying-minneapolis-on-your-back-aint-easy/) Reviewers consistently describe a rowdy, hedonistic stage presence paired with comedic, occasionally self-deprecating lyricism, moving between crass party material and more serious songs about death, poverty, and his city.[7](https://www.allmusic.com/album/horse-mw0003982031) • [2](https://artsfuse.org/271752/rap-album-review-profs-horse-carrying-minneapolis-on-your-back-aint-easy/)
## *Good Time Boy* and 2026 touring
Prof's eighth studio album, *GOOD TIME BOY*, is due out on Stophouse Music Group on June 26, 2026, and contains 16 tracks.[4](https://www.profgampo.com/about) Its announced features include T-Pain on "Jewelry Duty," That Mexican OT and 2 Chainz on "Big Dog," and E-40 on "Brrrr," with Pete & Bas, JonRay, and Sauce Walka also appearing; the album was produced by Prof alongside a small group of close collaborators.[4](https://www.profgampo.com/about) A 12-city headline tour follows in fall 2026, hitting The Armory in Minneapolis, Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, and the Factory in St. Louis.[4](https://www.profgampo.com/about) The announced routing runs from [Oklahoma City](https://www.edgepedia.org/oklahoma-city) on October 22 through a two-night Minneapolis stand on November 6 and 7, both final shows listed as sold out on his site, with a September 28 Los Angeles date supporting [Jack White](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-white).[11](https://www.profgampo.com/tour) His own promotional material counts more than 1.5 billion streams and over five million social media followers, and his fans call themselves "Gampos."[12](https://www.musicmetricsvault.com/artists/prof/1LyTmnoxLipUwTEHWSRziG)
## References
1. [Prof, Prose & Concerts artist page](https://www.proseandconcerts.com/artist/prof)
2. [Jeremy Ray Jewell (April 21, 2023). Rap Album Review: Prof's "Horse", The Arts Fuse](https://artsfuse.org/271752/rap-album-review-profs-horse-carrying-minneapolis-on-your-back-aint-easy/)
3. [Rhymesayers Entertainment signs PROF! (December 3, 2013), Rhymesayers Entertainment](https://rhymesayers.com/blogs/news/rhymesayers-entertainment-signs-prof)
4. [About, ProfGampo.com (official site)](https://www.profgampo.com/about)
5. [Prof Artist Profile, AAE Music](https://www.aaemusic.com/artist/prof/)
6. [Prof - New Video and Liability Album - Pre Order Now! (July 24, 2015), Rhymesayers Entertainment](https://rhymesayers.com/blogs/news/prof-new-video-and-liability-album-pre-order-now)
7. [Prof: *Horse* review by Paul Simpson, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/horse-mw0003982031)
8. [PROF tickets, tour dates & schedule, Prof Tour](https://www.proftour.org/)
9. [Prof - Powderhorn Suites user reviews, Album of The Year](https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/295588-prof-powderhorn-suites/user-reviews/)
10. [Steve 'Flash' Juon (January 2012). Prof :: King Gampo, RapReviews](https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2012_01_kinggampo.html)
11. [Tour, ProfGampo.com (official site)](https://www.profgampo.com/tour)
12. [Prof - Spotify Statistics & Monthly Listeners, Music Metrics Vault](https://www.musicmetricsvault.com/artists/prof/1LyTmnoxLipUwTEHWSRziG)
13. [PROF - Reggies Chicago](https://www.reggieslive.com/band/prof/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › Transnational genre scenes › Hip hop scenes worldwide › Artists, groups, and people: Hip hop scenes worldwide › Midwest rap (Chicago and Detroit/Michigan)*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license