Prof

Biography

Jacob Lukas Anderson (born April 29, 1984), better known by his stage name Prof, is an American rapper, singer, and record producer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He released his first full-length album, Project Gampo, in 2007 and has since released six additional albums and three EPs. In 2012, City Pages named Prof on their list of Minnesota's 20 best rappers. He was formerly signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Early life

Jacob "Jake" Anderson grew up in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis, an area that would later be referenced in his musical works. His mother, Colleen, had a rocky relationship with his father, who suffered from bipolar disorder and was physically abusive. She would later divorce Anderson's father and move away, taking Anderson's three older sisters with her.
During his formative years, Anderson developed a "comedic, dirty-mouthed rap persona" that he named "Gampo," after a childhood friend. Anderson graduated from Minneapolis South High School in 2002.

Career

Prior to achieving broader recognition, Prof cultivated a substantial local following through consistent independent music releases and energetic live performances. In the mid-2000s, he frequently performed at the Dinkytowner bar alongside his partner and hype man, Rahzwell. It was a period crucial for refining his performance skills and establishing a direct connection with audiences.
It was during this time that he met Mike Campbell, who would become his manager. Together with Dillon Parker, Anderson and Campbell co-founded Stophouse Music Group, an independent record label and studio based in northeast Minneapolis that would serve as Prof's primary creative and distribution platform for much of his career. Through Stophouse, Prof released early projects, including the 2006 collaborative album Absolutely with Rahzwell, followed by his first solo album, Project Gampo, in 2007. Other independent works from this period include 2009's Recession Music with St. Paul Slim, 2011's King Gampo (2011), and the Kaiser Von Powderhorn EP series (2008, 2010, 2012), which further solidified his local reputation.
His growing prominence in the local scene was formally acknowledged in 2012 when City Pages included him among Minnesota's top 20 rappers, noting his musical versatility, vocal ability, and capacity to engage audiences. Conversely, musician and critic Dwight Hobbes of the Twin Cities Daily Planet asserted that Prof's 2011 album, King Gampo, was "asinine, narcissistic self-indulgence run completely riot, without a shred of redeeming artistry" and "rap at its worst".

Rhymesayers

The success of his independent endeavors eventually drew the attention of Rhymesayers Entertainment, a prominent independent hip-hop label known for artists such as Atmosphere. In 2010, Prof was part of Rhymesayers' "Welcome to Minnesota" tour.
Prof signed with Rhymesayers on December 3, 2013, representing a pivotal moment in his career—providing him with a larger platform while allowing him to maintain creative control. The announcement, which coincided with the release of his single "The Reply," signaled increased national attention for his work.
In May 2015, Prof announced his debut record on Rhymesayers, entitled Liability. Prof released a single called "Ghost" from the album. Liability was released October 16, 2015, and peaked at 141 on the Billboard 200 chart November 7, 2015.
On February 20, 2018, Prof announced he would be releasing a new album, titled Pookie Baby, on April 13, 2018. The themes within Pookie Baby reflected a new perspective influenced by injuries sustained from extensive touring, leading to a more nuanced sound. On September 6, 2019, Prof premiered a music video for his song titled "Cousins" featuring Saint Paul, Minnesota rapper, Cashinova.
On April 29, 2020, Prof released his first single, "Squad Goals", from his newly announced album Powderhorn Suites that was due to be released on June 26.
However, on June 25, 2020, Rhymesayers dropped Prof from their label, stating that they "failed to not only vet the signing of Prof but also calling into question the intentions behind his music, messaging, and content more strongly". The label's statement specifically referenced "misogynistic lyrics and social media posts" and "accusations of sexual misconduct" as factors in their decision. Rhymesayers further intended to cease the release of Powderhorn Suites to the extent that they could given the imminent release date.
This event generated considerable discussion within the hip-hop community. Prof publicly addressed the situation in subsequent interviews and through his music, acknowledging past behaviors, expressing remorse, and indicating a commitment to personal growth and accountability.

Independent again

On October 22, 2020, Prof announced the re-release of Powderhorn Suites by his Stophouse Music Group record label and premiered a music video for the song "Animal Patrol" from the album. Powderhorn Suites was released by Stophouse Music Group on November 13, 2020. Prof premiered a music video for his Powderhorn Suites song "Outside Baby" the same day of the album's release. On November 20, 2020, Powderhorn Suites peaked at 36 on the Billboard 200, marking a significant achievement for an independent artist.
Horse, was released via Stophouse Music Group on April 14, 2023, and achieved notable independent chart success, ranking as the #2 Current Rap Album, #1 Heatseekers Album, #1 Emerging Artist Album, #8 Top Billboard Album, and #17 Independent Album on the Billboard charts. Horse includes collaborations with artists such as Method Man, Kevin Gates, and Redman.
Prof's most recent album Good Time Boy was released via Stophouse on June 26, 2026. The album includes collaborations with T pain, E-40, 2 Chainz, UK rap duo Pete & Bas, Texas-based rappers That Mexican OT and Sauce Walka, and Minneapolis-based hip-hop artist JonRay.

Live performances

In May 2013, he performed as a last-minute substitute for Busta Rhymes at the Soundset Music Festival with only an hour's notice. Prof has been one of the few Minneapolis rap acts (in addition to Doomtree and several Rhymesayers artists) who are capable of selling out the city's famed First Avenue Mainroom, and the only to do so without the backing of Minnesota Public Radio station 89.3 The Current.
In 2015, to further enhance his touring capabilities, Prof secured the representation of William Morris.