Professional Rapper is a landmark album of sorts for John Reuben. Known for his fun-filled Christian hip-hop that appealed to churched eighth graders everywhere, Reuben has done the musical version of a complete 180. Professional Rapper finds Reuben developing a much more serious persona, dropping heavy beats to accompany a suddenly more intense, and at times bluntly sarcastic, subject matter. Not to worry though. Despite his turn to the darker side, Reuben still raps a family-friendly assortment of G-rated holy hip-hop that never waters down the essential message he is on a mission for the Creator.
The album kicks off right away with the grooving "Move" where Reuben most confidently tells us "I'm in the mood to not just do the typical/I'm in the mood to not just follow ritual/Even at the risk of being dissed and facing ridicule." "Move" sets the tone for Professional Rapper and serves notice that Reuben might not make everyone happy with his message. On the old-school inspired record-scratch fest "Re-Record," Reuben further vents with sarcastic wit about the fecklessness of his critics and his indifference to their pompous outlook, "I'm so ahead of myself I'm in retirement/Where me and my friends are chilling hardcore/Sipping decaf coffee and playing shuffleboard."
He further dwells on topics such as the fragility of life in the clarion call "Life is Short." Over blaring horns and with Toby Mac of DC Talk chiming in on background vocals, Reuben proclaims the need to revel in life, yet to also remember not to waste it. Another theme that is sure to raise the ire of some Christians is brought forth in his "I Have No Opinion" in which he expresses frustration with the rigidity of church culture:
Mid-west perspective, mid-west approach to life, American church, American Jesus Christ
The dos and don'ts, the wrongs and rights
The facts of life aren't always black and white
But when it's all said and done, at the end of the day
I'm trusting God to guide me through the gray.
The album highlight is the soothingly depressing "I Haven't Been Myself" featuring Adrienne Liesching (formerly of the sadly defunct Benjamin Gate) spicing up the moody mix with her euphonious vocals. On this track, Reuben finds himself at the apex of his vocal delivery with his sincere and sentimental philosophizing on the sometimes impossible task of moving on with life.
Despite the often-somber tone of Professional Rapper, Reuben still has some tongue-in-cheek fun with tracks such as "Treats" and the aforementioned "Move."
Weak spots on this album? At some points, Reuben's lyrics are almost overwhelmed by the heavy, intense beats. A little better mixing in the control room would have solved that problem.
Quibbles aside, Professional Rapper succeeds in transitioning the career of Reuben. He will gain new fans that should be drawn to a more serious, mature message. Old fans will be happy with the diverse sound and the fact Reuben maintains his humor in the face of confronting difficult subject matter.
3.5 tocks
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