Professional Rapper
Funny guy John Reuben can rightfully claim the title of one of Christian music's first solo white rappers (aside from tobyMac). Initially dubbed an Eminem rip-off, Reuben had no trouble getting past that notion and winning the hearts of many fans with his first two releases, catapulting him to become Gotee's top-selling solo rap artist. Are We There Yet? and Hindsight helped him establish himself as an emcee with a sweet tooth for witty, sarcastic rhymes about himself, faith, life and ... himself.
Professional Rapper, his junior effort for Gotee, marks Reuben's debut as a self-producer, and the difference between this and previous material is noticeable. With the help of a couple of friends who happen to play instruments, many of the songs on Reuben's album has a distinct live hip-hop feel reminiscent of The Roots ("5 Years to Write") and a milder, sample-free version of Rage Against The Machine ("Freedom to Feel")—plus a dash of DJ touches in spots ("Have No Opinion?").
Though gone are the days of beaty, dance-ready numbers á la "Gather In" or "Up and At Them," a couple of new tracks could still be construed as such. First single "Move" is highly rhythmic, accentuated with a pulsating synth bassline and high-pitched guitar spikes. "Life Is Short" might be the only track that's strictly a banger—a definite party track featuring a memorable Mexican-styled trumpet and electric guitars with verses pointing to the brevity of life: "I'm well aware of my history / So I approach life a little more humbly / because being full of yourself will leave you empty."
The fun stuff is largely outnumbered by darker, more somber numbers that give us a glimpse into Reuben's mind and his struggles, questions and self-searching. The jazzy, live production and combo of sax, drums and bass of "All In All" serve as the perfect background for Reuben's musings about his purpose in life. "I Haven't Been Myself," another pensive track, features ethereal chants from Adrienne Camp (formerly Adrienne Liesching), complementing Reuben's earnest lines about his willingness to be real in a religion that—he complains—promotes fakeness and represses emotions.
Many of these songs are more meaningful than a number of Reuben's past fun songs combined. Despite the profundity and level of maturity of Professional Rapper, it's valid to point out that its density—both lyrical and musical—can come off as a little overbearing and tiresome. In this respect, the set could have benefited from a change of pace or a couple of those self-indulgent, silly anthems he's recognized for. All things considered, props to Reuben for stepping out in this instrument-based direction and for letting us know there's more depth to the rapper than meets the eye.
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This review is compliments of ChristianityToday.com/music by Andree Farias.
Originally published March 01, 2004.
