What makes Professional Rapper by John Reuben notable?

This album gained recognition for its unique take on hip-hop with Christian themes, helping to bridge the gap between mainstream and faith-based music. It received positive reviews from various publications and solidified Reuben's status as an influential artist within the Christian hip-hop community. By the time 'Professional Rapper' was released in 2003, John Reuben was already carving a niche for himself in the Christian hip-hop scene, following his breakthrough album 'Mood Enhancement' from 2001. This album represents a significant moment as it showcases his artistic growth and a more polished sound amid a burgeoning genre.

How many songs are on Professional Rapper?

Professional Rapper has 12 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Professional Rapper

John Reuben · 2003

43 min · 12 tracks · hip-hop

A playful blend of introspective lyrics and catchy hooks wrapped in vibrant hip-hop beats.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Move — The opening track sets a dynamic tone with its infectious energy and catchy chorus, encapsulating the album's upbeat spirit.
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I Haven't Been Myself — This track delves into personal struggles and self-reflection, highlighting Reuben's lyrical depth and vulnerability amidst catchy production.
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Life Is Short — With its contemplative lyrics about mortality, this song stands out for its poignant message delivered over engaging rhythms.
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Freedom to Feel — 'Freedom to Feel' showcases Reuben's ability to blend fun wordplay with deeper emotional themes, making it a memorable highlight on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends catchy hooks with introspective themes, showcasing a unique voice in Christian hip-hop.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower, more introspective songs.
Several tracks incorporate playful wordplay and humor in the lyrics, contrasting with deeper themes of self-reflection and faith.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Move 3:50
2 Have No Opinion? 3:17
3 I Haven't Been Myself 3:43
4 Life Is Short 4:10
5 Treats 3:22
6 Freedom to Feel 3:57
7 Time to Leave 3:52
8 Re-Record 3:28
9 Jammin' John & Mixin' Manny 1:29
10 All in All 3:24
11 5 Years to Write 5:06
12 Higher 3:35

What to play next

Listen next

So in Hindsight the Professional Rapper Isn't There Yet

2004

Go back to

Hindsight

2002

Full John Reuben discography Artists like John Reuben

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata