Prof & Rahzwell
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Prof & Rahzwell

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"5 out of 5 Stars Review of Prof & Rahzwell Sampler EP 2005"

Using terms you've never heard before with a juxtaposition of instruments and syncopated beats, Prof & Rahzwell definitely deliver what the midwest hip-hop scene has been waiting for. This EP is a blend of catchy melodies that add texture and flavor to expressive lyrics and instruments that test the boundaries of the genre.
Anyone who would skip over the opening track "And My Momma" is crazy! The beats are spicier than fresh basil, delivery is more than impressive and that harmonica is stunning. If someone actually is crazy enough to skip over the first track, the second "Heroes" is a subtle blend of brilliant rhymes that flow together so seamlessly, that it will not disappoint. The third track "Mic Terror" exhibits some of the best rhyming abilities on the album while the following track "BYOB" shocks and amazes you with the combination of beat-boxing and a flute. It is sure to shake up any dance party. At first listen "The Awakening" seems simplistic with it's combo of straight beats and filthy lyrics, but don't let that fool you. This song is still full of innovative lyricism with a smooth delivery that demonstrate the unstoppable flow of Prof. Lastly, "Sucker Free(style)" seems a great parody of the style of London based grage hip-hop artists, The Streets. It is because of this hysterical style and the lyrics within it that this track will make yo smile as well as make you laugh, all while your head is bouncin' or your foot is tappin'. This final track definitely makes you want more.

- Jessica Ibarra-MCAD Radio Minneapolis,MN


"Three Man Collection"

Three Man Collection
by Brady O'Rourke



“A lot of times, a lot of the shit comes out just from having fun,” said Rahzwell on his group's music. “For myself, I would rather celebrate things. I think it's very important that you pay respects to the problems you've had, and understand them and learn from the past, but on the ground level, I'm an optimist,” said Prof, who represents one third of the rap group Prof and Rahzwell.

They somehow manage to find that healthy balance. In the usually clear cut line between seriously toned emotional rap (which they aren't) and joke rapping, Prof and Rahzwell do it all in fun, and manage to do so without being right on the surface, or over the top.

The first track (entitled “Them Boys Is Back”) of the debut Prof and Rahzwell album, “Absolutely,” opens up and sets the tone early, as Prof confidently talks of his birth by emitting the line, “April 29 th '84, Colleen gave birth to a monster yo/Right out the vaginal canal, cartwheels across the room, already clownin' around/Spittin' clinical, umbilical chord syllables,” describing his first minute or so of life on this planet. And, well, the next 11,563,200 or so minutes haven't been much different than the first.

Just come along for the wild ride; you might just enjoy the professional quality clownin' around. That's exactly what Minneapolis rap group Prof and Rahzwell are all about; capturing the fun, and letting others join in on the party.

More importantly though, the opening track shows that the group has an undeniably fun sound, while still managing to flex and showcase the lyrical skill of both twenty-two year old South Minneapolis native MC's.

The three man collection, made complete by the pair of MC's known, as, well, Prof and Rahzwell, and Scarz (who acts as a DJ for live shows and adds scratches to the groups recorded work), looks to build on it's hometown beginnings at Minneapolis South High School, and advance forward assertively onto the music scene.

Through a chance meeting during a time of tragedy, “Me [Rahzwell] and Prof basically bonded on 9/11 ( September 11 th 2001 ),” remembers Rahzwell of the first actual meeting between the two MCs. “Yeah, 9/11 was the first time me and him really spoke,” continued Prof on the meeting between the two. “We were in physics toys class at South High. We were sitting next to each other, watching it all go down on the TV. And I was just like ‘what the fuck.' And I looked over at him, and he was like ‘I can't believe this.'”



Though all three attended South High, Scarz was a late addition to the faction, joining up following a chance meeting at a local show. “I booked them [Prof and Rahzwell] on a show. And I scratched for them, and they were like ‘we should do this all the time.' And that's basically how Prof and Rahzwell plus DJ Scarz happened,” said Scarz.

Rahzwell, however, did have some connections to Scarz' family from his high school days, as Scarz' mother was the school nurse at South. “She's fly too; I always used to go to the nurse's office. I'd stub my toe, be up in there all day long,” laughs Rahzwell of the early days.

For all three, the early days of their involvement in rap occurred well before the end of high school. In 7 th or 8 th grade Prof remembers participating on his school track team, running alongside a friend when the epiphany took place “We had nothing to do so I started free styling, and it was the first four bar real free style I've ever done, and it just came out, and it rhymed. I was so impressed.” Rahzwell cleverly added to that, “And you've loved yourself ever since.” Zing.

Following the trio's relatively eventful swagger through high school, Prof and Rahzwell officially formed during 2002, the summer following senior year, as the group began to record songs.

“Absolutely,” the debut disc from the group marks the last three or so years of songs that Prof and Rahzwell have put together, though they recorded far more tracks than the final twenty-two that appear on the album, a part of the process that they feel was worth the wait. “I think it's okay to be proud of yourself. I think we made the right decision to hold this out [the album “Absolutely”] for two, three, four years, then take the best of what we had,” said Prof.

Looking back now on the process of the album, the duo believes they have learned a lot from the few years of work, and are readier than ever to move ahead. “The whole experience of making this album, we learned so much. We're like, fuck, we want to get right back in there start plugging out another one right away,” said Rahzwell.

With the release of “Absolutely,” on Alamoyard Productions (a name given to the house where Prof and Rahzwell record due to its Spanish themed exterior) the twosome hope to establish further celebrity status, as if they could possibly get any more popular than they already are. “I got free Subway once,” laughs Prof. “That was the tightest.” - DUNATION.COM


"A-List Picks"

Prof & Rahzwell love beats the way opening locals on this bill love samples (Unknown Prophets) or hooks (Golden)—which is to say, with so much infectious zeal that you might underrate their flows, sped-up as they are to keep on top of that clacking bass drum. Four plays in, I still don't understand the Girl Scout track "Heroes of the North" ("sell them cookies"), but admire its bendable low end, which flashes between Miami bass and cut-time piano ska without losing a stepper. "Stay on Course" riffs on the "Locomotion" melody and soldier drills amid sincere-sounding background shouts, Paul Banyan references, and come-ons such as "Who do you think is your next senator?" slipped into the spiraling, Twista-like spitstorm. The name of the group's album on Alamo Yard Productions is Absolutely!, my answer if anyone asks whether they should cop this. With Unknown Prophets, Golden, and M.anifest. 18+. $8/$10 at the door. 8:00 p.m. —Peter S. Scholtes - City Pages


Discography

Absolutely! - 2006 (LP)
The Sampler Ep - 2005 (EP)
Currently Playing On:89.3 The Current, B96,770 Radio K and Radio MCAD

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Bio

The Alamo Yard Productions artists Prof & Rahzwell make up that south Minneapolis, mid-western,infectious party-rockin' movement. With songs that range from dealing with the death of a father,("Float") and party anthems concerned with drinking till ya drop ("Bubble Up"), these MC's hold down the good times and the bad. Prof started writing rhymes at a young age and was rocking a crowd by high school. Once he met Rahzwell, who added dark break-dancing furious beats and rhymes, they jumped on stage to enter the bubbling early venues such as, Bon Apetit and Loring Pasta Bar. After a debut sampler EP they teamed up with renowned midwest beatmaker/producer Uncle Sam. Sam added fresh new beats and live bass to compliment Prof & Rahzwell's already contagious form of hip-hop. After their debut album "Absolutely", Prof & Rahzwell went on tour establishing an even larger fanbase and top 40 radio play. Whether you like crunk dance music or sounds and hooks that remind you of your momma's home cookin', Prof & Rahzwell will no doubt deliver both, with a live show to match.

Prof & Rahzwell solely produces and writes everything that is put out by the group. www.profrahzwell.com

Press Review
A-List Picks
City Pages-Minneapolis,MN
Prof & Rahzwell love beats the way opening locals on this bill love samples (Unknown Prophets) or hooks (Golden)—which is to say, with so much infectious zeal that you might underrate their flows, sped-up as they are to keep on top of that clacking bass drum. Four plays in, I still don't understand the Girl Scout track "Heroes of the North" ("sell them cookies"), but admire its bendable low end, which flashes between Miami bass and cut-time piano ska without losing a stepper. "Stay on Course" riffs on the "Locomotion" melody and soldier drills amid sincere-sounding background shouts, Paul Banyan references, and come-ons such as "Who do you think is your next senator?" slipped into the spiraling, Twista-like spitstorm. The name of the group's album on Alamo Yard Productions is Absolutely!, my answer if anyone asks whether they should cop this. With Unknown Prophets, Golden, and M.anifest. 18+. $8/$10 at the door. 8:00 p.m. —Peter S. Scholtes