Posted on 04/08/2008
For Project Gampo, Atlanta's Beatchefs find residence behind the cool, frosty flow of Minneapolis emcee, Prof. Prof borrows a little from the Eminem handbook, hinting at daddy issues and other domestic dysfunction, but for the majority of the album he expounds on random, carefree subject matter rather than elaborating on his personal pain. When Project Gampo scores, it's because the record doesn't try too hard to live up to any one genre or region, but if it weren't for the diverse beats mined by the Beatchefs, the project would be forgettable. The expected Southern claps are present, but the album sprinkles in some horns, grimier East Coast sounds ("Rocket Man") and more old school beats showcasing DJ scratches ("Lost Cause").

 

Prof's "City of Lakes" freestyle is pretty fun with beatboxing that sounds like Wu-Tang meets a frat boy cipher. His gruff voice is his strongest asset making any rhyme he spits kick with more impact. He doesn't settle for a nasally gimmick, but there isn't always enough meaning to justify his vocal antics. The silly subject matter wears thin by the end of the album, but Prof's exuberance in relaying his drunken, skirt-chasing escapades always sounds fresh.

 

Prof narrowly escapes the confines of the ‘White rapper' box by whipping out every trick in his arsenal, speedily rhyming over slow beats, stretching the limits of his baritone by singing and rapping - he even keeps the spirit of Ol' Dirty alive by complementing his verses with inane moans. Yet, if it weren't for his consistently lightweight lyrical content, he'd be dangerously close to worthy state-mate Brother Ali. It seems the trend for White rappers, instead of sounding like a watered-down Marshall Mathers, is to find a wordy, ambiguous flow akin to anyone on Def Jux or Rhymesayers. Project Gampo is caught between being a rapper trying, and failing, to be taken seriously and producers who just want to throw out bangers. At least if the Beatchefs had its way, the listeners would come out winners.

 

- Candace L.