Good Time Boy: Prof at His Finest, With a ‘Garden of Eden’ That Hits Straight to the Soul
Good Time Boy is the eighth studio album from American rapper Prof. Released this summer, I can honestly say I’ve had it on repeat! Even before I knew I’d be flying to America to see the man himself perform live, I was already living my life, completely vibing out to this entire album. So, as you can probably imagine, once I’d booked my ticket, I genuinely haven’t been able to go a single day without listening to at least one song from the album. That’s four months of uninterrupted listening!
A common opinion seems to be that this is Prof’s finest work yet, and I think I have to agree. My favourites have changed from ‘Good Time Boy’ (review – here) to ‘Kia Boy’, ‘Fighter’, ‘Kin’ and, most recently, ‘Brrrr’. Honestly, I just adore them all and would recommend this album to anyone who appreciates well-crafted hip hop.
I must give a special shoutout to ‘Garden of Eden’ — a track that, in my opinion, stands out as an emotional masterpiece, and one that Prof himself has stated is particularly close to his heart. The first time I listened to it, I cried. While other songs on the album, such as ‘A Crawl Through A Low Tide’, ‘Fighter’, ‘Reaching For Fire’ and ‘Imposter’, showcase the depth and emotion of Prof’s soul, there’s something about ‘Garden of Eden’ that just feels next level.
Eight Years a Prof Fan
I honestly don’t know where to start. Not only did I get to see my favourite rapper perform live, but I got to see him live in America! I’ve experienced my fair share of live music and the incredible atmosphere that each show so wonderfully brings, but this American rap concert was something else entirely. It was a completely new experience for me, and I loved every single second of it!
I’ve been listening to Prof for almost eight years now, and I’m a huge fan of his. His writing style, sense of humour, swag and personality all bring so much to the table, and his music is something I genuinely value in my life. So, to finally experience his energy live was nothing short of a dream come true.
With doors opening at 7pm, I arrived with plenty of time to find myself a spot with a view of the stage I was happy with. I’ve been to gigs with two support acts before the headliner, but never three support artists. Another first!
Can I Get a Hell Yeah!
Willie Wonka, Khantrast and Norman Sann all had an individual set opening for Prof. They had the audience in the palm of their hands, setting the mood and building anticipation as we waited for the big dog himself. However, with three support acts spanning two and a half hours, I can honestly say I was exhausted by 10pm.
But when Prof finally arrived on stage, a whole new lease of life flooded through me!
The Moment I’d Been Waiting For Finally Arrived
As Prof took his place on stage, my excitement shot through the roof. I was finally standing in front of him, about to experience the album that had been on repeat for months. And let me tell you, the adrenaline was real!
The stage was transformed into what looked like a little neighbourhood, complete with various shopfronts and street scenes projected across a screen behind him. It gave the whole performance a character of its own, almost as though we’d stepped straight into the world of Good Time Boy.
With Prof performing the album in full, I found myself rapping along to pretty much every single word. There was something quite surreal about hearing songs I’d listened to countless times come to life right in front of me. I was completely caught up in the moment, fuelled by adrenaline, excitement and the kind of happiness that makes you feel wonderfully alive. After all that anticipation, I was finally exactly where I wanted to be!
The Entire Night Was Wild
And wild is certainly my favourite way to describe it!
From the moment Prof hit the stage, the energy barely let up. Between the crowd going absolutely crazy, the infectious atmosphere and Prof’s undeniable stage presence, there was never a dull moment.
Things got particularly lively towards the end, with crowd surfing on an inflatable adding another level of chaos to an already unforgettable night.
As if the evening hadn’t already delivered enough, Prof treated us to ‘Fire Lessons’ and ‘Squad Goals’ as the encore — two personal favourites and a brilliant way to round off the set.
There were also fake million-dollar notes being thrown into the crowd, which made for a rather amusing little memento to take home. Who doesn’t want to leave a gig feeling like a million dollars?!
So, What’s Next for Prof?
Getting to experience Prof’s music and energy live was something I’d dreamed of for a long time. It was everything I’d hoped for and then some.
From the music and the madness to the sheer joy of finally being there, it’s an experience I’ll forever hold onto.
I’m already hoping for an announcement of a UK tour. So, Prof, if you’re reading this, how about bringing some of that energy over to the UK?!