Project Review: Proph Takes First Steps To Stardom On ‘Lost In Translation’

At just twenty years old, Proph has already demonstrated a unique, technically elite skill set that sets him apart from his peers. The Thornton Heath artist has one of the sharpest pens of his generation, as well as an innate ability for production that makes the rapper a dual threat when it comes to his artistry. In his burgeoning career, he has already shown promise with tracks like ‘The Calm’, ‘Baby Boy’, and ‘Roadside’, but his debut project ‘Lost In Translation’ announces Proph as one of the most important voices in UK Rap today. The self-produced, seven track EP is one of the most polished and well rounded debuts of recent memory, putting him in a strong position to dominate for many years to come.

Kicking off with ‘Far From Home’, Proph announces himself from the jump with a tirade of smart bars after a smooth vocal introduction from CHAR. The attention to detail is apparent from the outset, as shown by a string of voice messages that keep a running narrative throughout the project. Not only does the artist show off smart wordplay and double entendres (‘My family were known for teef like Ghetts before the veneers’), but he also proves himself to be a deft storyteller, setting the scene perfectly on ‘Sincerely, Yours’ with Jazzi Sirius.

It would however be remiss to merely put Proph into the category of a ‘rapper’s rapper’. Whilst his pen game is remarkable, the versatility of his production and the variety of sounds he sounds assured on set him apart from the rest of his competition. ‘Lose It’ brings a more uptempo energy to proceedings, while ‘Grand National’ takes inspiration from US Hip-Hop, drawing on influences from the likes of Nas and 50 Cent in production before switching to sounds of Proph’s Jamaican heritage on the outro. This makes the track one of the highlights of the tape as the artist shows a high level  and finesse across a diverse range of instrumentals. 

Moreover, the rapper gives us something new by showing off his vocal range at different points of the EP. His performance on the hook of ‘Regardless’ proves that Proph can carry a song on his own without the need for the feature, while his melodies on ‘Westbrook Road’ perfectly offsets the gritty storytelling of the two verses, making the track a standout and one of his best to date. The project is then rounded off by ‘Thanks For Nothing’, a five minute epic that sees the artist in his element as he navigates the trials and tribulations of his come up so far.

‘Lost In Translation’ therefore delivers on the early promise that Proph has shown in his career to date, as the rapper has announced himself as an artist who can do it all. The production on the tape is immaculate, allowing the artist to exhibit his talents as a wordsmith whilst also experimenting with melody. At just seven tracks, Proph has managed to package engaging lyricism with diverse soundscapes, creating a project that is as complete a first output as we have seen in this country. The future looks bright for the artist and it will be interesting to see what direction he takes his sound as he continues to grow. It feels as if this could be a moment similar to Dave’s ‘Six Paths’, as Proph has the same potential to become established both as a performer and beatmaker. As a rapper, producer, and vocalist, Proph’s talents have no bounds, and ‘Lost In Translation’ could well see the artist heading for superstardom.

Star Rating: 4.5/5