Vincent Johnson
    Staff Writer

Prophet: A person regarded as an inspired teacher, or proclaimer of the will of God.

Profit: A financial benefit that is realized when the amount of revenue from a business exceeds the expenses, costs and taxes needed to sustain the activity.

Black Profit is a rap duo composed of North Carolina emcees, Josh and Julio the Poet. As natural born lyricists, the two have combined to create an aesthetic that is reminiscent of ‘96 Mobb Deep. A Charlotte native, Julio the Poet started rapping when he was still in high school.

“I was probably like 16 or 17 when my homie ran across one of my notebooks with poems in it. And he was just reading them shits  like they was rhymes, and he was like ‘yo you should rap.’ And I just did that shit… I actually played the bass for my junior high school band as well, and since then, the music has just grown.”

Josh, an artist and producer from Greensboro, has been writing rhymes since childhood.

“I actually just started taking rap serious like in 2012,” Josh reflected. “But I’ve been writing since I was a kid. And I had my little verses that I used to spit. It wasn’t nothing serious, but that’s definitely where it started.”

Interestingly enough, the two met in a pre-calculus class at UNCG. In August of last year, the Carolina-based spitters released their first collaborative project. The product of a friendship that was both instantaneous and infectious, the five-track tape was appropriately dubbed “Brotherhood EP.”

Despite the fact that the project was brief, standout tracks like album opener “King,” and centerpiece “Ghostface Killahz,” illustrate a natural chemistry that is evocative of legendary groups like Mobb Deep, Wu Tang Klan  and Outkast.

Black Profit’s lyricism is highly reflective of the world around them, showcasing a unique combination of knowledge on different topics. This became more evident as the duo discussed inspiration.

“I get my inspiration from anything I hear or see that is captivating or has meaning and ain’t just a part of the bullshit that’s on this earth. It may be a song that I hear that hits a certain spot. Or an artist who I’m influenced by. It’s just a lot of everything right now,” Julio explained.

“I get influenced by everything, man. I just take everything in,” Josh replied. “It could even be something that I don’t like. Like the radio. I might not like it, but if I feel the inspiration, I’ll write about it. You can really get inspired by anything, ya know? One day I might not feel like writing at all,” Josh said. “And the next day I’ll write about a tree and be on my natural shit. One day I might hear a new Nas song I never heard before and it’ll just be pure inspiration. I be thinking to myself like, ‘Oh my God. Yo I gotta kill this song. I gotta go harder than this song.’”

Although Black Profit is a hip-hop group, they tend to take a lot of influence from artists of other genres. “As far as music in general, lately I’ve been listening to a lot of old shit like the Isley Brothers and Sam Cooke,” Julio said.

“Oldies definitely,” Josh interjected. “Right now, the state of mind I’m in is definitely like classic.”

“Sometimes I have that stage where I just wanna hear the old era. Sometimes I have them stages when I’m in the ‘90s. And sometimes I have them stages when I’m just listening to recent stuff,” Josh continued.

“Yeah, the music definitely moves in phases as far as inspiration,” Julio added.

Although Black Profit tends to listen more to other genres of music, they do have some favorite rappers of their own. “Besides us, the rapper that I listen to the most is probably Nas,” Josh explained. “And really, I know people won’t believe me. But the reason I connect with him so much doesn’t even have nothin’ to do with music. I just see a lot of similarities between us besides music, like just studying his interviews and stuff,” Josh said.

Josh explained,“Like we both come from the ghetto. Both quiet boys. We’re both learners and readers. Observers, ya know? Like even aside from the music. I just feel a connection and vibe with him, ya feel me? Like if I see him I’ma say wassup.”

“For myself,” Julio responded, “I have a lot of favorite rappers, but I feel like I’ve made it to the point, as far as sound-wise, that I don’t get influenced by other rappers. Because I’ve cultivated my flow, and voice and delivery to the level where it’s completely authentic. And I don’t think I sound like any other artist.”

Black Profit ended their discussion by speaking on the societal and cultural issues that concern them, and the legacy that they hope to leave as artists.

“As far as society, one of the things that I think about the most is the state of our children,” Julio explained.

“Yeah, like my little brother is ten years old, and some of the stuff I hear him and his friends talk about just be crazy. Like we wasn’t even thinking about that when we was that age,” Josh mentioned.

“The internet got’em,” Julio speculated.

“The internet got’em yo,” Josh agreed.

“That’s why I’m trying to make this music to inspire and motivate the people,” Julio continued. “I’m here to contribute. I wanna save the children. I wanna save the women. I wanna save the brothers. I wanna save everybody. I just want to help push the good and spread positivity.”

Black Profit hasn’t been around for long. But they are indeed a young, talented duo with immense potential. Their songs are gritty, generated from an insatiable hunger and undeniable chemistry. They are both confident and competitive. But more importantly, their intentions are righteous.

“The name ‘Black Profit’ just came out of thin air,” Josh explained. “We just said ‘Black Profit.’ We ain’t wanna call ourselves prophets or anything so we flipped it to profit for the profit.”

This final statement demonstrated a humbleness that is vital to the success of a young artist. And coupled with their talent, drive and confidence, it will take them a long way. We can expect to receive solo projects from both Josh and Julio the Poet in the near future. In the meantime, give a listen to “Brotherhood EP” (2014), Josh’s “The Pre-Tape” (2015) and Julio’s “Don’t Listen to this Mixtape” (2015).

Heed the words of a young prophet. Black Profit deserves to be heard.