If you’re not from in or around the Twin Cities, you may not have heard of the rapper Prof. But if he has anything to say about it, that’s going to change very soon. Prof is known for his powerful stage shows and wild personality, but he also has a more thoughtful, introspective side.

Both halves of Prof’s personality show up in spades on his new album Liability (Rhymesayers). Before anyone else in your town becomes a devotee of the rapper sometimes known as Kaiser Von Powderhorn, here are 10 things you need to know.

He Saw Both Sides of Minneapolis as a Kid

Prof lived in the city’s rough-and-tumble Powderhorn neighborhood exclusively until he was 13. After that, he split time between there and living with his mother and stepfather in the more upscale, rural Linden Hills area. It wasn’t that upscale, though. Prof’s bedroom didn’t have heat, and temperatures indoors would frequently drop below freezing.

He Once Held A Photo Shoot with Pregnant Models in Bikinis

For the cover of his mixtape Kaiser Von Powderhorn 3, Prof got a bunch of very pregnant women in bikinis to model. “The estrogen was seeping through every single crevice,” he remembered. “The love in there was intense. It was so beautiful.”

The cover was an homage to the blinged-out work of graphic design firm Pen & Pixel, famous for their work with No Limit. But instead of big cars, Prof’s cover features a minivan and a stroller.

His Father Burned Down His Childhood Home

Prof frequently raps about his bipolar father, and his song “Myself” talks about the time his manic phase got so intense that it led to a devastating fire. Perhaps even more sad is that Prof never found out why. “He died before we could have a real conversation about it,” the rapper revealed. “That part of my life is unresolved.”

His Newest Video Contains a Hidden Joke About Pancakes

In the video for the song “Ghost,” featuring Tech N9ne, Prof and Tech play a murderous duo. They kill their first victim while he’s in the kitchen, making pancakes. The target is played by none other than Mac Lethal, of “Pancake Rap” fame.

He Used to Get His Hypeman VERY Drunk Before Shows

In the beginning of his career, Prof and his partner Rahzwell would do what they called “drunk shows” at Minneapolis’ Dinkytowner. They would ask the crowd to buy them drinks for Rahzwell, and wouldn’t begin the show until he threw up.

The drunk shows ended when Prof took his pants off onstage, mooned the audience, and then ran through the crowd bottomless. “I was seeing my balls all over the Internet, and I was like, I can’t do this again,” he said.

A Promo Video for His Album Almost Got Him Arrested

Prof put together a high-concept promotional video to help sell the deluxe package of his album. In the video, he puts on a black ski mask and robs his label’s retail store, Fifth Element. Little did he know, the cops didn’t know it was all for show and they nearly arrested him. The actual police calls about the incident appear in the video!

He’s had Major Surgeries for Self-Inflicted Injuries

Prof used to like nothing better than jumping off roofs and garages or taking dives into vegetable bins. The habit made for some trying times – he’s had surgeries on his knees and back as a result.

He Took His Alter Ego’s Name from His Dog

Growing up, Prof had a giant German shepherd who was named Kaiser Von Powderhorn. The dog was not only a great pet, but his size and ferocity was also very useful in keeping away bullies. Prof used the swagger he got from walking around with the dog to create his rapping personality, and used the dog’s name in tribute.

He’s Extremely Famous in His Home Region

“In Minneapolis, I’m starting to see repercussions,” Prof said about his local fame. “Every single place I go, every single time, someone’s looking at me and judging me. I went on vacation six hours away, almost in Canada. I’m having a meal, and it turned into a photo op. I don’t go out like I used to.”

He Modeled an Album Cover After a Harmony Korine Movie

Prof’s 2011 album King Gampo modeled its cover art after a scene from the 1997 experimental film Gummo, written and directed by Kids screenwriter Harmony Korine. “I’m a fan of moments of that movie,” Prof explained. “I wouldn’t sit and watch it a billion times, but some of it is priceless, groundbreaking, and new. It spoke to me at the time.”