Professor Lyrical – B.I.

Professor Lyrical Drops Knowledge and Bars on Latest Album ‘Dr. Plourde’

Peter Plourde, better known as Professor Lyrical, is a name that carries weight both in the classroom and on the mic. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and educated in nearby Chelmsford, Lyrical has long been straddling two worlds: academia and hip-hop. But unlike most who choose one over the other, he’s managed to not only exist in both — he thrives.

 

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Now, with his latest album Dr. Plourde, released March 21, 2025, he puts that dual identity front and center. The title itself isn’t a persona — it’s a lived reality. Professor Lyrical holds a doctorate, teaches mathematics, and serves as the Director of Faculty Development at the University of the District of Columbia. But don’t get it twisted: this isn’t a “teacher who raps.” This is a seasoned emcee with real battle stripes, deep underground roots, and a catalog that speaks for itself.

A Project Rooted in Purpose and Precision

Dr. Plourde spans 15 tracks, all produced by Jay Johnson, and showcases a refined artist who knows exactly what he wants to say. Songs like “MATH,” “Not on My Level,” and “Yo That’s Pro” highlight Lyrical’s balance of technical skill and conscious content. The album leans into classic East Coast aesthetics — crisp drums, soulful samples, and an overall lo-fi feel — while delivering intricate lyricism without ever sounding preachy.

Where other artists might simplify their bars to stay accessible, Professor Lyrical leans into complexity. But it’s never forced. His writing is layered, but digestible — like a puzzle you want to keep solving. This is music made to last, not just trend.

Roots in the Cipher: From X-Caliber to Battle Circuits

Long before the degrees and the professional titles, Lyrical came up in cipher circles and battle venues across New England. He was a member of X-Caliber, one of the early groups putting Lowell on the map, before joining forces with Invasion, a Cambridge-based crew known for their aggressive rhyme style and stage presence.

He later competed in some of the most respected freestyle battles of his time, including the Zulu Nation East Coast Finals and the Battle for World Supremacy in New York. That battle-tested background still shows up in his delivery — confident, calculated, and never offbeat.

 

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ProQuo and Beyond: Building Brotherhood Through Bars

Professor Lyrical has always kept one foot in collaboration. His most prominent partnership has been with Jay “Quokane” Cruz, forming the duo ProQuo. Their album Instant Brotherhood is a standout project, combining social commentary, lyrical flexing, and undeniable chemistry.

Beyond ProQuo, he’s connected with respected underground artists like Fee the Evolutionist and Ruby Shabazz, with whom he recorded the standout track “Butta Messenga.” These aren’t surface-level features — they’re thoughtful, intentional collabs rooted in shared purpose and mutual respect.

Pitch & Flow Champion and Advocate for Conscious Hip-Hop

In 2020, Professor Lyrical made waves nationally by winning the Pitch & Flow Battle at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The event paired socially conscious emcees with green entrepreneurs, challenging them to create impactful, environmentally-themed performances. Lyrical’s win wasn’t just a lyrical victory — it was a cultural one, showing that conscious hip-hop still commands a place on major stages.

His music has also been featured in indie films, educational initiatives, and commercial campaigns, further proving his versatility and relevance across different platforms.

Educator, Emcee, and Example

More than just a performer, Professor Lyrical is a blueprint for what it looks like to evolve without compromise. His work in education isn’t separate from his music — it enhances it. He uses his platform to inspire students, mentor artists, and advocate for the role of hip-hop in academic and social spaces. Whether teaching math or breaking down a verse, his goal remains the same: to uplift through knowledge.

Final Word: Hip-Hop for the Mind and Soul

With Dr. Plourde, Professor Lyrical delivers an album that feels timely and timeless. It’s the sound of a man who’s earned his place, who’s been through battles (literal and metaphorical), and who’s using his art to do more than entertain. He’s here to educate, elevate, and keep the culture thinking.

For fans of lyrical depth, storytelling, and grown hip-hop with meaning, Dr. Plourde is essential listening. And for anyone still trying to put him in a box — teacher, rapper, activist, scholar — this album proves he’s all of it. And he’s not slowing down.