In "Ain't We Rich," track 12 of his fifth album, Powderhorn Suites, rapper Prof communicates a vibe of contentment that draws the listener in. He conveys a sense of emotional intimacy and mindfulness in a song about gratitude for the life he is living, and for his relationships. He captures this in lyrics like, "I lost where I was going 'cause I love where I'm at."
One line in particular resonated with San Francisco resident Paul Durand: "I decided I'ma treat myself kindly." He heard the song before, but at a time when he was homeless and heading downward, he decided to listen. By treating himself kindly, he's been able to pick up the pieces and do the work he needed to do in order to rebuild his life. Starting with the advice of a social worker at SFDPH about getting into rehab, he's turned his life around. Through fellowship, community engagment, commitment and friendship—and hard work—Paul has become rich in the way Prof sings about.
