C.Shreve the Professor
North Carolina MC and producer.
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Chris Shreve is a North Carolina based MC/producer & founder of the hip-hop collective Free The Optimus (FTO). The 2-time Carolina Music Award winners (2015 & 2016 Best Hip Hop Group) developed their following & relevance through an unrelenting tour & release schedule, largely driven by Shreve's vision. His one of a kind live performances have helped set the standard in NC for over a decade, and continue to push MCing forward. The Professor moniker references his 12 year career as a university professor teaching biostatistics, which coincided with his rise and success as a rapper during the blog era.
“ “My music is a call to action — to set free our optimal ability & our optimistic perspective, and to transform the world around us.””
He has Performed & Toured with:
The Pharcyde, Big Boi, The Hieroglyphics, Lupe Fiasco, Raekwon, DaBaby, Big K.R.I.T., Talib Kweli, Three 6 Mafia, Oddisee, Nappy Roots, BJ the Chicago Kid, Guilty Simpson, Slum Village, Cannibal Ox, Blackalicious, Camp Lo, Topaz Jones, Clear Soul Forces, DJ Enuff, Planet Asia, Rapper Big Pooh, Zion-I, Blueprint, Lock Smith, The Palmer Squares, Tanya Morgan, Jarv, G Yamazawa and many more.
He has Performed at:
Hopscotch, LAAF, Hillmatic, Beats and Bars Festival, Drink Durham, Blue Plum Festival, Brooklyn Wildlife, Harvest Boone, DURM Hip Hop Summit, Boone in Blossom, Hidden In The Hollow, Spring In The City, Village Vision, GURP Fest & at venues from New Orleans to Denver.
His Music has been featured on:
Shade 45, Hip Hop DX, Earmilk, Revolt TV, I Still Love HER, INDYweek, This Song Is Sick, Fresh New Tracks, Slay the Mic, The Word Is Bond & has been spun by both DJ Premier & Chuck D.
The Press Says:
EARMILK
“C.Shreve's lyrical prowess is undeniable. FTO is known for bringing positive & poetic lyrics that flow over jazz influenced hip hop beats that bring in a hint of soul. Their lyrical talent goes above & beyond what is expected in rap music these days.”
HIP HOP DX
"North Carolina artist and educator Chris Shreve proves his love for Hip Hop throughout Twenty Sixteens, a 48 minute solo project showcasing the Professor’s unapologetic lyricism and commitment to freeing his Optimus."
SCRATCHED VINYL
As a lyricist, he manages to pull off the difficult task of presenting some really personal moments with enough detail and passion to paint a vivid picture, while still remaining objective enough to not just give one side of the story where he’s always the hero. Life and love have a lot of ups and downs, and it’s the sign of a mature emcee who’s able to not just always see it through their own eyes, but to see other perspectives as well. The result is an album that takes you through moments of joy and pain and everything in between…
MOUNTAIN XPRESS
"Shreve has a kind of trademark move — a guttural exhale, like the yogic breath of fire. He executes it at the beginning of songs and mid-track, a fighter readying himself for the ring."
DOPECAUSEWESAID
"North Carolina hip-hop has been on fire lately, so much so that people may forget how deep the NC underground is. Stepping into the summer mix with a new release from Asheville, is underground veteran C.Shreve the Professor. This just released collaboration with New Zealand producer ThiefofBaghdad is titled “Fresh Laundry”, and is our new selection for DOPEST Video of the Week."
