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Professor Green

Source: The List (Issue 664)
Date: 12 August 2010
Written by: Nicola Meighan

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This article is from 2010.

Hackney rapper loves a Nando's

Professor Green knows how to party. When his debut album, Alive Till I’m Dead, charted at number two last month, the East-London rapper let it rip: ‘I was so over the moon that I celebrated with a full chicken platter, two large sides and a refillable drink from Nando’s,’ he beams.

The Prof – aka Stephen Manderson – is at the vanguard of the UK’s urban-pop charge. The former battle MC’s fluid, wry lyricism might invite comparisons to Kanye or Eminem, but he’s studiously British: he’s worked closely with artists from Mike Skinner (who first signed him) to Lily Allen, via Aberdeen’s fantastic singer-songwriter Emeli Sande.

His INXS-recollecting hit, ‘I Need You Tonight’, meanwhile, still dominates the airwaves, months after its release: would Manderson agree that we’re amidst a home-grown hip-hop revolution? ‘UK urban is going global,’ he nods. ‘The likes of Tinie, Tinchy, N-Dubz and Example are doing their thing and making waves – and it’s a real family vibe as well. Finally we’re in a position to take on the Americans and show them what we do this side of the Atlantic.’

Liquid Room, Fri 20 Aug, 7pm, £10. Part of The Edge Festival.

This article is from 2010.

More: Music, Alive Till I'm Dead, Edge Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Festivals, Fringe, Hip hop, Professor Green, Rap