The UK's rap scene has been growing huge over the past few years. One of the biggest and freshest acts has to be, PROFESSOR GREEN.
Hailing from East London, Pro Green had a huge year in 2010, with his album 'Alive Till I'm Dead' topping the charts, along with a bunch awards for his work. Anyways, a few months back, 'Live East (Live) Magazine' gave me the opportunity to interview Pro Green himself, to find out about his memories and favourite spots in East London. Here's a list of just a few. Enjoy!
I get a lot of free stuff but I still buy clothes- in fact it's probably my biggest addiction. I spend a lot of money on clothes and trainers. Meteor Sports on Bethnal Green Road is a really good place to get trainers; they've always got the latest imports!
2 Childhood Haunts
Mostly the swing parks on Northwold Estate, that was where everyone used to jam. It's a lovely place. That's where I spent all my years, getting up to mischief! Apart from that there isn't much in Clapton, except the Shell Petrol Garage (raises eyebrow).
3 Clubs
I remember being outside Chimes a lot. I never went in because I was too young, but that was probably for the best. There was a lot of trouble around that club and an underpass underneath the roundabout; that all got filled in years ago because of the stuff that used to happen there.
4 Food
My favourites are both within five minutes walk of each other: Peppers & Spice on Balls Pond Road, and another called In-Ting on Dalston Lane. I love Caribbean, jerk chicken! Was I ever into fried chicken and chips? (Screwfaces) Ughh, I used to be, I'm just re-living it right now!
5 Hanging Out
I love Brick Lane, I used to be there from midday till late, but it's not that easy anymore, not as relaxed. I love the vibe, though it can be a bit cool and trendy. I've had some horrible nights in 333 on Old Street; that was always when we couldn't get in anywhere else.
6 Video Location
We filmed 'Upper Clapton Dance' on the estate where I grew up. In that video there were shopkeepers that I knew when I was a little boy. It's a weird one though, as much as I've got love in the area, people are different. I probably shouldn't walk through there now, but I'm stubborn as a mule!
7 Making Music
I got into music quite late. As far as I was concerned I was academic no creative flair, never good at art. I was at my friend Core's house- he ended up executive producing my album- everyone was freestyling, so I rapped a lyric, went all red in the face, embarrassed, but everyone was like 'You can rap!'. I just started messing around with it from there. Most of the album was recorded in Core's bedroom, in Upper Clapton.
8 Barbers
I used to go to Mario's on Southwold Road. Do I go to Toni and Guy now? Nah! Come on, look at my hair, are you serious? You can't get a shape-up there. They'll be like 'What?!"
9 Sport
Everyone on my estate used to rollerskate back in the day. Some of the olders played hockey so we'd all go to Springfield Park, take the nets down and play hockey. We spent a lot of time there or over at the Marshes, hanging out doing what kids do. The Marshes is a completely different world to Hackney, it's the only green part!
10 Gigs
My favourite performance was probably the last Green Party I did at The Macbeth in Hoxton. It was cool because I done it before which was wicked! But the second one, after the first single, 'I Need You Tonight', was the first show I realised things were on the up.
For more on Professor Green, check out: www.professorgreen.co.uk
Also, check out : www.live-magazine.co.uk
Kraze.
Kraze.