Professor Green and Labrinth @ Birmingham Academy, 9th December 2011
“Read all about it” Stephen Manderson is back like he never left. Promoting his highly successful album “At Your Inconvenience” after massive chart filler “Alive Til I’m Dead” the Professor was back and in his prime. Chart topping English rappers are no longer the rarity they once were. But Professor Green has got the talent and the commercial success to contend in the grime scene. Making his name for himself on Jump Off TV beating off contender after contender with his freestyle flows, after accidentaly discovering he could rap at a friend’s house. Green remains the only MC to win 7 battles in a row. The night was an overall success but it does seem rather odd that “Professor Green, a character who’s got to stay high till he dies” is a sport’s ambassador for Puma.
However popular the professor is the sold out o2 Academy weren’t just there to watch him as Rizzle Kicks were in the building, buzzing with unfound energy the pair pounced around the stage with the greatest support I’ve seen for a support act in a while. Due to their mainstream success, everyone knew “Down With the Trumpets” and “When I Was a Youngster” but even if you didn’t the crowd was on their feet and raring for Green to make an appearance. There’s no doubt if Rizzle Kicks were headlining they too would fill the Academy up to the rafters.
I didn’t really get DJ IQ and why he was on after Rizzle Kicks, his mixes started with Tinie Tempah and ended with one of Professor Green’s favourite’s from Adele “Rolling In The Deep” I don’t think DJ IQ was necessary he just gave my legs more cramp.
The Professor prowled on stage wearing a simple hoodie, similar to the one he wore for Jump Off TV, more casual say than his X Factor debut. The years have changed the Hackney born rapper from drug dealer to sports ambassador. Rizzle Kicks tweeted “Thought @professorgreen was gunna go in on tour, turns out he drinks honey lemon and sleeps at reasonable times? #tourpuss #goodytwoshoes. More mature and more experienced the Professor is still at the top.
With a nine-piece backing crew of musicians, singers and rappers Green got straight into it with favourites “Oh My God”, “Just Be Good To Green” and “I Need You Tonight.” The crowd was already pretty tired from the support slots but were highly energetic and lived up to their status as “the best crowd we had last year.” Stephen was flawless, his lyrical flow is his USP and the crowd was loving it. Throughout the night fans sang the lyrics for Pro.
The crowd stomped for more and Green ended the show with “Read All About It” joined by an impressive backing vocalist. It seems the professor is professing at other things not just marijuana. I look forward to the professor’s return in the near future in Wolverhampton and I hope the new material keeps on coming.
Review – John Kirby
Photos – Jordan Hughes