Professor Green: I'm happy to be focusing on new music

Green has released new single Mercedes Riddim 
Feeling good: Professor Green is back with new music
Dave Benett
Alistair Foster4 May 2018
The Weekender

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Professor Green says he wasn’t the easiest person to be around while he made films on suicide and poverty — but he’s now happy to be focusing on new music.

The rapper has not released an album since 2014’s Growing Up In Public, instead making a series of documentaries on subjects that were close to his heart including Professor Green: Suicide and Me.

He releases new single Mercedes Riddim featuring fellow Hackney rapper Dutch today.

Green said: “Ever since I did my documentary on suicide in 2015 I’ve gone from film to film — I did seven films. It’s been nice to be getting back into new songs. Making documentaries can be difficult emotionally.

“You’re talking to people in bad situations and when the cameras leave, you know their situations are still similar to when you first met them.”

The star, who recently split from girlfriend Fae Williams, added: “I know I haven’t been the easiest person to be around to those close to me.”

Smiling: Professor Green with former collaborator Ella Eyre
Dave Benett

Green, who lost his father to suicide, has struggled with depression and anxiety and said writing new music has helped him find an outlet for his emotions. “I’m lucky I’ve got a form of exploration in writing,” he said “It does help me make sense of things.”

Now that his new single, which he describes as “one for the streets”, is ready, Green is also planning a new album and a tour next year.

He was speaking as it was announced he will host an auction at the Maddox Gallery on May 16, when an oil painting by British art duo The Connor Brothers will be sold to raise money for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide.

To attend the auction, contact sales@maddoxgallery.co.uk. To buy one of 84 limited edition prints to raise money for CALM, go to theconnor brothers.com.

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