Born Stephen Paul Manderson on 27 November 27, 1983 in Hackney, London rapper Professor Green grew up on an estate in Clapton.
Whilst he has enjoyed success in his music career since rising to fame in 2009, his start in life had many ups and downs, as well as his personal life and health.
Since splitting from Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh, he has become a father with girlfriend Karima Adams, and seems happier than ever after the new addition.
As the music legend celebrates his 38th birthday, Daily Star has taken a look at his life behind closed doors.
Chaotic childhood
His mother was only 16 when she had him, and split with his father shortly after Stephen was born. He was raised by his maternal nan, Patricia, and great-nan, Edie.
As a child, there were six people living in a two-bedroom flat on the Northwold estate in Hackney, east London. Speaking to the Guardian, Stephen proudly spoke of his respect for his grandmother, saying:
“It was pretty crowded, but I didn’t know any different. Nan taught me manners and humility, and to look out for each other. She was from a different generation where that was a big deal.
“My nan did three jobs and she had already raised her kids before she had the responsibility of me. She and Edie were so kind and they got so much pleasure from seeing me happy.”
Bereavement
The rapper’s father killed himself in 2008 when Pro Green was 25, and his nan later revealed that his uncle had also taken his own life.
“I didn’t really have a relationship with him when I was growing up – he was in and out of my life,” he has said about his father. “I last saw my dad alive on my 18th birthday. He killed himself six years later in 2008. I had to identify his body in the morgue. I wish I knew what had been going through his head at the time.”
Professor Green presented a BBC documentary called Suicide and Me in 2015, and also worked with Prince Harry to discuss mental health as part of a campaign for Heads Together.
Health issues
Born without the ability to properly pass food from his stomach to his small intestine, he had his first corrective operation at six weeks old and spent much of his childhood and early adulthood suffering from IBS.
The symptoms were a crippling stomach ache and he kept his chronic gut issues quiet throughout his early music career success.
Recently, Professor Green created a range of liquid supplements called Agulp. These liquid shot pouches are ‘designed to aid gut health, brain function and immunity.’
He continues to advocate for better mental health, including his role as a patron with suicide-prevention charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
Professor Green has also spoken out about the impact that lockdown has had on mental wellbeing for himself and others.
Music success
Professor Green began his life in rap with his first mixtape released on the Beats label started up by Mike Skinner from The Streets, which led to him supporting Lily Allen on tour.
He had a run of hit songs including Just Be Good To Green, Lullaby and I Need You Tonight and had a Number 1 single with Read All About It in collaboration with Emeli Sande.
In March 2022 he kicks off a UK tour in London to tie in with the 10th anniversary of his second album, At Your Inconvenience.
Marriage to Millie
In 2014, Pro Green married confectionary heiress and Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh. Their union lasted two years and they split in 2016.
He has since spoken about the culture clash of marrying into a different social class, and also questioned Millie’s motives for getting into the relationship.
In 2018 he told John Bishop on the comedian’s series In Conversation With: “I was at that point of my career and it catapulted her into a position she wouldn’t have otherwise been in…
“We all seek validation, but she started looking for it in the wrong places.”
He continued: “I’ve got a very large mortgage now… But you know what they say about divorce – it’s expensive.
“You know why? ‘Cos it’s worth it!”
New family
In March 2021 he announced that his new partner Karima Adams 36, had given birth to a son named Slimane Ray Manderson.
Green’s son arrived two weeks early.
The rapper met Karima in summer 2019 at Glastonbury Festival, through mutual friends.
In October 2021, he posted a gorgeous snap of Karima alongside the caption: “You call me easy love. I call you my gorgeous thing. Loving me isn’t always easy, but you are always gorgeous.”
The black-and-white photo showed the rapper planting a kiss on her cheek while she showed off her huge engagement ring.
Surprised that her husband-to-be had shared the candid snap of her, Karima wrote beneath the snap: ‘Stephen! This picture was for your nan.’
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
