Pro Green

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

PROFESSOR GREEN

WHEN YOU CAN’T FIND A FLAVOUR YOU LIKE, WHAT DO YOU DO?

PROFESSOR GREEN MADE HIS OWN Photography by @vappixportraits

UNLEASHED

BY RÓISÍN DELANEY

You know him as Professor Green the rapper and songwriter, but we’ve come to know him as Stephen Manderson, the vaper. In this exclusive interview, the performer turned documentary maker talks changing his stance on vaping as he unveils his first line of e-liquids - UNRULY. It all started with Vape Jam UK in London’s ExCeL at Royal Victoria Dock in April. Vapouround’s stand was located across the exhibition hall from Vaperizzo’s base, but on a curious walkabout we noticed a tall structure with distinctively blond hair, and a swarm of vapers weighed down with goody bags closing in on him. It was none other than Professor Green and he was proudly introducing his line of UNRULY e-liquids to the world.

Admittedly a group of us tried the juice – undercover style of course – before even approaching Stephen and it was such a relief that his liquids were great – my personal favourite was the Fizzy Cherry Sour. There and then we booked him for this issue of the magazine.

That was the start of what has since become a partnership. In the weeks leading up to the Vaper Expo UK, Scott Rozario, Director of Vaperizzo, business partner and friend of Professor Green, agreed to take over our stand at Britain and Europe’s largest vape exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC and the UNRULY team didn’t disappoint. The rest, as they say, is history After the chaos which can only be described as a whirlwind at our stand on Friday and Saturday of the Vaper Expo UK, we caught up with the multitalented rapper, songwriter, documentary maker and mental health advocate.

PROFESSOR GREEN

& SCOTTY RIZZO

PHOTO BY @VAPPIXPORTRAITS

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN OR HOW YOU STARTED SMOKING CIGARETTES? The first time I smoked I was probably about nine years old.

Then I smoked until about 24 when I knocked it on the head for four and a half years, eventually slipping back into it up until about a year ago. I’m 34 now [so there was] lots of smoking.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO VAPING? It was actually my not liking it that led me to it. Everything smelled too strong and left a terrible taste in my mouth initially.

My then housemate Scotty of Vaperizzo was suggesting various devices to help me get off the fags. I started with a pre-filled cartridge system, but the nicotine was way too high. Although it took away my urge to smoke cigarettes it also gave me a mad head rush. I tried a few sub-ohm set ups but kept coming back to my original problem of not liking any of the flavours. It was at this point Scotty suggested I make my own line. That was where it really started.

HOW HAS VAPING CHANGED YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE? I don’t smoke anymore, I don’t even vape with nicotine. I’d say that’s pretty substantial.

DO YOU THINK YOU’D STILL BE SMOKING CIGARETTES IF YOU HADN’T GIVEN IT A CHANCE? I’d like to say no, but quite probably.

HOW INVOLVED WERE YOU IN THE PROCESS OF BRINGING UNRULY TO LIFE? I’ve been meticulous about anything I’ve put my name to and with UNRULY it’s been a continuation of that. The flavour testing and development was a very long process. It’s important to me everything stays of a certain high quality and remains on brand.

I’ve spent a long time working toward where I am today – too long to let anything compromise the hard work I’ve done.

IS THIS INDUSTRY SOMETHING YOU WANT TO EXPLORE FURTHER? WHAT’S THE AIM? We have plans yes – none that I am willing to share just yet.

We have only just begun and we’re definitely looking at the long game which is why we decided to launch the retailer programme as opposed to using distributors. We want to be able to give our retailers direct support as well as getting the product to them for less.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE VAPE INDUSTRY HERE IN THE UK? I didn’t really have any expectations – if anything it surprised me as I didn’t realise it was an entire subculture. Smokers don’t meet up to discuss smoking and share knowledge. The community has been incredibly welcoming – not least of all because the juice is amazing.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO LOOKS UP TO YOU, WHO WANTS TO GET WHERE YOU ARE NOW? I’d say prepare for rejection and work your arse off. The hard work starts once you start doing well – everyone thinks it’s vice versa but it’s the exact opposite.

UNRULY BY DESIGN …

“DISORDERLY, DISRUPTIVE AND NOT AMENABLE TO DISCIPLINE OR CONTROL” that’s the definition of Stephen Manderson aka Professor Green’s debut liquid line.

Available in three flavours and in 100ml short-fills, UNRULY includes White Chocolate Peppermint, Strawberry Gummies and Fizzy Cherry Sour. The e-liquids are cleverly designed and were launched on May 28. Those who attended Vape Jam UK or Vaper Expo UK in recent months were lucky enough to avail of a pre-launch offer and had the chance to meet the man behind the liquids.

THE VERDICT

Vapouround’s resident juice tester Benedict Jones tried each flavour at the Vaper Expo UK in May. His verdict?

All day vape material. “The white chocolate peppermint flavour is exceptional. It’s mellow and well-balanced – reminiscent of a white After Eight. This is definitely an all day vape for me.”

Retailers should go to UNRULYELIQUID.COM for more details.