Clapton's Stephen Manderson has certainly earned his self-proclaimed title of Professor. The rapper picked up £50,000 by coming out on top of a MySpace battle competition, while attracting the likes of Mike Skinner and Virgin Records with his fast paced rhymes.
He rode to Big Weekend on a wave of success, following MOBO and NME awards and top five chart positions for I Need You Tonight and Lily Allen collaboration Just Be Good To Green.
As fizzy, dramatic and inventive as pop should be without losing his initial grime edge.
Alive Till Im Dead album review at bbc.co.uk/music
