'I haven't ruled out going back to selling weed': Rapper Professor Green reveals he can't rest on his laurels - as he has 'a seven-figure mortgage and no financial security'

EXCLUSIVE: Professor Green is a rapper, documentary maker and campaigner
Was speaking at event at Henley Business School about side-hustling economy
He revealed how he used to sell weed on his council estate to raise money
Joked that he might have to do it again if music and TV career stalls

Published: 09:36 BST, 6 July 2018 | Updated: 11:45 BST, 6 July 2018

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Rapper Professor Green has confessed he can't rule out one day returning to selling weed to make money because of his lack of financial security.

The musician and TV star, real name Stephen Manderson, who grew up on a council estate in Hackney said: 'My first side hustle was selling weed and I haven't ruled out the fact it's something I might have to go back to if things don't work out for me

'I have donated money to Calm, the charity I'm a patron of, but I've got a seven-figure mortgage and no financial security so I can't rest on my laurels,' the 34-year-old said.

'I've got no security from my family so it all comes down to me.'

He made the tongue-in-cheek remark while speaking about the side-hustle economy at Henley Business School this week.

And he explained how his background led him to his current multi-faceted career as a rapper, documentary maker and patron for Calm, after turning down the chance to apply for a prestigious private school in London.

'I could have gone to St Paul's School but my nan didn't think education was something for us, and it just wasn't something that my family really knew about,' he explained.

Rapper Professor Green (pictured) revealed how he used to sell weed while growing up in Hackney, as a 'side hustle'

The rapper was speaking at an event on the side-hustle economy at Henley Business school (pictured)

'I left school in my teens and got a job in desk-top publishing but went down from five to three days a week when my music started to take off.

''Opportunities were presented to me but my music was the main catalyst.

'I've been making documentaries for over four years but there's not as much money in TV as there is in music.'.

Speaking about side-hustling, he said he believes it's more of a working-class phenomenon than something just for the middle-classes.

He also joked that he may have to go back to selling weed as he has 'no financial security' and a seven-figure mortgage

He said that working-class people already had a lack of security, as well as a hunger and anxiety but that they needed a 'mooring' to go alongside their side-hustle.

'I went to an event recently where someone described themselves as an "influencer".

'I mean, what does that even mean? They weren't influencing me!

'But new career pathways are being forged all the time. The internet has changed the world but music is still my mooring.