Mark Professor
Selector & MC
Despite his reputation as a formidable reggae selector and MC, Mark Professor is adept at playing in a round-trip style, leaving no musical stone unturned. He has a particular love of the 7" 45rpm record format, as evidenced by his “small ones are more juicy” catchphrase.
Early years
Mark Professor has been collecting vinyl since 1979. He says that as a child he would save money to buy tunes by walking home from school instead of catching the bus. His vast record collection now numbers well over 20,000 discs.
Professor’s passion for music led him to form a sound system of his own called the Nightlife Experience, which was based in north-west London. He later joined roots sound system Stereocity (a reggae subsidiary of the Soca Saga Boys) and cut dub plates with a catalogue of legendary Jamaican artists including Al Campbell, Errol Dunkley, Little Roy, Marcia Griffiths, Max Romeo and Prince Allah.
Recording artist
A natural on the mic, Professor is also a talented deejay. In 2013, he released his debut single, Oystah Card—an ingenious ode to London’s public transport.
In 2017 he featured on DB Cohen’s Find A Way, alongside D’Oxman, and in 2019 released the timely Rent Crisis, with backing by Songbird and Leroy Horns on saxophone.
Club nights
Mark Professor has co-promoted a number of London club nights, such as the Reference Library (with Andrew Ibi), Trojan Knights (with Texas Ranger), and more recently Soul System (with Jake The Tailor and Chippy T).
These days, however, he focuses more on DJing than promoting. He is in demand across London and beyond, with frequent guest spots at events such as the General Echo Reggae Disco, Reggae Cookout, Vinyl Meltdown, Gallery Shabeen, Swing & Dine, and The Cat is Back.