Writing rap lyrics is much harder than you think - particularly when you’re living through a global pandemic.
Mark Grist, a 39-year-old Ex-English teacher & multi-award-winning poet, has been using his time in lockdown to learn how to rap. Along the way he’s interviewed some of the world’s greatest emcees & learnt lessons that have made him completely re-think his life.
Whether you're an aspiring rapper, a fan of the English language, or just interested in hearing an incredible story about fear, hope & the power of human connection, then this is the podcast for you.
Season 2 Episode 11 - A Farewell To The Living Room Ft. Ross Sutherland
Mark meets with his series editor, Ross Sutherland, to discuss the past two and a half years of the Mark Can't Rap project. They share Mark's favourite tracks sent in from listeners & make some plans for the future.
25 Nov 2022
Season 2 Episode 10 - Changing the Way I Think Ft. Shasimone
The UK is out of lockdown again and this time things might stay that way.
Mark is gigging but after a school booking he finds himself right back where he started. Can Shasimone help him handle his nerves now that the country is moving on?
Shasdimone’s 'Back To Sender': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjx3br2wFy4&ab_channel=GRMDaily
and 'No Chaser': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLzsoSs_pCQ&ab_channel=GRMDaily
12 Oct 2022
Season 2 Episode 9 - Stop. Banger Time.
Mark arrives at Juxta’s determined to finish this banger. Using the advice given by Genesis Elijah they set to work & are both surprised by the results.
What do you think of what they made?
Would you be up for emailing Mark feedback?
Do you have some lyrics you’d like to share in the final episode?
If so, you can send messages/audio files at mark@markgrist.com. He'd love to hear from you.
4 Aug 2022
Season 2 Episode 8 - Where Was The You In It? Ft. Genesis Elijah
It’s April 2021 and the UK is emerging from its second lengthy lockdown. Over the past four months we’ve had plenty of time to reflect & Mark has spent this time thinking about his writing. He’s realised that he often follows this same process - a pattern that he gets into that runs deep. Fortunately, Genesis Elijah has a different way of looking at things - both as a writer and an independent artist.
12 Jul 2022
Season 2 Episode 7 - Is Something Wrong?
The UK, having banned Christmas Day gatherings, is still deep in lockdown as 2021 begins. Mark has been stuck in his living room for 11 weeks straight now, live-streaming workshops in the middle of the night to pay the bills. Struggling with self-doubt & feeling more isolated than ever before, he comes up with a plan. He just needs to find an audience.
Blizzard's beats are free to download:
https://www.markgrist.com/blizzard-beats-to-download
Why not see what you can write?
28 Feb 2022
Season 2 Episode 6 - A Fun Battle Ft. MC Blizzard
Mark needs to find a beat that bangs if he’s going to write a ‘banger’ during lockdown. Fortunately, his old friend Blizzard is an expert when it comes to music production. They schedule a chat and Mark’s can’t wait. After all, Blizzard and Mark have history - they went head to head in a rap battle once that became the most viewed UK VS UK rap battle of all time. Link to the Mark Grist V Blizzard rap battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp4wEewrQdU
15 Dec 2021
Season 2 Episode 5 - Tell Me More Ft. MysDiggi
It’s the autumn of 2020 and across the UK people are arguing - nobody can agree, it seems, on which rules to follow. Some are even denying that Covid exists.
Mark is getting angry. And frustrated. He’s trying to write a ‘banger’ but…where does he even start?
In turning to UK rap legend MysDiggi for help, Mark learns that the rules of rap (like the rules of lockdown) are never easy to agree on.
Link to 'Around my Way': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HgrILC9XXQ&ab_channel=mysdiggi
26 Nov 2021
Season 2 Episode 4 - A Bit Of Range Ft. Lunar C
With every day in lockdown feeling the same, Mark is in need of an escape, or at least a way to keep motivated. Fortunately, he’s got an interview lined up with UK battle legend Lunar C. Lunar shares his own creative process & experiences at school & sets Mark two challenges. One challenge in particular seems impossible.
11 Nov 2021
Season 2 Episode 3 - It's Just A Conversation Ft. Jeffrey Boakye
It’s now several weeks into the UK-wide lockdown & Mark has arranged an interview with fellow teacher & author Jeffrey Boakye. As they chat, it becomes clear that the lack of rap in our curriculums is just the tip of a very complex iceberg.
26 Oct 2021
Season 2 Episode 2 - Are You Gonna Fold? Ft. Chali 2na, Lupe Fiasco, RA the Rugged Man & Ghostface Killah
With the lockdown extended, all live shows cancelled & the UK Prime Minister in & out of intensive care, Mark turns to an unconventional source of hope. One that, with each glimmer it brings, also reveals just how trapped he is. Will he ever find a way out?
26 Oct 2021
Season 2 Episode 1 Just Do What They Say? Ft. Mikill Pane
Mark was in the process of finalising dates for a national tour when the pandemic hit. Now, like everyone else, he’s trapped inside with no plan. To make matters worse, he’s also being bullied by a group of 7-year-olds online. Mark needs to overcome his fears - and quickly.
8 Jul 2019
Episode 8 - The Mixtape
The completed mixtape. What do you think? Which track do you like the most? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Twitter/Instagram: @Montygristo
Email: Mark@Markgrist.com
8 Jul 2019
Episode 7 - Final Assessment
Mark heads to Juxta’s to record his mixtape but things don’t exactly go to plan. After many hours of recording it’s time to share what they’ve made with Mark’s mentors. The feedback takes Mark by surprise.
24 Jun 2019
Episode 6 - One Night at Samm's
Mark heads to Samm’s Bar in Peterborough for their weekly open mic. He’s planning on performing two tracks to the audience but he’s incredibly nervous. Some of his material is much more personal than he’s used to performing and there’s a very real possibility that this could go badly.
10 Jun 2019
Episode 5 - What are you Saying? Ft. shay D
Mark has only three episodes of the podcast left to complete his mixtape, and he’s struggling. He bumps into an ex-student,Lewis, in town and they share their frustrations. Later, Mark calls up rapper and teacher, Shay D, to help him work out why he can't complete anything. Shay questions Mark on his reasons for doing this and challenges him to write something with meaning.
3 Jun 2019
Episode 4 - It's the Spaces In Between Ft. Inja
Mark follows Tony's advice and starts rapping along to a bunch of his favourite tracks. Then he drives to Cambridge to meet up with Inja (Winner of DrumAndBaseArena’s 2018 awards for Best Emcee and Best Live Performer). Together, they start improving Mark’s material. Inja shares his experiences and some of what he tells Mark leaves him reeling .
27 May 2019
Episode 3 - I'm here to Fence Ft. Tony D
Mark has just a week to write two verses to perform up against Tony D, the UK’s undefeated battle rap champion. He interviews his friends and family, learns what he can legitimately brag about and also writes a verse full of the most outrageous claims he can think of. With his time up, Mark takes his lyrics to London to face the music.
20 May 2019
Episode 2 - The Punchline Ft. Tony D
Mark has just a few weeks to put together his first Mixtape and he desperately needs to find emcees that can help him. First off is Tony D: a UK battle rap legend. Tony once mentioned Mark in a rap battle; using Mark’s name and background as a punchline. Mark asks him why it went down so well and Tony explains why.
20 May 2019
Episode 1 - It Started in Mexico
As a huge fan of hip hop, and after years spent writing poetry, Mark has always wanted to learn how to rap. He’s been given a huge opportunity too. Red Bull’s ‘Global head of Music innovation’ Stefan Lukic has agreed to listen to his tracks. The catch? Mark will have to fly to Mexico. And he’ll have to be prepared for some very honest feedback.
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17 ratings
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