Mark Can't Rap
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.
- Update frequency
- every 21 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 19
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2022
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…
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 ne…
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…
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 real…
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 t…
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 M…
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. H…
Season 2 Episode 4 - A Bit Of Range Ft. Lunar C
With each day in lockdown starting to feel 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. Luna…
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 …
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 re…
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 g…
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: [email protected]
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 sur…
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…
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 rappe…
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 B…
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 a…
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 b…
Episode 1 - It Started in Mexico
As a huge fan of hip hop, and after years spent writing poetry, Mark really wants to learn how to rap. He’s been given a huge opportunity too. Red Bull’s ‘Global head of Music innovation’ Stefan Luki…