Mark Can't Rap

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.

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

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 [email protected]. He'd love to hear from you.

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

The completed mixtape. What do you think? Which track do you like the most? We’d love to hear your thoughts.Twitter/Instagram: @MontygristoEmail: [email protected]

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.