Mark Grist

Mark Grist
Occupation Teacher, poet, battle rapper, TV presenter
Nationality British
Genre Spoken word, battle rap
Website
markgrist.com

Mark Grist is a poet and battle rapper based in Peterborough, UK, who rose to prominence when his Don't Flop rap battle against Mancunian MC Blizzard became an internet sensation.[1]

His poem Girls Who Read produced by Roundhouse London and published on their YouTube channel has also gained significant fame on the internet.[2][3]

History

Grist performed in various musicals and productions whilst at school, including many performances with the Bristol Youth Theatre (he later went on to co-direct the company[4]). He studied American and English literature at the University of East Anglia before becoming an English teacher. Grist began using rap techniques to teach his students about poetic devices and other elements of the English language, inspiring them to take a stronger interest in the subject.[5] He formed Dead Poets, a double act that fused spoken-word poetry with hip-hop, with fellow Peterborough MC Mixy in 2008, touring the United Kingdom and performing at the Edinburgh Festival in 2010.[6] After deciding to try out rapping in the Don't Flop battle league, Grist's battle against MC Blizzard received coverage in the British media,[7][8][9][10] gathering nearly 5 million internet views in the process.[11]

Grist performed at the Edinburgh Festival again in 2012.[12][13]

Battle Rap Record (Individual)

5 Wins, 2 Defeats
Res. Record Opponent Date Host League Notes
Win5–2Knamelis 2014-01-04 Don't Flop
Win4–2Spirited Sage 2013-09-08 Rap Slam Battles
Promo3-2Stuart Parsons 2013-02-15 None
Win3–2Aukes 2013-01-24 Don't Flop
Loss2–2Deffinition 2013-01-05 Don't Flop
Promo2-1Soul 2012-10-10 Don't Flop
Promo2-1Micky Worthless 2012-07-22 Don't Flop
Promo2-1Mixy 2012-05-27 None
Loss2–1Zain Azrai 2012-02-24 Don't Flop
Win2–0Blizzard 2011-12-29 Don't Flop
Win1–0Mos Prob 2011-05-05 Don't Flop
Promo- Omen 2010-05-17 None Debut

References

  1. ↑ "Face to watch: Mark Grist". London: independent.co.uk. 19 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  2. ↑ "Mark Grist". Mark Grist. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Barness, Sarah (15 November 2013). "'I Like A Girl Who Reads' Is The Anthem Every Bookworm Needs To Hear". Huffington Post. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Cashmore, Pete (6 March 2012). "Mark Grist: champ of the rap battle". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  5. ↑ Bond, Anthony (23 February 2012). "Teacher Mark Grist quits school to become a rapper". London: dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  6. ↑ Tripney, Natasha. "Dead Poets – review". musicOMH.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  7. ↑ Truslove, Ben (10 February 2012). "Peterborough poet has YouTube battle rapped up". peterboroughtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  8. ↑ Cashmore, Pete (12 February 2012). "The teacher who beat a student in a rap battle". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  9. ↑ Driscoll, Brogan (15 February 2012). "Poetry Teacher Takes on Pupil in Rap Battle". huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  10. ↑ "Rap fan Sir quits school to be cool". London: thesun.co.uk. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  11. ↑ "Rap: YouTube star dazzles crowd". thisiscornwall.co.uk. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Edinburgh Festival Fringe unveils record number of shows". bbc.co.uk. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "Edinburgh Fringe Programme 2012 Grows By 6%". edinburghguide.com. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
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