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 fi

Series 2 Episode 1 - Just Do What They Say? Ft. Mikill Pane

Oct 26th, 2021 32m 59s

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 ove

Season 2 Episode 11 - 'A Farewell To The Living Room' Ft. Ross Sutherland

Dec 24th, 2022 48m 30s

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.

Season 2 Episode 10 - Changing The Way I Think Ft. Shasimone

Nov 25th, 2022 36m 14s

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?Sha

Season 2 Episode 9 - Stop. Banger Time.

Oct 12th, 2022 25m 41s

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

Season 2 Episode 8 - 'Where Was The You In It?' Ft. Genesis Elijah

Aug 4th, 2022 46m 28s

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

Season 2 Episode 7 - Are You OK? Is Something Wrong?

Jul 12th, 2022 33m 2s

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 se

Season 2 Episode 6 - A Fun Battle Ft. Blizzard

Feb 28th, 2022 49m 15s

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 Mar

Season 2 Episode 5 - Tell Me More Ft. MysDiggi

Dec 15th, 2021 54m 55s

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 doe

Season 2 Episode 4 - You Have To Have A Bit Of Range Ft. Lunar C

Nov 26th, 2021 49m 24s

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 sc

Season 2 Episode 3 - It's Just A Conversation Ft. Jeffrey Boakye

Nov 11th, 2021 45m 35s

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.

Episode 8 - The Mixtape

Jul 8th, 2019

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]

Episode 7 - 'Final Assessment'

Jul 8th, 2019 24m 37s

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.

Episode 6 - One Night at Samm's

Jun 24th, 2019 22m 28s

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 r

Episode 5 - What are you Saying? Ft. Shay D

Jun 10th, 2019 24m 14s

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 w

Episode 4 - It's the Spaces In Between Ft. Inja

Jun 3rd, 2019 27m 45s

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 im

Episode 3 - I'm here to Fence Ft. Tony D

May 27th, 2019 28m 39s

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 outrageou

Episode 2 - The Punchline

May 20th, 2019 22m 21s

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

Episode 1 - It Started in Mexico

May 20th, 2019 29m 33s

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. Th

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