Mark Grist

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] The video of the rap battle became the most viewed UK rap battle of all time and Grist is ranked the third most viewed rap battler in UK history.[2]

Mark Grist
Poet and battle rapper
OccupationTeacher, poet, battle rapper, TV presenter
NationalityBritish
GenrePoetry, Spoken word, battle rap, Storytelling,
Website
markgrist.com

His poem Girls Who Read produced by Roundhouse London and published on their YouTube channel has also gained significant fame on the internet, winning two International Luvvie Awards for 'Best individual performance' and 'Best Viral Video'.[3]

Grist starred in Channel 4's 'Mr Drew's School for Boys',[4] Redbull TV's 'Mark Grist battle the World'[5] and his poetry and rap battle videos have gained over 30 million views online.

Grist has visited several schools to perform his poetry and raps on several occasions.[6][7] He has published a collection of his poetry with Burning Eye books.[8]

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[9]). He studied American and English literature at the University of East Anglia before becoming an English teacher. He noticed that his students felt disconnected from the English curriculum and decided to start working with his students, learning about rap. Following a bet with his students, Grist entered rap battle tournament 'The East of England King of the Mic' held in a Peterborough nightclub, eventually making it through the grand final of the tournament, which he lost to fellow Peterborough MC Mixy (Michael Riccardi). 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.

Grist left teaching in 2008 and with MC Mixy formed Dead Poets, a double act that fused spoken-word poetry with hip-hop, touring the United Kingdom and performing at the Edinburgh Festival in 2010.[10] 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,[11][12][13] gathering over 5 million internet views in the process and becoming the UK's most viewed rap battle of all time.[14]

Grist performed at the Edinburgh Festival again in 2012, receiving positive reviews from The Guardian, the Scotsman and other publications.[15][16] His storytelling skills and passion for his subject often being cited as his strengths, alongside a complex grasp of rhyme and writing techniques.[17][18]

Grist has written poetry along with collaborator Larsen for their YouTube channel Grist & Larsen, garnering millions of views amongst the poetry scene. Grist's rhymes are inspired by an eclectic range of themes, and are usually upbeat, covering themes of identity, creativity, freedom of expression and colloquial aspects of modern life.

Battle Rap Record (Individual)
5 Wins, 2 Defeats
Res. Record Opponent Date Host League Notes
Promo-Loonie 2016-10-29 FlipTop Battle League
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. "All Battle Rappers | VerseTracker: The Battle Rap Culture Index". VerseTracker. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  3. "Girls Who Read Wins Two Lovie Awards -". www.roundhouse.org.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  4. Galton, Susanna (27 April 2014). "Educating Essex head teacher returns in Mr Drew's School for Boys - and it's time to get tough". mirror. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  5. Follow Mark Grist as he travels to take on legendary MC Loonie in the rap battle bear pit of the Philippines, retrieved 1 September 2019
  6. "Mark Grist". Mark Grist. Archived from the original on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  7. 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.
  8. Books, Burning Eye. "Rogue Teacher by Mark Grist (illustrated by Guy Larsen)". Burning Eye Books. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  9. Cashmore, Pete (6 March 2012). "Mark Grist: champ of the rap battle". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  10. Tripney, Natasha. "Dead Poets – review". musicOMH.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  11. Truslove, Ben (10 February 2012). "Peterborough poet has YouTube battle rapped up". peterboroughtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  12. Cashmore, Pete (12 February 2012). "The teacher who beat a student in a rap battle". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  13. Driscoll, Brogan (15 February 2012). "Poetry Teacher Takes on Pupil in Rap Battle". huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  14. "Rap: YouTube star dazzles crowd". thisiscornwall.co.uk. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  15. "Edinburgh Festival Fringe unveils record number of shows". bbc.co.uk. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  16. "Edinburgh Fringe Programme 2012 Grows By 6%". edinburghguide.com. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  17. Logan, Brian (23 May 2014). "Mark Grist review – rogue teacher recounts his rap battles". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  18. Bath, Theatre. "REVIEW: 5 Stars – Mark Grist – Rogue Teacher – The Rondo Theatre | Theatre Bath". Retrieved 1 September 2019.
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