On Wednesday 26th February, we had the pleasure of hosting an event, with not only a number of our feeder schools but the fabulous MC Grammar (Jacob Mitchell). MC Grammar, who first found viral fame during Lockdown for the rapping the Gruffalo, had the students in the palm of his hand from the moment he walked into the auditorium.
Beginning with well know Janet and Allan Alhberg favourite, Each Peach Pear Plum, the MC took the words and put them to Lose Yourself by Eminem. The atmosphere was electric, with the entire room chanting back at the MC’s request, in the exact rhythm he had set. It was genuinely a goosebumps moment.
The event is built around audience participation in any way possible. Within the first few minutes the MC had students up in front of the 300 strong audience, taking part in a rhyming activity. Not many adults would have had the courage of these kids, but Jacob creates an energy and atmosphere that somehow gives them a fearlessness to perform.
A particular highlight was when students were invited to dance. Break dancing, jetes, cartwheels, general grooving, worms, you name it, we saw it. One boy even showed off his skills of dancing a prisiadka (traditional Russian dance). It was beautiful to see so many children, feeling comfortable enough to express themselves in such exuberant ways. And even for those, who didn’t feel they wanted to go up to the front, there was the opportunity for them to have a dance with their friends in their own space, as Jump Around by House of Pain blared out. I defy anyone to not be able to get even 1 toe tapping when that tune plays. Everyone was moving, laughing, feeling free, making for an awesome ambience.
The visit was part of his promotional tour for his new book, The Adventures of Rap Kid. But that’s the thing about MC Grammar. At the heart of his event, is the message of reading, how important it is, for you to succeed. He is not shy about sharing his struggles with school and leaving with very little. But he is quick to move on, talking about his journey, making the connection between his love of rap music and words- English- reading.
It’s more than that though. Yes, using rap is a brilliant way of enticing young people into the world of words. And it works. There were constant roars and squeals of delight, throughout the event. The cheering got so loud at certain points, several staff were drawn to the auditorium to see what was going on and were blown away by what they saw. But the event also offered an opportunity for enjoyment, a safe space for the students to express themselves, and most importantly gave them the freedom to explore who they could be.
It’s safe to say the MC Grammar event was a huge success, with the appeal stretching far and wide. With a strong and importance message, I’m sure the young people (and the adults) who attended the event will not be forgetting it for a very long time.
