© MC Grammar
MC Grammar (Jacob Mitchell) has transformed classrooms, festivals and social media feeds by bringing learning to life through rap and performance. The award-winning teacher, rapper and author first began using music in his own primary school classroom to help children engage with spelling, punctuation and grammar lessons, eventually creating the now globally recognised MC Grammar persona.
What started as classroom rap videos soon became a viral phenomenon after his famous rap version of The Gruffalo captured millions of views online and led to appearances on shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Since then, MC Grammar has gone on to become the official World Book Day Ambassador, headline nationwide arena tours with Young Voices, host Wonder Raps on Sky Kids, release educational music with Universal Music and inspire children around the world through his unique blend of hip-hop, literacy and positivity.
Today, MC Grammar stands as acreative force in education, using music, storytelling, and live shows to inspire children to read with confidence and curiosity. We caught up with MC Grammar to talk about his recent projects, future plans, and mission to make learning fun.
When did you realise MC Grammar was becoming bigger than just a classroom idea?
When I was teaching in the classroom, I was using rap as a learning tool, and the kids I started using it with did really well.
The moment I realised it was bigger than just my classroom was when other schools in the local borough, London Borough of Barnet, started asking me to come in and do shows. Then I started travelling to schools in places like Ipswich, Bermuda, Italy, Cyprus, Colorado.
Then, of course, the Gruffalo video went viral, I got the phone call from Ellen DeGeneres, brought my whole family to LA, and after that, we came back to the UK and did all the chat shows. Then came a record deal with Universal and a television deal with Sky.
That’s when Ireally thought, “Wow, this is now a real thing.”
How did the visual image of MC Grammar really came together?
Originally, the whole thing was almost like a joke. I used to say to the kids, instead of “Stop! Hammer Time,” I’d say “Start! Grammar Time.” So naturally, I dressed a bit like MC Hammer, gold everywhere, and it was kind of a parody.
But then the kids started taking it really seriously and wanted to dress like MC Grammar. That’s when I realised we needed to make it look cooler.
So we went with the black outfit, gold chain, gold trainers that light up, sun glasses, a hat, and developed the logo. It became much more streamlined. If children were going to look up to this character, I wanted to take it seriously. It couldn’t just stay a parody, it had to become a performer.
You’ve broken a Guinness World Record, become a World Book Day ambassador and performed at huge festivals. Which achievement are you most proud of?
There have been so many amazing moments.
As a primary school teacher and English lead, World Book Day was always massive for me because I’ve always been passionate about getting children to read. Reading changed my life. So becoming the official World Book Day Ambassador was a huge moment because it felt like the pinnacle of everything I’d worked towards.
But then, on the other hand, breaking a Guinness World Record is pretty epic too. I used to get the Guinness World Records book every Christmas as a kid, so this year I’ll open it and actually see my face in there. What makes it special isn’t just the achievement itself, it’s the fact that it impacted so many children. We had a theatre full of kids all rapping, rhyming and celebrating language and reading together.
What’s one book every child should read before they grow up and why?
Honestly, I don’t think there’s one single book.
The problem nowadays is that children are often forced to read certain books. For me, reading is about discovery. It’s about finding what you enjoy reading.
Reading for pleasure is the key thing. It shouldn’t feel like a chore, it’s a privilege and a joy. A good book can take you anywhere. You can walk in someone else’s shoes, feel someone else’s feelings, or even discover more about yourself.
And reading doesn’t have to mean a giant novel. It could be a graphic novel, a magazine, rap lyrics, song lyrics, Harry Potter, football articles, Guinness World Records — anything. It could even just be reading road signs on a family journey. At the end of the day, we just want children to read.
So when people ask me what book every child should read, I always say: let them read their way.
What’s the funniest thing a child has ever shouted during one of your performances?
Sometimes during shows, I ask the kids to shout out their names so we can all get to know each other.
Then I’ll ask, “What’s my name?” One child once shouted back, “MC Grandma!” I had to quickly correct them and explain that it was MC Grammar.
If you could perform with one fictional character, who would it be?
There are so many. I’d love to go back-to-back with the Gruffalo and see what he thought of my rap.
Matilda would also be amazing because she’s got all the superpowers, and she could probably move the microphone into my hand while I’m performing.
What’s your mission beyond education through entertainment?
My mission is really about being a positive role model for children.
A lot is happening nowadays with social media, and kids are seeing things they probably shouldn’t at such a young age. I want children to enjoy their childhood. But if they are going to follow someone online, I want to be a positive influence. MC Grammar now has influence over young minds, and I see that as a privilege and a responsibility.
I want to celebrate kindness, celebrate difference, encourage children to be themselves and continue making learning fun. Anything where I can positively impact children’s lives, I’m interested in.
What’s next for MC Grammar?
Loads is happening. We’ve got Rap Kid 3 coming out in 2027, and my first picturebook, Fart in the Dark, is coming out in July.
Over the summer, we’ll be performing at many festivals, and I’m also heading out to LA to work on some exciting projects in America.
Some huge collaborations are coming to my YouTube channel very soon, including some US rappers and some really cool children’s brands.
For me, the next 12 to 18 months are all about creating loads of fun, safe and inspiring content for children and families. I want kids to have a space where learning feels exciting and enjoyable.
Website: www.mrmcgrammar.com
Instagram: mrmcgrammar
YouTube: mcgrammartv
Facebook: mrmcgrammar
Tik Tok: @mrmcgrammar
Spotify: MC Grammar
