Spotlight On Careers
Hip-Hop Scientist

Meet Grand Hank, a.k.a. Tyraine Ragsdale, a chemist who raps about science.

How he started rapping: I worked as a DJ while I was in college, so I know students love rap. After I graduated, I started working as a chemist in pharmaceutical (drug) company. My job was to purify medicine like Tylenol. I loved my field, but I wanted to get kids excited about science, too. So, I decided to use rap to get my message across.

On stage: I wear my hip-hop lab coat, covered in white sequins. Lights, fog, and dancing pump up the crowd while I rap.

Why science gets a bad rap: Some people think science is for nerds. But when I start rapping, people realize that scientists can be just as cool as everybody else. After a performance, kids tell me, “ I didn’t know science could be this much fun!”

Fresh words on science: Everyday, we use things like aspirin, TVs, and computers, but we don’t always remember that these things didn’t exist before scientist invented them. I challenge people to learn about science so they can understand how things work. Who knows? You may invent something that will change the world.

Take it from Grand Hank: Science is related to everything we do and say, from the cars we drive to the clothes we wear, Whether we have straight or kinky hair. Yet, science is misunderstood. Many think it’s bad, but science is good.

Got a science rap of your own?
Grand Hank wants to hear it! Send your science rap to:

Grand Hank Productions, Inc.
P.O. Box 23488
Philadelphia, PA 19143