Large Hadron Rap

Recently, I've discussed some ways that physics and culture mix, but a new development brings that to light even more significantly. The Large Hadron Rap was written by CERN science writer Kate McAlpine, a.k.a. "Alpine Kat," during her 40-minute Geneva-to-CERN commute. Among other things, this provides an incredibly useful and entertaining learning tool to discuss with students the physics behind the Large Hadron Collider and particle physics in general.

This isn't the only learning tool available on YouTube, of course. For example, the UC Berkeley online course area offers several courses (including "Physics for Future Presidents") free viewing online. On the particle physics front, there's also CERN TV, an online center that provides official videos from CERN.

Rap might also provide a natural medium for discussing science. This is McAlpine's own second foray into the science rap genre, following up the N3UROCH!P Rap on neural networks. Nor is she alone in this, as evidenced by a

Perhaps the most popular example of this genre is the work of nerdcore rapper M.C. Hawking, who creates physics- and science-based raps in the computerized voice of physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking. His 2004 greatest hits album, A Brief History of Rhyme, was the first I heard of him, but apparently he's been around for over a decade, bustin' rhymes just like Goedel was bustin' time.

The cover of M.C. Hawking's
greatest hit album,
A Brief History of Rhyme