LI doctor's rapping aims to help folks avoid swine flu
Photo credit: James Carbone | Dr. John Clarke, 38, of Baldwin, raps about swine flu at the Mineola train station Thursday afternoon.
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A rapping Long Island doctor could soon make his TV debut with an original video that uses music to help people avoid swine flu.
By day, Dr. John Clarke, 38, of Baldwin, works as medical director for the Long Island Rail Road.
But in his off-hours, Clarke makes health-based rap CDs and now, it seems, he just might give Jay-Z a run for his money.
Clarke has landed a spot as one of 10 finalists in a competition sponsored by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. HHS is seeking the best public service announcement educating people about swine flu.
Click here to watch Dr. Clarke's video, and to cast your vote
"You submitted [entries] via YouTube, which I thought was great," Clarke said. "It shows the current administration is flowing with the times. This is the government staying hip."
In the video, filmed on the campus of Columbia University in Manhattan, where Clarke was an undergraduate, he raps about swine flu:
"H1N1 Swine flu infection
For intervention I bring prevention,
Dr. Clarke, here I come, to make your head numb!
Health Hop, lesson one, to stop the bedlam,
If you think you're infected, seek attention."
This isn't Clarke's first foray into the rap world - he has long believed health education combined with rap can help teach teens about medical problems.
The doctor says rap helps teens and children remember things - invaluable when trying to instill good health habits.
Clarke's son, John, 3, can be heard on the swine flu video; his cousin, Hugh Applewhaite Jr. of Lakeview, did the filming and editing.
On Clarke's Web site, healthhopmusic.com, teens can sample some of his CDs, such as "Asthma Stuff" and "U Need 2 Know," about diabetes prevention.
"I'm really excited about this," Clarke said. "I've been doing this since 1997. There was never an outlet to get it exposed."
Clarke has lectured and performed at Hempstead High School.
Soon, he says, some of his songs will be available on cdbaby.com and iTunes.
The public will choose the winner. Voting started on YouTube on Aug. 29 and will end Sept. 16. Information on how to vote can be found at flu.gov. The winner will receive $2,500, and the winning video will be aired on national TV.
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