DUKE AL is an award-winning spoken word artist, poet, author, and creative practitioner based in the UK. Known for his emotionally raw performances and rhythm-driven storytelling, DUKE AL uses poetry and spoken word to explore identity, mental health, chronic illness, and human connection.

Writing rhymes has always been his therapy. From a young age, DUKE AL filled lyric books with rap verses and poems as a way to express himself and escape the intrusive patterns of OCD. His early relationship with language ignited a lifelong passion for words, flow, and rhyme—one that continues to shape his distinctive spoken word style today.

At 23, DUKE AL was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a life-changing moment that deepened his reliance on writing as a tool for emotional processing and self-expression. Through poetry, he learned to articulate complex feelings around vulnerability, resilience, and the body, transforming personal challenges into powerful creative work.

Today, DUKE AL creates socially impactful spoken word poetry that resonates across arts, sport, education, and health sectors. His work has been featured in major national campaigns and platforms including Go.Compare Six Nations 2025, FAW, Cardiff Rugby, Creative Cardiff, TNT Sports, BBC Wales, Fujifilm UK, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Arts for Health and Wellbeing, and BBC Scrum V during the Six Nations 2022.

His latest poetry collection, IMAGINE WE TRADE BODIES WITH SHEEP, is out now, further establishing him as a bold and original voice in contemporary spoken word and performance poetry.

Described as “sensational” by John Cooper Clarke, DUKE AL continues to use poetry as a catalyst for connection, empathy, and change—creating impact one rhyme at a time.

‍

https://www.dukeal.com/index.html

‍

‍

‍