Rooted in Rhythm: DUKE AL

DUKE AL, Creative Entrepreneur

DUKE AL lives and breathes storytelling. Whether through poetry, music, film, or public speaking, his work is a constant exploration of what it means to be human—and how art can help us make sense of that. His creativity doesn’t fit neatly into a single box. He’s a poet, a performer, a hip-hop artist, an author, a creative director, and a teacher. But more than anything, Duke is someone who uses his voice—and helps others find theirs.

DUKE AL has been using words to make sense of the world since he was eleven. Influenced by the lyricism of artists like Tupac and Eminem, poetry became his way of translating the chaos in his mind into something beautiful, something that made sense. Growing up with OCD, he often felt silenced by intrusive thoughts and compulsions. But while his brain was at war, his pen offered peace. “My brain told my hand, I told the pen and the pen told the page,” he says. Poetry became a coping mechanism, one that would evolve into a calling.

What began in private notebooks has since reached global stages. From a spoken word short film on the Olympics in Paris to commissions for BBC Scrum V, Fujifilm UK, Cardiff University, and GoCompare, Duke’s words have travelled far. He’s created for BT Sports (TNT SPORTS), performing a piece on Sir Lewis Hamilton that resonated with fans across the country. He’s spoken on the BAFTA stage for Epilepsy Action. His work isn’t just artistic, it’s personal, purposeful, and powerfully reflective of his lived experience.

This March, Duke reached a new milestone: the release of his debut poetry collection “Imagine We Trade Bodies with Sheep.” It’s a deep, emotional dive into identity, society, and the unseen struggles we carry. A blend of critique and confession, the book is a snapshot of Duke’s mind and heart; vivid, vulnerable, and unfiltered.

Duke’s creativity extends far beyond the page or the mic. He’s passionate about education and advocacy, using his lived experience with OCD and Type 1 Diabetes to start real conversations. Whether he’s speaking at corporate events or working with organisations like Diabetes Ireland, Abbott and OCD Action, Duke isn’t just sharing his story, he’s encouraging others to share theirs.

He also runs workshops for all ages, from primary school children to older adults. These sessions, often supported by Arts Council Wales and People Speak Up, explore topics like mental health, loneliness and imagination through the lens of poetry and storytelling. His work is rooted in community, empathy, and giving people the tools to find their own voice.

A big part of Duke’s ethos is about creating space, not just for himself, but for others. He founded Poet Treehouse, an open mic night that welcomes all art forms. Poetry, live music, author readings, anything goes. It’s a warm, welcoming space that feels like climbing into a creative treehouse and escaping the noise of the world.

The name is intentional. The treehouse symbolises escapism but also safety, imagination, and play. For Duke, it’s a way to uplift other voices, to build community, and to keep the artistic spirit alive at a grassroots level.

In some of his commissioned work, Duke takes on a creative director role, collaborating with musicians, videographers, and producers to shape the sound and visual identity of a piece. From storyboarding to shoot day, he’s involved in bringing his poems to life as full sensory experiences. It’s an extension of his storytelling, just through another medium.

One of Duke’s biggest challenges early on was figuring out where to start, finding the right people, the right platforms, and the right audience. And like many performers, he struggled with stage fright. But his approach to discomfort is clear: “If it makes me feel uncomfortable, then I know I need to do it.” With time, preparation, and confidence, the mic became less intimidating and now, it feels like home.

Duke has recently completed the Innovation for Creatives programme. It’s helped him feel supported in the freelance world, a space where creative energy can sometimes feel isolating.

Now, he’s looking ahead to new creative ground. One of his big goals for the year is to write and shoot his first short film, an ambition that reflects his ongoing evolution as an artist. It’s not about adding another title to his name; it’s about continuing to explore new ways to tell the stories that matter.