Darren McGarvey

Darren McGarvey, widely known by his stage name Loki, was born in Pollok, Glasgow, into a backdrop of poverty and adversity that would come to shape his life and career. Rising above a challenging upbringing marked by addiction and financial struggle, Darren has emerged as a prominent Scottish author and rapper celebrated for his incisive commentary on social issues.

His debut book, "Poverty Safari," published in 2017, achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a Sunday Times bestseller, gaining widespread popularity and recognition among readers. This work garnered significant critical acclaim and earned him the prestigious Orwell Prize for its profound insights into poverty and inequality. Following this success, his subsequent publication, "The Social Distance Between Us," released in 2022, received similar praise for its insightful examination of societal complexities. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature earlier this year.

Darren has also made substantial inroads into the realm of broadcasting, notably producing several programmess for BBC Scotland that delve into the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour and social deprivation. His 2022 series, "Addictions," received critical acclaim, winning the Best Factual Series award at the BAFTA Scotland Awards, alongside his programme "Class Wars," which secured victories in the categories of Documentary & Specialist Factual and On-Screen Personality at the 2022 RTS Scotland Awards.

Through his multifaceted contributions across literature, music, and broadcasting, Darren McGarvey continues to be a pivotal figure, skillfully dissecting societal issues while advocating for change and social reform in Scotland and beyond.