During a course of counselling for chronic depression in 2019, Wilko Wilkes decided to make a commitment to his art. Fast-forward a few years and he is now a recording artist, music producer and live performer with numerous gigs and songwriting credits to his name. Wilko Wilkes is an artist who writes and raps from the heart, blending his troubled and sometimes bleak outlook on life with messages of hope, unity & respect. In September 2022 he released his debut album Life Is Not A Rehearsal, later voted New Artist Spotlight Album of the Year. Wilko has gained plaudits for his blistering live set which has seen him play support to big names such as Arrested Development and Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer. Always progressing, he now often produces his tracks from idea to release, following mentoring sessions with legendary hip hop producer HashFinger. Thought-provoking and original, his storytelling songs are peppered with humorous wordplay, mundane real-life references and unexpected twists. A mental health advocate who is passionate about his local community, he runs social enterprise Rap for Good, which empowers young people to use their voice for positive change, and is involved with a number of charities in Yorkshire. In 2023 he hosted and performed at the West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureate Awards, alongside UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, and Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, as part of the BBC spoken word festival. Find out more at WilkoWilkes.com