Danny Carlo Pandolfi is a poet, rapper, educator, and cultural producer from London, now based in Bristol.
He is the winner of the 2026 Sky Arts Award for Poetry.
His poems have been published in magazines including Aesthetica and Propel Magazine, and he was Highly Commended for the 2025 Forward Prize for Best Single Poem - Performed.
His educational workshops and arts projects seek to make poetry and rap engaging and accessible for everyone, using them as a positive outlet for self-expression, mental health and connection.
Known for blending contemporary hip-hop with traditional poetry, his music has charted #1 in the UK Hip-Hop chart (Letter to Corbyn) and his work has been featured across major platforms including ITV News, BBC 1Xtra and TEDx. He is a former UK Battle Rap Champion on Don’t Flop.
He has performed at iconic venues such as Ministry of Sound, 02 Academy Bristol and Roundhouse London, at festivals including Shambala, WOMAD, Camp Bestival, Cheltenham Literature Festival and Ledbury Poetry Festival, and on radio stations including BBC 1Xtra and BBC Radio Bristol.
He is founder and director of Raise the Bar, the South West’s leading live poetry night and an artist development platform, and co-founder and artistic director of Lyra - Bristol Poetry Festival.
He is a former Resident Artist at Roundhouse London and Bristol Boat Poet, and has delivered poetic commissions for the likes of Bristol Beacon, University of Bristol and Clevedon Curzon. He has written private commissions for weddings, corporate events, and other occasions, and has also done voiceover work for Spotify campaigns and a BBC feature film.
List of previous collaborators/clients/venues as a writer and performer include:
02 Academy Bristol, Apples and Snakes, Bath Spa University, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio Bristol, Bristol Beacon, Harbour Fest, Bristol University, Camp Bestival, Charlie Sloth, Cheltenham Literature Festival, Clevedon Curzon, Exeter Phoenix, ITV News, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Love Saves the Day Festival, Messums Wiltshire, Rife Magazine, Roundhouse London, Shambala, Sofar Sounds, The Canary, TedX, The Fleece, Tongue Fu, University of Bristol, Wardrobe Theatre, Valley Fest and more.
