George the Poet

Early life Mpanga was born to Ugandan parents on the St Raphael's Estate in Neasden, north-west London. He began performing rap and grime when he was 15 years old. He subsequently studied politics, psychology and sociology at King's College, Cambridge (2010–2013), where he decided to adapt his rap output into poetry so as to communicate more effectively with his audience. Mpanga said, "I think rappers are primarily expected to make money for the industry and provide party soundtracks, but obviously there are exceptions and grey areas. The poet's 'role' is usually to provide thoughtful social commentary."

During his studies, Mpanga won a social enterprise competition organised by Barclays and Channel 4 called The Stake, which asked entrants how they would spend £100,000. He used his £16,000 prize to fund The Jubilee Line, a series of secondary school poetry workshops for underprivileged children in London.

Life and career In May 2012, Mpanga premiered the piece "My City", about his hometown London. Subsequently, BBC Radio 1 selected him as the face of their Hackney Weekend (in June 2012), and Sky Sports F1 commissioned him to write poems for their coverage of the 2012 Formula One season and the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix. In July 2014, the consumer watchdog group Which? released the track "It's Yours", a collaboration between Mpanga and producer Jakwob, as part of a campaign lobbying the UK Government to improve their response to complaints about public services. "My City" was adapted as a music collaboration with dance producers Bodhi, and released as a single in August 2014. In October 2014, Mpanga released the EP The Chicken and the Egg and the single "1,2,1,2" (once again with Bodhi), describing the former release as "about premature parenthood. Through the story of a rocky relationship, it outlines the cycle of fatherlessness in seven tracks." Vice magazine wrote that the EP "showcases perhaps the tightest lyricism of the year to date".

In November 2014, it was announced that Mpanga had been shortlisted for the Critics' Choice category at the 2015 BRIT Awards. He came fifth in the BBC Sound of 2015 poll. As of late 2014, Mpanga was writing a debut album and working on theatre and film projects. His first collection of poetry in book form, Search Party, was published by Virgin Books in 2015.

In March 2018, it was announced that Mpanga had been elected as a member of the national council of Arts Council England. Shortly afterwards, in June 2018, it came to media attention that Mpanga had been stopped and searched by police in an incident that was video-recorded. Mpanga opened the BBC coverage of the royal wedding, between Prince Harry and Megan Markle, by reading a love poem.

, Mpanga was studying for a PhD in economics at University College London, focusing on the potential for black music to catalyse social power and economic progress.

On 28 August 2021, Mpanga married Sandra Diana Makumbi in a ceremony at St Nicolas Church in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, followed by wedding celebrations at the nearby Hedsor House estate .

Artistry Mpanga's influences include rappers Nas, Dizzee Rascal, and Tupac Shakur, and poets including Maya Angelou, Black Ice, and George Watsky.

Discography

Extended plays The Chicken and the Egg (2014) Do What Comes Naturally (2025)

Singles "It's Yours" (2014) "My City" (2014) "1,2,1,2" (2014) "Cat D" (2015) "Wotless" (2015) "Search Party" (2015) "Search Party 2" (2015) "What Do You Reckon?" (2016) "Wake Up" (2016) "Follow the Leader" (2018) "Make a Change" (2021) "The Natural World" (2025)

Guest appearances and collaborations "Young Kingz Part 1" (2013). Collaboration with Krept & Konan "The Lucky Strike EP" (2013). Collaboration with Mikill Pane "Act I" (2013). Collaboration with Naughty Boy "Act II" (2013). Collaboration with Naughty Boy "Epilogue" (2013). Collaboration with Naughty Boy "In The Quiet" (2014). Collaboration with Nick Brewer and Max Marshall "My City" (2014). Collaboration with Bodhi "Spoken Word" (2016). Collaboration with Chase & Status "Royalty" (2018). Collaboration with Dun D and Tiggs Da Author "If I Gotta Go" (2021). Collaboration with Skrapz "Motivational Speech" (2024). Collaboration with Skrapz and Terrell the Artist

Podcast discography Have You Heard George's Podcast Chapter One (2018)

Episode 1 – Listen Closer Episode 2 – Popcorn Episode 3 – A Grenfell Story Episode 3.5 – Grenfell II Episode 4 – It's On Us Episode 5 – Press Play Episode 6 – The Journey Pt I Episode 7 – The Journey Pt II Episode 8 – Sanyu's World

Have You Heard George's Podcast Chapter Two (2019)

Episode 9 – Sabrina's Boy Episode 10 – A Bedtime Story Episode 11 – Writer's Block Episode 12 – A Night to REMember Episode 13 – A North West Story Episode 14 – A Hard Taskmaster Episode 15 – Who Am I? Episode 16 – Loose Ends Episode 17 – The Bag Episode 18 – Concurrent Affairs

Awards and nominations