Loki
Also known as Loki · Loki the Scottish Rapper
Based in Glasgow, Scotland
Roles rapper · MC · lyricist · writer · author · broadcaster · social commentator · spoken-word performer
Loki is the performing name of Darren McGarvey, a Glasgow rapper, writer and social commentator who grew up in Pollok. His recordings include *Friendly World*, *Summer Knows a Darker Shade of Grey*, *Government Issue Music Protest* and *Trigger Warning*, exploring subjects including class, inequality and identity. In 2014 he collaborated with Becci Wallace on *Government Issue Music Protest* (also known as *G.I.M.P.*), released through Black Lantern Clan. Its executive producers included Texture (Bram E. Gieben), and Asthmatic Astronaut mastered the album at Ionotrope Studios. He later became widely known as the author of *Poverty Safari*, winner of the 2018 Orwell Prize, and *The Social Distance Between Us*. He has presented programmes for BBC Scotland, delivered a BBC Reith Lecture and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023. His 2025 album *Not Funded by Creative Scotland* was described at release as his final album under the Loki name.
Early career
- Early recording period identified on the artist’s official musician page; includes Friendly World and Summer Knows a Darker Shade of Grey.
- 2015 — Served as rapper-in-residence with the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit.
Releases
- Friendly World
- Summer Knows a Darker Shade of Grey
- Government Issue Music Protest (2014)
- Trigger Warning (2017)
- Not Funded by Creative Scotland (2025)
Related artists
- Becci Wallace — collaborator and co-performer on Government Issue Music Protest
- Texture — executive producer of Government Issue Music Protest
- Asthmatic Astronaut — mastering of Government Issue Music Protest
Festival appearances
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe · 2018
Production and recording credits
- Government Issue Music Protest — Co-writing and performance with Becci Wallace; executive production credited to Darren McGarvey, Bram E. Gieben (Texture) and Gareth Bury; mastering by Asthmatic Astronaut at Ionotrope Studios.
Labels and affiliations
- Black Lantern Clan — released Government Issue Music Protest
- Scottish Violence Reduction Unit — rapper-in-residence
- BBC Scotland — documentary presenter
- Royal Society of Literature — fellow