Leeds rapper August.III releases debut EP Hospital Talk written while recovering from surgery in St James's

Instead, sitting in his dressing gown in St James's Hospital with only headphones and a microphone to hand, he recorded his debut EP - Hospital Talk.

After recovering from surgery to treat a stomach issue just before the lockdown, August faced a lengthy recovery period and recording the EP was the therapy he needed.

Hospital Talk is infused with sounds of UK rap, trap and drill.

"You can hear the pain in my voice while I’m recording," August said.

"When I listen back, I can hear the same vibe and lyrics come through different tracks. I was in my zone.

"That still affects me today and is a part of what I write. Something I was down from has got me here.

"For the good of my mental health, I knew I had to focus on the future and let my mind go there. Now I have the opportunity to fulfil that potential.”

August is signed to independent record label Marylebone Records and caught the attention of BBC Asian Network with his first major single Paaji, which has had more than 200,000 Spotify streams.

Hospital Talk EP will be released on June 11.

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.