A NEWPORT robber-turned-rapper is celebrating after winning the ‘best music video’ award at a regional media competition.

Wesley Kenny, who raps under the name ‘Murkage’, was presented the Mogul Minded Group (MMG) South West regional award for his music video ‘Mary Jane’, at a ceremony in Bristol on July 28.

Mr Kenny, from Newport city centre, has tens of thousands of followers on social media despite being an unsigned artist.

He told the South Wales Argus he hopes the award will lead him onto bigger and better things.

“It was amazing to win it,” said Mr Kenny.

“I was up against some very good artists, and I didn’t think I would win to be honest.

“But now I have, it’s an amazing opportunity for me.

“The award has put me in touch with some great producers in Bristol, and they want to take me on board. So I’m waiting to see what will happen there. But there could be some really big projects coming up.”

Having tasted his first success, Mr Kenny is up for four other nominations, including artist of the year, at the Newport Urban Awards Ceremony on November 24.

In 2011, Mr Kenny was jailed along with two others on robbery charges. He told the South Wales Argus it was hard to believe how far he had come since he got out in 2014.

Inside, Mr Kenny put his talents to good use, and determined to steer clear of trouble, the dad-of-two took up music courses and became the host of the prison’s radio station.

Since leaving jail, Mr Kenny has enjoyed a steady rise in the rap scene, and was featured in the BBC documentary GW:UK - The Unsigned Documentary.

Mr Kenny said: “I was sent to jail for six years, but got out in 2014.

READ MORE: Newport robber-turned-rapper says he is aiming to steer others from crime through his music

“When I went in, my girlfriend was five months pregnant, and my child was three by the time I got out.

“That’s what made me change my life around. “We have another child now and we’re still together.

“They have given me focus and I can’t thank my family enough.

“I also need to thank Liam Adams from Studio 45 who has helped me a lot with my music by recording and shooting my videos.

“This is a big chance for me. I need to use this. I think this time next year I could be in the sights of some major labels, touring the world and selling out shows. It’s up to me to make it happen now.”