Leyla won the Hammer and Tongue UK National Slam 2014 at The Royal Albert Hall, The Commonwealth Slam 2014, Loud Poets Grand Slam 2016. She was a finalist for the Roundhouse Slam 2017 and runner-up for The Scottish Championships 2018.

Her book In Public/In Private is her first collection of poems published by Burning Eye Books. The book was supported by Creative Scotland and she was been mentored by Kim Addonizio.

Leyla won The Forward Prize for Best Single Poem Performed 2024 with her poem Dear John Berger. You can watch the winning video here.

Leyla has been on the same bill as Kae Tempest, Hollie McNish and Lowkey. She has performed for the First Minister of Scotland and supported John Cooper Clarke on his Scottish tour.

Leyla’s poems Good with our hands and Prestwick Airport were named in Scottish Poetry Library’s Best Scottish Poems 2020 and 2022.

Her live poetry album from 2019 ‘Archive:Live!’ is available on all streaming sites.