Michael Kiwanuka

Biography

Michael Samuel Kiwanuka, born on 3 May 1987 in Muswell Hill, North London, to Ugandan immigrant parents who fled Idi Amin's regime, grew up discovering music through influences like Radiohead, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, and soul legends such as Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Bill Withers, and Curtis Mayfield[1][2][4][6][7]. Initially plagued by self-confidence issues, he studied arts at the University of Westminster and worked as a session guitarist for artists like Chipmunk and Bashy, performing his first solo gig at age 22 at The Oxford in Kentish Town[1][2][3][4]. Discovered by Paul Butler, he signed with Communion Records, releasing EPs Tell Me a Tale (2011) and I'm Getting Ready, before inking a deal with Polydor Records and winning BBC's Sound of 2012[1][2][3][4].

Kiwanuka's debut album Home Again (2012) achieved gold status in the UK, peaking at number 4, followed by the critically acclaimed Love & Hate (2016, produced by Danger Mouse), which topped the UK charts and featured the HBO series Big Little Lies theme 'Cold Little Heart'[1][3][4][5]. His self-titled album Kiwanuka (2019, co-produced with Inflo) won the Mercury Prize in 2020 and earned Grammy and Brit nominations, while Small Changes arrived in 2024[4][5]. His style blends soul, folk, R&B, and emotional lyricism, often compared to classic soul icons, establishing him as a leading contemporary voice with Ugandan heritage shaping his introspective themes[1][2][4][5][6]. Open about anxiety struggles, he married musician Charlotte in 2016 and resides in Southampton[4].

Fun Facts

• After scrapping an entire second album (Night Songs) due to discouragement from an A&R executive, Kiwanuka pivoted to create the acclaimed Love & Hate[4].
• His track 'Cold Little Heart' became the theme song for HBO's Big Little Lies[4].
• A lifelong Tottenham Hotspur FC fan and practising Christian, he has openly discussed mental health struggles including anxiety[4].
• Illustrated in a 2012 BBC article as a Ugandan-British counterpart to Penélope Cruz amid the Eurozone crisis[2].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Paul Butler - Discovered him as session musician and invited to Isle of Wight studio (Early EPs) [Pre-2011]
• Danger Mouse - Key producer on major albums (Love & Hate (2016), Kiwanuka (2019)) [2016-2019]
• Inflo - Co-producer and collaborator (Kiwanuka (2019)) [2019]

Key Collaborators

• Chipmunk - Session guitarist (Various tracks) [Pre-2011]
• Bashy - Session guitarist (Various tracks) [Pre-2011]
• Adele - Opening act on tour and iTunes Festival (Adele Live 2011 tour) [2011]
• Karen O - Collaboration on solo track ('YO! MY SAINT') [Post-2012]
• SAULT - Regular contributor and confidante (Collective projects) [Recent]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Cold Little Heart - Radio Edit
2. Home Again (Home Again (Deluxe Version))
3. Love & Hate (Love & Hate)
4. One More Night (Love & Hate)
5. Cold Little Heart (Love & Hate)
6. Solid Ground (KIWANUKA)
7. Floating Parade (Small Changes)
8. Rest (Home Again (Deluxe Version))
9. One And Only (Small Changes)
10. The Rest Of Me (Small Changes)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #soul