Life Is Better With Kiwanuka
Time slows down. A warmness wraps around your heart. A feeling of peace. These are common symptoms that occur when listening to Michael Kiwanuka. I’m not suggesting you replace medication with his music – but I could see some legitimate supplementary benefits from a healthy dose of Kiwanuka’s output.
Listening to his Folk meets Soul meets Psychedelic Guitar Virtuoso catalogue instils the best kind of nostalgic feeling – it feels familiar, timeless, but entirely authentic. Ahead of his new album Small Changes (Out November 15), I wanted to celebrate Michael Kiwanuka’s unique place in music today. I think he’s an artist everyone should know because I truly believe his music makes the world a kinder, gentler place.
While much of life in modern times has in your face, full throttle, pick me energy, every now and then a musician comes along that transcends the infinite hype machine. It’s an earned confidence that allows artists to exist in the pauses. To have surety in steadiness.
It’s not to say Michael Kiwanuka is undeniable. Far from it. He himself denied himself many times over before becoming the fully realised musician we have today. Before breaking into mainstream knowledge thanks to a perfect placement of ‘Cold Little Heart’ over the opening credits of Nicole Kidman’s smash hit TV show Big Little Lies, Kiwanuka was slowly and steadily building himself a career he could be proud of.
Just like his music, his story is familiar yet wholly specific to himself.
Growing up in England, the child of Ugandan immigrants who fled the brutal regime of Idi Amin, Kiwanuka has always battled self confidence issues. He doesn’t have the ego or narcissism of a supernova superstar, he has the very real worries and anxieties of you and me. His childhood dream of becoming a jazz guitarist was given up on after a single teacher gave him a bad report.
“I would always just quit when things got difficult… Somebody would put me down and I’d believe them.” Kiwanuka has said.
He accepted that he’s not the frontman and settled into life as a session guitarist and pub singer. The worried little kid who had his mind blown by Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix was content to muddle away in the trenches. Lucky for us, in 2011 he was signed as a solo artist and began his very Kiwanuka road to success.
He opened for Adele on her 2011 tour, released a couple of EPs, and then in 2012 officially made his mark with the release of the simple, elegant ‘Home Again’.
The maturity and confidence in his music still wasn’t matching up to his inner world, though. Plagued by doubt (including nefarious suggestions he should change his name to make it more palatable), he even discarded an entire albums worth of new music due to insecurity. The music was always phenomenal. His unique voice and talent were always present. It’s a truism for a reason – you can never not be yourself, no matter how hard you try.
He talked to The Guardian about confronting his confidence troubles when making his acclaimed 3rd album Kiwanuka:
“I got tired of impostor syndrome and self-doubt… I’m living my dream. I’m in the room. And I was wasting it with thoughts of inferiority. I’ve always had that annoying voice and after 30 years you’re like, ‘Shut up, I’ve had enough of this’.”
Worry is a double edged sword. It holds you back, but also provides some incredibly thoughtful material. And thoughtfulness is a hallmark of Kiwanuka’s music.
“We’re connected by the struggles we have and I think that’s what I’m singing about – being a human being and trying to overcome, which is what we’re all doing in a way.”
His unassuming career took another huge leap in 2020, when he won the prestigious Mercury Prize for the album Kiwanuka. In retrospect it shouldn’t be a shock, but it took everyone by surprise when he beat out the list of nominees that included Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Porridge Radio, and Stormzy. That’s classic Michael Kiwanuka, content to potter away in the background and produce art that is truly his own. He’s not trying to impress anyone anymore, which is the most impressive thing. (I mean, he admits his go to karaoke song is ‘Work’ by Rihanna – which shows a level of comfort we can only dream of.)
He’s now outgrown the “collection of influences” tag that haunted his mind. He might bristle at this, but he now lives alongside his heroes Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, and even Pink Floyd. His honesty and vulnerability has become his musical voice. Michael Kiwanuka is one of one.
His homely and comforting mix of soul, folk, R&B, has also meant he’s become a go-to collaborator for other musical icons. Karon O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame teamed up with Kiwanuka on her gorgeous solo track ‘YO! MY SAINT’. Plus, he has a long time relationship with legendary producer Danger Mouse. Film directors Baz Luhrmann and Steve McQueen have also called on Kiwanuka to add to their projects.
Three albums in, all vastly different yet of a piece, and we are ready for the next stage in his career. November will see the release of a new album, Small Changes. An aptly titled collection of soulful compositions.
Here’s a taste of what to expect:
Small Changes is a philosophy to celebrate. With every day and every decision, we all make tiny changes to the world. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race – and I’m so thankful Michael Kiwanuka has taken the path he has to get to this place in his life.
