Michael Kiwanuka

Early Life

Michael Samuel Kiwanuka was born on May 3, 1987, in Muswell Hill, London, to Ugandan immigrant parents who fled Idi Amin's regime. He graduated from Fortismere School in 2005 and later attended the University of Westminster's School of Media, Arts, and Design, where he honed his artistic skills.

Career

Kiwanuka began his career as a session guitarist, collaborating with artists like Chipmunk and Bashy before stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. His first significant performance was at The Oxford in Kentish Town at age 22. He gained recognition after releasing his debut EP, "Tell Me a Tale," in 2011 through Communion Records. Kiwanuka's debut album, "Home Again," released in 2012, received critical acclaim and achieved gold status in the UK. His follow-up album, "Love & Hate," released in 2016, debuted at number one on the UK albums chart and featured the hit single "Cold Little Heart," which became the theme for HBO's "Big Little Lies." In 2019, he released his third album, "Kiwanuka," which won the Mercury Prize in 2020.

Personal Life

In 2016, Kiwanuka married Charlotte, a Christian musician, and they have two children together. The family resides in Southampton. Kiwanuka has been open about his struggles with anxiety and mental health, and he is a devoted Christian and a lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC. In September 2026, he revealed that he suffered a severe stroke in July 2025, which led to the postponement of his album "Fudge" until October 2026, as he continues his rehabilitation journey.