Michael Kiwanuka
Biography
Michael Kiwanuka (born 3 May 1987) is a British singer-songwriter from Muswell Hill, London, the son of Ugandan parents who fled Idi Amin's regime.[7] He studied at the University of Westminster, worked as a session guitarist, and won the BBC Sound of 2012 poll before releasing his debut Home Again.[7]
Love & Hate (2016) reached number one in the UK, and Kiwanuka (2019) won the Mercury Prize in 2020.[7] Small Changes followed in 2024.[7] His fifth album, FUDGE, is his first self-produced record since his debut, and was released in October 2026 after he suffered a stroke in July 2025.[2][4]
For FUDGE he built a one-room studio called Dreamers near his Southampton home, partly funded by Mercury Prize money, and recorded there with his live band and multi-instrumentalist Joe Connell.[4][1] The recordings were then finished with producer Dom Monks and string arranger Rosie Danvers.[2][5] The stroke was a haemorrhage linked to undiagnosed high blood pressure, followed by emergency surgery and many months of rehabilitation that affected his speech and breathing.[2] He has said he wanted to tell people why he had been absent, and that the album's title reflects a playful, just-do-it attitude toward creativity.[2][4][9]
For FUDGE he built a small one-room studio near his Southampton home, reportedly named Dreamers, and worked there with multi-instrumentalist Joe Connell and members of his touring band, fitting sessions into spare hours to keep his creative momentum going.[4] He has said the album's title reflects a playful, childlike spirit that is good for creativity.[4]
References
- Clash review of FUDGE — Review noting the closer's poignancy, the album's reflective tone, and the effect of Kiwanuka's ill health.
- NME review of FUDGE — Review covering the album's sound, continuity with Small Changes, and the stroke context.
- Salon review of FUDGE — Review describing the album as a sun-soaked daydream with layered strings.
- SPIN: Michael Kiwanuka stroke album — Artist quotes on the album title, home studio, self-production, and his recovery.
- uDiscover: Kiwanuka announces FUDGE — Album announcement with production, collaborator and label details.
- mxdwn: FUDGE announcement — Tracklist showing Swings and Roundabouts as track 12, plus release date.
- Wikipedia: Michael Kiwanuka — Biography, discography and awards.
- Clash: Michael Kiwanuka details new album FUDGE — Announcement with artist quote and note that the album was delayed by almost a year.
- The Line of Best Fit: On FUDGE, Michael Kiwanuka makes peace with taking his time — Review of FUDGE noting the album's delay and its creative freedom.