"I felt like I toed the line of nowhere," Michael Kiwanuka says of his upbringing as the child of Ugandan refugees in England.

Michael Kiwanuka: A Soul for the Ages

 

In the dimly lit studio where echoes dance between notes, Michael Kiwanuka unfolds a tapestry woven from threads of heritage, spirit, and the raw, unyielding essence of humanity. The long video of “Cold Little Heart” plays, each instrument entering like a whisper, building into a symphony of sound that grips the heart with its intensity. Here, time seems to stretch, allowing each note to breathe, to resonate in the silence left behind.

So who is Michael Kiwanuka, and why do his words and melodies matter now, more than ever? Born to Ugandan parents in the heart of London, Kiwanuka emerged as a voice for our times, blending the rich traditions of soul, blues, and folk into a sound distinctly his own. His artistry reflects a journey—one that encompasses the struggles and triumphs of identity, the nuances of race, and the timeless quest for belonging.

With his acclaimed albums, especially “Love and Hate,” Kiwanuka invites us into his world, where each song serves as a vessel carrying stories of resilience and introspection. Collaborating with the likes of Danger Mouse has allowed him to explore profound themes, crafting music that is as much a reflection of his heritage as it is a commentary on the complexities of modern life.

In “Cold Little Heart,” the gradual build-up feels almost ritualistic. It’s a song that breathes, drawing you into its embrace with the promise of revelation. Whether played in the morning light or the solitude of night, its haunting beauty lingers, echoing the truths we often shy away from. Kiwanuka’s voice cuts through the chaos of contemporary existence, grounding us in our shared humanity.

Today, as we share the Kiwanuka groove, we are reminded of the power of music to transcend barriers, to connect us to something greater. Michael Kiwanuka is not just a singer; he is a storyteller, a weaver of emotion and experience, calling us to listen—to the music, to ourselves, and to each other.

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Michael Kiwanuka – Cold Little Heart (Live Session)

Music in this video
Song
Cold Little Heart
Artist
Michael Kiwanuka
Licensed to YouTube by
UMG (on behalf of Polydor Records); Hexacorp (music publishing), SOLAR Music Rights Management, UMPI, CMRRA, LatinAutor, PEDL, ASCAP, LatinAutorPerf, LatinAutor – Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell, UNIAO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORS DE MUSICA – UBEM, BMI – Broadcast Music Inc., AMRA, Kobalt Music Publishing, and 20 Music Rights Societies
silas-baisch-Ocean from bottom fish sunlight bleeding through-unsplash
Ocean bubbles
Lyrics

Did you ever want it?
Did you want it bad?
Ohhh, my
It tears me apart
Did you ever fight it?
All of the pain
So much pride
Running through my veins

Bleeding, I’m bleeding
My cold little heart
Oh I, I can’t stand myself

And I know
In my heart, in this cold heart
I can live or I can die
I believe if I just try
You believe in you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I

Did you ever notice
I’ve been ashamed
All my life
I’ve been playing games
We can try and hide it
It’s all the same
I’ve been losing you
One day at a time

Bleeding, I’m bleeding
My cold little heart
Oh I, I can’t stand myself

And I know
In my heart, in this cold heart
I can live or I can die
I believe if I just try
You believe in you and I
In my heart, in this cold heart
I can live or I can die
I believe if I just try
You believe in you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I

Maybe this time I can be strong
But since I know who I am
I’m probably wrong
Maybe this time I can go far
But thinking about where I’ve been
Ain’t helping me start


11 months ago (edited)

I slowly lost my husband of 42 years slowly to cancer, my one, my only, and my last love… Michael, you are a gift to us all! Your music cuts straight through the depths of my heart. My heartbreak of loss, you have just helped me release, as my tears flow down my face, l am so touched by your music. l have been holding back for so long, a pain that will never go away, only strengthens all my love and thoughts of the most wonderful life we shared for so long… My dog Skyler and l are alone now… l lost my husband, Cody, our 17-year-old healer mix, Casey, our 18.5-year dog, my cat Cali who was killed the week he died, and her brother to cancer all in this short period… Heartbreak only makes us stronger to help us manage our journeys throughout the rest of our life! 💔🐾❤️ You become more forgiving, tolerant, and loving of so many others. LIFE IS TO SHORT … Forgive, move forward, and Love everyone!
Love, Love, Love you and your music! Thank you so very, very much for all your gifts! 💔🐾 Melanie and my dog Skyler

Melanie Denton

Michael Kiwanuka – Solid Ground (Live On The Late Late Show With James Corden)

 

Tracklist : 1) Light 0:13 2)Hard To Say Goodbye 4:34 3)Hero 9:21 4)Cold Little Heart 13:20 5)Solid Ground 17:50

Michael Kiwanuka: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

 

MUSICIANS Michael Kiwanuka: vocals, guitar, keys CREDITS Video: Eoin McLoughlin Audio: St. Francis Hotel TINY DESK TEAM Producer: Abby O’Neill Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin Associate Producer: Bobby Carter Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame, Maia Stern Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

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Michael Kiwanuka – Live At The Mildmay Club

 

 

Listen to the Mercury Prize-winning album ’KIWANUKA’ now: https://michaelkiwanuka.lnk.to/Kiwanu… Michael Kiwanuka – Live At The Mildmay Club in London. Directed by Huse Monfaradi Tracklist: Hero Piano Joint Light You Ain’t The Problem Recorded live in London at The Mildmay Club.

mini jupe in the algerian Sahara (Mertoutek, near Tamanrasset) , 6000 yaers old, prehistoric painting - photo made by rouichi / switzerland by azzedine rouichi unsplash

Michael Kiwanuka – One More Night (Official Video)

Lyrics

One more night One more night till the morning One more night One more night till the day I’ll be right I’ll be right in the morning I’ll be alright I’ll be right in the day But I believe it One more night till the morning But I believe it One more night till the morning I’ll be trying I’ll be trying in the morning I’ll be trying I’ll be trying in the day No more lies No more lies in the morning No more lies No more lies in the day But I believe it One more night till the morning But I believe it One more night till the morning I’ll be holding on Holding in I’ll be holding on And holding in I’ll be holding on And holding in One more night One more night till the morning One more night One more night till the day I’m on fire I’m on fire for the morning I’m on fire I’m on fire for the day But I believe it One more night till the morning But I believe it One more night till the morning One more night till the morning One more night till the morning One more night till the morning

Ocean sun reflected light at sandy bottom