Kiwanuka grew up in Muswell Hill, London, the son of Ugandan parents who had escaped the Amin regime. He attended Fortismere School, leaving there in 2005 after completing his A-Levels. He went on to study at the School of Media, Arts and Design at the University of Westminster.
Kiwanuka worked as a session guitarist, playing with Chipmunk and Bashy, before working as a solo artist; his first proper gig was at The Oxford, Kentish Town. He came to the attention of Communion Records, which released his first two EPs, including his debut Tell Me A Tale on 13 June 2011.
Kiwanuka supported Adele on her Adele Live 2011 tour, as well at her iTunes Festival 2011 gig and played at the 2011 Hard Rock Calling.
In 2011, he signed a deal with Polydor Records. He was included in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll and was named as the winner on 6 January 2012. In June 2012, he was illustrated in a BBC article regarding Spain vis-à-vis Uganda during the Eurozone crisis; his putative counterpart was actress Penélope Cruz.
In July 2016, he performed at the British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park on the same day as Carole King and Don Henley.
The 5th prestigious HiPipo Music Awards will honor Michael Kiwanuka with the award of "Best Global Act" in recognition and celebration of his ‘Love & Hate’ album success and musical accomplishments since his 2012 debut album "Home Again".
His song "Cold Little Heart" serves as the opening theme for the HBO miniseries Big Little Lies.
Kiwanuka has acknowledged influences from musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Jack Johnson, Pops Staples, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Eric Bibb, Tommy Sims, Wham!, Richie Havens and Funkadelic, he has played with James Gadson, who drummed for Bill Withers.
Hero
Michael Kiwanuka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I a hero now?
Am I a hero?
Am I a hero now?
Yeah
Please don't shoot me down
I love you like a brother
It's on the news again
I guess they killed another
Am I a hero?
Am I a hero now?
To die a hero
Is all that we know now
Oh, we all get told to go along
Oh, we know it's all for show
We know, we know
Am I a hero?
Am I a hero now?
To die a hero
Is all that we know now
Yeah
(Ooh, yeah)
(Ooh, yeah)
Am I a hero?
A fallen hero now?
Hear my sin Lord
Speak no evil now
Am I a hero?
My gun to reload now
A broken people
There go a hero now
The lyrics to Michael Kiwanuka's song "Hero" are a commentary on the societal pressure to be a hero and the consequences of failing to live up to that expectation. The lyrics express the singer's internal battle with the idea of being a hero and the societal pressure that comes with it through the repetition of the question "Am I a hero?" In the first verse, the singer pleads with the listener not to shoot them down as they love them like a brother, acknowledging the violence present in today's world. The second verse speaks to the idea that people are often told to go along with what is happening in society, even when it is just for show. The repetition of the phrase "we know" underscores the singer's understanding of the inauthenticity of societal expectations. The chorus continues with the question of whether or not the singer is a hero and the acknowledgement that dying as a hero is the only accepted way of being a hero.
The third verse adds a religious element to the song, as the singer asks for forgiveness and speaks of their gun needing to be reloaded. The final phrase, "there go a hero now" refers to the irony that in death, one can become a hero, even if they may not have been seen as such in life. Overall, the song expresses the tension between wanting to be a hero and living up to societal expectations while also recognizing the flaws in those expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I a hero?
The singer is questioning whether or not he can be identified as a hero.
Am I a hero now?
The singer is questioning if his recent actions or current situation have elevated him to hero status.
Please don't shoot me down
The singer is pleading with someone, presumably an authority figure, not to harm him.
I love you like a brother
The artist has strong feelings for the person he is addressing and considers them a close companion.
It's on the news again
The media is reporting on yet another violent event that has occurred.
I guess they killed another
The singer assumes that the reported event resulted in someone's death.
To die a hero
The notion of dying in a courageous manner is commonly associated with heroism.
Is all that we know now
The artist suggests that the concept of dying heroically is all that remains to be admired in a world full of violent conflict.
Oh, we all get told to go along
The artist suggests that people are encouraged to conform to the status quo despite any moral misgivings.
Oh, we know it's all for show
The artist acknowledges that the message being presented is only meant to influence public perception, not enact actual change.
A fallen hero now?
The singer is questioning whether or not he can still be identified as a hero even though he has experienced defeat or hardship.
Hear my sin Lord
The artist is asking for forgiveness or guidance from a higher power.
Speak no evil now
The singer is asking for silence, possibly in reference to the consequences of his actions or the violence he has witnessed.
My gun to reload now
The singer implies that he is going to continue fighting despite the negative consequences.
A broken people
The singer suggests that society is fractured and divided.
There go a hero now
The artist implies that someone in the broken society could be viewed as a hero regardless of their actions.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Burton, Dean Cover, Michael Samuel Kiwanuka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maynard G. Krebs
Michael is the greatest talent to come out in the last 20 years. I am 67 and have been listening to music since the womb. This young man "has it" and "gets it".....hard to explain but that's where I'm at.
Andrea Hauser
dobby glis is that you
Marica Faukovic
Rare talent with penetrating 60's soulful blues vibe
Jean Ataíde
Try and see black pumas too.
David Everett
Old Soul!
giannis sioutis
The last 2 months i discovered Kiwanuka and Black Pumas and i am listening them all day every day
Neil Sewards
giannis sioutis good month for you brother haha soul and rock n roll are back
Mealla
Yes very good artists you should check out Samm henshaw for more soul music
KOLECAVA
Same, heard Black Pumas from their first Instagram ad, best ad iv ever gotten. So good!!!
Napoleon
the best way to start the year