Former US President Barack Obama, known for his love of music, has shared his Summer 2023 playlist, and among his current favourite songs is “Love & Hate” by the talented British singer with Ugandan roots, Michael Kiwanuka.
This marks the second time Kiwanuka’s music has made it onto Obama’s Summer playlist, with his track “You Ain’t The Problem” first appearing in 2021, demonstrating the former US president’s appreciation for the artist’s work.
But who exactly is Michael Kiwanuka?
Born on May 3, 1987, Kiwanuka was raised in Muswell Hill, London, to Ugandan parents, Michael and Deborah Kiwanuka, who had fled Uganda during Idi Amin’s regime. Despite his British upbringing, he has privately visited Uganda on several occasions, enjoying holidays with his family, as he reveals in various interviews.
Michael Kiwanuka has established himself as a prominent musician on the global music scene, with his concerts being highly cherished by fans. He has received numerous nominations and honours, including nods from prestigious awards such as the Brit Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, BBC Music Awards, and The Grammy Awards. Notably, he earned the BBC’s Sound of 2012 title in January 2012.
In 2020, his album titled ‘Kiwanuka’ achieved a remarkable feat by winning the prestigious Mercury Prize, an annual music award recognizing the best album released in the United Kingdom by a British or Irish musician. The album’s success surpassed that of renowned artists like Dua Lipa and Stormzy.
In his personal life, Michael Kiwanuka has been happily married to Charlotte Kiwanuka since 2016, and the couple has chosen to keep their relationship private.
Aside from his musical talent, Kiwanuka is an avid fan of Tottenham Hotspur football club, and the club has recognized him as one of their supporters. He has even had the opportunity to showcase his music at their stadium on previous occasions.