On the road with Michael Kiwanuka

Get a sneak peek of our cover story with Michael Kiwanuka — when the Mercury Prize winner left north London, his journey became much more than a change of scenery.

Michael Kiwanuka sits across the table, sipping a coffee. It’s late afternoon and the Mercury Prize winner has been shooting around various Kentish Town hotspots all day — including outside the prime minister’s favourite pub, The Pineapple (which Kiwanuka just happened to have lived on the same road as until he and his wife relocated to Southampton six years ago). Nevertheless, the artist doesn’t seem to need a caffeinated pick-me- up. He’s palpably excited to have spent the day in north London. “We even bumped into my old neighbour,” he says, beaming. “We chatted to him. It was perfect.” It takes a while for us to get off the subject of Kentish Town and the hidden gems buried behind the “higgedly- piggedly” high street, as Kiwanuka, 37, puts it.

Michael wears jacket by YMC, shirt by SAGE NATION, trousers by HARTFORD from MR PORTER, trainers by MERRELL and jewellery by PERLE by Serge DeNimes.
Michael wears coat by LOEWE and jumper by YMC.

He grew up only a few miles down the road, in Muswell Hill, so it’s hard to see why the artist ever left north London. He reels off some of the usual culprits — the perpetual lack of space in the city, the unavoidable noise. It’s clear, however, that the move to Southampton (in true Kiwanuka fashion) was mostly to benefit his family, which currently comprises his wife and two young kids. “My wife always dreamed of having a big dog, a labrador,” he says. “It’s hard to have a big dog in London.” With friends already in the area and the flexibility to work anywhere, it seems the transition was easier than expected. “It’s sweet, man,” Kiwanuka says breezily. “Nice suburban areas and greenery. If I had it my way though, I’d have them talk about the Titanic a bit less.” He laughs. “There’s definitely a life stage you need to be at when you’re happy to move, though.”

This excerpt was taken from HUNGER Issue 32: Family Affair. Stay tuned for the full story.

  • PhotographerCharlie Cummings
  • StylistAlesha Jivanda
  • WriterScarlett Coughlan
  • GroomerDominique Desveaux
  • ProducerAbby Rothwell
  • Hero ImageMichael wears jewellery by PERLE by Serge DeNimes and shoes by REFERENC