Michael Kiwanuka has just shared “Rebel Soul,” the fourth and final single from his highly anticipated new album Small Changes, which will be released on November 22 via Geffen Records. The track showcases Kiwanuka’s signature soulful sound, with a slow-building arrangement highlighting his ethereal vocals.
Produced by Brian Burton (Danger Mouse), Small Changes aims to transcend traditional musical boundaries. Kiwanuka explained that their goal was to create something timeless, drawing inspiration from icons like Bill Withers and Sadé.
Following his co-headline US tour with Brittany Howard, Michael has announced a special, intimate UK tour next month to support local record stores. The stripped-back performances will give fans an exclusive preview of the new album ahead of next year’s electric tour. The six-date run includes stops in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham, Kingston Upon Thames, and Southampton. Tickets go on sale October 25.
Indie funk-rocker Brittany Howard and British soul star Michael Kiwanuka have announced a co-headlining joint tour running for 14 dates this fall. They’ll be supported by guitarist-composer Yasmin Williams.
Howard is currently on her own solo tour through the end of April, with a slate of festival dates around the world throughout the summer that includes Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, and Pitchfork.
Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 26 at 10AM local time, with a pre-sale going up on Wednesday, April 24. You can get tickets and more info here.
04/23 Tulsa, OK / Cain’s Ballroom ^
04/24 Kanas City, MO / The Truman ^
04/26 St. Louis, MO / The Pageant ^
04/27 Oxford, MS / Double Decker Arts Festival
04/28 Austin, TX / Austin Blues Festival
06/15 Manchester, TN / Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
06/20 Milwaukee, WI / Summerfest
06/22 Vienna, VA / Wolf Trap’s Out & About Festival
06/26-30 Somerset, England @ Glastonbury Festival
07/02 London, England @ Koko
07/03 Lytham St Annes, England @ Lytham Festival
07/05 Dublin, Ireland @ Marlay Park #
07/06 Manchester, England @ Albert Hall
07/07 London, England @ London Finsbury Park #
07/09 Chepstow, Wales @ Chepstow Summer Sessions #
07/10 Glasgow, Scotland @ Glasgow Green #
07/12 Rotterdam, Netherlands @ North Sea Jazz Festival
07/13 Bruges, Belgium @ Cactus Festival
07/14 Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival
07/21 Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival
08/02 Newport, RI @ Newport Jazz Festival
08/03 Montreal, Quebec @ Osheaga Festival
08/11 Lyons, CO @ Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
09/29 Philadelphia, PA @ The Met +*
09/30 Boston, MA @ Roadrunner +*
10/02 Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre +*
10/03 New York, NY @ SummerStage +*
10/06 Saint Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre +*
10/08 Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom +*
10/10 Boise, ID @ Outlaw Field at Idaho Botanical Garden +*
10/11 Troutdale, OR @ McMenamins Edgefield Concerts +*
10/12 Vancouver, British Columbia @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre +*
10/14 Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Festival Pavilion +*
10/15 Seattle, WA @ The Paramount +*
10/17 Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre +*
10/18 Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre +*
10/19 Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre +*
Ahead of their hotly anticipated collaborative album, Cheat Codes, Black Thought and Danger Mouse have dropped a new track, “Aquamarine.” On their new track, Danger Mouse delivers a clashing, drum-driven beat, as Black Thought raps about contemporary world issues while channeling the power within himself.
On a notable line, Black Thought raps, “I’m a king, I’m dipped in God’s Black, a blessing / Survival of the fittest is a natural selection.”
His royal rap stylings are garnished with a soft-tinged chorus by UK singer Michael Kiwanuka, who is one of many promising collaborators on Cheat Codes.
“For ‘Aquamarine,’ when I heard the music I just had a feeling to sing about standing up for something that’s unique and following that path,” said Kiwanuka in a statement. “I don’t know why but that’s what came out. Sometimes when you’re following something that’s unique to you it’s as if ‘enemies are all around.’ At times life can feel fragile like ‘everything’s burning down.’ For some reason the chords and music made me feel that way.”
The song’s accompanying video, directed by George Muncey and Elliott Elder, sees Black Thought spitting his rhymes, as a kaleidoscopic effect captures various angles of his face and his expressions.
Check out “Aquamarine” above.
Cheat Codes is out 8/12 via BMG. Pre-save it here.
