Mercury Prize winner Michael Kiwanuka reveals stroke as he prepares new album
British singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka, 38, has revealed he suffered a haemorrhagic stroke last July that led to months of intensive care and hospitalisation, as he prepares to release his delayed album Fudge.
At the end of July 2025, shortly after returning home to Southampton from a run of European shows, singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka suffered a haemorrhagic stroke. At the time, his career was flourishing: his 2024 album Small Changes had been critically acclaimed and was kept off the UK No 1 spot only by Kendrick Lamar's GNX, while his fifth album, Fudge, was due for release that autumn.
His team announced that, due to "continued illness", Kiwanuka would be unable to complete his summer festival dates, including a scheduled appearance in Ireland, or his October shows in North America. Little was heard from him afterwards until this week, when the 38-year-old revealed the real reason for his absence.
According to his team, Kiwanuka underwent emergency surgery and then spent months in intensive care to support his breathing, a period he has no memory of. After leaving intensive care, he spent a further five months in hospital before moving to a rehabilitation centre in Hampshire, where he remains; he has not yet been able to return home, and his recovery timeline is still uncertain.
Kiwanuka says the stroke was caused by high blood pressure that he was unaware of, having shown no prior symptoms. He notes that Black African men face a higher risk of high blood pressure, and wants to raise awareness so others get checked in time. A representative of the Stroke Association confirmed that high blood pressure and diabetes are more common in Black African and Caribbean communities, adding that work-related stress may also be a contributing factor in strokes among younger people.
Despite his condition, Kiwanuka is going ahead with the October release of Fudge, his first self-produced album, recorded with his touring band in a makeshift studio in Southampton. He says some of the album's lyrics now carry new, painful resonance. His recovery involves daily rehabilitation sessions, physiotherapy and speech therapy, while singing along to favourite songs has helped rebuild his voice. Fellow musicians including Alicia Keys and Olivia Dean have sent messages of support.
