Michael Kiwanuka Pays Homage to the Black Liberation Movements of the '60s In New Video 'Hero'

The artist's latest single references some of his personal heroes including Malcolm X, Fred Hampton, Tupac Shakur and more.

Michael Kiwanuka Pays Homage to the Black Liberation Movements of the '60s In New Video 'Hero'
Still from YouTube

British-Ugandan soul singer Michael Kiwanuka drops another single ahead of the release of his forthcoming album, KIWANUKA.

In "Hero" the singer pays homage to the Black Power and Civil Rights movements of the 1960s and 70s. The music video, directed by CC Wade references several Black leaders and some of the artist's personal heroes including Malcolm X, Fred Hampton, Martin Luther King Jr., Sam Cooke, Tupac Shakur, Marvin Gaye and more. It also depicts the FBI's often illegal efforts to stop Black movements and other anti-establishment groups through its Counterintelligence Program, as noted in Rolling Stone.


Still from YouTube

"Am I a hero," the artist sings atop fluttering guitar riffs. "Hero' is a song about how the gems of this world always seem to die young, and how those who are oppressed often seem to have the most to offer us," said the artist in a statement.

KIWANUKA, the singer's third studio album following 2016's critically acclaimed Love & Hate, is set to drop on November 1. He previously released the single "You Ain't the Problem." In June, he teamed up with Tom Misch for the standout collaboration "Money."

LISTEN: Michael Kiwanuka Drops Highly-Anticipated New Album 'KIWANUKA'

The artist also announced that he'll be embarking on an extensive tour in support of the album this Fall and through the Spring of 2020. Check out the dates here.

Watch the music video for "Hero" below.

Michael Kiwanuka - Hero (Official Video)youtu.be

The cover artwork for OkayAfrica’s Best West African Songs of 2024 list featuring Ayra Starr and Tems.
Latest

The Best West African Songs of 2024

This year’s list features emerging talents and an uptick in artists reaching to the past to create new sounds.

A man stands on a stage, wearing a denim jacket and pants while holding up a hand fan.
News

With “Sade,” Adekunle Gold Challenged The Nigerian Music Industry

As “Sade” turns 10, we take a look at how Adekunle Gold provided an alternative template to being a Nigerian superstar by making music with soul and commercial merits.