Michael Kiwanuka is a British soul musician who is signed to Communion Records. He has been compared to Bill Withers, Randy Newman, and Otis Redding, as well as Van Morrison and the Temptations. In January 2012 he won the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll and more recently, his debut album has been shortlisted in the Barclays Mercury Music Prize.

Kiwanuka has acknowledged influences from musicians such as Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Jack Johnson, Pops Staples, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Eric Bibb, Tommy Sims, Richie Havens and has played with James Gadson, who drummed for Bill Withers.

Kiwanuka worked as a session guitarist, playing with Chipmunk and Bashy, before working as a solo artist; his first proper gig was at The Oxford, Kentish Town. He came to the attention of Communion Records, which released his first two EPs, including his debut "Tell Me A Tale" on 13 th June 2011.

The big break through cam when Kiwanuka supported Adele on her Adele Live 2011 tour, as well as her iTunes Festival 2011 gig, he also and played at the Hard Rock Calling and later in 2011, he signed a deal with Polydor Records. (Excerpts courtesy of Wikipedia).