Michael Kiwanuka
Michael Kiwanuka wants to keep his beliefs alive through his music.
The former session musician began a solo career after releasing his debut album 'Home Again' last year and the London-born singer hopes to create a distinct sound for himself, reflecting on how his favourite artists from previous eras defined themselves.
He told Phoenix News Times blogs: "I didn't know what was going on socially at the time or what music meant to society. I mean, I read about it, but you never really know. That's what makes [my music] a different take: [It's] how to keep things I believe in musically [alive] that I feel sometimes are lost today...
"I don't want to just echo stuff that's been before. I want people to go, 'Oh, that sounds like Michael Kiwanuka.' I want people to follow me and my career around because they like me and my music, not just because it sounds like something that reminds them of other music."
Michael, 26, use to be fascinated by the covers of LPs and still turns to them when creating artwork for his own material.
He added: "I used to just love the covers for jazz albums like Miles Davis records and Herbie [Hancock] records -- usually late '60s/early '70s [music]. Basically, when people asked, 'What kind of artwork would you like for EPs or albums?,' I'd just send them those kind of records. I just feel [that style] has a warmth to it."