Kae Tempest has unveiled an electrifying cover of George Michael’s iconic ‘Freedom! ‘90’, reimagined as ‘Freedom! ‘25’. You can listen to it below.
The award-winning rapper, poet, and playwright released their fifth studio album, Self Titled, in July under Island Records. The album was crafted with producer Fraser T. Smith, known for his work with artists like Adele and Stormzy, and features contributions from Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys, Young Fathers, and Connie Constance.
Tempest first showcased their rendition of Michael’s classic on Jo Whiley’s BBC Radio 2 show, recorded live from the Maida Vale studios, around the time of the album launch.
You can enjoy the recorded track along with a clip from that session, as well as the original, here:
In a recent statement about the cover, Tempest expressed their excitement to collaborate with Leah Cleaver, stating, “Her voice gives me life. Working with Fraser and Leah has been a dream. I’ve loved this song for ages, but I’m still uncovering the depths of what these lyrics can reveal.”
“This song represents victory,” they continued. “I have immense love for George Michael and am grateful for the light he brought into the world. It feels powerful to revive the spirit of this song in the current moment. Performing it live has been a stunning experience—it’s like a revelation. Ultimately, it’s about independence: ‘I don’t belong to you, and you don’t belong to me. Freedom.’”
Tempest has recently been on tour across Europe, with upcoming UK shows in London, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Check out all the dates and details here. Find any remaining tickets here.
