Kae Tempest releases cover of George Michael's Freedom '90

Kae Tempest live at BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2025 (Gary Mather for Live4ever)

Kae Tempest first performed it on Jo Whiley’s Live From Maida Vale series.

Kae Tempest has teamed up with Leah Cleaver for the release of Freedom 25 not long before a short run of UK live dates are due to start at the Brixton Academy on November 8th.

“So excited to be joined on this track by Leah Cleaver, whose voice gives me life,” Tempest has remarked.

It’s been a dream to work together with Fraser and Leah. I have loved this song forever, but I am still only just now discovering what these lyrics can unlock. This song is a victory. Love George Michael so much. Grateful to him for the light he shone. It feels powerful, l re-summoning the spirit of this song in this moment.

“I’ve performed it live a few times, and it’s a stunning feeling to find it with the crowd; it feels like a revelation. All we have to see is that I don’t belong to you, and you don’t belong to me. Freedom.”