Songfacts®:

• In "Rebel Soul," Michael Kiwanuka dives into the murky waters of self-discovery and acceptance, grappling with that familiar inner conflict between the "rebel soul" - the part of us that yearns to speak freely and live authentically - and the fear that keeps it buried. The song is an understated, soulful piece, mirroring the delicate, introspective dance that Kiwanuka recounts.
• During the song, Kiwanuka explores not just identity, but the human experience of wrestling with one's own insecurities, a theme that runs like a golden thread through his body of work. Other notable examples include:
  
  2012 "Home Again"
  The song is about getting back to that place where you feel free to be who you are.
  
  2016 "Black Man In A White World"
  This song directly addresses Kiwanuka's experiences as a British-Ugandan artist, exploring feelings of alienation and the struggle to find his place in different cultures.
  
  2019 "You Ain't The Problem"
  This upbeat track was born out of Michael Kiwanuka's feelings of inferiority in an industry that is highly competitive. So he wrote a song that celebrates self-acceptance and encourages listeners to embrace their true selves rather than trying to fit societal expectations.
  
  2019 "I've Been Dazed"
  The song portrays Kiwanuka's struggles with self-doubt, the importance of perseverance, and the role of spiritual guidance in his journey of finding himself.
• "Rebel Soul" was co-written by Kiwanuka with the track's producers, Danger Mouse and Inflo. They have worked alongside Kiwanuka since his 2016 album Love & Hate.
• Kiwanuka recorded "Rebel Soul" for his fourth album, Small Changes. In a press release he said the album was motivated by the desire to sidestep anything that's deemed "cool." His ambition was to create something that might feel at home on a Bill Withers or Sade album, and indeed, reviewers have picked up on the resemblance of "Rebel Soul" to Sade's smooth, soulful restraint - that certain something that lets emotion simmer just under the surface.