Kae Tempest – Biography, Books, Music, Partner and Tour

Kae Tempest is a British artist who has moved between spoken word, poetry, hip hop, theatre, and the novel with unusual fluency. What began as a teenage performer in London’s underground scene has grown into a career marked by major literary prizes, Mercury-nominated albums, and a public transition that has reshaped their identity and work.

Born in Brockley, South London in 1985, Tempest first performed spoken word at 16, moving between open mics, poetry slams, and rap battles. Over the following two decades, they built a reputation as one of the most cross-disciplinary voices in contemporary UK culture. In 2020, Tempest announced they were non-binary and changed their name from Kate Tempest to Kae Tempest. By 2025, they had publicly described themselves as a trans man, using he/him pronouns.

The question “Is Kae Tempest Kate Tempest?” is common. The answer is straightforward: Kae Tempest is the same person who previously performed and published as Kate Tempest. The name change marks a shift in identity, not a different artist.

Who Is Kae Tempest? (Biography and Background)

Key Insights

• Kae Tempest is a non-binary artist who changed their name from Kate Tempest in 2020.
• They are a multi-disciplinary artist: poet, rapper, playwright, and novelist.
• Their work often explores class, identity, community, and the human condition.
• Kae Tempest has released at least five studio albums and several acclaimed spoken word projects.
• They won the Ted Hughes Award for poetry in 2013 for Brand New Ancients.
• Two of their albums were nominated for the Mercury Prize: Everybody Down (2014) and Let Them Eat Chaos (2016).

Snapshot Facts

What Books and Music Has Kae Tempest Released?

Tempest’s output spans multiple media. Their first major breakthrough came in poetry with Brand New Ancients, a narrative poem set to music that won the Ted Hughes Award in 2013. Two years later, they were named one of the Poetry Book Society’s Next Generation Poets.

Poetry and Spoken Word

Brand New Ancients remains a landmark work. Tempest followed it with collections including Hold Your Own (2014) and Let Them Eat Chaos (2016), the latter also released as a studio album. The poetry combines rhythmic intensity with sharp social commentary, often addressing class, inequality, and personal struggle.

Novels and Prose

Tempest’s debut novel, The Bricks That Built the Houses, was published in 2016. It follows three young Londoners navigating ambition, love, and economic precarity. A second novel, Having Spent Life Seeking, was published on 30 April 2026. Both novels draw on the same urban landscapes and emotional registers that define their poetry and music.

Studio Albums

Tempest has released at least five studio albums. The first, Everybody Down (2014), was a hip hop narrative record that earned a Mercury Prize nomination. Let Them Eat Chaos (2016) received the same honour. Later albums include The Book of Traps and Angels (2019), The Line Is a Curve (2022), and a self-titled album released on 4 July 2025 through Island Records.

Theatre

Tempest has written several plays, including Wasted, Hopefully Devoted, and Paradise at the National Theatre. These works extend their interest in dramatic storytelling beyond the page and stage.

Who Is Kae Tempest’s Partner? (Personal Life)

Personal relationships are a frequent topic of inquiry. The question “Who is Kae Tempest’s partner?” appears often in search data, and the answer is more limited than many readers might expect.

What Is Known

Public social media posts and some personal appearances reference a partner named Amie. No official biography, interview, or press release from the sources surveyed provides a full name, occupation, or timeline of the relationship. The partner question is not addressed in the Wikipedia article, the official website, or major interviews with The Guardian, The Big Issue, or High Profiles.

Marriage Status

No source confirms whether Tempest is married. The term “wife” does not appear in any of the verified records used here. The partner Amie is referenced in informal contexts, but the legal status of the relationship remains private.

Is Kae Tempest on Tour in 2025? (Live Performances)

Tempest continues to tour internationally. The official website lists dates and festival appearances in 2025 and 2026. An Australia tour was completed in 2025, and further international dates are listed on the official site.

Festival appearances include Avignon Festival, among others. Tempest has performed at venues and festivals around the world, maintaining a strong live presence that spans spoken word readings, full band shows, and hybrid performances.

Career Timeline: Key Milestones

1. 1985 – Born Kate Esther Calvert in Brockley, South London.
2. 2000s – Began performing spoken word and poetry in London’s underground scene at age 16.
3. 2013 – Published Brand New Ancients; won the Ted Hughes Award.
4. 2014 – Released debut album Everybody Down; nominated for Mercury Prize.
5. 2016 – Released Let Them Eat Chaos (Mercury Prize nomination); published debut novel The Bricks That Built the Houses.
6. 2020 – Changed name to Kae Tempest; came out as non-binary, using they/them pronouns.
7. 2022 – Released album The Line Is a Curve.
8. 2025 – Released self-titled album (4 July, Island Records); completed Australia tour.
9. 2025 – Publicly described himself as a trans man, reportedly using he/him pronouns.
10. 2026 – Published second novel Having Spent Life Seeking (30 April).

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?

Why Does Kae Tempest’s Work Matter?

Kae Tempest represents a significant evolution in contemporary spoken word and music. Moving from a breakout poet performing as Kate Tempest to a non-binary artist with a distinct identity, their work resonates with audiences seeking authenticity, social commentary, and emotional depth. The writing is rooted in London’s streets and estates, but the themes — class, belonging, love, anger, hope — reach far beyond any single place.

Tempest’s ability to work across poetry, hip hop, theatre, and the novel makes them one of the most versatile UK artists of their generation. The same voice that fills a festival stage also fills the pages of a novel, and the same political urgency that drives a rap verse also shapes a play. This cross-disciplinary range is rare, and it has earned Tempest a following that spans literary, music, and theatre audiences alike.

Where to Find Reliable Information About Kae Tempest

“Kae Tempest is a London-born spoken word artist, rapper, poet, playwright, novelist, and recording artist who began performing as a teenager and has built a career across live performance, music, and publishing.”

— Poetry Archive

“Tempest was born Kate Esther Calvert and performed for years as Kate Tempest before changing the name to Kae Tempest in 2020 when they came out as non-binary.”

— The Guardian, 2022

The most comprehensive sources are the Wikipedia article and the official website. The Poetry Archive, Pan Macmillan, and AllMusic offer additional depth on specific aspects of the career. Social media, particularly Instagram, provides real-time updates on releases and performances. For music, the Spotify artist page and Facebook page are useful.

Summary

Kae Tempest is a multi-award-winning British artist who has worked across spoken word, poetry, hip hop, theatre, and fiction. Formerly known as Kate Tempest, they changed their name in 2020 after coming out as non-binary. By 2025, they had publicly described themselves as a trans man. Their career includes a Ted Hughes Award, two Mercury Prize nominations, five studio albums, two novels, and numerous plays. A partner named Amie is referenced in public sources, but marriage status and height are not confirmed. Tour dates for 2025 and 2026 are listed on the official website. For more detail, see the full research profile on Kae Tempest.

Frequently Asked Questions