Kate Tempest Name Change: The Artist Now Known as Kae

There’s a moment when an artist steps into a new name, and the audience has to catch up — for Kae Tempest, formerly Kate Tempest, that moment came in August 2020 when they announced a shift that went far beyond a stage name. This article traces the public identity evolution of the British poet, rapper, and playwright — from the name change to their pronouns, gender identity, ADHD disclosure, and what’s next for the artist now known as Kae Tempest.

Born: 1985, Brockley, London ·
Former name: Kate Tempest ·
Current name: Kae Tempest ·
Pronouns: They/them ·
Profession: Spoken word performer, poet, recording artist, novelist, playwright ·
Studio albums released: 4 critically acclaimed albums

A quick comparison of the artist’s public identity before and after 2020:

Six biographical facts, one pattern: the artist’s public identity has been intentionally redefined over time, not just career-wise but personally.

Is Kae Tempest the same person as Kate Tempest?

Yes — Kae Tempest is the same individual who previously performed and published as Kate Tempest. The change was announced publicly in August 2020, when they shared a statement on Facebook (Radio X).

What name did Kate Tempest adopt?

• They adopted the name Kae Tempest, which is pronounced like the letter “K” (Write Out Loud (poetry community site)).
• The name Kae reportedly comes from an old English word for jay bird (The Independent).
• Tempest said the new name would be used for publishing books and releasing music from that point onward (NME).

The implication: the name change was not a rebranding exercise but a personal declaration — a first step toward aligning public identity with private self.

Why the name change?

Tempest explained that they had been struggling to accept themself for a long time and had tried to be what others wanted them to be to avoid rejection (The Hobbledehoy (culture blog)). The shift to Kae was described as “a first step” toward knowing and respecting themself better.

What are Kate Tempest’s pronouns?

Kae Tempest uses they/them pronouns. This was clarified in the same August 2020 announcement that introduced the new name. The statement read: “From Kate to Kae. From she/her to they/them” (Radio X).

When did Kae Tempest come out as non-binary?

In 2020, Tempest publicly declared themself gender neutral (NME). By 2024, they had released a self-titled album under the name Kae Tempest, and their official site described them as “recording artist, lyricist, performer, author, playwright, and poet” (Kae Tempest Official Site).

Why use they/them pronouns?

Tempest stated that they had been struggling to accept themself and that using they/them pronouns was a way to honour their identity (The Hobbledehoy). The change was not impulsive; it was the result of a long internal process.

The pattern: the pronoun announcement was part of a broader identity shift that began long before the public knew.

Did Kae Tempest transition gender?

In 2020, Tempest came out as non-binary, stating they are not a woman but also not fully transitioning in a binary sense (The Independent). However, in July 2025, PinkNews reported that Tempest had come out as a trans man and was using he/him pronouns (PinkNews). Wikipedia also notes this evolution (Wikipedia).

Is Kae Tempest transgender?

Yes — by 2025, Tempest identifies as a trans man. The earlier non-binary identification was a step in a longer journey of self-discovery.

Is Kae Tempest non-binary?

Tempest was non-binary from 2020 until at least 2024. The 2025 coming out as a trans man represents a further clarification of their gender identity.

The implication: the 2020 announcement was not the end of the process but a milestone in an evolving self‑understanding.

Has Kae Tempest got ADHD?

Yes — Kae Tempest has publicly mentioned living with ADHD. In interviews, they have described how it affects their creative process and daily life (The Line of Best Fit (music and culture magazine)).

When did Kae Tempest talk about ADHD?

Tempest discussed their ADHD diagnosis in a 2025 interview with The Line of Best Fit, where they spoke about the role of medication and how neurodiversity shapes their work.

What has Kae Tempest said about neurodiversity?

Tempest has described ADHD as a source of both challenge and creative energy. They have not shied away from the topic, using it to explain their intense focus and rapid thoughts.

The trade-off: ADHD gives Tempest a torrent of ideas but also makes sustained focus a struggle — a balance that their music and poetry capture.

Who is Kae Tempest’s partner?

Kae Tempest is in a relationship, but the partner’s identity has not been publicly confirmed in detail. No official statements or verified sources name a spouse or partner.

Is Kae Tempest married?

There is no public evidence that Kae Tempest is married. The question often arises from earlier biographical sketches that mentioned a partner, but those details are unconfirmed.

Kae Tempest wife or partner

While some fans speculate, Tempest has kept their romantic life private. The lack of public information should be read as a boundary, not a mystery.

Why this matters: for a figure who has been unusually open about identity and mental health, the silence around a partner is a deliberate choice — and one worth respecting.

Timeline: Kate Tempest to Kae Tempest

Five key moments trace the identity evolution:

The timeline signal: the name and pronoun shift in 2020 was not the end of the process — it was the beginning of a longer, more nuanced identity journey.

What we know and what remains unclear

In their own words: quotes from and about Kae Tempest

“From Kate to Kae. From she/her to they/them.”

— Kae Tempest, 2020 announcement (Radio X)

“Kate Tempest has announced a name change to Kae Tempest and declared themself as gender neutral.”

— NME (music publication)

“The change was a first step toward knowing and respecting myself better.”

— Kae Tempest (The Hobbledehoy)

Kae Tempest has released four critically acclaimed studio albums.

— Kae Tempest Official Site

For readers following Kae Tempest’s journey, the implication is clear: identity is not static, and public figures who share their evolution invite us to rethink our own labels. For the artist, the path ahead is about continuing to create authentically, and for the audience, the choice is to listen with open minds.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Richard Coles: Biography, Faith, and Books — Another British musician-turned-writer with a public intellectual profile.
• Golda Rosheuvel: Biography, Ethnicity, Partner & LGBTQ Identity — Covers LGBTQ+ identity and public visibility, connecting to Tempest’s own journey.